The Tyrant's Pet

<strong>Danger.</strong>

Another soft gust of wind blew past Aries. She fixated her eyes on Abel as he drew his head back, smirking dangerously at her. Was he the devil? She wondered. The darkness in his eyes felt like drawing her in, hypnotizing her into a deadly trap.

'That is... unnecessarily warm.' She clenched her teeth secretly, reminding herself his action wasn't something she should dwell on. 'This is Abel, Aries. Do not forget everything is games for him. He's bad for your heart.'

"Ha ha... so cute," came out a dark laugh. His eyelids drooped until they were partially closed, placing his pointing finger on her lips. "Disappointed it's not here? I am too, but I'm afraid you'd get used to it and take it for granted."

That was not it. Abel knew that was not entirely the real reason. Although he truly planned to kiss her lips until they get numb, the real reason he stopped was something deeper than temporary pleasure. It had... something to do with what she made him feel.

Was it a good reason? Or bad? A little bit of both. But what was certain was what they were playing was something dangerous.

Aries cleared her throat as she looked away. "I will try again," she awkwardly picked up the arrow nearby, pulling herself together.

She was used to his changeable attitude that was just too extreme. So, she subconsciously anticipated what sort of crazy idea he would come up with. The reason she expected nothing normal from him.

A kiss on the cheek? Who would have thought something so simple would surprise her? But that simplicity was enough to rattle her; it took her off guard. The irony, she thought.

Meanwhile, Abel pressed his lips into a thin line as she shifted her focus on the straw target. She wasn't the person who wore her heart on her sleeve. But at times like this, it was amusing for him to watch her lose her composure for a bit.

His eyes squinted into mere slits as the side of his lips stretched from ear to ear. "This time..."

SWOosh

"... I won, right?"

Aries huffed, staring at the arrow embedded right in the middle of the head of the target. She looked at him with sharp eyes but then smiled.

"You did." His expression brightened up at her honesty and being a good sport. "I didn't expect that."

"Just like when I didn't expect you kissing my hand, but anyway, you hit it." He peeled his eyes away from her, setting them on the arrow. "Bullseye, nice!" he shaded his eyes with the side of his hand over his eyebrows, whistling.

Aries pressed her lips to suppress her proud smile. "That is because you're not breathing down my neck."

"Oh, come on, darling! You make me think I truly have influence over you!"

"But you do, Your Majesty." She frowned, holding the bow down, and mumbled. "If you don't, I will not rack my brains every second of every day."

He chortled. "So, how was the progress of the search for my next Aries? Were Conan and Dexter not any help?"

"Your Majesty, did you give this task, knowing I will never succeed?"

"Oh no, darling. I gave it to you because I know you will definitely succeed." His voice was laced with certainty. "Do you want my help as well? I am in a pretty good mood. What do you think?"

Aries squinted her eyes, scrutinizing him thoroughly. "Then... what is your first impression of me?" she asked after making sure he was truly in the good mood to talk.

"Nothing." He grinned, but her expression died.

"Nothing?"

"Yes. Nothing."

"Was that the help you're talking about?" she inquired in a dead tone, almost at the brink of believing he wouldn't really help. Well, that shouldn't be surprising since she was basically telling him 'she will leave him.'

"It is helpful! What are you saying? Give that back to him and let's take a walk." Abel pointed his chin towards the knight holding the arrows.

As instructed, Aries beckoned the knight to come close. She offered a subtle smile and said, "thank you," before facing Abel.

"Hand." Her brows rose when he offered his hand to her. "Let's hold hands like lovers do, darling. It's fun to tease Conan and watch him chew his handkerchief for the lack of progress in the matters of his heart."

'What a devil,' Aries felt sorry for Conan, glancing at the man who was digging a hole in their heads with his gaze from a distance.

As Aries clasped his hand, she muttered. "You know that Sir Conan hasn't gotten married yet because you work him to the bone, right?"

"And I don't feel sorry for that. Haha! I am just as busy as him, but I still have time to flirt. He needs to learn how to manage his time!" he laughed evilly, slipping his fingers in between her fingers. They then walked away slowly, holding hands, catching the attention of the very few people around.

"Oh... it's always fun to play with everyone's head. I wonder what amusing rumor I will hear tomorrow?"

Aries glanced at his side, watching him laugh. He looked so carefree, just like a true devil who would laugh at everything.

"Uhm, Abel?" she called before they get lost from their topic completely. "When you say you didn't have any first impression on me... what does that mean?"

"Aren't you a hard worker, darling?" he cocked his head back, eyes on her. "It means that's the first. I usually meet people and every time, I only have two impressions. They look like they will last long, or they're boring. But you... uh... what is it? Something between the lines... I want nothing to do with her, but I can't also leave her behind. Maybe I am actually kind?"

"..." She was wrong to ask him. He just complicates things even more. 'I'll pretend I didn't hear him,'

Meanwhile, as Abel and Aries walked away hand in hand, Conan furrowed his brows. He fixated his eyes on both of them, tilting his head to the side.

"That..." he whispered, seeing Aries's side profile as she was looking at Abel. While the latter was also looking at her. They looked so cool just talking like that. As if, for once, Abel looked normal.

"... Lady Aries, I don't think you will find another Aries. No, I'm certain, you won't."

Ever since Conan started serving Abel, no one had ever matched Abel's temperament or made him smile like that. And that was already a very long time.

"But you will definitely succeed because... he wants you to, so he will accept just anyone or anything you give him." There was a bit of sadness in his eyes, knowing what type of person Abel was.