The Tyrant's Pet

"Greetings to the crown princess."

Inez curtsied politely after seeing Aries retrieve her hand from Curtis's head. When Aries told her to rise, she straightened her back and watched Aries saunter towards the small table inside this huge tent.

She gazed at Curtis for a moment. She heard about Curtis now under the crown princess' wing, but for her, he was nothing but a dog who was lucky to find a good owner. Therefore, she ignored him.

"Take a seat, Inez." Aries motioned her hand while dragging the chair before she sat down. "Gertrude, my servant, wasn't here to serve us tea. So, it might take time before I can serve you some tea."

"It's alright, Your Royal Highness. I simply came to wish you luck since this is your first hunting season." Inez offered a smile, clutching her skirt under the table as she sat down across from Aries. Her eyes lingered on the crown princess's jaw and then her slender neck.

'She's beautiful even when she wears a man's clothes,' she thought and when she realized it, Inez mentally shook her head. 'What are you thinking, Inez?'

"Thank you, Inez." Aries smiled in appreciation. "I'm a little nervous since I might not hunt down at least a boar and become a laughingstock."

"How can that be? I heard you were an excellent archer in Haimirich. Everyone is looking forward to your performance."

"How pressuring." She laughed, but show confidence in her aura. "I haven't held a bow and arrow ever since I got married, so I might find it difficult."

Inez raised her gaze and saw Aries staring at her hand bitterly. "Was this one of the sacrifices you made for this marriage, Your Royal Highness?" she blurted out before she covered her lips the second realization dawned on her.

"It's alright, Inez." Aries chuckled as she clutched her hand. "You can say it was one of the things I sacrificed, and I never thought I will ever hold a bow and arrow again. That is why I had been looking forward to this day."

She lifted her chin and sported a relieved and excited grin, an expression Inez hadn't seen on the crown princess' face. The latter looked so happy and it was relieving to see her be in high spirits.

"Anyway, I thought you will join? I heard the ninth princess always dominates the hunting season, along with her brothers." Aries changed the subject smoothly with a kind smile.

"I thought of taking a rest this season."

"Why? Was there something wrong?"

"No. It's nothing like that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Inez smiled and secretly let out a deep exhale. "I had been taking part in the hunt and I had been thinking of taking a break this year. I also want to focus on the outdoor banquets."

Aries crawled her hand over the table, raising her brows to hint at her to let her hold her hand. She waited patiently before Inez reluctantly placed her hand over hers.

"Thank you, Inez." She expressed as she curled her hand around Inez's trembling and sweating palms. "If not for you, I wouldn't have the opportunity to join the hunt, since I will be busy throwing outdoor banquets. I really appreciate you."

"It's not…"

"Even if that is not your intention, I will still thank you." Aries squeezed her hand and smiled. "Because of you, I don't get overwhelmed with a lot of things. That's why…"

She laughed and bit her lower lip, letting go of Inez's hand as she slipped her hand inside her blouse. When Aries took out a handkerchief, Inez's eyes dilated when the crown princess placed it atop her palm.

"Your Royal Highness." Her breath hitched as she gazed up with surprise dominating her face.

In the Maganti empire, giving out handkerchiefs was an act of professing their heart while a trinket meant admiration.

"Hah… please don't be surprised." Aries chuckled at the sight of her expression. "I planned to make a trinket and give it to you to express my appreciation for your help until now. But my hands were full and only I can prepare a handkerchief."

"You…"

"Don't look at me like that." Aries smiled awkwardly as if she expected a more positive reaction. "It's not what you think it is."

She cleared her throat and forced to keep a smile, drawing her body back. "I'm sorry if that made you feel uncomfortable," she remarked, avoiding Inez's eyes before she mustered enough courage to face her.

"Anyway, I am still preparing. I — I —" Aries laughed when she couldn't complete her sentence, slapping her thigh before she sprung up to her seat nervously. Her eyes instantly landed on Curtis and she smiled before turning her head to the ninth princess.

"I will be on my way, ninth sister."

Aries sighed helplessly before she dragged her feet towards the entrance in a hurry, biting her lip in distress. But when she was by the entrance, her steps halted as her brows rose.

"Wait, Your Royal Highness!" Inez bit her tongue but shook her head as she stood up and approached her. "My apologies. I was simply surprised since I didn't expect to receive such a kind gesture."

Aries slowly turned around, only to reveal a conflicted expression. Inez smiled as she heaved a deep sigh before taking out a trinket from the sleeve of her dress.

"I actually came to give you this." Inez handed the trinket she made for Aries and smiled subtly, gazing at it as she couldn't look her in the eye. "I had always admired your beauty and elegance, so I want to wish you luck on your first hunt."

It took an entire minute for Inez to raise her head when Aries didn't respond. Her heart instantly swelled with warmth as soon as her eyes caught the appreciation in the crown princess's eyes.

"It's lovely." Aries picked up the trinket from her palm, raising her eyes at her. "Thank you, Inez. It feels like this charm repels all my anxiety."

"Please, put it on me." She nodded encouragingly, watching Inez take a step forward. The latter's hand trembled as she attached the trinket to Aries's waistband, sensing this tension between them that made her heart skip a beat.

When Inez gazed up, Aries was still staring at her. The latter bit her inner lip and balled her hand into a fist to stop herself from holding her. However, when Inez didn't flinch, Aries hesitatingly continued and tucked a portion of the princess' hair behind her ear.

"Lovely." Her eyelids drooped until they were partially closed, jaw falling slightly open, caressing her cheek with her thumb. "Thank you, Inez."

"It's nothing, as long as you keep yourself safe." Inez, for the first time, expressed her heart as she held Aries's wrist. "May you enjoy this season, Your Royal Highness."

"I never thought I would, but now… I'm certain I will," came out a seductive voice, exchanging a smile with the beautiful Inez, who gazed at her with the same desire in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Curtis, who was treated like a piece of furniture, watched how the start of an affair unfurl. He could not help but gaze at Aries and sigh. Inez's back was facing him.

'His Majesty didn't seem to be the type of person who enjoyed sharing under any circumstance. I wonder why he was letting Aime seduce everyone and succeed?'