The Tyrant's Pet

"What a stunning fiancee I have!"

Maximus's eyes went up and down, studying Aries's figure wrapped around a beautiful red dress. Her laced sleeves exposed her elegant collarbone that reached down to her elbow. With her hair tied up beautifully, her gorgeous face and slender neck appeared more eye-catchy.

"Gorgeous." He marched to her with his arms spread wide, stopping two steps from her. "Please, allow me to greet such a lovely woman properly."

Aries chuckled and rolled her eyes, watching him dramatically motion his arms and his hand landing across his chest and the other on his back. Maximus bent over slightly before laying his palm open, eyes on her.

"May I?" his lips curled up, making her smirk back as she clasped his hand. "Thousands of years has it been since I came into existence, but only recently have I found myself stunned to silence with such beauty. I'd say a thousand years was worth living since I was blessed to meet you."

"What a grandiloquent tongue."

Maximus chuckled as he planted his lips on her knuckles, covered with lace gloves.

"I am simply speaking the truth, my love." He straightened his back, not letting her hand go as he took a step forward to guide her hand on his arm. "Shall we?"

"If not, what else are we doing here?"

"I can stay in here with you."

Aries cast him a sidelong glance.

"No, thank you," she refused politely. "There's no way I'd stay in here with you."

"You are making my heart ache," he humored, taking a step forth as they leave the queen's quarters. "Just what else can I do to get your trust and love? I made you the queen just as you wished, handed you the power you desire, and even betrayed Marsella."

Aries couldn't help but chuckle with her lips stretched from ear to ear until her teeth were showing. She trod carefully, watching each step as they sauntered through the elegant baroque hallway.

"Surely, you are growing humorous with each passing day." A deep exhale slipped past her lips, cocking her head back, eyes falling on the man walking beside her. "You hold the answer to that, my dear."

Aries peeled her eyes away from him and set them ahead, contempt glinting in her sharp eyes. "Until the day you completely trust me, I might reconsider."

"So, never?"

"Now you're hurting my feelings." She cast him a quick look, smirking.

"Only fools will trust such a scheming person."

"I thought we were almost there, but alas, I guess it's just me."

"I highly doubt we were even halfway."

Aries let out a short snicker. "Just what kind of marriage am I expecting?"

"Something different, for sure."

"No." Aries paused, looking at him squarely. "I got married multiple times and I'm telling you, my dear, this one is no different from the first one I had."

"Ohh…" Maximus whistled with a short laugh. "I'm looking forward to my demise, then."

"Don't." They resumed their steps, listening to their soft footsteps that overlapped with each other. "If I were you, pray it won't come."

His eyes slid to the corner as his gaze fell on her. "I don't pray. I make it happen… just like how I made it happen that night two years ago."

Silence followed his remarks as neither of them spoke after Maximus' remarks. Bringing up that night two years ago, his confidence rose to another level while a layer of frost covered Aries's eyes.

"That night, you and my dearest friend surely did a lot of planning and executed it well," Maximus broke the silence when they were near the pavilion that was surrounded by lamps on each pillar and flowers; the candlelight setup in the pavilion came in sight.

"If I even slacked for a second, I will be in trouble. Good thing I had been watching and studying you, particularly. I still commend you, though. You sabotaged some of my plans." He paused as they stood steps from the table, retrieving his arm from her as he sauntered behind the chair. He dragged it back and cast her a look, gesturing her to take a seat.

"I am still stuck in this weak body and I feel terrible whenever I look in the mirror," he continued. "Please. Take a seat, my fiancee."

Aries smiled subtly, walking toward him. As she sat down, Maximus pushed the door carefully. He then jogged around the table, taking a sit on the chair across from her.

"I'm just concerned, dear." Aries reached for the white cloth and placed it on her lap. "It would be strange flirting with you if you are wearing Conan's face. He was like a brother to me."

"Making you uncomfortable will be a marvelous sight to behold."

"Seeing you still hung up on that is what a marvelous sight to behold," she returned with a smirk, holding his taunting gaze. "I am thrilled to see you every single day wearing that face. It makes my blood boil with excitement, knowing you are still stuck in that sickly body. I can't help but wonder, what should I sabotage next?"

Maximus' smile remained, despite all the words she spewed. Without looking away, he rang the bell to call for the servants to serve them their food. As if on cue, multiple servants came forth, holding plates with golden cloche covering the dishes.

As the servants started filling the table that had a candelabra in the middle, Aries and Maximus kept their gaze on each other. Even when the servants left, standing on the corner while the rest were outside the pavilion, Aries and Maximus kept their gaze on each other wordlessly.

"No wonder your first husband found satisfaction in beating you." Maximus let out a dry laugh. "You have a knack for pressing people's nerves."

"It's not a talent, my fiance." Aries slowly reached for the wineglass and guided it to her lips, swirling it to sniff its aroma. "I just don't like you."