The Tyrant's Pet

“You are a wise woman, Your Majesty. I’m certain you asked yourself this question: who borrowed whose face?” 

Aries secretly ground her teeth after Giselle’s remarks. The latter’s expression didn’t change, but the sarcasm in the tone of her voice was apparent. 

How dare she? How dare she provoke Aries by bringing up her family, whom she dragged into her wicked games?

Aries’s fist trembled, forcing herself to keep it together. 

“Are you truly concerned about what I’d feel? Or were you scared of the reaction you’d get from me?” Aries breathed out along with a dry and short laugh. 

“If I am terrified, we wouldn’t be here in the first place.”

“I hope you won’t regret your bravery.” Aries breathed a jagged breath, facing ahead, and resuming her march. “You mentioned it yourself, after all. We are at the peak of no return. Whether this path turns red or black, we can only march forward.”

Giselle turned her head in Aries’s direction. She could not see because she was blind, but she could perfectly discern the weight of the queen’s remarks. 

Suzanne scoffed and glared daggers at Giselle before following Aries. Meanwhile, the other members of the Raven could not help but look in Giselle’s direction. 

“Chief, do not let the Queen’s words get through you,” said an underling. “She is a cunning woman. Do not get swayed.”

“Words were never enough to sway me.” Giselle kept her face facing Aries’s direction. “However, I share her sentiments.” — Giselle also hoped to not regret this.

“Let’s go,” she added, taking a step forward to follow the queen toward the great hall where the coven would take place. “Everyone has been waiting.”

With that being said, Giselle and the other members of the Raven marched through the long hallway. They caught up with Aries in no time since Aries was walking with her hands and feet bound. The weight of the metals around the Queen’s wrists and ankles slowed down her pace. 

This time, they walked in silence. Neither Aries nor Giselle started a conversation, knowing full well they had nothing to talk about anymore.

Everything was already said. The conclusion of those sentiments was something they expected. 

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The walk on the way to the coven was the last chance both of them could stop what could’ve been stopped. Unfortunately, neither of them was willing to back down; they both couldn’t afford the consequences of raising the white flag. 

Soon, Aries and everyone reached the front door of the great hall. Three members of the Raven guarded the door. Two of them were faces Aries had never seen since the start of her reign. But the one in the middle was someone she was very familiar with.

Miguel Rothschild.

“Should I be surprised that the great Count Miguel is here to welcome me?” Aries remarked sarcastically while smirking. 

“Greetings to Your Majesty.” Miguel kept a straight face while greeting her formally. 

“I guess that means you finally decided which side you’d be taking,” Aries continued, watching Miguel raise his head. 

Miguel’s stern countenance changed for a bit. “Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to you, I found enlightenment.”

“Good for you.” Aries rocked her head in understanding, shifting her eyes to the door behind Miguel. “These chains are heavy. Let’s go. I’ll be glad to get this gathering over and done with.”

“Your Majesty, once you get inside, neither you nor I can stop the ceremony.” Aries blinked ever so tenderly before shifting her gaze back to Miguel. “You have a choice to not go.”

“How bold of you to give such a suggestion right in front of the chief leader of the Raven.” Aries could not help but chuckle, glancing over her shoulder to where Giselle was standing. 

“I am the Queen’s subject. Therefore, between you and the chief, I’d be under your command.” Miguel wasn’t fazed as if Giselle was not present. “Please. Allow me to take you away from here.”

“And where will you be taking me?” Aries cocked her head to the side. 

“Far away from here, for sure.”

Aries laughed loudly at his answer. “Oh, goodness! How hilarious!” She continued to laugh, finding Miguel’s courage silly.

It would be different if Miguel asked her, while it was just the two of them. However, Giselle and a few members of the Raven could hear this conversation. If he was trying to mock them, Miguel succeeded for sure.

“Your Majesty —” Miguel stopped as Aries waved dismissively.

“I am not forced to be here, Count.” Her smile remained. “I am here with all this weight because I wanted to. Though your offer is well-appreciated, I’d have to refuse.”

Aries snapped her head over her shoulder. “I reckon you already know my resolve hence, you felt no need to rush this conversation.”

“Open the door and stop stalling.” She set her eyes to the front, directly at the two marshals behind Miguel. “I have no other business with the count.”

Aries couldn’t help but scoff when the marshals had to look in Giselle’s direction before following her. No words were said, but that slight action was enough to mock the queen. 

This goes to show that this council treats the queen’s words with little value. But then again, this surprised no one. The council here on the mainland, the Raven, was beyond the control of the sovereign. If anything, they were people who had the liberty to see the sovereign’s vulnerability. 

“Move aside, Count.” Aries’s tone was icy, eyes sharp the moment they landed on Miguel. “I might’ve appreciated your offer, but I’d appreciate it more if you stop interfering with me next time.” — though there might be no next time.

Miguel lowered his head, taking a step to the side. The sound of her chains being dragged on the floor resonated in the air, walking past Miguel in an unhurried manner. However, just as Aries walked past him, Miguel spoke once again. 

“Once you get inside, I will not be your mere subject, but a member of this coven.” Her steps halted momentarily while he raised his head. “I ask you for the last time, Your Majesty. Do not go.”

Aries secretly clasped her hand before she loosened up her grip. She said nothing, moving her feet forth with her eyes fixed on the people in robes waiting for her in the great hall.