The Tyrant's Pet

"I didn't think you will like it that much."

Aries raised her head with a smile cemented on her face since this morning. She pressed her lips, trying to suppress her smile from stretching wider.

"I didn't think I will like it as well," she confessed, gazing down at her hand and caressing the back of it that had Abel's markings on it. "It's beautiful... very beautiful."

Her eyes softened upon recalling the sight of her entire body in front of the mirror. Earlier today, after they bathed together and before they arrived in this dining hall they were in, Abel let her stand in front of the mirror to look at her body.

Staring at it brought this inexplicable feeling to her heart. He covered all the small and big scars across her body, hindering her from seeing the terrible scars which constantly reminded her of what she went through.

Although she was aware, the scars were still there, not being able to see them helped.

Abel's eyes softened at the sight of her. "Come here, darling." He patted his lap, watching her raise her brows as she set her eyes back to him. "We have an hour before everyone returns to the Rose Palace, and several minutes before those three join us for breakfast."

"Sir Conan will surely throw a huge fit once again." Aries giggled, but still stood from her seat to sit on Abel's lap. He was just sitting beside her, so it was a quick journey as she plopped her butt down on his lap, legs on his rear.

"Abel, look at my hand." She showed the back of her hand, already used to how his arm wrapped around her waist. "So pretty, right? I feel like I just came out straight from the painting. I didn't know you have such talent."

Aries snapped her eyes and opened her mouth when a piece of vegetable hovered over her lips. While she chewed, she faced Abel squarely.

"I came from a family of artists, darling. So, I know a thing or two." Abel smiled, brushing her cheek with his thumb.

"Really?" Aries narrowed her eyes at him but didn't dwell on it. Abel kept feeding her while she showed off the inks on her hand and arms which Abel drew himself last night.

When another vegetable was parked in front of her lips, Aries finally noticed something. She furrowed her brows, glaring daggers at him.

"Abel." She blinked twice before scrunching her nose up in dismay. "You think I won't notice you're making me eat the vegetables I told you to finish?"

"What? No...!" he denied shamelessly; even though he was already caught.

"Lies." Aries clicked her tongue, pointing at him. "Eat it."

"Eat, what? You?"

"This one. Later, me."

The side of his lips curled up as he rocked his head. "My, my... if that is the reward, then sure." Abel shoved the piece of vegetable inside his mouth and grinned.

Aries pressed her lips and watched him chew. As she did so, her eyes caught the writings on the back of his ear that reached down the side of his neck. Her lips curled up.

Abel was a tatted man, but that one behind his ear was a new one. It wasn't permanent like the rest inked on his body, but this one was her favorite. Why? Because last night, Aries also marked him.

"Aries," she read, making him cocked his head back, eyes on her. "My name inked behind your ear, it looks good. It's my favorite."

"I would've let you write it on my chest, but then, no one will see it." He leaned his face forward, flashing a smile that made him appear he was winning in life. "You know what made it better?" he inquired.

"What?"

"It's written in the language of Rikhill. No one will ever read it aside from you and no one will know what it means but me," he answered in a knowing tone, shrugging nonchalantly. "It feels like we're sharing a little secret only the two of us know."

"No one will know what it means..." she mumbled as his face leaned closer, brushing the tip of his nose against hers. "What does Aries mean to you?"

"Ask me tomorrow." The corner of his lips stretched even wider.

She pouted, lowering her shoulder. "I bet you will answer the same if I asked tomorrow."

"Obviously." His grin widened until his teeth were showing, drawing his head back to look at her. "I will keep saying ask me tomorrow every time."

"Why? Don't you know the answer?"

Abel chuckled with his closed lips, tucking a portion of her hair behind her ear. His eyes scanned her face thoroughly, engraving her beauty deep in his head.

"It's not a matter of answer, but the question, darling. If I answer it, I won't hear you ask. Keep asking me every day and keep reminding me what you are to me." His voice was teasing and seductive, pinching her chin to look at her in the eye.

"Goodness..." she breathed out, biting her inner lip while staring at him. "Stop rendering me speechless. I don't know how to answer that."

Now, she also didn't want to hear the answer, but she would still ask anyway. Every day with him felt like she was falling deeper into his world. Accepting and indulging with him without pretense or the thought of treading on thin ice was an entirely different world.

She was happy, very happy.

It was almost unbelievable that she could still be this happy after everything that had happened. If this was a dream... she wanted to sleep forever.

"Abel, how many more minutes do we have?" she inquired, wrapping her arms over his shoulder.

He tilted his head back as she bent her head down to receive her lips. "Not long enough to..."

"Your Majesty, it is I, Isaiah, with Sir Conan and Marquess Dexter."

Suddenly, a knock from outside the door reached their ears, making her frown. However, before she can draw her hand back, Abel placed his palm on the back of her head.

"Five minutes. I'll let them in in five minutes," he whispered, eyes glinting. "Until then, kiss me until I do not have enough energy to tease Conan."

"Do you have a crush on Sir Conan?" she bit her lips before pressing them against his. "Five minutes then."