The crackling sound of burning wood from the small fireplace was the only sound heard in the quiet bedroom.

For a moment, the red eyes gently caressed the light brown eyes before disappearing behind thick eyelashes. The Emperor’s head slowly tilted to the side, resting on the still slightly stiff, smooth shoulder.

The Emperor let out a low moan as he inhaled the sweet and pure scent of flesh that had tormented him every night.

Her scent brought a peaceful calm like the spring sunshine of early afternoon. At the same time, it stimulated every fiber of his body, mercilessly pushing the limits of reason.

Both were emotions the Emperor had never felt before. It was a very alluring scent, completely opposite to its innocent owner.

As if to take away the impudent fragrance that was bewitching the Emperor, his straight, cool nose bridge moved from her shoulder, past her neat collarbone, to her slender neck.

Arabel’s shoulders trembled delicately each time his sharp, firm nose tip brushed by, spreading heat and tickles.

The Emperor’s head, resting on her neck, lowered even deeper.

Even more alluring than her scent was… The Emperor’s hands tightened around Arabel’s waist.

Her soft skin. It was amazing to feel such supple flesh on such a thin body with delicate bones and little fat.

The Emperor inhaled deeply on the charming neck that made him imagine indecent things several times a day, lowering his dignity.

As if unsatisfied with just his nose, the Emperor parted his red lips and greedily stole Arabel’s scent.

When his breath disappeared from her skin and instead her neck was drawn into where he had been breathing, an unfamiliar sound escaped Arabel’s lips.

She felt breathless at the sensation of her neck being sucked into the damp, hot place, as if being devoured.

A confusing feeling of fear yet not fear. The Emperor’s mouth began to ignite heat in her body, alternating between passionate friction and languid softness.

When a strange sound she had never heard herself make flowed out, Arabel hurriedly covered her mouth with one hand.

As if refusing to allow it, the Emperor lowered her hand and spread her palm wide open. Still burying his head in her neck, he intertwined his long fingers between hers and slowly closed his grip.

A tingling sensation spread from her neck to every corner of her body. Arabel’s knees gave out, unable to withstand the unfamiliar stimulation.

The Emperor wrapped his arms more tightly around Arabel’s waist as it fell downward. He slowly raised his head. His ruby eyes flashed with chilling possessiveness as they took in the red marks newly imprinted on her transparent neck.

Is this also a characteristic of beasts? The Emperor’s jaw clenched tightly as he swallowed a sigh.

Every time he saw Arabel, he had to suppress the urge to leave his marks all over her body. The Emperor’s red eyes wavered with the desire to leave an indelible imprint so that no one would dare covet his woman.

Seeing her clear eyes becoming moist with confusion at the unfamiliar heat deep inside her body for the first time… his lips lowered again to carefully take away the droplets above her eyebrows.

His gentle attentiveness brought a fluttering sensation of blooming flower buds in Arabel’s chest, taking away her tension.

The lips that had descended from her eyelids traced down her reddened cheeks and stopped at the corner of her mouth. It was truly a wicked pair of lips that caused an unquenchable thirst every time he looked at them.

The Emperor released her interlocked hand and said, spreading his breath over her pink lips:

“Put your arms around my neck.”

As Arabel wrapped her arms around his neck, the Emperor stroked the back of her head approvingly with one hand.

When the Emperor’s other hand around Arabel’s waist tightened, her body lifted slightly, naturally making her stand on tiptoe.

As the indescribably beautiful deep ruby eyes drew closer, Arabel gently closed her eyes.

It was their first kiss.

He had promised himself over and over not to desire her… Because he wasn’t worthy to be by his side. Because she didn’t suit him who shone so brilliantly. She had always worried he would be ridiculed because of her.

And yet, she had allowed herself to desire.

She felt apologetic and shameless… but tears welled up because this moment made her so happy. As his hot lips gently overlapped hers, teardrops flowed from beneath Arabel’s closed eyelids.

The Emperor’s lips that enveloped and caressed Arabel’s were infinitely tender and soft. The delicate kiss, as gentle as a breeze, made her feel as if she were floating on fluffy clouds.

As she was sinking into the dreamy feeling, his carefully moving lips slowly parted.

In that moment, the large hand supporting the back of Arabel’s head bent back. Her head resting on his palm tilted back as well, and her lips also parted slightly.

Eyes widened in surprise were filled with the sight of flame-engulfed red eyes. The Emperor’s red lips swallowed her soft, tender lips whole, quenching his thirst greedily as if there would be no more mercy.

Something hotter than lips invaded mercilessly, exploring as if it were its own home, tasting and drinking to its heart’s content. Now the wet, thick sounds they were making could be heard vividly in the bedroom, louder than the crackling firewood.

Arabel was sweeter than he had imagined. An addiction he could never quit once tasted. The Emperor, who disliked sweets, was already addicted to this taste, constantly craving it as he let out a sigh into her delicate mouth.

