The Tyrant's Pet

The ladies were excited, knowing their chambers were prepared according to the ladies' preferences. It was surprising, but this gesture the Haimirich Empire showed the candidates were nice. The reason they were curious about what sort of preferences Aries had; her chambers would give hints to them by the color, the furniture, and the overall interior and ambiance.

Aries stopped in front of her chambers, looking back at them. She was nervous but told herself not to since Abel would be very busy in his chancery.

"I hadn't had guests for quite some time now, so I'll apologize in advance if I make a mistake," she expressed, hand on the doorknob.

"Lady Daniella, we already call each other without honorifics. Why would you think we will mind if you relaxed?" Suzanne chortled, glancing at Sybil.

"That's right. We're already honored to be invited to your chambers for tea," said Sybil sweetly. "We should be the ones who should apologize in advance if we ever make a mistake."

"We are only coming for a tea, my lady. Please, put your heart at ease," Veronika added, flashing Aries an understanding smile.

'I hadn't treated them anything. Moreover, time with friends isn't a bad idea, right?' Aries mentally nodded, convincing herself nothing would go wrong.

The three princesses had told her they had a slumber party at least six times in the past two weeks, and thus, it was only natural that it was now Aries's turn to invite them to her chambers. It was not like they would sleep here.

Aries pushed the door ever so slowly, and somehow, it creaked louder than usual. She held her breath for some reason, her heart thudding against her chest. She peeked inside discreetly, heaving a sigh of relief upon seeing no sign of anyone inside.

'That's right. He won't be here.' Aries smiled back at the ladies as she opened the door wide. "Please, come in."

The ladies looked at each other with bright smiles on their faces before setting their gazes back at Aries.

"After you," said Aries, motioning her hand.

"Thank you, Lady Daniella," expressed the three politely, stepping foot inside Aries's chambers.

As they did, Aries stared at their backs and sighed once more. A subtle smile turned up on her lips, checking outside to see if someone was there.

'Marsella is probably with Sunny again,' she thought, thinking that Marsella, Aries's lady-in-waiting, wasn't really doing her job as a lady-in-waiting. Although she would still come to teach Aries witchcraft.

Aries slowly closed the door and faced the ladies. They were already standing in the middle, looking around. Her brows furrowed, seeing that the three were staring in the same direction.

"Please, have a seat." Aries's voice pierced the thickening silence as she marched towards them. Her steps faltered, catching the horror in the corner of Veronika's eyes. Aries followed where they were staring, only for her pupils to slowly dilate and her breathing to suspend.

There, standing in front of the bookshelf, was Abel. He was holding an open book with one hand, staring back at them with a blank expression.

'Why… is he here?' Aries's heart sank, mouth falling open.

When Abel closed the book, the heavy sound it made snapped the ladies back to their senses.

"Gre — Greetings to the only shining sun of the empire," they curtsied clumsily, almost stuttering from the shock.

Abel simply glanced at them with disinterest before fixing his gaze on Aries. The second their eyes met, Aries flinched and hurriedly curtsied.

"Greetings to the only shining sun of the empire," Aries greeted nervously. "I didn't know His Majesty was in this humble place."

"Of course… how would you? It's not the usual time," came out a low baritone voice, putting back the book on the shelf ever so slowly. "Stand properly."

Still curtsying, Suzanne, Sybil, and Veronika looked at each other, taking it as an order for the four of them. Despite the deep confusion and fear in their eyes, they straightened their backs. As soon as they did, all they saw was the emperor marching toward them.

The three gulped, which sounded unnaturally loud in their ears. Their heart and breath hitched when Abel stood in front of them — no, in front of Aries. Meanwhile, the latter flinched under his dark and fiery gaze.

"Your Majesty…?" she called awkwardly, raising her brows, noticing the odd gaze from the ladies. "May I know why you are in here so I know how to assist Your Majesty?"

"This place… this empire and everything in it is mine. Do I need a reason to go to places?" he cocked his head to the side, eyes drooping dangerously.

"Well, of course, you do not have…"

"But since you asked, I do think I might need your help." Abel smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. He raised his hand, causing her to shrink.

He paused. "Are you scared of me?"

"His Majesty is wise and untouchable, leading this empire to greater heights. Even so, I would be lying to say your noble presence does not intimidate this humble subject." Aries lowered her eyes. She wasn't putting up a show. He truly intimidated her, sensing the sensitive state he was in.

"Very well said…" Abel moved his hand and caressed her jaw, lifting her chin up to see her eyes. "Will you help me?"

Aries gulped. "Yes… if it was within my capacity, I would like to help Your Majesty with anything."

Veronika, Suzanne, and Sybil looked at Aries nervously, scared for her. They didn't know how and why the emperor was in Aries's chambers, but based on their exchange of words, it seemed Abel intruded here unannounced. Whatever his reasons were, the three could only think it had something to do with the complicated relationship between the emperor and the House of Vandran.

Just what would happen to Aries if she returned to her chambers all alone?! The three could only imagine the worst!

"Invite me for a tea," Abel proposed, retrieving his hand to hold behind him. "If you do not mind, I'd like to join you."

Aries forced a smile and secretly glanced at them, only to see the helplessness and worry in their eyes.

"It'll be my honor, Your Majesty." Aries looked back at him with a smile, knowing she couldn't refuse him.