The Tyrant's Pet

"Black magic."

Cherry's eyes were shaking as she watched him nonchalantly look back at her. For a moment, her brain was blank until a moment later, her lips hooked up, which was then followed by a laugh.

"Hah... haha!" she covered her lips to muffle her laughter, gazing at him in amusement. "I knew it! I knew she was that dirty wench! Oh, Curtis — you should've just pretended you were still a useless dog. Now, she --"

"Now, she what?" he asked, putting a stop to her festive mood. "I do not quite understand why you are so happy, Lady Borges? Or should I address you as Countess Lloyd?"

Curtis took a deep breath as he studied the woman's face. He used to admire her beauty. But after seeing the person behind the multiple layers of masks she was wearing, Cherry was undoubtedly grotesque.

"Was it because you think if you tell the crown prince about my situation, he will believe you? Lady Lloyd, even if you tell everyone in the empire that this dog who was put through hell over and over and over had recovered, they won't believe you. Do you know why?" he smiled kindly, showing no trace of hatred towards this woman. It was a waste of his energy to give even the slightest of him to someone like her.

"Who would believe a person who sold her homeland, her family, and everyone without showing the slightest remorse? You made it to the high society because that's your forte, but you know, more than anyone, people are just waiting for you to make a mistake so they can laugh at your face," he explained, enjoying how the lines of her smile faded. "I am even more appalled that you had the gall to laugh, when in fact, you should be trembling in fear, Cherry."

"Had it never crossed you that if Aime is the crown princess, then... do you think you are her lady-in-waiting just because you are amazing, just as you think you are?" he continued with a sarcastic yet weak laugh. "Cherry, you know Aime. She is the kindest and the most genuine friend you will ever have, but you do not want to make an enemy out of her..."

"Sadly, you did. You betrayed her, knowing her fate would be nothing but hell in the hands of the crown prince. It's your fault, Cherry. You killed Aime, you murdered me. If there was another person who deserved to rot in hell, that is you... for slaughtering everyone in Rikhill," Curtis stressed his words, as he couldn't really say Joaquin and the Maganti Empire betrayed them.

Rikhill and the Maganti Empire were in friendly relations, but they were aware of the empire's antics and shenanigans. The reason they were trying to please the Maganti in their own way until they could form a stronger alliance that could help them from the empire if worse comes to worst.

But the worst happened sooner than expected. Still, more than the pain of getting their land taken away by another, it was more unpleasant to look at someone who sold her own land for her own personal interest.

"Did you think she will give you mercy?" he asked as he cocked his head to the side before shaking it mildly. "No, Lady Borges. You should've killed her with your own hands and made sure she would've suffered till the end. But alas, you wished to prolong her sufferings just like how you wished to see me suffer."

"I can't help but wonder, Cherry. Why?" Curtis slowly planted his palms on his thighs and pushed himself up. "Why... do you hate us so much to wish and celebrate our misfortune?"

"Don't come near me --" she staggered back as he closed the gap between them. "No, don't --"

"Why not?" Curtis extended his hand out and gripped her wrist. "Why? Are you afraid I will slap you too, just like how you slapped me until both my cheek and your palm grew numb? Or were you terrified that I will ask someone to beat you until you are half dead? Or do you think I will tie your hands and feet on a horse, only to whip them as an attempt to dismantle your joints?"

His grip tightened as he laughed in ridicule. "Cherry, are you terrified that the abuse Aime, and I had gone through in this place... will happen to you? Why, though? You took part and enjoyed it. So why are you terrified of things you had inflicted upon others?"

Her lips quivered as they parted, wanting to scream for help. However, her voice was stuck in her throat as her knees trembled while realization and dread slowly seeped deep into her bones.

"Scream, Cherry. Let the knights outside know you snuck inside here." Curtis cocked his head to the mess she hadn't fixed yet. "I never hurt women because I respect my mother and my sisters, but I also never felt this disgust welling up in my chest the more I look at you."

Curtis laughed before he let her go. As soon as he did, Cherry collapsed to her knees with a blank and pale complexion.

"Be thankful. I still respect them, and I don't want to raise my hand on you." He trudged back to his chair and perched on it with ease. "I'm kidding. I would've punched you in the face until you are wearing your real ugly face, and then tell myself my family will understand my anger."

He laughed, waiting for her to raise her head to see his grin. "The only reason I hadn't done that is... you're pathetic. These hands had touched all the disgusting things throughout the years I've been in here, but you're the dirtiest I do not want to get my hands on. You're filthier than human feces."

"I believed in karma. What goes around comes around. So wasting more energy on you is not worth it. That's what Aime said, so she is letting others handle you." He sported a knowing look before he glanced at the entrance for a second. "Aren't I kind to give you clues, Cherry? I sincerely hope this will help you save you from your impending doom."

"After all… the ninth princess had a very twisted way of entertainment — Aime and I knew that very well." He smirked while her heart sank. "I wish you luck, Cherry. May God bless your heart."