The Tyrant's Pet

"Ah… silence… so golden." Marsella's relaxed voice caressed the silent air with a cup of tea in her hand. Her finger flicked, sipping from the cup, breathing out in satisfaction.

"I know my beauty is comparable to a goddess, but if you're going to ask me a question, ask," she muttered nonchalantly, while elegantly placing the teacup on the saucer. Marsella fluttered her long eyelashes, eyes landing on Aries, who sat across from her on this round, marbled table.

"So?" she tilted her head to the side. "What is it you need to know? We can stay silent throughout the day and call it building a rapport. I do not mind if that is the route we're going to take."

"You're very blunt." Aries smiled subtly, only to see Marsella shrug.

"Time is the only thing I possess, but that is not the case for you," Marsella quipped. "You are running out of time, Ram."

"Ram?"

"Aries. Isn't that your name? Aries, Ram. Same."

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line, blinking twice. "How did you know that?" she asked. "Back in Rikhill, the land where I came from, there was this legend regarding the golden ram. That is why my father named me Aries. However, I didn't think others knew that legend since I had met foreign nobles outside Rikhill and they didn't know about that lore."

"I am a curious one." Marsella kept her answer short and simple. "I'll call you Ram since you'll be our golden ram to save the Grimsbannes from their impending doom."

"If that is what you want. Be my guest." Aries shrugged, knowing even if she refused, she would call her the same. There was no point since Aries had already used a lot of names. Adding another one wouldn't make a difference.

Marsella propped her elbow against the surface of the table, resting her jaw on her knuckles. "I see why Abel is head over heels for you. You're quite smart."

"In what way?" Aries tilted her head to the side.

"In a way you let things slide if it only bothers you the slightest." Marsella pointed out. "Or are you just used to people doing whatever they want to you it just became a norm for you?"

"I just do not see the point of dwelling on things I shouldn't waste energy on." The side of Aries's lips curled up into a subtle smile. "Unlike you who have time, I realized how little time I have. I have no spare leisure to focus on the most menial things."

Marsella rocked her head in amusement, eyes still on Aries's clear eyes. "I like you."

"Abel told me being liked by you is a scary thing, but I think otherwise."

"He hadn't even met me and he's already spewing slander." Marsella rolled her eyes. "I'll settle the score with him later."

Aries chuckled, relaxing in Marsella's company. The more they exchanged words, the more she felt comfortable. The initial fright she had for this woman slowly faded, but still lingered in her heart, knowing Marsella could snap at any second.

"You and Abel are like strangers…"

"We are strangers to each other." Marsella corrected, making Aries nod.

"Despite being blood-related, you two still seemed like siblings. I would've mistaken that you grew up together just by listening to your conversations. You remind me of my relationship with brother — the other one in Rikhill," Aries commented, starting their conversation on a much more casual topic to build their foundation.

"While you and that marquess remind me of my brothers." Marsella leaned back and crossed her arms under her chest. "But in a much more twisted way."

"You had other brothers?" Aries furrowed her brows, waiting for further details. Marsella kept quiet, looking back at her as if she was wondering if she would say more or just up. In the end, Marsella's lips parted.

"And a sister. Actually, I had a whole different family on another continent. A mother, a father, big brothers, a little brother, and a sister." The side of her lips curled up as a glint flickered across her eyes. "They only had one wish, and that was for Marsella to die."

"What?"

"Not me, but this person." Marsella pointed at her face. "As I've said, I'm merely borrowing her face, body, and everything. I am not Marsella because if I was, your husband wouldn't even get out of that coven alive."

Aries's smile lines faded, recalling their talk a few days ago over dinner. "What was Marsella like?"

"Crazy." Marsella's answer was quick with a tone laced with utter disdain. "If God had descended into this world and gave me one wish he would fulfill, I'll ask him to kill this bitch."

"So Abel wasn't lying…"

"He wasn't… maybe. Marsella is his sister, so he knows what she is capable of. He's lucky I'm the one who came and not his little sister. Or else this land is already a bloodbath and you? You're probably dead."

Aries bit her lower lips as she watched her breathing, eyes still on Marsella. Right now, they were talking about Marsella — that woman across from her — but it was strange to make it sound like they were talking about a different person. Technically, they were talking about a different person, because the person Aries was talking to was not actually Marsella.

Yes. Another soul and not just a different persona.

"She's watching you." Aries nearly flinched when Marsella continued, seeing the latter point in her own eyes. "From these eyes, laughing evilly, interested in getting her hands on you. After all, she's envious of many things. Heard about an inferiority complex?"

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line. "Can you hear her?"

"Yes, she's very loud." Marsella chuckled as if she was enjoying something Aries couldn't see or hear. "You have to learn quickly because if she overtakes this body even for a moment, she will kill you."

"Why would she kill me?"

"Don't be so ludicrous, Ram. You know the answer to that question." Marsella leaned forward and dawdled. "She will kill you before you kill her. We're in a race. Didn't I tell you time is the only thing I possess, but that isn't the same with you?"

"Right…" Aries clutched her skirt as she calmed down her racing heart. "Anyway, since we're at it, what should I call you? If you're not Marsella, may I know your name?"

The side of Marsella's lips curled up into a smirk. Ever since she stepped foot in this place, everyone just called her Marsella. Even when she told them she wasn't Marsella, no one bothered to ask her name.

"Vera," Marsella stressed. "That is the name of your mentor, Ram. Don't forget to ask my name when the time comes and you don't trust me anymore. It'll come in handy."