"Can you forgive me just this once, Circe?"
Joaquin's voice was low, resting his forehead on her shoulder, standing still behind her. When Aries left the dining hall, he wouldn't deny his anger at the remarks she spewed. However, there was some truth in it. His wife was beautiful and smart and she was capable of fooling with another man just to spite him.
"We hadn't spent time together because of the circumstance and the tension between us is disheartening," he explained, raising his head slowly. He then held her shoulder, spinning her carefully until they were facing each other.
"I know it's not your fault that there is now a distance between us." Under his breath, he admitted he had hurt her. "I deserved this anger from you. Your husband had been chasing after an apparition and failed to see you."
His brows rose, smiling bitterly. He squeezed her hand mildly, huffing as to release the heaviness in his chest.
"I'm sorry. I regret it, Circe." Without letting go of her other hand, Joaquin cupped her cheek. "I was wrong."
There was a thick silence between them as they stared at each other. When he slowly bent over, tilting his head to the side, Aries looked away to avoid his lips.
"Just how many times would you ask for forgiveness and chances, Joaquin?" her voice was soft, yet distant. "Do you take me for a fool who gives out chances generously?"
"Circe."
"I'm not a fool, Joaquin." Aries looked back at him, but unlike the icy look in her eyes previously, they only showed the desire to be seen. "I gave you countless chances, which I rarely do just because I tried to choose my heart over my mind. But obviously, you took that for granted."
"I know… and I deeply regret it. There's just… never mind. Just how can I quench your anger, my wife?" he let out another deep sigh, waiting for her response patiently.
"I don't know." She shook her head, brushing his hands away from her cheek as she took a step back. "I don't know, Joaquin. If I forgive you now, you'll do it again if I did something that reminded you of that person. I'd rather stay like this since I'm used to the life of being alone."
"I can always adjust. I don't need someone to accompany me," she added as she turned her back on him. "Living alone had always been the story of my life and I'm used to it. I don't need someone who only gives me crippling affliction."
Joaquin let out another deep sigh, but he didn't frown. Instead, impatience flickered across his eyes. He stretched his neck to the side, telling himself he needed to be patient to win her over again. He was aware winning her over would be difficult this time from everything that had happened, but he had to focus on his goal.
Ismael was still alive and walking freely in the palace. For as long as that person was alive, people who were vying for power would use the third prince for their own interests.
"I won't disappoint you this time," he affirmed, staring at her back with determination in his eyes. "I promise. I've thought long and hard about this, and I can now understand your fondness for that dog."
"He's not a dog — he's a person."
"Right…" he suppressed himself from rolling his eyes. "I won't touch him or your personal maid ever again. No matter how upset I was, I shouldn't have lashed out at the very few people who were always there for you when I'm not around."
This time, Joaquin walked over and stood beside her. He waited for her to return his gaze before he spoke.
"I see you, Circe." He raised his hand and cupped her jaw, staring deep into her eyes. "I can now see you."
Aries pursed her lips into a tight, thin slash. For him, she was still a woman who needed the affection of her husband. Although she could be fierce and devise a meticulous plan, her actions and words in the past showed another side of her.
Behind this fearless woman hid a beautiful lady who could appreciate small things.
"I say this once and for all." She let out a deep sigh as her seemingly unbreakable wall slightly lowered. "This is the last time. There will be no last, Joaquin. This is really my limit and I won't be kind the next time."
"Yes." He smiled in relief and then snapped his eyes when she glanced down. His brows furrowed as she opened her fist ever so slowly.
"This is the reason I met the eighth prince," she explained, studying how his eyes dilate upon recognizing the seal in her possession. Joaquin abruptly raised his eyes in surprise, only to see her frowning as her eyes moved to the side.
"How did you —"
"A trade," she remarked. "I told the eighth prince I'll make sure he'll receive a lighter sentence if he gives me something that had an equal value to his life. I knew you wouldn't mark them if you don't need anything from them and since they won't give them to you willingly, you'd rather have them killed."
"Circe, you…"
"The eighth prince said this seal is the official seal of the rebel group led by a nameless and faceless man. How she got it was more like a repayment to her kind nature and help." She clicked her tongue, handing the seal over to him. "Princess Violet loved and trusted the eighth prince so much so she handed this seal to him. Although he said he hadn't used this yet since Princess Violet didn't know how to contact anyone who was directly affiliated with that group."
Aries paused and then handed the seal to him. "Do you think my real goal is as simple as you gaining public support?" she laughed weakly before handing over the seal to him.
"Back in Haimirich, I pledged I will make my husband the greatest emperor of all the emperors to spite the tyrant who put me in this place." She raised her head, keeping her unreadable expression in check. "I don't settle for less, Joaquin, and I'm giving this to you not because I want to, but because I don't need it. There were many things I don't need in this place that I can easily obtain that you might need."
"I am ambitious, but my ambition is nothing like yours," she continued. "So, I'm not your competitor… don't force me to become one. I haven't forgiven you and if you truly want me, you'll have to prove yourself worthy... because this is enough for me to prove myself I am more than just a hostage in this place."
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