CHAPTER 044
Crackle, crackle—the sound of the small fireplace burning logs was the only noise in the quiet bedroom.
Emperor’s red eyes, which had gently caressed Arabelle’s light brown eyes, disappeared behind thick eyelashes. His head slowly tilted to the side, resting on her still slightly tense shoulders.
Inhaling the sweet and innocent scent of her skin, which tormented him every night, the emperor let out a low groan.
Her scent brought a peaceful calm like the early afternoon spring sunshine. At the same time, it stimulated his entire body, pushing the limits of his reason mercilessly.
Both were feelings the emperor had never experienced before. Her scent, the complete opposite of her innocent demeanor, was tantalizing.
As if to take away the audacious scent that dared to tempt the emperor, his straight, sharply defined nose moved from her shoulder to her neatly arranged collarbone and up to her nape.
Arabelle’s shoulders shivered each time his pointed, firm nose brushed past, spreading heat and ticklish sensations.
The emperor’s head, now nestled in her nape, bowed even deeper.
More seductive than her scent was… The emperor’s grip around Arabelle’s waist tightened.
It was her soft skin. It was amazing that such a thin, bony body had such a tender feel.
The emperor inhaled deeply, almost as if he were trying to take away the audacious scent that made him imagine lascivious things multiple times a day.
Not satisfied with just his nose, the emperor parted his red lips to greedily steal Arabelle’s scent.
Feeling like her nape was being swallowed and devoured by the damp, hot sensation, Arabelle let out a foreign gasp from her lips.
The confusion of feeling both fear and lack of fear washed over her. The emperor’s mouth started a cycle of rough friction and smooth gentleness, heating her body.
When a sound she had never heard herself make slipped out, Arabelle quickly covered her mouth with one hand.
As if not allowing it, the emperor lowered her hand, spreading her palm wide open. He laced his long fingers through hers, then slowly curled them in.
A sharp tingling sensation spread from her nape to every corner of her body. Unable to withstand the unfamiliar stimulation, Arabelle’s knees buckled.
The emperor held her tighter around the waist, slowly raising his head. His ruby eyes glinted with a chilling possessiveness as he took in the red mark he had left on her clear nape.
Is this also a trait of a beast? The emperor's jaw tightened as he swallowed a groan.
Every time he looked at Arabelle, he had to suppress the urge to leave his mark all over her body. His red eyes flickered with a desire to brand her so that no one could dare approach the emperor’s woman.
Seeing the clear, tearful eyes filled with confusion from the heat she felt for the first time, his lips gently descended to take the droplets from her brow.
His meticulous tenderness planted a budding excitement in Arabelle’s chest, easing her tension.
His lips traveled from her lids to her flushed cheeks, stopping at the corner of her mouth. Every time he saw her lips, it left him thirsting for more.
The emperor released his interlocked hand, whispering against her pink lips, “Wrap your arms around my neck.”
When Arabelle placed her arms around his neck, he tenderly caressed her nape, seeming pleased.
The emperor tightened his grip around her waist, raising her slightly so that her feet naturally stood on tiptoe.
As the intensely beautiful ruby eyes approached, Arabelle gently closed her eyes.
It was her first kiss.
She had resolved not to be greedy… because she wasn’t worthy to be by his side. She didn’t fit someone so dazzling. She constantly worried that she might cause him to be ridiculed.
But here she was, being greedy.
She felt ashamed and brazen… yet, this moment was so happy that tears welled up. Meeting his warm lips with her own, tears slipped down from under her closed eyelids.
The emperor’s lips, which gently embraced and caressed hers, were endlessly tender and soft. Like a gentle breeze, his delicate kiss made her feel as if she were floating on a fluffy cloud.
As she was being immersed in the warm sensation, his lips, which had been moving carefully, began to part slowly.
Suddenly, the large hand supporting the back of her head bent back. Her head, which rested on his palm, also tilted back, causing her lips to part slightly.
Caught off guard, her wide-open eyes were filled with the sight of his eyes, ablaze like flames. His red lips were no longer gentle, devouring her soft lips with insatiable greed.
The sensation that was hotter than her lips invaded mercilessly, exploring and tasting her as if it were its rightful place. Now, the lewd and sticky sound they made overshadowed the crackling logs in the fireplace.
Arabelle was unimaginably sweet. Once tasted, she was an irresistible temptation. The emperor, who disliked sweets, was already addicted to the taste, exploring her delicate mouth without restraint, letting out a sigh.