Arabel, overwhelmed and unable to breathe properly, tapped the Emperor’s shoulders with both hands. However, that seemed to stimulate him more as he lifted her up completely and continued satisfying his desire.

While transmitting oxygen she could breathe through his own mouth. As if even the air entering her mouth had to go through him, the terrible possessiveness made him tremble.

Arabel’s toes curled up in the air at the Emperor’s kiss that pushed her to the brink of unconsciousness.

When their lips finally parted with difficulty, Arabel exhaled a ragged breath through her wet lips, her eyes reddened. A rough groan escaped through the Emperor’s lips.

Unstoppable desire dominated his entire body. The thick veins on his forearms throbbed with the desire to immerse himself in her snow-white body all night long.

The Emperor carried Arabel to the bed.

Placed on the bed, Arabel curled up, not knowing what to do, clutching the bed sheets with both hands. Her attempt to hide her trembling body was almost pitiful.

The Emperor knelt on the bed and unhesitatingly rolled up and removed his tunic top with his long fingers from bottom to top.

And then…

The large gray tunic top fluttered over Arabel’s head and flowed down below her neck. The top that fit his body came down to below her knees, covering her body.

The Emperor took her left hand and brought it to his face, placing his lips on her fourth finger.

“My vow that no one shall treat you carelessly includes myself as well. I will formally marry you in front of everyone and present you with our wedding night.”

Realizing once again how preciously the Emperor regarded her, Arabel burst into silent tears.

For Arabel, who was a blank slate regarding physical love between men and women, the wedding night still approached with more fear than anticipation. Although she had confessed her feelings for the Emperor, she had never imagined what would happen afterwards.

Though she loved him. The moment she was embraced by His Majesty and placed on the bed, her whole body froze in fear at the thought that they might consummate their marriage. If I refuse His Majesty, he’ll think I don’t love him.

She had been afraid he would misunderstand her feelings… but the Emperor’s warm touch as he dressed her in his clothes and held her in his arms, patting her gently, reassured her.

“Therefore, you must return to the annex and study the details of a couple’s wedding night thoroughly. I will personally give you test questions whenever I have time.”

Unfortunately, Arabel, who thought his kind words were a joke and buried her head in his arms, did not know that the Emperor’s words were the truth.

“And you must also try your best to gain weight as quickly as possible. When we return to the palace, I’ll have the palace chef create a meal plan for you.”

The Emperor added seriously while caressing Arabel’s swollen lips. Gratitude filled Arabel’s innocent face, thinking the Emperor was concerned for her health.

The Emperor had spoken with very impure reasons, but he deliberately did not explain to her.

After all that had happened today, Arabel quickly fell into a deep sleep in the Emperor’s arms.

The Emperor’s gaze was infinitely tender as he watched Arabel’s peaceful sleeping face, breathing evenly with soft snores.

How pretty. The Emperor, who had never found anything or anyone pretty or precious in his life, stared at the woman in his arms as if in wonder.

Soon, the peaceful sound of lovers sleeping with interlocked fingers could be faintly heard in the cozy bedroom.

“My lady, I’m coming in.”

After knocking on the door, the caretaker’s wife entered the bedroom and placed the breakfast she had brought on the table.

Arabel, sitting up in bed, felt the emptiness beside her and looked around.

“His Majesty is taking a bath. He said to tell you he will be here soon to have breakfast together.”

“Thank you.”

Arabel smiled and thanked the caretaker’s wife, who had explained after reading her thoughts.

As she pulled back the covers and put her feet on the rug… she saw herself wearing the Emperor’s gray tunic. Realizing how she must look in the woman’s eyes, her cheeks flushed bright red as if burning.

The caretaker’s wife said with a kind smile:

“We are so grateful that His Majesty prepared enough firewood to last all winter and then some. He’s been chopping wood since dawn, in the morning dew.”

Just then, the bedroom door opened and the Emperor entered, having just finished bathing. Arabel’s heart pounded uncontrollably at the sight of the Emperor, so different from usual, with water droplets clinging to his wet black hair and wearing comfortable clothes.

The perceptive caretaker’s wife silently disappeared. The Emperor strode to the bed as if he had been waiting.

He brought his lips to Arabel’s ear, where one shoulder was exposed due to wearing his tunic.

“Because of you, I had to exert myself since before dawn when the sun hadn’t even risen, while you slept so comfortably. I’m feeling a bit hurt.”

Arabel lowered her head, her forehead turning red with embarrassment at the Emperor’s words that were somehow meaningful yet vague.

A low laugh was heard above her crown. The Emperor’s index finger lifted Arabel’s chin to meet her gaze. His large lips slowly overlapped her still swollen, sore lips.

“Before breakfast, I’d like to quench my thirst first since I sweated too much. Do you allow it?”

Hot breath flowed enticingly through their joined lips. Arabel gently closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around the Emperor’s neck.