I Stole the Emperor's First Night - Chapter 109

Leopold alternated his gaze between the scepter and Kaiser’s face.

No matter how he looked at it, this was too much. He opened his mouth to refuse.

“If you refuse this as well, I will have only committed rudeness to Your Majesty. Please accept it.”

Kaiser pleaded earnestly. Now, if Leopold didn’t accept the scepter, Kaiser’s dignity would be damaged.

Leopold, who was rubbing his eyebrows in discomfort, eventually accepted the scepter.

Ariel, who was watching from the side, sighed in relief. The moment she received the picture from Celine, she desperately wanted to visit that place.

When Leopold refused, it felt like her heart sank.

Celine smiled, seemingly understanding her feelings.

“It’s truly a beautiful place. And a very private one. I’m sure you both will love it.”

“Even if we handle everything else, what about food?”

Ariel’s voice was filled with expectation. Sitting on the beach, staring blankly at the blue sea. Just imagining it was delightful.

But if it was too far from the village, wouldn’t it be difficult to get food? She was worried.

“When you arrive, the pantry will be fully stocked. Once you finish it all, you can go to the nearby market anytime you want.”

“Ah… Since only those with the scepter can enter the villa, there’s no need for guards to protect the house.”

“From parasols to tubes and swimsuits. We’ve prepared everything you need for water activities, so make lots of memories.”

Ariel nodded enthusiastically.

***

The next day.

Ariel was so excited she couldn’t sleep. The whites of her eyes were lined with prominent red veins.

Leopold looked at her with concern. He even asked if she wanted to sleep a bit more.

But she assured him she was very lively and told him not to worry.

―Once you wake up, please come to the front of the villa. The royal mage will escort you both.

Ariel, ready and holding a music box in her arms, hurriedly opened the villa’s main gate. As Kaiser had said, a royal mage was waiting for them.

The distance from the Macglier palace to the villa was quite far. Thanks to Kaiser and Celine’s consideration, Ariel and Leopold traveled via portal.

Upon arrival, they found that the barrier magic started quite a distance from the villa.

“The barrier is transparent.”

“But since the barrier’s radius is so wide, people outside won’t be able to see us well. I was worried about that. Even if people can’t enter, I thought they might see everything we do inside.”

It was an unnecessary worry.

There was no need to worry in advance.

A smile appeared on Ariel’s lips.

“Alright. Let’s go in. They assured us we’d love it.”

Leopold took Ariel’s hand and entered the barrier. It felt as if they were passing through a thin film, like a soap bubble.

“It’s amazing.”

Ariel turned her body and looked at the barrier. She pressed it with her hand. The feeling was like touching thin rubber, and her eyes widened.

“Indeed. The magic has been maintained for such a long time, I wonder which mage’s work it is.”

“We shouldn’t be standing here like this. We should hurry. I’ve been so curious.”

Ariel kicked off the ground and ran. Despite having had a restless night, she arrived at the mansion with very light steps.

Leopold was walking slowly. By the time he reached her, Ariel suddenly stopped running. She stood still, staring straight ahead.

‘Did she see something she shouldn’t have?’

Worried, he quickened his pace.

“El.”

Leopold placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned her head. Her jade-colored pupils were filled with emotion, glistening with moisture.

“Leo… it’s so beautiful.”

The sound of the waves crashing filled their ears.

Swoosh— Swoosh—

The waves, carrying white foam, surged onto the white sandy beach. The late summer sun shone brightly on the sparkling beach.

A mansion built with white bricks and a red roof.

The scenery, more beautiful than any painting, left Ariel speechless.

“Do you like it?”

At his question, Ariel nodded vigorously.

The azure sea glittered under the sun.

“Will you stay with me?”

Ariel looked up. Her cheeks, flushed with excitement. Her eyes sparkling. Her lips, tinged with a rosy hue. Her beauty, which stirred his heart, left Leopold with no choice but to agree.

Before stepping onto the beach, she neatly took off her shoes.

“Do it like me, Leo.”

If someone else had asked, he would have questioned why he should do it. But at Ariel’s request, he silently took off his shoes and placed them next to hers.

Ariel, pleased with his actions, pushed her feet into the sand. The sand seeped between her slender toes. The feel of the sand against her feet was soft and warm.

As she moved, her dress dragged across the sand. Ariel turned around and beckoned to Leopold.

“Come in.”

“Okay.”

He recalled something he once said to Ariel.

—El. If you ask me to go, I will go, and if you ask me to stop, I will stop. As long as it doesn’t harm you.

Leopold stepped onto the sand. His foot sank into the sand under his weight.

The sand tickled his toes as it passed between them.

Leopold thought this sand resembled someone.

Ariel Diaz, who stirred his heart and made a mess of his insides. It resembled his beloved wife.

She walked towards the sea, her eyes sparkling, and plopped down where the waves had left faint traces.

Ariel hugged her knees and rested her chin on them, quietly gazing at the sea.

The waves, formed by the wind in the distant sea, grew taller as they approached the shore, only to break softly upon reaching the beach.

They returned to the sea, leaving only white foam on the white sand.

The water surged and wet Ariel’s toes, which peeked out from under her dress.

‘It’s refreshing.’

She rested her cheek on her knee. The sound of the waves, which put her at ease, made her eyes close naturally.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over her.

Ariel didn’t need to look to know. The shadow was cast by Leopold Diaz’s massive body.

“El. Let’s go inside instead of staying here.”

Her guess was right. Leopold’s very gentle and sweet voice tickled her ears.

But her eyelids were heavy from lack of sleep the previous night. Ariel looked at Leopold with sleepy eyes.

“Mmm… I’m sleepy.”

“Shall I carry you?”

Ariel weakly nodded at his kind voice.

Leopold immediately slipped his hands under her waist and knees and lifted her. Sand fell from her drooping dress, but he didn’t mind.

Ariel fell asleep in his arms.

***

Leopold struggled to open the mansion door while holding Ariel. He walked inside and looked for the bedroom.

‘Is it here?’

He opened a door near the kitchen. It was the bedroom.

As he was about to lay her on the bed with its white, fluffy bedding, the sand on her dress bothered him.

So he went back to the living room and gently laid her on the sofa.

To remove her dress, he untied the shoulder straps and slowly pulled the dress down. Using his fingers to loosen the dress’s straps, her bare skin gradually came into view.

The fabric made a rustling sound as it brushed against her body.

Leopold slid his hand under her hips and pulled the dress down.

Now wearing only a negligee, Ariel slept soundly, and his eyes darkened to a deep crimson.

“Mmm…”

In her sleep, she let out a light moan and curled up.

“Haa…”

Ariel, who possessed a deadly charm yet remained defenseless, made Leopold let out a hot sigh.

He shook his head vigorously and picked her up again. He carried her to the bedroom and gently laid her on the bed, covering her with a blanket.

Just try to wake up. I won’t leave you alone.

He lightly kissed her lips and then left the room, closing the door behind him.

“What should I make for lunch…?”

He tried to think of a meal, but Ariel’s image lingered before his eyes. A great desire clawed at his insides.

Feeling a dizzying sensation as his blood rushed in reverse, Leopold tightly closed his eyes.