When Aries asked Sunny where Abel was, Sunny and her brother, Law, took her to the backyard. It wasn't like Aries was in a weakened state despite sleeping for a week. Aries needed rest, and they knew the reason for that.
Holding the children's hands, they led her to the mansion's backyard. Aries hadn't had the opportunity to explore the mansion. Although it looked exactly like the forbidden mansion in the Haimirich Empire, it was still a different place.
The second they stepped out to the backyard, Aries paused, causing Sunny and Law to stop as well. The two children looked up at Aries and then shifted their attention to the people in the backyard. One look and one wouldn't even guess their family was in trouble as they have the time to relax like this.
The children were used to this kind of response to particular situations, though. But this was new to Aries.
"Mama~!" Sunny called after a minute and her mother didn't notice her.
Sunny's call caught everyone's attention, setting their eyes in the three's direction. As soon as Abel turned his head and his eyes fell on Aries's figure, he planted his hand on the armrest and sauntered to her.
Seeing this, Law (Sunny's big brother) glanced at Aries. He carefully released Aries's hand, causing the latter to glance at him.
"I'll join them," said the boy to Aries before casting his sister a look. "Sunny, let's go. The food smells nice."
"Yes~! Grandmama, I'll show you to my mama later~" Sunny flashed Aries a smile before she let go of Aries's hand, skipping her steps to join everyone in the backyard while her brother walked away leisurely.
"Sunny, careful," Law reminded her lazily, glancing at Abel as he walked past him. Abel didn't spare the children a look as his eyes were fixed on Aries, so Law didn't dwell in him and just joined everyone in the backyard.
Meanwhile, Aries stood in the same spot until Abel was at arm's length. Her brows rose because Abel kept advancing in her direction. There was no sign that he would stop.
"Abel —" the rest of her sentence rolled back into her throat, watching him stretch his arms with his hand cupping her cheek. Without a moment's notice, Abel tilted his head to the side, pressing his lips against hers.
Her eyes dilated as Aries froze on the spot, a bit surprised at his intimate greeting.
"Hey!!!" Suddenly, Conan's voice erupted from behind Abel. "How dare you do this right in front of my barbecue?!"
"Bless this prince." Samael shook his head, clicking his tongue continuously, eyes on Conan. "Now that I think about it, have you had your first kiss, Prince? How can you not understand a man's longing?"
"What?" Conan gasped, looking back at Samael.
"If that is Uncle Hell, he would've made out with my auntie right then and there." This time, Claude answered in a knowing tone as he approached the table. "The Prince is a virgin for sure."
"Claude." Lilou cast Claude a look. "Don't tease His Highness that much."
"Mama~!"
Lilou shifted her attention to her bubbly daughter and smiled. "Sunny, come. I prepared some snacks. You too, Law." Her eyes landed on the boy walking behind Sunny.
"Yey~!" Sunny cheered while Law inquired, "Mother, did His Grace return?"
"No. Not yet. I heard he's with the marquess in Leviticus's residence."
Their attention slowly drifted from Abel and Aries as their conversations hopped from one thing to another. Sunny was pampered by her mother while climbing on her father's lap; Law stood beside his cousin Claude while they somehow stopped arguing to tease the sensitive Conan. Fabian diligently served them food and drinks. Rufus (Fabian's brother) joined them, standing in between Samael and Tilly's chairs, casually talking to the former.
From another person's perspective, the scene appeared as though it was a casual afternoon party as if they had no problems. They didn't even talk about anything regarding the mainland or the death of Maximus. Neither did anyone mention Marsella or the missing weapon created by Maximus using Maleficent's life and soul.
Meanwhile, Aries blinked countless times as Abel drew his head back. Much to her surprise, the smile on his face was something she had never seen before. His lips curled up into a smile, but the luster in his eyes revealed unconcealable happiness.
Her lips opened and closed her mouth, but no words came out. There were many things she wanted to tell him and questions she wanted to get answered, but looking at his peaceful and fresh countenance, none of her questions left her mouth.
"Took you a while to wake up," he said, still cupping her face with both his hands. "You got me worried for a second."
Her eyes softened as her heart warmed up, smiling subtly. "I had to bid the ladies farewell," she whispered, holding the hand that was cupping her face.
"I didn't think it will take that long…" she continued softly. "I'm sorry."
"At least, they won't bother you anymore." Abel shook his head mildly. "And I'm glad you're here now."
"Me too, Abel." Her heart warmed up, even more, squeezing his hand mildly. "I'm glad to be with you now."
The two of them stared at each other lovingly, smiling. There were no words that needed to be said as their eyes spoke it all; their longing, their relief, happiness, love, and many more.
"Let's go inside?" Abel inquired after a full minute of silence, making her brows elevate.
"Pardon?"
His brows rose, jerking his chin at the mansion behind her. "Inside."
"..."
Aries pursed her lips, knowing what he was suggesting. Not that she didn't expect that from him, but still… her eyes moved to the side, catching the people several meters behind Abel.
"Ah, right. How rude of me." Seeing where her eyes shifted, Abel rocked his head and look back. "I almost forgot about them."
"How can you forget about your family?"
"They're not that important... sort of." Abel shrugged, caressing her arms down to her hand. "Shall I introduce them to you?"
He tilted his head with a grin, squeezing her hand mildly. Aries could only stare at him for a second before she nodded, following Abel as the latter held her hand and guided her to where his family was at.
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