The Tyrant's Pet

"If I am a woman, even I will fall in love with me." 

Abel flashed Aries a smug grin, shrugging in arrogance while he brushed her hair. Aries sent Minerva out because she didn't want Abel to be found out. She only realized how ridiculous her actions were until Abel pointed it out. 

"I will dye my hair," she breathed out, eyes on his reflection in the vanity mirror. "I can't have green hair while my brother has golden ones. We already don't look alike, so a little similarity is a must." 

"But I like your green hair." He frowned, twirling his finger around a portion of her hair up to his lips. "I'll miss it."

"It'll return once I return here."

"Now I'm even more sad. When will you visit me, darling?" he inquired, letting her hair fall to continue brushing her hair. "I kept asking Conan about your schedule, but he always lashes out at me. He's so rude and very edgy lately."

Hearing news about Conan made her snicker. "Sir Conan needs to calm down. He needs to relax for a day. He keeps lashing out at people and he's quite scary."

"No one understands my fear of Conan. I always walk on eggshells around him." A deep sigh slipped past his lips while shaking his head. 

"Don't speak as if you fear him."

Abel gasped. "Darling, do you think I wasn't scared for my life? Conan scares the hell out of me!" he intoned and frowned, seeing that she didn't believe him.

"Whenever Conan is throwing a huge fit, his face always turns red. I'm scared his head might explode!" he explained, rendering her speechless for a moment. 

"This is why he is like this." Aries shook her head when she recovered. She carefully pivoted on her stool, holding his hand while looking up at him. 

"Be nice to Sir Conan, Abel. He might be like that, but he truly cares for you. He owed me a lot, but he still betrayed me for you." She squeezed his hand lightly. "I will visit you once I debuted into the high society. After that, we have all the excuses to meet. I'll bring you some flowers and court you." She humored as this wasn't the time for her to go in and out of the House Vandran. Everyone still knew she was recovering to full health.

"Aren't you the sweetest?" he smirked, brushing her cheek with his knuckles before putting the hairbrush away. "Although I'm warning you. I'm not that easy. You'll have to work very hard to gain my sympathy and give you a moment of my time." 

Her lips curled up into a smug grin while he pinched her cheek. 

"You're so cute," he praised, arching a brow as he twisted his neck to look at the door. Aries also turned her head in the door's direction upon hearing it open. 

There entering Aries' room was Dexter, bearing an air of nonchalance. Behind him was Gustav, pushing the trolley tray full of food. Aries tilted her body slightly to see if there were more people. But no one else was outside the door. 

"I greet the one and only shining sun of the empire." Gustav placed his hand across his chest, bowing politely to Abel.

"Drop the formality, Gustav." Her brows rose when Abel laughed and waved. "It has been a while since I've last seen you."

Gustav only sported a meek smile before he proceeded to serve the food on the table inside Aries' room. Meanwhile, Dexter perched on the chair around the table, eyes catching Aries' curious gaze. 

"Can you walk now, Dani?" he asked, ignoring the man standing beside her. "Come here. Let's eat." 

"Won't you invite me for dinner, Marquess?" Abel frowned, batting his eyes at Aries to gain her sympathy. 

Aries darted her eyes between Dexter and Abel for a moment before she sighed. She commended Abel's and Dexter's tolerance for each other since ignoring each other has been the worse she had witnessed they had done so far. 

"Brother, can I invite my guest to join us?" she flashed Dexter a smile while holding Abel's hand so he wouldn't have the ridiculous thought she was trying to leave him behind. "Please? I know the dinner should be just for the two of us, but he's already here. Moreover, isn't it good for our House Vandran to have a friendly relation with His Majesty?"

"Marquess, love conquers all. You can't separate me from my darling." Abel teased, grinning from ear to ear, but Dexter didn't even bother casting him a look. 

Dexter's eyes were fixed on Aries' face and her eyes which were full of anticipation. It seemed as if he refused, she would cry a river, even though Abel wouldn't honor his opinion. Whether Dexter agreed or refused strongly, it didn't matter since Abel would still join them. 

In other words, it wasn't really Dexter's call. But Aries genuinely wanted to do things right. She would honor his decision. If only he had the heart to disappoint her. 

"Whatever you like." Dexter waved and averted his eyes. But before he did, he caught her bright smile before she faced Abel squarely. 

"Did you hear that?" she inquired excitedly, tugging Abel's sleeve. 

"Yes, darling. Thanks to you, I get to live today." His eyes squinted into mere slits, his energy syncing perfectly with her. "Let me help you, darling."

"She'll sit close to me," Dexter spoke just before Abel could carry Aries so she wouldn't strain her injured ankle. "She won't eat on your lap."

"Huh?" Aries furrowed her brows, thinking that was quite a wild and ridiculous guess. However, when she turned her attention back to Abel, the side of her lips twitched. 

Abel frowned, his expression almost dead as if what Dexter said was just what he had planned. How could she forget who this man was? Of course, he wouldn't mind eating with Aries on his lap. It was not like it didn't happen before. 

"Abel?" she gasped in dismay, watching Abel roll his eyes. 

"Fine," he reluctantly agreed before carrying her to the chair near Dexter around the round table, while he perched next to her.