The Tyrant's Pet

Aries was questioned by the guards when she departed the sitting room, but who would stop the crown princess? She just wanted to take a stroll in the garden, so no one could stop her with that excuse. It could cost them their lives, after all.

'How amusing.' She took a deep breath, standing in the middle of the garden with her eyes closed. 'No matter how deep I draw a breath, I feel a little breathless.'

She opened her eyes ever so slowly, smiling beautifully, as if her mind was filled with flowers and goodness. With her hands interlaced behind her, she trod carefully in the gravel path, looking around at the flowers around. The garden in the inner palace was twice as large as the one in the Sapphire Palace.

'It's a good place to meet people in secret.' Aries looked around discreetly before walking past an arc leisurely. She knew she would meet someone in here. Although she didn't intend to go deeper into the garden, she knew if she walked further along this path, it would lead her to a small pavilion and abundant flowers.

Until now, she didn't understand the purpose of keeping all those flowers deep in the garden. But well, it was probably because it was a good excuse: to admire the flowers in a place away from the people's scope.

Soon, Aries smiled when she sighted a shade when the flowers on either side of the path grew abundant. Her eyes softened, treading carefully, looking around at the mini mandala garden that was within the huge mandala garden pattern of the inner palace.

There was a small fountain in the middle of the circle, a small pavilion on the side, and a few benches. It was a perfect place for a stroll or to enjoy an afternoon tea, but obviously, it wasn't used for its purpose. The people in the inner palace were too busy to stop and take a deep breath and appreciate the little things around them.

"Sister?" Just as Aries entered the circle, she heard a cocky voice of a man from the east, making her raise her head at him. "Well, what a good day to see you out here, Crown Princess. Greetings."

She smiled.

Ismael Imperial, the third prince, second in line to the throne, and Joaquin's strongest opponent. Traditionally, if something happened to Joaquin and he didn't have an heir, Ismael had a right to claim the throne. It was a complicated matter which Aries didn't care about because there was no need to involve herself in the battle between a stool.

Not anymore. Never again.

She would rather watch on the sidelines while they fight for something, even if they sell their souls to the devil. That was if their soul still had value.

"Greeting." Aries didn't curtsy, knowing she was in a position she didn't have to. Still, she tilted her head down slightly, keeping her chin up, looking at him eye to eye.

"It is good to see you here, Your Highness," she expressed with a kind smile, tilting her head when Ismael tilted his head slightly. "Is there something wrong, Your Highness? Staring for too long can be considered rude."

"Apologies. It's just… you really look like someone."

"Look like someone…" Aries crooned as she rocked her head mildly. "I've been hearing that, even at my wedding. I must admit, although it irks me, I am also curious just how much I resemble a mere slave?"

She fluttered her eyelashes, raising her brows while gazing at Ismael. The latter shrugged as he walked closer until he was at arm's length.

"May I?" he smiled amicably, making her brows raise even more when he bent over with his hands on his hips. Aries furrowed her brows, leaning back slightly while he bobbed his face to inspect her.

"Hmmm... just a bit," he said and grinned, drawing back slightly. "Up close, you're more beautiful and smell very attractive."

"I appreciate the flattery, but my husband might not." She tipped her head, arching a brow while smirking playfully.

Ismael laughed while shrugging, peeling his eyes away from her. Maybe it was because he saw Aries back then when she was already in an awful shape, that was why he thought they didn't look that much alike up close. But then again, he didn't care if she was the same person or not. His enemy's enemy was his friend.

"So, may I know why the crown princess is alone in the garden?" he asked, casting her a quick look.

"I thought the garden was beautiful." Aries offered him a quick side-eye. "I'm the type who doesn't enjoy admiring something from afar. I'd rather go to it and see why it looked so good from a distance."

He smiled and quirk a brow in amusement. "Well, that's interesting. Would you mind if I keep you company for a while?"

"Hmm…" Aries looked around before she took a little step forward. When she took three steps, she glanced back at him. "Suit yourself."

"The crown prince is one lucky man," he murmured, looking at the peerless beauty walking ahead of him. He smacked his lips and smiled, following Aries until he was walking side by side with her.

When they reach the small pavilion, Ismael jogged and dragged a chair for her.

"I'm a gentleman and I'm trying to earn points to be on your good side." He winked, smiling charmingly at her, which made her chuckle.

"I wonder how many ladies had fallen for such a charming prince?" she humored as she sat down while he stood behind the chair. Ismael slightly wrinkled his brows when he got a whiff of her perfume.

What a uniquely pleasant scent, he thought, but didn't think much about it as he walk over to the chair across from the small round table.

"Not much is the answer to that question." Ismael kept his grin as he leaned back leisurely. "I am not as charming as the crown prince, after all."

"Huh…" Aries rocked her head and scrutinized his face without hiding it from him. "You're right."

"Ouch."

She laughed when he dramatically planted his palm across his chest. "I'm jesting."

"Crown princess, the damage had already been done. Will you take responsibility for my wounded heart?"

"I am the crown prince's wife. The only heart I am ought to take responsibility for is the crown prince's."

"If I am the crown prince, will you take responsibility of mine then?" he quirked a brow, but Aries's expression slightly changed.

"Your Highness, careful," Aries warned while bearing a subtle smile. "There's no telling that I am not your enemy. What you're saying might put you in trouble."

Ismael leaned forward, his arm propped against the edge of the table. "That's scary, but I have a keen nose, you know?" he poked the right side of his nose and smirked.

"I can smell the people who have the same enemy as I do. You may or may not be the slave everyone is talking about, but I don't really care." His lips stretched wider as he propped his jaw with the bottom of his fist, eyes on her. "If things get hard on your side, you can always come to me. Don't worry, I am quite different from what I look."

"It's just so happened that I was born with a little less luck and a year later," he added in the same knowing tone, winking at her. "I think we'll get along well, sister."

This… was the reason Aries went to this place. She wanted to meet Ismael, not to seduce him, but to… leave an impression on each other. Different people, different approaches, and Aries was certain she left the correct impression on this poor third prince.