The Tyrant's Pet

"Papa, why do you like astrology so much?" The young Aries asked, staring at her father, who stood on the balcony while gazing up at the stars.

A middle-aged man smiled, gazing down at his beautiful daughter, who shared the same eye color as him. He held the young Aries' hand gently; a hold that always made her feel safe.

"Because they were interesting, my little Aime," said the King of Rikhill, looking heavenward at the glorious thousand suns in the night. "When you are still inside your mother queen, I had difficulty choosing a suitable name that would suit a blessed child."

"That's the time I first found an interest in astronomy." His voice was soft and full of pride, eyes mirroring the twinkle of the stars and the benign smile of the moon. "Ram. The first sign of the zodiacs. Bold and ambitious, always wanting to be first."

Aries's father squeeze her little hand and slowly faced her. He smiled and squatted down, picking up his little princess in his arms.

"But they were also passionate, motivated, and confident leaders who build a community with relentless determination," he continued. "That is why I named you Aries."

Aries blinked innocently. "Papa, do you think Aime will become a leader someday?"

"Who knows?" His smile stretched. "But what I can tell you is that you are my daughter and whatever my daughter wants to be, I'm sure she will succeed."

"Really?" she asked, and her father nodded. "Can I become the queen someday?"

Her father laughed. "You can if you want to."

"Should I marry Davien?"

"Haha! I don't think your brother will approve of that." The king of Rikhill shook his head at her silly question.

Both of them went silent momentarily as he gazed up at the beautiful sky full of stars.

"Aime, my daughter, the crown is heavy." His voice pierced the air once more. "Sacrifices are made for the goodness of many, regardless if that decision will devastate you."

"Papa, are you sad?"

"No." He shook his head, setting his gentle eyes back to her.

"But papa doesn't look happy."

Her father sported a thin smile, lifting her up slightly. "Your father is just tired."

"Is it because Davien is naughty?"

"Haha!" he laughed. "Yes. Your brother is deviant, but Davien is not the one that is causing me distress."

"Then who?" she cocked her head to the side. Her father didn't answer and just looked at her with a gentler smile.

"Aime, my daughter." The king raised his other hand and patted her head affectionately. "My heart always wished you a good life. I always know you will not live a simpler life, so I always wish you will choose happiness over power, contentment over greed, and forgiveness over vengeance."

"How I wish to tell you to not live as you want it to," he added under his breath, but this was something Aries was too young to understand, let alone analyze his words. "I should've done extensive research before naming you."

Aries still had her head tilted to the side. "Is my name Aries terrible?"

"No." He shook his head. "It just suits you perfectly… and it worries me sometimes."

"Why, Papa?"

"Because history says many things." His answer was vague, peeling his eyes away from her. The King of Rikhill had always loved history, not just the inspiring history of Rikhill, but also the history of other lands.

It was the same reason Aries was fond of the subject. The benefits of learning about other countries customs and practices were just the bonus.

"Holy war…" he whispered, and Aries barely heard him despite being held in his arms. "... and the forthcoming Void War."

"Papa?" Aries called as her father was just mumbling, making him look back at her.

He smiled once again. "It's late, Aime. Should Papa read you a bedtime story?"

"Mhm!" her face brightened up, inducing laughter from him.

"Alright. But don't tell your brother about it," he said, marching away from the balcony with Aries in his arms. "He will be upset."

"Ohh… I want to gloat." She pouted.

Aries had always remembered how her father used to read her bedtime stories before she became a teen. It was her favorite time of the day with the mother queen not feeling well with another pregnancy. But only now did Aries remember this memory.

Now that she was walking towards the banquet where she was an empress, living the life she had chosen. There was only one thing that she could tell her father if he was still alive.

Aries had no regrets.

"The only moon of the empire had arrived!" yelled the master of the ceremony as Aries stood in front of the door, donning an elegant sangria dress and a crown that only she could wear. "Pay respect to Her Majesty, the Empress!"

The door tug firmly before it creaked open, revealing the cozy banquet hall. As she stepped inside, everyone bowed and curtsy aside from Maximus and Abel, who were sitting on the separate large table facing the guests.

Aries held her chin up, observing everyone from the corner of her eyes. No one dared raise their head in her presence until she was seated.

"I'm glad you have graced us with your presence, my empress," mused Abel, standing from his seat as he approached closer. He offered his hand, which she clasped gently, then guided it to his arm.

"I thought you will not make it." Abel leaned closer to her side, his breath stroking the shell of her ear. "I missed you."

Aries smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She cast him a quick glance.

"There is no way… I will miss tonight's banquet, my love," she humored, stopping near the table where the Emperor, the Empress, and their esteemed guests, the king of vampires, Maximus, would sit.

Maximus also rose from his seat and offered Aries a smile. "I'm honored to be in your presence, Your Majesty. How nice that the emperor and the empress had hosted such a grandiose banquet for a lowly king such as myself."

Aries opened her mouth but decided to shut them again. She only gave Maximus a smile and nodded.

"I hope you will have a good time tonight, King Maximus IV." Her voice was alluring with a tinge of seductiveness in them. "His Majesty and I had been preparing for this banquet."

"He will." Abel cocked his head to her, placing his hand on her back like a gentleman. "Shall we take a seat?"

Aries nodded and allowed Abel to assist her to her chair. Her spot was on Abel's right and then Maximus on his left. The table for them was facing the few guests that were invited, a large space in the middle for dancing, and tall tables to place the guests' drinks.

This wasn't the usual banquet that would be hosted in the imperial palace. It was a banquet for the creatures of the night to paint the town red.

When the master of ceremony announced, "tonight's banquet, will now begin!" the orchestra started playing a heavy harmonious tune to match the dark mood of the hallowed eve.

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