Potato diet

'So that is the reason everyone is distant to me, huh? Everyone thinks my days are numbered. Having some attachment to me is not necessary.'

Aries let out a sigh, taking a walk in the inner garden after her lesson with Conan. Since she was told to take it slowly, Aries only had to take lessons one at a time. So, after Conan, she had nothing else to do. Thus, he suggested that she'd take a walk in the garden and enjoy a cup of tea alone.

Holding her hand behind her, she stopped. Aries looked around the vast garden, smiling subtly at the refreshing sight of it.

"How beautiful," she whispered, closing her eyes while taking a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, the side of her lips stretch as she continued her walk.

There were many things in Haimirich she could do, unlike when she was in Maganti. Just like taking a walk in a garden. Not that they forbid her in the said empire, but Aries didn't have the energy to live normally. She didn't even consider that, especially knowing that the people who mercilessly murdered her family surrounded her.

'If there is someone I can trust in this place, that's His Majesty, huh?' she repeated Conan's words, treading carefully towards the pavilion Conan told her to go. 'How ironic, but he had a point.'

Although it was a surprise that Abel faced assassins every single day, Aries didn't doubt that. For a tyrant like Abel, it would be more odd if there was no opposition. Even Aries's father, who was kind, had to face opposition because that was how politics works. She was well-versed in that matter since the children of the king of Rikhill all studied to become scholars.

In Rikhill, it didn't matter if they were princesses or princes. The late king of Rikhill believed that the veritable treasure he could leave behind once his time come to his children was neither wealth nor title; it was knowledge.

"Now that I think about it, His Majesty is crazy, but not that crazy," she mumbled, gazing at the gravel path while walking. "He surprisingly keeps his words. Also, he hadn't touched me, nor did he force himself into me. Although he seems to use it to make me obey."

She nodded, reviewing Abel's personality and his actions towards her so far. Although he tried to kill her for a reason, only Abel knew, what was important to her was the outcome. And that was she was still breathing and could take a walk in a garden full of flowers.

'Also, our last conversation somehow felt... normal.' Aries stopped as she raised her head, catching Dexter's figure from a distance. She didn't try to catch his attention because the latter slowly turned his head in her direction upon sensing another presence.

"Greetings, Marquess Vandran." She performed a small curtsy while her tutor in literature tilted his head down.

"How have you been, my lady?" Dexter inquired while sizing her up.

"I've been better after a few days of rest." She smiled, watching him approach and stop two meters away. "Are you also here to adore the flowers?"

"The flowers in the palace can only be seen in this place, so yes." He looked around at the variety of flowers in the vast garden. "It was quite a sight to behold to see rare flowers in one place."

"Oh? Is that so?" As a habit, Aries didn't raise a question. There was no need. She already got a grasp of what he was saying. Considering Abel's personality, if he claim a flower was his, no one else could grow that type of flower in their estate. What a character.

A subtle smile dominated her face. "Then, I won't take up too much of your time, My Lord. I hope you enjoy your walk." Aries beckoned a neck bow to continue to her walk alone. Although Dexter was someone she thought was a kind person, Abel had his eyes everywhere.

He might not see her personally, but Aries didn't want to cause Dexter trouble if a misunderstanding arose. It was better if she talked to him during their lesson since she had a reason to talk to him.

While Aries walked away, Dexter's eyes remained on her meek back. He didn't have any change of expression, even though she drew a clear line. Not that it displeased him. If anything, he was even more intrigued.

Dexter slowly raised his gaze to one of the windows, immediately catching Abel staring back at him. 'Did she know he was watching? I would've taunted him if she didn't leave immediately.' A shallow breath slipped past his lips, peeling his eyes away from the figure standing in front of the window and walking away.

Meanwhile, the side of Abel's lips curled up into a smirk, eyes on Dexter's figure. He was holding his hand behind him, clicking his tongue continuously.

"Conan, since when did the Marquess like gardens?" he inquired amusingly, glancing over his shoulder. The latter stood in front of his desk, placing some documents on top of it.

"Marquess Vandran? Well, he had a greenhouse full of poisonous plants. So, I can assume he enjoys gardening as a hobby. Although he rarely goes to the garden of the inner palace. You already know that, Your Majesty."

Abel chuckled. "That's interesting, isn't it? It seems Dexter wants to play with me for a while."

Conan frowned upon hearing the amusement in Abel's tone. He had been serving Abel for a very long time, so he knew this tone. Well, he was also aware of the complicated friendship or rivalry between Abel and Dexter.

"Your Majesty, entertaining Marquess Vandran isn't something you should concern yourself with. Since we will hold the council gathering in the empire, shouldn't you make preparations? Isaiah is worried about your lack of interest in their presence in the empire."

"I wonder what he'll do if I tell him I'm going to marry her," Abel mumbled, ignoring Conan's words. When he turned around, his grin stretched even wider until his eyes squinted.

"You want me to concern myself about those old folks? Very well, Conan, uproot the flowers in the garden and plant potatoes instead. We are going on a potato diet and we will serve different types of potato dishes at the council meeting."

Conan's expression died. "Your Majesty, did I, perhaps, say something that is punishable by death?"