The Tyrant's Pet

[ REALITY ]

Abel had a theory the last time he dug up Marsella. His sister mentioned thanking her for taking a portion of Maleficent. At first, Abel didn't dwell on it since he knew he wouldn't get any answer. However, at the back of his head, he thought there was something Marsella knew that Vera didn't.

This assumption grew at that time Maximus showed himself in the capital and attacked Aries. Abel sensed this growing repugnance from the pebble that killed a pureblooded vampire. He sensed Maleficent, like Aries, but with a stronger repelling aura and scent.

There was another person who held Maleficent aside from Aries. No wonder Aries couldn't awaken her true powers because a part of it was being held by someone or something. Until now, Abel was unsure if this was a good thing or a terrible one.

That was why he ordered Isaiah to do a special task.

Isaiah stood by the door of the emperor's chambers, eyes on the man sitting in the armchair. He had searched high and low for this man, only to find him hiding in the emperor's chambers. The emperor's palace was highly secured, but if one successfully snuck in, it would be the perfect hiding spot.

"Isaiah, have you found this man?" Abel's voice suddenly rang inside his head, making Isaiah's eyelids droop.

"Yes," Isaiah answered under his breath, but his expression was stern. He watched the man, Fabian, slowly open his eyes while Isaiah's link with Abel was cut off.

Fabian slowly cocked his head back, eyes falling on Isaiah by the door. "Did you come to kill me?"

"No." Isaiah's answer was quick and certain. "His Majesty simply wants to talk to you."

"I am already talking to him right now," said Fabian, tapping his fingers against the armrest. "He doesn't have a lot of things to say."

Isaiah pressed his lips into a thin line, observing Fabian's weak blinks. This man was just half awake, and yet he could intimidate someone. And from experience, Isaiah could tell if he fought this man, he would still have a hard time.

"Amazing," whispered Isaiah, unable to hold back the praise Fabian deserved.

"You people are so kind with your words. How nice would it be if we didn't have this issue?" Fabian kept his smile, tilting his head to the side. "Won't you ask me how I am both conscious in this world in her world?"

"You hold Maleficent," said Isaiah in the same monotonous tone. "Therefore, it is no surprise that you can go back and forth or stay conscious of both."

Fabian's smile stretched wider, nodding. "You're smarter than you appear."

That was the first anyone told Isaiah he was smarter than he appear. Isaiah looked like someone who already figured everything out, but it wasn't like he took it to the heart. Isaiah was immune to Conan's and Dexter's and Morro's usual slander.

"But anyway, I am curious." Fabian cleared his throat. "You said you didn't come to kill me, but because Lady Tilly's brother wanted to talk to me. But now that I am currently having a showdown with him, I wonder what's your next plan?"

There was a moment of silence between the two, staring at each other, unmoving. When Isaiah's lips parted, Fabian arched his brow.

"Hmm?" Fabian cocked his head to the side, brows furrowed.

"Maximus IV," Isaiah repeated, stressing that name. "He came to kill Maleficent."

"Isn't he in the spirit world right now?"

"He is… just like His Majesty."

Fabian's already arched brow raised higher. "Are you insinuating…?" he trailed off, eyes glinting as he glanced over his shoulder. "Ahh…"

"The banquet hall was shut off." Isaiah lifted his chin as his expression grew solemn. "The only order I received was to find you, but since I did and you are conversing with His Majesty, I had nothing to do with you anymore."

"However, I presumed you care about Maleficent," he continued, breathing out deeply. "I'm not in that world, but she suddenly chased me away. I cannot certainly say it was on purpose, but she's in danger. I'm not sure what sort of danger, but my gut feeling never failed me."

"Hah…" Fabian let out a deep exhale, turning on his heel as if he wasn't afraid Isaiah would attack him once he turn his back. He sauntered towards the window, rubbing his thumb against his ring. His eyes moved in the banquet hall's direction; the place wasn't far or near, it was just enough distance to get there on time.

"Where is my young miss?" he asked out of nowhere. "Sunny La Crox."

"In the forbidden mansion."

"With who?"

"Alone."

"She's not alone."

"The person inside that place was a man in his slumber."

Fabian's sharpened, cracking his fingers one by one. "Where should I go first?" he asked himself, humming a low tune.

"The banquet hall? Or the Forbidden Mansion?" he asked again, unable to decide which was more important to him. If the person in the banquet hall wasn't Aries, Fabian would've gone to the Forbidden Mansion in a heartbeat. But both of them were important to him; Aries as the person who held the same power as him and was connected to him one way or another, or Sunny, who was his young miss he pledged to serve and protect.

"I'd go to the Forbidden Mansion," Isaiah remarked, staring at Fabian's back. "Even if I go to the banquet hall, it's to no avail…"

Isaiah trailed off when the sound of shattered glass pierced the still air. He gazed at the spot where Fabian stood, but the man had already disappeared on the silent night outside. His lips opened and closed, but he ended up pursing his lips into a thin line.

"Did he…" he trailed off once again as he suddenly felt his heart thud against his chest, making him hold his breath. His pupils dilated, running to the shattered window.

"No," he whispered in panic, and without a second hesitation, he jumped out of the window to go to the Forbidden Mansion, where he felt this dreadful aura slowly dominating the night.

Danger had arrived.