896: It was the little things that hurt

It was the little things that hurt

"Maximus IV loathed the mainland and everyone in it with intense passion. Therefore, he provoked the Grimsbanne to end this land once and for all. That was his goal from the beginning."0

Maximus IV had played all of them. He had played a song and everyone danced to his tune. It all started with Miguel and Alexander's friendship to Aries's captivity until now when she was the current Queen of the land of vampires. 

Everything was all part of Maximus IV's plans. 

Aries wouldn't be surprised if Maximus IV's death was planned. Provoking the Grimsbanne Clan, specifically Abel, was guaranteed death. If she would guess based on Maximus IV's personality, it wasn't farfetched. 

If Maximus IV was going to die, he would surely choose whose hands he would die. Just who was the only person whose strength and existence Maximus IV acknowledge and respected? 

Who else? Abel Grimsbanne.

Maximus… That obsessive freak.

"We have no other choice but to fight a patient fight." Miguel let out a deep exhale. "We couldn't stop the late king and even if we tried, it was futile. Maleficent's core accepted you as its holder and Abel Grimsbanne returned to this land."

"You could've stopped and conceded when he died." Her voice was shaky, not allowing the past to blur her judgment. "When Maximus died, you could've come forth and chased us away. If only you had done that, we would've already left you all alone."

"If only it's that simple." This time, Giselle broke her silence. Miguel, who was standing before Aries, stepped aside to clear the queen's view and see Giselle. "Maximus already provoked the Grimsbanne. No amount of words would change turn things around."

Aries balled her hand into a tight fist upon hearing Giselle's answer. How shallow and prideful. Maximus IV was to blame, sure. However, his death should've stopped everything. Yet, the Raven continued while claiming their innocence. 

Did they think Aries was born yesterday?

"Moreover, Abel Grimsbanne will not allow the goal of this council to succeed, nor the council will allow others to stop our purpose to protect this land." Giselle's expression turned cold and solemn, keeping her gaze locked with Aries. "Maximus IV found the perfect storage for Maleficent's core, after all."

Aries's eyes slowly went wide upon hearing Giselle's last remarks. There was no explanation needed as she already grasped the entire picture. 

The council's goal was to get a hold of Maleficent's power. It didn't matter whose hands this core had fallen into; their action would be the same. There might be changes in their approach, though. 

Aries didn't know why Maximus IV chose her. Probably, he had no choice, or perhaps, it could be because of the curse in her. Aries just seemed to be the perfect person to take hold of this power temporarily. 

Maximus IV's plan probably was a temporary fix. However, something must have happened along the lines that he was left with no choice but to improvise. By that, it meant manipulating Aries's fate by taking advantage of the world summit — the gathering of kings all over the world — so Aries crossed paths with Abel. 

Did Maximus IV know Aries and Abel would fall in love? Or did he simply hope Abel would eventually find out about Maleficent's power within her? It could also be Maximus IV knew Abel so much and was certain the latter wouldn't harm her. Either way, whatever reason Maximus IV had, Aries might not know. Not that she was dying for an explanation. 

Maximus IV played her for whatever reason that wouldn't justify his wicked action.

'I didn't even know… what my brother looks like,' came a thought, filling her heart with unimaginable rage and bitterness. 'I don't even know if I… had ever seen what I truly look like.' 

It was the little things that hurt her the most. She felt like her life was nothing but a big joke. Because of a curse, Aries and her siblings had to borrow a person's face and genes to live normally. She knew Miguel had done so out of the goodness of his heart, but this wasn't enough to appease the pain in her heart. 

"Now that you had heard us, will you fight alongside us?" Miguel broke the prolonged silence in the great hall. 

Aries shifted her eyes back to him, but the sight of him only fueled the dismay in her heart. "Do I have the freedom to refuse?"

"Aime —"

"Don't you dare!" her voice thundered shakily with her eyes covered with a thin layer of tears. "... call me by that name, Miguel Rothschild. You might've lent your face to my brother, but you are not Davien."

Her fist trembled as she ground her teeth. "We might've lived a normal life because of your help. However, my gratitude doesn't extend to the fact I am now standing here, before this council, who was asking me to join hands with them to kill my family."

"Power? Authority? Control?" Aries laughed mockingly. "You are swearing to give me all the things I don't need in exchange for what matters to me. I am not thankful, even one bit, of this benevolence this council is sparing me."

"I am here because you failed to stop Maximus IV." Aries took a deliberate pause, eyes flickering with anger and determination. She had her eyes locked on Miguel and then on Giselle. "If you truly want to gain control over Maleficent's power, then try your hardest, because I will not willingly hand it over to you."

The last gentleness plastered on Miguel's face slowly disappeared. Giselle's stoic expression didn't change, as if she already expected Aries's reaction. Meanwhile, the rest of the Raven nodded in understanding. 

If talking to Aries would make her side with them, then that would be good. However, they didn't hope she would take their side through such a peaceful method. 

"I see." Miguel lowered his eyes as he exhaled. When he lifted his eyes back to the queen once again, coldness dominated his face. "So that is your decision, Your Majesty."

He paused with his lips pressed into a thin, hard line. "I thought if I talk to you and showed you our side of the story, you will eventually understand. But alas, I underestimated how Abel Grimsbanne brainwashed you. Do not worry. When this is all over, you will understand my heart."

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