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Meanwhile, in the Lazuli Palace, Inez stood in the middle of the enormous greenhouse this place was known for. She gazed up at the transparent high-ceiling, letting the moonlight filter through the glass and shine down on her.

"Your Highness, the crown prince\'s men had been on the move." A knight stood several feet away from behind her, bowing as he reported the current movements in both parties. "Until now, you\'ve been neutral to the crown prince and the third prince. However, tonight will change the current in the royal court."

Inez remained silent as she took a deep breath, frowning when the thought of lavender crossed her mind. She had heard of what happened during the day in the inner palace, and only a fool wouldn\'t know whose doing it was.

That was Joaquin\'s declaration.

It was the crown prince\'s way of announcing for everyone to choose a side before the night ends. Although the truth was a bitter pill to swallow, Ismael\'s life was essential in giving balance in power in the imperial palace. If he died, Joaquin would be untouchable.

Everyone who was heavily involved in the matters of the empire was aware of all this. Those who supported the crown prince wanted nothing but the third prince\'s demise, while those on the opposing sides dreaded for Joaquin to gain full control.

"I dislike both of them," came out a whisper, weighing her options. "It is only normal to finally shake hands with that hypocrite. However, although I detest Ismael just as dearly, I also hate the idea of Joaquin gaining full control in the imperial court."

"Your Highness, please think this through. Siding with the third prince can put you in danger. All your hard work will go down the drain. The crown prince will want nothing but end everyone who poses a threat to his position." The knight in the shadow reminded her solemnly, a bit taken aback at Inez\'s indecisiveness. He had served her for far too long to know she was the person who often took logical decisions.

He expected her to send a word to the crown prince, but no. Inez hadn\'t decided yet, and it seemed she was planning to take a different route, harder than the logical one. Unbeknownst to him, Inez was just as equally surprised at herself.

It was easy for her to finally acknowledge Joaquin. After all, Inez, although had influence, it wasn\'t enough. She was still working on it, and it wasn\'t enough to take down Joaquin. She couldn\'t risk it, and yet, just the thought of joining hands with Joaquin made her sour.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. While she did, memories of the handprints around Aries\'s neck flashed across her head. Her frown grew worse, telling herself not to get affected by that vixen but to no avail.

\'She\'s my prey,\' she told herself while opening her eyes slowly. \'Shaking hands with Joaquin also means giving up on my prey.\'

"I hate his guts," she blurted out under her breath, glancing over her shoulder. "What is the emperor\'s reaction?"

"So far, it\'s quiet at the emperor\'s end."

She clicked her tongue, thinking their father was simply letting them see who would stand victorious in the end.

"He\'s old, but he\'s always cunning." Her eyes glinted dangerously, tilting her head to massage her temple. "Prepare your men. Ismael and his people would\'ve been holding a secret gathering as we speak. Knowing those people, they would rather take an offense instead of trying to come out of here alive."

"Your Highness!"

Inez looked back with an already decided expression. "I abhor the two of them. However, I\'d rather have Ismael alive than let Joaquin monopolize the power in this place. Until I am strong enough, Ismael must live."

The knight who remained in the shadow looked at her pair of determined eyes before he hung his head low.

"I swore an oath to follow your orders, even if it cost my life. This humble servant acknowledges your orders." Inez nodded at his response. "I\'ll prepare everyone and see the situation."

"Don\'t get found out." Inez huffed as she held her hand into a fist before she loosened it. "You can\'t let the crown prince know our agenda."

"Yes, Your Highness."

With that being said, Inez averted her eyes away from him before the knight disappeared in the dark. Her eyes glinted with malice, grinding her teeth.

"Just what is he planning?" she whispered, intrigued by Joaquin\'s plans. She narrowed her eyes as she thought of all the routes the crown prince could take to take down Ismael, which gave him this confidence.

"Whatever it is… Ismael mustn\'t die… just yet."

***********

[Emperor\'s Palace]

Abel laid flat on the enormous bed of the emperor all alone. He kept his eyes on the ceiling, feeling the brewing tension in this imperial palace.

"It\'s much more fun in here," he murmured, thinking that everyone was busy tonight while he was lazing around inside the emperor\'s bedroom. "I should\'ve found Maganti earlier and asked you to adopt me. In that case, I can also participate in these fun games of the throne. No wonder Haimirich is dead boring!"

He rolled around the bed while he whined. "I\'m dying of enviousness!"

For someone who simply intruded on the imperial palace, Abel was rather relaxed inside the Emperor\'s palace. Well, this place was secured and if he wanted some peace, this was the only place that could give him that. The Sapphire Palace where Aries stayed was also busy at the moment. He didn\'t want to disturb her.

"Hey, my friend." When Abel\'s head went over the edge of the mattress, he set his eyes on the closed curtain to the other room connected to the emperor\'s room. He then rolled until he lay on his stomach so his perspective wasn\'t upside down.

"Is it too late to ask you to adopt me?" he asked, but nothing. "Fine."

Abel pushed himself up until he was out of the bed. Marching towards the thick curtain, he slid it open without a second hesitation, eyes falling down at the cage beyond the curtain. Yet, he didn\'t show any sign of surprise as he approached the cage, ignoring the fresh blood splattered around it.

"I promise I won\'t do this to you," he swore, squatting down three feet away from the cage. His eyes instantly caught an old man whose mouth had smeared blood around it, and bloodshot eyes with black sclera.

A monster. A mindless monster.

The old man slipped his hands through the gap of the cage, reaching for him while letting out animal grunts. Yet Abel simply looked at him and sighed.

​ "You just had your meal." Abel pointed out as the emperor who, apparently, was now just a mindless monster, desperately tried to reach him to sate his hunger. "This is why I don\'t like kids. Look what they had done to you. Poor you."

He raised a finger and poked the tip of the emperor\'s fingertip as if to tease him. He giggled in delight when the emperor\'s grunts grew louder and more frustrated. Talk about so close yet so far.

"I wonder what will be the crown prince\'s reaction if you suddenly attend the royal court tomorrow?" he wondered genuinely before the side of his lips stretched from ear to ear. "Hehehe… I can imagine his expression. Say... shall I save you? I don\'t ask for much in return... just your rotten soul is enough."