The Tyrant's Pet

Aries took a deep breath. Her face cleared up from all the sadness that was clouding her features earlier today. Inez toured her around the greenhouse, and it truly took off some burdens in Aries's mind. After that, the latter invited her for a cup of tea until it was time for the crown princess to depart.

"Thank you for fulfilling my whim, ninth sister." On their way towards the entrance of the greenhouse, Aries smiled and turned to her left, where Inez was walking. She was carrying a few flowers that Inez kindly let her have to add to her flower arrangements as a gift.

Aries's steps slowly halted, pivoting on her heel to face Inez. Her subtle yet genuine smile was cemented on her face, eyes shimmering with appreciation.

"Not at all, Your Highness. It is my honor that you grace Lazuli Palace with your presence." Inez smiled amicably as she tipped her head down slightly. When she raised her head, her brows creased seeing that Aries was just staring at her in silence with gentle eyes.

"Your Highness?" called Inez, brows elevating in puzzlement.

Aries snapped her eyes and cleared her throat, biting her lips as she gazed down at the flowers she was hugging. Taking out one rare white flower, she handed it to her.

"For you." She smiled sweetly, staring at Inez straight in the eye. "I know these are your gifts, but I do not have anything right now. You have no idea how this trip helped me and soothed the turmoil in my heart."

"Your Highness…" Inez's lips were pressed in a hard, thin line, darting her eyes between Aries and the flower in her hand. "Even if it's mine originally, it's now yours. It's always the thought that counts. Thank you."

In the end, Inez carefully accepted the flower, grazing Aries's finger slightly. For some reason, just a graze of their hands felt different, taking Inez by surprise as she froze for a split second. When she organized her thoughts quickly, she raised her head, only to see Aries's strange expression.

It wasn't the type that bore malice, but more like the latter also felt the strange electricity and the instant spark of tension upon contact.

"You made me happy," Aries confessed under her breath before locking eyes with Inez. "This trip truly made me happy, ninth sister. I hope this isn't the last one."
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She paused as her lips curled up into an affectionate smile. "I'll take my leave now."

"Take care on your journey, Your Highness." Inez curtsied properly while Aries nodded.

With that being said, Inez walked her out of the entrance that was only a few meters away, where Aries' carriage was waiting. Before she opened it, Aries halted once again and cast Inez a look.

"Your Highness?" asked Inez, frozen while holding shut doors. "Is there something wrong?"

Nove l B(in).C OM

Aries didn't respond for several seconds before she shook her head. "It's nothing. I just thought you're really beautiful up close." She peeled her eyes away from Inez, raised her hand, and placed it on top of the latter's hand that was on the door.

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Squeezing it lightly, Aries pushed the doors open. However, as soon as they did, she caught a figure standing outside near the carriage. She glanced at him, only to see Joaquin, who had his arms crossed near the carriage.

When the latter felt the two figures coming out of the greenhouse, he slowly turned his head in their direction. His eyes instantly fell on Aries and Inez's hands before raising them to meet his wife's eyes.

Aries looked at him without guilt in her eyes, withdrawing her hand from Inez. Instead of going to Joaquin, Aries faced Inez once again with the same friendly smile.

"Ninth sister, let's have tea together soon." Her words snapped Inez back from her daze.

"Uh…" Inez cleared her throat and forced a smile, rocking her head, before realizing Joaquin's presence not far away. She glanced at Joaquin, exchanging sharp looks with him in silence. "Take care, Your Highness."

After stating so, she then faced the crown prince and performed a curtsy. Like usual, Joaquin waved before he advanced in their direction.

"Sister, I express my gratitude for accompanying my wife." He circled an arm around Aries's waist, pulling her to him mildly so the ninth princess wouldn't notice. But she did. Meanwhile, Aries simply cast Joaquin a side-eye but kept her silence since she wasn't scandalous enough to publicize her strained relationship with her husband.
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"It is my pleasure, Your Highness," said Inez in a kind tone, but her sharp eyes she hid throughout her time with Aries glinted.

The side of Joaquin's lips curled up, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Then we'll be taking our leave as it is getting late."

"I wish you a safe trip."

"I'll see you again, ninth sister." Aries smiled before Joaquin assisted her steps, his palm on her back while his other hand holding her arm gently. As they walked away, she couldn't help but look back at Inez, smiling when their eyes met.

<strong>******</strong>

Inez stood in front of the entrance of the greenhouse with the slight bow as the carriage sped away. After several long seconds, she raised her head and her eyes instantly glinted.

Up until now, she was playing. However, she couldn't deny that there was a point that she forgot about Aries and believed the person she spent her entire afternoon with shared the same face as that fallen princess.

The two were just different in everything. From the slightest movements, aura, mannerism, the emotions in their eyes, and their touch. Inez gazed at the hand Aries held and squeezed lightly, her cheek flashing in faint red.

"I hate her," she whispered as her fingers curled, grinding her teeth before raising her eyes at the retreating carriage. "Especially that insufferable crown prince. Tch."

Hatred once again swam in her eyes before she huffed and marched back to the greenhouse. But as soon as she did, Inez halted by the entrance and looked up and around.

"Lavender," she whispered, inhaling the faint scent of lavender she left that overwhelmed all other scents from the greenhouse. Her brows lowered as a deep exhale slipped past her lips.

"I really hate her."