The Tyrant's Pet

[ The Fort ]

"My lord."

Miguel heaved a sigh as he glossed his eyes over the open crates full of imported goods from another land.

"Go," came out a quiet order, jerking his chin mildly.

That said, the people who delivered the goods in the fort carried the crates to continue the proper procedure. Watching this, another sigh slipped past Miguel's lips.

"My lord, everyone had been unhappy with the recent inspection," said the nobleman standing beside Miguel while glancing at the area. "They think this is delaying the process."

"I know they were unhappy about it, but this is necessary." Miguel didn't budge, catching a few displeased looks from the workers. "Having these large-scale imports, people can easily sneak anything inside. During my last expedition, I came across this land plagued by a deadly herb that can make one addicted to it."

His eyes glinted as they sharpened. "The Mainland may have opened its doors, but not everything or everyone can come in. After all, aside from our economy and business, we also have to keep in mind the security of the land and its people."

"The Queen —"

"The queen had given me permission to inspect the fort as much as I pleased."

"No." The nobleman beside Miguel had his eyes in a direction, wide-eyed. "That's not what I meant."

"Hm?" Miguel furrowed his brows, casting his colleague a look. Seeing that the latter was staring in a direction, he followed where the nobleman was looking.

There, not far away, was a luxurious-looking carriage. One could instantly tell that a noble person was inside it. However, the person being assisted down the small ladder was none other than the sovereign of this land.

"What is she doing here?" mumbled the nobleman, turning his head toward Miguel. "Are you sure you got permission from her?"

Miguel didn't respond, keeping his lips in a thin line. Without saying anything, Miguel marched in Aries's direction. However, just as he approached her, knights in civilian clothes blocked his path.

"I would like to pay respect and greet Her Majesty," said Miguel to the knights, making the people behind the knights look in their direction.

Aries lifted her chin, releasing Gustav's hand, who was assisting her. "Don't be rude to His Lordship," was all she said.

One of the knights who blocked Miguel looked back at her and nodded. He then cast his colleagues a look, stepping aside to allow Miguel to approach the queen. However, they instantly blocked the path of the nobleman following Miguel.

"This humble subject greets Your Majesty." Miguel placed his fist across his chest, bowing.

"Spare me the formality, Lord Miguel. Raise your head," ordered Aries which Miguel listened. "I came here after my duty to visit the church."

The corner of her lips curled up into a kind smile as she locked eyes with him. "You can say I didn't want to return to the palace immediately, so I came here."

"Is that so?" Miguel smiled back subtly. "Though I am intrigued that of all places Your Majesty could have gone to, you came all the way here."

"The fort is the farthest from the capital and the closest to the outside world." She shrugged. "There were times I get homesick."

His lips parted but then shut them again. He assessed Aries and could tell she was telling the truth.

"Anyway, I am also intrigued that's why I chose to visit the fort. After all, you asked for my permission to conduct an inspection." Aries looked around, observing the mood in the area. "The atmosphere feels a little off. I guess the inspection made everyone very unhappy."

"It delayed the process, but I deem it necessary. After all, the very reason for these inspections is to make sure everything that goes in the Mainland wouldn't become our problem in the future."

"I am aware and thus, the reason I gave you such authority." Aries smiled, nodding. "Why don't you show me around, Lord Miguel?"

"The pungent smell around is strong and the dirt might sully your dress and footwear."

"I was caged in a small enclosed area like a pig in the past." Her smile stretched while her tone sounded humorous. "Trust me. I have a very strong stomach."

Shallow lines resurfaced in between his brows at Aries's remarks. However, he didn't dwell on it as he glanced at the people standing behind the queen.

Seeing where his eyes shifted to, Aries glanced over her shoulders.

"Stay close. I would like to take a walk with Lord Miguel and talk to him with no disturbance," she ordered, making Gustav and Suzanne bow.

"We'll keep our distance, Your Majesty," Gustav expressed politely.

Satisfied, Aries looked back at Migue. "Shall we?"

"Yes, my Queen." Miguel took a step closer, offering his arm to her. Aries clasped his arm, walking away while her people followed them but kept their distance.

"About the inspection, so far, everything seems good." Miguel started a conversation first to avoid any awkwardness coming between them. "As you noticed, everyone was not pleased. However, I planned to continue these inspections."

"Why?"

"Pardon?"

"Why are you so fixated on the goods that are entering the mainland, my lord?" she clarified, keeping her eyes on their path. "I am aware you are concerned that with this amount of imported goods entering our land, the chances of sneaking illegal substances or anything of the sort are high. However, with the current system, things like that would be filtered through. They wouldn't even leave the fort."

Aries took a momentary pause, treading carefully. "Moreover, do you think the sovereigns that we are trading with would dare to use their chance to strengthen their relationship with us and ruin it by sneaking something that would upset me? They wouldn't even try sending me a rotten apple, let alone sneak in anything that might lead to their demise?" she cast him a brief look, arching her brow.

"Don't misunderstand. If this inspection will put your heart at ease, then I'd give you all the authority to do so. However, I think you're having the wrong fixation," she continued, looking away from him. "You are so afraid of letting rotten things enter the mainland. But I wonder… if the thought that this bad apple was already in the mainland came across your mind, corrupting everything it had contact with?"