The Tyrant's Pet

Aries's mood for the past five days continuously went downhill. Her somber mood had even spread across the entire Vandran Estate to the point there seemed to be invisible dark clouds over the mansion's roof.

Everyone — the marshalls included — had been walking on thin ice, afraid they would do or say something that could worsen Aries's mood. Thus, the only person who could exchange words with Aries at the moment was Gustav.

"How dare they…" Aries's voice shook, clutching the table of the vanity mirror tightly. The servants shuddered and flinched, keeping their silence. Their eyes fell on Aries's hand and thought if the lady could break the table with brute force, she would've done it already.

"... leave me all alone in here?" she breathed out and laughed in ridicule, getting angrier every passing day.

"My lady…" the servant who was brushing Aries's hair to arrange it before meeting her guests, stuttered in fear. "The — the marquess might return home tonight. Ha ha…"

<strong>Slam!</strong>

Aries's eyes flared, glaring at the poor servant in dismay. She knew she shouldn't blame the servants, but she was furious and couldn't keep acting like she was fine.

"Call Gustav," she raised her voice, barely keeping her anger to herself. "Summon him now!"

"Ye — yes, my lady."

Aries scoffed, watching the servants inside her chambers hurriedly leave to execute her orders. A deep huff escaped her mouth, clicking her tongue in irritation.

"Seriously…" her fingers were zeroing on her temple, assisting herself up. Aries dragged her feet towards the futon, plopping her butt down heavily.

"I can't believe them," she mumbled, leaning back, waiting for Gustav to arrive.

It had been six days since she had returned to the estate. However, Abel and Dexter had been missing in action for the past five days. Abel didn't visit her, and she heard from Gustav Dexter left to do some business that same night they had a stroll in the garden.

Both of them didn't appear after that. Aries didn't even see their shadow. It would be fine if they sent her a letter telling her they were alive. BUT, no, they didn't.

This explained the boiling anger and worry filling her chest.

Aries had been worried about them, and even though Gustav reassured her, that they were probably busy with the state of affairs. She couldn't understand how come it was hard for them to send a pigeon to the Vandran residence.

"Hah… Abel used to send me the most unimportant letters. Why can't he do that now?" Aries's blood boiled, knowing she would never gain peace unless she see herself that those two were still alive.

It didn't take long when Aries heard a knock from the outside and heard Gustav announce his arrival. She immediately spoke, "come in," and watched the door open from the outside.

"I'm going," Aries announced without beating around the bush the second Gustav came to her sight.

"My lady?"

"Prepare me a carriage, Gustav. It's been five days since Abel last visited, and it had been five days since I've seen my brother. I can't keep waiting." Aries's eyes lit up with determination, and by the looks of it, Gustav couldn't persuade her anymore. "I will go to the Imperial Palace. I have to greet the emperor, anyway, and thank him for welcoming me back into the empire."

A shallow breath slipped past the butler's lips, lowering his head. "But your guests will arrive soon, my lady. They've been sighted entering the capital this morning."

"Roman is traveling with Violet. I'm certain he will have to go to the Imperial Palace to report back to the emperor." Aries rocked her head, using every bit of her brain cells to make up an excuse to visit the imperial palace. "I can hitch a ride with him after welcoming Violet. In that case, no one will know I left the estate. That sounds better."

"Very well." Gustav bowed and didn't argue with her anymore. He did his best for the past five days and kept Aries on the estate for as long as he could. But since Dexter didn't return home, he couldn't blame Aries for wanting to see the situation herself.

'They might need her presence as well,' he thought as he raised his eyes, seeing Aries mulling about visiting the imperial palace.

With that being said, Gustav left Aries's chambers while the servants came in to help Aries have a change of clothes. However, as they did, Aries had a sudden request. Instead of dressing herself to look pretty, she asked for a man's clothing and braided her hair neatly around her head, leaving no strands of hair from falling.

No one questioned Aries since her mood had been low, and raising questions could annoy her. They simply did what they were instructed to do to make her feel better.

"Nice." Aries rocked her head in satisfaction, smiling in delight for the first time in five days while staring at herself in the mirror. She patted her thigh, raising her foot to check her movements and then the other.

"Heh." She looked back at the servants, making the servants smile in relief, seeing that she seemed to have calmed down a bit. "Good job."

Aries held her hand on her back, raising her chin proudly. Perhaps it was the fact that she felt lighter in men's clothes that her mood slightly felt better. Or it was just that Gustav wasn't stopping her from visiting the imperial palace that her anger and worry were quenched.

"Let's go. I heard my guests will be here anytime soon." Her lips stretched from ear to ear, walking like a young don out of her chambers to welcome Violet's entourage. The servants followed behind her in silence.

Gustav greeted Aries when the latter appeared at the entrance of the mansion, glancing at the young lady from head to toe. He couldn't help but let out a brief chuckle, as it seemed Aries had planned her visit carefully. The two of them, along with the servants, stood under the portico of the mansion, watching the three carriages enter the wide gates of the estate.

"Three carriages?" Aries furrowed her brows, casting Gustav a look to get some answer.

"I received a word from the knight in charge of meeting the Lady Violet halfway that they somehow met Gertrude on their way. Thus, Gertrude traveled with them, together with your knight's little brothers."

"Ohh…" Aries rocked her head in understanding, smiling in relief. "Well, then, if that is the case, it's better. I missed Gertrude, and Climaco had been worried about his little brother's safety."

Gustav smiled subtly, noticing that Aries's mood had complete change while they wait for her guests.