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Today was the first time the candidates had ever met the infamous \'neglected\' crown prince. It was known to everyone the crown prince rarely — never made a public appearance. But their first encounter with the crown prince left an unforgettable memory for the candidates.

"Poor lady." Princess Suzanne shook her head and sighed deeply, putting back the teacup on the saucer.

After their luncheon with the crown prince, the ladies went on their separate ways while the crown prince left without another word. Aries, Suzanne, Veronika, and Sybil decided to share a cup of tea in the pavilion in the Hyacinth Palace.

"Did you think Lady Julienne was hanged?" asked Sybil nervously, darting her eyes between the ladies around this marbled table.

"The crown prince ordered it." Veronika slowly placed her teacup back on the table as she answered. "I doubt anyone will intervene unless the emperor heard about it or anyone in power who can change the crown prince\'s decision."

Sybil\'s frown deepened, clutching her trembling hands under the table. "That\'s cruel."

"This is the Haimirich Empire, and we\'re on the imperial palace grounds." Veronika cast Sybil a knowing look, unfazed by what had happened just an hour ago. "You should\'ve known that the moment we stepped foot on the palace\'s ground, we had entrusted our lives to the people in power."

"Princess Veronika is right. We might\'ve disagreed on most things, but she\'s right." Suzanne backed up, setting her eyes on Sybil\'s nervous countenance. "Ignorance is bliss, Sybil. But also, it is dangerous. For some of us, this is simply an opportunity to become the empress or be in His Majesty\'s good graces. However, for others, it was more like a punishment."

Suzanne slowly shifted her attention to Aries. "More like being imprisoned or being held captive. Am I right, Lady Daniella?"

"Do not make it sound like I am being held hostage, Suzanne." Aries flashed Suzanne a subtle smile before blinking and then gazing at Sybil. "However, both of them are correct. The Imperial Palace isn\'t all the grandeur there is. One can lose their lives if they\'re not careful."

Princess Sybil pursed her lips into a thin line, studying the three ladies\' expressions. She sighed, lowering her eyes to hide the fear and bitterness swirling in them. Unlike the three who were intelligent, graceful, and skillful, Princess Sybil was… average, to say the least.

"Then, why are you here?" she blurted out, biting her tongue awkwardly upon her realization.

"Because we do not have a choice." Veronika gave her the simplest answer, while Suzanne nodded in agreement.

"If we refused, we could imagine losing sleep, wondering when will the soldiers of the Haimirich will appear at the borders of our land," Suzanne continued. "Creating mistakes in this place can also result in war, but that\'s better. You only need to avoid making a mistake. It\'s Lady Julienne\'s fault for crossing the crown prince, and she got what she deserved."

"I disagree." This time, Aries chimed in. "I do not think Lady Julienne got what she deserved. Being hanged just because she voice out her thoughts isn\'t what she deserved."

"Perhaps you are right, my lady." Suzanne nodded. "However, that doesn\'t conform to the imperial palace\'s rules. As the crown prince mentioned, his power and authority are only second to the emperor. Lady Julienne might\'ve not said it herself, but we are all aware she acted thinking the crown prince was simply a powerless child, unable to do anything."

Aries stared at Suzanne, and she couldn\'t argue with her regarding this. Suzanne might be naturally sweet and friendly, but she was also a princess who always think rationally. She could also be cruel and accepting, even for the most inhumane things.

"All I am saying is, being executed just because you voiced out your thoughts isn\'t something a person deserved. It\'s too cruel for a punishment." Aries breathed out faintly. "I didn\'t say it wasn\'t justified especially since the party involve is royalty."

"I know what you mean, my lady." Suzanne\'s firm countenance softened while staring at Aries and then at Sybil. "I\'m simply worried any of us will commit the same mistake."

Aries smiled subtly, understanding Suzanne\'s heart. During the past two weeks, the four of them had established a special type of friendship. Even though they were technically rivals for the spot of the empress, they would help each other with the best they had and the best they could.

Suzanne was simply worried because Sybil was mostly ignorant of most things while Aries was stubborn. She didn\'t need to get worried about Veronika, for they were the same; both were practical.

"I\'m scared…" Sybil confessed with a tiny voice, clutching her skirt tightly. "I thought the crown prince was adorable, but he scares me."

"The crown prince is young, and although he looked smaller than his age, keep in mind he\'s the crown prince. He is the only son of the emperor and an empress, who could give the emperor a legitimate heir, I\'m certain he wouldn\'t stay quiet." Veronika concluded solemnly. "If I were in his position, I would also do the same. After all, his life was on the line."

"Exactly my point." Suzanne nodded, reaching for her teacup elegantly.

"I cannot disagree." Aries also nodded in agreement, letting out a shallow breath, eyes on Sybil. She then held the princess\'s hand, flashing her a warm smile when the latter looked back at her. "Do not worry, Your Highness. We will be fine."

Sybil pursed her lips into a thin line, clasping Aries\'s hand. She didn\'t say anything, but her eyes that held Aries\'s gaze for a prolonged period of time were enough for Aries to understand the princess\'s heart.

"Anyway, since they granted us a day of rest, why don\'t we stroll in the capital?" Suzanne clapped after a moment of silence, grinning at the ladies around the round table. "We are allowed to leave the imperial palace today as a chance for us to escape. The Imperial Palace had been suffocating, and I think going out for a day will help us reset our minds."

The three of them cast Suzanne a look before they looked at each other, only to set their attention back to the excited pair of eyes of the princess of Topia.