The Tyrant's Pet

Inez's temper grew worse every time she would have her 'play date' with Aries. Drowning her was the mildest punishment she had for her. Getting pricked by needles, having to crawl butt-naked like a dog with a rope around her neck, and lashes were all the mildest cases. All because Aries spoke the unneeded truth.

If Joaquin tried to kill her spirit so Aries would submit, Inez, on the other hand, pushed her to rock bottom. Inez made sure Aries would never see any value in herself ever again.

Their only difference was that Inez... was already on the edge — she had been standing on the edge, waiting for that one light push.

And Aries would happily do the honors.

"For you." Aries slid the white rose towards the woman sitting across from her in the pavilion in the crown prince's garden. "A token of appreciation for accepting my whims."

Inez glanced down at the white rose before raising her eyes back. When she locked eyes with Aries, the side of her lips curled up amicably.

"It is my honor, Your Highness." She was keen to read the air and quick to realize the kind of person sitting across from her. As expected from a princess who wasn't simply pampered, but also capable of gaining a bit of influence in the empire.

Aries smiled back as she cut another stem, which she placed over her ear. As she did so, she shot Inez a look and spoke.

"I think the white rose will suit your auburn hair, ninth sister," she tipped her head towards the white rose in front of Inez. "I hope someday I'd see you wearing one."

Inez just smiled and observed Aries under the facade of accompanying her. It was completely different from what she imagined this visit would turn out. Aries completely had full control of the turn of events.

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

The sound of shattered porcelain resonated in the ninth princess' chambers, along with her angry shouts. The servants, who were standing by the corner of the room, flinched each time Inez lob anything she could grab.

As soon as the ninth princess returned from her visit to the crown princess, pieces of furniture and broken porcelains loitered her quarters as Inez threw a huge fit.

"There's no doubt!" she panted while standing in the middle of the disaster around her. "It's obvious, it's her!"

Her eyes glinted as her pupils constricted, recalling how Aries coquettishly flutter her eyelashes. Her simple yet alluring smile, her soothing voice, how the muscle in her neck flexed every time she stretched it. It was obvious Aries was teasing her by seducing her!

"That wretched woman..." came out a shaking voice, releasing everything she held in front of Aries, grinding her teeth. "Hah...! right! I'll make her regret coming back to play."

Inez laughed and laughed until she hunched in, holding her stomach. The servants, who were witnessing her, kept their heads low while glancing at each other. The last thing they wanted right now was catching Inez's attention, afraid of what kind of punishment awaited them.

When Inez recovered, she drew a breath and huffed, glancing at the white rose on the floor. The side of her lips curled up, marching towards it, only to crush it with her foot. Her eyes were cold and dull, sharpening them as she raised her chin.

"I'll play along with her." She licked her lips, thinking of Aries. "You survived once... you shouldn't have gone back."

She smirked before glancing at the servants. "Ran me a bath and scrub this stench of lavender off of me!"

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

"I've seen many eyes."

"My lady?"

Gertrude turned around after placing the vase on top of the stand in the corner. Her eyes searched for Aries, catching her sitting on the chair, jaw propped against the bottom of her palm, her other hand playing with the petal arranged in the vase placed in front of her.

"It's not a good thing per se," Aries continued, lips curling up into a smirk, eyes on the flower arrangement. "But the advantage of my past is that... I've seen their eyes."

Her eyes softened, recalling all sorts of eyes hovered over her. "The thrill of crossing the line, dominance, and everything. Their eyes never lie, and only a few can control them from exposing their heart and soul. Others conceal it with hatred and violence."

Gertrude could only stare at Aries as she spoke about vague things she could barely understand. But she bowed and listened while lighting up the scented candles even though it was too early for bedtime.

'Only Abel... his eyes were different,' Aries thought, comparing how his eyes glint and darken every time he looked at her. His eyes always told her he wanted to understand — his heart or her heart? She was uncertain. But Abel had been her standard in judging people.

Not that Aries couldn't judge and study people in the past. She just enjoyed comparing in her head.

The side of her lips curled up. "She's probably throwing a huge fit right now," she whispered, knowing Inez's explosive personality. Lobbing small objects sound just like Inez.

"My lady, will you be alright?" Aries quirked a brow when Gertrude spoke while lighting up a candle in the corner stand.

Aries waited until Gertrude turned around to reveal the worry in her eyes. She smiled and chuckled, tilting her head playfully.

"Guess," she teased, making her personal maid frown.

"My lady."

"Of course, Gertrude." Aries laughed as she carefully leaned back, caressing the armrest, twisting her neck towards the window. "Have you forgotten how I spent the previous months burning the candle at both ends with Sir Conan? That guy... became the emperor's legal advisor for a reason, even if he shamelessly claims his innocence. He's more reliable than His Majesty."

The thought of the whiny Conan brought a genuine smile and gentleness to Aries's eyes. It didn't hit her until she started working with Conan how capable and scary the latter truly was.

Aries witnessed Abel and Isaiah discussed conquering lands and wars. But not Conan. Even during gatherings to discuss the state of affairs, Conan would usually jot things down and sass while trying to make his point across. Not to mention, Conan was usually buried with a mountain of paperwork thanks to the dutiful emperor, who always acted he became an emperor for fun.

So, it was truly a surprise that Conan could come up with a meticulous yet risky strategy. With Aries's knowledge, she garnered in this place during her hellish stay; she was certain her hard work would soon come to fruition.

"Soon... they will all seek the scent of lavender." Aries glanced at Gertrude, who lit up the last scented candle — she didn't light up all of them as she simply wanted to make the room be filled with the faint scent of lavender.

"Like a plague." — because everyone who came in contact with her would spread her scent. No one was safe if the virus (Aries) was airborne.