The Tyrant's Pet

Veronika, Sybil, and Suzanne were utterly shocked and puzzled at the sudden turn of events. They planned this day to enjoy, only for Aries to put herself in danger to help a child she didn't even know. But what was even more surprising was that the number of knights — which they assumed they were — appeared to save Aries.

Since the occurrence was still fresh and Sybil nearly fainted, Aries sent them off first with the carriage Roman prepared for the ladies. Climaco had escorted the carriage of the ladies under Aries's orders.

Meanwhile, Aries stayed behind and rode a carriage with Roman. He could've ridden his steed, but he couldn't refuse Aries's invitation.

"Will you explain to me what is going on, Rome?" Aries inquired, staring at Roman sitting across from her inside the carriage.

"My lady, I don't think you do not understand what happened. You jumped in the middle of the road to save a child. Therefore, we had no choice but to take action."

"That's not what I mean, Rome. You don't have to feign ignorance." Her expression grew colder.

"I'm not feigning ignorant. What I had told you was all there is. We're following His Majesty's orders." Roman looked at her straight in the eye, showing no vestige of deception in his expression and tone. "A month ago, His Majesty withdrew all the people he planted in your shadows, saying you'll feel uncomfortable. However, what happened on the night of the coven changed his perspective."

He then hung his head low. "It was my fault, my lady. Apologies."

"Why is that your fault?" she arched a brow, folding her arms under her chest.

"I failed His Majesty and, because of my negligence, you and his Majesty were put in danger."

"The coven is already an event that puts Abel in danger," she argued firmly. "But that raised more questions to me, Rome. If Abel withdrew all the people in my shadows and only let you follow me, how come you didn't stop me that day? You must've noticed where we are heading and would've stopped us."

Aries narrowed her eyes as she recalled that day of the coven. "Moreover, if it was, indeed, due to negligence, Abel would've executed you. After all, he's a man who doesn't keep incompetent people around him."

There was a momentary silence that descended upon them. Aries waited patiently, staring back at Roman while the latter kept quiet. When his lips parted, Aries arched a brow.

"Pardon?" she tilted her head to the side. "What did you say?"

"That young miss, His Majesty's granddaughter, had incapacitated me," explained Roman solemnly. "Not just me, but also the knights' in the Marquess' brigade."

"What?" Aries frowned. "But I was with Sunny the whole time."

"She might be a child, but in the blood hierarchy, she's far superior to us. She didn't need to leave your side to incapacitate us. Although we weren't sure how she did it, what we're certain of was that she stopped us from following you the moment you left that bistro," Roman explained his side of the story not to get sympathy or understanding from her, but to give Aries the idea of the people surrounding her. Aries might not need this reminder, but it wouldn't hurt to do so.

"I see…" Aries rocked her head in understanding. "... but Abel didn't punish you for it, did he?"

"He did."

"What did he do?"

"He told Violet about it."

"???" Aries blinked twice as she processed the answer he had given her.

"He told Violet about it?" she repeated to clarify in case she misheard him, only for her face to contort when Roman nodded. This time, he showed a different emotion in his eyes as he frowned.

"Violet was disappointed in me, which I understand since my duty was to protect you and I failed." A deep exhale slipped past Roman's lips as if what Abel did was far worse than being tortured. "That is why I will not make the same mistake again."

Aries gazed at him apologetically. "I can't believe I will say this, but how I wished you were just tortured."

"The feeling was mutual, my lady." Roman frowned, lowering his eyes. "Violet wouldn't even talk to me."

Another sigh slipped past their lips. Aries shook her head, feeling sorry for Roman. She could imagine Violet ignoring him, and Roman in distress about it. It was amazing how Violet never brought it up to Aries even though they were business partners, but Violet probably didn't want to sound like she was being nosey.

'Still, I feel sorry for him.' Aries studied Roman's dejected mood, and somehow, she couldn't see the admiring wolf who would fight in the front line and come back in one piece. In her eyes, instead of a vicious wolf, he looked like a neglected puppy.

How cute.

'He truly cherishes Violet.' A subtle smile appeared on her face, setting her eyes at the window. 'I've been so focused on learning witchcraft that I didn't know these things happening around me. I should help Roman next time if Violet still hadn't forgiven him. Oh, these two… they should just get married.'

<strong>*****</strong>

<strong>Meanwhile, in the forbidden palace within the Imperial Palace grounds…</strong>

Marsella was sitting on the intricate garden chair with her leg resting over the other. Her arms were folded under her chest, letting the tea on the table go cold as she watched Sunny work on the plant pot.

"Piggy, you are truly fond of doing such things, huh?" Her voice erupted in the air. "However, didn't you invite me to have tea so I can think about what to do with that man sleeping inside the mansion?"

"Yes, but I will finish weeding."

"What is so special about that, anyway? It's surprising you have such patience."

"I find it therapeutic," Sunny replied as she carefully pulled out the plant, taking out the root with it. When she held it up slightly, she raised her head and looked back at Marsella. "You see… it's like pulling someone's head off with the spine intact."

A misplaced innocent smile dominated Sunny's face while Marsella's brows rose, staring at the little girl holding the plant while its root dangled down.

"Hah… you're right." Marsella unfolded her arms and sauntered towards her. "That sounds better than drinking poisoned tea."

"It'll take your stress away." Sunny giggled as Marsella squatted beside her. "But careful on this part. The finger I planted hadn't grown yet."

Marsella gazed at the child in awe. "Good lord, can I call you master? Abel shamelessly claims he's a connoisseur of murder, but I guess you're the connoisseur of torture. He's dull compared to you."