The Tyrant's Pet

Aries didn't realize there were more things to learn about Abel until today. Since meeting each other, they usually stayed behind closed doors and they — Aries — would be too busy scheming.

Today, having only a plan to spend the day as mundane as possible without any other things in mind, Aries could safely say it was one of their best dates. It differed from their usual quality time in the palace, but the experience was just as worth remembering.

They tried many things, hopping from stalls to stalls, playing with what the festival offered, and eating delicacies they hadn't had before. Abel wasn't particularly someone who enjoyed food, but he would often quirk a brow when he found something interesting in the taste.

He was great with games, though. He seemed to have enjoyed some games despite having a simple thing as a reward. In fact, he enjoyed it so much that he nearly ripped off the merchant for his consecutive wins. The merchant had to chase Abel and Aries away, and the two fled with the small toys he won.

Surely, time would fly so quickly when one was enjoying it. Before Aries and Abel knew it, the night had already fallen, and the streetlights gave a warm glow in the street. Yet, the festivities continued; it was even livelier with more and more people coming to the street to enjoy the festival.

"Wooooah!"

Aries's face contorted as a wave of roar from the crowd exploded in the plaza. She watched Abel as he slammed the large barrel mug down the barrel which was used as the table. Currently, Abel was competing with people who could drink more booze for ten silver coins.

"Arbie! Arbie! Woo! Woo!"

Aries glanced around the crowd as they cheered for the undefeated champion for the night. A shallow breath slipped past her lips, setting her eyes on Abel's opponent. The latter had passed out on his eighth drink, but Abel was still so sober while smiling at her.

"I know he's competitive, but should he be this competitive?" murmured Aries whilst shaking her head mildly. "That ten silver coins is already a huge amount for others."

"Any challenger?!" the host of the competition shouted as Abel stood beside him with his hands on his hips. "Who can take down Arbie who had already enough drinks!?"

"Actually, it's Albe —"

"Anyone wants to challenge Arbie?!"

Abel frowned as the host of the event ignored him, continuing to call him Arbie. Even the crowd was now calling him Arbie, just because the man had misheard it the first time.

"Pffft —" Aries covered her lips with the back of her fist, watching how her husband's expression turned even more gloomy.

As the announcer hyped everyone up, stressing it was easier to take down Abel right now because he had been drinking so much, someone in the crowd raised a hand.

"Me," came out a man's calm voice, which somehow sounded so clear despite the roaring crowd.

The host searched for the voice and caught the hand. His eyes lit up, watching a man squeeze through the crowd until he stood in front. He was tall — almost the same stature as Abel of no less than six feet. His bearing was mild, his shoulder low, and his clothing was plain and simple. The man's long hair that was tied up had a color of platinum, just like Isaiah's, but a little lighter, but not as light as Sunny's silver hair.

The host and everyone, including Aries, assessed the challenger. Silence slowly descended upon them. The man, although tall, looked pale and sickly. If someone poked him lightly, he would fall and collapse.

<strong>'Did he desperately need the ten silver coins?'</strong> Aries wondered, thinking this man was just probably trying his luck to buy medicine.

After a moment, the host had to clear his throat. It wasn't like they were selecting the challengers, and this was voluntary.

"Oh, ho!" the host made a taunting noise that hyped up the crowd. "Another challenger! Arbie, can you still go for another round?"

Aries and everyone slowly shifted their eyes to Abel. Deep lines appeared in between Aries's brows as she noticed the lack of reaction from Abel. She wouldn't normally dwell on it, but Abel was just staring at the challenger without any emotion in his eyes. There wasn't anger, intrigue, or anything of the sort. It was a look Abel would give to people or things he had no interest in.

<strong>'I know he isn't interested in many things, but this is the only challenger Abel didn't look at anything in particular,'</strong> she thought but threw the thought at the back of her head. <strong>'Did he think this challenger wouldn't be a challenge at all?'</strong>

"Sure." Abel rocked his head and set his eyes on the host. "Let's do it."

"Woooh!"

Another wave of cheers thundered in the plaza as the challenger stood opposite Abel. A huge barrel was between them. Before the competition started, there were a few people who went around while people betted, placing money in the hat.

Another minute had passed before Abel and the challenger held their barrel mug to their lips. Just like the last time, Abel gulped continuously until he emptied the drink. Meanwhile, his opponent only sipped before wincing and coughing at the strong taste.

"Booo!!"

The crowd started booing, making the challenger frown. A thin layer of tears shone in his eyes, looking around the crowd who were booing him. The host didn't join the crowd, but he was yelling harsh things that were facade as a joke.

<strong>'I feel bad for him.'</strong> Aries let out a deep exhale, watching the challenger force himself to drink the booze in one go. When the latter slammed the mug barrel on the barrel between them, the crowd cheered for more as if they had just decided to execute the challenger to drink until he drop.

"Huh?" Aries furrowed her brows as she set her eyes on Abel, only to see him staring at his opponent coldly. The more she stared at Abel, the more she recognized the complex look in his eyes.

There was a little bit of boredom hidden in those cold, crimson eyes.

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