The Tyrant's Pet

The death of Countess Cherry Lloyd shook the upper echelon the very next day. A merchant who was traveling as early as dawn found her wrecked carriage deep in the woods and when he checked the inside, he was mortified at the mangled state she was in. She was unrecognizable. If not for the items in her luggage that could point to who was the victim of this atrocious and inhumane attack, it would be another jane doe.

While some were protesting for justice, the inevitable rose.

The first thing that everyone was curious about was, where was Countess Lloyd, the crown princess' lady-in-waiting heading in the middle of the night? Cherry couldn't enlighten everyone since the dead could speak no more. Thus, different conclusions rose in the upper echelon.

Some believed Countess Lloyd was meeting her secret lover while others think she was traveling under the crown princess' orders. Obviously, the first rumor sounded spicier and more logical. Even so, whatever the real reason was, noblemen were angry and supported the Earl's plea.

Meanwhile, this news spread faster than anyone could catch up to the common people. Therefore, it brought terror to the people, since they all believed the rebels did it. Now, not only the royal court was filled with angry sentiments, but the people would also gather in the plaza and march in front of the imperial palace, screaming to put an end to these rebel groups.

Aries stood in front of the window inside the crown princess's chancery. From here, she could see the massive numbers of angry and frightened people beyond the castle gates. Although she was far enough away to hear what they were shouting and unable to see their expressions, she could feel their emotions.

'Surely, Joaquin used her death as much as he can,' she told herself, a little amused the crown prince was surely someone who would use every situation to his advantage. 'It had been the third day since Cherry's death, but no word from the royal family was out.'

Her eyes narrowed as they glinted dangerously. Aries was aware Joaquin was simply riling people up with the wait and it was effective. The number of Protestants had significantly grown over the past three days.

'I wonder what will Ismael do?' she wondered, snapping her eyes ever so slowly upon hearing a faint knock from the door. 'I haven't seen him in a while… he shouldn't take his eyes off of me.'

"Your Royal Highness."

Aries glanced over her shoulder as soon as Inez's voice caressed her ears. But she didn't face her and kept staring at the faraway gates of the palace.

"Everyone is just angry, Inez," she expressed in a soothing voice, planting her hand on the transparent window. "My lady-in-waiting… it was saddening that she had met an accident. Even though I dislike her, I do not wish for her to die."

Inez pressed her lips into a tight slash, eyes on the crown princess's back. She heard the crown princess hadn't been in great shape since the news of Cherry's death exploded. She thought Aries would be happy, but it seemed it affected her differently.

"Was it you, Inez?" Inez's back stiffened at the cold voice that reached her ears. She watched Aries turn around and face her, showing an unsmiling and aloof countenance.

"Are you the one who did it, Inez?" repeated Aries while gazing at the ninth princess from head to toe. "Don't lie… I hate them the most."

Inez clenched her teeth and clutched her hand into a tight fist. She lowered her eyes, swallowing down the frustrating tension in her throat.

"I thought you'll be happy," she answered.

"Why… did you think someone's death will make me happy, Inez?"

Inez slowly raised her head, only to see the same unreadable expression on Aries's face. The latter surely wasn't happy. If anything, she just suddenly grew distant and Inez could feel her heart going farther.

"Cherry is my lady-in-waiting. Even though she had seduced my husband and is ambitious, I didn't wish for her to die. Her death doesn't sadden me though, just how it didn't make me happy. I am not that sort of person." Aries let out a shallow breath, tilting her head a little to the side. "But… why does my happiness matter to you, Inez?"

"What…?"

"I want to know. That day, you simply shoved me away and left me confused. I kept thinking if what I did was wrong or were you disgusted with me, but then, you will kill my lady-in-waiting and tell me you thought that would make me happy?" Aries chuckled weakly, linking her hand in front of her. "I hate it when something isn't clear, Inez. I may be satisfied for a moment, but wanting to know if we were on the same page but get no proper answer will devour my sanity."

"Why… does my happiness matter to you?" she repeated once again, eyes on Inez.

Inez's lips parted ever so slightly, but no words came out. She could only stare at Aries for minutes while the latter waited for her answer patiently.

"Because… you're my queen." Bitterness instantly filled Aries's eyes, which didn't go past Inez's attention.

"Because I am your queen? So it was because you felt obliged? And my happiness was your duty?"

"Yes." Inez lowered her eyes to avoid seeing the emotions in the crown princess's eyes. When a minute had passed in silence, Inez let out a deep exhale and raised her head once again. "I love you, Elle."

Aries laughed sarcastically. "Now you love me?"

"I'm sorry about that day. I was simply surprised and…"

"You were surprised that is why you shoved me away, left me alone, killed my lady-in-waiting, and then come here days later?" Aries inquired sarcastically. "I sent you a letter the day Countess Lloyd died, but you didn't meet me. I needed you the most that day, Inez. However… you weren't there with me."

Aries shook her head as she walked towards the desk ever so slowly. Standing behind the desk, she opened one drawer where a dagger was resting in the middle. She picked it up, lifting her eyes back to where Inez was standing.

"Are you certain you love me, Inez?" she asked while Inez furrowed her brows at the dagger in the crown princess's hand. The latter's eyes slowly dilated when Aries sliced through her palm until blood was dripping on the floor.

"Then prove it. Drink my blood."