The Tyrant's Pet

"Apologies, brother, but I am not following. When did I resist arrest when no one came to the Jade Palace all night?"

There was a long silence that descended almost instantly after Ismael's remarks. Everyone studied the bafflement dominating the third prince's face, and to be honest, they were just as confused as him.

"What?" Ismael broke the silence with a scoff. "Come on. Every single one in this place knows the eighth prince is innocent and is simply being framed by the real pest corrupting our Maganti Empire!"

"With all due respect, Your Highness! Are you calling our crown prince a pest?! In this royal court?" yelled one of Joaquin's spokespeople automatically, as that was his job.

"Ha! Ha ha! Marquess, I didn't say it was the crown prince. How can you assume so quickly when no name is mentioned?" the marquess nearly choked as Ismael laughed almost maniacally, shuddering in fear when he met Joaquin's glare.

"I didn't mention any name because I was unsure who was the real perpetrator that caused disharmony in the royal court. Marquess, by speaking without a second thought, I am starting to question the credibility of the men in this court! How can you mention the crown prince's name in a way that might be misunderstood and put his reputation at risk? Unbelievable!"

Ismael clapped as he looked at everyone with equal ridicule and anger. When his eyes fell on Joaquin, the side of his lips curled up into a smirk. One look and he could tell Joaquin was utterly unhappy about the turn of events, but he was also aware that wasn't enough to prove his innocence.

"Your Highness, even if your claims are said to be true, you still had to comply with the head of this investigation because the eighth prince is your henchmen." To save Joaquin some face, Hernan spoke in a hurry. "Your alibi of being in the Jade Palace all along is not enough to prove you're there all night."

The atmosphere on the court hit an all-time low. Hernan, and everyone who took part in Joaquin's plans, were aware that they couldn't convict Ismael easily by simply spewing words without evidence. Without the knights who arrested him, all allegations would remain as allegations. It would convince no one.

It was smart of Ismael to show up, but there were certain they could still pin him down in another way. Unless Ismael had another alibi or someone who could prove his innocence, then the situation still favored Joaquin.

Or what everyone believed.

"Please comply with the law. It'll be easier that way," Hernan continued before he glanced at the knight in the courtroom. As if on cue, the knight bowed and marched to escort the third prince out of the room, but just as they approached, Ismael laughed.

"You…" he forced a smile, although his eyes sharpened, looking around at everyone who was cornering him. "How can you lot consider this as inviting me for questioning when it is obvious you are arresting an innocent man?"

Ismael shook his head as he raised his hands on either side of him. "Sure. Drag me out of here and torture me to your heart's content. However, I assure you with all my power, you will pay for this humiliation."

"Your Highness, we're simply following the orders to impose the law of our Great Maganti Empire," answered the knight sternly, followed by the buzzing noises created by the crown prince's people, telling him it was all for the sake of the empire.

"What a bunch of fools…" Ismael mumbled before he glanced at Joaquin, smirking for a split second, but made sure Joaquin would catch his sneer. "I didn't say I was in the Jade Palace all night. If I was, I would've rushed to the eighth prince's quarter that was being engulfed with fire and tried my best to save my sister-in-law and my nephews."

He paused as he looked around once again while the knights approached him. "I have faith in the justice system of our empire and I like to use my right as a citizen of this great country for a fair trial. I can prove my innocence since… I spend almost my entire night catching up with my beloved father. He can vouch for me."

The second the last word of his sentence left his lips, the knights who held his shoulders froze on the spot. Not just him, but everyone in the court hall needed several seconds to process his alibi.

"His Majesty, the Emperor, invited me because he felt lonely. As his subject and a filial son, I obviously stayed with him throughout the night." Ismael smirked, setting his taunting eyes at Joaquin, whose eyes went round.

Oh, what a sight to behold, he thought. Never in his life, Ismael fathomed he would ever see Joaquin so rattled.

"You may question His Majesty. He will surely prove my innocence," he added confidently, offering his arms to the knights. "Go, arrest me and drag me out of here. I will remember your faces."

Ismael glanced at the knights standing on his side before his gaze veered in a particular direction. There, he caught Modesto looking at him wide-eyed. Ismael scoffed faintly but didn't spare the man another second as he urged the knights to drag him like a felon.

Both of them instantly stepped back. There was no way they would drag Ismael, knowing he would surely get out of this situation unscathed. By dragging the emperor's name, things had surely turned for the worse.

According to the rules, since Ismael was a royalty, their trial must be taken with the utmost attention. Since he dared mention the emperor's name to save himself, the emperor needed to confirm that. This method might not be the smartest move, but it was in Ismael's situation.

Others immediately thought that the emperor wouldn't confirm or deny anything since he hadn't participated in any of the court meetings and trials. That would only leave everything open, and since there was lingering doubt, Ismael would most likely find ways to emerge from this debacle alive. However, those very few who knew about the emperor's situation looked at Ismael with wide and blank eyes.

'What do you know?' Joaquin wondered as he held his breath, watching Ismael sneer at him while the latter let the knights escort him properly without dragging him out. 'How…?'