The Tyrant's Pet

<strong>"A female ruler will lead a nation to ruin."  </strong>

Those words she overheard years ago hovered over her head. Davien put his trust in her and believed otherwise. However, with everything that happened to the kingdom of green, she failed Davien. Not just the crown prince, but everyone. Or rather… it was not her who failed them. It was this man, Joaquin, who made sure she would fail.

In the past, she would blame herself. But after spending months in Haimirich, Aries's mindset slowly changed somehow. Although she still took responsibility for the ruin of Rikhill, Aries was also aware this won't happen if the greedy Maganti Empire didn't betray them.

"You…"

Aries breathed heavily as she gazed down. Joaquin was still sleeping soundlessly on her lap, dreaming about the two of them. She thought once he was lost in a dream, she would get enough rest. But alas, she couldn't. The nightmares and the memories she tried to tuck away in a place she wouldn't touch kept resurfacing in her head.

Her trembling hand wrapped around the crown prince's neck, bloodshot eyes shaking in anger. She told herself multiple times she would return the pain a hundredfold, but there was this strong part of her that was whispering in her ear to strangle him now.

<strong>Kill him…</strong> was the words repeating in her head like a broken record.

'I'll kill you… kill you…' Aries ground her teeth as she tightened her grip around his neck. "I'll kill you…"

Joaquin's face crumpled as he weakly moved his head. But Aries… who was the one strangling him, felt as though she was the one who was being suffocated. In the end, her grip loosened, and she panted for air while a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Hah…" her hand clamped down onto the armrest, her other hand clutching her chest while she gritted her teeth.

It hurts.

<strong>The pain…</strong> the pain she thought she had already come to terms with and had moved on even the slightest came back, like all the months she spent healing didn't succeed at all. The beat of her heart was painful as if her heart wanted to break through her ribcage.

The Maganti Empire… this same imperial palace… this man… were the ones who attempted to extinguish her light. But at the same time, they were also the reasons why her heart was burning.

With Aries gritting her teeth, she gazed down at the man she spoke her marriage vows to. Before coming into this place, Aries knew she was determined to ruin them. But only now… that determination completely sank in.

"I will kill you," she whispered as she bent over. "Joaquin, I'll let you have a taste of your own medicine. I promise."

Everything Joaquin did… getting her trust, befriending her, making her believe he had faith in her, he better guard his heart. Aries would take him bit by bit until he could no longer breathe without her. It might sound impossible now with how cunning of man Joaquin was, but she would stop at nothing.

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

Morning came and Joaquin grunted before he could open his eyes, stretching his arms and toes. The morning hymn of the birds caressed his ears and the faint ray of the morning sun hit his face, causing him to shield his eyes before opening one. Out of instinct, he turned his head on the side of the bed, smirking seeing his wife's back.

Joaquin didn't feel the need to embrace her as he gazed back at the ceiling. Last night was 'great.' Although Aries, whom he knew as Daniella Circe, was someone who regarded herself as superior. But last night, underneath him, blushing bashfully, embarrassed at her lack of experience in bed, was truly a sight to behold.

He shot her back a side-eye before he pushed himself to sit up, revealing his muscular bare top. Running his fingers through his hair, he flung his legs out of the bed and sat on the edge whilst stretching his neck.

'It's been a while since I was this exhausted,' he thought, massaging his shoulder with eyes closed. As he did, the memory of last night and how he claimed her 'first,' resurfaced on his head. He smiled at the thought. His wife was very different on the bed and how her taunting sharp eyes looked at him with conflict was enough to make him hard.

Should he have a good time before leaving? He wondered, glancing back at her.

The side of his lips curled up before he crawled back to her side. He didn't see any reason why he would not? He wanted to see her in the morning, too. She was his wife, so shouldn't he have fun with her to his heart's content until he had enough?

"Mhm…" her grunt, which sounded like a moan, caressed his ears while he traced her shoulder blade with the apex of his nose.

"Morning, Gorgeous," came out a rasped voice as he planted kisses on the side of her neck. His hand rested on her hip, squeezing it lightly.

"… quin," she whispered weakly, looking over her shoulder.

"Mhm?" he crooned, drawing his head back to look at her.

"My body is aching," came out a muffled voice, turning around to face him with a frown. Seeing the displeasure plastered on her adorable morning face that was hidden behind her usual stony countenance made him smile.

"Is it?" he inquired playfully, caressing her jaw with the back of his hand.

Aries rolled her eyes. "Stop acting you're innocent. You know why I can barely move."

"Pfft—! Oh, you poor, sweet thing." He laughed. "Were you angry? But I don't think you were last night."

His playful eyes glinted, seeing her blush a bit while averting her eyes upon the mention of last night's event. There was just something that aroused him seeing a different side of this fierce woman. If only Joaquin knew that what 'happened' last night didn't actually happen, he wouldn't be humoring her but stabbing her until there was no space for the knife on her body anymore.

"Stop it." She clicked her tongue, pulling up the quilt to cover half of her lower face, glaring at him.

"Haha! Alright, it's my fault." He laughed while rocking his head, taking the blame as he knew he was too excited last night. He saw her roll her eyes before he breathed out. "You should rest for today. There's nothing much to do today, anyway. I'll ask them to bring you something to help you with the pain."

Joaquin smiled gently and gave her a reassuring look. His eyes scrutinized hers. With her covering her face like this, it felt like 'that' Aries was the one staring back at him adorably.

Did he feel satisfied because she truly resembled that woman? Or was it because of the simple fact his wife had her own allure? Maybe a little bit of both. Either way, he didn't feel the shred of dread. In fact, he was thrilled.

"I'll visit you later," he promised before assisting himself out of the bed.

Aries watched him pick up the robe on the floor and wrapped himself up. He gave her one playful look before walking out of the bed.

As soon as the door closed, Joaquin smirk's grew sinister as his eyes glinted menacingly. At the same time, Aries's eyes also bore malice and contempt while staring at the door.

<strong>'This will be fun,' </strong>crossed both their head at the same time.