The Tyrant's Pet

'Business to pay back my nephew and stop him from nagging me because I donated his fortune to you.'

Aries stared at Abel, unknowingly holding her breath. His face brightened up before facing the merchant once again for a chat.

'There are only a few businesses I could think of that you got yourself involved,' she thought, watching Abel chat with the merchant as if the latter were a good old friend. 'And all those businesses… weren't only shady, but destructive to a country's economy.'

As the queen of the mainland, a part of her was alarmed. She knew Abel from inside and out. Abel would never waste his time on something without ulterior motives that had massive consequences. Knowing he started doing business on the mainland, Aries was certain of one thing.

Aries looked around the market, ignoring Abel and the merchant. Her eyes lingered on the stalls and shops that sold things that were enough to make her stomach turn.

One thing was for sure. This sight she was looking at would grow worse.

That was the effect of Abel.

Everything that he gets himself involved with often takes a spiral down. Just like the mighty land of the very familiar Maganti Empire.

[ Thing was, this market might not last long. ]

Suddenly, Abel's previous remarks crossed her mind. She glanced at Abel, only to see him smiling at the merchant with his hand on the latter's shoulder.

'I think I know what he meant by that,' she told herself, keeping her eyes on Abel's side profile. 'If that is the case, then I'll keep it in mind.'

Many things couldn't be said aloud. With many people watching Aries' every movement, expression, and word, she didn't dare say anything. Her enemies were already a step ahead of her with Miguel having the same face as Davien, her biological brother. She couldn't give them information that could widen the gap between her and her enemies.

As Aries patiently waited for Abel to finish his affairs, she quirked a brow upon catching a familiar figure from the corner of her eyes. There, not far away, she caught a man entering a shop.

"Abel, I'll just check the shop across the street," she said, narrowing her eyes at the particular establishment. She didn't even cast Abel a look or waited for him to answer, sauntering off to confirm if she saw the person correctly.

Aries was in a disguise and she knew no one would easily recognize her with the spell she put upon herself. Even if someone recognized her, she could easily get away with it. She wasn't that useless to be able to save herself if trouble comes her way.

The sound of a chime resonated the moment she pushed the door open, peeking her head in first. When she stepped in warily, she looked around. The establishment was a small pub and there were quite a few guests inside.

The music was low and soothing, and everyone inside was busy talking to each other or enjoying the beverages that had a drop of blood in them. Aries walked slowly before her eyes landed on the bar counter, particularly on the person sitting in on them.

Aries narrowed her eyes, catching the bartender across the bar talking to the guests. Her careful and soundless steps continued approaching the counter.

"Here's your rum and —" as soon as Aries was close, the bartender served the guest a glass of what seemed to be a rum, only to stop talking when the guest grabbed his wrist. "What are you doing?"

"I ordered something that will help me sleep, sir," said the guest. "I meant a glass of milk."

Upon hearing the voice of the man, Aries let out a deep exhale. She knew that voice even from a mile away and she wouldn't mistake it for another.

"You should've gone to the barn if milk is what you want," she remarked, marching to the guest and sitting down on the stool beside him. Aries faced him squarely, revealing her poker face. "Let him go, Fabian. You came to a pub, so don't expect them to serve hot milk or chocolates."

Fabian slowly turned his head in Aries's direction. The moment their eyes met, his lips stretched from ear to ear until his eyes squinted.

"Your Ma — my lady." He let go of the server's wrist, keeping his attention on Aries. "It's been a while."

"It has been." Aries rocked her head and then glanced at the server. "I would like a glass of wine — the most expensive one. He'll pay for it."

"The house I am working in is currently struggling with finances, my lady. I am afraid I won't be able to afford it."

"I heard." She clicked her tongue continuously, shaking her head. "Poor you."

He kept his smile, tossing a few silvers on top of the counter. "Good thing I saved up my salary. Hence, we have something to eat."

"The Grimsbanne and their people are surely interesting people."

"We are family," said Fabian, eyes on Aries. "Money wasn't the foundation of my subservience."

"That is why it is interesting." Aries faced the server when he returned with a glass of wine. "Thank you."

The server smiled subtly before shifting his eyes to Fabian. There was wariness in his eyes, which Fabian ignored while Aries just chose to not dwell on it.

"So." Without drinking the wine, Aries cleared her throat and faced Fabian once again. "What are you doing here?"

"I was looking for a glass of milk. It is not like we are banned from walking on the street; I am from a noble house, after all."

"Is that really the only reason?" she quirked a brow, suspicious of his answer. Not that Fabian wouldn't do such a thing, but she still had this faint connection with him because he was still a holder of Maleficent. Aries might've gotten rid of Maleficent's core, but there were still lingering powers left within her.

"I know you, Fabian. What are you doing in the capital all alone? Don't tell me you're simply out to buy ingredients for tomorrow's breakfast?" she inquired. This time, she was deliberately seeking an answer. "I might be able to help."

Fabian didn't answer immediately but maintained his smile. After a few seconds, he sighed.

"I was searching for a missing item," he explained, keeping it short and simple. "I've been sensing Maleficent's twin around the capital. Thus, I'm trying to locate it. Unfortunately, even though this place reeks of the item's scent, it's no longer in here."