The Tyrant's Pet

"We want you to monitor the queen. She's dangerous."

Lord Albert didn't even go around in circles, delving into the main agenda. Miguel couldn't help but scoff in disbelief, darting his eyes from his father and his mistress, Giselle. Although Giselle looked like an unfortunate, blind young lady, Miguel knew how rotten her soul was.

Until now, Miguel couldn't figure out why his father even married his mother if he was so head over heels for this vixen. The House Rothschild had an immaculate public image, but behind closed doors, everyone knew how ugly the relationships in this family were.

"We heard she chose you as her instructor. The night council is pleased to hear that she seemed to have found an inkling toward you. After all, the queen had been wary of anyone, especially those who were associated with the night council," explained the blind woman named Giselle. "We are not asking you to harm her, but keep a close eye on her. If you can, gain her trust. It'll be good for everyone."

"That is right, Miguel. Even though we were keeping a close eye on her, our attention was split. We cannot take our eyes off the Grimsbanne, especially with Wrath walking freely on the surface of the mainland," Lord Albert added, gazing at his son with expectation. "If it's the queen, I'm sure you can handle her on your own."

Miguel listened to his father and Giselle speak as though they already included him in whatever plans they had. His disgust toward them swirled in his eyes, rendered speechless for a second.

"Aren't you both ashamed?" he scoffed, leaning back. "You are asking me to spy on the sovereign? Even if, let's say, she is dangerous and a menace to the mainland, what makes you think I would listen to the two of you? If it wasn't clear to you yet, you two repel me. If you hate the queen so much, I would rather support her just to spite you two."

"Son…" Lord Albert sighed. "You don't understand. Abel Grimsbanne and the Queen killed the late king."

"No." Miguel shook his head. "The late king died because every single one of you fueled his greed. You know Wrath will tear all your heads off without a second hesitation and yet, no one stopped the late king from poking his nose in a place where it doesn't belong. You killed Fourth. Wrath probably launched the last blow, but you two aren't less innocent. Do not wash your hands — we all know they're disgusting."

"You said you would rather support the queen just to spite us." This time, Giselle spoke, stressing the words that came out directly from Miguel's mouth. "Are you sure you would do that? If you know, she might ruin this land your mother loved so dearly?"

Miguel's eyes and body shook, balling his hands on his lap into a tight fist. "Do not mention my mother in this."

"We all know that your mother values the mainland more than her own life. Her bloodline was what kept this land hidden, away from trouble — away from the ever-changing hearts of the people outside," Giselle continued, ignoring Miguel's warnings. "Outsiders had flocked in this place, ruining the peace your mother tried to maintain. Will you really support someone who tried to ruin your mother's hard work?"

"You —"

"Miguel, we are not asking for too much." Before Miguel could explode from anger, Lord Albert backed up. "We are simply telling you to observe her until our plans come into motion. She already delayed our plans, and we couldn't afford another delay."

Miguel tried his best to control his anger. His body just wouldn't stop shaking, lowering his unblinking eyes. Couldn't these two see? How repelled and against he was their idea? Yet, they kept talking as if they didn't even try to understand his feelings.

His disgust and hatred toward these two deepened, but he knew he shouldn't succumb to his emotions. Whether or not Miguel admitted it, he might be strong and experienced, but these two were still superior to him. They would easily subdue him and imprison him until he 'learn' his lesson. Just like the old times.

Miguel's shaking fist loosened after several seconds, closing his eyes to calm himself down. When he reopened his eyes, a quiet huff slipped past his agape mouth.

"I am more worried about what this plan you people are talking about," he confessed, unable to conceal the ridicule in his voice. "However, I already planned to observe the queen. Before anything else, the safety of the mainland and the people in it were my priority. Before anything else, I pledged a royal knight. I took an oath to protect the people of the mainland and this land that had millennia of history. You don't have to tell me what to do."

Miguel pushed himself up, keeping his composure before these two. "You don't have to tell me what to do or what not to do. If you keep this up, I'm afraid you have to sacrifice your time taking part in bed-swapping and playing with your mistress you are so proud of doing all the work you passed to me."

"This goes to say if your plans endanger the people and this land, I would also be the first to stop you," he continued, stressing this statement. "I heard enough of your hypocrisy. Do not disturb me once again. May you two have a lovely night."

Miguel didn't idle as he bowed slightly before walking away. His steps picked up as if staying in the same room with those two would kill him.

Meanwhile, as Miguel walked away, Giselle kept her eyes on the shut door, which Miguel slammed closed.

"Apologies," said Lord Albert, making her look back at him. "Miguel is still young and has a very creative mind. I just ignored most of it…"

"Because he is your son." Giselle finished the man's sentence with an understanding smile. "Do not worry, my lord. I understand your heart as a parent."

"Your understanding is greatly appreciated."

"I'm just glad that the queen seemed to have not manipulated the young Lord to gain his trust."

"It is hard to gain Miguel's trust, so I am reassured. He might be quite rebellious and accuse me of things I didn't do, but he is reliable. It's just that sometimes, it surprised me why he believed I was taking part in such an embarrassing act as bed-swapping."

"Dreams can be so vivid that one out of ten people believes them," said Giselle. "Do not worry, my lord. I promised you, didn't I? I will fix him when the time is ripe."