"Your intentions are good, I know that. But had it ever crossed you that by being reluctant to sully your hands and being content with the meager freedom you have now, you are also taking away the future of Chivisea? The crown prince is deceiving your people, and if Chivisea fell, your silence had already taken away your right to claim innocence. You will be just as responsible… and that makes you deserving to rot in hell."
There was a long and thick silence that followed Aries's argument. The two ladies only held each other's gaze; one held firm conviction while others bore conflicting emotions. Veronika was at a loss. She got a grasp of Aries's point, but until now, she couldn't understand the intention behind this discussion.
"I… do not have the power, Lady Vandran," Veronika confessed, as she didn't know how to answer Aries anymore. "Even if, let's say, I desire to fight for what I think was mine, I am certain I will lose this fight I picked. Not that I am jinxing it, but I am being realistic."
"Who will support me?" she continued bitterly, but firmly. "Chivisea just regained its freedom from the Maganti Empire's years of oppression. Even if His Majesty Ismael acknowledged me, he had a bigger problem than mine. Hence, I cannot ask him for support, knowing Maganti is still unstable."
"There might be people in Chivisea who would support me, but it's still not enough, my lady. If I pushed this through, I'm just sending everyone to their deaths. My heart… cannot take that. Even so, I appreciate that you believe in me; it means a lot to me." Veronika bowed and then straightened her back to face Aries with a weak smile. "Being your friend was my honor, and I wish you attain what your heart desires — whether it was to become an empress or a much simpler life."
"I…" Aries trailed off, observing the depressing emotions Veronika was hiding beneath her limpid jet-black eyes. "... am not your friend. I do not have such a weak friend."
"My lady?"
"Violet might be modest and kind, but she was not a weak person," Aries continued, thinking that Violet was admirable and strong in her own way. Princess Violet, who was also Veronika's friend, was a strong lady who could endure everything for her children.
"She could do everything for her children, even if it means smiling through the agony that is killing her from the inside. Violet, although she couldn't raise a weapon, would sully her hands if she must. Do you know why?" Aries added as her demeanor softened. "Because she knew what she was fighting for. So even if she knew she was weak, she would do everything to protect what and who were dear to her. Even if that means making a pact with the devil."
"Is Chivisea not dear to you that you cannot take any risk?" Aries inquired right after, almost making Veronika clasp her hair as it seemed Aries couldn't understand her dilemma.
"My lady, I already said my quandary —"
"You know the problem, I know." Aries cut her off. "But you are not making any effort for anything."
Veronika's breath hitched as her face instantly burned with anger. What Aries said triggered and touched a sensitive part of her heart.
"What do you know?" she blurted out with a shaking voice, gripping the armrest tightly until her hands turned white. "I'm not making effort for anything? Was my participation in this selection a joke? Do you think I was happy while watching the man who stole my efforts and ideas bask in the glory he didn't deserve? Each time people sing praises of him, I grit my teeth until they bleed because I had to stop myself from saying the truth which no one wants to hear."
Veronika stopped as she realized her emotions took over her, holding her breath until her neck turned taut.
"I'm… at my wit's end, Daniella," her chest rumbled low as she spoke, tears coating her bloodshot eyes. Her grip on the armrest loosened as her lips quivered, yet she kept her gaze on Aries. "I… don't know what to do anymore."
She could feel her heart sink as the helplessness she had suppressed for years resurfaced in her heart. Until now, Veronika didn't know the depths of this powerlessness and emotions she bottled up for many years, and now, she felt like being drowned.
Veronika let out a jagged breath, stretching her arms over the table as if reaching her hand out as she slowly sank into the depths of her sorrow.
"Help me," she whispered, resting her hand on the surface of the table, teary-eyed. "Please… help me, my lady."
Hearing her last remarks, the sharpness in Aries's eyes slowly dissipated. A faint breath escaped her nostrils, leaning over and clasping Veronika's hand.
"Of course, I will." A subtle smile turned up on her face. "I am your friend, so I will help you with everything I can. You just have to ask, Veronika."
Upon Aries's remarks, a tear rolled down Veronika's cheek. Aries's hands felt warm and reassuring, and her voice somehow sent this ease into her heart.
"Isn't that what friendship means?" Aries continued with a smile, patting Veronika's hand with both her hands.
"But what should we do?" came out Veronika's shaking voice after a minute.
"Veronika." Aries squeezed Veronika's trembling hands. Her eyes glinted with determination and encouragement. "I will claim the throne."
"Pardon?" Veronika's mouth fell, staring into Aries's clear eyes. "But my lady, the emperor was wary of your family and even sent you to the Maganti Empire to die. I cannot bear the guilt if you sacrificed your life for me."
Aries shook her head. "My desire for power is greater and stronger than ever, Veronika. I am going to claim the throne not because of you, but because of me. I want to become powerful and to be untouchable. For me to reach my goal, I want you and the people around me to be competent."
"I can help you, Veronika, but you need to help me as well," she added solemnly.
"What… can I do?" Veronika asked with a trembling voice, even though she already guessed what it was. She still needed to hear him.
Aries didn't respond immediately as she smiled subtly, observing the princess' shaking eyes. When her lips parted, her words rolled out of her tongue elegantly.
"Take the crown prince's seat."
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m