The Tyrant's Pet



The Ravens. 

That was what the night council call themselves. Though people rarely speak of the name, even though the night council on the mainland was known to everyone in the land. 

Aries was only on the mainland for over two years, but she never actually participated in their nightly gathering. She was never invited, and she was never interested. However, she had an idea of Maximus IV's relationship with the Raven. 

Odd. 

Maximus never showed interest in the said council but was always mindful of them. There were times he would openly publicize his disgust to these nightly gatherings, and yet, Maximus IV never failed to miss it. 

For the woman at the helm, Giselle, to intrude on the queen's chancery unannounced to invite Aries only meant Aries couldn't stall time anymore. The Ravens were on the move.

"A gigantic magic circle surrounds the Mainland — by that, including the Forbidden Forest. You don't want those children in the empty March to take your spot, don't you, Your Majesty?"

"I don't want to resort to such methods. I'll see you on the first night of the full moon."

Aries didn't notice that the night fell deeper, sitting behind her desk for hours without unnecessary movements. Giselle's remarks just kept repeating in her head over and over. Not like Giselle's remarks would add more or get lesser, but Aries couldn't get rid of it.

For Giselle to personally invite Aries only meant Aries had no other choice. The magic circle could be a bluff, but at the same time, she couldn't disregard it completely. 

That woman was the ever-mysterious Giselle, who held a grudge against the Grimsbanne for a reason no one hasn't reckoned yet. She was crazy. 

"The first night of the full moon," whispered Aries, blinking ever so tenderly. She slowly turned her head in the window's direction, noticing that the beautiful silver coming from the moon illuminated the greenery in the queen's palace. 

Whoever designed the queen's chancery had nothing in their mind but beauty and grandeur. The light of the moon and the lanterns on the gravel path gave a perfect light for anyone; it was like a treat for the eyes. 

However, its beauty wasn't enough to make the current queen feel better. If anything, it made her want to call Gustav and order him to set this garden on fire. It was useless. 

"Suzanne." After some time, Aries peeled her eyes from the window. She reached for the bell, ringing it as she called Suzanne for the second time. 

Right away, Suzanne came inside the chancery without knocking. The moment she did, Suzanne's eyes went wide at how dark the queen's chancery was. Aside from the window, there was not a single candle that was light up in the room. Aries would normally light up the candle on her desk; she hated being disturbed. The reason Suzanne didn't bother Aries, knowing the Queen would prefer lighting up the chancery on her own. 

The Queen said it was therapeutic. 

"I'll light up the room right away." Suzanne bowed in hurry, about to rush to the stand to light up the candelabras when Aries spoke. 

"Not that." Suzanne halted, looking back at the queen behind the desk with wide eyes. "That, Suzanne."

Suzanne followed Aries's finger until her gaze fell on the window. 

"Set the garden on fire," Aries clarified with a stern voice, making Suzanne look back at her with shock. "After reading the financial status of the palace, I realized we needed to cut our costs. Thus, tell everyone to blow out all the candles within the palace and then set fire to the queen's garden."

Nonsense. 

No matter which angle Suzanne would look at Aries's orders, it was nonsense. The royal treasury had wealth like no other. It was as equally wealthy as the Haimirich Empire, the wealthiest empire in the outside world. 

In other words, Aries lived and breathed in luxury. She could even buy a country if she so pleased. A financial problem was never or should never be her problem. Especially right now that the country's economy was blossoming.

"Your Majesty, apologies." Suzanne lowered her head, holding her hand tightly. "I think I didn't hear you correctly."

"No, you did, Suzanne." Suzanne raised her head to look at Aries. "Set the garden on fire."

"But Your Majesty —"

"Set. It. Now." Aries's expression didn't even change, holding her handmaiden's eyes. "Don't make me repeat myself, Suzanne."

Suzanne pressed her lips into a thin line, holding her breath. She assessed the queen's eyes, and when she was certain that Her Majesty was dead serious about it, all she could do was lower her eyes. 

"As you wished, Your Majesty." Suzanne didn't talk her out of it, leaving the queen's chancery.

*

*

*

Countless knights and servants surrounded the queen's garden, setting up parameters in case the fire crawled to the palace. Meanwhile, Aries stood in the Queen's Chancery where she watched everything unfold from the beginning.

She stood in front of the window, watching the knights and servants uproot the garden and set it on fire. The fire started small like a bonfire, but now it had garnered the attention of others as they rushed to the garden to put the fire out, only to be surprised that there were already people in the area.

Aries raised her chin, eyes glinting menacingly. Her expression was cold and sharp, catching a familiar figure rushing to the queen's garden.

Miguel Rothschild.

This man shouldn't be in the palace anymore at this hour. However, Aries didn't dwell on the reason he was present. 

"Only those who knew will know," she whispered, blinking ever so tenderly. Her eyes shifted to the fire, following the smoke that was trying to reach heaven. "The next time, not only I will set the queen's garden on fire, but this cursed land."

Aries knew that people — not the best kind of people — were watching her every move. Thus, burning the queen's garden was set as a warning and acceptance of the official invitation she received tonight from the Raven.