The Tyrant's Pet

"Your Majesty! When will you send proper official letters to your people?!" 

Just like any normal day in the imperial palace, Conan's voice thundered across the emperor's office. Moments ago, Abel used one of the official emperor's couriers to send a letter to the House of Vandran. Everyone in the empire knew that when they saw a huge hawk flying, it was from the emperor. 

"Should I write the Marquess a poem, then?" asked Abel whilst tilting his head, hand holding a pen as he was finishing his work so he could see Aries early. "Why do I need to make my letters sound flowery when I can simply go straight to the point?" 

"Ugh... my headache." Conan pinched the bridge of his nose. Why was he even bothering to make Abel a proper emperor? Right... because his personality was just growing worse during every reign!

"It's not like Dexter will mind." Abel shrugged indifferently, setting his eyes back on the papers in front of him. "It's a good time that everyone will be aware that I was showing interest in the marquess's little sister. Isn't it fun, Conan?"

He paused as the side of his lips curled up, signing some documents. "In the past, I always fall asleep every time we conquer a land. But this time, we're preparing meticulously, not letting any slip-up, as if the Maganti Empire will stand a chance." 

Conan opened his mouth, but no words came out. So he simply shook his head and picked up a stack of the already signed documents on the desk, hugging them securely. 

"Your Majesty, I will come back once the marquess arrives," he excused himself with a slight bow, exhausted at how much he makes a fuss all the time, only to receive nonchalance from Abel. But just as he was by the door, Conan looked back when the emperor's lazy voice caressed his ears.

"I'll receive the marquess in the sitting room. I hadn't played chess for a long time; it's nice to get unnecessary things out of my head."

"Yes, Your Majesty." 

With that being said, Conan departed the emperor's office, leaving him alone. Isaiah was still recovering, so Conan had to spend most of his time whining around Abel. Honestly, he was the one whining, but it was also him who was getting stressed for Abel's lack of interest. 

"I miss Lady Aries. I should hasten so I can be Lady Aries's tutor," he muttered, getting impatient since they needed a good timeline so even when the people from the Maganti investigate, they wouldn't find anything suspicious. Well, it was suspicious already, but not giving them solid evidence that the Daniella who would be betrothed to their empire wasn't Aries. 

*

Meanwhile, Abel finished everything as fast as possible. He wasn't joking when he said he could get things done, even with his eyes closed. He had been playing this role for a long time, so for him, he was simply reading jumbled letters, but everything was almost the same. 

"I'm bored," he muttered, leaning back to breathe. He closed his eyes, tilting his head back, watching his breathing. 

It hadn't been that long when Conan left. He should've asked Conan to stay since his nagging was louder than the demons in his head. 

"I'm bored," he repeated, opening his eyes, gazing at the door. "I'm so... so... bored."

He could still smell the lingering scent of Aries's blood. Although all people's blood had distinct scents and tastes, he would never forget hers. He wasn't worried Aries was harmed. He had her with high regard and he was certain Aries was proceeding with her own plans. 

"She's having fun, while I don't." He frowned, thinking how unfair it was. He was stuck with these documents.

Just then, Abel arched a brow as he twisted his neck to look at the window. He tilted his head to the side, blinking cluelessly. 

"That's interesting," he crooned, pushing himself up to stand in front of the window. His eyes gazed ahead, far ahead, further than the horizon. 

"My... Aries," came out a dry chuckle. "You have another thing to thank me for taking you that night... or not."

The side of his lips stretched into a smirk, eyes exuding with intrigue. Just now, from across the globe, something big was happening. Although Abel took Aries that night from that neutral land where the world summit took place, there was another reason Abel did so. 

He knew Aries would meet another man in the same place — a better person. Honestly, if he simply ignored Aries that night, her life would be different, but his life would remain the same. 

"You could've had a second chance in life, darling, or..." his lips stretched into something more wicked. "... or experience the same hell once again."

"But what is for sure is it looks like I will be busy as well," he continued, chortling with his lips closed, eyes drooping until they were partially closed. "No wonder the council had been quiet recently. They were going to move soon. It took them quite a long time to gain some courage... don't you think, Isaiah?" 

Abel slowly turned around and faced Isaiah, who was already inside the office without making the slightest sound. The latter looked the same, sporting his classic stoic face. 

"They had, Your Majesty. Will you reunite with your sisters?" Isaiah inquired solemnly. 

"Mhmm. I don't think so." Abel peeled his eyes away from him, back to the scenery outside. "Teach everything to Aries. They would target her since she's my darling. I would hate it if they used her life as leverage — I might as well end that island for all I care."

Isaiah gazed at Abel's back before he tilted his head down. "Yes, Your Majesty." When he raised his head, he added. "The Marquess' carriage is close."

"Great! I wonder what he'll say once I relay the news to him!" Abel grinned happily, not really bothered at the forces lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect opportunity to take down an ancient creature like him.