Aries panted for air as she clasped her chest while on the bed. Her entire body was shaking as if she was exposed naked in the coldest time of winter. And yet, she was sweating buckets under the sheets.
"Uh..." she turned to her side, opening her eyes weakly only to see the moonlight filtering through the window. "...it hurts."
She winced as she touched the bandage around her neck. After bathing with Abel, her body was already burning. With the fresh wound on her throat and bathing two consecutive times, her body would react in a way. But she kept her act together.
Abel planned to stay in Aries's chambers for the night. But just as they finished bathing, he received a word. His expression changed and left Aries without a word. Still, before he left, he glanced at her and smirked. That was his way of goodnight.
To whoever or whatever reason Abel had to go, Aries didn't know. But she was glad he didn't stay for the night. She barely kept it together while he was around, and if he stayed longer, he would surely find her grunting annoying. Considering his personality, Abel might even feel aroused and take her by force — that was what she believed. Or rather, that was what her body and mind remembered experiencing every time she was sick in the Maganti Empire.
'I can't be sick in here,' she thought, knowing how defenseless she was in that state. 'I'm already too weak. I can't...'
Her breaths grew heavier as she weakly closed her eyes. As she did, she heard the faint sound of a piano. It was faint and if there was the slightest sound in her chambers, she wouldn't hear it. But with her current state of mind, she simply thought she was hallucinating.
Who would dare play the piano in the middle of the night? For the sound to reach her room, the sound would be even louder from where the sound was coming from. Unless it was Abel, but she doubted that. The sound sounded so nostalgic — very unlike him, despite that, it was lulling anyone who was listening to sleep.
The sound she believed she was hearing in her head still brought a subtle yet bitter smile to her face. They also had a piano back in Rikhill. She used to play with her little sister, who wanted to become a musician. Sadly, she also died.
'For some reason... the piece is soothing my yearnings.' She thought, relaxing her tensed body to sleep. 'I pray that I will feel better once the sun rises once again.'
*******
The loud sound of the piano as if it was in the middle of the day resonated across the empty hall. Abel sat in front of it, fingers playing on the keys, producing a soulful tune. His body swayed along with his arms, unaware of the moonlight from the open window stretching to reach him.
He looked... majestic. If he was playing this moonlight sonata with a larger audience, their jaw would drop as they held their breaths. Abel was beautiful, and so was the harmonious sound where he was lost.
When he opened his eyes, his dark red eyes glowed, and the music stopped. He cocked his head back, eyes landing on the figure slinking out of the shadow. Platinum hair and a cold countenance. The other man's dark red eyes that appeared black were sharp and intimidating. Even without trying, this person's demeanor and presence were powerful enough to make a stranger wary of him.
"Can't you see? I am lulling my dearest pet to sleep." His voice was lazy as ever, pressing some keys to make a playful sound. "I planned to spend the night with her, but then you came, Isaiah. My poor pet must be sad."
"I am certain she was more than happy to not have you breathing down her neck, Your Majesty." Abel chuckled upon hearing Isaiah's familiar, aloof voice. "The council meeting is approaching. Your presence is needed."
Abel didn't respond, playing a livelier tone just to tease his right-hand man, the Grand Duke of Fleure, Isaiah. The side of his lips curled up into an evil smirk, eyes glinting with malice.
"Your Majesty." Isaiah, who was standing in the corner, narrowed his eyes when the sound went out of tune as Abel slammed his palms on the keys all at once. His dark red eyes were so dark it looked more black didn't even show any sign of worry at the sudden shift of atmosphere in the room.
"The council meeting..." Abel cocked his head back and quirked a brow at him. "... one good reason, Isaiah. Just one. Why do I need to grace those bunch of harlequins with the honor of my presence?"
"They had been getting bolder nowadays."
"Then you have my permission to slaughter them since they seem to forget their place."
"It will be a three-day gathering. You shall set off tonight, Your Majesty." Isaiah ignored Abel's last remarks and proceeded with the details of his schedule. "Shall I prepare your steed?"
Abel huffed faintly as he gazed at the piano keys. "Sometimes, I am confused about who is in charge of this hell. Was it you? Isaiah? Perhaps Conan? You two seemed to think of me as a pushover."
"We simply want what is the best for Your Majesty."
"Oh? So, what do you think is best for me, Isaiah?" Abel lazily set his eyes back to him, tilting his head a bit to the side. "Nevermind. Say, shall I take my pet with me?"
"She is a human."
"So what?" Abel snickered, producing a loud sound when he pressed his palm on the piano keys as he stood up. "The council meeting will be fun if she's there. I'm thrilled to see what reaction she will have on her face once she realizes she entered a literal hell."
"If her presence is needed, then I shall ask someone to fetch her."
"Great!" Abel clapped, watching Isaiah bow before walking around to leave. But when the latter was by the door, Abel spoke.
"Nevermind. I changed my mind." He turned and caressed the piano keys with his fingertips, his smirk still present. "I'll be sad if she dies so easily. After all, she lives for me. Can you believe her words, Isaiah? My pet lives for me."
"Are you bragging?"
"Yes, I am. Now, prepare my steed. We'll leave Conan behind so someone can watch over my pet, just in case she suddenly gets dull and tries to escape." Abel smiled until his eyes squinted into mere slits. "I'd like to see what she will do, knowing I am not breathing the same air as she does."