The Tyrant's Pet

Aries stood on the balcony of her chambers, eyes in the direction where the forbidden palace was located. The Rose palace and the Forbidden palace were coast-to-coast, very far away from her. 

The thought of Abel's son never left her mind. Not that she minded if he had a son or a dozen. But Aries was concerned about the child's welfare. This news wouldn't bother her so much if this prince's dwelling was just as good as the Rose palace. Even half as good as the said place. 

But it wasn't. 

It was desolated, abandoned, and eerie. Sadly, this was something she shouldn't touch. The child was not her son. It was unfortunate that his father was a crazy tyrant. 

A shallow breath slipped past her lips. "In this night... I wonder if he is alright?" she wondered, sighing for the umpteenth time. 

Perhaps it was because the prince was around the same age as her little sister, Alaric, that she was bothered. It reminded her that Alaric disliked the dark. She remembered how many times Alaric came into her room, wanting to sleep together because she was always afraid of having nightmares. 

Even though Alaric had her own chambers, she often snuck out in the middle of the night to sleep in Aries's room. So she couldn't help but worry about the young prince. Although he was a boy, he was still a child. 

Was there anyone who was there to hold the prince's hands? Aside from ghost? Was he given enough warmth? Obviously, Aries wasn't expecting Abel to act as a proper father. But still... his affection would greatly affect his son. 

If a child was neglected, the servants would also neglect the child. That was the fate of nobles and children in the royal family. The life they would live was determined by their parent's affection.

The reason Aries's father loved his children equally. She came from a warm family with loving parents. But it was no news for her to know these kinds of things since she was often involved in the matters of the kingdom and was active in the high society.

"I never truly thanked Father for..."

"Boo!" Aries jumped in surprise when Abel whispered in her ear, looking back at him with wide eyes. "Wow, darling. Are you scared of ghosts?" 

Abel took a step back, walking beside her and then hopping on the railings. He sat down on the railing casually, feet inside the terrace. He planted his palm on his rear, tilting his head to the side.

"You never truly thanked Father for?" he repeated her words, blinking innocently since she stopped when he gave her a jump scare. 

Aries let out a deep exhale, staring at the man who nearly gave her a heart attack. "For loving his children equally."

"Oh..." he rocked his head languidly. "Was he kind?" 

"Very much." She leaned her arms against the railing, casting Abel, who was sitting on it, a look. "Father is the kindest person I met with a heart of gold. Sometimes, I wished he was a little selfish."

"Because if he is, Rikhill will not get ruined?" he guessed with an insensitive tone. At this point, she was already used to his insensitive remarks, since they were the truth. So she nodded, closed-lipped. 

"He always tells us that before being a king, he is our father. A father who would do anything to protect his children," she shared; something she never shared to anyone after the ruin of her homeland. She looked ahead, inhaling the night breeze that was blowing past her. 

"Maybe because of that, we were all raised stubborn. Unlike most royal families, we had too much freedom. We were given equal education with the crown prince. Endless opportunities await us, and we're free to pursue anything." She smiled, eyes softening as she recalled those times in the past. "It doesn't matter if we want to become a knight, a musician, or become a scholar. For as long as we can and proved we can, we're allowed to be whoever we want. There is no special treatment for us as well."

"Huh... lucky."

She smiled and cast him a quick look. "We were lucky, indeed."

"So, what kind of career were you trying to pursue?" he asked out of plain curiosity, staring at her side profile. The side of her lips curled up into a smile, glancing at him one more time. 

"The throne." Abel's brows elevated as she peeled her eyes away from him. "The crown prince, my big brother, is too kind. I'm not saying he isn't capable, but actually, he is not that ambitious. He is like Father."

"But you are?" 

Aries shrugged as she grinned. "You can say I was once ambitious. Before Rikhill had fallen victim to the hands of the Maganti Empire, I was granted permission to fight my older brother. We didn't hate each other, though. If I won, that means I was more capable. But if I lose, then I wasn't as good as I thought I was."

"You sound like a willful young lady. I like it." He grinned, enjoying this free storytelling of the old Aries with her own initiative. "Did you win before that tragic series of misfortune?" 

She pressed her lips into a thin line and shifted her attention to him. "Guess."

"Mhmm..." He scratched his chin, narrowing his eyes while studying her expression. Aries hid any traces that could hint him of the answer. So he simply had to trust his instincts. 

The side of his lips curled up, crossing his arms. "Now that makes more sense." 

"What made more sense?" she inquired, tilting her head to the side.

"My darling, my dearest sweet bully, isn't that the reason the entire nation fought for you?" he cocked his head to the side, speaking in a knowing tone while flashing her a proud grin. "It just didn't make sense when Rikhill was ruined just because a princess refused a marriage proposal. There should be a deeper reason than that, am I correct, my crown princess?" 

She bit her lower lip, peeling her eyes away from him. Yet, he giggled at her reaction. She neither confirm or denied it, but it was already obvious.

"You made me proud." He poked her cheek with his index. "So amazing."

Aries frowned as he kept his finger on her cheek, casting him a look. She couldn't get mad at him as soon as she saw the pride in his eyes as if he was so proud of her. 

"Of course, I am amazing." She cleared her throat, looking away.. However, even if she hid it, Abel still noticed how the tip of her ear was painted in red.