The Tyrant's Pet

"Maximus IV spared my life." Alexander sat on the settee with his eyes on his beloved son. The crown prince, Davien, had his head resting on the king's lap, exhausted after playing for hours. Sitting across from the two of them was Miguel, keeping his face on the boy's sleeping figure. 

"Although he placed a curse on my bloodline to make sure my children will understand his heart." Alexander the King combed his son's thick hair. "I didn't truly understand his remarks back then until my Queen gave birth to our son."

His eyes softened with bitterness, forcing himself to smile. "No matter how loved and accepted the monarchs were, I'm scared... for my children. Even a good normal life seemed impossible for them."

That was true. 

Having such a horrendous face warrants all the terrible things that could happen to a person. Even if the King proclaimed the child dead and send him far away from the royal palace, there was no guarantee he would be safe beyond the palace walls. 

Anyone who would see his son's face would be horrified. Alexander was aware of what a person could do if they see something unusual; they might stone his son to death. Hence, his only solution was to lock his son within the palace walls, where he was certain he would be safe. 

"Understand his heart…?" Miguel murmured, repeating the keyword from Alexander's remarks. 

"I spent days and nights trying to understand the meaning of it, but I only came up with one answer." Alexander lifted his eyes at the man sitting across from him. "He wanted me to understand what it felt to not be accepted. Although somehow, I wonder… if that is what he truly wants, why would he curse my children instead of me?"

'Because you will suffer more,' was the answer Miguel came up with, and he was certain Alexander had already thought about it before. 

"I'm… sorry." Miguel breathed out, hanging his head low to express his sincere apology. "This wouldn't happen because of me."

"Why would it be your fault?" Alexander chuckled. 
"Maximus IV is a prince from the mainland. If not for me, he wouldn't set his eyes on this land."

Alexander laughed gently once again while shaking his head. "You do not need to apologize, Count Miguel. Whether or not you came here, I'm certain someone else will because of the tales this land had."

Miguel's expression turned sour, having this need to deny the truth. He straightened his back and set his eyes back on the king, only to see warmth and appreciation in the latter's eyes.

How could he still look at Miguel so sincerely despite everything that had happened to his family?

"I'm glad to have met and befriend you, Count. It put my heart at ease now that you are here." Alexander smiled subtly. "Now, I am certain you had nothing to do with this."

Miguel's jaw tightened, understanding the king's sentiments. He couldn't blame Alexander if the man suspected him since Maximus IV came right after Miguel's departure. 

"Let me help you," offered Miguel after a brief silence, causing Alexander's brows to rise. "I cannot dispel what he had put upon your son and blood. However, I can make them live a normal life."

Alexander's eyes slowly went wide, holding his breath at the remarks uttered just now. "You mean…"

"The power of the royal family and the King of the mainland was of a different caliber than a normal noble vampire. The curse he put upon you is an ancient spell that required a much more powerful and skilled witch to dispel. That is why I can't truly eliminate it," Miguel explained solemnly, determined to help his friend with this dilemma. "That is why I am going to put a curse on them once again."

"What?"

"Do you trust me?" Miguel's expression turned hard, looking directly into the king's eyes. 

Alexander gulped, hearing it echo in his ear. His voice was stuck in his throat, a little hesitant to agree with his proposal. 

"Will this curse make them live a normal life?" he asked with a shaking voice.

"Yes."

"What's the catch?" his follow-up question immediately flew out of his mouth. "Curses weren't done without a sacrifice, if I am correct. There must be something in return."

"None." 

"What?"

"You are correct. Curses and spells required a certain sacrifice. Each one had its own uses and downsides. However, I'll make sure they will not pay the price for it," Miguel reassured. "It is my fault that this misfortune struck your family. Thus, I ought to pay the full price of it."

"Count."

"Please." Miguel bowed, determined to compensate this good man for the sin Miguel didn't commit. "Allow me to help… my friend."

Deep lines appeared on Alexander's forehead, eyes fixed on the bowing of Miguel. The latter's determination emanated strongly, making the king's breath hitch. 

"Will you not tell me what you are planning to do?" the king asked while Miguel straightened his back. "Will you not detail what is the price you must pay?"

A subtle smile slowly turned up on his face as he answered, "It's nothing serious. At least, for me, who was from the line of the Rothschild, one of the founding families of the mainland."

Silence descended on their shoulders as the two of them gazed at each other. In the end, Miguel didn't tell the consequences of helping his dearest friend. Not that it mattered. Miguel was certain the effects of the spell he would do was something he could fight. 

Thus, when nighttime fell, Miguel put a spell on the king and his hideous son, Davien. 

The ceremony was simple. The king and his son just lay down until they had fallen asleep while Miguel inked his own blood on their bodies. His lips moved, chanting the only ancient spell he knew at that time. 

"Your life is mine to bear… I offer my blood of protection…" his breathing grew heavier and slower while the veins all across his body and face protruded angrily. "So long as I am alive, you will carry my appearance while I hold your life."

As his eyes shut closed, dark shrouds enveloped the king and the prince. The prince's hideous face slowly transitioned into a person's face until he looked like a young version of Miguel. Meanwhile, within the king's body, the dark shroud suppressed the initial curse within him.

When Miguel opened his eyes, he was already catching up to his breathing. He coughed, hunching in until his palms landed on the edge of the bed. 

"This is the best I could do," he uttered under his breath, snapping his eyes up at the two people sleeping soundlessly on the bed. "The curse he placed upon you meant to kill this kingdom slowly. But for as long as I am alive, none of your children will suffer just like what you had feared. Instead, they will be loved and accepted in one sight."

Miguel simply put a permanent illusion on the royal family. It was like a curtain, a mask. In the eyes of the caster, the prince still looked the same. However, from the eyes of others — especially from weaker species who were weaker than Miguel — Davien appeared exceptionally beautiful.