"This… is the emperor?"
Aries's mind went blank, and she barely blinked while staring at the animal inside the cage. No, it wasn't a wild animal. There was blood all over him, dried blood around his mouth and on his entire body, smudging the floor. Intimidating grunts would caress her ears from time to time, reaching his dirty hand towards them.
'What is this…?' she wondered while all the muscles in her body stiffened as a knot in her stomach tightened.
This was something that never crossed her. Even in her wildest imagination would she ever consider the emperor falling to this state? Had he lost his mind? Aries could only twist this revelation to make more sense to her since there was no way the emperor would become a monster.
She flinched slightly when the man within the cage raised his eyes to her. His eyes were bloodshot and the veins in his sclera were protruding as if they would explode anytime soon.
"Grr…" the old man ground his teeth, showing the fresh blood on them. Saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth as if he was a hungry dog, wanting to feast on her.
Aries staggered back on instinct while shaking her head sideways. Her breath hitched when she heard Joaquin's calm voice.
"It is saddening, isn't it?" her eyes shook as she moved them to him. Joaquin was standing beside her previously, hands on his back, eyes on the person inside the cage.
"He was once a man who had the world at his feet. Look at him now. All he can think about was his growling stomach inside this cage, and unable to conduct himself properly." Joaquin snapped his eyes ever so tenderly, showing zero remorse at the man, his flesh and blood. "It is a shame he couldn't appreciate the beauty of my wife and warn you about me."
He slowly turned on his heel and faced her. Dread was apparent on her face, but he smiled subtly.
"What do you think, Circe?" he asked. "Do you understand why I took you here?"
Her lips quivered, trying her best to look rattled more than horrified. "What did you do to him?"
"Nothing, my love." Joaquin shrugged and stretched his hand to her. "Come. You will feel safe if you stay close."
"No." Aries shook her head and took a step back. "No, Joaquin. I can't go there."
He frowned as he cocked his head. "And why is that? Don't you feel safe with me?"
"No." She gulped, taking another step back. But before his frown deepen, she added. "You come to me. I don't want to be near there. It turns my stomach."
Joaquin studied her and then glanced at the distance where they had stood previously. When a shallow breath escaped his mouth, he rocked his head and advanced in her direction.
"Let's calm you down first," he said the second he snaked his arm around her. But before they could walk away, Aries wrapped her limbs around him and buried her face in his chest. Her grip tightened around his waist while he gazed down on her, feeling her body vibrate against him.
The side of his lips curled up into a subtle smile, patting her back gently. "It's fine, my love. I'm here for you." He continuously rubbed her back, standing in that same spot for minutes.
Meanwhile, Aries, whose forehead was against his chest, lowered her eyes. She tightened her embrace around him, not to soothe her fear, but to get herself together under the facade she was scared of the emperor and needed him.
'What is going on here?' she asked herself multiple times already. 'Is this… is this the truth Javier holds?'
Her gulp resonated in her ears while her breathing grew heavier. The hand that was rubbing her back didn't soothe her even a bit. If anything, she felt disgusted, and it terrified her. This fear… was something she had never felt before. It clouded all the meticulous plans in her head. But more than that, her primary concern was her upcoming wedding to the man she loved.
'He is here…' she thought and her complexion instantly turned pale. 'Abel… he is in this place. Joaquin will kill him if he knew about him.'
At that moment, Aries felt like all the things she had worked hard for, and having this upper hand spiraled. She felt driven to a corner, figuring out how wicked this crown prince could be. If he could do this to the emperor, to his biological father, Joaquin could do anything.
The love he spoke of to her… wouldn't even salvage her.
'No, Circe. Even if I don't treat you right… you are mine.'
Her back stiffened as his voice and claims previously crossed her head. Knowing this situation now, those sentiments felt ten times dreadful. It wouldn't be just as easy as to say Joaquin would take away the little power from the crown princess or lock her in a room.
If Joaquin wanted her, he would easily turn her into this monster. How he would do it, Aries doesn't have the slightest notion how. But what she was certain of was Joaquin was a man who could do things like this. He was someone who would rather kill someone 'in the name of love.' He would rather see her die as his beloved wife and crown princess than let her be.
Aries clenched her teeth and swallowed down the fear that was clouding her head.
"Can you walk?" he asked after minutes of silence. Her face crumpled, eyes heating up in anger and fear, but she ground her teeth so hard they nearly broke. When she raised her head, her expression was tamed.
"Carry me, please," came out a muffled voice. "I'm too stunned. I can barely keep my ground."
"What a piece of work. If I knew this would happen, I would've introduced you to His Majesty after you've given birth." He sighed and smiled reassuringly at her. "Let me carry you, then. Don't be afraid. I'm here with you."
Joaquin's smile was gentle as if everything was going to be fine. After that, he carried Aries and sat her down on the edge of the bed, a position where they could still look at the cage so she would get used to it.
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