The Tyrant's Pet

Days had passed uneventfully and peacefully. Aries had focused on the selection, making time with the princesses to avoid them from talking nonsense. Fortunately, Sunny, the "crown prince," and also the person in charge of the selection, had become more mischievous every passing day.

The little bundle of pure joy — or what she should be — would constantly add suffering to all the candidates' lives. One time she brought some wild dogs and let them run wild in the Hyacinth Palace. Good thing was no one got hurt, at least, not from the wild dogs, but some ladies got injured for running away.

Each day for the candidates grew more and more traumatizing as they run out of ideas about what sort of mischief would the 'crown prince' had in store for them the next day.

In the afternoon, Aries would spend time in her chambers with Marsella. She had been sacrificing her siesta time to learn to control her innate powers. So far, her progress was slow but gradual, which was better than no progress at all.

And by night, Aries would either sneak into the forbidden palace to spend quality time with the emperor. She, somehow, enjoyed giving him a surprise. There were nights Abel would come into her room, or wait for her in the dark underground tunnel where he would romance with her as the echoes of her moans sounded louder in that place.

Aries overall considered it peaceful, getting used to the recurring events of their everyday lives. And she couldn't ask for more… aside from her growing worry about her brother, the marquess' well-being.

Aries let out a shallow breath, stopping from sketching on the paper.

"Something wrong?" Abel's voice rang from her side, making her turn her head to him.

They were currently in his room in the forbidden mansion, sitting around the round oak table where he was reviewing a few documents, while she was sketching new designs for her boutique or doing her assignments as a candidate for the empress. This was one of her favorite activities of the day; there was no foreplay or anything of the sort, but they simply enjoy each other's company while working on something.

"Still got no word from my brother?" she asked, worry swirling in her eyes.

"Apparently, there's still no word from them."

Aries let out a deep exhale, making her shoulders relax. She snapped her eyes up when he scoot over, dragging his chair close to her while searching for her eyes.

"I'm worried, Abel," she confessed. "It's been over two weeks since he departed. Isn't it strange to not hear a word from him?"

"He never sends a word to me whenever he was out on a mission."

"But… that was before." Aries reached for his hand and squeezed it. "He told me he would send a letter. Can you send reinforcement lest he needs it?"

Abel kept his lips in a thin line and sighed. "I will ask Conan."

"Please. I would really appreciate it."

"The marquess is an annoying person, darling. Even if something goes wrong, he would surely find a way to survive. He didn't die all these years. I don't think he will allow death to take him, especially now that he had someone to go home to."

Aries smiled subtly, looking back at the pair of bright crimson eyes that could send a chill down one's spine but brought warmth to her heart. She nodded in agreement, releasing his hand as they resumed what they were doing.

As she picked up her pencil to continue her sketch, Abel propped his jaw against his knuckles. The side of his lips was curled up subtly, studying her side profile. His eyes fell on her butterfly-like eyelashes that fluttered beautifully. Her pointy nose looked a little sharper, but not as much as her refined, sharp jaw.

His eyes slowly veered down to the side of her neck. Her pulse was beating underneath her soft and milky skin; she looked more and more alluring every passing day. It could be just the warm lights around the room that set the ambiance cozy, which matched well with her nightdress, and tousled hair that was tucked behind her ear, while the other side freely dangled on her other side.

Abel felt warm just staring at his beloved wife. This had also become one of his favorite past times, only coming in second to their rounds of passion. They weren't doing anything, honestly, but having her right beside him while reviewing some papers he had for the day or the next day was satisfactory.

Abel quirked a brow when she frowned while keeping her eyes on the sketch. His eyes fell on her plump lips, which were just as red as cherries. She was biting the end of the pencil as she pondered about something, and somehow, he felt the increasing tension on his thing between his thigh.

"Darling," his voice after the long silence caused her to flinch. He smirked as she looked back at him. Her brows were elevated.

Aries blinked, looking almost innocent. "Hmm?"

"Your mouth looks cute." He pressed his thumb on the side of her lips, smiling brightly. "Can you give me heads?"

"What?" Aries nearly choke on her own breath, thinking his request was too random for her. But she shouldn't be surprised after being with him for over a year now.

"Instead of nibbling on that pencil." Abel wiggled his brows playfully. "I'm getting envious of it."

Aries blinked twice, studying his countenance to find the slightest trace of jest. He was serious, she thought, after several seconds.

"Now?" she asked, and he nodded.

"Now," he said, tugging her pinky mildly. "Come."

Aries bit her inner lower lip while massaging her nape. It was not like she hadn't done it before, but that wasn't deliberate. It just happened in the heat of the moment whenever they were already doing it. Hence, it was a little awkward.

"You are outrageous," she mumbled, reluctantly getting up from her seat to go under the table. However, just as she stood up, Abel pulled her wrist down and yanked her onto his lap. She clutched his shoulders on instinct, eyes shaking as they went wide.

"Outrageous is asking you for a literal head." Abel pinched her chin, staring at her red plump lips that were just too appealing not to bite. "I don't think I'd get anything done if you keep being so beautiful."

<strong>'I am the one who gets nothing done!'</strong> was what she wanted to tell him, but her tongue rolled back when he sealed her lips with his lips, slipping his tongue that stirred inside her mouth. Aries could only close her eyes and enjoy the moment, knowing her husband was one big pervert.