The Tyrant's Pet

Davien never failed to reassure Aries growing up. The two might banter now and then, pulling pranks on each other, and giving each other headaches. But in times of crisis or need, they were each other's strongest support.

Davien kept his promise to the day he died. He fought for her bravely. Even before he died, Davien marched on the battlefield in front without looking back. He drew his sword, shouting her name and the land of Rikhill without a second hesitation.

Aries slowly reopened her eyes, only to see the ceiling of the queen's bed with the curtains tied meticulously and loosely on the bed's post.

"I heard you fainted after meeting the young Lord of the Rothschild." A soothing and deep voice caressed her ears, making her move her eyes to the side of the bed. "Are you alright now, darling?"

As soon as Aries turned her head, her eyes landed on Abel. He was sitting on the armchair beside the bed, watching him lean forward and switch to the edge of the mattress.

"How did you come here?" she asked, only to realize how stupid her question was. "Did I worry you?"

"My wife fainted, so obviously, I'm not," he answered sarcastically, making her press her lips into a thin line. "Apologies. It's just that I do not know what to do whenever an emergency concerns you."

Abel's tone softened, wiping the tear that rolled down her temple before she regained consciousness. "You were crying, and I feel like my heart is breaking in half." — literally.

Being connected to her, Abel could feel her heart. If this pain hurt someone like him, he couldn't imagine how devastatingly painful her heart was going through right now.

After hearing his remarks, Aries recalled the link the two of them had. She was breathing and living because of Abel, and obviously, they had this connection that only death could break. Abel would feel all of her emotions if they were strong enough to break the barrier he put to give her and her emotions some privacy.

Aries propped her elbows against the soft mattress, pushing herself to sit up. When she was sitting up, she faced Abel squarely.

"Gustav told me he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary during your meeting with the young Lord," he said, brushing her jaw with the back of his fingers briefly. "What's wrong, darling?"

Where should she start? She asked herself, unable to speak to him for a moment. All she could do was stare at Abel and watched the growing worry in his naturally sharp eyes.

"What did the young Lord say that shook you to this state?" he inquired once again, making mild guesses.

When her mouth parted to tell him everything, her lips quivered, and her tongue rolled back. Her heart clenched painfully and before she knew it, tears streamed down her cheek.

How was she supposed to tell him that Davien, her brother, looked exactly like Miguel Rothschild? How was she supposed to tell Abel that the past she already faced once and settled rose from the dead, grabbing her ankles and stilling her on the ground, ready to pull her to the pits of hell she crawled up from?

"I —" her breath hitched, unable to force her voice out.

"Shh… it's alright, darling." Abel held her biceps, pulling her into the safety of his embrace. "Don't say it if you can't, darling. It's fine. Do not force yourself."

Her face crumpled, burying her face in his shoulder. Her hand on his back gripped his clothes tightly until her hand turned white. Aries couldn't believe that after all these years, she would be plunged into this type of pain again.

Not this again.

She already did everything she could to come to terms with her past, but here it was, appearing right in front of her. This time, it wasn't just a reminder, but as if her brother rose from the dead. The problem was, Aries knew Miguel wasn't her brother and this might be a part of a delicate scheme.

However, that was what made things worse. With the brewing tension behind the peaceful front of the Mainland, deaths were inevitable. Just the sheer thought of Davien's look-alike dying because of her was enough to paralyze her into doing nothing.

Abel stroke her back soothingly, gazing at her as she sobbed quietly. A deep sigh slipped past his nostrils, resting the side of his head against hers. It had been a while since he saw her bawling her eyes out without making a sound, and by this, he knew the gravity of the reason was heavy.

But Abel didn't say anything. He kept quiet, keeping his mind from guessing the reason or going straight to the solution. Right now, all he needed to do was lend his shoulders while she cry.

*****

Meanwhile, in the Rothschild estate situated in the heart of the Mainland Capital, servants lined up in front of the main manor as a carriage stopped in front. When a man hitched outside the carriage, an old butler approached the young Lord, who would stay in the capital indefinitely.

"Welcome back, my lord," welcomed the butler, planting his hand across his chest while bowing. "How was your trip from the royal palace?"

The butler uncurled his back, facing the charming young Lord of the clan. Miguel smiled with his lips closed, making him appear more charming and dashing.

"It was more welcoming than I expected," said Miguel to the butler, grinning. "The Queen isn't as terrible as the rumors say. In fact, I think she's clever and reliable. It put a lot of ease in my heart that the Mainland is in good hands."

The butler smiled, seeing that the young Lord seemed pleased by his quick trip to the royal palace.

"I am glad you were satisfied with the Queen," said the butler. "A guest is waiting for your lordship inside."

"Oh?" Miguel raised his brows, glancing at the estate behind the line of servants. The side of his lips curled up until his eyes were squinting, hiding the mischief in his eyes.

"My lord." Seeing the smile plastered on the young Lord's face, the butler frowned. But before the butler could remind Miguel of the important specifics, the latter squeezed the butler's shoulder.

"Tell Giselle I'll be there… soon," was all he said before walking back to the carriage. He opened the window and smiled from ear to ear. "I forgot I still have arrangements for today. I might come back in a few days — please tell that her. See you!"