Chapter 20 - Found Another Hobby

The next day...

"Marquess Vandran. Did you also think I will die?"

Dexter's brows raised, fluttering his eyes up at Aries, who was sitting across from him. She just asked him for permission to inquire about an out-of-topic question. But he didn't think this would be the type of question she would ask.

"Yes." He nodded after a few seconds. "Until now, I think you will, eventually."

"All people die... eventually," she muttered, studying his reaction discreetly. "Then... if you think I will die shortly, why did you agree to tutor me?"

This time, he leaned back and put down the book on the table. "Because you are His Majesty's pet; that is what he calls you."

Dexter studied her reaction after stressing the word 'pet', but he got nothing. Aries didn't even show the slightest displeasure about it.

"Is that so?" she lowered her eyes. For some reason, Aries had expected this much. Conan already told her that people actually knew about this pet since Abel would gloat about it. It wasn't something she was proud of since his pet was a human being. But she couldn't expect anything less from Abel's madness.

"You looked a little... disappointed." he pointed out, waiting for her to raise her gaze. "But I don't think it is because His Majesty sees you as a pet."

"Why would I get disappointed if His Majesty sees me as a pet?" she smiled, almost chuckling, but took a deep breath instead. "He treats me better than my previous owner."

He might think she was crazy, Aries thought. But that was the truth. Even though Abel tried to kill her, he didn't force himself on her or abuse her. At this point in her life, what mattered to her was the result, and she was still alive.

"Marquess Vandran, are you friends with His Majesty?" she inquired once again.

"Friends? My lady, I think you're smarter than that question."

A subtle smile appeared on her face. "I just think you have a unique relationship with His Majesty when Sir Conan mentioned you."

"No, my lady. I don't have friends. I am a subject of His Majesty."

Aries studied his expression discreetly before rocking her head. He was always strict, but somehow, his eyes sharpened when she inquired about his relationship with Abel. She was correct. Dexter and Abel had a unique relationship — not the good kind, though.

"My lord," she called once again before she continue reading the poem he told her to read. "Do you still think I will die in here?"

He quirked a brow. "I think you will never outlive His Majesty."

'That's a strange response,' she thought, pressing her lips as she simply assumed his words as is.

"If... never mind." She shook her head, changing her mind from asking further questions. Since Conan would always answer her questions without a filter, Aries thought asking that man was safer.

Silence enveloped them once again as Aries already shifted her focus on the book of literature. Meanwhile, Dexter would constantly glance at her. He had noticed that after she recovered from her fever, Aries had more confidence.

Back then, she was very uptight. She was even careful while flipping the page of a book. But now, her emerald eyes would gleam when she read something that was in her interest. She even mustered the courage to ask a blunt question he never thought he would hear from her.

"My lady, forgive me if I am interrupting your reading. But may I ask how are you feeling?" he inquired, catching her attention as she looked up.

"Better." She smiled. "I feel a lot better now and surprisingly feel good. I think I am adjusting well in Haimirich thanks to everyone's help."

"Adjusting well..." Her brows rose when he chuckled.

"My lord?"

Dexter shook his head lightly. "My apologies. I just find it interesting how you recovered from all that fatigue in such a short time. His Majesty must have taken care of you."

'Well, if you consider Abel throwing me out of the window in my dreams as taking care of me, he really took care of me,' she replied in her head while keeping her subtle smile. "His Majesty treats me well. I am grateful for that."

"I see..." Dexter rocked his head. Of course, he wasn't a fool to believe her. He knew Aries was clever and everything that would come out of her mouth was already calculated. His eyes fixed on her, watching her tuck her hair behind her ear while gazing down at the book.

With eyes soft, she affirmed in a relieved tone. "I won't die, my lord." She raised her eyes ever so tenderly. "I will live and survive until His Majesty gets tired of me. I hope one day we can also be friends because I think you are not a bad person."

Dexter studied the bright smile plastered on her face. He didn't respond, though. All he did was stare at her. That... her last remarks sounded sincere — because she really meant it. Even so, that was strange for him. Not a bad person? If only she knew what sort of people they were, she wouldn't smile so beautifully and utter such reckless words.

"Don't hasten your death by smiling too much," he muttered, picking up the book he put down previously. "Especially in front of others. You'll be in trouble."

'Was he worried about me?' Her brows rose before the side of her lips stretched broader. "No one is here," she chuckled while shifting her attention to the book. "But thank you for the advice. I will keep that in mind."

"It's not advice."

"Alright." She laughed and glanced at him before silence enveloped them again. As she refocus her attention on the book, a shallow breath slipped past her lips.

'I wonder what's her plan for trying to get me on her side.' He wondered, but he didn't plan to probe since he would rather see it once it happened.

"By the way, have you heard about the garden?" he queried after several minutes of silence.

"Pardon?"

Dexter glanced up with the same distant look. "See it for yourself after our class. They said His Majesty suddenly had an inclination to gardening... or farming."

"…"