The Tyrant's Pet

Abel stayed until lunch before Aries called for Gustav to assist her husband outside the Vandran estate. Aries was told that a small unit of knights came to the Marquess' residence to fetch the emperor in secret. Hence, she didn't have to send him off herself, and also they still need to be discreet about their affair until things settled down.

"My lady." Aries snapped her eyes when a knock came from outside the door. Sitting leisurely on the settee, she watched Gustav enter. The latter stopped several steps away from the coffee table, bowing.

"Did he leave?" she asked, watching the head butler straighten his back.

"Yes, my lady. He said he will be back in the evening."

"I see." Aries rocked her head while massaging her temple. She was physically exhausted from all that morning activity with her husband, and her mind wasn't in a better state. There were too many things to think about; the realization that she only knew a small fraction of the people surrounding her and the Haimirich Empire wasn't helping.

"Are you alright, my lady?"

Aries snapped her eyes and arched her brow, looking up at Gustav. She studied him from head to toe and rocked her head.

"Gustav," she called, and Gustav raised his brows. "How long have you been working for the marquess?"

"For a long time, my lady."

"Like... decades?"

"Two Centuries." He smiled. "The time he was turned into a vampire."

"So..." Aries gulped. "You knew the real Daniella?"

This time, Gustav didn't respond for several seconds before he nodded. "Yes."

"What is she like?" she asked hurriedly, before shaking her head. "Ah, never mind. That question will put you in a difficult position, will it?"

"Yes, my lady. I understand you want to know the marquess's sister, but I am in no position to tell you about her." Gustav kept honest, like usual, but he was still modest and polite. "However, I'm certain his lordship will tell you about her if you asked him."

Aries sighed. "I know that," she mumbled, frowning. "But should I really have to ask him? Or would I unknowingly open a wound that I am unaware of?"

Silence once again fell on them as Gustav remained silent, studying Aries. He smiled meekly, in awe at Aries's ability to read the air and sentience to the people around her.

"I'm certain the Marquess wouldn't mind." He broke the prolonged silence with his calm voice. "After all, you are also his sister. You might not share the same blood, but I know the Marquess and he genuinely cherishes you."

Aries pursed her lips and smiled. "Are you a vampire?"

"Yes."

"A turned one?"

"No, my lady."

"You're... a vampire from the start?" her brow arched even more when Gustav nodded. "That's strange."

"I get that a lot in the past. However, His Majesty respects my decision. Thus, everyone can only respect my vow to stay by the marquess's side."

"Abel?"

This time, Gustav's answer to her was a smile. Seeing that he had already zipped his mouth, Aries didn't press on the matter. That was her cue that Gustav was unwilling to share further information.

"Gosh... everyone just tells me a fraction of everything, only to stop midway." Aries once again let out a sigh, massaging her temple to soothe her throbbing head. "My head..."

"My lady, I do not mind sharing my story with you. However, if I did, I would inevitably share the marquess's story. What I can reassure you is that I'm glad to serve the marquess all this time. And I'm also grateful to see him smile more when you came into the estate," Gustav remarked, watching Aries open her eyes and glance at him ever so slowly. "You might think he sees you as Lady Daniella, but he doesn't."

Aries smiled back at him. "Thank you, Gustav."

"Very well. I will excuse myself. The food will be served in your room, as you requested." Gustav beckoned a neck bow. When he straightened his back, he added, "the marquess sent a word he will return before dinner. He will be glad if you joined him for dinner."

"Of course, I will. Abel can wait if he comes earlier than usual." She nodded, knowing the reason for his last remarks.

With that being said, Aries watched Gustav leave her chambers. Like usual, Gustav didn't even look back as he closed the door carefully, barely making a sound.

"Of course I know he sees me differently," she murmured, staring at the shut door where Gustav left. "He calls Daniella, Dan, but he calls me Dani."

The corner of her eyes creased as her lips curled up slightly, looking down at the lukewarm tea on the table in front of her. She bent over, picked up the teacup, and chugged it down even if it had already turned cold. Aries winced slightly at the bitter aftertaste of the tea that had a mix of medicine for her fast recovery.

"I wonder..." she closed her eyes and drew a breath, shaking her head. "No. I can get to that later. For now, I had to focus on things one at a time. Everyone just kept bombarding me with information because of this stupid mouth."

Aries slapped her mouth lightly. If not for the fact she kept asking questions, her brain wouldn't overload. She had to let everything sink in first.

"Stop asking questions for now." She huffed, placing back the teacup on top of the saucer. As Aries tried her best to savor each information in her head, she arched a brow.

"Right. I wonder if Climaco is faring well." She glanced at the bed and then around the room, blinking twice. After a minute, her face contorted.

"I'm bored without Abel." She pushed herself up and raised her chin. This was what happens when a person was used to doing a lot of things on a daily basis. Doing nothing makes the day longer.

"I should check the greenhouse." She nodded, marching towards the door to see if there were any maids around to help her get a change of clothes.