The Tyrant's Pet

"Welcome back, my lord."

Dexter glanced to his right, where Gustav welcomed him under the portico of the main entrance of the mansion. He just opened his mouth when he heard Aries's voice from the inside. Dexter snapped his eyes and walked inside, catching her figure as Aries ran down the stairs.

When Aries stood in front of him, he frowned.

"Dani, I remember the physician reminding you to rest," he stressed, wiping the sweats on her forehead with the back of his hand. "This isn't what you call rest."

"Hehe. I just missed you." Aries skipped a step and hooked her arms around his arm. "You've been out all day, after all."

Dexter arched a brow, cocking his head to the side. His eyes fell on the hand that was clutching his arm, and then slowly raised his gaze to meet her eyes.

"What are you doing?" he asked, tugging his arm away only for her grip to tighten. "Dani, it doesn't mean we are in the safety of our home, you do not have to mind your manners."

"What manners?" she blinked twice, feigning ignorant about etiquette. "I was welcoming my hardworking brother home. You left just when I returned home. You knew how lonely my whole day was."

Aries pointed in Gustav's direction with her chin. "Ask Gustav. He had to indulge in my weeping all day."

"Gustav, do not spoil her too much." Dexter's expression died, but Gustav smiled in delight.

"The lady was simply concerned that you weren't having enough rest right after your expedition, my Lord," Gustav remarked, making Aries's lips stretch wider while Dexter looked back at him with a dull visage.

"Am I that of a nuisance that you aren't happy I survived such a tragic experience?" Aries frowned, shamelessly tugging the hearts of the servants present to welcome the marquess. "Very well…"

Dexter let out a deep sigh, holding her hand that was on his arm when she loosened her grip. "Have you eaten?" he asked, watching her look up at him with misplaced innocence in her eyes.

"Uh… dinner? No. I was waiting for you."

"I see… then, let's have dinner. You can't miss taking your medicine."

The corner of Aries's lips stretched from ear to ear and she nodded excitedly, almost skipping her steps while holding Dexter's arms. The servants, who were watching the two, could not help but smile in relief.

Everyone was relieved that the marquess's beloved sister and his only family returned home safely. Although Dexter was away for a long time, everyone knew he had been emotionally unstable because the wicked tyrant of an emperor abused his power and married Aries off to an unstable empire.

"I'm glad the lady is here safely," a servant voiced out in a relief tone, looking at the other servants, who happily agreed with her.

Gustav was also smiling as he watched Aries and Dexter figure until they were out of sight. He then glanced at the servants, silently sharing the same sentiments as everyone.

The Marquess was definitely overjoyed, although he was concealing it with his cold demure.

<strong>*****</strong>

"I visited the greenhouse today, and it seemed Gustav had taken good care of it while we're away." Aries happily chatted, filling Dexter in on what she did all day while they dined. "And I dropped by to the training grounds to check Climaco. I'm glad everyone is treating him well. I thought he will have a hard time adjusting, but I was surprised the knights could speak the Maganti language well — even the other servants can."

"Gustav has a high standard in hiring the servants. Some of them receive classes before entering the estate. I do not have long patience to spare dealing with mindless people." Dexter wiped the corner of his lips with a white cloth, setting his eyes back to her. "The royal court was already filled with those, and I do not want one in my home."

Aries chuckled. "I should've seen it coming."

"Dani, is there something wrong?" Dexter placed down the cloth to the side and didn't beat around the bush, studying Aries's face carefully. "I'm glad you seem excited, but this is you, and you're not always like this."

"How did you know I'm not always like this?" she cocked her head to the side, flashing him a bright smile. Aries cleared her throat, facing the marques, who was sitting on the head seat while she was on his right, squarely.

"Back in Rikhill, I told myself that I will keep moving forward. I also promised my family that I will live this life to the best I can without regrets." Aries smiled subtly at him. "That's what I am doing."

"You're forgetting about etiquette. That is what you are doing."

"So what? I missed my brother, and I want him to know that." She shrugged indifferently. "Every day is a miracle for me and I want to spend it the way I want it to. I don't want to take life for granted."

Dexter observed her for a moment and sighed. "Well, if that makes you happy." He shrugged, making her grin happily.

"Anyway, I sent someone to take a look at your concern," he continued, changing the subject. Dexter looked at Aries and only spoke when he had her undivided attention. "You were bothered about that fifth prince, aren't you?"

"Oh!" her eyes lit up. "Did you get anything?"

"Not yet." Dexter shook his head. "But my intel is fast. I will hear from them in five days at the latest."

"I see. That's still good. At least, someone is looking into it lest he somehow got away. After all, I didn't hear anything about him after the revolt." — that was because she was busy with Abel and it slipped her mind.

"Also." Her brows rose when Dexter spoke again, staring at him with intrigue in her eyes. "That princess… will estimate to arrive in the empire in five days. The seventh prince is traveling with her."

"Roman?" she intoned, smiling from ear to ear when Dexter nodded.

"I sent some of my people to meet them halfway to ensure their safety so they can enter the empire without a problem."

"Brother…" Her eyes softened while staring at Dexter with appreciation. "Thank you."

Dexter rocked his head and shrugged. "You're welcome."