The Tyrant's Pet

That night when Aries had that nightmare of the man with a skull ring, the seed of desire to meet this man was planted into her heart and it consistently grew over the past three days. Abel used to enter her dreams. Hence, she started calling them visions, since he could no longer peek even if he tried.

But that man with a skull ring could enter her dreams and interact with her. Although that dream didn't happen anymore, it only amplified her desire for an answer.

Who was he?

What did he want from her?

What were they?

And why does this faint servitude in her heart linger at the sight of him?

There were myriads of other questions, and what Abel told her that night bothered her about the pebble.

"A faint aura of Maleficent…" whispered Aries in a haze. "... he can't stand it."

"Your Majesty?" Suzanne's voice snapped Aries back from her daze while she served the tea. "Are you alright, Your Majesty?"

"Mhm." Aries bent over to pick up the teacup. "Have you heard about the search?"

Suzanne straightened her back as she held the tray. "Some knights were found dead with carvings on their flesh that says, no. But others had letters that say otherwise. I heard the knights under the emperor deemed this person as sick in the head. Hence, a danger to society."

"So they hadn't found this man?" Aries inquired without any reaction from the details.

"Apparently, they hadn't." Suzanne shook her head. "Because of the current state of affairs and the visit of the empire's esteemed guest, the emperor's people couldn't employ everyone to search for this man."

"And Marcia Graves?"

"The witches, on the other hand, were keeping track of his trails. She sent a word she might catch up to this man in no time."

"Tell her to stop."

"Your Majesty?"

Aries took a sip elegantly, licking her lips as she placed the teacup back on the saucer.

"I said, send a word to the witches and tell them to stop following his trails at once," repeated Aries firmly, raising her gaze at Suzanne. "There's no need for that."

"But Your Majesty, letting this man on the loose is dangerous."

"His Majesty probably realized taunting this man isn't the proper thing to do," Aries argued, setting her eyes back to the window. "There were already casualties since the order came out. Even if the numbers were little, those are still lives lost. Those women had been through a lot as well. It'll be a shame for them to meet their end before Marcia gets ordained."

Aries paused as her eyes narrowed. "He will come if I need him."

Suzanne's lips parted, but she ended up shutting them again. She lowered her head slightly.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," she said before serving the hors d'oeuvres for Aries to enjoy.

"Take a seat once you're done." Aries looked back at her handmaiden. "It will be nice to spend an afternoon tea with a friend."

Suzanne looked around, even though she knew it was just the two of them. When she gazed back at Aries, she offered the empress an amicable smile.

"How can I refuse?" her answer put a smile on Aries, sitting on the armchair across from the empress. "It would be nice if you can invite Sybil someday."

"How about Veronika?"

"I do not want her gloating in front of me."

Aries chuckled. "Oh, you. I think you get along well with her more than you get along with me."

"I know her. She thinks being the crown princess and the first in line to the throne is better than being the empress's handmaiden."

"Wasn't it, though?"

"Not even close." Suzane laughed as she poured herself a cup of tea. "You put her in that seat and you can take it away from her anytime. I don't think that will ever leave her mind."

"Fear… had always been the perfect foundation for betrayals."

"Fear had always been the ingredient for servitude as well," Suzanne argued. "Being by your side and watching your back where your shadows stretch is a better position to be in. In that angle, I can think I am part of your success as your shadow than standing on the opposite where you look down on me while everyone else bows before your greatness."

"You truly have an interesting take on everything, Suzanne."

"I'm still learning from you."

"I don't think you're looking up to a good role model." Aries humored while the teacup hovered over her curled lips. "Following in my footsteps will lead you to hell."

"I would worry about the destination in the afterlife."

Another chuckle slipped past Aries's lips after she sipped from the teacup. "Oh, Suzanne. Surely, my decision is not terrible. I might've missed welcoming the empire's esteemed guest, but it's worth missing for this."

"No one will be surprised — even this esteemed guest. I heard he had been taunting His Majesty."

"Taunting Abel is what Abel enjoys." Aries corrected. "But not me."

"Did he insult you?"

"Not only did he insult me by speaking salacious remarks, but also planted a seed of fear in my husband's heart." A menacing glint flickered across her eyes. "I hold grudges very well."

"I hope he is prepared then."

Aries arched her brow as she set her eyes back on Suzanne. "He is prepared, Suzane. But I don't think he has any idea that no amount of preparation can make him ready for what is coming for him."

"Arrogant men." Suzanne chuckled, confident that Aries had something in mind. No one had gotten away from Aries's clutches once she set her traps. No one would even know there were traps laid until they fell into them.

"Sir Conan… told me that his brother was the personification of deception." Aries slowly looked away, setting her eyes to the window. The side of her lips curled up as her eyes narrowed until they were partially closed. But alas, that wasn't enough to hide the contempt in them.

"I hope he doesn't disappoint me, a woman who had been deceiving the entire world — even herself."