The Tyrant's Pet

Aries didn't know why or how she got into this chamber where Conan's father was sleeping. Everything just felt like a blur, only to snap out of her trance and find herself standing by the door. She looked back, gazing to her left and then right. The corridor was empty, as expected.

"I shouldn't be here," she whispered, looking back inside the chamber on instinct. Her eyes fell on the person sleeping peacefully on the bed, making her bite her lip. "Should I check on him since I'm already here?"

Aries gravitated about it for a moment, and in the end, she entered the chamber carefully. She still announced her intrusion in a half whisper, as if that would make her appear less rude. Standing on the side of the bed, her eyes glossed over the man sleeping on it.

"Uhm… greetings, Your Majesty…" she clutched her biceps, her arm across her body. "I honestly don't know why I am here, but it feels like… you called for me."

Her brows rose, staring at the man expectantly. Aries waited for a moment and sighed deeply. What did she expect? That he would open his eyes and answer her assumption? Wouldn't that be even more horrifying, though?

"What am I doing?" she murmured, walking around to the other side to sit on the armchair.

She sat down on it, assuming accompanying someone in slumber and talking to him might help. Aries gazed at the man again and then wondered who was maintaining the man's hygiene. Her thoughts might sound random, but they piqued her curiosity.

"I wonder if Sir Conan hadn't known about you just yet…" A deep exhale slipped past her lips. "Considering I didn't hear him throwing a huge fit, he probably hadn't known yet."

Aries fiddled with her fingers while resting her hands on her lap. "I know it wasn't my place to intrude in this sacred place of Your Majesty and it's presumptuous of me to even sit in here, but… is your relationship with him that sullied it is irreparable?" — because until now, Aries couldn't understand it.

She said she would patiently wait for the day Conan would tell her his story. However, they had been very preoccupied that she barely had a few exchanges with Conan. Looking at the king of the mainland and vampires now, her curiosity about what could be the real nature of Conan and this man's relationship consistently soared.

"Sunny said you were betrayed and barely came out of the mainland alive…" she breathed out. "I don't know if I should wish you a faster recovery, but since Abel is keeping you here, that means you aren't that terrible, right?"

Aries forced a meek smile, keeping her eyes on the sleeping man. "I wish you will be better soon, Your Majesty. And resolve whatever misunderstanding you have with Sir Conan. After all… one way or another, I sort of understand your disposition."

"You see, my late father had also made decisions that his children aren't particularly happy about. However, because he was patient and allowed us to understand his position as the king, we — his subjects included — were able to inherit his will," she continued, relating whatever situation Conan and this man had with her family. "I might not have the full understanding of what happened, nor do I have any notion of what you are as a person, but I put my hand on my chest and say Sir Conan is a lot more understanding."

"He might act like a child at times and speak so insensitively, but your son is a good man," Aries added reassuringly. "He will hear you… if only you are a little more persistent, just like him."

Her eyes softened, hoping for a good ending once this man woke up.

"Anyway, I need to return." Aries slapped her thigh as she stood up. "I will try to make time and visit you so you won't feel that lonely."

She performed a shallow curtsy, smiling in satisfaction with this relatively kind gesture of sparing a person in a coma a time of the day. A smile dominated her face as she left the room, only to recoil in surprise when welcomed by a person outside the chamber.

Aries turned to the person leaning against the wall beside the door. Abel had his arms folded under his chest, looking at her with an arched brow.

"Goodness, you surprised me," she breathed out a jagged breath before closing the door completely. When she secured the door, Aries faced Abel.

"I…" her words got stuck in her throat, clearing it. "I went through the secret passage out of curiosity. I didn't know it leads here, so…"

Aries smacked her lips and raised her brows briefly. "I didn't mean to intrude."

"You didn't mean, huh…?" Abel whispered to himself.

"What?" she asked curiously.

"Nothing." Abel peeled his back from the wall, eyes shining with despondency. "Go back if your curiosity is sated."

He waved dismissively, turning to leave her alone. Seeing him turn his back on her, disappointment shrouded her heart. Abel was still apparently upset about yesterday, but who wouldn't be upset if she chased him away after speaking so cruelly to him?

"Abel." Aries lurched, grabbing the hem of his clothes to stop him from walking away. Her action stopped him, making him look back at her grip with an arched brow.

Abel slowly raised his eyes up at her, waiting for her to state her reason for stopping him.

"Can we… talk?" she asked, releasing the hem of his clothes when he wordlessly faced her. "About yesterday…"

Aries bit her lower lip nervously while rubbing her fingers against each other. To be truthful, Aries still believed she wasn't in the wrong here. Matter of fact, she didn't know if there was even right or wrong in this discussion, but it was demoralizing to have an unresolved issue with Abel.

She let out a deep breath and looked him in the eye.

"You win, Abel," she stated. "I'm sorry if I said something very cruel yesterday; I didn't fully intend to mean it like that and I have no excuse for being so sensitive. Let's not argue anymore, I'm sorry."