The Tyrant's Pet

"Welcome back, Your Majesty."

"It seemed you had met my family before me, Isaiah," Abel smirked, his voice rasped, peeling his eyes from Isaiah to Tilly. "I'm late for the wedding? Whose wedding?"

"Mine." Tilly pointed at herself, making her big brother arch a brow and cock his head to the side.

"And who is the brave groom?"

Tilly slowly pointed in a direction, stopping the myriads of emotions that were swelling in Isaiah's chest. The latter's brows rose as his thought bubble was replaced with question marks, confused at this confusion she was creating.

"Isaiah?" Abel frowned, and Tilly nodded.

'Me?' Deep lines appeared between Isaiah's brows, and at this point, he didn't feel sentimental anymore. 'Since when? I wasn't informed nor do I remember agreeing to a marriage.'

The moment that thought crossed Isaiah's mind, a fleeting memory flashed in his head.

"Weddings are only fun when you're watching it." This was the first remarks Tilly spoke the second she stood face to face with Isaiah. And then this memory was followed by another.

"Though, you have to prepare yourself because Tilly might've misunderstood the time that it's just the two of you in this place. Just hope she didn't."

Isaiah slowly shifted his eyes to Claude, who warned him previously. Was this what Claude meant by 'misunderstand?' Isaiah's expression slowly turned blank as he thought that Abel wouldn't believe this. It was obvious this was a misunderstanding!

"Isaiah, how dare you ask my sister's hand without the slightest preparation?" Abel snapped his tongue in irritation, snatching the little faith Isaiah had in him. "Surely, unexpected things happen and unexpected relationships are formed the longer you breathe in this world."

A deep sigh escaped Abel's nostrils, shaking his head in dismay. When he lifted his head, his eyes scanned the chapel once again. He didn't bother about Isaiah's confusion as if Abel already accepted the fact Isaiah was now married in his family.

"So." Abel cleared his throat, planting a hand on the rim of the coffin. As if he weighed nothing, Abel hopped over the coffin until he was standing beside Tilly.

"I hadn't met you all before, but it was nice to meet you." His lips stretched as life slowly shone in his pair of crimson orbs. At the same time, a clap of thunder echoed outside, as a flash of lightning flashed on his wicked countenance.

"But before anything else, I have some other important things to do first." Abel cast his sister a side-eye and then set his attention to Isaiah's. "Where is Conan's body?"

Abel's pupils zoomed in and out like the aperture of a camera.

"And the rest," he hissed through his gritted teeth. "We can't celebrate my sister's wedding without them, can we?"

As his lips stretched wider, some people in the chapel also grinned, pleased at the energy Abel was emanating. Another clap of thunder echoed outside the chapel, and as the lighting flashed another light, all their eyes shone brightly in the dark.

The blood that connected them boiled for the same goal, albeit for different reasons.

Those who weren't blood-related to them like Isaiah could not help but gulp. His heart naturally thudded with the thickening aura building up in the chapel, casting a quick scan on the people around. They weren't looking at him but at Abel, but he could feel their bloodthirsty aura from each of them.

This was the Grimsbanne clan, but somehow, Isaiah was unsure whether to feel honored or threatened to be in this reunion. Marsella, Abel, and Sunny in one place already proved too much for the people of Haimirich —including the night council and royal court — to handle, what more with more members now in this place?

The only reason Abel, Marsella, and Sunny didn't blow up this empire was because of their different goals and 'lack' of motivation to go against each other. But now, even though the empire might be safe, Isaiah was certain there was no guarantee for other lands, particularly the Mainland.

After all, these people, the Grimsbanne Clan, had enough reason to set their undivided attention to the said land. Even the people who didn't have the Grimsbanne blood like that woman named Lilou who had hazel hair and olive eyes, and that other man, Rufus, were individuals Isaiah wouldn't underestimate as well.

Isaiah mentally shook his head and recomposed himself, stopping himself from dwelling on things that wouldn't make a difference. When three seconds had passed, Isaiah raised his head. This time, his expression returned to his classic stoic countenance.

"I'll lead the way," offered Isaiah sternly. "Please follow me."

*************

[ MAINLAND: ROYAL PALACE ]

A large group of servants and knights stood at the entrance of the royal palace, standing at arm's length from each other. Before the servants was a royal carriage bearing the royal insignia of the Queen's distinguished guest. 𝘧𝗿ee𝚠𝙚𝙗𝑛o𝚟𝐞l.𝐜૦𝗺

When a knight opened the door of the carriage from the outside, the servants beckoned a deep bow.

A man with dark auburn hair shone under the moonlight, taking the steps down carefully. When he reached the concrete ground, he lifted his pair of silver eyes at the glorious castle behind the servants.

"I already told her I'd rather have her welcome me privately instead of showing off her power," murmured Ismael, sighing faintly at this grand welcome he tried to avoid but to no avail.

"Welcome, Your Majesty from the mighty land of the new Maganti." Ismael snapped his eyes to the voice from the side. His eyes landed on a middle-aged man, wearing a luxurious uniform with the Queen's brooch on his chest.

"I am the Queen's secretariat, Gustav, and I'm here under the orders of the Queen to welcome her precious friend." Gustav, still the Queen's secretary and also her chief deputy of the Queen's cabinet, faced Ismael with a smile. "Her Majesty, the Queen, was waiting for you, Sire. Allow me to lead the way."

Ismael kept his lips in a thin line before he nodded. "I guess I have no choice. Go. Lead the way before the rain falls. It's been months since I've seen her, and I'm looking forward to this newly established Summit."