Barely able to breathe, Arabelle lightly tapped the emperor’s shoulders with both hands. However, as if more stimulated by it, he lifted her entirely and continued to satisfy his desire.
He even shared the air he breathed, as if even the air entering her mouth had to pass through him, thrilling him with intense possessiveness.
His kiss was so overwhelming that Arabelle’s toes curled as she floated in the air.
When their lips finally parted, Arabelle’s eyes were red, her lips wet, and she breathed heavily. The emperor let out a rough growl through his parted lips.
Desire that couldn't be stopped dominated his entire body. His thick veins throbbed with the urge to spend the whole night immersed in her pale body.
The emperor picked Arabelle up and carried her to the bed.
Placed on the bed, Arabelle didn't know what to do. She clutched the bedsheets with both hands and curled up, trying not to reveal her trembling.
Kneeling on the bed, the emperor effortlessly pulled his tunic from the bottom up with his long fingers, discarding it.
Then...
Softly, the large gray tunic slipped over Arabelle’s head and down to her neck. The tunic, which fit the emperor, draped over her body, covering her down to her knees.
The emperor took her left hand, bringing it to his face, and pressed his lips to her fourth finger.
“I swear to protect you from anyone’s disrespect, including myself. I will marry you formally and give you our wedding night as a gift.”
Realizing once again how precious she was to him, Arabelle began to cry silently.
To Arabelle, who was still naive about physical love between a man and a woman, the wedding night brought more fear than anticipation. She had confessed her feelings for the emperor, but she had never imagined what would come afterward.
She loved him. But the moment he laid her on the bed, the thought of consummating their marriage filled her with fear, freezing her entire body. If I refuse, will he think I don’t love him?
She was afraid he might misunderstand her feelings. But the emperor’s warm touch, dressing her in his clothes and holding her close, reassured her.
“Therefore, you should return to the annex and study the duties of a married couple in detail. I will personally test you on it whenever I get the chance.”
Unfortunately, thinking his kind words were a joke, Arabelle, burying her head in his chest, did not realize the emperor meant every word.
“And you should try to gain some weight as quickly as possible. When we return to the palace, I will have the royal chef prepare a special diet for you.”
The emperor added seriously as he touched Arabelle’s swollen lips. Thinking he was concerned for her health, her innocent face was filled with gratitude.
Though the emperor had ulterior motives, he didn’t explain them to her.
After a day full of events, Arabelle quickly fell into a deep sleep in the emperor’s arms.
Her peaceful, steady breathing was a soothing sight for the emperor’s affectionate gaze as he watched her sleep.
So beautiful. The emperor, who had never found anyone or anything beautiful or precious, marveled at the woman in his arms.
Soon, in the cozy bedroom, the gentle sound of the lovers’ intertwined hands and their peaceful breathing could be heard.
***
“Miss, may I come in?”
After a knock, the steward's wife entered the bedroom and placed the breakfast she had brought on the table.
Sitting up in bed, Arabelle noticed the emptiness beside her and looked around.
“His Majesty is bathing. He said he will join you for breakfast soon,” explained the steward's wife, reading Arabelle’s thoughts.
“Thank you,” Arabelle replied with a smile.
As she threw off the blanket and put her feet on the rug, she saw herself wearing the emperor’s gray tunic. Thinking of how she must look, her cheeks turned bright red.
The steward's wife, smiling kindly, spoke again.
“His Majesty has prepared enough firewood to last all winter. He’s been chopping wood since dawn, even in the morning dew.”
At that moment, the bedroom door opened, and the emperor, freshly bathed, walked in. With his wet black hair and dressed in comfortable clothes, he looked different from usual, causing Arabelle’s heart to race uncontrollably.
Sensing this, the steward's wife silently left the room. The emperor immediately approached the bed.
With one shoulder exposed due to the oversized tunic, Arabelle’s ears were close to his lips.
“I had to use my body since dawn because of you, but you slept so peacefully. It almost hurts my feelings.”
His ambiguous words made Arabelle blush down to her forehead as she lowered her head in embarrassment.
A low chuckle sounded above her head. The emperor’s index finger lifted her chin, making her meet his gaze. His large lips slowly covered her still swollen, tender ones.
“I’m very thirsty after sweating so much before breakfast. May I quench my thirst first?”
His warm breath slipped through their joined lips, tempting her. Arabelle gently closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around the emperor’s neck.
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