The Tyrant's Pet

Abel rode his steed as they returned to the palace. As they did, he furrowed his brows and glanced at the carriage behind him.

"Halt!" he shouted, maneuvering the reins so that he would check on her.

"Your Majesty?" Conan's brows rose, watching Abel approach the carriage where Aries was. The emperor's orders stopped everyone from rushing back to the palace.

"Aries?" Abel called outside, knocking on the window while still riding his horse. His brow raised when she didn't answer, making him jump out of the horse to knock on the carriage again.

"Aries," he called once again, but nothing. "I knew it."

Abel opened the carriage door, seeing Aries already sleeping while leaning her side against the carriage. He reached his hand to her forehead, checking her high temperature.

"How weak," he muttered, turning his head in Conan's direction. "I'll ride the carriage. Do make haste, since Aries isn't feeling well."

That was all he said before hitching the carriage and slamming the door closed. The people outside could only look at each other in puzzlement. Just moments ago, Abel insisted on riding his steed. But now, he changed his mind once again.

"Why are we all surprised at this point?" Conan murmured, shaking his head to recollect his thoughts. "You heard His Majesty. Watch over for His Majesty's steed and let us return to the palace at once!"

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Abel ignored the shouts outside before the carriage started moving again. Sitting beside Aries, Abel carefully assisted her head until she was leaning against his shoulder.

He stared at her and sighed. "You're making things so complicated," he muttered before assisting her until she was on his lap, cradling her in his arms so that she was sleeping in a more comfortable position.

Under his embrace, he could feel that her temperature was increasing. Abel settled his hand on her head, glancing down at her. Her cheeks were flushed with red, breathing growing heavier.

"You should've left when you had a chance," came out another whisper, resting his chin on top of her head. "And preserve that image of Abel in your head."

The more he grew fond of Aries, the more it scared him in a way. He knew there were other reasons she didn't run away, but it was better if she didn't stay. The longer she was with him, the more it would be hard for her to get away.

Liking Aries as a person was different when he started obsessing over her. His eyes darkened as he lowered his head until his lips were touching her head. He caressed her arms with his knuckles gently.

"Don't make me say I told you so when you see the real me, Aries," he muttered, tightening his embrace around her delicate physique. "Stop testing me. You'd get hurt... terribly."

Silence descended inside the carriage, and only her deep breaths were heard along with the sound of the carriage and steed rushing back to the imperial palace. They would take a while to reach the palace, but Abel didn't mind the long journey.

Running a fever would be Aries least of concern the more she stayed with him. That should be a lesson she should understand herself.

<strong>***</strong>

When Abel and Aries reached the imperial palace, no one bothered him when he carried Aries to the emperor's quarters. He didn't ask for the servant's help to clean her. He simply asked for water and a change of clothes, then did everything himself.

He wiped Aries, dried her hair in silence, and changed her clothes before laying her down on his bed. This was the first time he would let another person sleep in this very room. The room he rarely used since he usually accommodated his women in another room to not make a mess in this very room.

After making sure Aries was resting well, he went to bathe and clean himself. Unlike Aries, standing under the rain wouldn't affect him. He wasn't as weak as her.

With a towel over his head and a robe embracing his body, he returned to his room where she was. Abel stopped several steps away from the bed, eyes on her, still drying his hair with that small towel.

"How hilarious," he whispered, sauntering towards the bed and perched on the edge of the mattress. He looked at her once again, his arm stretching towards her to check her temperature. There was no doubt she was running a fever again.

He raised a brow, shifting his attention to the medicine he asked for earlier on the bedside table. He could cure her by just letting her drink his blood, but that would be unnatural for her body. Also, it would ruin her poison training, since his blood could remove toxins in her system.

"Aries, wake up for a moment to drink your medicine." He poked her shoulder, shaking her for a bit to wake her up.

"Mhm..." the space between her brows wrinkled, grunting as she opened her eyes weakly. "Abel...?"

"Medicine. Drink it." A bottle of medicine hovered over her, but Aries could barely think. She just wanted to sleep and rest and not drink medicine; that was her only thoughts.

"Don't want to," came out a muffled voice, pulling up the blanket until half of her lower face was covered. She blinked ever so tenderly, trying to keep awake despite feeling weak and sleepy.

"Don't you want to get better?"

"Bitter." She frowned.

Abel narrowed his eyes, staring at her adorable countenance. Right now, her guards were completely down. Obviously, she was ill again and couldn't think straight.

"What a piece of work," he laughed briefly, setting his eyes on the medicine in his hand. He opened the lid, casting her a quick look. "We'll do it fast."

Abel lifted the sheet covering her lips before drinking the bottle of liquid medicine. Keeping the medicine inside his mouth, he bent over and planted his thumb on her chin. Without prior notice, he pulled her chin down until her mouth opened, transferring the medicine into her mouth to make her drink it.

Aries winced at the bitter taste, clutching his shoulder blades lightly. He didn't do anything but feed her medicine, drawing his head back only to see her bitter expression.

"Bitter?" he asked, and she nodded, making him glance at the bedside table. In there, there was a wrapped sweet the servants prepared. He picked it up and unwrapped it delicately.

"Open your mouth," he ordered which she abided, shooting the small candy inside her mouth. "Better?"

Her face brightened up as she smiled until her eyes squinted. "Mhm. Better."

"Hah…" he smirked, stroking her head lightly. "Back to sleep now."

Abel carefully raised the blanket over her shoulders. His eyes were gentle, watching her wash down the bitter taste with the candy. Aries rolled to her side, facing him.

"Good night, Abel," she muttered as if she was having a wonderful dream.

He raised his hand, brushing her cheek with a thumb. He then slid under the blanket, lying next to her, even though he was still in his robe. Abel slid his arm under her neck while his other arm snaked over her, pulling her closer against his body.

He sniffed her head, planting a brief peck on her forehead. "Good night, my Aries," he whispered before closing his eyes ever so slowly.