Chapter 69 - The Day Before The Annual Celebration

Aries life had been the recurring events of attending classes, having to deal with Abel's crazy antics and whims, and changing gender just for the heck of it. The only thing that added to that routine was she started learning a dance for the start of the annual celebration for the empire's founding. 

Other than that, Aries had all the time in the world to do whatever she wanted. Her relationship with Abel kept growing better or worse — depending on how a person viewed it. But for her, he had become more tolerable. Maybe because Abel had become busier than ever and there were days, she didn't have to see him.

The thought of the prince still lingered in her mind, though. But she tried her best not to probe about it. But the more she denied that knowledge existed in her head, the stronger the desire to know more. 

BAM!

"Wow..." Conan clapped, eyes on the straw target with an arrow pierced in the middle of its head. "Lady Aries, you're on fire. How come you're so good at this?"

Another three arrows plunged into the straw target, landing on different parts of it. One to its neck, forehead, and heart. If this was a real person, it was dead for sure. 

"Because I trained day and night?" she peeled her eyes away from the straw target to Conan, shrugging arrogantly. "I used to dream of being a knight. I might apply to be one once the founding celebration is over."

Unlike the past weeks, Aries had forgiven Conan. How could she not? Conan begged her whilst hugging her thigh. He wouldn't let her go unless she forgive him, so she did. Not that she truly despised him. Also, Conan prepared a list of candidates for her replacement as a peace offering. 

So here they were now, back to being the best of friends! 

Aries tapped the bow against her shoulder while Conan skipped his steps to her. When he was a palm length away from her, he offered her a handkerchief to wipe her sweats.

"Thank you," she expressed, accepting the handkerchief to wipe her forehead. Meanwhile, Conan scanned her bare face, following her tracks to her special parasol to take a break.

As they headed to the chairs and table under the parasol on the side of the training ground, he could not help but glance at her side. 

Aries wasn't new to this training ground anymore. She would come every day to practice archery, honing her precision to perfection. Although she had already shown great marksmanship from the get-go, one would wonder how come a princess like her was adept in archery. 

Sure. Sometimes, noble ladies indulged in archery and horse riding as sports. At least, in Haimirich, these activities were common for ladies in high society. So his curiosity kept increasing every time he would come in here and see her shoot. 

"Lady Aries, what do you mean by you trained day and night?" came out an inquiry as soon as she sat down on the intricate marble chair while Conan perched across from her. "It doesn't look like it's for a hobby, though."

Aries glanced at him before shifting her attention to the servant on standby, serving them cold beverages and snacks. Her lifestyle was surely a luxurious one.

When the servants were done preparing the table, she set her eyes back to Conan. "I will tell you if you answer one question honestly."

"What is it?" he tilted his head to the side.

"Promise me you will not let anyone know about this." She narrowed her eyes solemnly, digging a hole in Conan's eyes with only her gaze. "Swear in your honor, you will not disclose this to anyone."

His brows furrowed but still planted his palm across his chest. "I promised in my life I will not tell a single soul about it and answer your question honestly!" he affirmed from the bottom of his heart.

"Lady Aries, I don't want to be your enemy. His Majesty only let me off because you told him. I now recognized your power." He breathed out, recalling the torturous days Abel had put him through. He only had the time to breathe when Aries forgave him and Abel returned his freedom like it was nothing. 

In his mind, Aries and Abel were in cahoots to punish him. The reason Conan gave up playing cupid. If Aries left, he wouldn't stop her anymore. His good intentions and deeds were simply being returned with sufferings since Abel and Aries were both stubborn. 

Aries nodded in satisfaction, smacking her lips to muster the courage. "How is the prince being treated?" she asked, wanting to make sure this wouldn't bother her anymore. 

"Pardon?"

"His highness, the crown prince," she clarified, casting the puzzled Conan a knowing look. "He was alright, right? It's been bothering me, so answer me truthfully for my peace of mind."

Conan blinked countless times, processing her words until his eyes dilated. She thought this reaction was strange as if he didn't know about it until she mentioned it. But Aries also argued internally that was because no one ever mentioned the crown prince. It could also be he was surprised that she already knew about Abel's son. 

"How... did you...?" he trailed off because she answered him before he could finish. 

"Does it matter? I just want to know about the prince's welfare. It's not like it is surprising, knowing His Majesty's lifestyle." She shrugged, tilting her head while staring at him curiously. "So?" 

He shook his head whilst clearing his throat. "Of course! He is the crown prince, so he is being given everything he needs."

"Then why is his dwelling look abandoned?"

"You went there?" he gasped in disbelief, leaning his face forward while holding the table. "Lady Aries, you went there?" 

"Uh... I took a peek...?" 

"Don't! Ever do that again." her brows wrinkled at his strong reaction. "Lady Aries, listen to me very carefully. Whatever happens, even if the world is set on fire, stay as far away as possible from that place. I'm saying this because… that place, I mean the crown prince, is not an easy person. If you think His Majesty is too much, then consider the prince a hundred times worse."

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line, staring at Conan's solemn countenance. This was her first time seeing Conan sport this sort of expression. But for reasons unknown, there was this part of her that knew there was something he wasn't telling her. Or rather, what he said was simply a part of the truth.

"Alright." Even so, she nodded and didn't probe about it. There were certain lines she knew she shouldn't cross, and this one was it. 

He heaved a sigh of relief. "The forbidden palace might look like that, but the person who lives in it is someone you shouldn't be worried about."

"I understand. I'm just worried, but it seemed the mansion was like that because His Highness preferred it that way." She rocked her head, putting the benefit of the doubt at Conan's affirmation.

To Conan's relief, Aries didn't dwell on the matter anymore and it seemed she would listen to him. She was smart. Hence, she wouldn't put herself in danger for no reason. She then proceeded to tell him her interest in archery back at Rikhill until the two of them nearly forgot the previous topic. 

The two of them spent some time chatting before they decided to return to their respective places. Aries back to the Rose palace, while Conan to the king's palace. He dropped her off at the royal palace first, chatting about the candidates for Abel's next pet. 

"Thank you for walking me back, Sir Conan. I will send you the names that I would like to meet at tomorrow's ball." She smiled, stopping in the open hallway connecting the Rose palace to another building. 

"Oh, alright." His eyes glanced at the path behind her. "We will be very busy, so I might see you at the ball."

"Yes, that's alright." She smiled, performing a small curtsy. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yes." Conan waved, watching her turn her back against him, and marched away. His smile remained and faded as soon as he pivoted on his heel. 

His eyes sharpened, glinting maliciously as he sauntered in the opposite direction. 'That Dexter…! Is he sending Lady Aries to her death? No, that isn't what's important.. I should keep an eye on that cunning fox. I bet that detestable Isaiah is in it, too! How come I never heard of this until now?'