The Tyrant's Pet

Marsella let out another wave of abrupt laughs, only for the hollow she was in to expand. 

‘Damn it!’ she mentally cursed, clenching her teeth. The invisible weight on her shoulders felt twice heavier, immobilizing her. Marsella could barely carry the weight while on her knees and hands on the broken surface. 

The members, who were initially frightened by Marsella, slowly moved their dilated eyes at Giselle. Seeing that Giselle was free from Fabian as the latter had to avoid Dexter and Miguel, Giselle could finally help them out. 

“You are truly amazing, Marsella,” Giselle mused, turning her head in Marsella’s direction. “If you were someone else, you would’ve gotten crushed.”

“Damn, you.” Marsella spat out as her eyes blazed angrily.

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“Hey! This is unfair!” Marsella yelled when Giselle faced Aries once again. “Why am I the only one you’re targeting?! This is bullying! Fabian, help me out!”

“I apologize, Marsella. But as you can see… I’ll be a little busy soon.” Fabian opened his squinting eyes at the person who ended up being his opponent. “Hello there, Count. Should I address you as my brother-in-law as well?”

Currently, Miguel stood several steps before Fabian. Just now, Miguel and Dexter were going head-to-head with each other. But all of a sudden, when Marsella fell, Dexter broke away from the fight. Everything happened so fast, only to realize Dexter and Fabian wordlessly switched. 

Now, Dexter had repelled the numerous Raven attacking Fabian from behind while Fabian simply glare at Miguel for the count to leap away. 

“Finally, a worthy opponent.” Miguel sneered, recalling how all the nerves in his body told him to retreat just before he could attack Fabian. Fabian didn’t even wield his weapon, but Miguel was certain if he pursued the careless attack, he could’ve lost a limb. Worse, his life. 

“I heard you are a part holder of Maleficent,” said Miguel, striking a brief conversation with the man who was spiritually connected with Aries. “What a small world, isn’t it?”

“I disagree. The world is vast, my lord. It only became small for us because of that woman.” Fabian tipped his head in Marsella’s direction. “I hope she gets crushed before rescue arrives.”

“Curse you!” Marsella yelled but was unable to do anything else. Beads of sweat covered her forehead while her face slowly turned red at the weight on her back. 

“I see,” Miguel chuckled, rocking his head in understanding. “So it was true. I heard the person who had given you the power of Maleficent was that lunatic. I thought your relationship would be a bit better. It seemed I was wrong.”

“Heh.” Fabian rubbed his skull ring with his thumb, quietly assessing the man before him. “What a terrifying man.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Miguel snapped his eyes, witnessing someone come up from Fabian’s back to attack Fabian. 

Booogsh!

Before the member of the council could succeed, Dexter sent him flying. The member crashed into the wall without mercy.

“It saddens me how I cannot chop his head right now.” Miguel set his eyes back on his current opponent. “However, I am looking forward to how powerful the infamous butler of the House Grimsbanne is.”

“The feeling is mutual.” The corner of Fabian’s lips curled up into a smirk as a dark shroud appeared in his hand, crawling up to his sleeve like a snake. “Maleficent.”

As soon as the last syllable rolled out of Fabian’s tongue, he vanished from his spot. Miguel quickly matched his opponent’s speed, meeting Fabian halfway with their swords ringing loudly. The clash of their weapons created a powerful gust of wind, making the floor tremble.

“Ugh!!” Marsella grunted, glaring daggers at Fabian and Miguel. “Make this ground shake again and I will kill you two if I get out of here!” 

“I am conflicted whether to be awed by her or get appalled.” Miguel chuckled, keeping his attention locked on Fabian. “Even though her bones were probably getting crushed by now, she still has the energy to complain. I wonder how long she would hold up? Many died without reaching a minute mark under Giselle’s control.”

“I am unsure, but what I am certain is that you might not see that happening.” A glint flickered across Fabian’s, making Miguel peek at the black spear against his sword. 

“Such a violent weapon,” Miguel mused. “No wonder they said not anyone can wield this black spear. The weapon will corrupt its holder and not the other way around.”

CLASH!

Fabian and Miguel didn’t waste any more time testing each other’s strengths and analyzing each other’s fighting styles. Not only them but London and Conan were engaged in a fierce battle, not caring about anything else but ending each other. Meanwhile, Dexter faced the members of the Raven, sending them flying or unconscious. His opponents weren’t as strong as Miguel and London, but they were still troublesome enough to be a part of the night council.

“Your Majesty,” Giselle spoke again as the battle raged on around them. “Is this what you truly want?”

“This is not what I wanted, Giselle. It was you who wanted this to happen.”

“Do you think Abel Grimsbanne can save you?” 

“He will come to me when I need it.”

“Where is he now?”

This time, Aries didn’t respond. She kept her lips tight shut, keeping her icy stare at Giselle. 

“If I may guess, Abel Grimsbanne is preoccupied with something.” There was peace and confidence in the chief leader’s voice. “Even if he could get out of it, I am certain it will be too late for him.”

“What did you do to him, Giselle?”

This time, a smile turned up on Giselle’s face. “How are you husband and wife when you do not communicate properly? Your Majesty, do not fret. Everything the count told you was sincere. We do not intend to harm you, but to save you from the worldly things you had indulged with.”

“May tonight be the night the blood moon blesses its anointed guardian…” Giselle opened her eyes to reveal nothing but a pair of white eyes, spreading her arms. “… cleanse her soul from impurities…”

Aries furrowed her brows, feeling the ground shake. Even the battle paused to find balance, their heads all in Giselle’s direction. Small pebbles and dirt rose in the air, bringing panic to some people’s hearts.

“Dani!” called Dexter on instinct, but before he could jump to take Aries, Aries’s entire body froze. Aries suddenly cocked her head back, her feet flexing, and all the muscles in her body seemed to have turned stiff. 

“Ahh!!”