The Tyrant's Pet

When Aries regained her consciousness, it was late in the night. She had been sleeping for two weeks after her wedding, and Abel had stayed since coming out of the chapel. Once morning came, the few servants handpicked by the third prince to clean Aries arrived.

Seeing her conscious, the news about Aries immediately spread like a wildfire. Everyone was aware of the crown princess' involvement in the revolt and was seen in the eyes of the knights, as one of them. Therefore, upon receiving the news she had recovered after sleeping for two weeks was akin to plucking out a thorn in their heart.

Two weeks wasn't that long, but it was enough time to bring back the order in the land. Although there were still some who were displeased regarding the revolt, the majority were overjoyed by the fall of the evil crown prince. Hence, with their united hearts, everyone was trying to move forward, helping those who needed help, and preparing for a new regime.

Many from the Valiente and knights flocked in front of the Jade Palace, carrying flowers and herbs, some even gifts to wish Aries a speedy recovery. Even though the knights in charge of the security of the Jade Palace chased them all away, some were too persistent in coming every day with flowers.

It was silly when they had better things to do, but Ismael exercised maximum tolerance. Every single one of them was suppressed and hearing that the person behind the success of this revolt had regained consciousness, they all wanted to express their gratitude.

"Damn it..." Ismael pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closed. "Do they have any idea the best way to express their gratitude is to keep it low?"

Aries chuckled, staring at Ismael, who was sitting across from her. The third prince came here the very next day when he heard about the news, but only three days later did Dexter allow visitors.

"You seemed pretty beat," she pointed out. His bruises on his face and neck were still apparent, but the swelling already faded. "I'm glad to see you alive, Your Highness."

Ismael peeked from his one eye before dropping his hand to the armrest. A shallow exhale escaped his nostrils, studying her pale complexion.

"You too," he replied. "You slept for over two weeks. Everyone thought you died."

"I also thought I did."

"You..." he let out another sigh, smacking his lips. "Thank you, Your Royal Highness."

"I'm no longer the crown princess of the Maganti Empire."

"But still and will always be the beloved crown princess of the land of Rikhill," he argued almost immediately.

Aries pursed her lips and smiled subtly.

"You paved the way," Ismael continued when she kept silent. "If not for you, we wouldn't go that far... at least, not that easily."

"I didn't mean it that way." Her lips remained curled up, looking to the window where she could see the clear sky in the first week of spring. "They want to drag me somewhere, and I had to fight for my own freedom. I didn't pave the way for all of you. I hated Maganti, and I still hate it. Don't thank me."

Ismael studied her side profile, only to let out another shallow sigh. Yet, the side of his lips curled up subtly. Whether she admitted it or used a lame excuse, they both knew Aries fought fiercely because she wanted to help them in a way she could. After all, she could've just fled after reaching her goal and married Abel.

"Although it quieted down, there were still some things to be taken care of. Because Joaquin had made an enemy to everyone, we all shared one common goal, and that was to restore the peace in this land." He cleared his throat, changing the subject and filling her in with the current state of affairs. "Although... some were still raising a petition to hang his head in the city gate for everyone to see."

Her eyes softened, listening to him in silence. "Is that so?"

"I told them he... was apparently, got burned in the explosion."

"Did he, though?" she asked, causing his brows to crease.

'She doesn't know?' he wondered internally, pondering whether Abel was intentionally keeping her in the dark or it was just that they didn't have the leisure to talk since she was still recovering.

"Er..." Ismael scratched the back of his head, a bit conflicted about it. "Obviously, he didn't. But everyone agreed to let the sovereign of Haimirich handle the verdict since they helped to subdue those royal knights Javier turned to monsters."

"I see..." Aries rocked her head mildly, keeping her eyes on the scenery outside the window.

"I don't know what happened to him. I thought you had talked about this with his Majesty."

"My husband," she corrected, snapping her eyes ever so tenderly at him. "Address him, my husband, in front of me."

"Ahh... ha ha." Ismael laughed awkwardly, feeling this sort of deja vu with his last encounter with Abel. Just like her, Abel's every sentence had<strong> 'wife'</strong> in it.

"I requested not to hear a word about the news outside when I regained consciousness. Actually, I didn't want to know what happened and your plans for the future. It would be better to focus on my own healing," she explained calmly, raising her eyes when she caught a figure entering the chambers. Her lips curled up, making Ismael look back to see Abel strutting his way in.

"Hello, Prince." Abel plopped his butt down beside Aries, spreading his arm over the backrest and across her figure. "Hello, darling."

Aries smiled at him before shifting her attention to the man across from them. "I know you simply feel obligated to inform me about the current state of affairs, but I am not interested. I achieved my goal and Joaquin had fallen. Whether the Maganti recovers is none of my concern anymore."

She leaned back, planting a hand on top of Abel's leg. She glanced at her husband once more and then back at Ismael.

"I'd appreciate it, though, if you visit me to share a cup of tea." Her smile stretched, nodding encouragingly. "Otherwise, save yourself some trouble and don't visit me with such a lame excuse to inform me of something that I am not interested in. I'm not your boss."

"Actually, I didn't visit you just to report about the current state of affairs," Ismael confessed, darting his eyes between Abel and Aries. He mustered a lifetime of courage, fighting his tongue from rolling back to continue his sentiment. After a minute of inner struggle, Ismael successfully forced his voice out with a thought of 'now or never.'

"I came here to offer you permanent residence."