‘Did I enjoy the kiss?’

Of course, she did.

If she were to be completely honest, it was so perfect that she wouldn’t mind experiencing it again right this moment.

But she couldn’t bring herself to voice the truth.

After all, he was the leader of the Imperial faction, and she belonged to the Nobility faction.

“Taking this long to answer… That seems like a good sign for me.”

A teasing smile played on Carlisle’s lips.

In that fleeting moment, which felt agonizingly slow, Cornelia questioned herself repeatedly and sought endless answers.

She looked up at Carlisle.

“Your answer?”

His voice carried a quiet force, as if there was only one response she was allowed to give.

She needed to make a rational decision, free of emotions.

But how could she deny their kiss when merely meeting his gaze made her heart race and her breath hitch? How could she ignore this pull toward him?

The distant melody from the ballroom faintly reached her ears.

At that moment, the uncertainty in her eyes cleared.

“It was… very good.”

Carlisle’s smile deepened, seemingly satisfied with her answer.

Cornelia, who had analyzed and tried to deny everything—the sensations, the heat, the reason she was so entranced by his touch—finally stopped resisting.

She blamed it on drinking too much champagne, convincing herself that it had simply heightened her senses.

Even if it was just an excuse, she wanted to be honest with herself about what she had felt—just this once.

As her clear, amber eyes met Carlisle’s dangerously gleaming red ones, the air between them crackled with tension.

Her heartbeat echoed in her ears, spreading to every corner of her mind.

The small gap between them disappeared in an instant.

There was heat in Carlisle’s gaze, and the entire atmosphere around him shifted instantly.

His warm breath brushed against her lips, making her pulse hammer violently.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The sound roared through her veins, threatening to consume her.

“I can guarantee it.”

“…”

“This time, it’ll be even better.”

Just as he promised, the kiss that stole her breath was even more intense than before.

As if making up for lost time, he claimed her parted lips, exploring every ridge of her teeth with deliberate precision.

She felt like she was burning under the sheer heat of him.

Their ragged breaths filled the space between them, sending shivers down her spine and a dizzying thrill coursing through her.

From head to toe, she was engulfed in a warm, tingling sensation, her legs weakening beneath her.

Strong hands wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her close as his deep, woodsy scent surrounded her.

Drunk on his scent, Cornelia forgot where she was—forgot that she was standing in the Imperial Palace.

***

When Cornelia opened her eyes, she closed them again briefly, blinking in confusion.

‘Where… am I?’

A beautiful, ornate ceiling and luxurious furnishings came into view.

‘Ah! Carlisle, the Emperor…!’

As memories from the previous night rushed back, a flurry of emotions flickered through her light amber eyes.

Was it truly real?

The unfamiliar warmth enveloping her confirmed the truth as if to erase any doubt.

She turned her head, following the firm grip on her waist.

The very same Emperor who had tormented her until dawn was now sleeping soundly beside her.

“Relax.”

Suddenly, she recalled his whispered words.

The spot where his hand rested on her waist burned like fire.

What had started as a simple kiss had ignited into an uncontrollable blaze, consuming them both throughout the night.

The wary distance they once maintained vanished as if it had never existed.

The sharp words they had exchanged now felt meaningless.

Without a moment to breathe, he had captured her lips again and again, his relentless movements marking her as if to claim her entirely.

Even as her vision blurred, the image of him, immersed in desire, lingered in her mind, flushing her cheeks.

He had been breathtaking—more beautiful than any masterpiece.

Even if she were to leave him behind and walk away, that moment would be forever unforgettable.

The soft, golden sunlight filtering through the large windows gently illuminated Cornelia’s delicate face.

Swish.

“Good morning.”

He had seemed to be in a deep slumber, but before she knew it—

Carlisle had awakened.

His large, calloused fingers, shaped by years of wielding power, gently swept her long, tousled hair behind her ear.

Contrary to the cold, distant impression he often gave, his touch was surprisingly tender.

“You’re up early.”

“My eyes opened on their own.”

“Is your body sore?”

“If I said no… that would be a lie.”

Still covered by the thin sheets, Cornelia answered calmly.

A faint frown formed on her face as she shifted, feeling the dull ache in her muscles—but it wasn’t unbearable.

“A warm bath will help.”

His full lips brushed against her bare skin, leaving a lingering warmth.

Through his half-lidded gaze, his crimson eyes gleamed with unmistakable possession.

A shiver ran down her spine, and she barely managed to stifle the soft sound threatening to escape her lips.

Now that the intoxication and heat of the night had faded, facing him in the clear light of day only made his presence feel even more overwhelming.

He was sculpted like a god, with no flaw marring his perfectly proportioned features.

