The Tyrant's Pet

"Let me go with you, Abel."

Aries held Abel's hands tightly. Her eyes were shaking with a thin layer of fluid coating them, giving those pair of olives a different luster and brilliance. She went straight to the forbidden mansion upon her arrival in the imperial palace, only to beg Abel to let her come with him because the reinforcement already left before she had arrived.

"Please, Abel." Her voice cracked when silence was the answer she got from him. "Allow me to help."

"Darling." Abel let out a shallow breath, twirling his fingers until he was holding her hands. "I think you should stay in here."

"Why?" she raised her voice slightly out of panic. "Is it because you think it's dangerous and you might not be able to protect me?"

Anger swirled in her eyes and chest.

"I... don't need your protection if that is what you are so concerned about, Abel," she said through her gritted teeth. "Even if you don't allow me, I will leave on my own."

"What are you going to do once you leave this place?" he asked calmly, squeezing her hands mildly. "Darling, I think you should be left behind not because it was dangerous, but because I don't want you lagging everyone behind."

Abel narrowed his eyes slightly as they turned sharper. "I am well aware you are a capable witch, darling. You might've gotten a little bit of control over your witch, but it is still not enough for combat. The agenda is to rescue the Marquess if that is what he needs, and emotions... we do not need that."

Aries bit her lower lip as her eyes stung. Of course, she knew that, but she would die of worry if she stayed behind.

"I will bring him back." Abel leaned his face closer, nodding at her reassuringly. "Alive."

"Abel..." her lips quivered as tears shone in her eyes. "I... I don't want to lose another family. My heart wouldn't be able to take it if something happens to him."

"I know." His eyes softened, seeing how desperate and scared Aries was.

Ever since she stepped foot in this empire, Aries rarely showed deep fear. He didn't know if her hellish past was a good thing, but it definitely made her into a strong and brave lady. But right now, she was scared — terrified.

"Everything will be fine." Abel carefully pulled her into his embrace, planting his hand on the back of her head. "I promise and I never broke my promises."

Aries clutched his chest, keeping her lips in a tight, thin slash. She nodded, her breathing suspending.

"I'll wait..." she whispered, almost like she was begging him to bring her good news. "Please... bring him back."

Abel tightened his embrace to calm her trembling body, resting his chin on the top of her head. As he did, he snapped his eyes up to the people present in the great hall of the forbidden mansion. Sunny and Marsella were standing in the distance, looking back at him with utter solemnness.

"Fine." Marsella let out a huff, flipping her hair offhandedly. "I'm going."

She then gazed down at Sunny and pointed at her. "Don't rename this empire again. And you know what to do while we're away."

"Pretty Grandma, don't die." Sunny blinked adorably. "I will look after my grandmama, so you don't have to worry."

"Good girl." Marsella ruffled Sunny's hair mildly before looking back in Abel's direction. She tipped her head to the side, signaling to him they should depart since the night had already fallen.

Abel blinked and held Aries's shoulders, pushing her slightly.

"Sunny will be with you, darling," he said. "Conan will also stay behind."

"Please take care." Aries pursed her lips and then looked back at Marsella. "Master, please don't let harm befell my brother."

"Don't mention it. I still need you, and the last thing I want is something disrupting your progress." Marsella waved dismissively, turning on her heel, and sauntered off nonchalantly. "Let's go, brother, and save your insufferable brother-in-law."

Abel ignored Marsella and turned to Aries.

"Calm down. We will be quick," he said, cupping her face mildly. Abel lowered his head and planted a kiss on her forehead. His action, somehow, put her heart at slight ease.

He didn't idle for too long as he followed Marsella's tracks, leaving Aries and Sunny in the great hall of the forbidden mansion. As Abel walked away, his soft expression turned sharp, just like how the nonchalance plastered on Marsella's face disappeared when no one was looking.

When Marsella and Abel reached the courtyard, Gustav, the head butler of the House Vandran, and also Sunny's temporary butler, was waiting for them. Gustav bowed upon seeing their approaching figures, straightening his back when the two stood at arm's length.

"Is he still alive?" asked Abel without beating around the bush. Gustav had a blood link with Dexter, and because of that, Gustav would know if Dexter was alive or dead.

Gustav raised his eyes and was met with a pair of fiery crimson eyes. "I can still feel his life force, albeit faint, Your Majesty. The Marquess is slowly bleeding out."

"I see…" Abel let out another sharp breath, snapping his eyes at his sister.

"I know! You don't have to keep looking at me like that. My blood is useless, but if it will help, then good." Marsella stopped herself from rolling her eyes, as Abel kept looking at her as if reminding her of what she needed to do. It was not less annoying than him nagging her verbally.

"Is he coming?" she asked, shifting the attention from her to Gustav. Marsella arched a brow, cocking her head to the side. "He looks like someone who is about to beg us to go with us."

"I won't stop him if he wants to, but I highly doubt he will." Abel turned, looking away from the two of them.

"I promised him to protect his sister," said Gustav in a somber tone. "He will be enraged to know I went against his will because I want to save him."

"Hah… I don't know what to feel about your loyalty," Marsella commented and nearly jolted when a loud flap of wings resounded in her ears, followed by a strong gust of wind. Before she could even speak a word, the ground underneath Abel's feet made a hollow hole before he flew away like a bolt of lightning.

"Goodness… I hate him," she murmured before dark mist surrounded her.

The next thing Gustav had seen was her clothes falling to the ground while feathers floated in the air. Gustav blinked and caught a black raven flying away in the same direction Abel went to.