The Tyrant's Pet

“I hope I’m wrong. Otherwise, I’d hate to keep you on my bad side.”

“It’s… It’s definitely not that.”

“You gotta work on that area.” Dexter laughed. “You seriously don’t know how to bluff — how adorable.”

Dexter poured the empty cups some tea and added, “I won’t press you to tell me your thoughts; they’re yours. Though I now understand why Her Majesty was upset with you.”

“You are foolish.” Dexter slid the saucer with the teacup on it. “If you are not a Rothschild, it’ll be a mystery how you survived this long in this land.” 

“Foolish…” Miguel let out a faint chuckle. “Many people have said that. I guess I am foolish, though I am neither proud nor embarrassed about it.”

“I guess that’s your charm.” Dexter leaned back, motioning his hand to signal him to drink. “Well, I didn’t invite you to a cup of tea to humiliate you.”

“You need more than words to humiliate me.”

Dexter shrugged. “So… Her Majesty didn’t accept your request to see her?”

“I wouldn’t be here if she did.”

“It’s not like you expected her to see you anyway.” Deep lines instantly appeared between Miguel’s brows upon Dexter’s remarks. “My sister and I have a bond like no other. We might’ve been born into different families and at different times, but in our hearts and soul, we are family. Of course, she would confide in me. Especially in a place where she has to be wary of everything.”

In other words, Dexter was aware of Aries and Miguel’s last interaction.

“I know you are close with Her Majesty, but I guess you were closer than I thought.” Miguel let out a faint laugh, bending over to pick up the cup of tea. “I’m surprised Abel Grimsbanne was fine with that. I heard he was a possessive man.”

Miguel paused, gazing over the rim of the cup.

“What I am saying is, she let you in, didn’t she?” Miguel slowly put down the cup while Dexter kept his gaze on him. “She might not have said it directly, but she didn’t stop you from knowing. Has it ever crossed you what’s her reason for that?”

“My sister has been through hell and back countless times, Count. If you think she is heartless or inconsiderate, that’s because she is. She even locked her own brother in a highly secured estate for years,” added Dexter with a tinge of disappointment in his tone. 

“If she had done that, why are you still on her side?”

“Because we’re family.”

“Family… so, you’re letting her do what she wants even if it’s wrong because she’s your family?” Miguel scoffed, but Dexter was unfazed.

“You are missing the point, my lord.” Dexter let out a faint sigh. “What is wrong? What is right? In this land where selling and purchasing werewolves’ pelts was a common practice, was there ever a clear line of what’s right or wrong?”

Miguel’s breath hitched upon hearing a sensitive topic. That was true. On the mainland, nobles wore a werewolf’s fur; their teeth were sold to create the sharpest blades and many other things were called legal in the country. Witches, sirens, and even the rarest creatures were put on a bidding event to serve the vampires in their best interest. 

Having permission to go in and out of the Mainland under the guise of his expedition, Miguel was aware of his people’s cruelty. Not that he didn’t see the problem just because he was raised in such an environment, but Miguel said nothing because no one could freely enter the mainland, let alone leave it. 

It was the main reason Miguel kept a close eye on the fort. The influx of trades worried him, knowing a huge problem would occur if the outside world discovered these practices. The Mainland would definitely warrant countless enemies — humans were the least of their concerns.

Dexter rocked his head as he continued. “Now you see the problem with your argument? My sister is a loving, caring, and kind person to me. She does everything to protect her people. However, she might be the main villain to you or everyone in this land.”

“Still, one fact remains. They wanted her here.” This time, Dexter’s tone grew solemn and stern. “The late Maximus IV dragged her into this land and made her Queen. His death didn’t give her freedom to leave, but rather, was used as another chain that bound her other foot.”

“How come you treat her as the aggressor when she is only responding to an action?” he cocked his head to the side, bearing no emotion on his face. 

“I never treated Her Majesty as an aggressor. It didn’t even cross my mind.” Miguel shook his head in defense. “I am on her side —”

“You are on her side under a condition, Count.” Dexter cut him off mid-sentence, rendering Miguel speechless for that was the truth. “You want her to be the Queen, the sovereign, you have in your mind. Someone who would put the Mainland’s best interest before hers.”

“Is there something wrong with that? Being a sovereign comes with a price. What I am expecting from her was a duty that all kings had to do.”

“If doing her royal duties was the only method to be accepted, then why does this land want her dead?” Dexter’s argument was quick. “Her Majesty had been doing her duties properly and had exercised her authority justly. However, the people here want to bury her just because of her affiliation with the Grimsbanne.”

Dexter took a deliberate pause as he leaned forward, resting his arm on his thigh, eyes fixed on Miguel. “You people and this land don’t want peace, and you know that very well, Count. What this land wants isn’t to avoid blood from spilling, but to cease all threats that are in their way.”

“First, the Grimsbanne and the power of Maleficent. Once these people succeed in ending those I mentioned, who’s next?” Dexter continued solemnly, waiting for an answer that obviously didn’t come. “The Mainland will definitely open its forts, not for entry, but to let out the prisoners of this land to conquer every land they step on. You can deny or hide this all you want, but what’s rotten will eventually smell.”