The Tyrant's Pet

When Abel recovered from laughing, he cocked his head back, licking the blood around his lips.

"Since when… did you call the shots?" Abel\'s canines slowly grew longer into fangs, taking Firion off guard as the latter jumped back, wide-eyed. "I\'m pleased you came, Viscardi."

When everyone noticed Abel\'s fangs growing, some of them took a step back. Others held their breaths. During the coven, Abel… could never use any vampire abilities. That being said, baring his fangs was impossible.

Abel held on to his chains, and with one slight pull, the chains came off the walls.

Firion, who was the closest to Abel, took another step back. His eyes went wide, his sword trembling.

"How… is this possible?" Firion\'s voice shook, taking another careful step back with his hand raised at Abel. However, before his heel could touch the floor, a hand soaked with nothing but blood grabbed his face.

The man instantly froze while the heart of those around him sank to their stomach. Aries, who had been crying silently, nearly choked. Her pupil dilated, staring at Abel\'s back. Unlike moments ago, Abel stood firm, unbothered by the blood dripping from his soaked clothes.

Her hand that was covering her lips slowly fell, revealing her gaping mouth. She wondered, "what happened?" and she wasn\'t the only one who had that question in their head. Every single one of them had the same question.

What happened?

The side of Abel\'s lips curled up into a smirk until his eyes were slightly squinting. Firion grabbed Abel\'s arms, his sharp nails digging deep into Abel\'s skin. But the deeper his nails sink, the tighter Abel\'s grip around Firion\'s face.

"I warned you," Abel dawdled, casting everyone a look. "I started this coven and thus, I will end it myself."

"Hmm!" Firion wiggled his body and then his feet as it left the ground. His feet swung back and forth, letting out muffled protest. Much to his dismay but not to everyone\'s surprise, a pureblooded vampire like Firion Viscardi would never escape Abel\'s clutches.

Seeing their faces change from confidence to fear brought a satisfied smile to Abel\'s face. He moved Firion to his right, tilting his head, and gazing at Conan. The latter was just as equally shocked as everyone.

"Your Majesty…" Conan whispered, disbelief filling his wide eyes. "... what… is going on?"

Abel\'s smirk stretched even broader. Seeing Conan\'s disbelief gaze, Abel\'s mind drifted days before the coven.

*****

Days before the coven…

Abel was cupping his cheek, watching Sunny on his right eat. He hadn\'t touched his food yet, and the little girl was already on her second. This had been a part of his routine ever since he met this little devil.

"What an insatiable appetite," he muttered without a change of reaction. Unlike everyone who was beguiled by this little girl\'s charms, all he could see was a pig in a body of a three-year-old girl. "This makes me wonder what sort of job your father has to be able to sustain this hunger?"

"My papa is a painter."

Abel smiled. "Is he?"

"Mhm. He was the one who painted the portrait of the king!" her eyes sparkled with pride, looking back at Abel enthusiastically. "And many want his works on their wall! He\'s very famous."

"He definitely got that from his mother," he quipped. "And your mother?"

"My mama\'s job is to love my papa!"

"What a marvelous job!"

"And she takes care of Sunny and Sunny\'s brother."

"She seems like a lovely lady."

"My mama is the prettiest!"

"No." Abel shook his head. "My wife is."

Sunny frowned but didn\'t argue with him. Her eyes still showed irritation, though.

"You\'re a Grimsbanne." Abel changed the subject, batting his eyes ever so lazily. "You… already know that, do you?"

Sunny nodded as she chewed, answering after she swallowed down the food. "Tilly told me."

"What else did she tell you?" he asked, watching Sunny stuff her mouth until her cheeks puffed. He watched her chew it, covering her lips so the food won\'t spill out of her mouth. "Have I starved you?"

Sunny chewed and chewed, making her pinkish cheeks bounce every time. Surprisingly enough, no food was spilled, and she swallowed everything down without choking.

"Grandpa keeps asking Sunny questions. My mouth misses the food," she explained, unaware of the crumbs around her mouth.

"So? What else Tilly told you?" he arched a brow, not interested in Sunny\'s reasoning why she was stuffing so much food inside her mouth.

"Many things! Tilly taught us alchemy!"

"You mean witchcraft?"

"Mhm!"

Abel chuckled with his lips closed. "I can\'t imagine that girl teaching children witchcraft."

"Tilly mostly stops midway because she\'s too lazy to talk," Sunny added in a knowing tone. "So, we usually figure things out on our own."

"Were you successful?"

"Hehe." Sunny grinned until her adorable eyes squinted. "Papa always praises Sunny. He calls Sunny a genius and I call my brother a dumb dumb."

"Let me guess. Your brother has morals and you don\'t?"

"My brother wants to be the hero. Sunny just wants food, and I don\'t want to share. If Sunny is a hero, she has to share." She raised her hand protectively over her plate, narrowing her eyes at Abel suspiciously. But the latter simply fluttered his eyelashes ever so slowly.

"You…" Abel trailed off before his lips stretched proudly. "... are raised right. Keep it up."

"Hehe." Sunny giggled. "Tilly always tells Sunny I was being raised right."

She removed her chubby arms over her plate and was about to pick up the cutleries, but she paused. Sunny looked back at Abel, tilting her head to the side.

"Why are you asking Sunny?" she asked out of plain curiosity, finally getting the hint of his genuine interest.

"I was wondering…" Abel removed his chin from his palm, leaning his arms against the edge of the table. "... what sort of abilities do you have?"

"Eating. Sunny can eat a lot."

"Can you eat me?" Abel inquired, watching her blink twice. Silence befell their shoulders, staring at each other in silence. His smile remained while Sunny\'s innocent front dominated her face.

Sunny grinned. "Alright." She nodded. "I heard the council got a hold of a divine weapon. I don\'t want my grandpa to die. Sunny will be sad!"

"You should be sad, Glutton. No one should know."

"Even the Handsome Uncle?"

"Even Conan." Abel winked, placing a finger in front of his lips. "It\'s a secret between the two of us."