The Tyrant's Pet

As the night fell deeper, Abel, like usual, went to the marquess's estate via carriage. He wasn't in a rush to see her, even though that was the only thing he wanted.

Dexter was generous and considerate for creating a way Abel could use without going through the hassle of avoiding any watchful eyes. Hence, he didn't have to be discreet, walking through the secret passage from the back of the Marquess's estate, directly leading to the hallway where Aries's chambers were located.

The door creaked oddly loud, piercing the quiet air on the entire floor. Her room was dimly lit by several candelabras and the fireplace.

His eyes fell on the bed. It was empty. He moved his gaze to the left, to where the set of chairs was arranged. There, on the futon, was Aries chugging down the glass of wine elegantly.

The side of his lips curled up as his eyes glinted, peering at the silk nightdress she was wearing and the shawl that had slid over her shoulder. He strutted towards her, plopping his butt down right beside her. He spread his arm over the backrest and then across from her.

"Why are you still awake?" he asked, planting a kiss on her shoulder blade. "Waiting for me?"

Aries cast him a quick side-eye, bending over to put back the glass of wine on the table in front of her.

"My husband comes late in the night." She straightened her back. "I find it strange. I can't help but assume he doesn't want to deal with me."

Her eyes glinted, twisting her upper body until she was facing him squarely. "You're not tired of me now, are you?"

"I find your question quite offensive, darling." He flashed her a short smile. "However, I heard arguments are normal between married couples. They said… it was healthy. Thus, let's argue."

"So?" Aries tilted her head to the side. "Should I raise my voice to see how healthy our relationship is?"

"Darling, you should raise your voice. Your calm tone right now sounds more intimidating. I'm frightened."

Aries brushed his shoulder with the back of her hand mildly. "Abel, you… are not keeping a secret from me, are you?"

This time, he didn't respond. Aries fluttered her long eyelashes ever so slowly, staring at his sinful beauty quietly. He didn't have to say anything to answer her question; his silence was enough for Aries to understand there was a deeper reason Abel was coming late in the night to see her.

Abel knew Aries was quick to catch on to things.

"There were days… I wished you were dumb," he confessed, chuckling with his lips closed. Abel tucked a portion of her hair behind her ear gently. "Yes, darling. I planned to visit you when you were already fast asleep for the next couple of days, before abducting you to stay with me for the next several months."

"And for what reason?" she arched a brow, watching his eyes hold her gaze. "What will happen in the next couple of days?"

"Can I lie?"

"You can't tell me?"

"I can. I just don't want to." He shrugged.

Aries took a deep breath while staring into his eyes. She knew Abel, and if she pressed on the matter a bit more, he would definitely tell her what he had been up to.

"Then, just don't tell me." Aries let out a deep sigh. "You, of all people, shouldn't lie to me."

"I thought so." Abel smiled, caressing her jaw with the back of his fingers. "I won't be able to visit you for the time being."

"Are you going to leave?"

"No."

"You'll stay in the imperial palace? But you can't visit me?"

"Mhm." He rocked his head. "It has something to do with some… vampiric issues."

Aries opened her mouth to ask more, but her voice was stuck in her throat. All she could do for a moment was stare at him. His expression didn't give her the slightest hint of anything in particular, but her gut feeling told her it was something… dreadful.

She bit her lips before she rocked her head. "My gut feeling told me to ask further questions, but I don't want to force you. I respect you enough to hold myself back."

"You look sexy."

"Don't change the subject." Aries leaned towards the table to pour herself a glass, and then the other empty wineglass Gertrude prepared for Abel. "I am barely holding myself back from prying, but it doesn't mean I'm not harrowed by it. It's not alright and I want to know what is it that can force my obsessive husband to stop himself from seeing his beloved wife."

When Aries faced him once more, she offered the glass of wine, which Abel accepted.

"I want you to give me your word that whatever this was won't harm you," she continued airily. "But a part of me knows you'll break this promise… somehow."

"No one can harm me."

"Because no matter how many times you die, you will still wake up?"

"Darling, I promised you I won't make you a widow."

"You better." She huffed, looking away from him. "I'll kill you myself if you die."

Abel pressed his lips and then smiled. He studied her side profile as she sipped the wine elegantly. His heart was a little moved, although she was angry about something she wasn't sure yet.

Surely, his wife was sharper than a newly sharpened dagger. Even before she could confirm something, she already knew something was about to go down.

"I heard you had been preoccupied with your shop," he said, shifting their discussion to something else since it had been a while since they chatted.

Aries shot him a side-eye. "You heard?"

"I had to compromise since I come to you while you're already asleep."

"I want to get angry. I want to tell you everything in detail myself, but my husband purposely comes late." Aries leaned back, folding her arms under her chest. "Pretend you heard nothing. Once you settled whatever you are trying to settle, I'll let you know everything that I've been doing. Until then, I'll store my enthusiasm regarding it."

"Shall I do that?"

"You should." She huffed, rolling her eyes at him. "Don't take that role away from me."

Abel smiled, leaning his head until his temple was resting on her shoulder. His arm snaked around her lean waist, pulling her closer.

"I'm sorry," he expressed under his breath. "There were many things I had done before you came into my life. I told you I regret nothing, I still don't. However, there were certain things I can't undo easily."

Aries pursed her lips, lowering her eyes. "You don't have to apologize," she whispered back. "I'm simply upset for a reason I cannot understand, but I'm not angry. I'm always on your side no matter what — even if you were in the wrong."

His eyes softened, smiling subtly. Abel pulled her closer, his tense muscles relaxing with the warmth of her body. Even when he had embraced her every night while she was asleep, there was still something different when she was conscious.

"I missed you," he whispered. "You have no idea… how much I miss you, Aries."

'No. I definitely understand,' was what she wanted to say, but kept her silence instead.

Deep in Aries's heart, she knew something was about to happen. She didn't know what it was exactly, but this uneasiness in her heart would bloom faster than she had fathomed.