Chapter 184 Partner In Crime... Literally.

"How reckless."

Abel caressed Aries's spine with his fingertips, using his arm as his head cushion while she slept on his chest. He glanced at her for a second before setting his eyes back on the ceiling.

"I wonder if she thinks she was dreaming, or she simply didn't care anymore."

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A frown resurfaced on his face at the thought. They had rounds of passion before dawn approached. Abel's stamina for her was bottomless, so he couldn't really sleep despite the exhausting exercise. But Aries just fell asleep as if there was nothing to worry about.

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"Darling, can you wake up for a second and answer my question?" Abel turned his attention back to the mischievous cat sleeping on his chest when he couldn't take it anymore. "Did you just fuck me in your sleep?"

Nothing…

His frown grew worse, shaking her body mildly to wake her up but to no avail. Abel squeezed her rear out of habit so he could think straight, rolling to his side to face her.

"Darling," he called under his breath, brushing the apex of his nose against hers. "Aries."

To his surprise, Aries simply moaned as she pulled his waist closer, burying her face in his chest.

"Let me sleep first, Abel," came out a hoarse voice, rubbing his back while trying to get a full sleep. "I'll ask you questions tomorrow. Let's worry about it tomorrow."

His brows rose as he gazed down at her, blinking twice. Aries was half-conscious, but it seemed she was aware of what was going on and didn't want to dwell on it for now. The corner of his lips stretched, pulling her body and closing the tiny gap between them.

"Good." He chuckled with his lips closed, rubbing her spine to help her sleep. "Night night."

A subtle smile appeared on Aries's face, keeping her eyes closed and body relaxed in the safety of his embrace. Although she was shocked that this man was in this place, Aries was just a little surprised and not at the same time. Why would she? The man was Abel. He had his ways.

Moreover, she didn't want to think about other things for now. Her body needed sleep. She couldn't keep straining herself. A good sleep was needed for her to last long in this place. Abel was the only person who could give her that since this chaotic man ironically give her that peace she needed.

"Missed you," came out a whisper before succumbing to the darkness, unaware that her words were enough to melt someone's rotten heart.

"I am… melting," Abel crooned with his classic devious smirk cemented on his face. "Literally… my non-existent heart is."

No wonder people sometimes express how someone melts their heart. Abel could understand that now with every word that would come out of her mouth, her voice that was full of affection and sincerity.

At this rate, he might die by evaporating. That was his thought before falling into a light sleep, keeping half of his consciousness awake to keep her safe.

Unbeknownst to everyone in the Maganti Empire, inside the Sapphire Palace, the crown prince's quarters, three people slept in the same room. The crown prince, his wife the crown princess, and the crown princess's lover, the emperor of Haimirich.

What scandalous news would it be if anyone knew about this?

<strong>*****</strong>

Morning came, and the warm atmosphere in the room last night was instantly replaced with dread.

"Is he dead…?" Aries, who was wrapping her body with the blanket, gazed at Joaquin, who was sleeping on the floor. His clothes were dirty with a speck of blood all over, but there was no trace of wounds on his body, which she found a little strange.

,m "Uhm, darling, it's amusing that is your first question!" Abel intoned, who was leaning against the headboard of the bed, blinking almost innocently. "I just made him sleep and then… dragged him out of the bed since the three of us can't fit. It's his honorable sacrifice for his wife and her lover. I can't let him disturb us."

Her face contorted as she pinched the bridge of her nose. She knew she would have this headache once morning came. Good thing she forced herself to sleep and get a well-deserved rest. Meanwhile, Abel cocked his head to the side, fluttering his eyelashes lazily as if he was simply in Haimirich.

"Ugh... what do we..."

Suddenly, Aries popped her eyes open when she heard a knock from outside, followed by Gertrude's voice. As a routine, Aries knew Gertrude, along with several main chambers, were already on standby to bring them water to wash their faces.

But how could she let them in when her lover was still naked under the sheet?! Aries shot him a look, sighing in defeat when Abel flashed her an innocent smile.

'Now I don't know if delaying this problem is the right decision.' She mentally shook her head while massaging her temple. 'Good job, Aries! How can you fall for his seduction?!'

Many things crossed her head in a matter of a minute before she raised her head and sighed for the umpteenth time. Aries smacked her lips and smiled, making Abel raise his brows this time.

"Help me," she urged, flinging her legs out of the bed, standing naked while running her fingers through her golden hair.

"Talk about morning glory." He adored her glorious body to his heart's content, only to frown when Aries cast him a dead look.

"What are you doing? Let's carry him back on the bed!" Aries urged whilst keeping her voice down. "He can't wake up looking like this?"

Abel scrunched his nose up while staring at her dilated eyes, which appeared to be a warning look from her.

"Darling, are you, perhaps, a psychopath?" she nearly choked on her own breathing upon his question, watching him cross his arms. "The two of us carrying this man's body back on the bed and cleaning him up will look like we're… err…. partner's in crime? The literal one, though. And that doesn't sit well with me."

Her mouth opened and closed in disbelief before she managed to find her voice. "Then what do you want us to do? Let him be?" Aries scoffed before marching toward the bed and perched on the edge of the mattress.

"Abel, if that doesn't sit well with you, why did you even come in here knowing this place is that person's place?" she asked, pointing a finger at Joaquin, eyes at Abel. "This is not Haimirich — wait, didn't you go back to Haimirich?"

"I did and then came back because I can't stand not seeing you."

"Goodness…!" She held her head and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. The only good thing in this place was that the servants wouldn't go in without permission. Joaquin was still inside. So they wouldn't get in because they might witness the royalty's intimate moment.

"Darling, stop stressing." Abel sighed as he extended his arm, reaching for her ear, and rubbed it with his thumb. "I'll carry him myself and then ask your trusted maid to clean him up while we bathe together. How about that?"

"Pardon?"

Abel blinked. "Stop touching him in my presence, is what I'm saying." Cocking his head to the side, keeping all the underlying reasons why her idea didn't sit well with him.

Aries frowned while staring back at him. In the end, she could only nod and they went with his plan. Abel carried Joaquin on the bed while Aries only allowed Gertrude inside the room. Little did the latter know, she was about to meet the shock of her life.