Chapter 40:Stolen First Kiss
Ria smiles and answered "His majesty is handsome who wouldn't fall for his charm and he was merciful enough to spare me and my kingdom so is there a reason for me to explain why i shouldn't admire him" she ask like trying to shoot a dagger at the young marquis. The two ladies were looking at each other like they were doubting her praise for the emperor
"Hah i thought the princess was different but it seems like your the same as the other ladies that would fall for his looks" the marquis sigh however he knew that she was lying 'she's indeed befitting for the title of the empress, it's hard to tell that she's lying but her eyes can be read, she's a good match for that tyrant' he thought and smiled
"Oh my your highness I didn't know you fell for his Majesty's look though it seems to be the only attractive side of him" the countess Perlin said while the young marquis suddenly cough signalling the countess to be quiet as the emperor was approaching them "cough cough" he kept coughing when the countess was about to say another word "ahh" however when she saw the emperor approaching them she just bowed and greeted him
"Your majesty" the three greeted him "have you enjoyed their company, you look happy conversing with them princess" he went and stand besides ria and ask "I'm having fun talking with them your majesty but may i ask why you came here, are you bored?" Ria ask with a smile but she was most likely telling the emperor to leave
"I am without your company I feel like i can crash this party out of boredom however I can't since it's your debut" he said and so the persons at their front were having a terrified look 'huh Does this cold blooded person really falls inlove with the princess, or is this a clone of him?' he thought with doubtful gaze at Lucius 'the emperor is acting more crazy,i never believed that he falls inlove so easily but who is this man that gaze with the princess with interest' lady Makaria thought 'oh so it's true the emperor had fallen hard for the princess oh my this is such great news' the countess on the other hand was happy
Astria could already tell what they were thinking so she sigh "hmm dame Makaria your quick enough to befriend the princess, it's impressive i thought the only friends you could have are all men" Lucius "I wanted to meet the future empress which i may serve your majesty" she answered but with a look that was pissed 'even if I'm a knight I'm still a lady your majesty,i couldn't have friends with the other girls because I can't talk properly to them as I am busy working as your knight' she thought "Countess Perlin must have invited you to one of her parties princess so i understand why she's here but what about you young marquis what business do you have with her" Lucius ask and Fabian was scared as Lucius glare with such sharp eyes
"I-i was congratulating her highness and wished for her to be happy" he replied "hmm then are you done?" He ask and Fabian could tell that he was trying to chase him away "ahh yes yes I have alreay said my regards to her majesty i will take my leave then your majesties, miladies" he said and hurriedly walks away "i will also be taking my leave your majesty and I'll see you again next time your highness" countess Perlin said "then I'll wait for your invitation Countess" she smiled, lady Makaria was reluctant to leave as she was still curious about Astria but Lucius was signalling through his eyes to leave so she sigh "I hope to see you sooner your majesty, I'll be taking my leave as well, have a wonderful night your majesties" she said
"I'll visit the knights quarter in days lady Makaria, i hope to see you there" she said and lena was Happy " we'll happily welcome you to our quarter your majesty" she said with a smile and left leaving Ria with Lucius
"Your majesty should we head back to the throne" she ask "I want some fresh air, let's take a break at the balcony" he said and offered his hand so ria stare at it for a while like she was curious what's in his head and slowly took it "hmm alright" she said and they walk towards the door that leads to the balcony as they were walking away the nobles were gazing at them watching as they entered the balcony and started to gossip "his Majesty must be possessed, maybe even bewitched by the princess" they said "can't you see his eyes that look like it was enchanted maybe the princess has a blood of a witch" they were all curious that they kept spouting nonsense
Meanwhile Astria was leaning at the terrace while watching the garden of the palace as the moonlight filled the place, Lucius was standing beside her and while she kept staring at the garden he was watching her remembering what she replied to the young marquis 'becuse I'm handsome how smart of you to answer that way princess' he thought and he suddenly clench his fist as he felt his heart beating so fast 'tsk what's with the sudden heartbeat am i sick' he thought and keep clenching
