The Tyrant's Pet

The space between Aries' brows wrinkled as she moaned and blinked weakly. When her vision slightly grew clearer, she caught a figure from her peripheral vision. She turned her head and smiled subtly.

'I bet he was worried,' she thought, staring at Dexter who was in the armchair near her bed. He was sleeping with his temple propped against his knuckles, and his leg resting over the other.

Her eyes remained on his figure until they softened. Dexter reminded her of her late big brother. He was also like this whenever one of their siblings would fall ill.

Just when Aries was about to avert her eyes, her brows rose as his eyes opened ever so slowly. Dexter raised his exhausted eyes at her, and in an instant, he bent over to the side of the bed.

"Dani, are you alright?" he asked while studying her.

Aries chuckled, as this was actually the first time he seemed truly anxious. "Yes. Did I worry you?"

"You shouldn't push yourself too much." He breathed out, dragging the chair closer to the bed. "The doctor said you need rest, lots of rest. You're pushing yourself too much."

"But I'm fine now."

"No, you should rest more." Dexter shook his head and pressed a finger on her forehead. "How can you protect yourself if you're sick?"

Aries frowned but didn't argue with him. When he was certain she would behave, he removed the finger from her forehead and sighed.

"Aries." She flinched, eyes on him. It had been a while since Dexter called her by her real name. "Even if you are Aries, you're Daniella now, and my sister. Listen to me. I only want the best for you."

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line, staring into his eyes. "Sorry," came out a soft voice as she reached for his hand.

"I'll take care of myself so you don't get worried anymore." She squeezed his hand lightly. Claiming Daniella's name and life had its own responsibility. How could she forget? The real Daniella died, so Dexter didn't want to lose Aries, who filled that void his sister left in his heart.

"Rest some more." He smiled gently, stroking her hair before tucking her in properly.

"What about you?" she asked with good intention. "Are you going to watch over me? I'm fine now, so you also have to rest."

He shook his head with his lips closed. "I'll rest once you fell asleep again. I'm fine."

Her mouth opened and closed, but her voice was stuck in her throat. In the end, Aries could only stare at him for a moment before nodding. She let out a deep exhale and closed her eyes, feeling his intent gaze at her.

One thing she had to remind herself repeatedly was Dexter was her brother now. It may sound ridiculous to others, but deep in his heart, he already believed Aries was his sister, and it wasn't a simple act anymore.

They both gain the family they craved for, filling the piece in each other's hearts. Therefore, Aries shouldn't keep thinking about her revenge without considering those around her.

"Thank you, brother," she whispered as she opened her eyes slightly. He gave her a smile and a slight nod.

"Not at all. Rest more."

************

Three days later…

"I'm fine…" Aries rolled her eyes as she frowned, rolling on the settee lazily. "It's been three days and I'm really fine now."

She lied on her tummy, chin on the armrest of the settee, eyes on the person sitting behind his desk. For the past two days, Aries didn't have anything to do but stick with Dexter like glue. It was not like he told her to; it was just that her schedule was empty for a total rest.

The first two days were alright, but now she would die out of boredom.

Dexter raised his eyes over the rim of his spectacles. "I can see that."

"Ugh…" she frowned and snapped her tongue while Dexter resumed reading the document in his hand. "I've turned into a sloth."

She glanced at Dexter, who was ignoring her completely. Another sigh slipped past her lips. All the invitations to Aries had stopped coming, and she wasn't allowed to do things that could strain her physical and mental health. But doing nothing was straining her already!

"Rest, Dani. Tomorrow, the Duke of Fleure will officially train you." She snapped her eyes while Dexter spoke lazily, without casting her a look. "If you cannot survive his first day of training, he will quit. He doesn't have very long patience. Even if it was His Majesty's orders, there's nothing we can do if he gives up on you."

"Oh…"

Dexter raised his eyes at her once again. "He means it when he said he won't go easy on you. That also means he will make you give up, purposely."

"It's alright." The side of her lips slowly curled ‌until her eyes squinted. "A day of training under the duke is already an honor. I bet I can learn a lot from him in a day more than I can learn things from others in a month."

"Dani, you're too optimistic." He tried to conceal the disbelief in his eyes but failed miserably. "Lord Darkmore isn't what he seems he is. Don't forget, he is one of His Majesty's people."

"Hehe…" she giggled, tilting her head. Wasn't she also one of Abel's people? Aries wanted to say that, but she didn't want to irritate Dexter.

He shook his head and slowly shifted his focus on the document in front of him. "Don't make me say I told you so."

"Yes, yes…"

If only Aries knew what Dexter truly mean, she wouldn't smile so brightly. Her brother wasn't exaggerating. If anything, Dexter understated what she should expect from a warmonger, Abel's hellhound, and a psychopath hidden behind his cold and aloof shell.

The next day…

"I told you so." Aries turned her head to Dexter, who was standing on the side of their estate's training ground. Standing behind him was Gustav.

'My god…' she let out a sigh, shifting her eyes back to Isaiah, standing several feet away from her, holding his sword—the real sword—which was bathed with the blood of his enemies from countless wars.

"Lord Darkmore, please don't kill me," was the only words that slipped her mouth, staring at the man who told her to block his attack.