The Tyrant's Pet

"Can't sleep?"

Aries blinked ever so tenderly, looking up at Abel. Her head was resting on his bare chest, her hand casually caressing it.

"Did I disappoint you, darling?" he asked out of plain curiosity. "Are you still worried about that man?"

"You didn't, and no, I wasn't." Aries moved up a bit, planting a kiss on his cheek to reassure him. When she drew her head back slightly, the corner of her lips curled up into a subtle smile. "It's just that I find it hard to sleep nowadays. I blame it as a part of my transition."

"Right…"

"Don't tell me you've forgotten what you did to me?" she humored, chuckling.

"You were human. It's a habit."

"But surely, you don't treat me like one while ravishing my body."

Abel slowly rolled to his side, facing her. "That's an exception."

"And how was that an exception?"

"Because I get drowned by lust?" he answered, but his tone was almost like he was making a guess. "I don't really know what's happening. All I know is the sensation that is burning my skin."

Aries pressed her lips with its corners hooked up. Meanwhile, Abel winked at her, wiggling his brows playfully until a chuckle escaped her closed lips.

"Anyway, if you can't sleep, do you want to go out?" he suggested.

"What?"

"I'm asking you if you want to go out, darling," repeated Abel. "It's been a while since we went out and honestly, although I do not mind squeezing myself in this limited space with you, I missed the days we go out. Just the two of us."

Aries could only stare at him for a moment, thinking about their last date. Surely, it had been a while. She couldn't almost remember the last time they did. It had always been Abel sneaking into the Vandran residence or Aries going to the Imperial Palace for official business reasons.

"Isn't it dangerous?" she blurted out, a bit surprised because that wasn't what she wanted to ask him.

"This world is dangerous itself. What's there to worry about?"

"You know I am being watched, Abel."

"Should we give them a good image of us two making love in the street?" Aries chuckled while he grinned, pulling her unclad body closer to his. "Let them watch, darling. Since you cannot stop them from doing so, do something that would make them chew their handkerchief in jealousy."

"Are you speaking from experience?"

"The night council in Haimirich could never sleep, knowing things could happen in a blink of an eye. They were meticulous and prepared all the time."

"But unlike the people here, the night council in Haimirich were… tolerable."

"They were, indeed."

Aries smiled, cupping his dashing face. Meanwhile, Abel casually stroke her spine underneath the sheet that was covering their unclad bodies.

"So, where do you plan on taking me?" she asked after a minute of nothing but silence. "Do you have any arrangements you must attend tonight?"

"What makes you think I dare schedule my affairs at night? The time I am with you?"

"So, there's none?"

"The day is for all those things, and the night is for you and me."

"What are we going to do, then?"

"Walk around? Enjoy the atmosphere in the night market? Perhaps gamble?" he guessed, blinking almost innocently. "Nothing special."

His brows rose, eyes locked with her. They didn't have any exchange after that until she pressed her lips into a thin line, nodding in agreement.

Aries had been stuck inside this royal palace. No matter how stifling the atmosphere within the thick walls of the palace, Aries stayed in. Not that she had a choice, or she found the meaning of going out. If her memory served right, she went out in the past with Maximus. However, she didn't have the leisure to enjoy the scenery of the Mainland or the grandness of the capital with an insufferable man lingering around her.

With that being said, Aries and Abel put on their simplest clothing to sneak out of the royal palace. One of the 'perks' Aries gained staying in the royal palace was, she knew all the ways they could take to sneak out without notifying anyone.

Abel's ways were just too bold for her. She didn't want the overprotective knights of the queen to chase after them, or the officials to accuse Abel of abducting her. After all, even if she tell them it was a misunderstanding, they would just keep twisting facts. So, to avoid such troublesome events, Aries led Abel to the secret passage until they reached the secret exit the servants would use when they wanted to sneak out.

"Wait." Aries grabbed his wrist before they go out through the rusty gates, making him face her. "Come here."

Aries stood a step before him, standing on her toes to cup his face. His brows rose, intrigued.

"Stay still, my darling," came out a quiet voice before closing her eyes. Her lips moved, chanting a soundless spell.

Abel's hair, which now has a striking silver color, slowly turned blonde. His natural crimson eyes turned silver, and another mole appeared underneath his beauty mark near his eye. Abel quirked a brow. But what surprised him wasn't the slight change in his appearance but in Aries. Her silver hair she had when she transitioned reverted to green, freckles appeared on her face, and a scar emerged across her cheek.

She was still beautiful, but that scar across her cheek would make it hard for others to recognize her.

When Aries reopened her eyes, a subtle smile dominated her face.

"I still can do this much," she expressed with a tinge of pride. "Even a powerful vampire will be deceived and will see us how we see each other. However, those who were weaker, not only they will see us differently depending on their perspective, but they'd forget about our faces. It wouldn't stick in their memory and no matter how they try to remember our faces, it'll be a blur. It's something that Maleficent taught me."

"You still carry such a trick yet, you don't use it."

"I didn't have a reason to use it until now." Her lips stretched until her teeth were showing. "Shall we?"

Abel took a step, stretching his hands to the hood of her cloak. He carefully pulled it up, covering her head before he slid his hand down her arms to hold her hand. "Let's go, darling."