The Tyrant's Pet

If there was one thing that made the Grimsbanne clan different — aside from the strength and the concentration of their blood — from then and now was that, they used to live a simpler life. They never interfered with political affairs or even had the slightest interest in other things other than eating something else for breakfast.

Just what went wrong? 

Why did the Originals, who initially didn\'t have any worldly desire, had sought things that never crossed them?

Right…

Everything started when those humans washed ashore on the territory of the mainland. Particularly when they allowed a human named Soran into their lives. That man planted all these silly ideas not just for the Grimsbanne, but for those young vampires he charmed.

If not for that man, that human, this chaos wouldn\'t even happen… or would it?

When Abel sent Maximus flying out of the banquet hall, what came into his sight was a fierce battle of his people against the vampires Maximus brought. If the Haimirich Empire was any bit normal, this would be a one-sided battle, because no one could underestimate the people from the mainland.

Fortunately, the knights in the empire were trained and everyone stationed tonight was a vampire. There were only a few humans exception and one of them was the Empress\'s knight, Climaco.

"What a sight to behold!" Abel mused while flying midair, directly toward Maximus that had yet to crash into anything. "Surely, you never ceased to amaze me, Maximus!"

PANG!

Maximus brought forth his sword, flinging his arm to toss the hand that was coming at him. Abel\'s nails were long and sharp; he was also agile and strong, forcing Maximus to bring out his sword.

"Didn\'t you say you will force my sword, Void, out?" Abel inquired with a tinge of mockery in his tone. "But it seemed it was the other way around."

A wave of maniacal laughter pierced the heavy air that carried the stench of everyone\'s blood. Abel continuously launched attacks, not giving Maximus a second to breathe or rest. Yet, the latter knew Abel was still playing. When another minute had gone by, Abel finally stopped his attacks, landing on the ground while Maximus plunged his sword into the ground to stop himself from flying further.

"Funny, isn\'t it?" Abel planted his hands on his hips, eyes on Maximus. The latter was on one knee, holding his sword that was plunged deep into the ground. "People already knew they are no matched to me, yet they keep coming at me! I don\'t know if I should call that courage or idiocy."

"Consider it whatever you see fit, my friend." Maximus slowly stood from his knee, pulling out his sword from the ground. "You will never know why people are persistent."

"Should I say you also have no idea why you are causing this mayhem in my land?"

"I am clear of my motives." A subtle smile resurfaced on Maximus\' face. "It is so clear to me that it breaks my heart."

The corner of Abel\'s lips curled up. "How sad."

"It is sad, indeed." Maximus rocked his head. "There were days I wished things were just as blurry as before. If only they were, we could\'ve lived a better life. A peaceful one. Just like that life we used to have on the mainland."

"What is peace, Max?" Abel cocked his head to the side, blinking ever so tenderly. "What is a better life? What is home?"

Maximus repeated Abel\'s question in his head, and for each of them, he had a clear answer. However, he didn\'t verbally answer them and smiled in response.

"I found the answers to those questions outside the mainland, my friend." Abel moved his shoulder, and with a snap of a finger, gigantic wings came out of his back. "The answer was simple. Aries. That is the answer to all those questions."

"Peace was when I was with her; a life with her was a thousand times better, and her embrace was my home," he continued, keeping his sharp eyes on Maximus. "I don\'t think the answers in your head were just as clear as mine, is it, Maximus?"

"You can say that." Maximus kept his subtle smile. "I do have clear answers in my head, but I am still unsure whether these answers were mine or the answers the crown fed me."

Abel shook his head, letting out a shallow breath. There was a slight pity that appeared in his eyes, looking at Maximus from head to toe.

"You were a good friend of mine," whispered Abel, as his eyelids drooped. "And as your friend, I will stop this madness. For you, and for your son, who is trapped inside that body."

The slight smile on Maximus\' faded at Abel\'s remarks.

"It seemed you had figured it out." Maximus pointed out solemnly. "You truly are sharp, though I am surprised it took you this long to figure that out."

"You will not be the king if you are anything less, Third." This time, Abel smiled, offering a thin smile at him. "Furthermore, I might\'ve left the mainland, but I had never forgotten you. After all, you\'re the only person who can withstand a Grimsbanne."

"It took me a while," added Abel, nodding mildly. "That child just wouldn\'t say anything, which makes me think she wanted this to happen."

Maximus smiled again. "That child was an excellent partner."

"Mhm?" Abel arched a brow, assessing the smirk on Maximus\' face. "What did you tell Tony?"

"Nothing, really. The question was, what did she tell me?" Maximus smirked, making Abel\'s expression turn cold. "The Grimsbannes were funny. I mean, you do not have any familial attachments; you feel no guilt in turning your back on each other!"

Maximus studied Abel\'s expression, only to laugh out loud. "Great! Great! Your shock expression was amusing." His laughter then subsided, eyes glinting with murderous intent.

"That child… did you think she is your ally? She is wise for her own good, and with that charm of her, it was hard to consider her as an enemy." He shook his head, clicking his tongue continuously. "It\'s truly hard to trust, isn\'t it, Abel?"

"Sunny Bloodfang La Crox." Abel\'s countenance was cold, assessing the triumphant grin plastered on Maximus. "I told you, do not let your name known in my head."