The Tyrant's Pet

Two nights ago, in the Haimirich Empire, Isaiah was standing in front of the window when he saw a raven flying away from a particular window. His brows rose, narrowing his eyes, noticing an envelope in the bird's beak.

"He's sending a letter," mumbled Isaiah, not surprised or intrigue what was the content of the letter.

Abel was in slumber for two years. Therefore, he surely had many things to say, particularly to Aries or to Maximus. He didn't even consider Marsella, knowing Abel had no words for her. Marsella would just know what it was like touching Abel's bottom line.

"No," he whispered, snapping his eyes ever so tenderly. "They will all know what are the real consequences of angering him."

Silence followed Isaiah's remarks, standing still in front of the window. He needed a moment to let the reality sink in; he needed to be sure this wasn't just a dream where he would wake up if he wasn't careful enough.

Living all alone for the past two years wasn't the best time of his life. It was better to have Abel driving everyone crazy, and Conan throwing a huge fit and slandering Isaiah. Dexter's sneaky side comments were also better instead of just disappearing.

It was ironic. Those times back then were chaotic, but Isaiah felt more at peace instead of the deafening silence for the last two years.

BAM!

Just as Isaiah was drowning in sentiments in the quiet chancery, the door was suddenly kicked open. His slightly soft expression died, guessing the person who suddenly barged in.

"Oy, Deadmore. Is it true?" Conan's nose flared, fuming in dissatisfaction. "Was it truly your idea to bury me, hah?!"

Right… Isaiah thought, frozen in his spot.

"I just talked to Roman and Morro. They all told me they were sleeping in comfortable guest chambers." Conan stomped his feet, stopping several steps from the 'villainous' Isaiah. He then stylishly pointed a finger at Isaiah's back. "Even His Majesty slept in the emperor's chambers for the past two years! How come I am the only one who woke up in a coffin six feet underground?!"

Isaiah pursed his lips into a thin line, wondering if Conan already knew that Isaiah even burned his beloved closet. Conan had an enormous walk-in closet where he kept all his 'expensive' clothes, shoes, jewelry, and the like. It was Conan's most treasured place — most of his salary would go there — but now the place was burned down.

"You better give me a reasonable explanation or I will bury you alive!" warned Conan, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at Isaiah's back. "I don't care if you took care of the empire all this time. The Haimirich Empire in the spirit world already fell. It was like a ghost town, and I got used to it already!"

"Maximus the Fourth wanted your body." A deep exhale slipped past Isaiah's lips, turning on his heel to face Conan. "Before they left the empire, he was looking for your body. I heard it was because he wanted to use that body since it was the perfect 'shell.' That is why I had to keep you away."

What Isaiah said was nothing but the truth. Maximus wanted to occupy Conan's body because his current body — the real Maximus IV — had a weaker body. He was also having problems with his previous body, which was Maximus III. With Conan's soul in the spirit world, it would be easier for Maximus to occupy Conan's body without a problem.

"Then why did you keep me underground even after they left?" asked Conan, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

"He would still send people to the empire to look for you," Isaiah explained monotonously. "The spell around the empire is only to divert people's attention. However, the people he kept sending were capable. It is for reassurance."

Conan kept his eyes narrowed before his face relaxed. "Is that so?" he mumbled, clicking his tongue as he now blamed Maximus for it.

Meanwhile, Isaiah, although he maintained a stoic countenance, secretly sighed in relief. It was not like he was lying about everything he had said, but he felt a little nervous.

"Anyway —" Conan abruptly stopped while Isaiah's brows rose.

Both of them turned their attention to the window behind Isaiah, sensing this abrupt wave of aura they felt.

"He left," Conan blurted out under his breath, shaking his head. "Why am I surprised? Of course, he will not stay still when he was in a slumber for years."

Meanwhile, Isaiah remained silent as he fluttered his eyelashes. "He left without a plan," he muttered, correcting Conan's initial concern.

It was true that it wasn't surprising that Abel would leave the empire just hours after he had woken up from his slumber. Abel was capable, so they were certain he would be fine. However, the real concern was that Abel didn't have any plans when he left and they were sure of that.

"He can't just improvise and figure it out when he's already there," Isaiah continued, more aware and updated on what was happening in the outside world, unlike Conan.

"Damn it." Conan scratched the back of his head in irritation. "I just woke up and now, I need to use my head."

"Morro." Ignoring Conan's whining, Isaiah called quietly. "You need to come back. Right now."

Conan's brows rose, snapping his eyes in Isaiah's direction. Normally, Conan would be the one who would come up with a plan, but he still hadn't got a grasp of the present time. His brain needs some time for it to function properly.

"There's no need to send the letter immediately. I need you to send a word to the same place," Isaiah continued solemnly, keeping his eyes on the window.

There was a moment of silence for several seconds before Isaiah heard a man's deep voice in his head.

"Alright," was all Morro said, before Isaiah marched toward the desk to write a few letters.

It only took half an hour before a raven, with a letter in his beak, landed on the chancery. As soon as he did, Isaiah already finished the letters, holding three envelopes in front of Morro.

"Make sure these letters will arrive tonight," said Isaiah, tying the letters across the bird's body while avoiding its wings. "Let no one know about it."

The raven just gazed at Isaiah before it nodded, flying away almost immediately.