Wary Of My Aunt?

"Why did you do that?" An incensed yell echoed audibly in the eerily silent courtroom.

"Did what?" yet such anger was met with a rather calm and unfazed response.

"Don't try to hide it. I know the slaughter in the woods was your doing,"

Shephatiah hollered, barely holding her anger at bay.

The grim figure turned towards her, raising a dark thick brow, his glowering red eyes, blocking every speck of emotions. "I never hide anything," he deadpanned, in a voice so cold and intimidating.

Her expression turned tight at his admittance. "What were you even thinking doing that?" angered by the calmness in his tone, Shephatiah brawled in rage

The imposing figure completely veered towards her, flexing his gloved hand, "I was thinking the exact thing you were thinking," he said, fixing an amused gaze on her.

The expression he wore definitely revealed that he was purposefully infuriating her.

His indifference only peeved her by the second. "I told you to pick a human bride and not make it obvious, I didn't ask you to erase the whole human race of females in Valcresh!" She yelled, her patience slowly slipping away.

In the whole Kingdom of Valcresh, the Witch was the only one who had the concession to shout on, and admonish the devious and evil King.

A grin appeared on his lips, but the deadly intensity in his eyes didn't match the harmonious slant of his lips.

"And you of all people should know, Shephatiah, that I don't follow orders." he revealed, stating each of his last sentences word for word.

Glaring at him, Shephatiah silently fumed. "You make it so difficult to help you,"

"And you make it so difficult to trust you," he retorted, returning her glare with a hardened gaze.

Every single move of hers had always been questionable, and it was no secret that he didn't trust her. Despite her numerous claims of having to be on his side.

Never for once had he believed such falsehood. Yet, there was nothing he could use to trap her in her own web lies. Truly, she was as meticulous as she was praised. Not leaving any stone unturned.

Hearing this, she momentarily stiffened. "T–This is for your sake," finding her calm, she gave a mild stutter. Her pale shade of purple eyes glued to his face with her heart in her throat.

Aziel was silent at first, before reiterating, "I told you I disagree on this. Marrying a human will in no way help me in reaching my goal," he said, turning his back to her once more. Depriving her of the chance to gauge a single thought from him. With his attention focused on the shimmering morning sun that shone in contrast to the gloom in his world.

"At least, it'll provide you access to the human kingdoms," she retorted.

"That's not certain." he spat, dismissively.

She had always been persistent and adamant on this conclusion. Even when he had disagreed with the idea from the beginning.

Hence his scheme; to show her, that she can't just have her way whenever she feels like it, all in the excuse of assisting him in his great course.

If she thinks she has a whole grip on him, then she's just lying to herself.

A deception, he wants her to carry on for a longer time.

"—" unexpectedly, her words got stuck.

She knew he was right, but, "It has advantages of its own," still not unwilling to give up, she tried to convince.

Pushing forward, trying to get him to see the light from where she stood.

Unfortunately, a knock resonated at the entrance before his response could come, instantly breaking off the argument.

Shephatiah sighed. "She's here already, there's nothing you can do about it. Do not be unwise." saying her piece in transient resignation, she stomped away from his presence, riled.

The door creaked open to reveal Zethan as he strode in, passing the angry witch by. Already aware of the reason, he wasn't the least bothered about it and dutifully went over to his master.

"Your Majesty," he bowed to his liege.

"You come bearing news?" Aziel questioned, his earlier temperament replaced with an apathetic one, as if he had not just angered a certain Witch sovereign.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zethan affirmed.

"The council heard about the incident and insisted on an investigation," he informed.

"Oh," mirth danced in his crimson eyes from the information. "Let them. Do not get in their way." he ordered, putting off the matter as something insignificant.

"Yes, Your Majesty,"

"Anything else?" Aziel asked, he seemed to not want to be bothered at the moment.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Actually, the news had reached many Kingdoms in the continent, and apart from the Council, the other kingdoms demands and explanation as well, except the King of Dhroghen. I think they want to make use of this opportunity to seek your presence," Zethan relayed thoughtfully.

Earning a wicked smirk from the King. "You don't have to worry about that," he said. "My presence…"trailing off, with a slow tilt of his head to the side. "doesn't matter that much, does it?" the corner of lips rose to a malicious grin.

Zethan answered. "Mmm, I'll take my leave," done with his message, he turned to leave. However,

"How's she?" The King suddenly asked, his tone lacking interest as he scanned the emerald green ring wrapped around his left finger with a heavy dose of interest.

"Right now she's with Lady Eleazar," Zethan divulged.

A disruption formed on his rigid expression as his brows narrowed. "Keep an eye on them," came his sudden order.

Baffled, Zethan frowned. "But…Lady Eleazar will do nothing to unease her," he vocalized his confusion with narrowed brows.

"Who said I was wary of my aunt?" taking off his undivided attention from the ring, he turned towards his most trusted ally.

Silently letting him figure it out; like he always does.

"Then you mean…"

"What do you think?"

Perplexed, "Yes, Your Majesty," nonetheless, he bowed and turned to leave once more.

"I need you to get something from the Witch,"

The King's voice made him halt his movement. With his back still turned, he said, "At your service, Your Majesty."