The Tyrant's Pet

"That calls for a celebration!"

Abel suddenly clapped after a moment of silence. Aries furrowed her brows when he suddenly stood on the railings. She couldn't even remind him to watch his step, because he took tiny steps to her. Without prior's notice, Abel sat down in front of her while she drew her head back.

"I am... looking at the night's view," she said in a dead tone because now he was in front of her, blocking the view. His legs swung back and forth in her rear.

"Oh, darling. I am the better view!" he intoned shamelessly, grinning from ear to ear. "Just looking at me will surely make you relax."

'More like the opposite of that word' was what she wanted to tell him. "What calls for celebration?" she asked, not dwelling on the nonsense he just spewed shamelessly.

"A celebration for your success, obviously?" he answered as a matter-of-fact. "It seems Rikhill fell into ruin before you were announced as the official heir to the throne. No wonder there were no records about it. So, we'll have to celebrate."

"There's no need for that." She clicked her tongue, straightening her back. "What's there to celebrate? My people died because of me. They nearly erased the land I was born and raised from the world's map."

"Aww..." he frowned, shoulders relaxing.

Aries studied his sulking expression, sighing slightly. "But thanks." She sported a meek smile. "I appreciate your intentions, but there's no need. My ambition cost everyone's life. I hated myself for that, but... thank you for thinking it is something to celebrate about. That's good enough for me."

"Darling." Abel tilted his head to the side, smacking his lips. "You are so low maintenance."

A sigh escaped his mouth as he tucked her hair behind her ear. "I mean, I've checked your expenses in here and you never asked for anything. You never spent a dime or asked for any dish in particular. It makes me sad."

"I'm not low maintenance. It's just that there was no need to spend more since the food was great. The clothes as well. Thanks to you," she replied in a knowing tone.

"That's what cheap people say." He chuckled with his closed lips, planting his palms on her shoulders to turn her around. "Since you don't want to celebrate your achievements in the past, I'll give you something important instead."

Her brows furrowed as she gazed down. Abel carefully put a necklace around her, and Aries held the 'pendant', which was a tiny bottle. Meanwhile, as Abel locked the link, he spoke.

"It is neither gold nor diamond, but keep this with you at all times." His voice was low, with his soft eyes on her nape. "If anything happened, break this glass. If anyone poisoned you, wounded, or just needs help, drink it."

When he finished locking the custom necklace, Aries pulled it lightly. She was correct. It was a tiny bottle with red liquid inside. Was this some sort of antidote? But he said if she was wounded or needed help, that meant this was some sort of general potion that could cure everything?

"It looks like blood," she murmured, turning around to face him again. "Is this potion?"

"It's better than that." He winked and grinned arrogantly.

"Better than that? Is this some kind of medicine the empire discovered? How can it help me if I needed help?" she asked, knowing that this empire's discoveries and inventions were too advanced. The reason it was the richest continent.

"Also, what kind of situation can this be helpful?"

"Any situation that is crucial," he answered with a shrug. "Especially life and death. Drink it. Or you can just call my name and I will be there to save you. Even if you're at the ends of the world or at the deepest part of hell, I will come for you."

Aries frowned as she patted his chest. "You always talk..." she trailed off when Abel continued to fall back after patting his chest. Her breath hitched as she grabbed his collar, pulling him back in panic.

"Oh, my god...!" she gasped, feeling her heart race as he nearly fell from the balcony. She nearly killed him. Her complexion instantly turned pale, hands growing white cold from the slight mini heart attack.

Meanwhile, the man who nearly fell from the balcony blinked his eyes. His face was only a palm length away from hers, giving him a special view at the fright dominating her face.

'Did she think I will fall?' he wondered, blinking cluelessly. 'Heh... but I just want to stretch.'

Either way, Abel smiled and took advantage of this situation by staring at her up close. She looked so scared. It made him want to think she was scared of 'losing' him. But of course, he also knew she was terrified to take the blame for his death. He still tossed the latter idea and just believed the former conclusion.

"Pretty," he commented, catching her attention as she slowly refocused her eyes on him. "Were you scared that I will die?"

"Of course..." she breathed out, stabilizing her heart rate. "Falling from here will kill you, obviously. I don't wish for your death."

"Then what do you wish for?" he asked in a seductive voice, cocking his head lightly. Abel slowly held her wrist that was holding his collar, leaning his face closer.

Aries gulped as she held her breath, staring directly into his eyes. The more she stared at those crimson eyes, she felt like a force was drawing her in.

Her lips parted. "I... wish to reverse the time so I can save everyone," came out a soft, shaking voice. "Obviously, that wish is impossible. Even His Majesty cannot do that."

"It is, indeed, a tough wish to fulfill." He glanced up to ponder. "But not impossible."

"Tsk. It's impossible." She clicked her tongue and let his collar go. Still, he didn't let go of her wrist as he playfully kept them on his chest.

'It's not impossible. I know someone who can do that, but never mind.' A smirk appeared on his lips. "Heh... let's stay here for a while. Do you want to jump from here?"

"Abel!"

"Hahaha! Come on. It'll be fun!"

"Yes, and we'll die. Nice idea, wise guy!" she panted in distress, grinding her teeth as she wriggled her wrist from his grip. While she did, Abel laughed and laughed until he grinned evilly. He abruptly let her wrist go, upper body falling back out of the balcony.

Time seemed to stop for Aries as her mouth fell open, standing frozen on the spot. Abel was falling, she thought, right before her eyes.

"Abel!" out of panic, Aries hugged his waist to keep him from falling. She only realized the real situation when his laughter reached her ear.

"Hahaha! Oh, darling. I might try dying every single day just so you will hold on to me like this." Abel laughed whilst holding his stomach as if he wasn't hanging upside down with only his legs hooked on the railing.

As he laughed evilly, Aries slowly drew her head back. Her eyes landed on his leg on either side of her. As soon as she realized he did that on purpose, she glared at him.

'Let's see if you can still laugh if I took off your shoes and tickled you.' She snapped her tongue. But she wasn't that heartless to actually push him to his death. Aries took a deep breath and still tightened her arms around his hips.

"Abel! Stop this already!" she exclaimed in worry. "This is not a nice joke!"

His laughter subsided, staring at the world that was upside down. "Aries," he called with a genuine smile flashing on his face.

"Don't let me go, darling. You're the only one I have." — and the only person who could make him feel alive.

"I won't! Just come up here!"

His eyes softened while listening to her voice. But instead of following her request, he closed his eyes and simply listened to her nagging.

'How nice…' he thought. 'Will you cry if I ever die? That would be nice to have someone to cry for me.'