The Tyrant's Pet

Aries couldn't fathom Conan would be crazy enough to ride along with Abel's whims. No, not just him. But she never consider Dexter would give in to the emperor's crazy idea; Isaiah was an exception! But the sight before her proved her wrong.

Standing in front of the window in an unused study, Aries had her eyes on the training grounds for knights not far away and caught Dexter training along with the new recruits' soldiers of the proud Maganti Empire. Although the marquess dyed his hair a chestnut brown, Aries would never mistake that face!

"Oh, my god…" she whispered, holding her head when it throbbed mildly. "He even dyed his hair… he really came prepared."

No wonder Abel didn't think much about Haimirich. He wasn't the only one who left the empire for another!

"I told the marquess he should blend in with the scholars of the empire, but he said he wants to see how the knights were trained in this place." She faced Conan, showing her helpless expression while the latter spoke proudly. "It's not a bad idea, since the knights in here had a unique style in combat. They wouldn't win countless wars if there wasn't something special in their training."

"Sir Conan, aren't you a little too happy about this?" she blurted out in disbelief.

"Huh?"

"As part of the Curia Regis, you're quite proud of leaving the empire to another. What are you all even planning? And for goodness' sake! Stop making it sound like it's a vacation!"

Conan cleared his throat while putting his fist in front of his lips. "My apologies, but it is, indeed, my vacation."

"…"

"Lady Aries, come on! His Majesty was driving me insane in Haimirich and was out of control! We didn't have a choice but to join him before he sets everyone in Haimirich on fire! I mean, even if he wreaks havoc in this place, they're not our people!" he exclaimed, trying to justify his reason. However, Aries arched a brow.

"What do you mean, he is driving you insane in Haimirich when he didn't even return?"

Conan bit his tongue, recalling Abel shouldn't have reached Haimirich with the short travel journey. Although he didn't want to lie to Aries, she would just think he was covering for Abel since it was unbelievable in the first place.

"I mean, His Majesty left Haimirich without a word. Knowing him, he wouldn't return to Haimirich without you and I was correct! It was a good call since we arrived in Maganti and caught him going back in here!" he lied through his teeth. "We initially planned to take him back, but you know him. When he decided, he had decided. His Majesty said he will wait for you, so here we are."

"I didn't know how many times I called god in a span of minutes." She breathed out, pinching the space between her brows as that explanation made more sense. "But… oh, my god. What are these people thinking?"

"Hehe. Lady Aries, loosen up a bit. We don't mean harm. I mean, we don't plan on doing anything to spoil your fun. We're just here as a vacation. Think of it as… err, we're simply waiting for you so we can escort you back safely once your business in here is finished?"

Aries glanced at him helplessly. "Seriously? Vacation? Goodness… whatever, Sir Conan. It's not like I can ask you to return at once."

"I know, right?" his lips stretched from ear to ear until his eyes squinted.

It took Aries a moment to accept the fact that these people were already in this territory doing whatever the hell they want. It wasn't truly a bad situation for as long as they wouldn't get figured out, but she was uncertain what would happen if their disguises were foiled.

Four men would stand no chance against an entire empire. They wouldn't survive if they were hunted with torches and pitchforks.  Or so what Aries believed.

If only she knew she didn't need to worry about the number of enemies, she wouldn't be in distress. Conan felt sorry for her since he couldn't reassure her about that, since she wouldn't believe him, anyway.

"Just one more thing, Sir Conan." Aries huffed after her brief silence. "The incident in the inner palace. It's not Abel's doing, right?"

"You mean the head?" he asked, and she nodded, eyes on him. "No. If that is His Majesty's doing, they wouldn't find that in front of the inner palace, but on the throne instead. Also, it'll not be just a nobody's head, but the emperor's."

There was a sudden chill that crept up her spine at Conan's answer. "Well… that just sounds like him."

"Lady Aries, were you suspicious of His Majesty? I told you. We're just here for the fun while you do your own thing. If you need our help, then we'll happily assist you."

"That's very reassuring, Sir Conan." Aries peeled her eyes away from him to the knights jogging around the training grounds. "If it's not Abel, I wonder if it's Ismael's doing?"

Conan blinked almost innocently. "It's not."

"Huh?" this time, her brows creased once again, and faced Conan. "You know who did it?"

"Of course." He nodded. "Lady Aries, don't tell me you haven't figured it out already?"

Aries went silent momentarily as she averted her eyes to mull over it. She planned to take the longer route back to her office because she wanted to think about this. However, because of Abel's presence and then Conan, now Dexter training as a recruit, her thoughts were all over the place.

If these men's presence weren't in the empire, Aries would've figured it out. But they distracted her. Still, now that Conan confirmed it wasn't Abel, that left her with one culprit. That head wouldn't get past everyone's eyes if someone who didn't have control over the palace did it.

When her eyes glinted and set them back to Conan, his brows rose to give her a knowing look. "Figured it out already?"

"Damn it…" she whispered and closed her eyes. "I didn't think he will entrap Ismael this soon."

"Well, the crown prince had let the third prince linger around for so long. It's just about time to dispose of his toughest opponent." He shrugged. "What are you going to do about it?"

Aries glanced at him before her eyes sharpened upon setting her eyes ahead. "Proceed with the plan." Her answer brought a wide grin to his face.

"Then should we help you?!" he suggested excitedly, making Aries question if she had truly known Conan or not. Where did the distressed Conan go? He was too carefree in this place.

"Well, I might need some help since it's more convenient that way instead of doing all the manual work." Aries shook her head when Conan clapped. "Stop being so happy about it, Sir Conan. You're scaring me."

"Hehe. It's just that we hate everyone in this place for what they had done to our family."

Aries's breath hitched as she slowly set her eyes back to Conan's side profile. He was still smiling, looking down at the training grounds, but his remarks left this warm feeling in her heart. It might sound wrong and vicious, but the remarks that left his lips were reassuring in their own way.

"Thanks," she whispered, bearing the same contempt in her eyes as she gazed at the knights. "Good to see you, by the way."