The Tyrant's Pet

"Oh, Marsella… Mathilda will gnaw the life out of you."

Abel grinned malevolently, barely stopping himself from ending Marsella right this second. The Grimsbanne clan — the originals  — didn't have the normal familial relationship. Although they didn't have anything against each other, killing each other wouldn't be an issue if they have any reason to.

So it was understandable Marsella — the real one — had done things that could ensnare her sibling intentionally or not. She was selfish, and so were the rest of the Originals.

"She might." Marsella snickered, returning Abel's smirk with an equal malevolence. "Though I fear she might not catch up with how lazy she is."

"We'll see, Marsella. We will see." Abel slowly released Marsella's neck, noticing the prints of his hand on her pale skin. Yet Marsella wasn't bothered with it.

"Let me out of here, Abel," she requested, attempting to move her body but to no avail. "Let me out of here."

Abel frowned, but the ridicule in his eyes was apparent. "If you want to be out, go crawl your way out of here. Although I fear that will take some time."

"Abel!!"

"Oh, sister. I have a gift for you." Abel chuckled, walking to the edge of the pit and jumping out of it. When he stood back on the surface, Isaiah was already standing nearby. "There's no need to put the lid back on."

Marsella's eyes lit up, inflamed by the orders her brother gave out. "Try... and I will kill you!"

"Oh, I'll wait for it." Abel looked back over the pit and smirked. "Until then, may you enjoy the taste of dirt."

Abel laughed in mirth as he walked away, leaving the pit he dug for Isaiah to cover. He could still hear Marsella's furious screams, shouting his name as she seethed in anger, but that only put him in a better mood. Since they didn't have any familial attachments, Abel didn't have any reason to take Marsella's feelings into consideration.

Marsella should be glad she was still alive even after she thoughtlessly conspired with people who had the slim chance to take down their bloodline; thanks to the other soul inside that rotten flesh.

As Abel walked away from the vast expanse of the forbidden mansion, his steps skidded to a halt upon hearing the faint sound of piano keys. He slowly turned his head in the sound's direction, smirking.

<strong>****** BREAK ******</strong>

Abel's steps were careful, stopping by the open door of the spacious room. He leaned his side against the jamb, folding his arms under his chest. He didn't need to look around since there was only one item in this empty room; the piano.

His eyes landed on the piano where his beloved was. The light from the moonlight stretched toward the piano and Aries, making her appear like the moon goddess no one could ever reach.

What a stunning sight to behold.

"What do you think?" Aries lifted her fingers from the keys, turning her head in his direction. "Beautiful?"

"Stunning," said Abel, peeling his side from the jamb and sauntering toward her.

"I am mesmerized," he added as he propped his elbow on the side of the piano.

"Not me, but the song," she humored with a soft chortle.

"It's beautiful."

"I missed a few keys," she pointed out, recalling repeating some parts of the music.

"Doesn't make it less pleasing in the ears."

Aries looked at him and shook her head, realizing arguing over such a trivial matter wasn't worth mentioning. It wasn't like there was something to argue about it, anyway.

"I heard you will be late tonight," she remarked, tapping a key that produced a soft tune. "So I thought I should go to you first."

"Any reason for that?" he cocked his head.

"Do I need any reason to see my husband? It's not like we're hiding our relationship anymore."

"Oh…"

Aries bit her inner lower lip to stop herself from laughing out loud.

"I just thought you've always come to me," explained Aries, peeling her eyes from him as she continued pressing other keys until it produced this mellow tune that was so pleasant in the ear. "I shouldn't be passive and exert some effort to meet you when you can't."

"My heart feels like melting," he mused humorously, pushing himself away from the piano to stand behind her. "Tell me more about your realization of love, darling."

Aries chuckled, glancing over her shoulders when he planted his hands on it.

"Well, I met with Marcia today…" she trailed off when he heard him grunt, chuckling. "Right… that isn't romantic, is it?"

"Marcia, the night council, or whoever demon is there — I don't want to hear about them tonight from that mouth of yours. They're mine."

"Oh, Abel." Aries shook her head mildly once again. She didn't speak for a moment, allowing the sound of the piano fills this vast empty space with some life.

"Aren't you tired, my love?" she asked out of nowhere.

"Of?"

"Everything?"

Abel didn't answer immediately, massaging her shoulders mildly. "Not anymore. You?"

"Not really." Her tone this time lowered with a tinge of exhaustion.

"You should rest, darling."

"No. I need to get things done."

"Aries." Abel slowly peeled his hands from her shoulder and then sat beside her. "Everyone can wait. Rest if you need be."

Her hands stopped over the keys, letting the fading tune drift in the inbound breeze. Aries turned to him and smiled subtly.

"I already am," came out a soft voice, leaning her head over his shoulder. "Play for me."

"Of course." He let out a weak chuckle but didn't put his hands on the keys immediately.

"You smell like soil."

"I dug my little sister for some enlightenment."

"Is she still not fine?"

"My sister… she's very much fine, unfortunately. The other one? I don't know about her."

"So, she's still having trouble controlling Marsella."

"She's persisting, at least." Abel arched his brow when Aries carefully wrapped her arms around his waist. She then rested her chin on his shoulder, gazing at his side profile. "You're especially… touchy today, my love."

"Don't you like it?"

"I love it, but it makes me wonder what you need from me?"

"Your love?"

"Hah…" Abel rocked his head, raising his hand to the piano keys, leaving his other hand still. "My love, huh?"

He then turned to Aries and smiled. "You're making me happy." And then he started pressing the keys.

"Abel?" she called, hearing him hum as he raised his brows. "Have I told you I'm always thankful?"

"For?"

"Despite the things that had happened, I'm thankful that I still have things to be thankful for. Since getting the crown, we barely have time for each other. I missed you, I missed times like this… and I feel like we will barely have time once Maximus arrives in the empire."

"Are you worried about him?"

"I'm worried about what he'd do," she corrected. "I know you are capable, but… my gut feeling told me it won't be that easy."