The Tyrant's Pet

Abel sat in front of the fireplace, staring at the burning wood. The light of the fire danced on his face, its movement was clear in his eyes. After their meeting, they all went on their separate way.

Knock Knock!

Abel didn't react even after three clear knocks rang inside the room he was in. His attention was fixed on the hearth.

The person outside the room slowly pushed the door open, revealing Aries as she peeked her head in. Her eyes searched the room, instantly catching the beautiful man sitting on the armchair in front of the hearth. A shallow breath slipped past her lips, stepping inside the bedroom carefully.

Aries approached Abel while barely making a sound, standing behind the chair. She then bent over, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her chin rested on his shoulder, eyes on his side profile.

"My ears are open," she said, making Abel turn his head to her. "It's quite a surprise that you easily agreed to part ways earlier. So, I was a bit concerned and came here after a short talk with Sir Conan."

The corner of his lips curled up, holding her arm to put it away. Abel then guided her arm, assisting her to sit on his lap. Her legs rested over the armrest, sitting on his lap with her arms over his shoulder.

"I do not have unresolved issues with my father, darling. If that is what you are worried about." Abel caressed her cheek with his fingertips, staring at her face as if engraving every pore in his mind. "I tend to dwell on things in the past, but I guarantee you they were not one of them."

"What is the reason you are here, then?"

"Call it swallowing my pride and wallowing about it." He dropped his hand and circled it around her waist, pulling her body closer to him. "Back then, I had this small fight with my father. I used to hate the blood sustaining this endless nightmare called life and thus, I push all the blame on him and Mother."

He raised his brows briefly, shrugging. "If they didn't reproduce, I wouldn't be here."

"And if you're not here, I'd be sad."

"I bet you'll be." Abel pinched her chin and smiled. "I'm like a burst of sunshine after all that only illuminates hope."

Aries bit her lip as she suppressed a mischievous laugh from coming out. "Of course, you are like a ray of sunshine. I totally agree with that."

"I am fine, darling." Abel smiled, reassuring her after a brief silence. "However, if you offer something worthy as an attempt to appease me, then I'd take it."

"Being with you is the only consolation I can give at the moment." Her brows rose. "Would that suffice?"

Abel stared at her with eyes so gentle with a dangerous undertone. Aries raised her hand carefully, touching the corner of his eyes.

"Whenever you look at me like this, I can't help but recall how your eyes look back then," she whispered, sporting a subtle smile as she had a quick tour in memory lane.

"And what were they before?"

"Empty." Her reply was soft but quick. "And each time you have that look in your eyes, I dislike the person they mirror."

Abel cocked his head to the side. "And why is that?"

"Because the person those empty eyes mirrors doesn't look like she could change them." Aries lowered her eyes slightly, smiling bitterly, remembering the look on her face back then. "In those empty eyes, she always looks like someone, but back then, I knew she was no one."

She lifted her gaze to meet his. "She was nothing, and you knew that. Therefore, you don't look at her with hope or someone who could help you. But rather, someone you know would disappear in due time."

Silence followed her remarks as they stared at each other, recalling the days in the past when both of them were hopeless. Oh, how time had passed so quickly. Who would have thought?

"We've come this far, Abel," Aries continued, breaking the prolonged silence between them. "We didn't come this far, only to come this far. Especially now that we could live together forever. I will stake it all, fighting for the future I could have with you."

"You make my heart flutter, darling." Abel cupped her lean face, gently brushing her lips with his thumb. "How reassuring."

"Did you think I was doing all this simply because I want to live in peace?" Aries let out a short chortle. "Of course I want peace. But without you in it, I'd rather listen to the loud screams in hell than the harmonious harp music the angels play."

Aries adjusted her position, planting her hands on his shoulder, eyes locked with his. "With that being said, I would rather earn the future I want to spend the rest of this endless nightmare called life with you instead of running away for a momentary peace."

"You taught me how to face my demons and made me realize I will never get rid of them. Thus, I learned how to co-exist and dance with them," she added, cupping his lean cheek as affection swirled in her eyes. "I might've said this countless times before, but once this was over, let's live a life that is on our own terms."

Abel could only stare at her and listen to everything that rolled out of those plumped lips. Each of her words touched a part of his heart that only Aries could reach. He didn't even know that part of his heart existed until he met her.

"You make it so easy to swallow my pride and go back with my words, darling. That prize you deem a consolation was more worthy of the grand prize." Abel leaned his face forward until his forehead and the tip of his nose were touching hers. He slowly closed his eyes, imagining the life he wanted to have with her.

Surprisingly, it wasn't a life of luxury. It was simply a life of comfort with her in it, living in a not-so-grandiose mansion with a spacious garden they could spend a lazy afternoon together.

"How nice." The side of his lips curled up into a smile, reopening his eyes. He drew his head back slightly to look at her face. "Did you see it?"

A subtle smile turned up on her face. "I did. It was beautiful, just how I like it."