The Tyrant's Pet

When they bid Abel goodbye, Aries planned to go to her office to finish what she needed to finish. She expected she would also part ways with Joaquin, but to her dismay, he offered to walk her back.

"Wipe your hand." He handed her a handkerchief, walking beside her.

Aries blinked twice, treading slower as she darted her eyes between the handkerchief to his face. Her lips pressed into a thin slash, accepting the handkerchief with slight puzzlement.

"You're not jealous, are you?" she asked, wiping the hand Abel's lips touched. "You'll put me in a difficult position if you introduced me to a capable man, and get jealous of him."

"Haha! Believe me or not, I am not my wife." He laughed, casting her a knowing look. "I am a man, and any man would have a hard time taking their eyes off of my wife. So I understand."

"But you never asked me to wipe my hands, even when it is tradition. This is the first."

"Baron Albe is a capable man, indeed, and his resources are useful. However, he is born as a commoner who found luck in trades. I simply care about my wife's welfare since he wouldn't be able to touch you if not for me," he explained in a matter-of-fact, but no matter how he twist his words, his reason was obvious.

Abel... although he shouldn't be a problem or would pose a threat to him, there was this feeling that was dominating in his heart. The way he looked at his wife had meaning and, as a man, he knew that look. He couldn't blame Abel for desiring what was Joaquin's, but he wanted to make his territory known to the man.

"Should we hold hands?" she suggested, snapping him out of his thoughts. Without waiting for him to respond, Aries slipped her hand in between the gaps in his fingers. A smile monopolized her face as she gazed up, walking closer to his side.

"Your wife is beautiful. You shouldn't mind those who looked at her with desire because that's the only thing they can do," she remarked, chuckling with her lips closed, looking ahead of the hallway. "I'm not saying I am faithful, but I don't settle for less."

Aries cast him a look and smirked. "No one is worthy to bat an eye for when I'm already with the most powerful man in this empire."

"Haha... make sense." He rocked his head, not displeased at her honest remarks of not being faithful. Well, he knew his wife. She might be someone who was supporting him on the sideline, but that was mainly for her sake.

"But that is quite disheartening," he continued, stopping in his tracks and facing her squarely. "You didn't need to spell it out that you are not faithful."

She hummed and nodded in agreement. "You're right. I shouldn't have worded it that way." Aries fluttered her eyes coquettishly.

"I am realistic," she corrected, causing him to chuckle. Aries tugged his hand, walked closer, and guided his hand around her waist. She teasingly crawled her fingertips across his shoulder, eyes on him.

"Thank you, Joaquin. Introducing me to Baron Albe would help me establish my position as the crown princess. Although it is a shame that he was born a commoner, it doesn't matter now since his resources made him a valuable person," came out a seductive voice, hinting to him she wanted to give him a reward by this gesture. "You're really working hard."

"Well, anything for my wife." Joaquin pulled her waist closer, smirking deviously as his eyes glinted. He pinched her chin up, bending over to claim her lips. But before it could even touch her, he stopped when a voice came from Aries back.

"Your Highness, I --"

Aries arched her brow as she pushed his chest lightly before she turned around. Joaquin frowned at this interruption, raising his gaze, only to see Cherry standing ahead.

"Countess Lloyd, I hope this is worthy of interrupting me and my wife." His voice was cold and distant, eyes glinting dangerously. It had been a while since he was 'intimate' with Aries since his wife kept her distant, even in bed.

"Joaquin." Aries, like an understanding wife, turned at him with a warning look. "Countess Lloyd is my lady-in-waiting, and she definitely knew her place. She won't approach us if it's not important."

She then cast Cherry a look. "Right? Countess Lloyd?"

"Ye — yes. Apologies for interrupting your time, but the guest Her Highness was waiting arrived today." Cherry hung her head low, hiding the frown and contempt in her eyes.

"See?" Aries chuckled, facing Joaquin once again. "I need to settle things in the east ninth district before the hunting season."

She tapped his chest and was about to part with him when she noticed his displeasure. The side of her lips curled up, standing on her toes, and planted a peck on his cheek. Before she drew back, Aries whispered in his ear.

"We'll continue it tonight." A playful smile dominated her face while biting her bottom lip. "I'll excuse myself first."

Aries winked at him before she turned around and walked away. Joaquin let out a shallow breath, eyes on her back. He saw her look back at him once again and grinned while walking side by side with Cherry.

For reasons unknown, Joaquin stayed in the same spot for minutes. He touched the cheek where she kissed, and unknowingly, the corners of his lips curled up. He had been working hard to win her over, so her affectionate actions felt... rewarding.

'That's the difference,' he thought.

Having to experience being in her good graces and her bad gave him a clear indication of which one he preferred. The crown princess could be the warmest and hottest, but she could also be the coldest if rubbed in the wrong way.

"I guess it's worth it," he whispered, in high spirits as he looked forward to tonight. But as he was about to turn around, the thought of Abel crossed his head once again, causing his eyes to glint.

'Why am I bothered by him?' he wondered, having this restlessness in his heart. 'Circe wouldn't even bat him an eye. Damn it...'

*****

Meanwhile...

Aries glanced over her shoulder as Cherry was walking a step behind her side. Her playful front plastered on her face faded, replaced by a stony countenance as she looked ahead.

"Countess Lloyd, I favored you because you are my lady-in-waiting. However, I am a woman and I know how the gears in our brain turn." Her voice was distant and unaffectionate. "In an affair, the woman always gets the short end of the stick. You do not want to fall from my good graces."