Chapter 5: Joaquin (2)

"Joaquin!"

"I'm sorry I couldn't visit you sooner." Joaquin sag down on her left side.

"I understand that," she replied, studying him. He looked weary, the weight of the day evident on his face. "But thanks to your paper crane, I'm completely healed now."

"Really?" He chuckled softly. "I'm glad to hear that."

A short silence lingered between them.

"Did the Empress give you a hard time again today?" Jacinta asked, concern evident in her voice.

"It's nothing I can't handle," he said, though his small sigh betrayed the truth.

Jacinta sighed too, then suddenly grinned. "Look at this brat..." Without warning, she attacked his side, tickling him.

"Hahaha! Stop it, Big Sister!" he squirmed, laughter spilling out.

"Sighing like some old man!" She teased.

"Big Sister, please!"

"Alright, alright." She pulled away, a laugh escaping her lips. "This big sister of yours shall bestow mercy upon you."

"Thank you for your mercy," he said, dramatically bowing his head.

They both laughed, their joy filling the garden. For a moment, the world felt lighter.

But the laughter faded as Joaquin spoke again. "Mother is growing restless." His voice lowered. "The Crown Prince and his twin will return in six months, now that the western border's issue has been resolved."

It was nothing new. Their return always meant the Empress' schemes had failed once again.

"Sometimes, I envy the Crown Prince and his twin," Joaquin admitted, gazing at the sky. "The emperor still cherishes this garden, a reminder of their mother. She must have been kind, loving..." His voice cracked. "Mother confessed it to me. She poisoned the first Empress."

Jacinta's eyes widened at his words.

"How could she do such a cruel thing? No wonder why the emperor and our older siblings hate us so much." He clenched his fist.

She punched his shoulder lightly, trying to ease his sorrow. "Even if we do something or not, they will still hate us."

"What do you mean by that?"

'Because that was written in our destiny.'

"We often talk about this with Judea and Judith. Our mother's or any adult's sins aren't ours to bear."

"You're rather calm, considering our mother killed the first Empress," he said with a bitter chuckle.

"Hardly surprising," she replied. "She'd do anything for power. But Joaquin, knowing the truth—what will you do? I do know that you never wish to be the emperor."

He nodded his head without hesitation. "Yes. After seeing the Crown Prince's victory in his first war, I knew I never stood a chance. He is more suitable to be the emperor than me. But..." He clenched his fists. "If I don't become emperor, what will happen to Mother? To us? The Crown Prince and his twin have already suffered so much because of her."

"Do you love our mother?" Jacinta asked gently.

"I-I do. As much as I love all of you."

His answer made Jacinta's heart ache. Despite everything, she was still their mother. Especially to Joaquin.

"Then, do you wish to save her by becoming emperor?"

"That's the only path I see right now," he murmured, his gaze lowered. His hands trembled. Of course, declaring his will to be the emperor too means that he would go against their scary oldest brother and sister.

"But I really wish too that we can be a normal brother with Matthias, after all, he is my only eldest brother."

"He is our eldest brother..." Jacinta felt those words came out bitter.

"I admired him. All of his achievements, stories of his battles. I wish I can stand beside him and write his tales."

Once, Jacinta envied Joaquin. The Empress had always favored Joaquin. As her child, she had yearned for the love and attention that never came. But now? she didn't care. Jacinta had long abandoned the hope of gaining her affection—or the emperor's.

But looking at Joaquin now, so burdened by the weight of their mother's sins, she knew the path she had to take.

When the scene of Joaquin dying at the hands of Matthias resurfaced... Jacinta couldn't help but felt with heavy emotions. Never in their life did Joaquin hated Matthias or Martina.

Never.

And even her.

Perhaps, their relationship could still be fix?

Will she able to do that?

"Do you trust me, Joaquin?" She asked, reaching for his hand. "You won't have to bear Mother's aspirations to claim the throne. I'll make sure we're safe."

"What are you..." He stopped, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Give me six months," I said firmly. "I'll make it happen."

He stared at me, conflicted and confused. But after a moment, he nodded.

"I hold onto that, Big Sister." He said but Jacinta felt that he didn't mean those words with that tired smile of his. But that was more than enough for her.

"Though I didn't expect you to be here." Jacinta brought out a sealed envelope from her pocket. "Open this once you are in your room and burn it after you read it."

Joaquin received the envelope and with the same expression like Judith and Judea, he looked confused.

"What is this?"

"You will know soon. The four of us shall talk then after all the content inside this becomes true." Jacinta looked at the same golden eyes with no ounce of doubt.