The Tyrant's Pet

It did not surprise Aries that Marsella was inside her chambers in the Hyacinth Palace. Marsella was her lady-in-waiting — every candidate needed one. However, although she ignored Abel at first, in the back of her head, she was wondering how Abel and Conan were inside her chambers.

Did anyone notice them coming into her room? Those types of questions lingered in her head. But now, she was slightly reassured that Abel had his way to meet Aries secretly.

Aries perched on Abel's lap as instructed. She rested her arms over his shoulders, staring at his sinful beauty in silence.

"So?" he cocked his head to the side. "Tell me about this new friend of yours."

"You already knew about it, didn't you?" she narrowed her eyes, pouting. "You heard me. Princess Veronika was Violet and Ismael's friend. She came here to support me and have my back, knowing this game you came up with can be dangerous in the long run."

Abel frowned and pulled Aries's waist. "Is that why you are ignoring me?"

"Abel, I am currently focusing on Marsella's lessons. Not to mention, Violet and I are running a business. I'm already grateful that Violet was doing a great job in managing the store. The least I want right now is to deal with a jealous woman," she reasoned sincerely. "You might think I'm being complacent, but I trust you."

"Even if you don't plan on competing, knowing my heart that only yearned for you, you shouldn't purposely hide from me," he argued with a slight frown. "Just stay close. That's all I ask."

"Am I not close enough?" her brows furrowed, locking her arms around his neck.

"Still too far."

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line, adjusting her position. She pushed his shoulder until his back landed on the backrest, straddling him. His expression remained the same, but his eyes fastened with anticipation.

Much to his dismay, Aries collapsed her body against his firm muscles.

"I missed you, Abel," she confessed, resting her head over his shoulder until the tip of her nose was touching the lateral side of his neck. "Even though I was preoccupied with my lessons with Marsella and the shop, you never left my mind."

"Not even once?"

"Not even a second."

Abel snaked his arms around her body, lowering his head to plant a kiss on top of her head. He sniffed mildly, only for the floral scent of her hair to waft into his nostrils. He closed his eyes, feeling her body relax on him as her weight pressed against him.

"It was upsetting." he breathed out while casually stroking her back, twirling his fingers around the drawstrings of her bodice. "Conan's methods are way too ridiculous."

Aries furrowed her brows, pushing herself away from him. "It was his idea alone?"

"Mhm. He needs a wife." He nodded, causing the lines on her forehead to deepen. "And I need a reason to invite you here and make you my wife. So, I won't need to hide my affection for my wife and you won't kick me out of bed anymore. I hate it."

"Wait… you mean Sir Conan will —"

"I simply agreed since he had been nagging me for the same reason he had been single since the beginning." He shrugged nonchalantly. "Inviting females from across the continent isn't a bad notion for him to meet ladies. After all, he wasn't traveling outside the capital."

"Oh…" Aries blinked, staring at him almost innocently. "But they fancy you."

"And?"

"Therefore, it's a little impossible for them to even consider the emperor's aide in a romantic light…" Aries trailed off as she looked down, feeling his palm on her thigh. When she raised her eyes up at him again, Abel smirked, tilting his head to the side.

"That's not my problem, darling," came out a rasped and seductive voice, slipping his fingertips inside her stockings. "Whether other people fancy me or someone else, why would I waste a single brain cell about it? The only opinion that matters to me is yours."

"Aren't you jealous?" he asked after a moment of silence, staring into her clear eyes. "That we have a lot of chaperons in our meals and dates."

"Why would I?" she smiled, bending over. Her hair fell to her side, making him tuck it behind her ear. "I trust you, Abel. Even though it feels like I am part of the harem, your presence is enough."

The side of his lips curled up, lifting his head to welcome her lips. His eyes slowly closed, but not completely. He kept it partially opened, observing how her eyes shut closed ever so slowly. Abel smirked against her lips, his hand cupping her cheek while the other was on her back.

Their lips moved in sync, tongues dancing along with the rhythm of their hearts. As their kiss deepened, Abel carefully pulled the drawstrings off her bodice. He didn't need to look to undress her as he knew how with his eyes closed.

"Mhm," came out a moan into his mouth as her straps fell off her shoulders. Aries reluctantly parted her lips from him, resting her forehead against his. She breathed heavily, catching up to her breathing.

"What?" he asked in his coarse voice, inhaling her deep breaths, running his hands up her spine.

"Don't leave a mark." Aries drew her head back, revealing her flustered face.

Abel cocked his head to the side. "Are you afraid someone will notice a hickey?"

"No. Not that." She blinked, almost innocently. "But the hole you'll leave here."

Aries tapped the lateral side of her neck with her index. "Marsella told me you can drink here without leaving a mark. She said a bite mark heals faster, but if you grazed me, it'll take some time. It sounds a little complicated, but if we are careful… I don't see any problem."

"In other words, you want me to sink my fangs into your veins?" he summarized, a little stunned when she nodded profusely. He pointed to his canine. "These fangs?"

A sharp breath escaped her nostrils before brushing her hair to the other shoulder. Aries stretched her neck, eyes fixed on him.

"Those fangs into my neck," she stressed seductively, yet the sincerity in her eyes was what left his mouth open. "Don't keep me waiting."