The Tyrant's Pet

"How…"

"That doesn't matter." Aries glanced at the seventh prince before setting her attention back to Curtis. Her lips curled up and nodded in satisfaction. "The chief justice will be in danger."

"Tch. Don't worry about that." Ismael huffed. "I sent a few of my people and the Valiente to evacuate the children under the protection of the church. That is what Minister Vida wants, and the sole reason Joaquin had him by the neck. He said he didn't care if imposing justice for once will cost him his life, so long as those children will be safe."

Aries nodded. She had already expected such determination from that man, who turned a blind eye to the injustices for the sake of the people he wanted to protect. As mentioned, everyone in this place had reasons they became deaf and mute.

"Also, that knight, Climaco, he… led the group to a safe place. Quite surprising he knew more things than others don't," the third prince casually added.

"Where is he?"

"He sent a word and told me to tell you everything is prepared."

"His brothers alright?"

"They're with the children."

"Good." Aries nodded in satisfaction, pleased to hear that everything was in motion. After several seconds, her eyes glossed over their faces.

"Now, on to the second phase." Her lips curled up and the corner of her eyes squinted. "However, we need to have a change of plans."

"Huh?" Ismael frowned. "Why do we need to change plans when everything is in motion?"

"Because Joaquin is Joaquin and he will not go down easily. Do you think he will not drag down everyone — especially you with him?" she cocked her head to the side.

"The crown prince is a tough opponent, and he deserved that praise, that's for sure." Dexter, who was still sitting in the armchair, nodded.

"What? I don't think he is that foolish," Conan commented.

"He is foolish," argued Dexter, casting Conan a knowing look. "What made him foolish is trusting misinformation."

"What? This sounds new to me."

"That's because you were in vacation mode, Sir Conan." Aries fought herself from rolling her eyes as she gazed at the confused Ismael, the unfazed Curtis, and the speechless Roman.

"You don't know about it?" she asked the seventh prince. Seeing the deep lines appear in between Roman's brows, she already got the answer.

"Of course, you don't. Joaquin doesn't trust you just as much as you think he did. He trusts Javier more."

"Javier?" Roman and Ismael both repeated in a questioning tone.

"That bastard? Is Joaquin out of his mind?" asked Ismael in dismay.

"Apparently, Javier isn't as simple-minded as he portrayed himself, Your Highness, the third prince. The fifth prince, Javier, is more than his lustful nature." Aries explained, walking leisurely towards Dexter's chair. The latter moved his arm and let her take a seat on the armrest.

Aries stretched her legs, hands on the armrest and on either side of her, eyes on them.

"Javier is conducting research," she explained, and that rang a bell in Ismael's head.

"You mean…"

"I'm surprised you already heard of it, Third Prince."

Ismael frowned. "I'm working hard here, oy."

"Javier is the one leading these inhumane experiments under the crown prince's orders," Aries continued, ignoring Ismael's sentiments. "You don't know that, Seventh Prince."

Roman breathed out and shook his head mildly. "Apparently, no."

"Joaquin is experimenting on humans and plans to turn them into monsters." Aries didn't beat around the bush and broke the news. However, only Roman was the one who was shocked by this. Ismael simply frowned as the lines on his forehead deepened. Dexter and Conan surely knew about this — they always do. Meanwhile, Curtis didn't show any change in reaction.

"The crown prince won't stop there. He also planned to turn himself into one and his years of hard work and patience will soon come to fruition," she continued solemnly, gazing at Dexter. "You know about this, brother?"

"I've checked the location of this research facility. So far, there were only a few knights who succeeded in retaining their will and were held in until they can control their hunger. However, during the recent years… it seemed they found a way to build up their army," Dexter explained since that had been what he was doing since stepping foot in this land. Aside from protecting Aries from a distance, Dexter had to broaden his horizons to see the bigger picture.

"Although there's a catch on this method," he added. "Those who undergo this procedure will have a short lifespan. But this short time is enough to subdue any resistance and put the empire under his thumb."

"You mean…"

"He's going all out to secure the throne and end you and the Valiente Group." This time, Curtis voiced his understanding of this matter, and then glanced at Ismael. "He will rule as a tyrant."

"Or play God," Conan chimed in while rubbing his chin. "Goodness… that man's ambition is limitless. It's quite scary. Fortunately, spending years beside His Majesty already numbed me from all these things."

"Wait…" Roman narrowed his eyes at the striking pain in his head. "… I'm not following."

"What they were saying is, Joaquin had bigger plans than ascending the throne. It might be hard to believe, but to make it simple, he had sold his soul to the devil to become an invincible monster. Literally a monster," Ismael stressed, knowing how hard it was to believe all these things. He would doubt it if he hadn't seen it firsthand, but these people exist.

Dexter, Conan, Abel, Morro… Ismael had met those people. Curtis was one of the proof there were things that were beyond human comprehension that the emperor kept a secret from everyone.

"What… monsters…?"

Conan let out a silent sigh before walking toward the bed. He stood across from Aries and Dexter, glancing at them. No words were exchanged happened, but when Conan gazed down at Roman, he bent over slightly.

"Yes," he spoke under his breath, allowing his fangs to reveal themselves, as his copper eyes changed to bright red. "Monster… just like what you are seeing right now. Are you following now?"