The Tyrant's Pet

"I came here to offer you permanent residence."

Aries furrowed her brows while Abel's eyes fastened with amusement. They both looked at each other for a second and then looked back at Ismael with the same intrigued in their eyes.

"A permanent residence?" she repeated, almost chuckling at the amount of knowledge in this offer.

"Interesting," Abel chimed in, rather amused at this offer, instead of taking it to the heart. "I suppose you had thought this through before asking <strong>my wife</strong> to stay in here."

Ismael drew a breath and cleared his throat nervously. When he recovered slightly, he cast Abel a cursory look and then settled his attention at Aries. He leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, hands connected.

"Your Royal Highness, I know my brother, the crown prince, had wronged you and the land of Rikhill. Everyone here, including myself, owed you the world for feigning deaf, mute, and blind from the abuse. There's no amount of wealth and words of apology that could bring back those that were taken from you," Ismael explained solemnly while holding her gaze. "You loathed this land and we would forever repent for failing you."

He paused, gripping his hand tightly. "I will forever repent for my sins, Your Royal Highness. And as I vowed to never deviate from my duties, even in front of death himself, I want to take care of you."

"You understand that you sound like you are confessing to another man's wife, right?" she replied awkwardly, tilting her head to the side.

"I do not mind if my tone and my intentions are to be misunderstood." The third prince's eyes landed on Abel fearlessly, but his throat still bobbed. "As I've said, I vowed to repay you properly and won't cower even in front of death himself."

"My, my... is this what you call a bitter love rival?" Abel simpered, grinning triumphantly. "Apologies, but I had won."

Ismael peeled his eyes from the joyous Abel to Aries. "It might not mean much, but my doors are always open for you. I will give you everything you need, far away from any political struggle and violence. I will give you a peaceful life where you do not have to worry about your life or someone harming you."

"Hah..." Aries could not help but let out a dry chuckle. But deep in her heart, she knew his intention wasn't what it looked like. "Why, Ismael?"

"Because you deserved more peace," he answered under his breath, but his tone still tinge with strong conviction. "You deserved better, to start anew, far away from all these messes you will not avoid once you go back to Haimirich as his wife."

The side of Abel's lips curled up in satisfaction, nodding in agreement. What the third prince had said was correct. Problems and tiring schemes would inevitably arise, and Aries could only wonder when it would happen. Ismael was giving her an option and Abel was fine with it; it actually pleased him.

Abel looked at Aries's side profile, letting her decide whether or not to take Ismael's offer. "I don't mind if you want to take his offer, darling. I'll support it."

Aries glanced at Abel and auto-translated his words into<strong> 'I don't mind leaving Haimirich and elope with you.'</strong> But this brought a subtle smile to her face, setting her eyes back to the man sitting across from her.

"I appreciate the offer, Your Highness. However," she squeezed Abel's thigh mildly. "I had accepted the harsh reality that there is no shortage of struggles and problems life had in store for all of us."

She then looked back at Abel and her eyes softened. "It's just a matter of who you want to struggle with."

"How sweet." His eyelashes drooped, caressing her jaw with his fingertips. "I can feel my heart melting… I guess this is how I will die. What a sweet cause of death."

"Why are you so dramatic?"

"But it's true, darling. Should I take out my heart just to prove it had melted?"

Her eyes dilated in horror, clasping his leg on instinct. "Don't joke like that!"

"I wasn't joking."

"That's the point!" she exclaimed in panic, knowing Abel would literally take his heart out just to prove he was telling the truth! "Abel, normal, please!"

He frowned as if he was wronged. "Darling, I am very normal."

"Yes, in your perspective, you are!"

"Are you saying I was crazy?"

"No, but I am… I think."

"Hah…" Abel studied her for a second and then smirked. "… it's alright. I accept this crazy girl."

Watching them interact, Ismael let out a defeated sigh. Yet, his lips could not help but stretch wider until low chuckles slipped past his lips. As his waves of laughter sounded louder, Aries and Abel looked back at him with genuine wonder in their eyes.

"Did he… snap?" she asked in a low tone, leaning closer to Abel's side.

Abel glanced at her and lowered his head so she would hear him. "Darling, that is not the question you should be asking. But yes, he did."

"Goodness…" she clicked her tongue, shaking her head, eyes on Ismael.

While Abel and Aries were shamelessly giving him this judgmental look, Ismael ignored them. He chuckled as if he just heard something funny until he was wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes. When he recovered, he cleared his throat and darted his eyes between the two.

His kind smile remained. "Your Royal Highness, my offer is valid forever. Not just to you, but to your offspring as well. If you needed a place to stay, the gates of our empire will open up for you." He then set his eyes on Abel and his expression grew solemn.

"Your Majesty, I know the Haimirich Empire does not need the resources of the Maganti Empire. But if you still want a diplomatic relationship, we are open for negotiations," he remarked with clear respect to the emperor.

Ismael drew another deep breath, planting his hands on either side of his leg. He looked at the two of them before bending over, bowing deeply at them.

"Thank you for saving us and our land. You two… will always be in my prayers." He shut his eyes and huffed, while Aries and Abel looked at each other with a smile.

"I hope that prayer is not about our demise," Abel humored, grinning from ear to ear as they watch Ismael raise his head. The third prince's lips stretched broader, looking back at those beautiful creatures others had deemed monsters.

In Ismael's eyes, those two were far from being monsters. They were beautiful from inside and out — not perfect, but they were good people. And in his heart, they were his... friends.