The Tyrant's Pet

Aries gazed at Conan for help after Abel's invitation. But even when the latter complained, the two of them were powerless. In the end, Aries still joined Abel on the training ground and stood right in front of him. 

"Yes?" she raised her brows, blinking cluelessly. 

All sorts of ideas already filled her head. Why did he ask her to come down here? Would he ask her to replace the straw target and act as one? Or maybe, just be his assistant to fetch him some arrows? The more Abel stayed silent, the more negative her thoughts became. 

To her surprise, Abel shoved the bow in front of her. Aries blinked cluelessly at him with brows rising higher. 

"Shoot," he ordered blankly. "Take it."

It took her several seconds to absorb his words, taking the arrow in confusion. "You want me to practice archery?" she asked, and he nodded, hands on his hips.

"Me? Really?" she inquired once again, just to confirm if she heard him correctly. His brows arched, noticing the fire in her eyes.

"Well, just give it back if you don't want to." He shrugged, but that made her clutch at the bow tighter. She held it close to her chest, eyes studying him from head to toe.

"I — I'll do it," she stammered.

The side of his lips stretched into a grin, nodding in satisfaction. "Good!" Stepping aside to give his spot to her. 

Aries cast him a look and exhaled faintly. Surely, Abel was someone she could never read easily. The only thing that was predictable about him was his unpredictability. 

Standing on the spot he stood, Aries gazed down at the bow and string in her hand. Her eyes softened as a subtle smile appeared on her lips. It had been a while since she held a bow and arrow. She thought she would never hold these things again. So, it gave her a nostalgic feeling. 

"Do you want my help, darling?" she turned her attention back to Abel, seeing him tilt his head. 

"Yes, thank you," came out a weak reply.

"Happily."

Abel approached her while she placed the arrow in the string. His eyes glinted with amusement, seeing that she knew how to put the arrow in the string properly. He had this idea that she knew about archery. Well, even if she didn't, he already planned to teach her.

Abel stood close behind her as she took up the stance of shooting arrows. "Relax your shoulder. You're too excited."

"Alright." Her eyes averted, feeling his hot breaths caress her ear. The warmth of his body against her back felt like embracing her. Abel fixed her posture, pressing on her tensed shoulder until they relaxed. His eyes narrowed, snaking his hand almost seductively from her shoulder to the elbow, supporting them to keep still.

He leaned his head to her side, eyes on the target. "Release," he whispered in her ear.

Her eyes glinted as she let go of the arrow. It traveled with enough force, but it only grazed the side of the target. Still, her breath hitched as her heart thumped loudly against her chest. 

She looked at him with eyes sparkling on instinct, causing his brows to elevate. "I grazed it!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"You did. Good job." His eyes squinted as he smirked. "Again?"

There wasn't even the slightest hesitation when she nodded profusely. This was the first time she reacted so excitedly, like a child, satisfying Abel by this discovery. 

He beckoned a knight around the training ground to bring him more arrows. As the knight rushed to them, he kept his eye contact with her. 

"Do you like archery before?" he bent over, blinking curiously.

"Uh, a bit." Aries slightly blushed as she gazed down. 

"Hah..." he leaned his face closer, forcing her to back away a little. "So, seducing you in bed is the wrong method, huh? How interesting. Will you fall for me if I stand over there with an apple over my head?"

"Pardon?"

"Or maybe just shoot it right in my face." He pointed at his charming face solemnly. "I think you will hit it if you have enough motivation."

For a moment, Aries's brain went blank. His expression told her he was a hundred percent serious. But how could she forget this was Abel?! Was he trying to entrap her so she would commit treason? Wielding a weapon in the emperor's presence was already a crime. What more if she aimed at him?! That was an instant ticket to death row!

"Abel, do you hate me?" she asked helplessly, while he tilted his head. "With enough practice, I can improve my precision. Why would you suggest I shoot your handsome face?" she continued with added flattery to keep her neck attached to her shoulder.

"Huh, I thought that will make you happy." He shrugged nonchalantly, peeling his eyes away from her as he set them to the knight, bringing arrows. He laid his palm open, and the knight handed him an arrow, which he passed to Aries. 

"Thank you," she expressed in a soft tone, studying his unchanging reaction. "Even if that is the case, it might kill you. Is that even worth it?" — was he even in his right mind? That was what she actually wanted to say but held back. 

While she placed the arrow in the bow, she paused when he answered. "It is worth it. If my death makes you happy, I'll happily die once or twice in your hands."

"Please don't say such a thing, Your Majesty." She cast him a cold look, thinking he was simply humoring her like usual. But there was this seriousness in his sharp eyes that made it hard to distinguish whether or not he was bluffing. 

"Why?" he asked, bending over with a smirk. "You don't want me dead?" 

"Why would I want you dead?"

"Because why not?"

Aries stared at him in silence but said nothing anymore. Instead, she positioned herself in a stance, pulling the string while keeping the arrow between her fingers. 

"Doing something I used to do already makes me happy," she muttered genuinely, releasing the arrow. It only grazed the target again, watching some ripped straws fall down to the ground. Aries then turned to face him squarely, smiling from ear to ear. 

"That is more than enough. Can I come back here again?" she inquired excitedly because this was more important to her than actually hitting the bullseye.

His eyes narrowed, staring at the anticipation in her eyes. "You don't have to ask my permission, darling. Come in here anytime you pleased." He raised his hand and planted it on her head. His fingertip rubbed her scalp gently. 

"It feels good," he muttered while she arched her brows. "To get to know you."

A soft gust of wind blew past them. She held the bow with both her hands, eyes studying the faint softness beneath the fire in his eyes.

"More," he added under his breath. "What else to know about my little darling? I'm curious. What else will make you smile like this?"

Aries held her breath, wanting to look away but couldn't. "What about you? What else to know about you?"

"You'll never want to know... me."

"Try me." She lifted her chin slightly. 

The corner of his lips curled up, sensing the building tension between them. He took a step forward, eyelashes fluttering ever so slowly. 

"I'm actually the type who likes quick rewards," he stated the obvious, bending over while tilting his head, hand on her cheek. She stood still. "I'll claim it now."

Aries bit her inner lip lightly as she closed her eyes the closer his face got. But he stopped midway, staring at her shut eyes. 

"Don't close your eyes so easily. I barely held myself back from taking out my handkerchief," he dawdled while she opened her eyes carefully. "You make me want to see you in a blindfold."

This time, her eyes opened popped open when his lips veered to her side and planted a brief peck on her cheek.