The Tyrant's Pet

Aries looked like a prisoner being led to her execution. Escorted by Suzanne and a few members of the Raven, Aries dragged her bound feet down the loggia that connected the Queen’s Palace to the Main Palace. 

She kept her chin up, listening to the sound of metals against the floor, saving everyone from the pin-drop silence. No one showed any sign they wanted to break the prolonged silence until Aries’ lips parted. 

“No wonder the late King Maximus IV openly criticized the coven,” commented Aries without taking her eyes off the way ahead. “The King is supposed to be untouchable, bathing in the light of glory and power. But this coven brings only humiliation to him.”

“The coven’s duty humbles him.” Giselle was quick to answer with her calm voice. 

“Humbles him, huh?”

“Sitting on the throne is overwhelming. Our duty is to make sure the sovereign won’t overwhelm it.”

“By that, you mean stopping anyone from turning into a mad king?”

“More or less.”

“What an interesting take.” Aries let out a dry laugh, shaking her head mildly. “It’s almost ridiculous how one can twist a perspective just so it makes sense.”

“It won’t make sense to Your Majesty since you haven’t lived here for a long time.”

“And I’m glad about that,” Aries smirked, side-eyeing Giselle, who was walking on her side. “Even so, no matter how long I stay in my dwelling here, my perspective will always be different from the majority of the people on this land.”

There was a brief silence after Aries’s remarks before Giselle replied;

“That is why you are not fit to be the queen.” Giselle’s tone was the same, but the stress in her words made it sound threatening. “An outsider will never protect this land nor the people in it.”

“Bold of you to say that in front of the queen.”

“The night council isn’t bound to curry favor from the sovereign of the land. I’ve mentioned it before. The Raven stands as a group to make sure the sovereign is aligned with the Mainland’s best interest.” Giselle slowed down, matching Aries’s slow pace. “If that offends you, I apologize. However, what I said was the truth that you and I are aware of. You might have the capabilities to govern a kingdom or even an empire, but not the Mainland.”

That was true. 

Aries was not fit to be the queen of the mainland. This was not because the mainland was a land of vampires. Giselle’s point was that Aries was not fit to be the queen for she would never understand them. 

Even if Aries was a turned vampire now, she grew up in the outside world. There would be no way she would turn a blind eye to the ridiculous practices and the norm in this land. 

Aries rocked her head in understanding, not denying or confirming Giselle’s remarks. “Say, Giselle. If you care for this land that much, why did you target the Grimsbanne?”

“No matter where I look at it, provoking them just because of the curse in their blood was too shallow. I would understand it if it was someone else. For instance, the late Maximus IV. However, this was you we’re talking about,” continued Aries. “The Grimsbanne hadn’t been participating in any political affairs nor did they ever say a word to the new decrees. For you to set your eyes on them, I can’t help but wonder the real reason behind it.”

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Giselle didn’t answer this time, keeping her lips shut tight. 

What Aries said had been bugging him ever since Giselle personally invited her for tonight’s coven. Giselle’s silence only deepened her curiosity about this woman’s reason for everything. 

Aries believed Giselle was a sensible person. If there was a sensible person in this land, that would be the chief leader of the Raven. Therefore, it was so unlike Giselle to incite problems that put risk in this land. Unless Giselle simply didn’t have a choice. 

“You could’ve killed me then,” Aries added, referring to the time Abel turned Aries into a vampire. “Even if Abel was there, I’m certain you could’ve done something. But alas, you didn’t.”

“Facing Abel Grimsbanne was not the right time back then,” this time, Giselle willingly answered Aries’s remarks. “He is called Wrath for a reason.”

“So, you’re scared of him, huh?” Aries’s breathing slowed down. 

“I know what you are trying to do, Your Majesty.” Giselle listened to their quiet footsteps as if she was matching the volume of her voice in them. “We had reached this point of no return. No amount of words or negotiation could stop this from happening, even if you and I change our minds.”

Giselle paused as she trod carefully. “We are fighting for different reasons. Whether you are convinced of my purpose and reasons matters not for you to have you have set your mind.”

“That is right, but you cannot blame me for wondering.” Aries shrugged. “This could’ve been prevented, don’t you think? If only you people simply cleaned up Maximus IV’s mess, I would’ve returned to the Haimirich Empire with my people. We wouldn’t have to invest more energy on this matter: we will leave the mainland alone and you will leave us alone.”

“If only things are just as simple as that.” Giselle’s steps slowly came to a halt. She then faced Aries squarely, bearing her unchanging countenance. “Your Majesty, if you seek the answer for why your beloved brother shares the same face as Count Miguel, you can simply ask directly.”

Aries instantly froze at Giselle’s remarks. Her jaw tightened as her hands closed in tight fists. 

“I know you have been curious. I could’ve given you the answer even if you didn’t ask, but I didn’t.” Despite having her eyes closed, Aries could feel Giselle’s observing gaze. “The reason for that was because the truth might hurt you more than you anticipated.”

“So that was your doing?” Aries laughed dryly. 

Giselle didn’t confirm or deny it, only to leave Aries a hint — an answer Aries prayed wouldn’t be the case. 

“Anyone would get hurt if they found out that after many years, they truly hadn’t seen their brother’s appearance,” Giselle hinted calmly, making Aries’s breath hitch. “You are a wise woman, Your Majesty. I’m certain you asked yourself this question: who borrowed whose face?”