The Tyrant's Pet

Haimirich.

Rikhill.

Maganti.

There were countless lands they had ruled over, claiming different titles, and having fortunes one couldn't imagine.

Abel had built his fortune for a long time as the emperor of a prosperous empire that everyone feared and admired. Meanwhile, despite Aries's crest and troughs, she had built a new fortune under her name. She might not have the same amount of fortune as Abel, but Aries's connections had been her strong point.

Both of them were admirable; they were individuals who could make waves large enough to shake the world. Yet, the goal they sought wasn't any close to a life of luxury or power.

All they wanted was a good garden where they could spend a lazy afternoon. Perhaps host simple but heartwarming family gatherings too. Not anything grand. Just a place the two of them could enjoy each other's company.

"It's beautiful. Just how I like it."

Aries's smile reached her beautiful eyes that were twinkling beautifully as if all the suns in the night sky had gathered in her pair of emeralds. The man with her eyes mirrored also smiled affectionately, cupping her face.

"My instincts tell me it is the perfect moment for a kiss, but not anything more than that," Abel remarked, warranting a short laugh from her. "May I?"

"Help yourself." Aries shrugged faintly, smiling as she watched him tilt his head. Aries held her breath for a moment, clutching his shoulder as she slowly closed her eyes.

It wasn't the first, but even now, her heart would still race every time his breath would touch her upper lips, and every time she would feel his hands on her skin. When his lips touched her soft ones, Aries drew a deep breath as he pulled her body closer.

His gentle yet passionate kiss ignited her body, slowly burning her skin. The heat that his kiss brought eventually reached her heart, cradling it with its warmth. She felt snug and safe, allowing his firm arms to wrap around her body.

Aries breathed out heavily when Abel parted his lips from her, resting his forehead against hers. He moved his head slightly, brushing the tip of his nose against hers.

"Should we talk about family planning?" he asked, causing deep lines to appear between her brows. Abel drew his head back slightly to look her straight in the eye. "Didn't you want to have a child?"

"You didn't want one."

"Not ready, not that I didn't want one," he corrected, brushing her cheek with the back of his fingers. "How many?"

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line as she stared deeply into his eyes. It was one of her dreams to have a family with Abel, carry his child, and raise them together with love. Just like how Aries was raised. However, she threw that dream at the back of her head, knowing having a child or not didn't matter.

Aries and Abel could still be a family, even if it was just the two of them.

Hearing him say he was ready to have a child with her felt… strange. Her silence didn't root from thinking of an answer, but she was just stunned and speechless.

"One?" Abel guessed after another minute of silence. "Two? Four? Come on, darling. Don't tell me you want more than ten little evil lambs. I am not a maniac like Samael, who wants to build an army of little demons, only to complain when they start calling out his bull."

"How many we would get blessed to have?" she replied in an uncertain tone.

"Darling, what an irony. With my blood and yours? Do you think they would get the favors of the heavens?"

"Our sins… had nothing to do with our children." Aries smiled. "We may not be the best, but at least we're trying, right?"

Aries smacked her lips as she drew a deep breath, calming down the excitement in her heart. "Let's talk about it next time. Once this was all over, we'll figure things out… just like what we always do."

Abel remained quiet, staring at the enthusiastic twinkle in her eyes. She looked happy, and that alone was enough to comfort him.

"What if… this world wouldn't forgive them because their parents were sinners?" he blurted out quietly, revealing a portion of his worry and one of the many reasons having a child never crossed him back then.

"Then… we'll give them a safe place in this unforgiving world." Her lips curled up subtly. "I know you are scared. I am too, Abel. That is why we will figure things out once everything is over."

He knew that. Abel was aware this was too early to talk about it, but he needed a lot of mental preparation. After all, in his mind, their current problem was already over the moment he stepped into this land. They could struggle all they want, but Abel already claimed victory.

"Relax." Aries planted a brief and soft kiss on his lips. "With this kind of environment, I don't think I can handle pregnancy. Until every single one in that night council was dead, I will never bring a life into this world."

"At least, we have one thing in common regarding this matter."

Aries chuckled, pinching his cheek and stretching them slightly. "I am just happy, Abel. That the possibilities of victory have many possibilities."

"That is why do not die. If you die, I will —"

"I won't." Aries shook her head, smiling. "If I die, you'll die as well, right?"

"Exactly."

"Then I won't." Her lips stretched broader. "I'd die twice if you die."

Aries kept a warm smile as she watched him slowly smile back. This time, Aries was the one who leaned her face forward, claiming his lips. Abel slowly closed his eyes, enjoying the softness and sweetness of her lips.

As their kiss deepened, both of them paused and parted their lips from each other. Aries furrowed her brows, eyes at Abel.

"Sunny is playing the piano, it seems," said Abel with a smile. "Shall we join them?"

Aries face brightened up as she nodded. "Mhm."

With that being said, Abel ushered her to the mansion's great hall. As they stepped out of the hallway leading to the great hall, Aries caught everyone scattered in the hall while watching the little girl play the piano.

Aries cast Abel a smile, holding his arm. But before she could say a word, Fabian appeared before them with a tray in his hand.

"The young miss wanted to showcase what she learned in Haimirich," explained Fabian while Abel grabbed two wine glasses on the tray for him and Aries. "Please clap later. She'll be very disheartened if you don't."

"You don't have to say that and make it sound like you're bribing us, Fabian," Aires humored, accepting the glass of wine from Abel. "Thank you."

Abel just tipped his head before casting Fabian a look. The latter maintained his smile.

"Very well. Please enjoy the night." Fabian left the two alone to serve Tilly some drinks and snacks.

Sunny played the piano beautifully but then halted. Everyone's brows rose, watching the little girl look around to search for someone.

"Grandpa~!" Sunny waved, grinning. "Come! Let's play together~!"

Abel cocked his head to the side before he felt a tug on his arm.

"I want to hear you play," said Aries the second he locked eyes with her. "I'm certain everyone wants to hear it too."

Abel arched a brow before scanning the faces around. They didn't look like they were looking forward to hearing him play the piano, but when his eyes landed on the adorable Sunny, Abel shrugged.

"I'll be right back. It seems that little glutton will bite my head off if I refuse her," Abel excused himself to Aries.

Seeing Abel approach, Sunny clapped excitedly before she scoot over the seat to give her grandfather some space to sit on. Abel dropped some unapologetic remarks to Sunny, to which the latter replied with a grin.

It didn't take long before the sound of the piano echoed in the great hall. Aries could have sworn the music piece Abel had played which she knew composed by him, was undeniably a masterpiece. The smile on everyone's face as they listened to the serenade was enough proof they enjoyed it just as much as Aries.

It was just total silence as everyone focused on the music, the emotion it brought, echoing across the Grimsbanne's territory and the Mainland, turning the chilly night warmer than it was.