The Tyrant's Pet

"I am pleased that you made it, Baron Albe!"

"How dare I not appear when His Royal Highness invited me himself?"

Abel smiled as he straightened his back after greeting Joaquin, who had just exited his tent along with several men. Joaquin chuckled and introduced him to a few of his people before they headed to the platform, where they would all gather before the start of the hunt.

"Are you alright, Baron Albe?" asked Joaquin as he walked side by side with Abel, giving him special treatment while the rest of his people were walking a step behind them. His eyes glanced up and gazed at the green hair that was neatly brushed back.

"Yes, Your Royal Highness," Abel replied, snapping the crown prince from his thoughts regarding Abel's green hair. "I was simply… counting."

"Counting?"

"It's one of my hobbies." Abel looked ahead, ignoring the men and women around in this vast expanse near the forest situated at the back of the imperial palace.

"Your hobby is counting?" Joaquin asked in a light tone, chuckling, as this businessman was surely peculiar.

"It's part of my life since I need to make sure no one cheats me," Abel explained as he cast Joaquin a side-eye, tapping his temple lightly.

"That is interesting." Joaquin rocked his head. "So, what were you counting on your head?"

"People's debt… and the sort." A friendly smile dominated Abel's face as he held his hand behind him, casting Joaquin a knowing look. "I always count Your Royal Highness. Like how I count the stars, I count people's debt. I need to keep track of certain things personally."

"Haha! That's right. People are quite cunning and shameless when it comes to money. Leave them unattended, and they will flee."

Abel kept his smile as he took a deep breath, but kept silent. He didn't mean money, but well, Joaquin would be horrified at what sort of debt he had been counting in his head.

"But that's not the purpose of the hunting season. We hunt to relieve our stress and have fun." Joaquin added in a light tone, keeping his chin up as they approached the crowd of men and women. "I hope it will help you take some concerns off of your mind."

"I hope." Abel tilted his head down slightly as they stopped in the farthest part from the raised platform. As they idled, both Abel and Joaquin looked around in search of a certain someone.

It wasn't an exaggeration that the hunting season was also a season for men and women to express their hearts. Many, around the vast green expanse, were females giving out trinkets or handkerchiefs to noblemen or knights. They would attach the trinket or wrap the handkerchief in their weapon's handle or just anywhere in the men's hunting suits.

Seeing this warm atmosphere unfold before their eyes, Abel's and Joaquin's eyes glinted. There was a reason for Joaquin to look forward or expect his wife would hand him a trinket or handkerchief since they were a couple.

Abel, on the other hand, was envious of everyone's display of affection. Thus, he was looking forward to his dearest darling doing the same thing to him… completely forgetting he was the third party in here.

As the two were silently searching for Aries, their attention shifted to the voice coming from their side. They twisted their neck on instinct, and Joaquin immediately smirked.

"What a good weather for a hunt, crown prince!" Ismael strutted towards Joaquin and his entourage with his arms spread wide. "My mood instantly shot up at the sight of the revered crown prince who will lead this season's hunt."

"I didn't know you were taking part, third brother." Joaquin faced his brother, holding his hand behind him. "I'm also pleased to see you."

"Well, I cannot miss such an auspicious occasion, can I?"

"You are correct."

"That's why I thought I should join and bring home the glory." Ismael smiled, causing Joaquin to chuckle at his confident remark. Well, the person who had the most hunt would not only make them look good, but it was also the unspoken test of the royalties' capability.

"I wish you luck, third prince." Joaquin expressed sincerely, knowing his brother would never win against him — ever. Not before, and definitely not now. He would bring home the title and impress his wife.

"Thank you for the blessing." Ismael snapped his brows as he noticed the person standing next to the crown prince. The first thing that caught his eyes was Abel's green hair before he notice the man's stature and aura.

'Well, who is this?' he wondered, as he has never seen this person in the past. He gazed at Abel until the latter looked back at him, and then he smiled.

To his dismay, Abel smiled back. Shouldn't he be bowing to him and greeting him just like the rest of Joaquin's people? Ismael wasn't surprised Joaquin wasn't introducing him to his company since they weren't on friendly terms. But it was common etiquette for Abel to greet him for formality.

"Crown prince, your people are quite…" he trailed off even when he heard a woman's voice from the opposite side where he came from.

"Your Highness!"

Ismael, Joaquin, and Abel instinctively turned their attention to where the voice was coming from. As soon as they did, their eyes landed on Aries coming from the side. She was walking while fixing her wristband. A knight was following closely behind her while holding a crossbow.

Aside from how stunning she looked, even in a red and black hunting suit with her golden hair tied in a ponytail, what caught their eyes were the multiple trinkets dangling from the bottom of her fist. She stopped and turned her head in a particular direction, smiling subtly when a young noble lady approached her.

Seeing that the young noble lady offered Aries a trinket with a flustered face, Ismael's face contorted. Meanwhile, Joaquin furrowed his brows while Abel frowned. Aries simply accepted the trinket and flashed the young maiden a coquettish smile as if she was charming her.

"…" — was their reaction.