"Yes, I am. Let's stay like this today… or should we ride a horse away from the palace? I heard about the festival, and it sounds fun to join our people's festivities. Let's have a date."
"Hmm…" Abel narrowed his eyes as he pondered solemnly.
"You don't want to?" she asked out of plain curiosity. "We can stay and laze in here if you want."
"No, not that, darling." Abel shook his head. "I'm simply wondering if today was my birthday."
Aries burst out in laughter. "I don't even know when's mine."
"Darling, you're really making me happy!" he intoned, pulling her waist closer to him. "I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"
"I wouldn't ask you for a date if you did."
"But asking me for a date and changing your mind is pure punishment."
"I'm not that heartless." Aries chuckled, moving up to nudge the apex of her nose against his. "I simply want to have a day of rest with my husband. We've been working hard for the past half a year, and I think we should treat ourselves."
"I also feared your love for me had dwindled." She drew her head back, grinning playfully. "I need to check if you still desire me the same."
Abel blinked, studying the coquettish smile on her face. His mouth fell open, satisfied, and moved at her voluntary intention for some quality time with him. Who wouldn't? It had always been Abel who often thought of how to spend more time with her.
It should be him who needed to check whether she still loved him just as deeply since the roots of his love for her just grew deeper. His eyes softened, tucking a portion of her hair behind her ear.
"Let's do whatever you want," he said gently and lovingly. "I'm fine with anything… though I fear this will be a tradition from now on."
Aries chuckled. "It'll be our tradition. No need to take it to the royal court and make it an official law."
"We'll see…" Abel grinned. "If you remember, I won't. But if you don't, I need to make it official so you won't forget."
"Goodness…" Aries melted into his arms with a grin plastered on her face. "How can you be so… adorable?"
"That's adorable?"
"It is."
"Darling, no wonder you are so drawn to Tony."
"Sunny is her name, Abel." She rolled her eyes, moving closer to him as if the nonexistent gap between them was still too wide. "Why have you never called her name?"
"Why would I need to call her with the name everyone calls her?"
"Are you saying you want to be that special grandpa?" Aries looked up at him, blinking curiously.
"Yes."
"But you're her only grandpa."
"I am fond of the child, and the only favor I can give her is to not let her name inside this mind, darling." Abel tapped his temple and winked. "This place right here isn't a good place for her."
"This world isn't a safe place for anybody."
"But at least I am not the person intending to harm her."
Aries studied his confident expression and let out a shallow breath. "You surprise me in ways I do not expect." She lowered her head until the tip of her nose was touching his neck. "Your way of showing your fondness is truly different."
"Is that a bad thing?" he inquired, wrapping her slim frame in his secure embrace.
"Not really." She chuckled. "Everyone just has their way of showing their love, and I believe that doesn't make them less than the other forms of love."
"Let's not talk about her--"
"Should we take her with us today?" Aries suggested, making him frown.
"We can ask, although I doubt she will come. She's been busy with Isaiah, and she was frequenting the penitentiary."
"Ahh… what is she even doing there? Using prisoners as test subjects?"
"Sort of." Aries peeked at Abel upon noticing the slight difference in his tone. "Don't worry about her. I simply introduced her to someone she could use as a test subject. After all, this person was getting immune to all the torture he went through."
"Oh… I see." Aries didn't pry about it anymore, knowing the penitentiary was full of people who had committed grave crimes that a death sentence was a kind gesture to grant them. Moreover, she was aware Joaquin was one of the prisoners, and she didn't want to hear a jack about him.
"So nice," murmured Abel, relaxing his body and feeling her warmth transfer to him.
"Mhm," she hummed. "This feels nice."
<strong>****** BREAK ******</strong>
"No." Sunny blinked adorably as she stood in front of Abel and Aries. She was still in a boy's attire since Sunny was enjoying acting as the crown prince. "I'm busy."
"Oh, alright?" Aries pursed her lips into a thin line while Abel smiled from ear to ear.
"Well, we're simply being considerate. But if you do not want to come and ruin my date with my wife, it's fine." Abel's mood shot up, but the mood around him grew even gloomier.
"How is this fine!?" Conan's voice erupted in the air, standing on the side. He had a deep frown plastered on his face, and it was obvious what made him upset. "The emperor and empress leaving the imperial palace on a whim! Do you want me to really die of exhaustion?"
"Oh, Conan, you can also rest today." Abel planted his palm across his chest. "I promise you I will come back and finish today's and tomorrow's work like always."
"Handsome Uncle, you should join me and the huge uncle today. He will teach me how to ride a horse," Sunny invited happily, shifting her twinkling eyes at Isaiah, who was standing near her and beside Leon. Leon, her uncle, had been acting as her knight to protect Sunny — or those whom she set her eyes on. Meanwhile, Isaiah had been her instructor to hone her skills in what she called alchemy.
"Ah… goodness." Conan pinched the bridge of his nose. "There were so many times you can idle, but you just chose to relax when we should be preparing."
"Rest is a must, Sir Conan —"
"You tell me that when you took the time to disguise yourself as a man again?!"
Aries pursed her lips and glanced at Abel for help. The latter, however, just shrugged.
"Tony, your grandmama, and I will be making out in the street of Haimirich. I'll leave you in charge — what?" Abel raised his brows at Aries when she slapped his shoulder.
"Sunny, we'll be back tonight, alright? Disregard your grandfather's nonsense." Aries smiled at the little girl dressed like a boy while Abel held her hand.
"Have fun!" Sunny waved as Abel took Aries's hand and walked away. Aries seemed to scold him as they walked away, but it was still clear the two of them were looking forward to this date.
"Goodness…" Conan mumbled, watching Abel and Aries retreat.
"Handsome uncle, just join us today. After all, it'll be the same if you stress out now or relax to clear your head. Maximus will still come here, but don't worry! Sunny will make him chew his heart once he comes here!"
"..."
Leon, Isaiah, and Conan just stared at the little girl who wore this adorable and bright smile while claiming such vicious action. Surely, she was Abel's kin. No shadow of a doubt.
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