The Tyrant's Pet

<strong>[ WARNING: THE FOLLOWING NARRATIVE CONTAINS DISTURBING, TRIGGERING, AND SENSITIVE CONTENT. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. ]</strong>

One month. That was how long it took before Aries realized she was foolish.

Aries had always known Joaquin didn't love the life growing within her just as much as she did. She would sacrifice herself, burying the disgust and hatred she harbored from the past, and was willing to tolerate the man she despised the most in this life for the little life she was carrying.

For him… or her, Aries gritted her teeth and swallowed down her pride, trying to make Joaquin happy with everything she could. In her heart, she believed if Joaquin cared for her child even just a tiny bit, her child would have a better chance in life.

Joaquin might protect her child — Aries doesn't expect the crown prince to be kind to her. Just to her child, and that was good enough for her.

"I hate him, Bean," she whispered while sitting on the rocking chair, eyes on the single, open window in her chamber. Joaquin fulfilled his promise to give her a rocking chair two days after she asked for it. Not just that, but he allowed her to have one window open so she could breathe fresh air and see the vast garden outside.

"But he is still your father. No matter how I dislike the idea, I have to face it," she continued and smiled bitterly, patting her protruding tummy with her fingers mildly. "It's not your fault, Bean. It really isn't. He and I had a long history and what happened between us is something I will not put behind us — I can't even if I wanted to."

"I'm not asking you to hate him, Bean. All I'm saying, even if I despise him deep to the bone, I will love you." Aries winced slightly as she felt a contraction. She had been feeling unwell for the past several days — probably because of Joaquin's energy.

"I guess you were a bit tired too, huh?" she chuckled as she glanced down at her tummy before raising her eyes on the window again. A deep exhale slipped past her lips. "I will try to make him happy in a different way, Bean. With the current status of our complicated relationship, he'll probably extend his patience."

The creaking of the rocking chair resonated in the chambers as Aries remained silent. She kept her eyes outside, appreciating the beauty of the world and the little miracles it brought. She wanted to focus on the good things since that was the only thing she could do.

Her humming soon chorused with the creaking until her hums were all heard, lulling the little bean growing in her womb.

While Aries was humming a melodious tune, Joaquin, who came early to join her for dinner, stopped by the door at the tune. He carefully opened the door, and he didn't have to search for her because his eyes immediately fell on the woman in the rocking chair.

A subtle smile turned up on his lips as his eyes softened. Looking at her right now, Aries may still appear like a bird in a cage, but she looked content. They don't fight and she just turned into a completely different person.

'Who would have thought?' he wondered as he let out a weak chuckle. 'A child is an answer to make her submit?' — yet deep down, Joaquin wasn't foolish enough to think Aries had truly submitted. He knew her from inside and out, and he was aware she was simply tolerating him.

Aries stopped humming as she noticed the figure by the door. When she turned her head, her brows rose to see Joaquin leaning against the jamb, arms crossed.

"I thought I will fall asleep," he humored as he retracted his body away from the jamb and marched towards her. "I'm back early."

Aries lowered her eyes while Joaquin planted a peck on top of her head. She could feel her heart sink deeper, but a smile appeared on her face when she looked up at him.

For her child… she didn't mind falling into the pits of hell just to give him a better life. Suppressing the corruptness in her heart and the flames of rage, she was willing to do so to let the little spark of hope take over and fill the little bean within her.

They said a mother's love was the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible… and Aries could testify to that.

"Welcome back." She held his hand that was on her shoulder and smiled.

<strong>***</strong>

Weeks had passed peacefully… or what it appeared on the surface. Aries never got used to having a normal conversation with Joaquin, but she would indulge with him and service him. But no matter how Aries smiled and tried to come to terms with motherhood, her body couldn't take the suppressed stress and Joaquin's nightly demands.

So, when another month passed since having that rocking chair, Aries's contractions had grown more frequent. The reason she grew cautious of her movements, and only thought of joyful things. It helped, but alas… one night had changed everything.

Joaquin came to her chambers in the middle of the night. At this point, his surprise visits did not surprise her anymore and she couldn't fall asleep too because of the discomfort and contraction.

"My favorite…" Joaquin chuckled as he plopped down on the edge of the bed while she was sitting up. Aries furrowed her brows upon getting a whiff of alcohol and tobacco in his breath.

"How gorgeous," he praised, cupping her cheek clumsily, blinking wearily. "You make me happy, dear."

She forced a smile despite feeling unwell and restless. "You should rest," she advised in a soft tone. "You seemed you had a fun night."

"I did have a fun night... a bit." Joaquin chuckled before slowly pushing her shoulder down whilst crawling on the bed. "But that bitch ruined it. She kept screaming it was annoying, and I didn't finish. But well, you're still the best. That's why you're my favorite."

Her jaw tightened as she stared at those pairs of silver hovering over her. She felt nothing at his statements, even though he clearly came from another woman's embrace. If anything, she was a little annoyed at whoever serviced him and left him unsatisfied.