The Tyrant's Pet

Aries's conversation with Dexter lingered in her mind all day. They didn't dwell on the topic because it was time for Dexter to go. Although he wanted to entertain her, he had to do something important. Hence, he had to leave.

Since Aries had a day off to spend without Abel or Conan pestering her, she decided to take a walk in the garden. The main garden was destroyed and now became a field for Abel's most treasured potatoes. The garden used to be by far the biggest and most beautiful garden in the imperial palace.

But that didn't mean there weren't any gardens in the imperial palace. If she remembered correctly, they were a total of twelve gardens. So, Aries just went to the west garden situated in the Rose palace where she was staying at.

Walking down the gravel path, Aries held her hand behind her. "Do I like him?" she murmured, recalling the questions Dexter mentioned.

"Obviously, I don't." She stopped to let out a sigh. "Who would like a lunatic like him?"

Abel was a total lunatic. She still hadn't forgotten the time Abel snapped the neck of a soldier from the Maganti Empire. Not to mention his crazy train of thoughts and fickle heart! The main point here was, only a crazy person would like him.

Even so, Aries couldn't completely agree with herself. She was torn.

'Because aside from all his crazy antics, he doesn't hurt me now,' she thought, recalling the time he raised a sword at her, for the obvious reason he went crazy. That instance to her was something she would never forget, because that was her reminder that Abel was capable of taking her life whenever he pleased.

That was the real reason and the primary source of her confusion. If Abel was bad, he should just go dark all the way. She disliked the gradual change in their relationship, where she didn't need to hold back on her words. Where she could act as herself and speak her mind without fear.

A relationship with Abel where she could joke and speak bullshit without feeling guilty. This development where she was subconsciously... having fun.

Aries's mood hit rock bottom, dragging her feet and looking around at the beautiful flowers under this glorious weather. But their beauty could not elevate her mood.

"Should I try practicing archery? I did get access to enter Abel's training grounds even without prior notice," she murmured, rubbing her chin. She needed to stop thinking for a while. An exercise just sounded so enticing and effective in her ear.

Determined, Aries turned around to head to the training grounds. But just as she did, she bumped her nose against a person's chest. She looked up ever so slowly, eyes dilated at the sight of Abel.

She gasped, covering her lips with both her hands. 'Since when was he here? And this close? I didn't even notice!' her eyes screamed in horror, making him laugh playfully.

"I just arrived, darling. Why? Were you mumbling your thoughts again?" he tilted his head, sporting a teasing smirk. "Let me hear what's it's about. It's about me, right?"

Aries frowned as she carefully uncovered her palms away from her mouth. "Does the emperor have so much free time? The west garden is not that close to the main palace."

"Oh, dear! I told you I've been an emperor for a long time, that I can finish a month's worth of work in a week and with my eyes closed." He gloated, making her snap her tongue lightly. "Don't you want my company?"

"I didn't say that." Aries changed her mind and continued to stroll the garden. Knowing Abel, he would surely follow her to the training ground. It was safe to keep him away from weapons. Just in case, he would suddenly consider that using Aries as his target was fun for both of them.

Abel walked beside her, body tilting forward, eyes on her. "Don't be so heartless, darling. Aren't you flattered I am sparing you my time despite my hectic schedule?"

"Really..." she huffed and stopped, casting him a dead look. "... why are you here, Your Majesty?"

He grinned until his eyes were squinting. "Conan is looking for you. So I did before he can."

"Huh?"

"He is challenging me, that's all," he summarized, keeping it vague like usual.

"Was that a bad thing?" she wondered, resuming in her strides while he followed. "I mean the fact that Sir Conan is challenging you. Will he be alright?"

"Darling, you're too soft." He laughed while she snuck glanced at him. "Conan used you multiple times already, but you are still worried when he wasn't even bothered by whatever your concern?"

"It's not that..." she breathed out with a slight frown. "I am a little annoyed at him, but not to the extent I wish the unfortunate thing would befall him."

Abel pressed his lips, standing in his stature while gazing ahead. "Still too soft," he commented, walking leisurely, being surrounded by a variety of beautiful flowers.

The two of them simply walked into the garden, silence descending on them. In the middle of the silence, Aries cast him a side-eye. She pressed her lips into a thin line while Dexter's words hovered over her head once again.

What does she feel whenever he was around?

Nothing. That was her answer. She didn't have any particular feeling about it. Or rather, she didn't know what exactly she felt. She wasn't repelled by his presence anymore, but if he didn't appear, she would be alright too.

Was it because Abel would often act shallow? Hence, there was no other role he played aside from being her 'owner?' Now that she thought about it, she could not help but wonder if that was intentional.

Aries took a deep breath before she mustered the courage to ask a question. "Abel?" she called while he hummed, his eyes fixed ahead.

"What is love?" she inquired, watching him cast her a side-eye. "Marquess Vandran said love has different meanings for each individual. I was wondering about your thoughts regarding it."

"Hah..." Abel rocked his head lightly while keeping his indifferent gaze at her. "... you think I have time to think about that abomination?"

"Right..." Aries awkwardly laughed. What was she thinking? Abel and love just didn't seem to suit each other. But just a moment later, she froze on the spot. She carefully raised her eyes, staring at his broad back at his next words.

"Love... is what I do alone." That was all he said, treading ahead without waiting for her.