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Days later…

"What did you say?" Dexter almost spat out the tea when Aries spoke. His eyes shook in surprise, staring at Aries\'s stoic countenance across from him. "You… what?"

"I might die," Aries repeated, unfazed by the thought of death. "I\'m telling you this not to worry you. As I\'ve said, I received an official invitation from the Raven. If I don\'t go, who knows what they\'d do to the people in this land?"

"Since when did you care about the people in this cursed land?" Dexter put down the cup of tea in utter disbelief at her lack of reaction and emotion. "Aries, do you truly believe they will harm the people in this land? No. Do you believe they could harm the Grimsbanne? If they could touch the Grimsbanne, they would\'ve done it long ago. However, they didn\'t. The Grimsbanne weren\'t called untouchable for nothing — Have you mentioned this to your husband?"

"I am aware, brother." Aries leaned back comfortably, resting her jaw against her knuckles. "I wasn\'t born yesterday to be shaken by such a petty threat."

"Then why?" he gasped in disbelief, spreading his hands open. "Why would you volunteer to a coven you know might hurt you? Worse, lose your life? You have seen the coven in the empire, sister. It was hard to watch, let alone be a part of it."

"I am the current sovereign of the Mainland." Her voice was still soft and indifferent, but the firmness in it was clear. "Whether or not you approve of it, I have an obligation to fulfill."

"You are the Queen because you didn\'t have a choice."

"Same goes with this matter." Her answer was quick, not giving him a second to breathe. "As I\'ve said, I am telling you this not to stop me, neither I am asking for your help or support. I\'m saying this because you are my brother and I think you deserve to know what your sister is up to."

Dexter\'s mouth parted to rebut, but his voice was stuck in his throat. All he could do for a moment was look at her with utter disbelief, shaking his head mildly. 

Dexter let out a sharp breath before pinching the bridge of his nose. "Please tell me you have a plan."

"I always have a plan."

"Will you let me in?" he peeked from one of his eyes, moving his hand away from his nose. "Don\'t get me wrong. I am asking this not to stop you from doing whatever you have in mind, but to make sure you are will not die."

Aries assessed her brother, smiling despite seeing him grind his teeth with eyes glinting menacingly. 

"Don\'t give me that look, Aries." Dexter erected a finger, giving her a warning look. "Don\'t smile like that."

"Why?"

"Because every time you do, you\'re up to something that will anger me."

"Pfft —" Aries covered her lips with the back of her fist while Dexter huffed.

"Sister, come on." His voice softened, almost sounding helpless. "I am at my wit\'s end. You and I are utterly exhausted; I don\'t remember resting for the past two years. All I want is to regain the life we once had."

His expression turned sour as he lowered his eyes, remembering the life they had before Maximus came into the picture. 

"To be truthful, whenever I think about life back then, I feel ungrateful. Back then, I always complain about having to deal with the emperor\'s whims and Conan\'s constant slander. But now that I think about it, I have to admit it was rather peaceful." Dexter slowly raised his eyes, flashing her a bitter smile. "The emperor might be unpredictable and would purposely press my nerves, but at least, I could just ignore his nonsense. It was the same with Conan\'s regular yapping. I could sleep at night at peace, and wake up without wondering what sort of battle my sister is about to face."

"If only I could return the time, I would\'ve done it. But I can\'t," he continued under his breath. "The only thing I could do is to be done with this and try to restore what we had. If all things succeed, I promised to cherish all the dull days we would have."

Aries\'s countenance softened the more she listened to Dexter. She could relate. Not that she would constantly complain, but there were days she would seek some fun and adventure on the most boring days. 

How she regretted not appreciating those peaceful days; waking up next to her husband and making love with him until it was time to fulfill their duties as the emperor and empress of the empire. Those times she would have some tea with the people dear to her heart, listen to Conan\'s yapping, and go on in a disguise with Abel to walk around the street of the capital. 

"Thank you." Aries broke her prolonged silence with a smile. "I won\'t deny that the first night of the full moon scares me. It was the first reason I summoned you today. My brother is the best; you always make me feel better."

"Aries, you know that is not what I am aiming for."

"I know, but it put my heart at a lot of ease." She pressed her lips into a thin line with its sides curling up. "Thank you."

Dexter was about to speak when he stopped furrowing his brows. "You said that was the first reason," he pointed out while his brows rose. "If that is the first, what is the second?"

"You are also quick." Aries smiled. "The second reason is I have a request."

"Anything," answered Dexter without thinking twice. "What do you need me to do?"

"Brother, I didn\'t put you in the cabinet for no reason."

"I know."

"Then I presumed you gained all the knowledge you need to gain in the royal library." Aries blinked ever so tenderly. "I need you to do something for me. I need you to…"

Dexter listened to Aries\'s request attentively. His furrowed brows slowly uncreased, replaced with a slight surprise. 

"You mean…"

"Deal with Miguel Rothschild," she asserted. "I will need him when the time is ripe. Can I trust you with that?"