The Tyrant's Pet

Meanwhile, in the Emperor's Palace, Abel sat on the balcony's railing and watched how the castle create a giant bonfire in the middle of the inner palace. The side of his lips curled up subtly as his eyes softened.

"You're welcome, darling." He chuckled weakly before glancing over his shoulder upon hearing incoming loud footsteps from the room to the balcony.

One second later, the door of the balcony flew open, revealing the angry Conan, who was dragging Morro by the back of his collar while the latter was sitting, letting his bottom sweep the floor.

"Your Majesty! What do you mean vacation is over?!" Conan questioned in irritation. "Just when I met a lady who is into me —"

"Did you kill her?" Morro inquired even before Conan could complete his sentence, pursing his lips when the latter glared daggers at him.

Conan huffed, setting his eyes back on Abel's back. "Your Majesty! This is unfair! Lady Aries isn't done yet — I mean, why are you stepping in now of all time?! She's almost there, but you suddenly ordered this bird to create a problem now everything is in shambles!"

"But it will extend your vacation, will it not?" asked Morro out of curiosity, only to receive a glare from Conan.

"It will! If not for the fact I was told to work now! How unfair is that?!"

"Oh, dear Conan. I don't want to ruin your vacation." Abel chuckled while keeping his eyes on the burning castle that appeared to be a tiny structure from his vantage point. "It's also my vacation since I didn't need to listen to your nagging and Isaiah's watchful eyes. Not to mention, the Marquess' assassinations attempts."

Conan scrunched his nose up because the feeling was mutual. Ever since they stepped foot in this empire, they stayed away from each other as much as they could. Although Isaiah would accompany Abel from time to time, they were mostly busy with their own business. Morro was probably the only one who spent the most time with Abel in this land because His Majesty's people cherished a moment that was Abel-free.

"Your Majesty, stop talking as if you don't want this as much as I —"

"I'm getting married."

Conan bit his tongue, wide-eyed. "Huh?"

"His Majesty proposed to Lady Aries, and she finally said yes," Morro explained as he leaned against Conan's feet. "Therefore, the church bells ringing is just around the corner." He then raised a hand as if to volunteer himself.

"Your Majesty, I volunteer myself as the dove to be released during the ceremony."

Conan's face crumpled as pulled his feet away, causing Morro to collapse on his back. "I'll shoot you down if I see a raven flying on such an auspicious occasion."

Morro frowned and ducked his head down. Yet Conan clicked his tongue in irritation and then shifted his attention to Abel.

"Your Majesty! Is it true?! You're getting married?!" he asked with a mood completely different as if he just heard this news and now he was shocked.

"Your reaction is delayed."

"Shut up!" Conan hissed at Morro, and the latter lowered his head once again. "I can't focus because of you!"

"Two weddings, Conan," Abel spoke, eyes ahead before he slowly raised his head to the night sky. "I'll marry her in this land and…"

"In Haimirich?" Conan gasped as his eyes glinted. "It'll be the wedding of the century! The first emperor who gets married and during my time as his aide. Hehe… that Duke Deadmore can never."

"Not in Haimirich." Conan's grin faded at Abel's response. "I won't marry her in Haimirich."

Both Conan and Morro gazed at Abel's back with furrowed brows. Did Abel just say he wouldn't marry Aries in Haimirich? Would he marry her twice in this Maganti Empire?

"Lady Aries is surely blessed with marriage. Three weddings in one year, she's setting up a record," Morro commented, only to press his lips into a thin line at Conan's glare.

Abel remained silent with a subtle smile on his face. "How nice…" he whispered, imagining Aries wearing the most beautiful white dress walking down the aisle while he wait for her at the altar.

"A wedding grand enough for her to remember it first when she hears the word, Maganti," he continued. "A memory that is stronger enough than her experience in here."

"That is the plan," Abel added, blinking ever so tenderly.

Conan pressed his lips and pondered about the wedding Abel preferred. In other words, the wedding should be memorable enough that Aries would forget all the bad memories she had in this place. Although it was impossible to take away the pain in Aries's heart, having one good and strong memory would make things a little better for her.

"Oh!" Conan pounded the bottom of his fist against his palm when an idea crossed his head. The corner of his lips stretched from ear to ear.

"I have an idea!" he announced, and Morro perked up.

"Tell me, tell me!" Morro urged, only to get kicked in the leg by Conan.

"If I were you, go to Duke Deadwitchmore and ask him to turn you back to what you truly are before I strangle you!"

"You are so mean, Sir Conan."

"I am mean to all the people I don't like!"

"But you said you like me…"

"Yes, I like to kill you!"

While Conan pressed his knuckles against Morro's temple and ground it, Abel spoke without care if Morro's head would get smashed by his legal adviser. It was not worthy of his concern or attention.

"The second wedding…" he trailed off as he lifted his gaze, spreading his palm open to feel the drops of water coming from the sky. His lips curled up subtly while his eyes softened, watching the water pattered on his palms, and ignoring how it slowly damped his knees and shoes.

"On our second wedding…" he smiled and smacked his lips mildly. "… make it as simple as home."