The Tyrant's Pet

"I quit, Your Majesty. Unless, of course, you invite me to tea. I would be very happy since I'm parched — I don't even know where to start."

Aries and Dexter watched how Miguel's expression was slowly dominated by a smile. She narrowed her eyes, not saying anything to the threat and request Miguel had uttered just now.

The nerve.

But in the end, despite Miguel's audacity to threaten the queen to leave his post just because of how he was being treated, Aries didn't want him to leave her sight for now. It was too early to let Miguel run rampant.

It was what they say; keep your friends close, and your enemy closer.

Thus, here they were, in the queen's garden, sharing a tea that Aries and Dexter couldn't seem to enjoy.

"Wooh!" Miguel whistled after drinking the tea in one go. "That's refreshing!"

Miguel grinned and then paused, lifting his eyes to Aries and Dexter. Aries was across from him while Dexter was just on the other side of the round table, separating the three of them. The two of them bore this plain expression, eyes on Miguel.

"Hehe. I was really thirsty and I couldn't forget the taste Your Majesty offered me in our first meeting," explained Miguel, referring to that time Aries served her the best tea the Queen's palace could offer. "I hope you do not mind my lack of manners."

"I certainly mind your lack of manners, Lord Miguel. You are in front of the sovereign of this country," Dexter expressed with a slight frown. "You may be the queen's sparring partner, but that doesn't mean you don't conduct yourself accordingly. Or… do not tell me it is because you believe the queen doesn't deserve your respect. After all, she was an outsider — just as what everyone else says?"

"Sir Vandran, please do not misunderstand. Whoever sits on the throne deserves our Rothschild family's respect and loyalty. Our House pledged to support the monarch with everything we have." Miguel kept an amicable demeanor under Dexter's accusing gaze. "I'm a firm believer for this country to last, we, nobles should give our all to the monarch and prioritize unity. Therefore, the existence of the law which every one of us must abide."

Dexter narrowed his eyes suspiciously; he wasn't even concealing the doubt in his eyes.

Miguel smiled and sighed faintly. "My father used to say I am like the black sheep of our family because of my troublesome nature. That is why he sent me away for years, hoping I die on the battlefield to get rid of me. In other words, since I realized Her Majesty already has an impression of me — Sir Vandran seemed to have his opinion about me as well — I don't see any reason to pretend to be someone I am not."

"You're saying your lack of manners and etiquette is who you are?" Dexter inquired.

"And I also lack the ability to read the room," Miguel added with a rather proud smile. "I'm quite dense… or so, what my men tell me every time."

"I am at a loss for words, Lord Miguel." Dexter let out a dry chuckle, studying Miguel's mien. The latter seemed he was being genuinely honest, but ever since Dexter stepped into this land, he couldn't believe everything he would see.

Dexter learned his lesson when he found out London was actually a man. There was no trace of masculinity in London, after all. Good thing Dexter wasn't the person who would be deceived by a person's appearance. And by deceiving, it meant fancying a woman just because they have a beautiful face. Or else, he could imagine the shame he would go through, just like the late Maximus, whose first love was London.

"Your Majesty?" Dexter turned his head in Aries's direction, raising his brows upon catching her just staring at Miguel.

Aries blinked ever so slowly before looking back at her brother. Her expression didn't change, facing Miguel once again.

"I am also rendered speechless. Although there is a part of me which tells me to stop lying, Lord Miguel." She pointed out, making Miguel tilt his head to the side. "From what I heard, you are the beloved son of the clan leader of the Rothschild. I don't think what you said just now made sense to the rumors that reached the Queen's palace."

"They were called rumors for a reason, Your Majesty."

"Are you telling me your father, the clan leader of the House Rothschild, sent his oldest child to die on the battlefield? And not prove himself?"

"At least, that is what I felt."

"And why would he do that to his heir?"

Miguel didn't answer immediately this time, smiling subtly. "If only I know the answer, I wouldn't rebel. However, that is still a question that is still a mystery to me and I am working hard to get answers to it."

"Even if that's true… let's say the clan leader sent you away to die, aren't you a little open about it, my lord?" Dexter chimed in while reaching for the cup of tea before him. "I'm certain you already know the brewing tension beneath the peaceful front of this land. Telling us this wouldn't gain the slightest of our sympathy or trust, neither it would change anything. Still, I am curious. Why would you tell us such a thing to us? I do not want to make logical assumptions from an enemy's point of view since I am certain I'd end with multiple conclusions that wouldn't be in your favor."

Dexter quirked a brow and kept his eyes on Miguel while he sipped the tea.

"People always say I wear my heart on my sleeve, and my family often disagrees with my philosophy and beliefs." Miguel kept his short smile, eyes fixed on Dexter, before shifting his attention to Aries. He then shifted his eyes back to Dexter. "Believe me or not, I am not saying this not to gain sympathy or to get your trust. I am aware of the increasing tension in the royal court since Her Majesty's coronation, but that is still not something I should concern myself with."

The corner of his lips stretched until it reached his eyes. "I am the black sheep, after all. I don't need to meet everyone's expectations aside from the ones I set for myself."