I loved you... maybe.

"And so, with these crimes, the Third Prince, Ismael Imperial, is sentenced to death via guillotine!" 

As cries and pleas erupted in front of the execution platform, Aries and Joaquin, who were at the podium, didn't make the slightest noise. She kept her eyes on him until his brow arched, casting her a questioning look. 

"I loved you." Aries narrowed her eyes as she whispered as if she just had a realization now. Meanwhile, Joaquin's pupil momentarily went huge like an aperture of the camera as his breath hitched. 

"What did you say?" he asked under his breath, leaning against the armchair while pulling her hand closer to him. 

"What did you say?" he repeated, just in case she didn't hear him because of the noise below.