The Tyrant's Pet



"Seize her."

Two members of the Raven suddenly appeared behind Suzanne. Suzanne was subdued by one of them in a blink of an eye.

"What's the meaning of this?!" yelled Suzanne after hitting her chin against the floor. 

One of the men who subdued her placed his hand on the back of her head. He tripped her, which caused her to lose balance, falling on her face. 

"Ugh…" she ground her teeth, struggling to move, but alas, the man stepped on her back while keeping his hand on the back of her head and the other on her hands behind her. 

Aries's eyes widened. Everything happened so fast, giving her no time to react. 

"I am aware she is Your Majesty's handmaiden. However, after a thorough investigation, we found out she plotted a scheme behind Your Majesty's back." Aries slowly set her dilated eyes back to Miguel as the latter spoke authoritatively. 

"Schemed behind my back?"

Miguel blinked ever so slowly while nodding. "This gathering is a must — a tradition that all kings had to go through. Your handmaiden, however, colluded with the witches to sabotage our good purpose."

"Hah…" Aries couldn't help but scoff, assessing Miguel's countenance. Meanwhile, Suzanne froze; she stopped struggling upon hearing Miguel's last remarks. 

The witches? 

Suzanne held her breath and shifted her gaze to Miguel. 'He knew…?' She gasped mentally, panicking emotionally. 

How did Miguel find out? 

"Do not fret, Your Majesty," said Miguel, breaking the brief silence. "It was good we found out about it early on. Therefore, we were able to stop their vile plan. I already received a report from my men that they already ceased the witches."

Some members of the Raven sneered. Half of their face hid under the shade of their hood. However, Aries could sense the mockery and proud gaze on her. 

"Witches, huh?" Aries laughed dryly, making a slight noise with her chains as her hand trembled. 

"Yes, Your Majesty." Miguel nodded. "It was a vile thing to do for a handmaiden to put the sovereign in danger. But the Raven already handled it. Do not worry."

"You…" Suzanne's voice rumbled low, eyes bloodshot. 

For certain, Miguel was aware it wasn't Suzanne's plans, but Aries's. However, the man smoothly pinned it on Suzanne since Suzanne did all the legwork while Aries concocted the plan. 

Suzanne clenched her teeth as her eyes stung from anger. However, if what Miguel said was true, then it was better for Suzanne to take the fall. 

Who knew what they would do if Suzanne spoke unnecessarily?

"Ha! Hahaha!" Suzanne laughed like a maniac. "How dare you sabotage my plans, Miguel Rothschild?! That woman does not deserve everything she has now! Queen of the mainland?! Don't make me laugh! This woman is no Queen!"

Her voice echoed across all corners of the great hall. "Rikhill, Maganti, and Haimirich! You coveted all thrones you can through vile means — she does not deserve another land to ruin!"

Aries held her fist tightly until they trembled, looking at Suzanne's desperate attempt to make the situation as it was. 

Miguel flicked his finger, signaling for the man to shut her up. The latter immediately pressed his hand on the back of Suzanne's head, adding weight to squeeze her jaw. 

"How vile." Miguel shook his head mildly, sighing as he looked back at Aries. "We heard you revived her, sacrificing a few years of your life out of the goodness of your heart. However, after a thorough investigation, we found out that if not for Marsella Grimsbanne, this woman would have harmed you while you were conducting a large-scale cleansing in the cursed Haimirich Empire."

"If not for Marsella?" Aries scoffed. "It seemed Marsella truly hadn't learned her lesson, huh?"

"I understand your disbelief and dismay, Your Majesty. Your handmaiden had the face of an angel. However, it seemed to me she deliberately gained your trust for a terrible cause."

"Miguel Rothschild…!"

"Your Majesty." This time, Miguel's tone was firm. "You may be an outsider, but one fact remains. You are now the current Queen who owned that throne behind you. Once the coven is over, you will sit upon it to reclaim the power that makes you untouchable."

Miguel advanced in Aries's direction until he was a step away from her. "The Raven will pledge to be under your strict order; this council will be under your command, Your Majesty."

Aries ground her teeth, snapping her eyes to the members of the Raven. Some of them placed their hands across their chest as a sign of agreement to Miguel's remarks. Giselle, the chief leader, remained stiff. However, her silence meant she agreed with the words Miguel was spewing. 

Miguel smiled subtly, satisfied at the council's response. He then set his attention back to the Queen before him. 

"My Queen, we are not your enemy," he continued sincerely. "We simply need reassurance that your intention for this land is pure and sincere. Being an outsider was never the case. After all, being the holder of Maleficent is enough proof you are capable of ruling the vampires."

"Reassurance?" Aries laughed, trying her best to keep her head clear. "By that, you meant… ending the existence of the Grimsbanne?"

Miguel didn't answer immediately; his delayed response was enough for Aries to know his answer. 

"Yes." Miguel didn't deny it, though. "The Grimsbanne had always been a threat to us. That is why the council left them all alone for many years. However, with what the late King Maximus IV had done, we were forced to fight the Grimsbanne."

"The late King Maximus IV pushed us on the edge," added Miguel. "We had no other choice but to fight, Your Majesty."

Deep lines appeared between Aries's brows, studying Miguel's countenance. She glanced in Giselle's direction, only to realize there might be some truth in Miguel's vague remarks.

"Please, Your Majesty," Miguel spoke again, taking another step closer to Aries. His face moved forward, lowering his head to whisper in her ear.

"Fight with us," he whispered, his eyes sliding to her. "Choose me, Aime."

The moment Aries heard the name her brother used to call her, her eyes slowly widened. Miguel slowly drew his head back, offering her a warm smile with an affectionate gaze that Davien would always give her.