The Tyrant's Pet

After the coronation, it was a tradition in the Haimirich Empire for the emperor and empress to have a parade in the street of the capital. It was an auspicious event that wasn't just exclusive to the nobles but also for the people of the empire to celebrate.

After many years of waiting... they would finally welcome an empress.

People from all stages and ladders of life thronged the sidewalks to have a glimpse of the empress and the emperor. Excitement and joy sparkled in everyone's eyes. Children held hand flags of the Haimirich Empire and each building also raised its flags, which would flatter whichever direction the wind blew.

Men had either celebrated with booze or practiced abstinence to be able to see the royal procession. Women had brought garlands or a basket full of flowers to throw in the street or to the monarchs as a gesture of love and respect for them.

Despite that winter was approaching, today's weather seemed to have participated; it wasn't cold or hot; it was just right for everyone to enjoy the occasion despite a large number of people in the street. Everyone assumed it was a great start for this monumental event for the empire.

"They're coming!" someone yelled his lungs out, making everyone turn to the end of the street.

Seeing that the lead carriage and its helmed horses came into sight, a loud cheer exploded in the air.

"Long live Her Majesty, the Empress! Long live His Majesty, the Emperor! All hail Haimirich!"

Those who brought freshly plucked flowers threw them in the air, which fell on the street, granting a much more beautiful color for everyone to see. Children climbed house pipes or the stacked-up crates to have a glimpse of the procession. Others squeezed themselves to the front.

The royal procession's highlight was the emperor and empress, but there were a few esteemed nobles who took part in the event. For instance, the Grand Duke of Fleure, Isaiah. He was on a chariot that was just right behind the leading carriage, donning a pleasing uniform with a brooch that had an embedded insignia of the House Darkmore. His vehicle's door and on the back also had a huge insignia for everyone from the farthest row of the crowd to recognize whose vehicle it was.

Isaiah stood motionless, eyes ahead, ignoring the cheers and the looks of people. However, his other senses were on high alert. Even though this procession was for the people to meet the newly crowned empress, it was still dangerous not just for the monarchs but for the nobles who took part in the parade.

There might be knights escorting each carriage and riding their steeds on either side of the street. Someone — if he was capable — could break through to harm the nobles and royalty. Hence, Isaiah didn't bask in the glory of people's cheers, even though there were a few who called his name the Empire's hero.

The carriages behind Isaiah were a few nobles from esteemed houses varying from a duke, marquess, marchioness, and so on riding their luxurious Landau with its hood let down. In the middle of the procession was a golden royal Landau where the Empress and Emperor, still wearing their crowns and royal mantles and carrying their batons, waved at their subjects. Several more carriages were following behind them.

"Long Live Her Majesty, the Empress! Long Live the Emperor! All hail the royal family! All hail Haimirich!"

"Grand Duke Isaiah! May the heavens bless Your Grace!"

"Marquess! Thank you for the reliefs…!"

Everyone shouted until everything sounded indistinct, but the greetings and best wishes of the monarchs still dominated the air. Aries and Abel waved, letting some flowers land inside their open golden carriage and some on their lap.

"Disgusting," Abel commented quickly, putting his hand down as a daisy landed on his lap.

"Keep your smile, darling," Aries spoke whilst keeping her smile, putting down her arm to let it rest for a while. "People might think you were unhappy about your new empress. Cut me some slack, will you? The last thing I want to deal with in the early days of my reign is a disparaging rumor about our unhappy marriage."

Abel cast her a sidelong glance with a delicately arched brow. Aries was still waving and smiling.

"Did you hear her, self?" he asked himself, turning his head to stare at her squarely. He was the only one who had the gall to shift his attention from public service. "Why did you make her an empress again? Right… that is to avoid getting kicked out of her bed."

Abel nodded in agreement, almost making her roll her eyes. For goodness' sake! They were outside, which would be a rare occasion for the two of them. They should give this time to smile and wave at the people who went out of their way to see them! That was the least they could do.

Seeing that she chose to ignore him, mischief flickered across his eyes. He didn't care about this parade, honestly. He was only doing this because he had to give his empress some face.

"You're afraid of rumors, huh?" he said quietly, which didn't reach her ears because of the noise in the street. The side of his lips curled up, looking at the side of the street, flashing the crowd an oddly kind smile.

As soon as the people on the side of the street saw the emperor's smile that didn't suit his tyrant reputation, another wave of cheer, much louder than the previous one, erupted in the air. Meanwhile, as the cheers took off, Aries's smile stiffened as she felt a squeeze on her thigh.

Despite the thick royal mantle on top of layers of dresses, Abel made sure she felt his salacious intentions. Without looking at his hand, she slapped it away. But he didn't budge, ripping a small part of her skirt with his long and sharp nail, which grew on its own, until his fingertip felt her thin stockings.

"Abel…" Aries called through her gritted teeth, feeling his finger hook her stocking to lower it. When she couldn't take it anymore, she turned her head to him, only to freeze, seeing him already leaning over his face with a mischievous grin.

"The emperor couldn't get enough of the empress and he couldn't take his eyes off of her…" he dawdled as mischievousness shone in his pair of crimson eyes. "How's that for a headline, darling?"