The Tyrant's Pet

"I wonder if Violet already arrived?" Aries murmured, still sitting on Abel's lap while playing with the tip of his green hair near his nape. She frowned when her eyes met Abel's.

"Don't look at me like that. Where Violet stayed is closer to where we came from. So, it'll take us more travel time than her." She clicked her tongue in annoyance. "I think they left — my brother and Sir Conan. Will you carry me again tonight? Or should we rent an inn to... you know, spend some time with just the two of us?"

His lips curled up, pulling her waist closer against his body. "Should we?"

"I can barely count the times we stopped during this entire journey and we're already in Haimirich." She frowned, a little anxious about getting separated from him. Aries wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head until her nose touched the side of his neck.

"How dare he propose for me to stay in his home when I'm already married?" she grumbled, planning to nag Dexter as soon as she stepped foot in the Vandran residence. "I'm not a child."

"If you are angry, then stay in the Rose Palace." His smile stretched broader while casually caressing her back. "He won't listen to me and fight me to death, especially since he sees you as his real sister. But if you asked him, he will bend."

Her eyes lowered as they softened. "No, it's fine."

"Darling, I'm trying to sound an understanding husband whilst wishing you fight for your spouse."

Aries chuckled at his response, but she had seen that coming. Abel wasn't that noble.

"But I like it," she confessed softly while rubbing the fabric of his clothes in between her thumb and index. "Having a brother... one way or another, we both longed for our siblings. It feels nice to have someone who annoys you to death, but at the same time, cares for you even if it means he'd be in trouble."

"Ohh..."

Aries raised her brows as she pushed herself away to look at him. "What's with that tone and look?"

"Nothing, darling. I just can't relate." He shrugged, reminding her he didn't have that sort of relationship with his siblings.

"Right..." she cleared her throat. "Don't you want to see your sisters, Abel?"

"Mhm... no."

"Why? You don't seem to hate them."

"I don't hate them, and I don't like them."

"Just what sort of familial relationship is that?" she mumbled. "It'll be nice to meet my husband's family, you know?"

"Well, my darling potato, it will be if they are normal." He smiled, raising his brows briefly.

"It's not like you are that normal."

"Darling, you are hurting my fragile heart. If you meet my sisters, you'll see me in a different light! They're all crazy and you'll deem me as the most normal one," he intoned with confidence, making her narrow her eyes. "I'm not lying. If you think I am crazy? Then wait until you see one of them."

"As if you'd take me to one of them." Aries clicked her tongue, only to arch a brow when she noticed the smirk on his lips. "What? You'll take me to meet them? You said one of your sisters is still back home. Will you take me to where Abel was birthed?"

"No, darling." Her excited smile was immediately replaced with a frown and then furrowed her brows at his next remarks. "I don't need to take you to them to meet them."

"What do you mean by that?"

"What I mean is..." Abel trailed off as he glanced at the window and smirked. "... I am the reliable and rich big brother. When the family is having a crisis, they would surely turn to the rich big brother for help."

Aries rocked her head in understanding before her eyes popped open. "They're coming to visit you?"

"I wish Mathilda will. That girl needs some sunlight. She's always been so tardy," he remarked while Aries studied the luster in his eyes and her heart warmed up.

"You sound like a big brother. That's new." She grinned, watching him set his eyes back to her. "It seems like I had fallen in love again."

"Hah..." Abel raised his brows at this sudden discovery. "Darling, should I adopt people as my brothers and sisters?"

"What?"

"It didn't cross me until now, but it seemed your preference is a family-oriented man."

"Tss. Of course. Who would want a man who isn't grateful to their family? Just how will a man treat me if he can't even have an ounce of respect for his parents, even if there's a reason for it?" Aries argued in a matter-of-fact tone, and then hurriedly added when his lips parted. "Of course, this is also a very subjective topic, and it varies in the situation."

"Are you perhaps reading my mind?" Abel gasped in disbelief as he was about to disagree with her.

"No, but I already know how what you will say." She shrugged. "I won't let you twist my words for your own benefit."

"My... I'm speechless."

"You should be." Her lips stretched from ear to ear while Abel simply stared at her bright smile.

The more he stared at her, the more this warmth in his heart seeped deep into his bones. Abel raised a hand and gently tucked a portion of her hair behind her ear.

"You're smiling more now, darling," his voice was low with a tinge of relief. "So this is Aries."

"Hmm?"

Abel snapped his eyes and locked his eyes with hers. "You're beautiful."

"Of course I am." She bit her lip to stop herself from grinning, pinching his chest mildly.

The two of them shared a moment of silence and then chuckled for no reason. They felt at peace now and content with life. Although in the back of their heads, things could change in a blink of an eye. But it didn't deter them from enjoying the moment. If a problem rose tomorrow, then they would worry about it tomorrow; they would rather enjoy each other now since they were living in the present.

After some time, Abel finally spoke.

"Darling, I don't think you'd meet my sister — the one I mentioned just now — yet. However, if you meet my other sisters... especially with the named Marsella, run to me as fast as possible." Aries furrowed her brows while studying the solemnity in his eyes.