Chapter Nine - Selective Honesty

Ares woke up and realized that Mo Ting had laid all his cards before him by bringing him to his hideout.

A strange light flashed in his eyes. He came out from the tent and looked for Mo Ting.

Mo Ting approached him with food. He stuffed the plate in Ares' hands,

"Eat"

Ares "..."

They say down at athe entrance of the tent to eat and Ares said,

"You do realize that I can stab you in the back and tell my father about this"

Mo Ting glanced at him and continued eating.

"Use selective honesty to disarm your opponent"

Ares cocked his brows as mirth flashed in his blue eyes.

"Heh... I keep my word so rest assured... However I hope you have no plans for..."

"Don't worry about that... I'll never do anything to hurt my princess"

"Princess huh? A princess of Nirvana? Which princess? Hera? Gale?"

"You don't know her... She has no title... " Mo Ting laid back on the chair looking at the sky while Ares stared at him incredulously,

"I never wanted to be ruler of that cursed Great Chi and sit on that throne stained with my mother's blood but... I'm all she's got... That's the only place she'll be safe and never in need"

"That is some deep love" Ares sighed "so who is it?"

Mo Ting glared at him,

"Chattering runs in the royal blood?"

Ares looked confused for a moment and quickly understood,

"Ohhhh... The girl"

Ares recovered and took Mo Ting to meet his father. Mo Ting asked for the help of the King of Nirvana and offered a peace treaty and large amounts of gold and precious jewels in return after he was crowned Emperor of Great Chi. He also asked for one thing,

"I want Princess Alethea as my bride when I ascend as Emperor"

King Nikola couldn't be happier. A marriage alliance would definitely strengthen the bond between the two countries.

As Alethea and Mo Ting sat in his courtyard drinking tea while he braided her hair. Ares walked in.

Alethea stood awkwardly while Mo Ting held her hand and gestured for her to sit.

She greeted Ares fearfully,

"This one greets the Crown Prince"

She didn't know about Mo Ting's actions and alliance with Nirvana because he didn't want her to be worried.

Ares cocked his brows and approached her. He realized that she was the 'princess' Mo Ting always talked about and for some reason she was in the dark about all that had been happening.

Mo Ting dragged her to his side and glared at Ares,

"You're scaring her"

Alethea paled and she wanted to kneel before Ares to plead for mercy.

"He's a friend" Mo Ting told her

She glanced at him and Ares and furrowed her brows. Mo Ting sighed and pushed her gently to sit. He held her shoulders and explained,

"I made a deal with him and your da..." Seeing Alethea's look he changed his words

"The king... They'll help me conquer Mo Han and that Qi Yuting"

She stood up suddenly and excused herself.

Mo Ting ran his hand through his hair in frustration while Ares chuckled,

"That's the Princess... She's of no use... She can't offer you anything... Her mother was a chamber maid and the girl has no status... Choose an Empress from one of the many others... This one can be a concubine "

"I love Alethea and she'll be my Empress... What I couldn't get growing up and what she lacked I'll make up for it"

"Suit yourself"