Chapter 785 Master Of Deception

"Me."

Maximus assessed the short smirk that turned up on Aries's face. For some reason, his heart thudded. Never once in two years had he ever seen that smirk on her face. It wasn't a wide smirk, but a subtle one. Yet, it was meaningful.

"I am the first to die," Aries clarified. "That is the only reason I begged you that night."

Upon hearing that vague confession, Maximus and Aries were pulled to memory from two years ago.

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"Well, I don't think I want him dead as well. Now when he dies in the hands of another."

Maximus closed into her, sinking his fangs into Aries' neck for the first time. Her expression remained the same, fierce and unfaltering. Aries listened to his every gulp, sliding her eyes to the corner to see him.

'I will wait…' was what crossed her mind, blinking ever so slowly. '... until the day you come and pull me out of this hell.'

When Aries reopened her eyes, all the lingering emotions she had were locked in a place that she wouldn't be able to touch. That night, Aries signed a contract with Maximus, offering her life to him and the powers that were within her fragile body.

After successfully 'reviving' Abel and putting his heart back, Aries was told to prepare, as they planned to set off in two days. Maximus was still busy looking for something; she didn't pry what it was.

The blood contract made Maximus complacent, knowing Aries had no way of going anywhere else. Not that she was planning to go anywhere else. Hence, she obediently took his advice.

Aries waltzed through the broken loggia within the emperor's palace, stopping in the middle. Her eyes were fixed on the person standing several steps opposite her. She resumed her steps and then stopped again in front of Fabian.

"Thank you," she expressed coldly. "If not for you, I would've ruined everything."

"I told you to get yourself together."

Aries rocked her head, breathing out calmly. "I'll rest for tonight. They're looking for something. Whatever that is, don't let him get his hands on it."

When those words rolled out of her lips, she didn't idle. Aries walked past Fabian ever so slowly before she halted again.

"They were looking for this shell," he said, looking back at her. "I believe this shell is someone very important to you, my lady."

Her eyes narrowed as they glinted. "Conan."

"Fret not. His Grace and my little miss already took care of it. I am simply letting you know lest you need these kinds of details."

"I appreciate it." She glanced over her shoulder. "I sincerely appreciate it."

"You're welcome." His lips stretched, making his already squinting eyes squint even more.

Aries set her eyes ahead, resuming in her steps. This time, her expression was sharper and her steps didn't stop.

"I will get us out of this mess, Fabian…" she whispered, still feeling Fabian's gaze on her. "... this ridiculous soul-mating… hang on a bit."

"How reassuring." Fabian chuckled as his eyes which were akin to curved lines, cracked open. "I guess we both disapproved of these chains."

Fabian gazed down at his wrist. From the eyes of another, nothing was there. However, in his eyes, these heavy chains that bound him to Aries were an eyesore. He disliked it, and it was reassuring that Aries felt the same.

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[ PRESENT TIME ]

Maximus's irises went wide while his pupils constricted, staring at Aries blankly. The latter maintained her unsmiling countenance but enjoyed his reaction after showing him a snippet of her memory. Something Maximus didn't see that night.

"Thank you for taking Maleficent from me of your own volition, Max." Aries sported a subtle smile, sincerely expressing her gratitude toward him. "If not for you, Maleficent will just take control over me and do whatever she wants to put this 'order' she strongly believed."

"With that includes hurting my husband and the entire Grimsbanne Clan," she continued. "I have no need for such powers, Maximus. Your greed and mine are different. You want powers and acknowledgment, perhaps, even revenge against those chosen Grimsbanne. But I want nothing but a peaceful life with my husband. Forever."

Aries paused as her subtle smile turned bright. "Thank you for making that happen. I didn't think it will only take two years to attain such a feat."

Maximus's heart thudded and before he could think about anything, he sprawled his arms toward her. He sprung up to his seat, pinning her down while strangling her. However, Aries felt nothing, no matter how tight his grip was.

"Forever…" she repeated with a tinge of greed. "... that is what I want, and the only time I get it is if I get this witch out of me."

Her lips curled up into a smirk as her eyes squinted. Aries lifted her hands to cup his lean face.

"Oh, Maximus. Thank you very much!" Aries laughed, unable to contain her happiness. "Do you think you're the only person who is obsessed with Abel? Hah! Goodness. How pitiful."

Maximus gripped her neck tightly to stop her from spouting more nonsense, but alas, her laughter simply grew louder and louder. Her laughter even starts to echo in this empty expanse.

"Shut up," he warned through his gritted teeth, but she wouldn't.

"Hah! Hahaha!" Aries purposely laughed louder, almost wheezing. When she stopped laughing, Aries licked her lips. "I warned you. You better be good at deception, for that is my forte."

"I said shut up!" Maximus retrieved his hand and punched her in the face. Aries's eyes immediately bled, but she didn't stop laughing as if there was no pain. He punched her face once again, and then again, and again until specks of blood splashed on his face.

Maximus punched her face until she was unrecognizable, breaking her jaw while he was panting for air. However, Aries still tilted her head to taunt him. And with that, he immediately knew it was futile. Even if he tear her with his own hands, she wouldn't die.

This was the afterlife, after all. The afterlife… they headed to was Maleficent's world. It was just the two of them, and here she was, God.

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[Present Time: Royal Palace, Mainland]

Blood dripped from the tip of Abel's sword, standing motionless on his spot. A thud caressed his ears before this loud, rolling sound followed. His eyes fell on the severed head that rolled to his feet, snapping his eyes to the headless body before him.

"Thank you…" he whispered. "... for giving me the opportunity to be with her forever."

The corner of his lips stretched as his eyes shone in bright red, knowing Aries just died along with Maximus. And for him, every death… didn't mean death. It meant a new beginning for a long-lasting life.

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AUTHOR's NOTE: see chapter 748 for reference.