"Why did everyone forget about the Haimirich Empire?"
Ismael's expression turned solemn, keeping his gaze on Aries's stunning face. Two years ago, the world just seemed to forget about the Haimirich Empire, but somehow, Ismael and a few others, like Curtis, didn't.
It was understandable if Curtis hadn't forgotten since he received help from Abel. According to Isaiah, Abel was keeping Curtis alive. Therefore, whatever happened in this world or whatever powerful ability would a vampire unleash, Curtis wouldn't get affected.
But Ismael was uncertain of why he could remember and why Aries did what she did to the Haimirich Empire.
"Is there any reason for everyone to remember my dearest Haimirich?" Aries blinked, making Ismael furrow his brows at her lazy response. "What for? To them it a target to ruin?"
"Queen —"
"First, Rikhill. Second, Maganti." Aries straightened her back but kept her elbow propped on the armrest. "All the lands I was about to rule or gained authority over shared one common end. The Rikhill fell, and so was the Maganti Empire."
"What happened in the Maganti Empire isn't the same as what occurred in Rikhill."
"It fell, Ismael." Her tone grew firmer without having to raise her voice. "Whatever you say or wherever you look at it, the Maganti Empire fell when I was the crown princess. Whether it was intentional or it happened without my involvement, you and I know something like that will happen, eventually."
His lips parted to argue with her, but his tongue just rolled back in his throat. That was right. When Aries became the crown princess, the brewing tension between Ismael and Joaquin was gaining momentum rapidly.
"I am not capable enough." Ismael lowered his eyes to hide the bitterness that came along with that confession. "Without you, the Maganti and Joaquin will not fall. If anything, I will lose the battle I picked."
"No." He slowly raised his head upon her reply, only to see her shake her head. "You will win, Ismael. With or without my help, you and Roman were bound to win."
"You're only saying that to give justification to your actions —"
"Bold of you to say that in front of me, but I'll let it slide for old times' sake." Aries cut him mid-sentence, showing no sign of irritation at Ismael's remarks.
"Apologies. I'm simply expressing what I am certain would've happened without you, and giving some light to Her Majesty's contribution to the success of the revolt."
"And I am also speaking with certainty, Ismael." Confidence covered her face, keeping her gaze locked with his. "The only contribution I did is to hasten your success, but I can bet my title that your fate is bound to overcome all adversaries even if your enemy has the upper hand."
"I've seen it." Aries planted her hand on the armrest, pushing herself up. She sauntered toward the door, hiding her body with the shawl until she stopped in front of the window.
"I've seen your fate, I mean. Ismael Imperial, the third prince of the Maganti Empire. The time the crown prince ascend the throne after the death of the sickly emperor, the third prince would start a revolt. Obviously, with the massive military control, the new emperor had, the third prince stood no chance. You will lose many people, Ismael, and nearly lose your life. Thanks to Roman, the leader of the Valiente Group, you'd survive," she continued, watching a flash of lightning in the night sky far away from the mainland. "Having a taste of a bitter defeat and losing the lives of your people just like Enrique, the fourth prince, Ismael, will grow while he was in hiding."
"The ninth princess, Inez, would still live. She's a wise woman and sided with Joaquin. But not because she sided with the new emperor, her greed for power didn't grow. With people like you, the greedy Inez, and Roman who would eventually lose Violet after Carlos's abuse of her reached its peak, somehow, you three worked on a common goal."
"Not just you, but because of the tyrant of an emperor Joaquin had become, many others would come to support you. One of them would be Modesto Vida, the chief justice, who would also become a high bishop," Aries added gently, but her voice was laced with certainty. "Some witches as well will come to your side. The witches didn't want anything to do with politics, but when Joaquin purged them one after another, they could only go to the person who can stand a chance against the emperor."
Aries slowly turned around to face Ismael, who was still sitting on the chair. She crossed her arms, keeping the shawl wrapped around her shoulder and chest.
"Vito, the youngest prince, will also come to your side. He would become an exceptional swordsman, by the way. Some kingdoms too that were tired of the emperor's oppression, like the Chivisea and the small land of Nuirus, will come to your side. Garnering such massive support, the third prince will once again march to the capital to overthrow Joaquin's regime." Her lips curled up subtly, nodding. "You will succeed then, Ismael."
Ismael listened silently to the story she was uttering, which was entirely different from what had occurred. He couldn't say he believed her entirely, but with such conviction in her voice, he couldn't confidently say she was lying.
"Do you know what's the most interesting with all of this?" her smile stretched while his brows rose. "Once you successfully slay Joaquin to his death with the help of the witches, you'd come to my room, where he kept me hidden."
"Huh?"
"Yes, Ismael." Aries rocked her head. "This was what would happen if I didn't escape from the summit back then and didn't meet Abel. Joaquin will make me his empress. Touching, isn't it?"
"Your Majesty —"
"Thank you for saving me then, Ismael." She kept her lips curl up as sincerity swirled in her eyes. "Even when you killed all the emperor's people, you granted the empress mercy and offered her a new life away from that hell."
Ismael's jaw tightened as he balled his hands into tight fists.
"And by that, I meant granting me the death I sought." Her eyes softened, and she looked at peace. "I could still remember those sad eyes you bore after wielding your sword, and how you held my body from falling while your sword was deep in my stomach."
Her smile broadened. "I didn't know you and I will have such special feelings for each other. It's interesting, isn't it? How one event, one decision, and one encounter can change everything."
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