The Tyrant's Pet

Aries didn't detail everything to Abel about her current dilemma. However, she did give him hints. Abel was smart enough to put two and two together. He would figure it out on his own — it wouldn't be an exaggeration if he already did.

Abel only asked Aries one thing, and that was to get things done. For her to uncover the truth and make amends for this personal dilemma. There wasn't any good thing in this situation, but if there was, it was that she expected such underhanded means from her enemies to shake her.

Thus, she came face to face with Miguel to prove to herself that Miguel Rothchild simply stole her brother's face. That Miguel and Davien were two different people; the former's face was simply an illusion or some sort to deceive her.

After all, Aries was the only person who knew what Davien looked like.

Her eyes shone with murderous intent the second Miguel turned his back on his enemy. Didn't they say this man was one of the strongest noblemen in the Mainland? If he wasn't underestimating her, he wouldn't dare turn his back on her while still on the training grounds.

Anger and disgust swelled in her chest, taking a large leap to attack him on the back.

"Do not… underestimate me!" Aries's voice rumbled down her chest, eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

Miguel paused when he felt the murderous intent behind him. However, the corner of his lips curled up in excitement. He ducked on instinct to dodge her attack, pushing Aries's wrist with the bottom of his fist to take make her lose her grip. However, Aries used her other hand to plant it on top of his head for a second, pushing herself to reposition midair and launch a kick.

The two of them exchanged blows without a pause.

This wasn't the training Miguel expected, for sure. When he accepted her offer, he assumed the level of combat skills she had were probably above the basics. He heard she was a witch, after all. Witches didn't need combat skills — only above level or meditation — since training their mana and body to create spells required more of their attention.

Even if Aries was turned into a vampire, just as he heard, there was still a difference. Vampires could just use brute force, but it would be nothing against them.

Therefore, the training Miguel expected turned into something more exciting as sparring. Although he had to admit. Aries would stand no chance against him in a real battle.

"Ugh!" Aries clenched her teeth, feeling her lungs constrict at the force on her abdomen.

"Apologies, Your Majesty," was all she heard from her opponent with his palm on her stomach. "I didn't mean to hurt you, but I'm afraid you'd kill me if I go easy on you."

As soon as those words rolled out of his tongue, Miguel pushed her abdomen and sent her flying. Aries rolled on the ground until she was out of the ring.

Miguel straightened his back, stretching his neck from one side to the other. He had been exchanging blows with her for a straight hour, and he had to admit that was tiring. He didn't have a moment to breathe.

Meanwhile, Aries grunted as she pushed herself from the ground with great difficulty. When she raised her head, the first thing she saw was Miguel searching his shoulders in a circular motion before setting his eyes on her.

He smiled, marching in her direction.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," he expressed when he was two steps from her, offering his hand to her. "I was wrong to underestimate you. But now that I know the level of combat skills Your Majesty has, I will make sure to reflect on my actions until now."

Aries assessed his smile before her gaze fell on his hand. But instead of taking it, she ignored it and helped herself.

Miguel clenched his hand and smiled with closed lips, raising his brows briefly. He shrugged and slowly rose to his feet, watching her lest she lose her balance and fall.

"It was good," she remarked, tossing the wooden sword to him, which he caught on instinct. "Come back in three days."

With that being said, Aries didn't idle and turned on her heel. She didn't plan to stay longer since the training was already over. She lost miserably, and she knew that. Now, she needed a moment to rest to think about it since her mind was just filled with anger and disgust after staring at that face for over an hour.

"I'll see you in three days then," said Miguel, staring at her retreating back. His brows rose when Aries suddenly stopped, watching her twist her upper body as she looked back at him.

"I will appreciate it if you stop speaking casually to me. I am not your friend or your subordinate. Do not make me repeat myself. I think I have let many things slip since the moment we met until now," she warned coldly, staring at him as if he were too inferior to be even looked at. "I don't think I will be so kind next time you apologize with an excuse of not knowing the queen because you were away."

Her eyes sharpened, looking at him from head to toe. A scoff slipped past her lips as if to mock him before resuming her steps and sauntering away.

"How cold…" he commented under his breath when she was already at a great distance. "I thought she would at least offer me some tea and snacks after sparring with her. After all, I thought we made a connection that could be the start of friendship while exchanging blows. But perhaps I am the only one."

Miguel planted his hand on him while still holding onto the wooden sword with the other. He shook his head once again, staring at where Aries disappeared to. After a few seconds, Miguel arched a brow as he gazed down at the wooden sword.

As soon as his eyes fell on the wooden sword, cracks started to appear on the surface before it disintegrated into powder.

"Hah…" he muttered, staring at the residue on his palm. "... good thing this is not a sword. I would've died… for sure."