"Marsella?"
Aries knitted her brows, and without thinking twice, she walked back to the end of the street. As soon as she turned her head, a shallow breath slipped past her lips.
"Was it just my imagination?" she wondered, staring at the retreating three men's back. Aries clutched her chest, keeping her eyes on the three men's back.
Aries wanted to tell herself it was just because it was her first time strolling alone. Hence, she was overthinking. After all, she never knew what Abel's sister looked like. Although her gut feeling told her something, she couldn't point out what it was exactly.
"Nevermind," she murmured, turning on her heel to turn around. However, just as Aries did, she jumped back on instinct to avoid bumping into the figure standing behind her.
Her eyes shook, gazing up at the person in front of her. She looked at the person from head to toe. The latter was wearing a worn-out cloak with a hood that was covering her upper face. Despite that, based on the person's jaw and lips, Aries was certain she was a woman.
But that wasn't what caught Aries's attention, but the stranger's stature. Under the cloak, the stranger might look lean, but she was rather tall -- an inch taller than Aries despite Aries's wearing insoles.
"What...?" Aries trailed off, taking a step back on instinct. She couldn't see the stranger's eyes, but she was certain the latter was sizing her up.
"You... are so handsome." The stranger's voice was warm and inviting, making Aries's throat bob.
"Pa a��� pardon?"
The side of the stranger's natural red lips curled up. She bent over, causing Aries to slightly bend backward.
"You smell good too," the stranger praised with her natural seductive voice. "I like you."
"What?" Aries took two steps back in discomfort. "Ma'am, what are you spewing?"
"Literally. No double meaning."
Aries furrowed her brows, gazing at the stranger in disbelief. Her heart was slightly racing, but it was not like her gut feeling told her to run away. Yet, this uneasiness in her heart felt distinct.
"If that is all you want to say, I'm --" Aries abruptly stopped when the stranger took a step. She took a step back, but when the stranger took another step to shorten the gap between them, Aries somehow fought from taking another step back. She raised her chin when the stranger bent over.
The hood still covered half of the stranger's face, but Aries noticed her bob her face to examine her. The space between Aries's brows deepened, frowning, showing no sign of fear as a defense mechanism.
Was she being harassed because she was a pretty man?
"Born under a blue star... a wretched fate for a man so young and beautiful." The stranger smirked. "You're lucky I like handsome men regardless of the omen they carried, and I'm in the mood to read your divine providence."
"What?" Aries furrowed her brows.
"In exactly two weeks from this day," the stranger continued under her breath. "Someone dear to you will die."
Aries's breath hitched as her eyes shook, staring at the stranger's curled lips. Her heart thudded when the latter's smirk stretched wickedly.
"You better keep an eye on your loved ones... or they'll disappear like... poof... magic."
"Miss." Aries frowned, trying to keep her cool despite the ominous remark from the stranger. "I don't know what you are talking about, but if you don't need anything from me, don't bother me."
Aries scoffed and shook her head, side-stepping to walk past the stranger. As soon as she bumped her shoulder against the stranger, she stopped.
"No one asked you to read my fortune. I don't believe in such things; you are not the God to know what the future holds." Aries balled her hands into a tight fist, her expression solemn. "I'll pretend this encounter didn't happen at all."
With that being said, Aries sauntered off without looking back. Meanwhile, the stranger slowly looked back in Aries's direction. The side of the stranger's lips curled up in amusement.
"They say... those who are born pretty will have a tragic fate. No wonder I am inconsolable." A short chuckle slipped past the stranger's lips, marching away in the direction opposite Aries's.
******
[ Imperial Palace ]
The ministers departed the royal court after its morning session. As soon as Dexter stepped out, a knight approached him and whispered in his ears. Just like the Marquess, a knight approached Conan, whispering reports in Conan's ears.
Abel, who was supposed to have left using his personal entrance, had stepped out of the main entrance. He darted his eyes between Conan and Dexter, watching them listen to the reports of their knights.
"Make sure she comes home safe and sound," said Dexter under his breath, casting the knight a solemn look.
"Good work. Report back to me when something unusual happened." Conan tapped the knight's shoulder after hearing the short report from him.
Abel folded his arms under his chest. "You planted shadows to follow my darling potato?"
Conan flinched when Abel's voice came from behind them. Meanwhile, Dexter ignored him as he gave out his order to the knight in charge of Aries's safety. The latter then looked back at Abel, snorting upon seeing the misplaced innocence in Abel's eyes.
"I'm simply making sure of her safety," Dexter explained, keeping it short and simple.
"Your Majesty, you didn't put anyone to follow Lady Aries." Conan pouted, pushing the blame on Abel since the emperor was rather relaxed on everything. "So I have no choice. I don't trust the marquess's knighthood brigade."
"Why would I do that?" Abel cocked his head to the side. "To inflict her wrath? No, thanks. I trust her enough to give her some space."
Conan and Dexter scrunched their nose up in disdain, looking back at Abel from head to toe.
"Trust her enough... don't make me laugh. You simply know we'll do this, hence, taking advantage of that to save yourself lest she figured she was being followed." Dexter snorted. 'What a hypocrite.'
Abel's lips stretched from ear to ear until his eyes were squinting. But instead of pressing Dexter's nerve by acting dumb, Abel faced Conan.
"Withdraw all the knights that were following her and send someone else instead." Conan's brows elevated upon Abel's orders. "And then deploy all the knights for a search."
Hearing this, Dexter lowered his head. "I'll be on my way, Your Majesty," he excused himself, knowing he shouldn't be hearing this. But alas, just as Dexter turned to leave, he halted at Abel's next words.
"Find the person who entered the imperial capital before the next coven. I might die if you don't."
Dexter looked back, wide-eyed, just like Conan's. They observed Abel's solemn expression, and that second, they figured the emperor wasn't joking.
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