The Tyrant's Pet

"Silence... so priceless."

Aries breathed out, leaning back against the tub as the warm water embraced her body. She tilted her head back until her eyes were staring at the high ceiling. 

'He really went all out today. Every second feels like I am dealing with another person.' Her expression turned grim while revisiting her day with Abel. 'He never fails to find ways to stress me out.'

A snicker slipped past her mouth that soon became waves of chuckles. Her only consolation for all of that was Abel had to endure watching his weight until he was trembling. Even when she pointed it out, he denied it to save his face. 

"How stubborn..." Her smile faded as soon as she realize she was giggling. "... what am I doing?"

Although Abel stressed her out, Aries didn't realize until now that she hadn't felt the initial fear she felt before. It could be because she was getting used to Abel. Thus, she was getting more and more relaxed in his company.

'I even slapped his back and...' she breathed out, closing her eyes for a moment. "What are you thinking, Aries? That he is not that bad? Ugh... I think I'm losing my mind."

Aries ran her fingers through her emerald locks. From the outside, she and Abel looked like they were getting along really well. If she was naive, she would also think her relationship with him was getting better. That she was loosening up around him and being herself. 

Deep down, although that was the case, she couldn't deny that a part of her believed it was all an illusion. Abel wasn't the type for that kind of relationship. He may act shallow, unreasonable, and crazy most of the time, but she was aware it was all an act.

Falling for such a cheap trick and believing he wasn't that terrible as a person was something that could kill her. Her eyes flashed with bitterness, clicking her tongue faintly. 

"Why... can't anyone be normal?" she murmured, letting out a deep breath. "I shouldn't be the one thinking about this. I bet, right now, if he is thinking about me, he is probably thinking about how to kill me or something."

Aries shook her head, convincing herself she shouldn't dwell on the good things. If the good things blind her, she wouldn't see and think clearly. Being negative was better for her since it forced her to be even more cautious.

"What sort of replacement does he want...?" she whispered, enjoying the silence and peace while bathing. Enjoying a time alone without Abel bothering her.

******

"Your Majesty, you seemed to be in a good mood."

Conan gazed at Abel's side profile while the latter was humming while they waltzed through the hallway. The latter was tilting his head sideways along with the soft hum, casting Conan a side-eye as he smirk. 

"I had a good day with my darling," came out a light tone, gazing ahead at the barely lit hallway. "So, of course, I am in a good mood. It is such a shame I can't join her bath."

"Your Majesty, do you really like Lady Aries?" 

"Of course, Conan." Abel snorted at the stupid question. "She wouldn't last this long if she isn't likable, don't you think? You personally like my pet as well. I think Dexter finds her interesting, too."

"But... don't you want her to stay?" 

This time, Abel's step gradually came to a halt. The space between his brows wrinkled, arching them as he cocked his head in Conan's direction. Meanwhile, Conan already stopped before the former did. 

Conan bore an incomprehensible emotion in his eyes. "Your Majesty, if you like Lady Aries, why are you giving her a reason not to stay in the empire?"

"Conan, slow-witted as I am, but I believe I am doing the opposite."

"Why would you give her your word that you will let her go if she found a replacement?"

"To make her happy! It's not like there will be another Aries in this world." Abel smirked devilishly, shrugging with an air of nonchalance before he resumed in his strides.

Conan didn't immediately follow as he stared at the emperor's broad back. 

"Even if that is the case, doesn't His Majesty plans to accept whoever she presents to you? It doesn't matter if the replacement looks like her or acts like her. You already planned to accept whoever it is." Abel stopped in Conan's remarks but didn't turn around. "Your Majesty, don't you still trust humans? Lady Aries is clever and wise. She isn't like any other humans who..."

Conan trailed off when Abel's eyes glinted. That was his cue to shut his mouth; he was overstepping again. 

"Conan, that is the point." Abel's tone was cold and indifferent, studying the dejected expression plastered on Conan's face. "Aries... is the only person in this world who dances well with my demons. Even so, are you saying she will accept me with all her heart? How cute of you."

He shook his head while he chuckled. When he raised his head once again, a shallow breath slipped past his lips before he resumed in his strides.

"I like her to an extent that I am willing to let her go." Abel waved without looking back. "Until then, I'll have my fun with her. Don't spoil it."

As Abel strutted through the empty hallway, Conan stayed on his spot. All he could do was stare at Abel's back, sighing many times. 

'You say all that when you also wish deep in your heart that she will choose you. How can she do that if you keep scaring her away?' He sighed for the umpteenth time. 'What a hopeless emperor. Should I help him? Maybe, if I sell her to Lady Aries, she will eventually take the bite?'

Conan rubbed his chin, pacing back and forth in the hallway. The side of his lips curled up into a grin as his eyes lit up with determination, gazing in the direction Abel vanished to. 

"Alright, Conan. You will play cupid from now on — ah!" he jumped when someone patted his shoulder, gazing over it only to see Dexter standing behind him. "De — Dexter?"

"Sir Conan, you are still as cute as ever. What do you mean play cupid?" Dexter smiled kindly, squeezing Conan's shoulder lightly. 

"What are you doing here?" 

"Visiting Lady Aries." 

Conan frowned, wriggling his shoulder to get his hand off of him. "Marquess Vandran, I know you are not on good terms with His Majesty. But are you really trying to piss him off by speaking nonsense?" 

"My. Sir Conan, you can't take jokes now, too?" Dexter chuckled, holding his hand behind him. "Please. I don't plan to harm Lady Aries because I like her for some obvious reason."

"I'm telling you, I am watching you." Conan clicked his tongue while glaring at the marquess. "Don't even think of corrupting Lady Aries."

"You can't corrupt someone who is already corrupted in the first place." Dexter laughed, waving as he walked ahead. "Anyway, you don't have to look at me like that, Lord Isaiah. You're scaring me." 

Dexter cocked his head back, eyes on the figure at the end of the hallway. A smirk appeared on his face before he continued to walk away. Conan, on the other hand, turned his head on the opposite side Dexter was walking to. 

He clicked his tongue at the sight of Isaiah. "Duke, don't you dare meddle with my plans! I'll kill you!" Conan huffed before stomping his feet, following where Dexter left. 

Meanwhile, Isaiah, who received hatred without even speaking, watched them walk away. He blinked ever so slowly, turning his head to the window on his side. 

'What did I do?' he wondered.