The Tyrant's Pet

"They had started."

Conan blinked twice as he set his eyes on Aries's side. Noticing the lopsided smirk on her face, he tilted his head to the side.

"Lady Aries, are you planning on joining the crown prince?" he asked out of plain curiosity, watching her look back at him with a sweet smile.

"Of course not!" she giggled, adjusting the reins on one hand while she carried the crossbow in position. "They had started, so it means it's my time to hunt! I got a competition to win."

Conan tilted his head, but before he could speak, Aries already sped away like a madwoman.

"Come on, Sir Conan! Let's put your vacation to good use and hunt for me!"

"Hey…!" he outstretched his hand but to no avail, eyes on the dust her steed was ambling up. "I feel like I don't even know the entire plan anymore."

A deep exhale escaped his mouth as he gazed at the path she was galloping too. "I'm a little worried about His Majesty… he's been counting how many times he will peel the crown prince's palms for touching her."

He shook his head as Abel's train of thoughts recently had been alarming.

"Anyway… just how many does she need to win this contest?" he gazed up and caught a figure sitting on a branch while hiding behind a canopy as a clumsy attempt to camouflage himself. "That will only work with Lady Aries, Marquess. It's funny now that I see you."

Dexter moved the canopy to the side to reveal his poker face. Conan's face contorted as this guy had been watching Aries from afar, making sure she would be safe.

"Sir Conan, you've been idling too much since setting foot in this place. You don't even know what Dani was up to."

"She'll be fine. You're watching her." Conan scorned. "So, how many should we bring home for her to win?"

Dexter snapped his eyes to think for a moment. "Hundred?"

"Points?"

"Hundred wild animals," he clarified, thinking the wilder and more elusive the animal, the bigger the points they had. "My sister needs to make history. I'll make sure no one will beat her even after ten generations of this hunting season."

"Wow… that's cheating."

"This entire empire is built with deception. What's so bad about it?"

"Make sense." Conan nodded in agreement, as the truth in this place was well-hidden. "Anyway, I will hunt for Lady Aries. Just stay there and relax. I don't need your help."

A frown instantly conquered Dexter's face while Conan grinned smugly before the latter jumped off of the steed, only to tie its rein to the nearby tree. Conan waved at him before jogging away since hunting without riding was easier for him.

"He really knows how to make people do what he wants," Dexter mumbled while shaking his head lightly. He sighed deeply, glancing in the direction Aries went to and then at where Conan disappeared to.

"Well, I guess I need to hunt another hundred since he will surely hunt around that number to impress her." He stretched his neck from one side to the other, producing a satisfying cracking sound, eyes closed. "I hope they released that many wild animals — I don't want to go past the parameters."

When Dexter slowly reopened his eyes, they glinted sharply and his opalescent eyes changed to red for a split second. In a blink of an eye, he disappeared from the branch and, like a shadow, he skipped from tree to tree.

*******

In a vast forest clearing, Abel was standing a step behind Joaquin while the latter was talking to Hernan, his aide. He had been quiet and so far, they had hunted quite a few animals. His eyes glided around, catching all the noblemen and knights assisting Joaquin's hunting.

'How spoiled,' he thought as he wondered if he could have such sweet private time with Joaquin. All these schemes they had been whispering about were boring to him now.

"And Circe?" Abel arched a brow when Joaquin inquired about Aries to Hernan.

"We received a word she had dispersed her knights to hunt, but she will surely stay within the safe areas, Your Highness," Hernan reported with a slight conflict in his eyes, but already used to it since Joaquin had been more concerned about the crown princess and her activities.

Joaquin kept quiet before lifting his sharp eyes at Hernan. "Make sure she will stay unharmed or I won't let you off, Hernan."

Hernan lowered his head and gulped. "Ye — yes, Your Royal Highness."

"Good." Joaquin rocked his head and raised his chin, smirking. "Let the party start."

"Yes, Your Highness."

With that being said, Hernan bowed and scurried away to execute Joaquin's secret order for today's agenda. As he hurriedly walked away with a few gentlemen and knights, Joaquin faced Abel with a smile.

"Apologies for that," he expressed while Abel's smile caused his eyes to squint into slits. "I heard there was a slight commotion in the hunting grounds."

"How diligent of you, Your Royal Highness. It's reassuring such a man will lead this great country someday."

"Haha! It's simply my duty." Joaquin laughed with a shrug, looking around the clearing as everyone was having a break before they continue their hunt. "By the way, Baron Albe, as a man who is affiliated with different people…"

He held his hand behind, standing tall while his eyes fell in a direction. "… you're not affiliated with the Valiente Guerillas, are you?"

"Your Royal Highness, you are my client. I do not want to sully our good relationship by shaking hands with your enemies." Abel's reply was quick and his smile remained, watching Joaquin slowly turn his head to face him.

"Good," Joaquin remarked, surveying Abel's expression with glinting eyes. "It'll be a shame if you double-cross me."

SWOOSH!

Abel quirked a brow when an arrow suddenly landed near his foot. But he maintained his smile and eye contact with Joaquin while the rest panicked at the multiple arrows coming in their direction.

"There are only two things that can make me angry, Baron Albe," Joaquin continued in a low voice to emphasize this wasn't just a reminder but a threat. "First is betraying me and second… is my wife. I understand she's stunning, but she's mine. I hope that is clear with you."

Abel chuckled as he rocked his head, tapping his wrist while holding it behind him. "It's crystal clear, Your Royal Highness." His eyelids dropped until they were partially closed.

"Very… clear."

"Excellent." Joaquin kept his smile before averting his attention to the knight who approached him.

"Your Highness, it seemed the hunting grounds were infiltrated with enemies!" announced the knight in panic, but Joaquin remained calm.

"Prepare everyone and we'll hunt down every single one of them."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness."

Joaquin glanced at Abel with a wicked smirk. "Let's go, Baron Albe. I'll show you something fun."