When Aries opened her eyes, Abel's lower face was the first she saw. She carefully closed her eyes once again, breathing out. She could still feel a slight headache. So, she wanted to pretend to be asleep since she wasn't ready to lose her brain cells talking to him.
'He made me drink poison.' She thought, not even surprised at this point. 'But... he said he drank it. If that paltry amount almost killed me, why was he alive? Whoever made that poison underestimate this lunatic. Weeds never perish.'
Perhaps it was because Aries knew she could die any moment in this place for no reason. That was why she felt nothing in particular. Well, she was relieved to wake up despite consuming poisoned tea.
While Aries was pretending to sleep, Abel quirked a brow and gazed down. The side of his lips curled up, casually stroking her hair. After she lost her consciousness and gave her an antidote, Abel carried her to her chambers. But instead of taking her to the bed, he brought her to the settee.
He let her sleep with her head on his lap while he read the few documents he brought with him. It had been over seven hours since then. It was a long sleep, but he somehow enjoyed petting her soft hair while working. Actually, he didn't feel bored at all.
"You didn't have a nightmare." He broke the silence in a warm voice as the corner of his eyes squinted. "How was your sleep?"
Aries let out another deep exhale before she slowly opened her eyes. "I was poisoned. Almost died."
"I know. It's me who made you drink it. You don't have to remind me, darling."
'Goodness... Sir Conan, did you have to experience all this as well? Or was this the extreme level?' she wondered, closing her eyes to avoid seeing Abel's face. If not for Conan's advice, Aries would've smiled or acted as if she understood him. But no. She didn't need to follow a pattern and she would rather 'freestyle.'
Abel frowned, brows wrinkling. "You look upset, darling."
'Who wouldn't?!' she bit her tongue, holding it in. Showing her displeasure was one thing. But pushing her luck too far was a huge NO.
"Huh... I'm getting ignored. I made you drink poison but gave you an antidote. You're alive and had a long sleep without mumbling." Abel cocked his head to the side, sporting genuine wonder across his face. "I don't understand."
"Your Majesty, do you want a pet who will amuse you or a puppet you control with strings?" this time, she opened her eyes with almost no emotion in them. "I just need to know which one you prefer, so I can act accordingly."
"I remember saying what I will do once I need to correct you again."
"Smash my skull open and carve your name in my brain." Her tone was firm, keeping her eye contact with him fearlessly. "Just do it, Your Majesty. You already made me drink poison. Having my head smash open will be no different since... I will still live, right?"
She knew she was going a step further down the line. But, just like usual, Aries took a gamble with a higher stake. This would determine her role in his crazy life. When his eyes glinted, she didn't flinch. Her taunting words would displease Abel, of course. But she expected that much.
Now... would he strangle her? Snap her neck? Open her skull? Or... would he want to know what made her upset? She didn't expect an apology, but she wanted to be clear about something.
Abel tilted his head to the side. "You're really upset. Aww..."
"Will it please you if I smile even after drinking poison?" she inquired, keeping her eyes on him. "Even a pet has their feelings. You might not see me as no more than an animal, but I won't keep wagging my tail toward the person who only knows how to abuse me physically, mentally, and emotionally. Death is a lot better."
Abel narrowed his eyes, studying the resolution in her eyes. He had seen it himself. How Aries defied that man who was defiling her. Even when she was in pain, she never once showed submission. He doesn't like that, he thought. The fun would end if that happened.
"Do you want me to apologize?" he inquired, tilting his head to the side.
"How dare I make you apologize?" Aries secretly sighed in relief as it seemed she won another bet, so she gradually calmed down. "I don't expect an apology from you, since I know everything you do is just and absolute. I just... just... know I will go insane thinking when will you show up and what sort of torture I will be put into."
"Hmm. Your point?" he blinked as if that wasn't clear to him.
"I might sound rude, but if you can tell me beforehand..." she pressed her lips with raised brows, clutching her skirt. "I don't want to die, Abel. I want to live; I want to stay here for as long as I can."
Abel hummed while staring into her eyes. That... he knew she was being honest. His hand that stopped stroking her hair resumed.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, attempting to change the subject but failed with those eyes looking back at him. His eyes squinted, and he twirled a portion of her hair around his index to his lips.
"Keep drinking poison every day," he said in a low tone, sharp eyes on her. "If you want to stay with me for as long as you can, then keep drinking poison until you gain immunity. You're clever. I'm sure you know what kind of position you're in, darling."
Aries gulped as her breath hitched. Of course, she knew what he meant by that. Even if Abel wouldn't kill her, others would if she gained their slightest attention. If someone was audacious enough to poison the emperor, it was foolish of her to think she was safe.
There was no safe place in the palace.
Abel caressed her lean cheek with the back of his fingers. "Don't die without my permission, Aries. Just stay with me." His eyes narrowed, making her wonder what was in his mind. "Now, are you still upset?"
Aries took a deep breath. But just as her lips parted, her stomach spoke for her.
<strong>*GRUMBLE*</strong>
"..."
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