The Tyrant's Pet

"How's the boutique coming to?"

Aries paused in slicing the meat on the plate and raised her eyes at Dexter. The marquess sat at the end of the table while Aries was on his right.

"The preparations are almost complete. It can start its operation in a few days," said Aries with confidence. "Violet had been hands on. Hence, things are running smoothly."

Dexter rocked his head in understanding. "Are you sure you don't need any of my help anymore?"

"You already let me borrow money to start a business and helped me with the proper documents." Aries smiled. "I'm on the high road to success. Or don't you trust me?"

"This is not about trust, because obviously, the moment I shelled out money already meant I trust you." Dexter rested his arms against the edge of the table. "I'm simply worried because of the fierce competition, but if you say you can do it, I believe you can."

Her lips stretched broader. "Don't worry. Thanks to you, I was able to stroll the capital."

"Anything interesting?"

"Aside from the fact everyone just follows the trend. Nothing special."

"Every lady usually wears the same design, and it usually varies in how they adorn them," Dexter agreed as he had attended a few banquets, and based on his observation, most ladies were wearing almost the same design. "It was odd, though."

"I know, right?" Aries chuckled. "Usually, those ladies in the high society disliked it when they were wearing the same clothes as others. However, for some odd reasons, they do not mind now. Most boutiques had the same display, and the only difference was the color."

"Meaning, the demand is high, and no one cared whoever could supply it."

"I wonder why…" Aries propped her elbow against the table while holding the fork, resting her chin on her knuckles. "The trend isn't that remarkable. It looked a bit flashy, but somehow, the ladies are going crazy for it."

Dexter arched a brow and studied Aries's puzzled expression. "Everything in this empire is usually unpredictable."

"For no reason?" she arched a brow.

"There should be a reason," he answered. "Should I look it up for you?"

Aries chuckled with her lips closed while shaking her head. "No need. I'm simply curious, but it doesn't really matter."

"Is that so?"

"Mhm. After all, I already have a plan in mind." Her lips stretched from ear to ear. "Do you want me to tell you?"

"No need. It looks like you're about to tell me a deep secret. I don't want to be one of the suspects if this information was leaked."

"Pfft —" Aries burst out in laughter. "You're too much. Even if it was leaked, I will never suspect you."

Dexter let out a shallow laugh and shook his head, resuming in his meal. For a moment, Aries and Dexter enjoyed their breakfast before his voice pierced the air once again.

"By the way." Dexter wiped the side of his lips with a cloth. "About the fifth prince…"

Aries slowly paused, raising her head back at him. "What about him?"

"I received a report that he died." Dexter looked at her straight in the eye. "I had confirmed this with the new emperor, although it was a bit strange."

"What do you mean?"

"From Ismael's letter, it sounded like he wasn't sure himself. He said the corpse was burned, and he was barely recognizable. The only thing that confirmed it was the fifth prince was because of the ring on his finger."

"I see…" Aries rocked her head in understanding, pressing her lips into a thin line.

"Don't worry. I sent people to look more into it," he reassured with a slight smile. "He won't be able to approach you."

"Well, I hope."

"Dani." Dexter stretched his arm over the table to hold her hand. "I won't let him harm you anymore."

"It's not that." Aries breathed out. "It's just…" she raised her gaze at Dexter and sighed. "Perhaps I am merely overthinking."

"He's crazy. Don't mind whatever he told you back then."

"Should I just ignore it?" she frowned. "He knew about Maleficent and the existence of vampires."

"Even if he knew about it, what can he do? He would die the second he stepped foot in the empire."

Aries pursed her lips before nodding. "Well, I guess you're right. There's no need to dwell on such a person. It's not like he had any resources to pull off any scheme."

"He can't do anything without his brother's help." Dexter squeezed Aries's hand mildly before letting her go. "The security in this residence is tighter than the imperial palace. However, you shouldn't underestimate the lax security of the imperial palace. It's easy to enter that place, but people can't easily leave it... alive."

"That sounds very reassuring." Aries forced a subtle smile. "I trust you."

"Good." He smiled back. "Speaking of which, His Majesty had sent a person to spy on you."

"What?"

"He said for your protection."

"I already have Climaco. Also, didn't you and Abel already plant people in my shadows?"

"It wasn't His Majesty, but Sir Conan," Dexter argued, despite knowing he shouldn't care even if Aries misunderstood. "His Majesty didn't send anyone to follow you, knowing I would already do that for safety precaution."

"Really?" Her brows rose as her expression brightened. "Brother, that's a surprise. I didn't know you will clarify this, knowing how you loathed my husband."

Dexter resisted rolling his eyes. "I only agreed because I acknowledge the knight's strength and clever mind."

"What about Climaco?"

"Your personal knight still has a long way to go. He can learn a lot from this person. I trust your knight's loyalty. He might have admirable swordsmanship, but when you are against a vampire, that level isn't enough."

Her forehead creased, grasping what he meant by all that. "So, who is this person?"

Knock knock…

"My lord, it is I, Gustav. The knight the imperial palace sent for Lady Daniella had arrived." Aries gazed at the door with interest, hearing Dexter reply, "bring him in."

Aries held her breath, watching the door creak open. As soon as it did, her eyes caught Gustav's figure coming in. When her gaze fell on the person following Gustav, she cocked her head to the side.

"Roman?" she called, a little taken aback to see Roman.

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