The Tyrant's Pet

"The next time you call me darling, I might forget about our alliance. Do not forget, I have no one to protect anymore. You do not want me retaliating before you get a new proper body."

Aries's eyes slid to the corner, smirking. Aries straightened her back and squeezed Maximus's shoulder mildly, catching a figure from the corner of her eyes.

"It seems you have a letter. That's quick." Aries slowly peeled her hands off his shoulder, sauntering away from the pavilion without looking back.

Some servants outside the pavilion approached her to assist her in taking the steps down. The moment she reached the last step, Aries cast the butler a look. The latter bowed, holding a small tray where a letter was on it.

"Heh," Aries smirked, turning her heel as she walked away with a few servants from the queen's quarters following her. "Where is Fabian? I'm in the mood to play."

As Aries leave the pavilion, Maximus's face was already sour and firm. He glanced in her direction, only to see her happily walking with the servants behind her. He kept his gaze on her figure even when the butler was standing near the table with a tray where a letter for Maximus was placed.

"Your Highness, a letter from the Haimirich Empire is delivered tonight," announced the butler politely, but Maximus kept his eyes in the direction where Aries left.

Aries was already out of sight, but Maximus kept his gaze in there.

"Truly a shame how she and that friend of mine are almost the same. They don't listen." Maximus peeled his eyes away from the garden path to the butler. "He was quick to send a letter. I wonder what he wants to say and sent in a hurry."

The butler carefully put down the tray for Maximus to open it.

"He must be angry. What sort of threat did he right?" The smile on his face was candid, excitement in his eyes. Maximus picked up the paper knife and opened the letter that had the emperor of the Haimirich Empire.

Maximus knew Abel, and he was expecting something short and simple. Something that would make the receiver feel they were not safe. Yet, just the thought of it excites him.

"Let's see…" His brows rose the moment he opened the letter, blinking, cocking his head to the side. Maximus lifted the letter until the light from the candelabra was illuminating the back of the paper, but there was no hidden message on it.

"If someone you trapped sent you a letter, what would be the usual message?" he asked the butler standing a few steps from the table.

"He would send him warnings that he would do to the person who wronged him."

"Right?" Maximus glanced at the butler and showed him the paper. "Normally, they would send a short letter. Considering the person was him, it wasn't strange for him if he didn't send a letter at all. However, not only he did send a letter, but it was blank."

The butler briefly glanced at the clean paper before he bowed.

"Apologies. This servant couldn't understand the message behind his action."

"Hmm…" Maximus propped his arm against the armrest, sitting leisurely with his hand holding the empty letter in front of him. "Surely, he never failed to give me something to mull about."

**************

[ HAIMIRICH EMPIRE ]

A few hours before the letter was sent…

"This is a terrible idea." Samael leaned his back against the jamb of the door; his arms folded underneath his chest, eyes inside the emperor's chancery. There, inside, were Abel and Tilly.

Abel dragged his sister to his office to do him some favor, and Samael was there because Tilly asked for help. Now, Abel sat his sister down behind the desk and prepared her a piece of paper and ink.

"Samael, my dearest nephew, I never had a terrible idea in my life," Abel smirked, holding Tilly's shoulder as he stood behind her chair. "Now, Tilly, write whatever I say, alright."

Tilly kept a straight face, barely holding the pen Abel forced in her hand. She glanced at Abel as the latter started walking around the desk, rubbing his fingers on his chin.

"To an old friend, I hold dearly in my heart," said Abel, narrowing his eyes as if recalling something. It's been a long time since I last saw you — two years is quite a long time — but you never left my mind for two years. I would constantly wonder how have you been; was the world out there treating you well?

At times like that, I would recall the time I gave you the chance to breathe and exist until now. Perhaps, I regret not stabbing one of your eyes and making you swallow it.

Strange, isn't it, my old friend?

My wife had been wary of you even before meeting you, but in the end, you took her from me. My heart aches at the thought…"

Abel dramatically placed his hand across his chest, standing in front of the window without casting his sister a glance.

"How cruel, but I had forgiven her. She's my wife, after all. I had accepted how naughty she was. It is the same with you, my friend. I had forgiven you for what you have done. However, I figured you do not plan on meeting me. Therefore, I decided to see you myself.

I hope you are just as elated as I am with the thought of seeing you again. Before ending this letter written by my sister, I can guarantee you this letter will go straight to you. I do not want a piece of paper would reach her first before me.

Your beloved friend,

Abel."

Abel grinned and turned to face Tilly's direction. "Did you get all that?"

"Yes." Tilly nodded, folding the paper quietly.

Meanwhile, Samael shook his head in dismay. While Abel was talking nonstop, Tilly didn't move a muscle and simply gazed at the paper.

"She didn't write a word," said Samael, watching Abel approach the desk while Tilly handed the folded paper. "Speaking more than ten words is already a miracle, let alone writing all your sentiments."

Abel opened the folded letter and smirked. "Perfect."

"Huh?" Samael scrunched his nose up, watching Abel cast him a knowing look. But the latter wasn't generous enough to give enlightenment, folding the paper, before placing it inside an envelope where he poured wax where he pressed his seat on it.

"If you want to send an empty letter, you shouldn't have dragged her. And I would be with my wife and children at this second." Samael shook his head, watching his uncle open the window where a crow appeared out of nowhere.

"I want this letter to arrive tonight," said Abel putting the letter inside the crow's beak. "No delay."

Abel smirked, letting the bird fly away to deliver an empty paper.

"Let him rack his head thinking about the meaning behind it," he murmured, knowing a simple empty letter was enough to keep Maximus busy for the time being.