Chapter 101
No matter how hard the Emperor tried to win her over, it was meaningless.
Being subjected to this nonsense multiple times a day—how could the resentment in her heart ever dissolve?
Even if, for a moment, she felt herself softening at the sight of his desperate efforts, the second he lusted after her like an animal, she froze solid again. This wasn’t just some past transgression—it was still happening now. If she could forgive him under these circumstances, she’d either have to be a saint or a complete fool.
If you’re so afraid I’ll leave, then honestly beg me to stay. Stop trying to trap me with your half-baked manipulations.
From Jaha’s perspective, it was utterly ridiculous. The way his eyes betrayed his anxiety beneath his high-handed words, the way his gaze clung to her, scrutinizing her mood, the way he fidgeted like a nervous suitor—it was all more absurd than the antics of a court jester.
The entire situation felt like a scene from some twisted black comedy.
The Emperor pressed his lips to the nape of her neck.
An emperor kissing a slave’s body—who’d believe it? If anyone saw, they might mistake Jaha for the master and him for the servant. But Jaha wasn’t deluded about the power dynamic. He was still in a position to have her head severed the moment he grew displeased. This was just a temporary madness, a meaningless farce.
She had no interest in deciphering the Emperor’s hidden emotions. The obvious ones were already plain enough—and even those, she wouldn’t have cared about if she didn’t have to. There was no reason to understand. All Jaha wanted was to return to Earth and free herself from him as soon as possible.
By the time rumors had spread throughout the palace that any rare treasure gifted to the Emperor would inevitably end up with that foreign-born slave, his patience had finally worn thin.
At first, he had merely seethed silently upon seeing Jaha indifferently eating her dessert, but by nightfall, his anger had reached a boiling point.
Had he ever asked for anything difficult or grand?
A smile.
That was all. He had only wanted to see even the faintest hint of warmth soften her impassive face—like rain after a drought. He had imagined it would quench his thirst like stumbling upon an oasis in a barren desert.
Ever since setting this goal, he had prided himself on treating Jaha well.
To make up for his past neglect, he had lavished her with riches and privileges. The finest chefs prepared her meals, the most exquisite desserts were procured, and every stitch she wore was of the highest quality—luxuries not even the noblest women of the empire could dream of. And yet, Jaha showed not the slightest pleasure. She barely glanced at them, as if he were handing her mere pebbles.
At this point, unless she were a fool, she had to know what he wanted. She simply refused to give it—knowingly, deliberately. But that wasn’t all.
Eyes that never once looked at him unless forced.
Lips that never spoke unless he spoke first.
Silently, he glared at Jaha’s back as she lay turned away from him.
Not once had she ever slept facing him. She always turned her back, shutting him out.
Now that his emotions had erupted, even the smallest of these slights—things he had once brushed off—became unbearable.
Was she seriously trying to out-stubborn the Emperor himself?
For the first time, he felt not just frustration, but murderous intent toward this woman who refused to yield—not even a crack in her armor.
Should I just kill her and be done with it?
She had overstayed her welcome.
Perhaps this suffocating feeling would finally vanish if she were gone.
Had he wasted too much time hesitating over such a simple solution?
Lately, he had drowned in indulgence, living recklessly. Though not enough to disrupt state affairs, he had done just the bare minimum to keep things running.
The man he used to be would never have allowed this. She had changed him.
He had become insatiable—constantly craving her touch, her lips, her presence. At times, he even wanted to just look at her. These obsessions gnawed away at his time, his discipline. He should have restrained himself, but restraint had long since abandoned him.
Like a man possessed, no matter how much he had, it was never enough.
Touching her only left him hungrier. Kissing her only sharpened his thirst. Even while staring at her, he ached to keep looking.
He had lost all control.
Then why not simply eliminate the root of it all?
If she disappeared, perhaps this maddening obsession would vanish too.
The Emperor reached out, fingers brushing the exposed nape of her neck. He felt the faint tremor under his palm as her breath hitched.
And then—he pulled her close, pressing his lips to her skin instead.
If he could have killed her, he would have done it long ago.
Between feverish kisses, he gasped with the hunger of something eternally unfulfilled.
What do you want?
If it’s jewels, I’ll pile them into towers for you.
If it’s gold, I’ll melt it into pools at your feet.
If it’s amusement, I’ll lay every pleasure in this world before you.
So just… smile at me.
Love me.
The raw desperation rising in his throat choked him.
This wasn’t anger.
The only problem was that he simply couldn’t bear the fact that he desired Jaha, but she did not desire him in return.
The realization pierced his chest like an arrow, sending a throbbing ache through his heart.
He pressed closer to Jaha, desperate to deepen their connection.
The man, now aware of the true nature of the passion that ruled him—the desperate craving to be loved—was utterly frantic.
From head to toe, his entire body burned with lust.
When he finally broke their feverish kiss, he clenched his lips shut, struggling to steady his breath. He was terrified—terrified that the sound of his ragged panting might disgust Jaha, terrified that she would see him as nothing more than a filthy beast.
Suddenly, it dawned on him.
From now on, he could no longer act recklessly with this woman.
No more crude jokes, no more tormenting her just to see her resist and crumble—not when he knew she hated it.
He found himself obsessing over every little action, afraid of earning even a shred of her hatred. How could he dare behave like that again?
His jaw tightened as he stared at Jaha, watching her wipe her lips with her sleeve as if scrubbing away something dirty. His Adam’s apple bobbed, forcing down the words rising in his throat.
He wanted to beg her to smile. To plead with her to open her heart to him. But a lifetime of pride as an emperor refused to let him stoop so low.
A master begging his slave? Such a thing was impossible unless heaven and earth reversed.
He seized Jaha’s chin and kissed her again. As always, she remained still, her tongue unmoving.
A pained sound escaped his throat. Her rigid body made it clear just how much she despised this. But he couldn’t stop.
The best he could do was press his lips to hers with careful tenderness, trying not to disgust her any further.
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