The Tyrant's Pet

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"I hope my surprise visit doesn't inconvenience you, Your Royal Highness. I was simply concerned after what you had seen last night in the west wing of the Lazuli Palace."

Cherry held her breath as she discreetly looked in where the crown princess and the ninth princess were sitting. Her heart pounded against her chest when Inez glanced back while Aries cast Cherry a quick look.

'She knew...' The dominant part of her brain already whispered a woman's gut feeling, but there was a small part of her telling her it might've been a coincidence. Thus, Cherry forced her feet and tried her very best to act naturally.

When the faint click from the door caressed Aries's ears, she slowly set her eyes back to Inez. The latter was still looking in the shut door, smirking as if Cherry wronged her.

"Ninth sister, may I know the real purpose of your visit?" she asked, waiting for Inez to return her gaze.

Inez let out a deep exhale as she studied the distant look in Aries's eyes. "Last night..." she paused, clearing her throat as she pondered about her next words for the umpteenth time.

Why was she here? Aries already knew that. Inez was there to check on her since Aries just left, just like that last night. It was out of pure concern — no matter how hard Inez denied it.

"Ninth sister." Aries smiled when the silence passed for a minute. "I'm glad that you came to check up on me, but as you saw, Joaquin and I reconciled. Last night was simply a huge misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding..." Inez laughed weakly as she leaned back, lowering her eyes to hide the ridicule in them. "And you believe it?"

"Yes."
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"Hah... is that so?"

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line as she let out a deep exhale. "Does it matter whether or not it's the truth?" she asked, waiting for Inez to raise her head before she added in a soft tone. "If my husband says it was simply a misunderstanding, then it's a misunderstanding. I should trust his words — I have to. The only thing I can do is keep a close eye on my lady-in-waiting."

"You know that's not the only thing you can do --"

"That is the only thing I can do, ninth sister," she repeated sternly. "Men... see women as different dishes. The wives are the main courses — their favorites — but eating the same dish every day can be tiring. Thus, they needed to taste different dishes every once in a while."

"It was degrading and sickening, but that is the reality," she continued while her lips curled bitterly. "When a man was having an affair, it's normal and, most of the time, justified. The women just need to be understanding and smile through all of it."

"So you're saying you will simply smile and pretend that's fine?"

"What should I do?" Aries returned. "Fool around with men? Sabotage my husband? Strain my relationship with him and lose the little power I had in my grasp? Ninth sister, I am very much aware of my disposition in this great country and I can't mess things up while I am in the process of establishing my power."

Aries let out a deep exhale as she caressed the armrest before she stood up ever so slowly. She sauntered towards the window, keeping her poise as she stopped in front of it. Her eyes fell on the garden before her focus shifted to Inez's faint reflection.

"The matter of the heart... it doesn't matter. I admit I am hurt to see my husband and lady-in-waiting sneaking behind my back, but the pain is not because I cherished him. I was insulted." Her voice was low and soft, with a touch of slight anger. "Not only did I sacrifice my surname and the life I used to live, but I also sacrificed things no one knew about."

"That was the source of my tears, sister. To sacrifice things; my name, my life, my heart, and everything, only to meet with betrayal. Therefore, I loathed men," she added with utter conviction, turning around to face Inez once again. This time, however, Aries smiled affectionately at her.

"You don't know how I appreciate your gesture, Inez." Bitterness filled her eyes as she averted her eyes to hide what Inez already saw; longing.
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"It would've been nice if you were..." she trailed off as she chuckled weakly, forcing a smile as she raised her eyes at her once again. "... never mind. Please don't mind my remarks. I must've lost my mind for a minute."

Inez balled her hand, clasping her skirt as she watched Aries walk back to her seat across from her. Just now... Aries wanted to say something but stopped.

'I can relate,' she thought, clenching her teeth secretly, which caused her jaw to tighten. 'It was unspeakable' — to get attracted to someone of the same gender. Those who were reported with such a 'problem' were ostracized or considered possessed by the devil, hence, must be stoned to death.

"Although I was trying to be fine, I am now, Inez." Inez suddenly froze when she heard her name from Aries's lips, knowing the latter never addressed her by her name. "Oh, is that alright to call you by your first name? You can call me Circe."

Aries chuckled as she watched Inez raise her head, only to reveal the slight surprise plastered on her face.

"I'm alright as long as someone cares for me. I hope you visit me frequently since my schedule had already told me visiting the Lazuli Palace will be impossible for the entire season," she humored in a much lighter tone to liven up the somber mood in the chancery. "It would be less distressing to have you by my side every once in a while, Inez."

Inez simply gazed at Aries and replied with a timid smile. She didn't say anything since she had nothing else to say. Aries's actions and decisions were all logical since the crown princess was in a position she needed to tread on thin ice. She was also someone whose life heavily rely on Joaquin until she fully established her power — if Aries was successful.

Still, this left a bitter taste in Inez's mouth. Did that mean she would keep Cherry around? Even though her lady-in-waiting was a snake who caused her woes?

knock knock...

As Inez was wondering about the disheartening environment Aries would have to endure, a faint knock from the door caressed her ears. That very second, Inez came to a conclusion. She slowly twisted her neck to the entrance and when her eyes landed on Cherry, a wicked idea crossed the ninth princess's mind.

'This snake... will pay.'

While Cherry pushed the trolley tray full of snacks and tea set, Aries arched a brow as she darted her eyes between Inez and Cherry. Her eyes then moved to the lone candle lit on the stand in the corner of the room. Her gaze followed the thin smoke ascending and had been filling the room with no one noticing. The side of her lips curled up for a split second.

'I've been looking forward to this.'