The Tyrant's Pet

Ever since Aries embraced Abel that night, she was supposed to leave the Haimirich Empire. Her sleep was growing more peaceful. Maybe it was because Abel's energy in bed was phenomenal, or it could also be because her heart knew she was safe with him.

Either way, after playing too much with him in the lake, Aries could not help but have an afternoon nap as soon as they returned to the castle. She couldn't even dry her hair as she simply collapsed on the bed, lying on her tummy while Abel stroked her damp hair.

"How cute," he whispered, drying her hair with a small cloth. "Darling, you'll have a headache if you sleep with your hair still wet. At least change your clothes instead of sleeping in your robe." — although he preferred her sleeping with no covers at all.

Her deep exhale was the only answer he received. He still smiled, content with the life he had been living the past week. It was almost like a dream. One week of doing nothing but being in her company, playing with her, having passionate nights with her, talking about anything random with her, dining with her, and just everything they could do together.

If he would choose between being the emperor or just her lover, he would happily announce his retirement. But obviously, the honeymoon stage was only fun while it lasted.

Abel was still angry. It was almost amazing how he could feel so content around her whilst keeping this building fury within him. Earlier today, while Aries was zoning out, he had seen it as well.

The unwanted memories.

He didn't mean to, but because he was too concerned with her, he accidentally took a peek. And now, it wouldn't leave his head. The image of her and how she gritted her teeth, how her eyes burned, how she thought of killing herself to end it, and how she squashed that idea because of the utter hatred welling up in her chest.

He believed it was karma. His karma. That all the atrocities and sins he had committed returned to the only woman he cared for and cherished. But he wasn't the person who would wallow in it, especially if there was a resolution.

The people in the Maganti Empire, that man... were still alive. And they could still settle scores. Well, even if he was dead, Abel would revive him just to kill him.

"My poor Aries." His eyes drooped until they were partially closed, staring at her unguarded back. He reached his hand to her back, tracing her spine, causing her robe to crease.

"You are such a beautiful tragedy."

A shallow sigh slipped past his lips, peeling his eyes away from her to the window. He smacked his lips, flinging his legs out of the bed to the desk inside the room. Taking a piece of paper and pen, he wrote a quick letter, before walking towards the balcony.

Abel whistled, and in no time, a raven landed on the railing. "Take this to Conan. And after delivering this letter, fly to the Maganti Empire. I would like to know the current state of affairs in that land from the people I planted on the ground."

As soon as he finished tying the letter on the raven's feet, he waved. The raven fluttered its wings wide open, flying away and letting a few black feathers fall. He watched his raven head to the emperor's castle, hands on the railings.

"I am expecting great news..." he took a faint inhale and exhaled calmly. "... after all, I need to choose a groom who will suit my Aries. I am wondering if the crown prince is already betrothed?"

He disliked the fact he needed to marry Aries off. But then again, they all needed to go with the flow. After all, Abel had already set his eyes on the Maganti Empire the same night Aries came into his life.

It was not because he was thinking of revenge for her or anything of the sort; he was no knight in shining armor, nor was it love at first sight. It was no fairytale nor magical.

The reason was simply that his pet could break anytime. So he was just thinking of people to blame if she ever died without satisfying his needs.

But alas... things changed. Neither won the game; it was a draw. Nevertheless, it was still good that he affiliated himself with the Maganti Empire and placed some of his people in the territory.

"We'll be playing another game, Aries." The side of his lips curled up and a sinister glint flickered across his pair of sharp rubies. "Return the pain a hundredfold. If you don't... I'll show you how I do it."

There was no shadow of a doubt. Abel would always be Abel; cruel, manipulative, and pure evil. The chilling smirk on his face was enough to prove he was looking forward to a catastrophe that would befall someone.

*****

"Mhm..."

Aries moaned as she moved slightly, opening her eyes from a deep nap. Blinking ever so slowly, her brows furrowed, seeing Abel sitting at her side, holding a brush steadily.

"Abel?" she called in a sleepy voice.

"Don't move, darling." Only when Abel snapped his eyes, and she felt the tip of the brush touch the side of her navel, did she realize she was bare from the waist up. She shuddered but kept still on instinct.

"What are you doing?" she gasped, staring at his solemn rear. Abel had his focus on stroking a paintbrush across her body.

"Painting," came out a lazy voice. "Have you heard of the term "witch", darling?"

"Huh?"

"In the past, if one was branded as a witch, people would either stone them to death or burn them at the stake. Regardless if they were or not, there was no mercy." His voice was low, covering every slight scar with a beautiful carving. "Do you know why? Because they believed witches possessed dark powers granted by the devil. Same with all the creatures of the night called vampires. Regardless if they meant to harm or just simply wanted to be friends, they were  never accepted."

Her body gradually relaxed as she got used to the gentle strokes being done to her body. "Abel, what are you saying? Why are you suddenly spewing myths?"

"Myths... heh." Abel cast her a side-eye briefly before he resumed what he was doing. "My point here is, I am currently drawing a magic circle on your body, darling. You could simply call it a lucky charm, or be romantic and believe I want to cover your scars with my work."

"Either way, both are true. Also, you're lovely." He held the brush up, gazing at the black swirls and ancient writings inked elegantly on her skin with satisfaction after setting aside the brush. "Don't move yet. You need to stay still until it dries on your skin."

"How can I?" she frowned, toes curling. "If your hand is creeping up my thigh."

"Not my problem, darling. We're going back to the real world tomorrow. I need to make the best out of it." He smirked, crawling under her.