"Better now?"
There was a moment of silence across the hallway. Even Conan looked at her, wide-eyed. He carefully shifted his eyes to Abel and, to his surprise, the latter had this daze look. It was just for a split second, but Conan knew what he saw.
Abel raised his other hand and waved. "Don't ever show your face to me unless your king goes to his knees and begs." Eyes still on her. "Now scram before I change my mind."
As soon as those words left his curled lips, his finger curled around her hand, eyes glinting menacingly. He took a step forward, bending over for a closer look.
"Now I'm hungry," he dawdled, almost coquettishly. "What tea are you going to brew, darling?"
"Uh... my favorite...?" She kept her expression in check whilst holding onto her soul from leaving her body. "Shall we?"
"Very well." His smirk stretched, cocking his head slightly.
With that being said, Aries held onto his hand and led him to who knows where! She didn't have tea or any equipment to make one! So Aries cast Conan a knowing look, and the latter nodded, getting her silent message to give her the necessary equipment.
As the two left with Aries leading Abel while holding his hand, Conan heaved a sigh of relief. He set his eyes on the delegation from another kingdom. Someone even collapsed to his knees out of fear and relief. All they could do was stare at Aries's figure, who saved them from the devil himself.
'Sir Conan, you owe me one.' That was what her eyes told her earlier, and the latter nodded discreetly.
'Thank you, Lady Aries.' Conan heaved a sigh of relief while keeping his gaze on Abel's back. That was surprising, he thought. Abel would usually gloat about his pet, but to think he would actually listen to Aries. Conan was just hoping that Aries could somehow calm him down or divert Abel's attention by seducing him.
Once they took a turn, Conan turned and faced the idiots who thought they could just do and say whatever they wanted in this place. If not for Aries, the floor they were standing on would have been painted in red.
He clicked his tongue the more he thought about it. "You heard His Majesty. Unless your king begs on his knees, don't ever show your face in here. Also, how dare you disrespect Lady Aries in a place where His Majesty can hear you? If you value your life, learn to hold your tongue and know your place."
*****
Aries hung her head low, clutching her skirt under his gaze. She led Abel to the study where she had a lesson previously since it was the closest. Now, she was simply waiting for the equipment to brew tea. However, even though it had only been three minutes since they sat across from each other, it already felt like thirty hours.
Meanwhile, Abel was enjoying the sight of her. With his knuckles propped against his jaw, the side of his lips curled up devilishly.
"Darling." He held his laughter when she flinched at his call. "Didn't you say you want to play with me? Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Uhm..." Aries cautiously glanced up at him, catching the amusement on his face. Surely Conan used her as a scapegoat. "About the garden..."
"What about it?" he tilted his head slightly. "Flowers are pleasant in the eye, but they won't sustain a man. Potatoes are better."
This time, Aries furrowed her brows and looked up. "Pardon?"
"I will be planting potatoes since I can't have others covet my potato." He cast her a knowing look, simpering seeing her reaction. "Aren't I generous?"
"..." For a moment, Aries was in a trance. Initially, she thought Abel destroyed the garden to humor her. But... he ordered to uproot the garden to plant potatoes? In the end, was it her fault that those flowers who were minding their own business met their untimely death?
'Why is he looking at me as if he did a job well done and deserves praise?' she wondered, keeping her sanity together since she had underestimated how unpredictable he could be. 'I will go mad before he does at this point.'
"Darling, don't be surprised!" He chuckled while shaking his head. "Be grateful that I didn't think of planting dead bodies instead. Oh... that's not a bad idea. A cemetery inside the palace for a change. Now that I think about it, corpses are excellent fertilizer. I wonder what kind of face Conan will make if I suggest it."
'Good Lord...' Aries wanted to speak, but every time he opened his mouth, her tongue would rollback. Her eyes veered towards the door. It wasn't that far, but it felt like its distance was akin to the sky.
KNOCK KNOCK!
Just then, a light knock came from outside the door before it opened carefully. The head maid came in while pushing a trolley tray, keeping her head low. She greeted the only sun in the empire and Aries before stating her intention.
"My lady, this is the tea that you asked of Sir Conan." The maid announced, seeing Aries nod.
"Thank you." Aries sported a kind smile. "I'll take it from here."
"Yes, my lady." The head maid kept her head low, walking away without making the slightest sound. As she left, Aries heaved a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the tea came right on time so she could distract herself for a second.
"I'll brew the tea now, Your — Abel." She corrected when he raised a brow. She didn't wait for his response, standing from her seat and sauntered towards the trolley tray. Since it had enough space, Aries decided to brew it there before serving it on the table.
Aries stood with her back facing Abel. So, she couldn't see that he was staring at her back. No one could exactly tell what he had in mind, but whatever it was, it only spoke trouble.
He glanced at the hand she kissed earlier, narrowing his eyes. When a glint flickered across his them, the side of his lips curled up into a smirk.
'She gets smarter day by day and this frail seduction is deadly...' Abel raised his eyes and set them on her back. '... but that makes me want to indulge with her.'