The Tyrant's Pet



"Samael."

Samael and Sunny stopped by the door, looking back at Aries as she called. Both father and daughter tilted their heads to the side, waiting for what Aries had to say. 

"You said you lived here a few years back." Aries advanced in their direction, stopping two steps before them. 

"Yes, Your Majesty. I resided in the Forbidden Forest for over four years."

"I heard it wasn't easy."

"It wasn't." Samael smiled. "We were treated as fugitives in the beginning. If not for Tilly, it's almost impossible to be granted permission to step foot in the capital. So, I'm grateful to Tilly. Even though she didn't do much, her name alone is enough to give me some sort of opportunity to sell my works on the streets of the mainland."

Aries rocked her head, already aware of Samael La Crox's story. After all, Samael was recorded in the books kept in the royal library. Samael was considered an outsider when he first came to the mainland with his family. It was true that if not for Tilly and the dangers of the Forbidden Forest where the Grimsbanne mansion stood, the chances of Samael making a proper livelihood in this land were close to none. 

"Then… was it true that the reason the high society accepted you was because of the previous king, Maximus III?" she asked. 

"Yes. I was the one who painted his portrait." Samael nodded. "Right… you haven't met him alive, have you?"

"No."

"Well, he was… how should I say it? Alright?"

"Alright?"

"Mhm. He was just what you expect from a king. He has a regal aura. His tone was gentle but firm. Though he didn't intimidate me, he was rational and admirable. To be honest, I like him," explained Samael, recalling a memory in the past that wasn't that important to him. "May I ask why are you asking such details, Your Majesty?"

"It's because if you are acquainted with the late king Maximus III and had met nobles throughout the time you had lived in this land, have you perhaps met the heir of the Rothschild clan?" Aries didn't hesitate to ask questions that no one else could answer because, like her, those around her in the palace did not have a lot of information about it. 

Gustav, Suzanne, Marcia Graves, Dexter, and everyone else came to the mainland at the same time as Aries. In other words, they wouldn't have any idea what Miguel truly looked like before. Was Miguel born with the same face as Miguel? Or was there another hidden mystery that hadn't crossed her mind yet?

"The heir of the Rothchild…" Samael mumbled, rubbing his chin as he tackled his memory. "You mean Count Miguel?"

"Yes."

"Well, of course." Samael nodded with certainty. "The Rothchild was the wealthiest clan on the mainland. Back then, even if the king approved of me, I'm certain only half of the high society could tolerate my existence and residency on the mainland. But, because the Rothschild — Count Miguel in particular — showed interest in my novels, the high society gradually accepted me. It might just be me, but from how I saw it, the Rothschild defines the flow of the economy and the high society in this land, not the royal family."

"I didn't care much before and I avoided politics like a plague. But now, this part in this land concerns me," he continued while his voice turned solemn. "I can't say the Rothschild were bad people, neither will I say with certainty they were good people. So far, they stand on the fine line between good and bad. However, I can't shrug off the feeling that they were part of the race."

Samael walked to the same spot, facing Aries squarely. "I met Count Miguel several times in the past, and I can say he wasn't a terrible person. However, his strong sense of patriotism may cloud his judgment. Or worse, he might get influenced because of twisted truths. That is why I called it a race."

"Are you perhaps trying to meet him?"

"Yes." He nodded without a second hesitation. "I'm waiting for his response, though I cannot deny my patience is running thin. I hope I can hold myself back a little longer before I sneak inside his home unannounced."

"I suppose you built a good relationship with him."

"I don't consider it friendship, but he provides quality talk." Samael shrugged. "Hearing that he was your instructor put me at ease. I don't think my patience will last this long, if not for that."

His smile broadened. "Why, Your Majesty? Is there something bothering you about him?"

"Yes."

"What is it? I might be of help."

"You were a painter, weren't you?" she inquired, watching him nod. "Is it possible to do a sketch?"

"Of who?" Samael cocked his head to the side, confused. 

"Miguel Rothschild." Her countenance turned firm and solemn. "Can you do me a favor? Will you sketch Miguel Rothschild of what he looked like when you first met him?"

Deep lines appeared between Samael's brows, confused at her request. There were myriads of questions or requests that flashed in his head why Aries was raising such strange questions. However, he didn't expect to hear that she would ask for a sketch. 

"You won't spread the sketch as a wanted poster, will you?" he narrowed his eyes suspiciously. 

"No. That's not it." Aries ignored the suspicious look plastered on his face as she shook her head mildly. "I just want to confirm something. After all, Miguel Rothschild looks exactly like someone I know in the past."

"They say in this world, you might meet someone who looks like you or someone you know…" 

"It's not just a mere resemblance, but more like a doppelganger." Aries cut him off with a firm tone. "I want to make sure the Miguel Rothschild I am seeing is the same as the one you are talking about."

"Making a sketch isn't a problem, Your Majesty. But may I know who is this person the Count looks like that seemed to have shaken you?"

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line as she drew a deep breath.

"My brother," she breathed out. "In my eye, Miguel was the spitting image of my brother, Davien. I want to make sure whether it was an illusion or something else."