The Tyrant's Pet

The world summit was a gathering of sovereign nations from across the globe to talk about peace, trade, and serious matters that concerned the world. Out of 245 countries in the world, 193 of them were active participants.

It was usually held every five or ten years; sometimes, the interval was longer. Never once in history records that a world summit had shorter than a five-year interval until now.

Although this year's summit held a different agenda, which was to welcome the rising kingdom of the creatures of the night. Bold and dangerous as it may sound to step their feet in the said land, but apparently, those who received the royal invitation from the infamous Queen didn't have a choice. Refusing her invitation could be equal to a declaration of an adversary.

Not all kings or emperors were daring enough to go against the Queen, who ruled over the land of those 'demon descents.' Thus, they accepted the invitation and after months, those prominent figures from across the world had come into one place, one after another.

One of them was the emperor of the new Maganti Empire, Ismael Imperial.

"Please. Her Majesty, the Queen is inside." Gustav faced Ismael with a subtle smile, moving his arm to the shut door whilst standing to the side.

Ismael arched a brow, cocking his head to the side. Seeing his reaction, Gustav's polite smile remained.

"This is the farthest I can accompany you, Your Majesty," explained Gustav courteously.

"Ahh..." Ismael rocked his head, not putting much thought into the reason Gustav couldn't accompany him inside. He set his eyes on the door, took a step forward, and raised his fist to knock. But before his knuckles could touch the surface of the door, Gustav spoke.

"There was no need to knock, Your Majesty. Her Majesty, the Queen said you let you come in anytime."

Ismael stopped, turning his head to Gustav. All he saw was the latter raising his palm, pointing at the door.

"She doesn't like unnecessary noises," Gustav added.

Ismael took that as the queen, not wanting others to know they met. The Summit hadn't started yet because there were still several monarchs from faraway lands that hadn't made it to the Mainland.

"Alright." He nodded in understanding, clearing his throat as he refocused his attention on the door. Even though Gustav told him he didn't need to knock, Ismael felt a slight discomfort barging into the Queen's sitting room without announcing his arrival.

Ismael awkwardly reached for the knob, drawing a breath to ease the slight nervousness in his heart. He then carefully pushed the door open, took a step forward, and closed the door behind him just as carefully. Once he straightened his back, his eyes searched the room.

The room he went into was akin to a sitting room with another open room connected to it. Thinking Aries was on the other side, Ismael marched inside until he was standing in the middle where he could see the extension of the room.

When he turned his head, his face contorted.

There, on the other side of the room, was a gigantic, round bathtub. Lush green dangled over the rim as the person dipped in the tub was lying with the back of her head against the tub. From his vantage, Ismael could only see the top of the queen's head.

<strong>'No wonder he couldn't enter,'</strong> thought Ismael to himself. <strong>'She's bathing. Did he take me here to frame me?'</strong>

Negative thoughts immediately hovered over Ismael's head, despite knowing that Aries was an ally of his empire. No one could tell what was going on inside this woman's head, after all. She could cut their alliance if she so pleased, and Ismael was aware he couldn't do anything about it if that happened.

<strong>'Well... she didn't know I was here, right? I didn't make a sound, so...' </strong>Ismael took a careful step back, planning to leave this room to avoid any 'misunderstanding' or any bad interpretation this private audience could lead.

However, just as he took a step back, Ismael froze on the spot.

"Did he come?"

Ismael slowly shifted his eyes to the person dipped in the tub. She didn't move from her spot, but hearing that familiar calm yet cold voice after a long time made him gulp.

"No." He cleared his throat, retrieving his foot as he stood straight. She didn't mention a name, but he immediately knew who was the person she was pertaining to. There was only one person she was concerned about that Ismael knew.

Curtis.

"He wanted to and insisted on coming with me as my knight, but I refused," he continued solemnly. "I don't think you want to deal with him at the moment, Your Majesty."

Silence followed the news he brought with him, making him a little nervous about her thoughts about his decision. Upon the establishment of the Mainland in the outside world, many were shocked. Those who were already aware of the existence of vampires just grew wary.

But in Maganti, when they knew who the person sitting on the throne was, the Grand Duke of Rikhill, Curtis, had been restless. He had requested a private audience with the emperor, Ismael, more than he had since the official recognition of Rikhill as an official state of the Maganti Empire.

Curtis sought enlightenment from Ismael, hoping the latter knew more about this. But alas, Ismael wasn't as well-informed as others thought he was. He knew some details, but not everything. Ismael didn't also pry, knowing there were certain things that were better left unknown.

All he knew was everything that Aries told him; that was all. Everything she hadn't said, Ismael could only make a guess to kill time or if he wanted his head to hurt.

It was better that way.

"I see..." was all he heard in response after two minutes of silence.

"The chief of the Queen's cabinet led me to this place, but I assume there was a misunderstanding between us. Therefore, I'll excuse myself first and meet you when you are prepared to receive a private audience --" Ismael was cut short when her short wave of laughter echoed, caressing his ears. Her chuckles were very pleasant in the ear, although one couldn't deny the tinge of chill her chuckle carried.