Aries's current disposition hindered her from meeting Abel publicly. It was better to let the nobles anticipate Daniella's first meeting with the emperor. Still, they met in secret. Abel came to her in the Rose palace and they had a picnic with Conan.
Apparently, Abel and Aries both dragged him with them just so they had an audience. That day, Conan surely aged ten years with those two spawns of devils joining forces.
After that day, they continued to live their respective lives.
Abel would still give headaches to everyone in the inner palace. Conan's nagging would always be heard through the thin walls of the palace, and Aries lived the life of Daniella.
"I thought I'm already used to dealing with countless invitations in the past," she mumbled, cupping her cheek with a somber expression plastered across her face.
She fixed her eyes on the stack of invitations from different noble houses. Just the sight of fit already exhausts her. They just kept coming that no matter how hardworking she was, it felt like an endless routine.
"Although Sir Conan gave me a list of noble families, who will benefit me the most, it still feels a bother," she breathed out while leaning back. She stretched her neck and massaged it to ease its stiffness.
"I need a bit of rest."
Aries closed her eyes, still stretching her neck. She had been answering letters since morning until now that the sun was setting. If she could afford to sleep, she would've done it already, but her conscience wouldn't allow her to.
"There's still so much work, Aries. You shouldn't sleep yet," came out a mutter, fighting off her desire to take a nap. Her schedule had been strict unlike before she debuted in high society.
Not to mention, she had to visit the imperial palace at least twice a week to meet Abel. Even if Abel's affection for her was strong, she needed to keep investing in him. It wasn't like she had other ulterior motives, but it was better to be safe.
"Right." She snapped her eyes, resuming in segregating the letters from the important ones to the least important. Aries tried her best to stay awake, but in the end, no matter how strong her will was, her body couldn't keep up.
While segregating the letters, Aries paused as blood dripped onto the table. She looked down and raised her brows, touching her upper lip before drawing her finger away only to see blood on it.
"Ahh…" her vision shook as her head suddenly felt light. Before she could even react, her eyes dimmed as her body fell to the side ever so slowly, and then nothing.
THUD
Shortly after Aries lost her consciousness, a knock from outside the door came in. Dexter stood outside, knocking on them lightly.
"Dani, can I come in?" he asked with just enough volume for the person inside to hear him. "I need to tell you about something important."
Knowing Aries, she would yell from the inside, telling him to come in like usual. But when no one replied to him, the space between his brows wrinkled.
"Dani, are you asleep?" he inquired, staring at the door, gravitating whether to take a peek to check if she had fallen asleep. "I…"
When the wind from the room swept the scent of her blood through the tiny gaps of the door, Dexter, who just stepped back after deciding to let her rest, froze. Without thinking twice, he barged into her room, eyes falling on her figure lying near her desk.
"Dani!" he yelled in panic, dashing his way towards her and crouched only to see the blood on her upper lips.
<strong>*****</strong>
"Gustav, send me Dani's schedule. I would like to see it." Dexter massaged his temple while he was sitting on the armchair next to Aries's bed.
After he found her lying unconscious on the floor, Dexter summoned Gustav, who appeared almost immediately. While the former carried her to the bed, he ordered him to call for a physician to check on her condition. Apparently, Aries had been pushing herself a lot lately.
The poisons aside, Aries needed proper rest. Although the physician didn't tell Dexter directly, the latter already understood the cause of her fatigue by seeing the strange look in the doctor's eyes.
It was Abel.
"I will send Lady Daniella's schedule first thing in the morning tomorrow, my Lord," Gustav, who was standing behind Dexter's seat, replied. "Please, you have to rest as well, my lord. Gertrude and Minerva will look after lady Daniella, so you do not have to worry."
"That's alright, Gustav. I'll look after her myself." Dexter waved nonchalantly, opening his eyes, which immediately landed on the woman lying on the bed.
Gustav's lips parted, but he chose to close them and bowed. "If you need anything, I will be on standby."
"No, Gustav." The marquess's eyes glinted as they darkened while his jaw tightened. "That is not what you need to do. Don't let Abel enter our premises in the meantime. Dani needs some rest, but he wouldn't understand that, since he is selfish."
"My Lord, forgive my insolence, but this might anger His Majesty." This time, Gustav had to voice out his opinion, as it was necessary. "You hadn't recovered since the last time you fought head to head with him."
There was a brief silence after the head butler's remarks before Dexter repeated. "Don't let Abel step foot in my estate." He glanced over his shoulder and added. "If he enters here, decimate Conan."
Gustav wanted to argue with him, but after staring at Dexter's back for a few seconds, he was certain Dexter wasn't joking. Hence, he could only bow.
"Yes, my lord," replied the head butler before pivoting on his heel, walking out of Aries' room. As he did, Gustav's eyes glinted in red.
CLICK
Dexter blinked ever so slowly when the click of the door as it shut closed caressed his ears. His eyes remained dark, staring at Aries in silence.
p
"He is dangerous, Dani," came out another whisper, squeezing her hand lightly. "The more value you have in his life, the more you have to be wary of that monster. Love… is something you'd never want from him."
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