"I see." Abel's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Will you not enlighten me, darling? I do not wish to argue due to misunderstandings. I thought they were your friends. At this point, you must've known they do not wish to marry me, the emperor. So, why would you poison them when knowing our relationship wouldn't be a problem for them? Don't you have any conscience lying to your friends anymore, darling? Or had your mind changed about us?"
"Hah. How insulting." Aries let out a dry laugh. "I am fond of them and they are wonderful ladies, fitting to be candidates to become an empress of this empire. I feel bad — terrible each time I feed them lies. However, liking them doesn't necessarily mean I fully trust them, Abel. They were still candidates and we're still rivals. Anything can happen in the imperial palace and I'm not so strong that I can be just as relaxed as you."
"Oh?" his lips curled into a satisfied smirk.
