The Tyrant's Pet

"Make it quick, Reverend. I want this wedding and I will not marry anyone else aside from Aries Aime Heathcliffe. She is the only good thing that happened to me, and all I need is her," Abel continued solemnly, almost making the Reverend weep in fear as his tone was a stark contrast to his affectionate words. Abel sounded like he was threatening him!

"She's my world, and I won't allow anything or anyone, even this world, you all breathe in harm her. Tell this to the God you worship, Reverend. This union... is not to ask His blessing but a warning to not mess with her, because I will mess with anyone who tries to take her away from me," he added, making everyone who heard his marriage vow wince; the Reverend wept internally, and Aries chuckled weakly.

Abel took a long pause as he slowly gazed up at the golden cross behind the Reverend. His eyelids drooped, but his eyes bore sincerity.

"Allow me to cherish her, to hold and protect her, to love her for as long as we live. Allow us to be happy in each other's embrace, and live peacefully from this day forward... and I promise you, I'll be good." His voice was low, but everyone felt his heart in those words. "And if the day comes, I have to bury her body... that will also be the day I'll reside six feet under the surface of this world where I will lie beside her ash."

There was a long silence that descended into the chapel after the last syllable of his wedding vows slipped past his lips. Aries, who was paying close attention to his words alone, smiled subtly.

Her heart felt warm, very warm, and she simply wanted to melt in his arms forever. Although his last remarks had left a pang in her heart, she didn't want to think about death or anything regarding separation.

"With that being said, I will not allow death to part us. Therefore, you do not need to ask me if I approve of this marriage because my answer is obvious — I want her, no one else, and more than anything in this world," he added solemnly since all that mattered in this union was Aries's consent and willingness to marry someone like him.

"Wu..." Conan wiped the corner of his eyes, a little moved at the unsightly yet beautiful wedding he was witnessing with Abel carrying his bloody bride while speaking from his heart. "I'm so happy for His Majesty..."

Year after year, decades, centuries... Conan had been behind Abel and had always stared at the latter's back. Although dealing with Abel was a piece of work and stressful, Conan understood Abel's blackened heart.

The Emperor of Haimirich just does whatever the hell he wanted, not because he wanted to do them or he was forced to.  It was just that Abel wanted nothing to do with this world. Heck. Abel had been finding ways to die!

The emptiness in his heart was unspeakable, and even though his people knew that, they would never comprehend it because they were never in Abel's shoes. They could try to understand, but they would never fully assimilate it since Abel himself couldn't describe the emptiness he had carried for thousands and thousands of years.

But now, Abel wanted something, and seeing that that desire, longing, and acceptance were being reciprocated just as sincerely brought tears to Conan's eyes. He was happy for Abel, for Aries, for the two of them.

Isaiah, on the other hand, simply stared at Abel's back. Unlike Conan, who was chewing his handkerchief to muffle his cries, he kept his straight countenance. Still, the luster in his eyes that had never been seen before dominated his eyes. He might not be just as expressive as Conan, but he wished for Abel and Aries's marriage nothing but good. With a flick of his finger, Dexter, who was seething in anger moments ago, was free from the invisible shackles that kept him on his spot.

Dexter, who regained his freedom, moved his head towards the altar. Abel was carrying Aries in his arms, standing firmly in his stature, and looking up as if he was talking to God himself.

"Damn..." he whispered, massaging his stiff shoulders. Even though he wasn't restrained anymore, he didn't move an inch from his spot.

Joaquin was slapping himself while standing near the altar, and like a fool, no matter how many times his face would toss to the side, he would keep looking back to witness the wedding of his wife to another man. And yet, this wasn't even called the beginning of Joaquin's nightmare because Abel... wasn't this kind.

Ignoring Joaquin, Dexter set his eyes on Abel's back. His eyes then softened slightly as a shallow breath slipped past his lips.

'I never wished him happiness because he doesn't deserve it...' he thought, catching Aries's feet over Abel's arms. '... but it's different if she's involved. I want her to be happy and if he is the person who can give that to her... then I won't get in the way.'

"Sir Conan," Morro called in a whisper. "Will they release the doves now? Shall I morph now?"

When Conan ignored him as he was weeping, Morro pursed his lips into a thin line. After a moment of pondering, Morro tapped Conan's shoulder, only to receive a glare in return.

"Don't talk to me! Can't you see I'm crying, you insensitive bird!" Conan clicked his tongue in irritation and then continued weeping. Morro frowned as he observed Conan silently.

"Sir Conan, you're crying as if this is a funeral..." Morro mumbled, not sure if Conan heard him but ignored him or didn't hear him at all. Either way, he patiently waited for his time to shine.

Meanwhile, outside the chapel, a figure appeared beside Ismael's body while the latter just regained his consciousness and was trying to stand up. Ismael grunted and furrowed his brows in confusion when a hand pulled his arm and placed it across his shoulder to help him stand, and then the other hand across his waist.

Ismael turned his face to the person weakly. As soon as he saw Curtis's face, the side of his lips curled up.

"You're..." he coughed, wincing at the pain it brought. "... late."

"Late is better than absent." Curtis shrugged before dragging Ismael inside the chapel to attend the wedding of his dearest friend and also Ismael's and the Maganti savior.