The Tyrant's Pet

"Gertrude will assist Dani here so she can have someone she can trust."

Aries raised her head, revealing the shock that was plastered across her face after Dexter's remark. They had been mostly eating in silence with Aries talking to Dexter and Abel from time to time, giving them equal attention so they wouldn't have time pressing on each other's nerves. 

"I already requested it of Sir Conan. Gertrude will act as Daniella's nanny. No one will question it." Dexter cast Abel a quick look before shifting his attention to Aries. "That's my gift for you."

"Brother…" a subtle smile turned up on her face, pleased to have someone she could trust and already knew her identity. Aries already planned to dye her hair alone, since everyone knew her green hair was in truth her natural hair color and she wasn't simply dyeing it back to gold just as she claimed. 

Gertrude's presence here was very much appreciated. Hence, Aries was moved by Dexter's consideration. Well, that was the main reason Dexter accepted Abel's invitation earlier today in the imperial palace. If not for that, he would have simply burned the emperor's letter.

"Thank you," she expressed while Dexter nodded slightly. 

"You're welcome." 

Abel narrowed his eyes as he watched Aries and Dexter act so familiar with each other. Although it was not something he felt threatened about, he presumed the marquess was purposely trying to make him feel left out. 

'Should I kill Gertrude?' he wondered, studying Aries, who was still talking to Dexter. 'Hmm. Maybe that's a bad idea. She'll get angry.'

"What do you think, Abel?" 

Abel didn't realize he was zoning out when Aries asked, eyes on him. "Hmm?" 

"Aren't you listening?" she inquired, tilting her head. That was new. Abel never zoned out and even if he did, he would still somehow keep track of the conversation. 

"Is there something wrong?" she asked worriedly, facing him as she leaned in to check closer. 

Abel fluttered his long eyelashes, sneaking a look at Dexter, who was glaring daggers at him. Actually, it was not that he didn't know they were talking about the banquet which the Marquess would host to introduce his sister. He just didn't respond because he had nothing nice to say. 

But Aries mistook it as something else. Nevertheless, lucky him. Her attention was on him again. 

"It's nothing darling." He sported an understanding smile. "I was simply wondering why the crown prince of the Maganti Empire hasn't taken a crown princess until now."

Aries froze and before she could react, Dexter already spoke. "You're really good at speaking unnecessary things at the worst time, Your Majesty. That is quite a talent." 

"Oh, Marquess... Aren't you daring? To speak so blatantly to the sovereign of this land?" Abel smirked as he shook his head slightly. "Conan will be angry with me if I return without any helpful information. He scares me. Poor me." 

"You…"

"Brother." Dexter trailed off when Aries called him softly, smiling with a reassuring smile. "It's fine. I actually think it's better to talk about these matters now since that's the plan, anyway. Once I debuted in high society, it is only a matter of time before a royal decree will knock at the door of the House of Vandran regarding my betrothal to another kingdom."

Aries breathed out as she subconsciously clasped Abel's hand tightly for a split second before relaxing her grip. She took another deep breath and cleared her throat, sitting with her back straight. 

"The reason why the crown prince of the Maganti Empire doesn't have a crown princess yet is because of the world summit." She started, having both men's attention on every word that was flowing out of her mouth. 

"The world summit?" asked Dexter with a raised brow.

"Yes. The world summit happens every half-decade or decade. As you already know, the Maganti expanded their territory and gained power by using marriage as a strong political tool. To make the long story short, he was aiming to expand the power of the Maganti Empire and he was planning to use the title of the empress as leverage to gain a powerful ally once he succeeded the throne," she explained in one breath, glancing at Dexter and then at Abel, who were both rocking their head in understanding. 

"That is quite smart," Dexter commented before he cast her a curious look. However, he bit his tongue to refrain himself from satisfying his mere curiosity. Aries noticed it, though. 

"Are you wondering, if that is the case, why did he propose marriage to me?" she queried, pressing her lips as she forced a smile and lowering her eyes. "He proposed to me to be his concubine."

"Not even a queen, but a concubine?" Dexter scoffed in mockery, grinding his teeth in irritation. He wasn't affected before, but now… he might somehow find a common denominator with Abel after so long. 

"But darling, what I do not understand is, how come he took you to the world summit?" Abel inquired calmly. 

At this point, he was already angry and insulted enough that he couldn't get any angrier. He could only be patient and hold this anger in until it was time. He would surely make the land of the aforementioned Maganti crown prince flood with red. Anything less would be unacceptable. 

"Uhm…" Aries darted her eyes at Abel, seeing him tilt his head, and then at Dexter, whose eyes were fixed on him. "I… gave him legal advice." 

"Hah!" Abel instantly laughed as he somehow guessed that had been the case, but he still asked anyway. Aries was smart, after all. It would have been a waste and the crown prince would have been plain stupid to not recognize her brilliant mind. 

"In other words, that piece of garbage isn't competent enough, but neither is he plain stupid." Dexter nodded in understanding, leaning his back against the chair after wiping the side of his lips with a white cloth. "Either way, his greediness will also be the reason he and his proud empire will fall."

"I never thought I would ever agree with you, Marquess." Abel chortled in a low tone and with his lips closed. "We'll take our time, darling. We'll let them have a taste of falling from grace, slowly but surely."

"They mustn't die before their landing," Dexter backed up with a nod.

Aries pressed her lips, feeling conflicted while listening to these two. She felt like she was listening to two devils, teaching her how to become the bully. Either way, she could not help but smile, knowing their source of anger was that they wanted to protect her and get the justice she deserved. 

"Thank you," she expressed softly and from the bottom of her heart.. There were no tears in her soft eyes, but they showed clarity and determination.