The Tyrant's Pet

"Abel?" Aries called after minutes of silence, lying on her side in Abel's embrace. She raised her head to look at him.

"Mhm?"

"Are we going to be alright?" she asked worriedly. "Are there more covens I should know about? Days that you are the weakest and can be the time your enemies will target you?"

Abel pressed his lips as he hummed, pondering for an answer. "I… forgot. The coven is the only event I had known for now. I think Conan had dispelled the rest since he's the one managing my schedule."

"How can you forget such an important thing?" she wondered in a quiet voice, only for Abel to pull her closer to his embrace. "You're stressing me out."

"If I forgot about it, then that means it wasn't an important thing to remember," he purred. "Sleep now."

"What about you?"

"I will rest too. I promised I will embrace you until you've forgiven me, right?" he reminded her in a knowing tone. "Or have you forgiven me already?"

"I'm still livid."

He chuckled with his lips closed, casually stroking her back. "Don't think of anything for now."

"I can't sleep," she confessed quietly. "I… don't think I can."

"Should I help you?"

Aries shook her head mildly. "No need."

"Have you eaten anything for the day?" he asked after a moment, patting her back mildly.

"I don't have the appetite."

"What should we do, then?" he queried almost immediately. "You don't want to sleep, you don't have the appetite to eat… I'm a bad husband for putting my wife in such a state."

"You are." she slapped his back mildly. "A terrible one from the get-go."

"And yet you married him."

Her eyes lowered as she breathed out. "Because I love him… even though he was terrible in many things. He has pride that is higher than the heavens, but he was willing to lower that and apologize when he knew he was in the wrong." Aries smiled bitterly, rubbing her thumb and index against the fabric between them.

"He's also very dangerous when he was hurt. He could destroy anything and everything around him, but when I came into his life, he learned to keep it in. Instead of destroying anything he could see, he destroys himself," she continued quietly, biting her inner lower lip. "He's unfair, you see."

Abel frowned but remained silent.

"Last night, when I saw those horns emerging from his skull, I was… terrified. But more than the fear, I couldn't help but wonder what happened to the other one?" she added. "Why is the one not full? It looks like someone broke it clumsily."

"I thought you saw me repulsive," Abel confessed as he saw her expression last night when he glanced at her.

"I was searching for the Abel I knew." Aries pushed him away slightly so she could look at him. "I was thinking whether you would kill me along with everyone in a conscious state."

"If I was in a conscious state?"

Aries nodded. "Because if you weren't in a conscious state, I know you'd regret it once you came back to your senses." The side of her lips stretched into a subtle smile. "I want to make sure that's what you truly want."

"You'll be fine with it?" the lines between his brows deepened.

"Why not?" she chuckled weakly, raising her hand to cup his face. "Abel, if there will be a time that you might need to kill me, just do it. I was nothing before I met you. My life was already in shambles — even worse. But not only did you grant me freedom, but you valued, loved, and showed me there's more in life."

Aries brushed his cheek with her thumb gently, looking at him lovingly. "It might be short, but the memories we had together were enough for me. Therefore, if I can help you by dying, then, by all means, take my life."

"Of course, this might sound selfish and uncalled for. But just in case you will need to choose in the future, I want to let you know about my heart," she added reassuringly. "You had lived a long life, but the sheer thought of living without you pains me to a degree I can never measure."

"You… make me sad."

"That's what you get for making me cry. Although I'm not purposely saying this now as an act of petty revenge." Aries smiled, moving up whilst cupping his face. She rested her forehead against his forehead, closing her eyes to rest. "I will get stronger, so when you have a day that you are weak, I can protect you. Don't just shoulder that role all alone, Abel. Give me a chance to protect the holder of my heart as well."

Abel slowly closed his eyes, breathing in her deep breaths. "Your fear… that you might fail… I think I was the one who did."

"But you said we'll be fine. We'll figure it out somehow," she reminded him of the words he told her during the time they were in her subconscious. "We're a married couple, Abel. I might've married Abel Grimsbanne and not the emperor of this empire, but you're still the same man in my heart."

"We'll be fine," she whispered. "Just trust me."

"Mhm." Abel held the back of her hand that was cupping his cheek, eyes still shut. "It won't be easy."

"I had always known it won't be, but I'm still here. Don't underestimate my tenacity."

"I never did."

"Then don't pretend I'm as fragile as glass. I might crack, but I will keep it together."

"Mhm." Abel hummed before silence followed.

The two of them kept their eyes shut, breathing in each other's breath as if that was the only way to make sure the other was still alive. As the silence dominated the room, both of them slowly fell into a peaceful nap to recharge from last night's events.

Little did they know, just right outside the emperor's chambers were Sunny and Marsella. They were leaning against the wall, eavesdropping on the conversation inside.

"Sunny feels bad," the little girl mumbled, pouting. She fumbled with her fingers as guilt prickled her devious heart.

Meanwhile, the woman, who was leaning against the wall beside Sunny, had her arms crossed. She glanced down at the little girl, but showed no sign of amusement or mockery. She raised her chin and gazed at the window.

"I guess I made the right call to visit him," she whispered in her naturally intimidating voice. "And you also did the right call, piggy. Not because we are fond of other people doesn't mean we have to accept them in this family immediately. Especially if being affiliated with us guarantees death."