The Tyrant's Pet

Aries was well-aware that what she had said back in the dining hall was enough to anger Joaquin. He might snap her neck. But she was certain he wouldn't be so careless to do that.

Joaquin needed to tread on eggshells to win her over because that was already the plan.

To make him forget about Aries, she needed him to reach a point he was hundred percent certain she was Aries and then strike. Causing confusion and showing the difference between Aries and the crown princess would be more effective since the Aries Joaquin knew weren't as cunning and merciless as the crown princess.

She was never the person to exploit someone else's misfortune and death to her advantage. Aries was never that rotten. She could be fearless and terrifying, but her ways were always direct and head-on, not knowing her skull would crash into the spikes her enemy prepared.

The reason Ismael reminded her of her younger self.

Ismael was someone who also had a direct way of approaching things, chasing after an illusion, only to find himself standing on the edge of the cliff. If Aries wasn't in this place as the crown princess and she didn't see this coming, Ismael would've been put on the guillotine.

To defeat the beast, one should become the beast that was just as ferocious or more brutal as the others. Or else they would all fall into prey for them to get devoured.

This realization dawned on the third prince a little late, but she was glad this had happened now.  The timing was perfect.

Now… Ismael was still alive and Joaquin's suspicion about her origin would prove unnecessary. In any case, Joaquin would become wary for now… until there was no reason for him to connect her with "that woman" he called his favorite.

Aries smiled the more she thought about the conclusion of her dinner with Joaquin.

"How's Curtis?" she asked, standing on the stand to light up the candle herself, while Gertrude stood behind her.

"He had been doing well, Your Highness. Everyone treats him properly, afraid you will be upset if he wasn't taken care of." Gertrude held her hand in front of her, keeping a safe distance from Aries. "He is also regaining strength in his knees and can stand up on his own, albeit for a short time."

"That's good. As long as his condition is getting better." Aries rocked her head, getting a whiff of the lavender scent that wafted her nostrils. "And you? Have you been well?"

"Minerva helps me a lot in most things, but the servants' treatment towards makes me a little… uncomfortable."

"And why is that?" she sauntered towards the other stand to light up another candle.

"Their kindness feels unnatural."

"Well, you have to get used to it." Aries bent over slightly as she lit up a match, guiding it to the scented candle. "They believed to get in my good graces, they should curry favor with those I favored. That's how it's always been, Gertrude. It's just a matter of how you will benefit from them more than what they will get from sucking up with you."

Gertrude remained silent, pursing her lips, following Aries's figure with her gaze. She had been a servant almost her entire life, but in this place, everything was different. She wasn't as cunning as Aries as to exploit the benefits to their maximum potential.

"Don't pressure yourself. In any case, you can think of it as gaining more eyes and ears." Aries straightened her back before she faced Gertrude, standing near the nightstand where she lit the last candle. "They will come in handy."

"Yes, Your Highness. I will report anything I will hear." When Aries nodded with a subtle smile, Gertrude didn't idle longer as the lavender scent started to fill the room once again. "I will leave now so you can rest, Your Highness."

"Sure."

Aries watched her march towards the door in silence. But before Gertrude reached the door, she halted as she spoke.

"You forgot to light up the candles." Gertrude looked back, a little confused for a second before she lowered her head. "My apologies. I'll light them up quickly."

Aries watched Gertrude hurriedly approach the stands. Gertrude would light up a match to light up the already lit up candle and, just like Aries's pattern, she went from one to another until she stood near Aries as she lit up the candle near the nightstand.

As soon as she finished, Gertrude offered a meek smile and then bowed. "I'll be on my way, Your Highness. Have a peaceful night." And then she walked towards the door. She looked back and bowed once again when she was by the door before shutting it close, leaving Aries to rest.

"Heh…" Aries chuckled slightly, crossing her arms, eyes still on the shut doors. "So, the effects of the candles had reached that stage, huh?"

The side of her lips curled up, recalling how Gertrude didn't notice that the candles were already lit, despite watching Aries light them up herself. Also, she had been watching Gertrude every single night whenever she lit up the candles, and only tonight did Gertrude break her pattern.

"Right on time." She nodded, pleased that the effect of the scented candles had started to have an influence on people. "Finally, the hypnosis is already triggered."

Her lips stretched, arching a brow as she glanced at the shawl draped over the armchair. Aries smacked her lips, sauntering to pick up the shawl and wrapping it around her body. She then marched towards the drawer of her desk, picking up a seal she received from Violet before heading to the terrace.

Aries took a deep breath as the chill night breeze met her face, causing her hair to flow back like strings of gold shining under the moonlight. Standing in front of the railing, her eyes glinted and her smirk faded when she heard the faint creak from the door behind her.

Soon, she felt a person's heat standing behind her, caressing her arms as he lowered his head to her ear.

"I bathed," Joaquin remarked, holding her arms from behind. "Can you forgive me just this once, Circe?"