The Tyrant's Pet

Aries's breath hitched at the cold metal against her throat while Roman's entire body froze. But unlike her pair of cold eyes, his swollen one dilated as he gazed up at the person standing in front of them.

"This could've happened with your recklessness," said the man in a cloak, retracting the sword from Aries's throat.

"It won't." She smiled, watching the man put his hood down. "Brother."

"Brother?" Roman furrowed his brows as he studied the man standing before them. Golden hair and a pair of olive eyes, something that was almost the same as the crown princess, but not really. The two didn't look alike — not even the slightest.

Dexter glanced at Roman and then at Aries. "You carried him all on your own?"

"Do you see anyone else here?" she replied sarcastically, making Dexter exhale deeply.

"Attitude. Dani, we'll talk later," Dexter remarked. "I'll carry him from here."

"Thank you."

With that being said, Dexter held Roman's other arm and put it over his shoulder. Holding the seventh prince's hip, Dexter used his strength to lift him like a sack of wheat to his shoulder. Seeing this, Aries raised a brow in amusement.

"You're strong." She pointed out, only to receive an indifferent side-eye from him. Aries shrugged and raised her hand.

"I'm just admiring you."

"You'll still need a good scolding. For now, we need to move because the place is still surrounded by knights." Dexter jumped slightly to fix Roman on his shoulder. The latter grunted in pain, but Dexter ignored him.

"Follow me. This way."

Aries glanced at him and followed him discreetly, avoiding getting caught by the knights. Time was their enemy. The only reason Aries was able to sneak inside was that the guards were changing. If Dexter didn't appear, she would have to sully her hands and their chances would surely decrease in half.

Taking advantage of the darkness and with Dexter's knowledge of his training as a recruit knight, he knew which place to take and shouldn't. Dexter brought Roman and Aries to the only place where no one would check.

The ruined castle that was burned down several days ago.

Since the incident, no one had approached it just yet. Who would come close to this place and risk themselves getting smashed by the debris as the top floor was demolished?

The ground floor was a disaster, filled with dark coal from the fire and debris that fell. It was a dangerous place to be in, as at any moment, it could blast. Still, just as it was dangerous, it was also the safest place in the eyes of the knights and the crown prince. Not to mention, it was near the Sapphire Palace, Aries's dwelling.

It didn't take long when they reached a room. To Aries's surprise, this room, although dusty and dirty, had a clean bed, a table, and a chair, as if someone simply placed all these things after the fire and was now occupying it.

Dexter tossed Roman on the bed, inducing grunts from the latter. But the soft mattress the seventh prince landed on was far better than the hay straws in his cell. Meanwhile, Aries stood across Dexter's spot beside the bed.

She glanced at the marquess before her eyes fell on Roman.

"He will die if he wasn't treated immediately," she mumbled. "I'll fetch some medicine and cloth to clean his wounds —"

"No need." Her brows rose, watching Dexter squat down, and reached for something under the bed. "I had everything you need here."

When Dexter rose to his feet, he was holding a small crate full of medicines and cloth. He looked Aries straight in the eye with a dull expression.

"Have you been injured since you arrived here?" she blurted out because Dexter was surely prepared to have all these in this room. "Also, since when did you start staying in this place?"

"Since I got in here," Dexter placed the crate at the end of the bed. When he straightened his back and faced her, he shrugged. "I'll fetch some water while you stay in here."

Aries pursed her lips and said nothing, but Dexter pointed at her upon halting from his tracks to look back at her.

"Don't go anywhere," he warned. "And don't give me that look."

"I didn't even say anything." She scrunched her nose up, feeling wronged by his judgmental gaze.

"Your eyes are enough to tell me everything. Wait for me in here."

"Make it quick."

"Don't order me. I'm angry."

Aries frowned, watching Dexter leave the room that had no door anymore from the fire. A shallow breath slipped past her lips before gazing at Roman. The seventh prince was still grunting, writhing in pain on the bed. Blood continued to ooze from his body.

"He really knows how to hurt someone without killing them." She shook her head and walked around the bed to where Dexter stood previously. Dragging the crate full of medicine and ointment and fabrics near her, Aries sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I don't even know where to start," came out a muffled complaint, staring at Roman's body and clothes that were damped with blood. He had already painted the white sheet red.

"Whatever."

Aries took out the dagger that was slipped in her boots, using it to rip Roman's clothes.

"Stay still," she instructed, pulling his shoulder until he was lying flat on his back. "You have to endure the pain, alright?"

Without a second hesitation, Aries held the hem of his shirt's neckline and ripped it down. As soon as she did, she gulped a mouthful of saliva, which she heard resonating in her ear. Despite the blood covering his skin, she could see deep wounds and burned parts from the branding iron. Parts of his chest were peeled off, showing what was underneath it.

It was a grotesque sight to behold, and not everyone could keep their composure and not throw up.

"Damn…" she breathed out, reaching for the crate to find any medicinal liquid to sanitize his wounds. She grabbed a piece of clean cloth and a bottle in her other hand. But just as she was about to pour it on his wounded chest, Roman grabbed her wrist, eyes on her.

"Violet…" his breathing was heavier, grinding his teeth, clutching her wrist tighter. "… leave me. Save Princess Violet… please. Don't let the crown prince get her — she deserves more in life."

His eye teared up while his grip trembled, scared, not for his life but for someone else's life. Aries pressed her lips, holding his gaze while tears rolled down his temple. But her response made his heart sink.

"I can't. It's too late for me to do that."