The Tyrant's Pet

Joaquin spent the night with her, but they both slept on either side of the bed. He didn't push his luck anymore, 'respecting' her personal space when he figured it was pointless. Aries wouldn't be coaxed with words this time.

So when morning came, he made time to eat breakfast with her. Although his wife was still distant, with the seal she gifted him, his determination to win her over significantly increased. It had been a week since then.

"I heard you had been doing well." Aries sat down beside Curtis with anticipation in her eyes. She had been busy with Joaquin that she only visited him now. Curtis kept his eyes on the floor, hands on his lap, like a good child.

"I'm really glad to see you doing well, Curtis." She raised her hand and ruffled his head, something that always guaranteed her a look from him. So she smiled and nodded encouragingly.

"It feels rewarding in a way."

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line as she leaned back, keeping her eyes on him. This past week wasn't easy, with Joaquin wanting most of her time and then Abel! Every time Aries thought of her lover, she couldn't stop her head from throbbing.

Although Abel had been busy with whatever it was, every time they meet, it was always Abel dragging her to the corner out of nowhere. She had met too many mini heart attacks, and she was starting to be wary in the hallways, afraid a hand would suddenly drag her to a room for kisses or just a quickie.

So, visiting Curtis and knowing he was making progress felt like dealing with two troublesome men at the same time was worth it. Joaquin kept his word and didn't bother Curtis and even favored Gertrude. Meanwhile, Abel was behaving as promised…

'But that's more concerning,' she thought, rubbing her chin mildly. Abel was like a child. When he was oddly silent and well-behaved, that means he was doing something truly dreadful.

'I should keep an eye on him since things will go on their way naturally.' Aries mentally nodded, convinced that she shouldn't let Abel sneak around this place on his own. 'I feel like whatever that is keeping him busy right now will shock me once the time comes. Knowing him, the routes he could make for himself were endless.'
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"Right!" Aries clapped and smiled, tossing her thoughts to the back of her head as she recalled the reason for her visit. "The hunting season is coming soon! Do you want to join me, Curtis?"

Curtis just looked at her and blinked innocently, making her chuckle and sigh. Although his strength was recovering, it would take some time to heal his trauma. Hopefully, they could even heal it so he could speak once again.

"Curtis." She sprawled on her arm and held his hand. "You can hear me, right?"

Her eyes softened because until now she was not sure if Curtis could understand her. Never once did he respond to her, although he would constantly stare at her in silence.

"Can you squeeze my hand if you understand me? Or if you can recognize me?" she asked, raising her brows in hopes he would, but to no avail. Curtis just stared at her.

Still, she forced a smile and sighed.

"It's alright. Maybe I'm impatient. The hunting season is coming up and I'm just wondering if you want to come. Although I know you don't really like such occasions, I thought it was a pleasant opportunity since I'm taking part and I want to give you my hunts." Aries squeezed his hand lightly, staring at it with soft eyes.

,m Bitterness filled her eyes at the sight of his missing pinky and all the raised scars that might've healed but was already permanently on his skin. As Aries's mood slowly went south, Curtis' lips quivered as they parted.

"A —" Aries raised her head upon hearing a faint sound from him. "A —"

She held her breath, nodding encouragingly while motioning her hand as if that would help him get that word out of his mouth.

N0 v el Next. CoM

"A — ri —" Her eyes softened as her face relaxed, smiling as her heart melted, watching him try once again. "A — ries…!"
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Curtis was panting for air as sweats broke out of his forehead just by trying to call her name, but that was enough for her to tear up. Aries bit her lower lip as heat formed in her eyes.

"Yes?" she answered under her breath, wiping the corner of her eyes before a tear could escape them. "Yes, Curtis. Aries is here."

She tucked a few strands of his hair behind his ear, smiling gently at him. Curtis didn't speak anymore even when he caught up to his breathing, but they stared at each other. Her smile persisted. This was enough for her and it gave her hope that one day, Curtis would be able to speak once again.

"I won't complain about your virulent tongue anymore, Curtis. So… just get better, alright?" she hummed, squeezing his hand once again. "I'll be patient. I got you."

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

Meanwhile, in the crown prince's chancery…

Joaquin was sitting behind the desk with his feet over it, reclining on the chair. His elbow propped against the armrest while his other hand held the seal up. He had been looking at it and there was no doubt this was the seal he kept looking for.

"I wonder… if Ismael had contact with the guerrillas? Did he get help from them?" he narrowed his eyes.

To him, since he caught them off guard, they couldn't use this card they kept hidden. He could understand if Carlos didn't surrender this to Ismael, because at the end of the day, everyone needed to have something they could leverage for their life.

Nove l B(in).C OM

He was deep in thought as to which was the best course of action he must take to use this to its full potential. Although Joaquin already knew the main goal, he should approach things meticulously, so what happened the last time with Ismael wouldn't happen again. Thus, he didn't notice the knock on the door and Roman's intrusion into his office.

"You summoned —" Roman abruptly stopped as his eyes fell on the seal Joaquin was holding up while staring at it. His brows furrowed before his eyes slowly dilated, recognizing it even from this distance.

'That seal…' he held his breath as Ismael's words he never thought of until now came back to him in a flash. 'Violet.'