The Tyrant's Pet

Usually, whenever a kingdom or an empire was having a selection for the crown princess or a queen, the chosen candidates weren't allowed to leave the palace grounds. But the Haimirich Empire was different.

After the hectic first two weeks of the candidates, they granted them freedom. It was up to the candidates how they would spend it. Some candidates chose to rest in the Hyacinth Palace, while others, like Aries, Suzanne, Veronika, and Sybil, went out to the capital and took the risk. If anything happened to them while they were outside, it wasn't the empire's responsibility. Hence, it was called a risk.

"This is delicious!" Sybil's eyes brightened up as the pudding melted in her mouth. Seeing how the princess's face brightened up, Aries chuckled.

"I agree. It, indeed, tastes good. A very different staple from what we usually eat in the imperial palace." Veronika wiped the side of her lips with a cloth. Hearing Veronika's remarks, Suzanne could not help but let out a long-suffering sigh.

"All we've been eating were different dishes of potatoes." Suzanne's eyes swirled with bitterness at the thought of eating nothing but potatoes for the past two weeks. "How can the emperor love potatoes so much? I feel like I will throw up just the sheer thought of it."

Aries laughed awkwardly. 'It was actually a joke,' was what she wanted to contribute to the conversation, but bit her tongue.

"Just as he said, potatoes can sustain a man in times of crisis. The Empire had been in three wars for the past five years and they won all that," said Veronika in a matter-of-fact tone. "In a war, the knights don't have the leisure to find a proper meal to eat. It's the same with those people who were victims of wars."

"You do not have to explain that, Your Highness. It is not like we cannot understand."

"Then why not stop whining about the food served to you in the imperial palace?"

A vein instantly protruded on Suzanne's temple as her smile didn't reach her eyes. Meanwhile, Veronika arched a brow.

"Princess Veronika, voicing out my thoughts isn't complaining. Not because I am a woman, I will always smile and keep my mouth shut. I do not lower my volume."

As Suzanne made her point clear, adding her sarcasm here and there, Aries and Sybil looked at each other. They sighed in unison, shaking their heads, telling themselves, 'here they go again.'

Although the four of them have a peaceful relationship, Veronika and Suzanne would still argue. It was as if their day wouldn't be completed if they didn't press each other's buttons. Well, Sybil and Aries were already used to this now that they let the two banter until they finished their meal.

After eating to their heart's content, the four of them went to the shopping center in the capital. Even though they brought almost an entire closet to the imperial palace, the ladies would still want new dresses. Their appearance was an important part of the selection and thus, they couldn't be complacent with all they got.

"This is strange, isn't it?" Veronika mumbled as the three of them, Aries, Veronika, and Sybil sat down on the divan while Suzanne went on to try some dresses to her liking. "Most of the boutiques offer the same design. I understand the trend, but at this rate, it will become a uniform."

She then cast Aries a look. "My lady, do you, perhaps, know the reason for this? I had noticed it in the banquets the palace had hosted for the past two weeks."

"Unfortunately, I have no idea. Before the selection, I went out shopping. However, I realized the trend this day took an unusual turn."

"Uhm…" Veronika and Aries snapped their eyes at Sybil when the latter made a quick sound. The latter cleared her throat as she darted her eyes between Aries and Veronika. "I heard this strange rumor on my way to the imperial palace weeks ago."

Aries and Veronika knitted their brows, looking at each other before setting their eyes back on Sybil. Sybil pursed her lips into a thin line, recalling the strange rumor she heard on her way to the imperial palace weeks ago.

"I found it strange, so I eavesdropped on a conversation between the ladies. They said there was this particular lady that caught the emperor's and another nobleman's interest," Sybil shared what she heard.

"Hah?" Veronika let out a dry laugh. "The emperor? And another noble man?"

Sybil nodded. "They said there wasn't any particular special in this lady, but they said the emperor and this noble man fought over her."

"Sybil, are you certain you heard them correctly?" Aries inquired, which was also Veronika's question. Aries couldn't remember anything like that happening in the imperial palace.

There were many things that happened in that place; an execution would happen on a daily basis, but Abel and a nobleman fighting over a woman? That was something unheard of. It would be more believable if Abel fought a nobleman and skinned him for everyone to see.

"Yes, Lady Daniella. That is why it was surprising. Also, there was this powder that was now hot in the market. The lady said she used this special powder that caught the emperor's attention." Sybil continued with certainty in her voice. "I even bought one, but haven't used it because I'm scared of the emperor."

"Hah. So the reason the dresses in most boutiques was because they cannot believe this particular lady caught the attention of the emperor?" Veronika repeated in a questioning manner to clarify it, watching Sybil nod. "Hence, they think it was probably the dress or the powder or whatever ornament? How silly."

"Indeed." Aries was rendered speechless, and she didn't know how to react.

Whether or not Sybil heard the rumor correctly, it was highly possible. This was the Haimirich Empire, and things could turn in the most ridiculous route. Still, the rumor was questionable and Aries could only think this rumor evolved into an entirely different story, far different from the original story.

"I wonder…" Aries trailed off as the three of them raised their eyes. Her face, Veronika's, and Sybil's faces contorted the second their gaze landed on Suzanne. "... good lord. Not her too."

"What do you think? They said the design can capture even the emperor's eyes." Suzanne grinned, wearing the design the three were just talking about just now. But unlike the dullness in the design, the ornaments on her hair and on her dress were too much. One could imagine its paralyzing weight.

"The way you look at me embarrassed me. You three are too mean." Suzanne frowned as her cheeks dyed red. "Was it bad?"

"It was terrible," Veronika remarked without a second hesitation. "Ridiculous is even an understatement."

"Your Highness, apologies." Sybil's comment sounded random, but her eyes swirled with nothing but pity.

Meanwhile, Aries only let out a deep exhale. 'Whoever started this rumor... surely is played with the ladies' mind and heart.'