[Author’s Note: 🎁 The next 17 chapters are special bonus releases—10 chapters as a thank-you for your generous 2 Magic Castle gifts, 5 chapters for the amazing support with Golden Tickets over the past 2 months, and 2 chapters for this week’s Power Stones! 💖 I’m truly sorry for the delay in delivering the Gift and Golden Ticket rewards 🙏 Please forgive me, and thank you so much for your continued love and patience! 🥺✨]
Marisandra Naiadia… The Empress of the Empire…, the untouchable and fiery flower… was currently sitting on a man’s lap—her body pressed closely, tightly, against him, as if she belonged nowhere else.
The once dangerous woman—so feared that even the nobles didn’t dare to meet her gaze—was now staring into the eyes of a man.
Her once stoic, emotionless face, known only for indifference and wrath, now glowed with a warmth foreign to her… her cheeks flushed a deep, embarrassed red, blooming like roses that had never known sunlight.
The hands that once gripped nothing but cold steel, that struck down countless threats with brutal elegance, were now wrapped delicately around a man’s neck—so soft, so gentle, as if she feared she might break him.
… This… this wasn’t the Empress the world once knew.
No… this was a woman reborn, unveiled, stripped of her armour.
If anyone were to witness this right now, they’d fall to their knees in disbelief… tears welling up in their eyes… their unshakable Empress… blushing? Trembling? Holding onto a man like she needed him?
Sandra bit her lip—hard—as she muttered under her breath, the words laced with frustration and desire, like she was cursing the gods for making her feel this way. But Aether… he didn’t flinch.
He stayed still.
He waited… like a man who knew the storm had to pass before he could taste the rain.
The truth behind Sandra’s cold words—when she said she hadn’t forgiven him—wasn’t for her daughter… nor for the others… no, it had nothing to do with anyone else.
It was simple.
She couldn’t forgive him because she had been his target.
That alone… shattered her pride.
That’s where it hurt. That’s where it stung so deeply, she could barely breathe.
That’s why she lashed out with those cold, dismissive words. Not because she wanted him gone… but because she would rather have him love her willingly… than be forced by some cursed fate or divine command.
Aether, of course, understood. He wasn’t clueless. He had always known just how proud she was… how her arrogance wasn’t just a mask, but her very identity. That’s why he didn’t push hard.
That’s why he waited… waited with open arms and burning patience, wanting to tame her fire with his own hands.
He didn’t need to work himself to the bone to break her walls down… all it took was one gentle push.
That’s all!
And truthfully… it was what Sandra wanted too.
But her pride… her damn pride wouldn’t let her say it.
‘He should come to me,’ she thought. ‘I’m not going to crawl to him.’
He had been forced into seducing her… That his Log made him do it, right?
So then… he should make the move… Final Move!
Not her!
Now that he had asked for the kiss, Sandra knew it.
She knew he wanted her. And yes, deep down, she was happy… she was burning with joy.
But on the surface?
No.
She refused to show it… Not yet.
If she just melted into him too easily, wouldn’t that make her look weak?
Wouldn’t that hurt her ego?
That’s why she hesitated.
That’s why she dragged it out with this slow, silent storm of emotion and tension.
“Tsk… sigh,” she muttered, voice low and a bit breathless, her eyes lowering as if she’d finally come to a decision. (Not really. She just wanted him to think she’d thought hard about it.) Then she inhaled deeply, her chest brushing against him, and leaned in closer—so close he could feel the heat of her breath.
Her arms coiled around his neck, slow and sensual, her fingers brushing against the back of his head with a tenderness that made him shiver. Her gaze… no longer cold or defiant, but soft… seductive… full of a hidden hunger as she whispered right into his ear, “My love~”
Aether’s entire body tensed and trembled. That voice… that word… spoken with such softness, it melted something inside him. It hit him in a place deeper than desire, a place only she could reach. He swallowed hard as his hands clutched her hips tightly, possessively, grounding himself before he lost control.
“~Hmm~” Sandra let out a soft moan when his grip tightened around her curves. Her eyes sparkled slyly—she could feel something firm and hot pressing beneath her ass. Her cheeks flushed again, this time darker, but she didn’t pull away. She kept her calm mask, though her heartbeat roared in her ears.
She held the act… leaned into it… moved her lips toward his cheek and,
“~Chu~”
She kissed him. Not a fleeting peck.
No. A long, lingering kiss that burned into his skin. Her soft lips pressed into his cheek and stayed there, claiming him, branding him… before she slowly pulled away. “That’s it, right?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, but filled with something tender and teasing—a gentle smile curling her lips.
Aether looked at her, straight into her eyes, and murmured, “Five fingers… landed on my cheek, so…” He didn’t even need to finish.
Sandra clicked her tongue, gently, but it was clear she wasn’t really annoyed. “Tsk…” she said, her voice husky now, thick with mischief. Her eyes stayed locked with his, seductive and knowing, as if she had already planned this.
She leaned forward again… and kissed his cheek once more.
“~Chu~”
Then she gave him a slow, gentle bite… her teeth sinking in just enough to make him gasp softly… and kissed again.
“~Chu~”
Then came a soft, deliberate lick across his skin, hot and wet, and another kiss.
“~Chu~”
Then a playful nip, a flash of her sharp side, and another kiss.
