The Tyrant's Pet

[ House of Leviticus ]

Three people sat around the round stone table surrounded by shelves of books. The surface of the table had coherent markings and symbols, yet only a few could understand. Not that it mattered as the three — London, Isaiah, and Dexter — around the table wore a grim expressions and allowed silence to take over for a moment.

"So this weapon… this dangerous weapon created with Maleficent's power and the royal blood of the late king just disappeared?" Dexter spoke after a moment of silence, tapping a finger on the table. "And you don't know how it even disappeared?"

"Exactly." London nodded solemnly. "And we don't know who got it, but we're certain of is that we need to recover it."

"Give me a moment to process this, will you?" Dexter let out a short and dry laugh, leaning forward to rest his arm on the edge of the table. "So, aside from the night council on the mainland led by the Bathory and Rothschild, there was this powerful and dangerous weapon that had gone missing? On top of that, the possibility that two missing demons are kept by them or another party is still laid on the table."

Dexter laughed again, but this time with a tinge of sarcasm.

"What a time to live!" he remarked sarcastically. "Yet, you want my sister to keep the position of the Queen when you know there will be a petition to depose her? London Leviticus, do you want to die?"

"Apparently, I do not have any wishes to end my life without a proper legacy to leave behind. However, I am being serious. I am certain if Her Majesty is the one sitting on that chair, she would've agreed in a heartbeat," replied London calmly. "Though I understand your reluctance to keep an open mind because of what happened the past week. I would be just as reluctant and stubborn if I were in your position."

"Unfortunately, you're not in my position." Dexter slowly shifted his gaze to Isaiah. "Though I can make you wear my shoes since you claimed we have the same size."

"Don't be so harsh on my little cousin —"

"I am not being harsh to him, but the other way around." Dexter cut London off mid-sentence. "My sister will not sit on that stool again. Even if she wants to, I won't allow her. If she doesn't listen to me, then she will listen to Abel. If that doesn't work, we'll lock her up. There's no way I'd push her to stand on the frontline again. Two years had caused enough heartache and misery for her to the point she had lost her humanity to live longer. This is no longer a discussion."

"You do not understand, Marquess."

"I understand everything clearly. Do you want me to spell it out for you or repeat it just to prove it?"

"Whether Her Majesty approves of it or thinks otherwise, one thing we all know is that she's already involved in this." This time, Isaiah broke his silence. "The moment she returned that night in the Rose Palace — the time before Her Majesty and the marquess became siblings — no. From the time she met His Majesty during the world summit, she's already involved. You can hide her or protect her all you want, Marquess, but she'll never sleep with both her eyes closed."

London rocked his head in agreement. "Exactly my point. Her Majesty is already aware of this, Marquess. It was the very reason she willingly stepped foot on the mainland."

"It's not just because of Maleficent that was within her," London continued, leaning forward as he sported a solemn countenance. "Everyone already knew she was the key to making Wrath go on his knees."

Dexter balled his hands on his lap under the table. His jaw tightened, clenching his teeth to stop himself from spewing nonsense. Everything they had said — even when he previously disagreed — was nothing but facts and truths, which brought this bitterness into his heart.

"As insulting as it may sound, some see her as a holder of a powerful witch. Others see her as leverage to open a negotiation with the Grimsbanne," London added in the same solemn tone. "You know your sister better than I am, Marquess. She hates it when others think they could use her to harm her loved ones. Her pride won't allow that to happen."

London breathed out heavily, leaning back as he finally had the time to speak without interruptions. "Letting her fight for the throne… I won't deny she will become bait. However, since her term, she had captured and acquired power over the military and royal knights."

"I don't know if this is called luck, but the Queen… according to our law, will hold the king's power if he ever perished without an heir." That was the very reason there was no queen on the mainland.

A queen could gain the king's powers if the latter died. Therefore, as a safety precaution, the previous kings forced their queens to an eternal slumber once their purpose had been fulfilled. It was the reason Maximus made Aries his queen because this practice was common in this piece of land.

It just so happened Abel woke up even before Maximus could drain the last bit of life and sanity Aries had. Fortunately, she was one tough cookie to break.

"She has to establish that power not just for the Grimsbanne or for those who were opposed to the vision and questionable purpose of the night council, but also for herself," London remarked, this time with a firmer tone. "It might look much for you, and fighting for the throne would be a bloody path. However, it is better than outright giving that right for the throne to whoever. It will buy us some time, Marquess."

"I hate to admit it, but that is the only way we can all run freely in this land," Isaiah agreed, eyes fixed on Dexter. "Running away or hiding is not an option anymore. You know that, Marquess."

Dexter darted his eyes between Isaiah and London for a while before he loosened his grip. His tensed shoulders relaxed, eyes glinting menacingly. No words were uttered, but they all had one understanding.

There was no other way.

A/N:

Sorry for the lack of updates. The holiday season took most of my time because my siblings came over to spend Christmas with me. It's been a while since I celebrated Christmas, so I focused on being with my family.

Thank you for understanding and I'll update regularly until before New Years's eve because I'll be busy with new year ^^

I hope everyone has a great time this holiday season. Sending virtual hugs and wishes to everyone!