The Tyrant's Pet

"Prince Conan might be a little… playful. But he used to be the second in line for the throne next to my late husband. Don't you think it's better to have him around since there's no guarantee the Queen wouldn't be in danger once she carries the crown?"

Aries observed the change in their expression, and she couldn't help but smile in satisfaction. These people, particularly the men in this royal court, never failed to give her a headache. If not for the experience Aries had gone through as the empress of Haimirich and following Abel around way before that, these men would overwhelm him.

Not that they never did. To be frank, they used to intimidate her. Aries was just used to keeping an unfazed countenance before intimidating people. Abel mentored her well. Still, it was different to be waging war by using words against these ministers — who were all noble pureblooded vampires — alone, than now.

Aries might be alone in this royal court, but she knew that there were people — reliable people — who had her back. So even if she was nothing but a turned vampire and a witch who had lost her powers, she wouldn't give in to the superiority of their blood. Giving in was… never in Aries's vocabulary. Being stubborn was her talent, after all.

"Is there still any objection? If you do, please raise your hand. Let's get done with it once and for all." Her smile remained, raising her brows briefly, glossing her eyes over their faces. "No?"

A look of disapproval dominated their faces, some didn't bother to conceal their scornful look. Yet, no one objected anymore because Aries left a clear point. They could go on and on, arguing about why Aries shouldn't sit on the throne. However, it was pointless.

Even if they successfully stop Aries's coronation, if Conan was on the mainland, then that would be another problem. Those who carried malice had to step back. After all, it wasn't the end of the world if Aries became the sovereign of the mainland for a while.

They could depose her at any time.

"Since that is settled, I am looking forward to the night of my coronation." Her smile brightened up, ignoring the scornful look plastered on their faces. "And also, I think some of you should rush to your post and offices."

Aries's smile slowly faded as if she recalled something very important. She rubbed her chin mildly, quirking her brow at them. Deep lines appeared between their brows while others didn't seem to show any interest in what she was thinking about.

"Before I escaped my abduction, I overheard this strange conversation…" she trailed off, humming to trigger their intrigue. "... something about being reinstated and an empty march?"

Aries cocked her head to the side. "I don't know what that means, but lest you hadn't figured it out, I was held captive in the mansion in the Forbidden Forest. I'm still surprised at how I managed to leave that cursed forest."

Aries didn't need to deny things, yet she chose to lie since words were important within the palace walls; public image too. Not that she was lying… as per what she told herself, but rather reworded things to suit the taste of the mainland.

"I'll see you all in two nights." Aries pushed herself up, staying in the royal court for only five minutes.

She didn't hesitate to turn around, walked away, and left them all behind. As soon as she stepped out of the royal court, she was welcomed by her personal handmaiden, Suzanne, and the queen's chamberlain, Gustav.

"That was quick, Your Majesty," said Gustav, catching Aries's triumphant smirk.

"Of course." Aries let out a chuckle. "Let's go. I do not want to be here anymore. The level of hypocrisy started to get into my head."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The two of them — Suzanne and Gustav — bowed, making a way for the queen. Aries simply cast the two of them a glance before she resumed her steps; the two followed a step behind her.

******

Meanwhile, in the House of Lords, several knights rushed inside the palace, where the head of each noble house gathered for a formal agenda. Seeing that the knights were in a rush, the nobles couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"What is going on here?" asked a nobleman, darting his eyes at the knights running through the stairs. "Is there an intruder?"

"There should be."

"Quite bold… whoever that is."

"It reminds me of that time when that young boy from the Grimsbanne clan intruded on the House of Lords."

"It's always those people who caused trouble on the mainland."

"Are they always?" another one listening to the men's conversation chimed in. All the men around turned their heads in the voice direction, and their gaze landed on a woman. Her hand fan blocked half of her face, but what they all first caught was her midnight blue eyes and her tan complexion.

"The House of Lords is a place for everyone to express free speech. There is no need to keep modest and avoid blaming the real culprits," said the noblewoman whom no one knew about. She ignored the slight confusion and intrigue plastered on the men's faces, lifting her eyes to the second floor where she could see the knights running as if they were in for a raid.

"If anything, I think the Grimsbannes should be annoyed at this point," she whispered to herself. "After all, it seemed some bitter and sour vampires couldn't stand the idea that there were people who would never submit to their hypocrisy."

Her midnight blue eyes twinkled, turning on her heel, and walked away from the eyes cast upon her.

'I am looking forward to what will happen in this damn land.' The woman clutched her chest, feeling this small dagger hidden within her dress. The dagger glowed slightly from underneath the fabric, giving off the scent of Maleficent.

'Things will be interesting in the land where all the roots of our problems were planted, Maleficent.'