The Tyrant's Pet

The beautiful mellow sound resonated across the empty hall, which only sheltered a piano in the middle. With the crescent moon shining like a silver claw filtering through the window and onto the piano, Abel, who was running his hands across the keys, looked mesmerizing.

Aries was leaning against the side, watching him, listening to the mellow music which had a perfect mix of sweet, dark, and rich that resonated in her heart. Her lips curled up, cupping her jaw.

The music was beautiful, and so was Abel.

Oh, how his music sounded so fluent, giving voice to his soul, articulating his message that predates words. She could understand him through the range of harmonics; the flattery of each key and how his eyes would flutter ever so tenderly at her.

If Aries had seen him play the piano at first, she would definitely fall in love with him at first sight. She wouldn't even assume he was a tyrant because right now, all she could see was a man who was enjoying the music he was creating. Nothing grand, but definitely beautiful in a rich and resonating way.

Aries pushed herself away from the piano, caressing it with her fingertips as she walked closer to him. As she stood to his side, Abel looked up and smirked. Yet, his fingers continued to play with the keys.

"It's beautiful, love," she commented, standing behind him to massage his shoulder. "I think I had fallen in love once more. My heart feels like it will burst."

Abel chuckled, pressing the keys to make the sound turn soft. "I have to make you fall for me… until you wouldn't mind rotting next to me."

"I never thought I will ever mind if you rot next to me." She chortled, wrapping her arms around his neck, still standing behind him. "If Alaric met you, she will love you."

"I didn't know you like threesome, darling."

"I hope you are joking." A brief laugh escaped her lips. "She had always dreamed of becoming a known pianist. Quite strange, since she was a princess."

His fingers slowed down until they stopped, allowing the last note to echo. He held her hand, guiding her to sit beside him. Abel raised his brows as he looked at her beautiful face, tucking a portion of her hair behind her ear.

"In case your sister went straight down in hell and not in heaven, as you assumed, we'll have a blast on my first day there." He smiled with a tinge of arrogance and mischief. "It was a shame I didn't meet her, but I'm certain she is just as wonderful as her big sister."

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line as she smiled subtly. "She is truly wonderful and talented." She then adjusted her position, so she was facing the piano.

"There's just something in the musical instruments… the piano, especially, that could make her eyes sparkle like the morning teardrops." She caressed the keys with the tip of her finger, pressing one mildly. "Any sound she would hear, she was able to connect it to music. And at a time like this, even when I tell myself not to dwell in the past, I couldn't help it."

"Since Alaric, my dearest little sister correlates everything to music, it makes me wonder how the sound of war echo in her heart." Her eyelids drooped to hide the bitterness that shone in them. "It must have been dreadful."

At a time like this, when she felt sentimental, Aries couldn't stop herself or the last images of her sister and everyone as they stood on the guillotine. No amount of time, success, or motivation would erase that memory from her. It was something Aries would forever carry and play in her head every once in a while.

No one could blame her. They were her family, and despite Joaquin's downfall, it wasn't enough to erase that painful memory. Which proved that revenge could only cover the anger, not the longing.

Abel stared at her side profile as she pressed a key. Sensing her declining mood, he let out a shallow breath.

"Do you play?" he asked, watching her look back at him with raised brows.

"A little."

"This…" Abel pressed a few keys, showing her the proper order. "Can you do it?"

"I can try." Aries shrugged, gazing down at the keys. Just like how she remembered it, Aries played the keys, which produced the same sound as he did.

"Now try this."

Abel repeated the sequence of the first keys he played and then added a new one. She followed his instructions. However, the more keys he played, the more she would make a mistake every once in a while. Even so, he was extra patient and focused, not even trying to seduce her, even though there were tons of chances.

Aries smiled as she played the first part after an hour or two of learning. Good thing she already had a good baseline because Alaric had taught her. Hence, playing the piece Abel had been playing earlier felt rather easy. It also uplifted her mood, distracting her longing for her family.

"I never heard this piece before," she giggled in excitement after finishing the first part, gazing at him. "Is this an original piece?"

"It is." Abel cast her a quick look before placing his fingers on the keyboard. "But I didn't compose it."

"Mhm?" Aries raised her brows as her eyes fell on his fingers as he flexed them, waiting for him to teach her the next part. However, what he said next stunned her.

"Remember that music piece on that ridge in Rikhill? The one on your sister's grave?" Abel played some soft keys, seeing her slowly look back at him. "This is what those notes will sound like."

Her breath hitched, staring at his side profile wide-eyed while he started playing the piece he had been playing. Aries bit her lower lip as her eyes softened, smiling subtly at him. Tears shone in her eyes, but the amount wasn't enough to make her cry. If anything, she was moved by his unexpected gesture once again.

"I fell in love with the same man the third time tonight." Aries slowly peeled her eyes away from him, raising her hand to play the piano with him. "I can imagine them smiling down on us as these mellow notes resonate to where they were. Hopefully."

Abel smiled subtly, looking back at her. The two of them chuckled as they played the piano, playing Alaric's original piece titled "the voice of life."