"your majesty" Ria called him as she noticed that his cold face was getting red "are you alright" she ask "hm I'm fine" he answered with a face that seems no emotion but was tainted with red colors as he was blushing but trying to look calm 'dam* this is crazy' he thought as he notice that his heart was beating whenever he met her lovely eyes
"tsk this can't be" he mumble and ria was confused not knowing what he was saying "so why did you want to come here your majesty" she tried to ask 'Was there a problem or did i make a mistake but i already ask for forgiveness' she thought and Lucius sigh deeply trying to gather his thoughts
"Tsk" Lucius was now in a bad mood as he understood why his heart was beating so fast and he suddenly felt mad at Ria for that reason "heh why do you think i ask you to come here with me are you dumb or playing innocent" he ask with rage that made ria felt terrified 'what's this ominous feeling, why is he angry?' she thought then step back away from him as she felt that she was in dnager
"I don't have any idea what you mean your majesty are you still mad?" She ask and Lucius stared with his cold eyes 'yes perhaps I'm still mad at her that's why my heart is beating like crazy' he thought trying to comfort his self however he knew it wasn't the reason so he clicked his tongue trying to control his emotions then he stared and walk towards Astria
'im scared, this is the same as when we first met' she thought and closed her eyes out of fear then suddenly Lucius grabbed her chin and made her look at him 'ughh' Lucius was feeling more pain as his heart still beats for her, he look at her as she was still closing her eyes not wanting to look at him
"I thought you were brave enough to confront me so why are you closing your eyes like a coward princess" he ask with a soft voice while holding her chin 'im scared' ria was trembling and Lucius could felt how her body was trembling
"princess open your eyes and look at me" he ordered so ria had no choice but to slowly open her eyes and stare at him 'ah' as soon as Ria saw his eyes she felt like he saw a man who had lost in a battle, his eyes were in agony and a bit cold, she wanted to ask why but she couldn't as he was holding her chin
"Do you know why some nobles hide in the balcony princess" he ask "ah" and ria already understood what he meant so she was now more afraid and Lucius just smirk seeing her feeling scared of the things he might do,
he felt defeated for having some unrequited feelings for the princess whom he only met in the past months and now he felt like wanted to do some crazy things that a jerk would do so he smiled like a madman and leaned her face to her ears and whispered "it's your punishment" he said and suddenly kissed her red cold lips
Astria's eyes widen as he kissed her wanted to get away she tried to break free but he was strong for her and Lucius wrapped his arms in her waist so Ria didn't make a fuss anymore and accepted him though he kissed her roughly Ria didn't complain but when she was out of breath she tried to break away and Lucius who noticed her difficulty of breathing slowly took his lips away from her but his arms were still wrapping around her
"Huff huff huff" ria breath so heavily and Lucius was enjoying how she struggle that he giggled "Don't you know how to breath when kissing" he ask and Ria was feeling mad since she was inexperienced and he stole her first kiss 'crazy bastar* stealing my first kiss tsk' she thought but she herself knew that one day the emperor will take her everything even her first kiss
"haah" ria was now breathing slowly and Lucius lean to her face with his eyes that seems to enjoy her suffering and yet seems to be in sorrow "it would be best if we frequently kiss so you won't feel disgusted when we'll be married and it's much more worse when you'll be my empress as you will be sharing a bed with me" he said and came closer to her ear and bite it "ah" ria blushed as she was surprised and embarrassed "this punishment is rather enjoying don't you think so princess" he ask and stared at ria as she was holding her ear with a flustered face
"I-i don't enjoy it" she answered and Lucius was now gazing at her with his serious face 'tsk how maddening for my heart to beat at this lady who hates me' he thought and smiled "it's your fault for making me angry so you better please me" he said and pulled her closer and kissed her again however this time he was gentle 'ah dam*it' ria was frustrated as Lucius kissed her but she was glad that he doesn't feel angry or scary anymore as she was afraid that she might be punished more cruelly
Lucius was now sure of his feelings for her as he watched Astria closing her eyes feeling his lips he thought something 'this woman is mine and mine alone' he declares as if proclaiming his trophy...