The Tyrant's Pet

Maybe, Aries thought, just maybe, because Abel was impure that she embraced him quite easily. Or maybe it was the opposite. Perhaps it was because she was impure and sullied that Abel embraced her with open arms without feeling guilty. 

Either way, it didn't matter anymore. Whether they burn with the eternal flames or find salvation, they both never sought. What mattered was they were together. 

Under the tree situated deep in the Rose Palace garden near the lake, Aries raised her head from his bandaged chest. He was leaning his back against the trunk, confining her in between his legs, hands around her waist. He stroked her spine under his inner white shirt, now draped over her body. 

After their conversation earlier, a simple kiss was followed by an intense round of passion. They didn't head back to the castle, but instead, he carried her to one of the closest spots.

Under the tree, without a care in the world, they made love. 

"Abel, what is your relationship with Marquess Vandran?" she inquired after her heart recovered from their intense activity. "If he is the leader of the aristocratic faction, why is he so close to you and Sir Conan?" 

"Close to us?" Abel arched a brow and chuckled with his lips closed. He pinched her chin, smacking his lips playfully. "I don't think so."

"What do you mean, you don't think so?"

"Well, Marquess Vandran, Dexter, despised me for many, many reasons. I don't think he will appreciate the thought of him having a friendly relationship with me. Conan, too. My adorable Conan dislikes him since he usually works overtime every time Dexter plays too much."

Aries blinked innocently, tilting her head to the side. "It still sounds to me that you are friends. Why, though? I mean, if you know he despises you, why keep him close? And why would he stay around? I understand that you summoned Sir Conan and Lord Darkmore. But you also invited the marquess. I am confused."

"Because I know Conan and Isaiah will surely oppose the idea of adopting you as my sister?"

"So, you already knew they would need an alternative?" 

Abel rocked his head, touching her face gently. "Darling, have you heard the saying, keep your friends close and your enemy closer? Dexter and I weren't friends, and we will never be friends. I don't have friends. However, who needs friends if you have a lot of enemies? They are almost the same." He pressed his lips, and its corners hooked up.

"The only difference is that friends can betray you. Your enemies don't. Those you trust will stab you in the back; when you are not looking. But your enemies will stab you while you are looking, and they will make sure you know they are there for a kill."

"Are we not friends?" she frowned, lowering her head until her chin was resting over her hand that was on his firm chest. 

"Oh. Ariel is my friend and my best buddy, but Aries is..." he trailed off as her brows rose, anticipation flickering across her eyes. The side of his lips stretched, biting his tongue to stop himself from answering.

"But Aries is, what?" she urged.

"It's a secret." He snickered, watching her expression die.

"I'll strangle you," she warned with a dead voice, but he simply laughed out loud. "Really. Don't kill me with curiosity."

"Well, why don't you try to make me continue?" he teased.

Aries frowned before moving up, tilting her head to what seemed an act to claim his lips. However, just before her lips could touch him, she stopped and clicked her tongue aloud. 

"Never mind." She smirked, drawing her head back before sitting upright.

Sitting on the back of her leg, sandwiched in between his legs, her beautiful emeralds dangled down to cover her bosom. His white inner shirt was draped over her shoulder, covering the rest of her unclad body. 

She gazed at his unbelievably handsome face, lowering her eyes to his bandaged torso. The tattoos covering his body peeked from the bandages. Abel was sitting down while leaning against the trunk, knee bent up where his arm was resting.

They weren't wearing anything as they used the skirt of her dress as a quilt underneath them. And yet, there was no shame in wearing nothing. The thought of having someone coming in here didn't even cross them. Be it before, during, and after sex. 

"I changed my mind. It doesn't matter anymore." She exclaimed as she clipped the button placket in front of her, flashing him a playful smile. "That only means I won't have to say what is Abel to me."

"Hah... darling, I'll tell you now..." Abel trailed off and his hands that were reaching her stopped when she sprung up to her feet. He looked at up her, only to see her evil smirk. 

"Well, why don't you make me want to listen, Your Majesty?" she teased, taking continuous steps back, leaving him under the tree without covers. 

"Darling." 

"I'll take a bath. Bye~"

"Aries!"

All he heard was her giggles as she ran away, taking his dress shirt with her. Abel, who was left naked under the tree, sighed. He was confident enough to walk around in the inner palace naked, but Aries made him feel like covering at least his lower half. 

He quirked a brow, eyes falling on the dress underneath him. The side of his lips slowly stretched wickedly as he glanced at her back. 

"Exchange of clothes, I see. Heh... I want to tease Conan later," he snickered, standing from his spot, and picking up the dress. Since her body frame was small, Abel simply ripped the bodice and kept the skirt and petticoat in which he tied around his waist.

"Darling, look at me! I'm a swan!" he yelled in delight, catching Aries' attention as she looked back. His lips stretched even broader upon seeing her scrunch her nose up. 

"Don't make me catch up on you. We'll be bathing in my chosen place! The lake!" 

"Oh, god..." Aries panicked as she jumped from her standpoint to run away from him. "I can't unsee that anymore."

******

Meanwhile, in the inner palace...

"Igh..." Conan rubbed his shoulders as a sudden chill ran down his spine. "Why do I feel so restless?" he muttered, staring at the mountain of documents on his desk that the neglectful emperor should be working on. 

"It's probably nothing.." He patted his chest and shook his head, tossing whatever bad gut feeling that suddenly crept up his spine.