His physique, refined by strength and discipline, was dazzling to the point of stealing her breath.

‘So this is why women can’t resist him.’

For the first time, Cornelia truly understood why so many women fell at the Emperor’s feet.

Last night, he had been gentle, warm, and unbelievably tender.

Under his touch, she had felt like the most cherished woman in the world.

Cornelia raised her hand and carefully traced Emperor Carlisle’s face.

“I think I lost consciousness at the end. Am I right?”

“You did.”

Their gazes met slowly—so very slowly—filling the space between them with an inexplicable thrill.

In his ruby-red eyes, he could see the graceful silhouette of her bare body, modestly covered by a thin sheet.

Looking into his eyes as if they were a mirror reflecting her entire form, she felt an unfamiliar, tingling warmth spread through her chest like ink bleeding onto parchment.

“Then, was it Your Majesty who bathed me afterward?”

“Of course. I couldn’t possibly entrust you to someone else’s hands.”

It was just one night, yet his words created the illusion that they were lovers deeply in love.

He pressed a lingering kiss against the smooth curve of her back.

A sharp sensation pricked at her chest.

Cornelia instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.

As her body flinched at the ticklish, tightening sensation, he let out a low chuckle and stretched out his long arm.

Rudely, she slapped at his firm arm.

Her entire body ached, yet he, as strong as ever, seemed perfectly unaffected—it was infuriating.

Her feeble resistance proved futile as he effortlessly pulled her into his embrace.

They fit together perfectly, like the final piece of a puzzle falling into place.

“Don’t tempt me. I’m exercising the greatest patience of my life right now.”

“What…”

“I’m struggling not to devour you whole.”

Oh, my god…

Her face turned red at his blunt confession.

Embarrassment sent heat rushing to her cheeks.

And yet, a part of her felt strangely pleased—because it meant that last night had been just as perfect for him as it was for her.

Satisfied with the warmth in his arms, he buried his face in the delicate curve of her neck and took a deep breath.

“Stop that!”

Unable to endure the unfamiliar tingling sensation at the tips of her toes, Cornelia pushed him away.

Even after tormenting her until dawn, was he still unsatisfied?

He acted as if he wanted to pick up right where they had left off the night before.

“You’re not seriously thinking of doing it again, are you? That would be absolutely shameless!”

Her words spilled out naturally, the way she spoke to close acquaintances.

But that was partly Carlisle’s fault—his excessive tenderness had made her unconsciously lower her guard.

“If you permit me, I’d be more than happy to continue.”

“No!”

“Such a shame.”

He genuinely sounded disappointed. His red eyes burned with an intensity so scorching that she snapped back to her senses.

Morning had come. The sun was high in the sky.

The night that had felt like a dream—one she had excused under the influence of alcohol—was over.

And that meant she could no longer pretend that being with him like this was acceptable.

Cornelia bit down on her lower lip.

‘I need to stop this now.’

No matter how strong their attraction, taking things further was dangerous.

One impulsive night was more than enough.

The consequences would be disastrous if word got out that she had spent the night with Carlisle.

The Emperor’s faction would do everything in their power to undermine her, while the noble faction would seize the opportunity to push her into becoming Empress.

Cornelia had no desire to live a life under such scrutiny.

And marriage without love?

She refused to consider it.

She wanted to date freely and love at her own pace, and she longed for that kind of marriage.

Of course, given her noble lineage, that dream was far from realistic—but still, that was the future she wanted.

The position of Empress was nothing more than a gilded cage—a suffocating prison where every word, every gesture, had to be carefully calculated.

Just thinking about it made it hard to breathe.

Cornelia’s elegant brows furrowed slightly.

Somehow, in the span of a single night, she had become entangled with the most famous man in the Empire.

But Carlisle was, without question, not someone who belonged on her list of potential suitors.

“What are you thinking about?”

A deep, low voice interrupted her thoughts, and she turned her head.

His gaze, still warm as it rested upon her, rendered her speechless.

She had no choice now but to face the consequences of her first-ever impulsive decision.

‘How do I even begin to say this…?’

“Stop.”

Carlisle’s fingers brushed against her lips.

“They’re too pretty to be ruined.”

Only then did Cornelia realize she had been biting down anxiously on her lower lip.

She let out a quiet sigh.

She knew it wasn’t the noblest thing to do, but she couldn’t help it.

Proper etiquette wouldn’t solve the problem before her.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“I have something to say.”

“Something to say… I hope it’s not what I think it is.”

His voice was lower, huskier—more sensual in the morning light.

But as she opened her mouth to speak, her lips went dry.

She could only hope that the words she was about to say would be a choice she would not regret.