The Tyrant's Pet

"I'm insane to fall for such a man. I could imagine my brother jumping from heaven just to go back into this hell to nag me."

Miguel and Aries stared at each other in silence after her remarks. His first guess was wrong, but he didn't dwell on it. Rather, he felt an inexplicable emotion Miguel couldn't even describe after hearing how insane her lover was.

"He probably cherishes you dearly." He broke the silence after a moment. "Your brother, I mean. For you to think he would jump from heaven just to scold you for fancying such a cruel man, I assume you had a great relationship with him."

"We do." Aries smiled, reaching for the teacup. "Which sometimes makes me wish we didn't."

"And why is that?"

Aries took a sip, licking her lips as she placed down the cup of tea. She slowly raised her eyes back to him, smiling subtly.

"Because if we had a terrible relationship, I wouldn't lose them. Or get shaken when a sliver of hope peeked through the thick clouds, telling me I might meet them someday." Her tone was warm, very unlike the mood she would usually share with him. "Have you ever wished someone you cherish was just an awful person, my lord?"

"No." His answer was quick, shaking his head mildly. "I didn't need to make such a wish, since that's already my reality."

"You answer so quickly. It makes me think that's the truth."

"Believe me or not, Your Majesty. That's the truth and the reality I am living."

"And you are fine telling me this?" she tilted her head to the side. "You and I… aren't on the same side and we will never be on the same side. Aren't you afraid I'd use this information to get the upper hand? You don't know me, my Lord."

"I should ask the same question, Your Majesty." Miguel returned. "Are you sure you should be telling me what you could do instead of keeping it to yourself?"

"I never needed to hide. As I've mentioned, all eyes were on me since the moment I stepped foot on this land. There was no hiding." Aries flashed him a short smile. "There was nothing I could hide from all the prying eyes that watched me every second of every day. All I can do was scheme something that they couldn't stop even if they knew about it."

"Bold, I must say."

"There's no any other way." She shrugged.

"Well…" Miguel cleared his throat, bending over to pick up the teacup. He took his time to respond as he gave himself a moment to enjoy the tea served by Her Majesty. When Miguel put down the cup, his expression turned solemn while facing her squarely.

"They want me to keep an eye on Your Majesty," he confessed without a second hesitation, eyes locked with hers. "They thought how I became your sword instructor was because of my own efforts, though I didn't correct them, for there was no reason to argue. I was told Your Majesty is planning for the fall of the Mainland, and I should keep an eye on you. Although they didn't ask for anything else, they only said that I should decide on my own whether or not to stop you from doing the worse."

Her brows rose slightly. "My intention of inviting you is not to gain a confession."

"I am aware, but I still want to come clean."

"And why is that?"

"Because I want to believe in you." Aries clasped her skirt after his answer, keeping her eyes on Miguel, who was looking back at her sincerely. "I might've missed bits of information, but I believe I can see the overall scheme here."

"The people in the Mainland should've just continued living the way we used to be; in this isolated land, away from the rest of the world. However, greed was a dangerous thing." Miguel peeled his eyes away from her, setting his gaze on the flowers around the pavilion. "Greed killed the late king and stirred the lives of many people. Forgive me if this may offend you, but you are the perfect example of how greed ruined people."

He cast his eyes back to her. "You… are an outsider. You are someone who shouldn't have known of the mainland or is associated with it in any way. But here you are. Not only you were dragged into this land, but you sat on the highest seat only one person can have in this land."

"I… am astonished at the fact you claimed the throne, but what makes me even more appalled is that you didn't even want it," he continued. "They left you with no choice but to be the center of it all."

"I'm not saying I am on your side, but rather, I fully understand the situation, Your Majesty." Miguel leaned forward while still holding her gaze, hoping she would see her sincerity. "The reason I am saying all this is that I want to beg for a chance. Give me some time to settle this matter on my own, and I will assure you this will not be your problem anymore."

"What makes you think you can do anything alone, my lord?"

"It may sound foolish and impossible, but I believe a sincere heart could move even a riveted mountain."

Aries kept quiet as she was almost rendered speechless by what she heard. It didn't just sound foolish; it was foolish.

"I'm neither on anyone's side. All I care about is this land," he added from the bottom of his heart. "If the tension between the queen and the nobles continued, I'm afraid of the worst. That what why I want to cease this tension even before it reaches its peak. Give me a chance, Your Majesty."

Miguel drew a deep breath before he continued. "If all else fails… then I'd be the first to wield my sword to protect the queen. After all, I am a knight who pledged to stand beside the sovereign — whoever it is — blindly."

"Please… give me some time, Your Majesty."

There was a moment of silence between them as Aries studied his face. There was nothing but sincerity in his eyes. She had met people of different types and classes, and she could always tell if someone was sincere or not.

"You…" her grip on her skirt under the table loosened. "... are not only foolish but idealistic. Sincerity? Chance? Do you have any idea how many chances I had given? Countless. And I bled each time."

Miguel's heart sank at her adamant response, but then his brows rose at what he had heard the next second.

"Everything you uttered angers me you do not have any idea, but alas… I hope you quench the tension before it reaches its peak," she continued, relaxing her tensed shoulders. "I'm not saying I'd stop all my plans. My plan will continue and it will not stop for anyone, my lord. I will declare war on anyone who will stand in my way to regain the life they had stolen from me. However, if you succeed and persuade all those pests to retreat, I will leave this place quietly."

Aries raised her chin. "Don't put your hopes up, Miguel. You'll only get hurt when you realize the ones you spoke of are words only fools utter."