The Tyrant's Pet

"Oh, Aries~"

Aries jumped as soon as Abel kicked the door open. She slowly raised her pair of cautious eyes to the door, pausing from arranging the books she would take and leave behind the study.

There, by the door, the devious smirk on Abel dominated his face as soon as he met her eyes. He strutted in, raising the documents in his hand while holding a cup in the other.

"My darling, I cannot take you out of my head. So I thought we should study together!" he intoned as if it was something to rejoice about, tossing the documents on the table. Instead of plopping down to the seat across from her usual spot, Abel dragged the chair next to it. And then he sat his butt down.

He looked up at her, eyebrow arching. "What? Are you, perhaps, done with your lesson?"

'Do you see Sir Conan or Marquess Vandran?' she inquired sarcastically in her head but ended up clearing her throat. "Yes. But I have nothing to do. I can finish my homework here."

"Great!"

Aries carefully placed the books on top of the table while she perched on the seat next to him. Abel draped an arm across the backrest of her chair. Meanwhile, Aries busied herself in checking the books and notes to finish her homework here with him.

When she finished arranging the books, leaving one open in front of her, she gazed at her side. Her brows rose, seeing him staring at her in delight.

"Do you want me to read you a book?" she inquired, applying the lesson she learned from Conan. Actually, Abel saved her the trouble because she already planned to see him. Although Conan told her it was dangerous to wander in the emperor's palace, it was not like there was a place in here that didn't scream danger.

He narrowed his eyes, smacking his lips. "Whatever Conan told you, believe him." He grinned from ear to ear.

'Uh... he likes it.' Aries mentally jotted down this trait she could use around him.

"But no, I didn't come for you to read me a book. I'm not illiterate. I told you, I came in here because I can't get you out of my mind!" he caroled while raising his brows briefly, smirking like a devil who had a plan. "But since I don't want Conan to nag me, I didn't want to leave my work behind just to play with you. Good thing I can improvise! Now, I get to work and spend time with you. Aren't I the sweetest?"

Aries pressed her lips, staring into his pair of malicious eyes. Just what sort of idea did he come up with this time? She wondered, knowing that he wouldn't be in high spirits for no reason. Instead of answering, she looked away, but not coldly.

"Heh... it's so hard to make you blush, darling. All the women I encountered, no matter how much they detest me, will blush if I whisper sweet nothings in their ears." He chortled, placing the almost empty cup of tea on the table.

"Should I risk my life and strike you on the cheek?" his brows raised when Aries faced him squarely, pointing at her cheekbone.

"You want to strike me on the cheek? Darling, do you hate me that much you'd risk your life just to slap me?"

Aries pressed her lips, suppressing the giggle that wanted to slip past them. "You said all the women you encountered blush when you whisper sweet nothings in their ear. Then, that means I am the first. I wonder if you will fall for me since I am the first woman to strike you on the cheek." The side of his lips stretched broader, seeing her imitate his sharp eyes and arched brow.

"And then would you say, 'you're the first woman who did it to me, how interesting.'"

"Pfft —!" Abel burst out in laughter, holding his stomach while tapping the surface of the table lightly. "Well, my. Why don't you try? Let's see if I fall for you or you'd gain a ticket to hell?"

Aries raised her hands to her shoulder level. "Apparently, I don't have the courage and I still want to live. My bones will become jelly the second I raise a hand."

"Oh, darling." Abel pinched her cheek lightly, grinning. "You don't make me regret moving my work here."

She puffed her cheeks while letting him pinch her, eyes falling on the almost empty cup. She had noticed this cup earlier. Was he drinking this on his way here?

"Ah." Abel withdrew his hand as he remembered the teacup. "This is the tea I was enjoying a while ago. Since I kept thinking about you, I thought I should share my tea with you."

He reached for the teacup and placed it in front of her. His arm propped against the table, upper body facing her.

"It's bitter but overall good," he urged, wiggling his brows. Aries gazed down at the almost empty cup before she snuck a glance at him. If this act was from another person, it was rude to let others drink what was called leftovers. But this was Abel. And that only meant being rude was the least of her concern.

"Come on, try it." He cocked his head, watching Aries pick up the cup of tea.

She swirled it and glanced at it once again. 'Is it poisoned?' she wondered. 'Even if it is... this amount won't kill me, right? Unless he actually wants me dead now.'

"It's poisoned." She gazed at him when he confessed. "But it won't kill you... I hope."

'My god...' she sent her prayers that second as she sighed. She knew it. He came here for a reason.

"When you said I was occupying your head, did you mean you were too distracted by thinking how to kill me?" she blurted out and his bright grin was enough for an answer. 'Never mind, Aries. This small amount won't kill me.'

Aries let out a faint exhale and unhesitatingly guided the tea to her lips. With closed eyes, she drank the poisoned tea and winced at the strong, bitter taste. She hissed as she put down the cup, facing Abel, who was smiling delicately.

"How lovely," he raised a hand and his fingertips played with her hair. "Ah... you make me want to do all sorts of bad things to you."

"Abel, it's..." she trailed off as her vision suddenly shook, feeling her body fall to the side. Thankfully, he had his hand raised, holding her head as if he had seen it coming.

Before Aries lose her consciousness, she heard him say, "time for the antidote," and then saw him bite his lip until it bled through her blurring vision. The last thing she could remember was Abel leaning forward and the taste of iron in her mouth.