The Tyrant's Pet

Honestly, Aries didn't also know about the seal. She simply helped Violet because she owed the princess and she was innocent. But when Violet sent that seal to her, Aries had a hypothesis about how Violet got that important valuable in her possession.

Violet was just a simple princess from a small valley kingdom colonized by the Maganti Empire. Her ambition in life was a fortunate marriage, to have obedient children, and to help those in need with everything she could. To sum up her life, the only reason Violet got to marry the eighth prince was because of her surname.

In other words, there was no way Violet would possess such an important piece all on her own. Someone… who trusted Violet or just wanted to protect her, gave that to her to gain immunity if the guerrillas finally made their move and overthrew the throne. Or, as simple as using it as a valuable piece for leverage.

Aries found it interesting and if her guess was correct, she would soon figure out who the person who gave the seal to Violet was. Although she already had someone in mind — someone who could connect the dots between the seal and Violet's death — Aries needed confirmation.

Aries smiled as her mind was drifting to this matter that had nothing to do with her current activity.

"Your Highness," called Cherry, her lady-in-waiting, as Aries hadn't said a word at the custom dresses she designed herself and sewed by the best seamstress in the empire.

"Right…" Aries fluttered her eyelashes as her eyes gloss over the three beautiful pieces the servants were holding up. "Try them, Lady Lloyd."

"Your Highness?"

Aries smiled, gazing at Cherry, who was standing near the divan she was sitting on. "Try them so I will know which one is the best," she explained, watching Cherry sport a reluctant expression.

"You don't want to?" she asked and her lady-in-waiting shook her head.

"Your Highness, how dare I, a mere lady-in-waiting, wear something that is meant for the crown princess?"

"Oh, Cherry. These dresses aren't mine." Cherry's eyes went wide slightly, tilting her head to the side at Aries's reply. "I did design them, but I didn't say I will wear them."

Not only Cherry but also the proud seamstress who got to work with Aries in creating these delicate dresses looked at the crown princess in surprise. These dresses were worth a fortune, and if they would auction them under the crown princess's name, it would fill her treasury since ladies would fight just to have a piece.

The designs were unique and complicated. Something that wouldn't be seen in the daily banquets. Anyone would stand out if they wore one of them. But Aries was telling them she didn't plan to wear them?

Aries chuckled seeing their uniformed surprise. "These dresses are too pretty and I hate it when my dress is prettier than my face. I want people to look me in the eye instead of gawking at my body." She humored with a shrug before compassing her hand to the servants on sight.

"Help Countess Lloyd change. I would like to see which one suits her best in the upcoming royal banquet."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness."

The servants bowed politely before they approached Cherry. The latter looked at them in surprise before setting her dilated eyes at Aries. Aries smiled and nodded encouragingly before the servants escorted Cherry to the other room.

Minutes after Cherry was escorted to the other room, Aries gazed up at the door when a faint knock came from the other side before it opened slowly. She arched a brow, seeing Joaquin strut his way in.

"Well, what a surprise, Your Royal Highness." Aries greeted her husband without moving from her reclining position. "I didn't expect you'd visit me today."

"You told me about the dresses you designed yourself," he explained as he plopped down beside her. Joaquin looked around and furrowed his brows, as there were only a few servants standing on the side.

"They hadn't arrived yet?" he frowned, casting her a somber look. "How dare they make my wife wait?"

"They arrived." She chuckled and shook her head mildly. "Countess Lloyd will test them."

His frown grew worse as he furrowed his brows. "Your lady-in-waiting? I was looking forward to seeing you wear them since you've been gloating about it."

"Husband, do you really think there is an attire that is as pretty as my face?" she asked with confidence shooting up the roof. "I am offended."

"Haha! Oh, goodness… surely, having such a pretty face also has its downsides." He smirked, moving closer to her. "But why would you let Countess Lloyd wear the dresses you designed yourself?"

"I like her and she had helped me quite efficiently. Therefore, I want to reward her." Aries smiled as she sat upright, adjusting her position to face him squarely. "This is my first public appearance, and although I am confident, I don't want my people to be left behind."

Joaquin gazed at her beautiful face and noticed the confidence in the curl of her lips. He couldn't argue with her.

How could he?

His wife was the most beautiful face his eyes had ever laid upon on. Although she shared the same face as that person in his memory, her elegance, grace, and confidence were something that created a difference between the two.

His wife was more alluring and even if she wasn't trying, men would die for this beauty. Her intelligence just made it better.

"I am a lucky man, aren't I?" he muttered, raising his hand to tuck her golden strand behind her ear. Aries pursed her lips, staring deep into his eyes as the tension between them slowly rose.

"Yes, you are," she whispered, batting her eyelashes ever so slowly.

Silence descended upon them and she held her breath when Joaquin leaned in, tilting his head to the side. But right before his lips could touch her, Aries looked away as the door from where Cherry changed dress flung open.

Aries cleared her throat as tried to keep her poker face despite the faint blush on her cheek. Seeing this, Joaquin chuckled, as she could be adorable whenever she was shy or trying to hide her flustered face.

"Let's continue later," he teased in her ear, chuckling louder when she glared at him.

"Behave," she warned through her gritted teeth before she faced Cherry and the servants and seamstresses who returned with her. As soon as she did, Aries caught the surprise on their faces upon seeing the presence of the crown prince. But aside from surprise, there was something Aries caught in Cherry's eyes: jealousy.

'Oh, girl… you have a terrible taste in men… my Abel is ten times — never mind. I think I have the worst taste in men.'