Back when Aries took Daniella, Dexter's sister's identity, Conan had already spread a rumor regarding the imperial faction being threatened by the marquess's sche. Everyone, even children, was aware the empire had yet welcod an empress. The emperor was a tyrant, and even when the discussion regarding welcoming an empress would be brought up in the royal court, no one had pressed on about it that hard.
Who would?
The emperor was ruthless with a nasty record of debauchery. Even though many maidens in the high society would be srized by the emperor's beauty, his beguiling nature did not blind them. Or at least, his charms didn't work on the selected noble ladies Aries was able to befriend before she was married off.
Just like how the news regarding Aries known as Daniella recovered from her illness, and how the talks about the imperial faction marrying her off to avoid the marquess gaining more power in the royal court as his sister was the best candidate for an empress, it was the sa with her return.
Although the imperial palace was put under a spell, Conan had already prepared everything. Hence, while the brewing tension in the Maganti Empire was occurring, rumors of the rebellion where Aries was had already circulated in the Haimirich Empire. Many were worried and angry, especially those who were mbers of the aristocratic faction. So didn't have much reaction from it since they had seen it coming.
The rumors remained as rumors for months, with everyone forgetting their agenda the second they stepped foot in the imperial palace. The aristocratic faction couldn't get a hold of Dexter as well, so everyone was left with myriads of questions without answers.
In other words, everyone had expected the news of Aries's (Daniella) death or her return to the empire because Dexter wouldn't sit still.
"Wow..." Aries was in awe, staring at Dexter sitting on the head seat of the table in the estate's grand dining hall. "I should comnd Sir Conan for that. But how did he know when to start the rumor?"
"He made an estimation and had ordered his people to spread it. He didn't need any exact ti, since rumors take a bit of ti to take off." Dexter paused in slicing his steak, propping his arm against the edge of the table, eyes on Aries. "I hate to admit it, but he's excellent at spreading rumors. Perhaps it was because he is nosey by nature."
She chuckled, glancing around the dining hall. There were just the two of them, as per Dexter's order to have so quality ti with his sister.
"Have you rested well last night, though?" she asked, changing the subject since it seed everything was under their control, just as they claid. "You haven't been working all night, have you?"
"I take care of myself, Dani. I rewarded myself with a good rest while Gustav reported the current state of affairs and everything I had missed during my absence." He shrugged. "Since I am now here, I will be preoccupied with the matters of the march and the royal court since the aristocratic faction will start pointing their fingers at the imperial factions."
"Will that be alright?"
"For ? Yes. For the Imperial Faction? They better prepare loads of bull to douse the royal court." He smirked, making Aries sigh. "Don't worry about anything too much. You had a rough ti the second you left the empire for another. Focus on recovering first."
Aries nodded, smacking her lips mildly. "Well, that's the plan. I an, I can't do anything at this point but allow things to settle on their own. It's not like this is the first ti the two factions will fight over sothing."
"That right." Dexter rocked his head, not a bit worried at the level of stress Conan would throw at his way. He was used to it and had also prepared his revenge for abducting him in the ugliest way. As he was about to resu his al, his brow rose upon noticing her let out a long-suffering sigh.
"What's the matter?" he inquired out of plain curiosity. "I told you don't worry about the matters in the royal court too much. We'll be fine."
"No, it's not that." Aries shook her head mildly. "I was simply wondering about sothing."
"What, sothing?"
Aries pursed her lips, weighing whether or not she would bring it up to Dexter. "About... sothing in ."
"Sothing in you?" His brows knitted, peering at her with intrigue in his eyes.
"Mhm. Abel ntioned sothing regarding witchcraft..." she trailed off, noticing the slight surprise in his eyes. "Can I do it?"
"Did he tell you, you should?" he asked in disbelief, confirming her assumption that Dexter had known a thing or two.
"So, I'm the only one who is left in the dark?" ca out a mumble, lowering her eyes to think about what they knew that she didn't. Aries could ask him about it, but she was certain Dexter's answer would be just as vague as Abel's and Sunny's response.
"Dani." Dexter put down his cutlery and waited until she raised her head. "Do you really have to... I an, I know you trust him, but why... will you want to get a hold of such dangerous knowledge such as witchcraft?"
"It's not that, and Abel is unwilling to teach himself. However, I cannot shrug off the feeling that I had forgotten sothing important... huh?" Aries trailed off as her brows instantly furrowed, making Dexter narrow his eyes as it seed she had rembered sothing vital.
"Maleficent," she whispered, raising her eyes, only to catch how his pupils dilated in surprise. "Brother, now that I think about it, did you catch the fifth prince?"
"You an...?"
"Javier," she clarified. "During the revolt, I had slain him myself. However, he ntioned so odd things and called Maleficent. Do you have any idea what or who is she?"
Dexter held his breath while looking into her curious eyes. "This Javier... knows Maleficent?" he asked, and Aries nodded profusely without a second hesitation.
"What else does he know?" he inquired almost imdiately, making her mull about her encounter with Javier.
"Well, he said sothing about... as his masterpiece or so sort." She shrugged, vaguely recalling her last encounter with the man since she was already bleeding heavily at that ti. "I shouldn't have killed him."
"Dani." His expression grew solemn, catching her full attention. "I don't know much about Maleficent, aside from her being a powerful witch. How she died or what power she possesses is still a mystery. However, what I am certain is His Majesty will not give you a hard ti figuring it out yourself if he thinks it wasn't dangerous."
Dexter held her eyes solemnly as he paused. "Witches and vampires had never been on good terms. Do you know why vampires were wary of witches?" he asked, letting a minute pass in silence before he continued, "because they could subdue us since their curses were the sa curse running deep in our bones. But that's not all. There were many heavier reasons. I would rather agree to turn you into one of us than my sister wielding a dangerous prowess that would require heavy sacrifices."
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