Adele was just about to fall asleep when Karl barged into her bedroom without so much as a knock, his tyrannical spirit on full display. His abrupt intrusion left her speechless.

“What are you doing…?!” she managed to blurt out.

“I want to spend the night with you,” he declared, his eyes full of an intense, dangerous energy that reminded Adele of a glass of overflowing wine.

Even Mrs. Giggs, who had followed Karl into the room, hesitated at his sudden announcement. The older lady accompanying them seemed embarrassed by the situation as well.

“Get out, everyone,” Karl ordered, leaving even the embarrassed older lady with no choice but to leave. As Adele watched Mrs. Giggs close the door behind them, Karl approached her with the confidence of a predator stalking its prey.

But Adele’s eyes were filled with a different kind of energy – one that could kill. Despite his desire, Karl could sense her reluctance.

“You said you’d regret it less than an hour ago, yet now you want to suddenly have a first night together? Don’t you think we should first acknowledge each other as spouses?” she questioned him.

Karl kneeled on the edge of her bed, the sweet scent of spring flowers surrounding them.

“You seem to be struggling to gain proper power in the imperial palace. What more do you need to go back to? As the empress, it is your duty to do your job and gain your strength. I will hold it in my hand,” he told her, trying to convince her to give in to him.

As Karl’s hand gently pressed against Adele’s shoulder, the empress remained unmoved, her expression devoid of any passion or enthusiasm. Karl stepped back, taking in the chill emanating from her demeanor.

“It’s complicated,” he said, and Adele was taken aback.

Was she considering seizing power as empress without fulfilling her duties? The thought sent shivers down Adele’s spine. Despite being her spouse, their first night together was a natural obligation. It was only fitting, but Adele couldn’t shake off the feeling of dirtiness that came with it. As she looked at the distorted expression on the empress’s face, Karl whispered, “What I said, is it so degrading? Is there anyone else in this empire whom you would bow to besides me?”

Adele snarled in response, “Is it the empress’s unconditional obligation to bow to the emperor? Is that how it is in Ehmont?”

Karl tilted his head, studying Adele with sharp eyes, before bursting out in a mocking laugh. Adele was momentarily taken aback by the dark, sinister laughter, while the emperor lifted the blanket that covered her with great care. Karl gazed at her with intense focus, revealing a small, white foot. The foot was delicate, reminiscent of a wild beast’s, and Karl lowered his head slowly, holding her ankle with one hand.

As he stared into Adele’s golden gaze, his purple eyes ablaze, he kissed the tender spot where he had entered. Something soft and squishy fell from Adele’s ankle with a wet sound. The emperor lifted Adele up and whispered, gazing at her with intense focus,

“Now that I have bowed my head and kissed your feet, are you satisfied?”

Adele had been born into a flawless royal family with a perfect lineage, and her proud, arrogant face was befitting of her upbringing. She had lived a life free from the constraints of submission. As Karl leaned forward, his movements reminiscent of a carnivore biting into its prey, he cupped Adele’s cheek with one hand. As he trailed his hand down the nape of her neck, a sense of immense pleasure surged through him. He let out a low sigh as he traced her red lips with his thumb, intending to press her chin down and force his way into her gaping mouth. But a cold voice cut through the moment.

“Let go,” Adele said.

Despite her warning, Karl did not release his grip on her neck. As the two locked eyes, a golden glint flickered in Adele’s gaze, and her lips curled into a cold smile. She cut off Carol’s hand, and his eyes filled with displeasure.

“You do not know your place,” she said icily.

Adele’s laughter rang out, laced with sharp sarcasm. The sullen mirth carried on, a tangible pressure that simmered beneath the surface. Finally, Adele, holding her laughter in check, shot Karl a fierce glare, each word falling from her lips like a guillotine.

“You don’t know me.”

The pressure on her neck made Adelaide’s blood boil, a volcanic eruption that threatened to consume her. Karl laughed, relishing in the sight of Adele’s anger and resentment etched onto her face. He sauntered out of bed, a picture of nonchalance.

“You’re wrong. It seems you don’t know yourself.”

Adele nearly snapped back, calling him out on his bullshit. Instead, she spat out her words with a venomous edge.

“To think that all you have is a tiny ego, and yet you bare your teeth with such pride. What are you thinking?”

Damn it, Adele couldn’t come up with a retort. The Emperor smirked, his voice dropping to a dangerously friendly tone.

“Kneel down to me. Bow your head. Submit.”