The Tyrant's Pet

"I learned a very important lesson in my life and that was, dying in the hands of the enemy isn't as painful as dying in the hands of a friend. Therefore, you do not have to hide from me, Veronika. I know everything."

Aries's voice caressed Veronika's ears before the wind drifted them away. The latter's eyes slightly shook, holding her breath, unable to look away from Aries… out of shame. Aries investigated her and now she knew everything. Veronika didn't know whether to feel shame or anger, as she felt like Aries invaded her private matters.

"Do you still think you can be my friend, Veronika?" Aries inquired, tilting her head to the side. "Despite that, I can respect boundaries or may not at all."

"Why… would you do that?" came out Veronika's shaking voice after recollecting her thoughts and was able to control her emotions.

"I told you. I don't want a person I trust to stab me once I turn my back," answered Aries almost immediately. "I experienced it once, and I almost died. I do not want to experience it again. Therefore, I needed constant reassurance. Believe me, I did not want to uncover the truths of your life, but I have to. Everyone just wants to survive and so am I."

Veronika breathed out a jagged breath and rocked her head in understanding. Still, despite the rational explanation, it left a bitter aftertaste in her mouth.

"I didn't want to tell anyone since it was shameful…" she whispered, eyes down. "I had always admired you, Lady Vandran. Despite your illness, you were able to defeat it, only to find yourself in a precarious situation in politics. Just right after you recovered, you were sent to another land that sheltered the most twisted people I heard about."

"Although there weren't details of what you had gone through within the walls of the Maganti Empire, I had already expected the worst. And yet, you emerged from it victorious and reclaimed your position in the House Vandran," she continued solemnly and with a slight bitterness. "But it doesn't end there, because you were now being compensated unjustly and might marry the man who sent you to hell once."

Veronika lifted her eyes, revealing a mix of admiration and shame. "Such a strong, empowering woman as you are. I am ashamed to even claim to be your friend when I do not deserve it."

"There is nothing to be ashamed of about your circumstance." Aries shook her head mildly. "You are being robbed of your skills, capabilities, and rights. The crown prince… had stolen all of your achievements and gained merits from the things he stole from you."

Veronika smiled bitterly. "I am a woman. What can a woman do, my lady?"

"Many things that men cannot do," Aries stressed, keeping her sharp gaze at the princess. "This man's world… always thinks they were heroes, and that women had to be saved. They claim certain things shamelessly and don't lose a wink of sleep. Why? Because of their genitalia?"

"What should I do?" Veronika inquired helplessly. "Chivisea is unlike the Haimirich Empire. I am already privileged enough to wield a sword and have a tiny voice in the royal court. I am heard, although my voice was faint, I'm still lucky. Some women would even lose their tongues before they could speak."

"And you were fine with just that?"

"I… yes," the princess breathed out heavily. "I know it was unfair that all my hard work is being claimed by someone else and gain merits from it. However, if it was for the people, why should I turn vengeful? The people are benefiting from it."

"Your people are being deceived," Aries argued without a second hesitation. "Do you think once the crown prince ascended the throne, he won't use this new gain power for his own greed? He is an incompetent man and a foolish one at that. Are you going to wait for that to happen and risk your people's lives before you tell yourself enough is enough?"

Veronika's eyes shook as her heart thudded. She felt her throat dry up, opening and closing her mouth, but no words came out. It wasn't that she wasn't aware that she was being taken advantage of, but Chivisea just regained its freedom from the Maganti Empire's oppression.

What did Aries expect her to do?

Veronika was already doing her best for her people and for the land where she was born and raised. She didn't want to be greedy, but at the same time, she couldn't deny Aries's arguments. She knew her brother, the crown prince, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if Chivisea would fall if he ascended the throne.

Still, the question, <strong>'what else could she do?' </strong>remained strong.

"Change is the only constant thing in this world, Veronika," Aries's voice shattered the prolonged, thick silence between them. "It is hard… and sometimes, it can be bloody. Life is like a wheel. Sometimes you're up there, sometimes you're at the bottom. Take the Maganti Empire, for instance. The third prince, Ismael, had always been a step behind the late crown prince. But look at the Maganti Empire now."

Aries arched her brows, sporting a knowing expression.

"Ismael emerged victorious and is now the current sovereign of his beloved land," she continued, stressing everything to get her point across. "What makes you think you will always live in the shadow of a man who claimed himself as a hero?"

"What do you want me to do, then? Start a revolt just like His Majesty Ismael? An uprising is no better than a war, my lady. Our people are living a better life now."

"They are living a better life now, yes, but what about the future generations? What sort of life would those children will have?" Aries's tone was as calm as previously, but somehow, it sounded louder and firmer in Veronika's ears. "If I have a child, I would do everything to give him, not just a safe place to live in, but a place where he can dream. I'm certain every parent would share the same sentiments."

"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?" she continued, throwing all fatal jabs to wake up Veronika's senses. "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."