“~Chu~”
His cheek was now covered in her spit, glistening with her kisses. She slowly leaned back, her body pulling away, but her eyes never leaving his. Her face was flushed—deep red—yet beautiful.
Her gaze dropped for a second, shy yet bold, before lifting again to meet his. Aether stared at her, unmoving, his eyes dark and full of fire.
They looked at each other, no words needed anymore. Just raw, trembling silence… soaked in desire and tension… just before—
“~hmm~”
They kissed each other.
At first, it was just a soft peck, gentle and teasing. Their lips met briefly, brushing together with a light flutter before pulling away.
Their eyes lingered on one another, heavy with tension, before instinct took over. They both licked their lips, tasting the hint of the other still left behind… and then leaned back in again.
“~hmm~”
This time, their mouths crashed with need. The kiss grew fiercer, hungrier.
Sandra’s soft lips parted for him as her arms, once gently wrapped around his neck, now tightened with longing, pulling him deeper into her. Aether, hands clamped around her waist, yanked her close until their bodies were flush, their heat mingling.
“~hmmm~”
Slurrp~
Their tongues met in the middle—wet, slick, swirling against each other. They kissed like they were drowning, gasping for air between breaths but not letting go.
“~mmf~”
Her lips parted wide as his tongue slipped in deeper, exploring her sweet, warm mouth. She moaned into him as their tongues tangled, sliding over one another again and again, slurping, sucking, twisting with reckless hunger.
Sandra’s fingers clawed into his hair, yanking it gently, needing him closer. Her lips molded around his, opening wide to take him in. Their kisses became a messy mix of licking, panting, tasting—his tongue pressed against hers, flicking the roof of her mouth, then pulling back only to dive in again.
She answered eagerly, her lips moving with his, greedy and feverish.
“~mmmm~”
His lips were firm and warm, a little rough, tasting faintly of sweetness and something wild—him. Her taste, on the other hand, was honeyed and smooth, intoxicating.
Aether devoured her like an addict needing a fix, pressing kiss after kiss, their tongues now sloppier, wetter, more desperate.
They kissed so deeply it felt like they were trying to crawl into each other’s soul.
Time melted away until their lungs screamed for breath. At last, they broke apart, gasping, faces flushed, mouths tingling.
“~Ha~ha~”
Sandra panted, chest rising, lips wet and swollen. Aether’s eyes were fixed on her mouth like he wanted to kiss her all over again.
And he did.
He leaned in, dragging his lips along her neck, hot breath brushing her sensitive skin. Then came his mouth—soft at first, kissing gently just below her ear, and then—
Bite.
“A~Aether~” Sandra moaned, a mix of pleasure and surprise. Her body jerked, trembling as the sharp sensation travelled down her spine. Her neck arched, offering more.
His lips traced her collarbone, moving slowly, lovingly. Her blush deepened, and her chest heaved with each breath.
Despite already spending a night, just hearing her whisper his name—so breathless, so desperate—made him rock hard all over again. His cock strained against the fabric, and he didn’t even try to hide it.
He kissed back up her throat, nipped her chin, brushed over her jawline with his lips, then kissed her cheek, her eyelid, her forehead.
“…”
“…”
Their eyes met again. Both panting. Both flushed. Both knowing exactly what the other wanted.
“~hmm~”
No words.
Just lips crashing again—hot, raw, hungry.
Aether lifted her in one smooth motion, placing her on the desk behind them… The clutter on the desk clattered to the floor—papers, and then—
“Hmm W-Wait… the book?” Sandra blinked as a thick, ancient book slid across the desk, teetering at the edge.
“Nah, who gives a damn? That motherfucker can rot.” Aether said without even glancing. “I’d rather taste your lips than read that cursed thing. That book’s not even worth the ink it’s written with compared to you.”
Sandra let out a breathy laugh, amused and flustered. ‘That book could buy a palace, you know?’ she thought. But before she could voice it, his mouth was on hers again.
“~hmmm~”
Hot. Wet. Desperate.
His lips now kissed with no rhythm, no formality—just pure, aching need. He slanted his head, tongue diving back in, kissing her deeper than before, like he wanted to feel her heart through her mouth.
She whimpered into him, her own lips moving back, dancing, sliding, pressing. Her hands roamed under his robe, caressing his bare chest, tracing every ridge of his muscles, savouring his warmth. His skin burned under her touch.
“~Mm~” she moaned again as he bit her bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth, then kissed down, trailing his tongue along her throat, kissing between her breasts, each hot breath making her squirm.
When he reached her cleavage, he paused, staring up at her with wild, wanting eyes.
Her face was beet red. Her chest heaving. Her lips were wet, parted, still aching from his mouth.
She knew what was going to happen and… she not opposing it… Her legs wrapped around him instinctively, nightgown hem hiked up, thighs spread open, foot locking behind his back, locking him in.
Her thighs trembled but didn’t let go.
Aether grinned, breath husky, “My lovely Empress~” he purred as his hand reached for her purple lingerie, gripping the fabric, ready to tear it away from her trembling body—
Until—
“AETHER, WHERE ARE YOU?!”
Aqualina’s voice pierced the air like a bucket of cold water.
Sandra froze.
Her eyes shot open.
Pure horror dawned on her face.
‘Well… shit!’ Aether cursed inwardly!