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"We can drop the honorifics," Maximus remarked while Aries poured him a cup of tea. "I think that will make you more comfortable."

"I do not mind, but I\'m afraid that will make you uneasy."

"Hah… I am even more uncomfortable now that everyone called me differently and with such foreign respect." He shrugged, smiling playfully. "I can only blame myself, though. It\'s the path I had taken, and I should be ready for it."

Aries smiled in satisfaction, taking a seat opposite Maximus.

"I can relate," she mused, picking up the teacup and adding as she straightened her back. "The throne always has a price, and the crown is heavier than what it appears."

"I cannot deny that," he laughed, bending over to pick up the teacup. He sniffed the aroma and the side of his lips curled up, snapping his eyes up at her. "It smells good."

"The plant I added has a pleasant scent when you make it as tea."

"And the catch?" Maximus arched a brow carefully. "At this point in time, what I learned after stepping out to the outside world is that not all pretty things must be taken at face value. There\'s always a catch — big or small."

A chuckle slipped past Aries\'s lips. "It had poisonous properties. Fret not, it\'s safe."

"Poison had always been in my blood," he humored, lifting the cup slightly. "I hope this isn\'t against the rules of etiquette."

"There\'s no need to worry. I\'m the only one who witnessed how your habits in drinking wine are the same as you drink your tea," she humored back, smiling back at him as she watched him take a sip. Her eyes glinted as its corners squinted. Her thin smile faded slowly.

"It\'s just as good as I expected it to be," Maximus praised, pleased at the taste lingering in his mouth. When he placed the teacup back on the table, he lifted his eyes to her. "I will cut to the chase, Daniella. Or should I address you as your real name in Rikhill? Or the name you will have to take in the future?"

"Whatever that suits you, Your Majesty." Her smile returned, but this time, it didn\'t reach her eyes. "What people address me never mattered. As long as you are comfortable with it."

"Then I\'ll assume I can talk casually," he said and nodded with a smile. "As I was saying, the reason for this visit has something to do with that core you are holding."

"I figured it has something to do with it."

Maximus offered a slight smile. "Maleficent. The most powerful witch that had ever existed. The mother of all witches. Many don\'t know about her, even the powerful devil-descent Grimsbanne. The only person who knew about her and the truths behind her and our race is the king."

"You know what\'s even more interesting? This knowledge is passed down to the next king," he continued. "Whether the next one succeeded the throne through legal means or by force. That is why it is important for the king to be powerful because anyone could take this knowledge."

"Interesting, indeed." Aries rocked her head, taking her precious time instead of prying thoughtlessly.

"With that laid on the table, I asked you to give up the abyss," he remarked, not beating around the bush. "What I meant by that is the power you hold."

The side of Aries\'s lips curled up into a smirk. "And why would I do that?"

"Because Maleficent… shouldn\'t have been born." The thin smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by nothing but solemnness. "And her existence should be sealed… forever."

"Because she is too powerful and you are afraid she is a threat to your power?" Aries arched her brow, tilting her head to the side. "You do not have to be afraid, Maximus. Unless you plan to cross me."

"You do not understand."

"Enlighten me. What is there that I did not understand in this matter?"

"The Grimsbanne will kill you once the abyss accepted you as its holder." Aries\'s expression faded as shallow lines appeared in between her brows at his quick response. "Or you might kill them."

Maximus chuckled upon seeing her subtle reaction. "If you do not believe me, then you can ask your husband. I\'m certain he already had an idea."

"No one knows the future, and no one holds it. Therefore, that claim only has little value."

"That is because the past had taken that away from anyone. The past had cursed the Grimsbanne; they had been blessed with unbelievable strength, but those who weren\'t chosen had shorter lives. The witches were gifted with ridiculous talents, yet unable to use them without a sacrifice." Each word was clearer than the previous one while his eyes held Aries\'s. "It is the same for vampires; we were created to take another to survive. Under the full moon, wolves had to risk their lives to stop their body morphing or breaking relationships just because their wolf recognized another mate."

"If I tell you the history of this world, a day will not be enough," Maximus added. "But to summarize my point, Maleficent is just one among the few people who were chosen by the people who called themselves gods."

Aries watched her breathing as she lifted her chin slightly. "One among the few. By this, you mean…?"

"Maleficent and the twelve Zodiac, the chosen seven seeds of the child of evil; the Grimsbanne, the king of the vampires, the kindreds of the lamb and wolf, the strongest man who carried the blessing of the light; the man who carried the sword of light." Maximus paused before he smiled. "If everyone had existed at the same time, a war that is worse than any had witnessed might ensue."

"Therefore, I am asking you nicely to deny Maleficent," he continued, this time with a much lighter tone. "Or if you do not believe me, I offer you an alliance."

"An alliance?" Aries arched a brow, caught off-guard by his offer.

"Yes."

"Against, who?"

"The Grimsbanne," he said with a smile. "You might think this offer is ridiculous, but once the time has come, we can talk about it."

Maximus stroked his thighs mildly. "I had taken so much of your time and it\'ll be in my conscience if I had taken more. Anyway, an official welcoming banquet will be held in two days\' time. I truly hope you can come. It\'ll be nice to spend time with you both."