"They beg for help," Aries smirked, seeing how Carlos's mouth fell open. "Why don't you try it? Although I am an outsider, this alien is still the crown princess and the future empress. My words have value; it can change a life."
Once again, silence descended on the already silent prison after Aries's remarks. The side of her lips curled up, enjoying the shock dominating his slightly mangled face. Even though she didn't know what happened, Aries already had a vague idea of how this man resisted his arrest, and Roman, the seventh prince, took the most out of it.
"What are you…?"
"I am offering you help because I woke up this morning and felt generous," she explained with an air of nonchalance. "The fire last night made me reflect on my actions and I am grateful that I am alive and am living the best time of my life. I believe in you, Your Highness. I don't think what you've gone through is fair and I held you in the highest regard because you are the chief of defense... and the chief of defense wouldn't be that foolish as to parade his involvement in his illegal activities if there is."
Aries slowly squatted down to look at him at eye-level, leaning closer to the metal bars between them. "You can believe my words at face value or not — your choice. However, my offer is only valid until I am in this place. Once I leave, you're on your own. After all, I don't think the third prince can help; you know that, do you?"
She tilted her head to the side, flashing him a subtle smile. All he could do was listen and even if he wanted to mock her, his voice was stuck in his throat. Of course, he was aware that Ismael 'might' be in the same situation. They were in the same boat.
Who knows? Ismael might've been in one of the cells beaten black and blue. If only he knew the situation outside was far different from what he thought, he wouldn't look at Aries with conflict in his eyes while contemplating her 'generosity.'
"What do you want from me?" he scoffed after a few minutes of silence, eyes slowly filling with ridicule. "Are you trying to give me a sliver of hope just so I dance to your tune like a fool? Never."
"It's alright if you think that way, but I am sincere when I said I want to help you." She sighed.
"Hah! You? Why would you want to help me when we're in opposition? Do you think you will be safe if your beloved husband falls?"
"I didn't say that. Same with I didn't say we're in opposition. Just because I married the crown prince doesn't necessarily mean I am on his side, Your Highness. Don't get me wrong, though. I am also not saying I am siding with the third prince."
"Then, what?!"
"I… am on my own side." She blinked almost innocently. "Although I am an outsider married to the crown prince for mutual benefits, I am now a citizen of the Maganti Empire and thus, I only side with the truth. I don't play your game, Your Highness. People play mine where I make the rules."
"Hah…" his eyes glinted in ridicule at the confidence of her voice and demeanor. Surely, she was someone who lived up to her reputation in Haimirich. Beautiful, proud, and smart. He wasn't so stupid as to think she didn't have ulterior motives in offering help, but this arrogance was also somehow convincing in a strange way.
"What do you think? Shall I help you, Your Highness?" she smiled subtly, only to receive a mocking glare from him. "I'm not asking for too much in return. You should hear me out."
"Stop going in a circle, crown princess. What the hell do you want from me?"
The side of her lips curled up. "A confession."
"Hah! Ha ha hahaha!" Her smile remained as his devious waves of laughter bounced across every corner of the prison. When his laughter subsided, Carlos looked at her in amusement. "A confession? Hah… I knew you were playing with me and wasting my time."
"Between you and me, it is me who is wasting my time in here," she pointed out as a matter of fact.
"Just scram will you?" Carlos moved his face forward and stressed each word. "I will never confess to the crime I never committed."
"Really?" she tilted her head, biting her tongue mildly. "Even if it means confessing, might help you?"
This time, his brows furrowed while he studied her expression. The light danced on her side, giving him enough opportunity to see her cunning eyes.
"Your Highness, I know confessing for the crimes will guarantee you to walk to the gallows and get executed via guillotine. But isn't that the same if you plead innocent? The people who put you behind these bars will make sure you will get executed. So, why not plead guilty to get a lighter sentence?" Aries explained, resting her chin on top of the back of her hands that were on her knees. "I am an outsider, but I studied the Maganti law before setting foot in this empire. So, I know a royalty had a privileged to avoid the worst."
"And then what?" His eyes glinted as he seethed, but this time, he didn't raise his voice and remained strangely calm. "I confess, and instead of the guillotine, I get banished without anything. Isn't that the same as dying?"
"It's not, Your Highness. A wise man once said; once you're dead, you're dead. No one will remember you since you weren't a particularly good person and you know that. Are you thinking Princess Violet or your sons will remember you? Maybe they will in heaven!" She cocked her head, rendering him speechless as what she spewed was nothing but facts. He knew his allies were also in the same situation as him and if they all died, everything they were fighting for would die with them.
But more than that, the mention of Princess Violet and his sons lit up the small flame within, igniting his inextinguishable anger.
"Plead guilty, Your Highness. I'll make sure you get a lighter sentence. After all, being banished is better than dying instantly. There were lots of things you can do while you're breathing than when you're not." Aries pushed herself up and pivoted on her heel to walk away. But she stopped just after three steps and glanced over her shoulder.
"I'll wait for your answer during your trial. You have time." Her eyes glinted as she resumed her steps, smirking evilly.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om