Conquering the Emperor - Chapter 57

Carefully and as silently as possible, I eased out of bed and put on my slippers. Then I quietly slipped out of my bedroom and into the hallway where I headed immediately for the exit towards the gardens. The night was quiet and peaceful and, fortunately, the moon was bright in the sky so I could see the surroundings quite well. The path to the garden was lit on both sides by lanterns that were strategically placed to provide lighting while also acting as decoration.

I smiled a little to myself in appreciation as I walked past them. The wind felt wonderful against my face as I slowly walked towards my favorite spot by the white lotus pond in the garden. I knew that there was a stone bench by the pond where I could sit and relax for a while.

It wasn’t long until I arrived at the stone bench and sat down to enjoy the view of the pond and lotuses. The bright moon was reflected in the water’s surface, and I could hear the calming chirps of cicadas all around. Nature is a wonderful thing and this garden that combines nature with human touches of decoration was truly amazing.

“Why are you out here?”

I whirled around in panic at the sudden sound of a man’s voice coming from right behind me. Was I too preoccupied with my thoughts and observing the pond that I didn’t hear him approach? His footsteps were so silent that I couldn’t hear him approaching at all…

“Ren…” I whispered as the familiarity of his voice hit me.

When I stood up, I found myself face-to-face with Ren. The cloud that was covering the moon slowly parted and I could see Ren’s face clearly as the moonlight shone down on him from above. For a moment, I didn’t know what to say as I was mesmerized by Ren’s handsome face.

Was he always this stunningly good looking? Or…was it the effect of the moonlight’s glow? I didn’t know, but I guess I could understand why he would be the topic of interest for many women. Then again, add in the fact that he is indeed the crown prince.

“I could ask you the same thing,” I said defensively.

“I’m out here for a late-night stroll,” Ren said with a charming smile.

A late-night stroll outside of his palace? I’m the only one living in the White Lotus Palace right now, so, is he here to see me?

“I couldn’t go to sleep so…” I replied hesitantly. I wished that I could just come right out and admit that I couldn’t go to sleep because I was worried about him. I mean, he did just disappear right after we arrived back at the imperial palace.

“So, you wandered out here alone in the middle of the night. Have you no decency? Did the lessons that I taught you all go to waste?” Ren asked, his tone serious.

“I…could say the same about you…” I retorted.

“I’m a man and fully capable of defending myself. You, on the other hand, are completely defenseless,” Ren said as he furrowed his brows at me.

“That’s not…” I began to protest.

I couldn’t finish my sentence as I gasped in surprise when Ren’s hand shot out in great speed and grabbed my right wrist, pulling it up and pining it to the bark of the large tree behind me.

“Ren…” I whispered in shock as my mouth hung open and my eyes grew wide.

“If you can defend yourself, now’s the time to do it,” Ren hissed into my ear.

The next instant, I felt his hot lips on my own as Ren began kissing me. His kiss was hot and rough. His lips pushing hard against my own before his wet tongue thrusted inside of my mouth, forcing my lips to open for him. I made small whimpering sounds in my throat while my tongue mingled with his as his hot tongue danced around in my mouth.

I couldn’t breathe and my whimpers have turned into louder and clearer moans. His strong hand kept my wrist pinned above my head and struggling against him was useless. His body pressed close to mine, trapping me in between his large frame and the tree as he continued to kiss me aggressively. Was he doing this to me just to prove his point?

I wanted to talk to him about studying medicine here in the palace but somehow, I ended up having an argument with him and now he’s kissing me, and I don’t know what to do. I continued to make small whimpering sounds as my mind began to lose focus, forgetting what I had initially planned. I felt his hand on my waist, pulling me closer towards him as his kiss deepened passionately and my body melted in his embrace.

“Stop…Ren…” I managed to say in between small breaks in our kisses as Ren changed the angle of his kiss.

“You’ll have to make me…” Ren whispered, his voice thick with passion.

I moaned once again in my throat when his hot lips claimed mine once more, putting an end to my further protests. Our tongues twined together as he sucked on my tongue and kissed me ardently. I have gotten used to his passionate kisses now; however, I was not bold enough to kiss him back in return.

“Did you miss me?” Ren asked.

“Umm…I…” I hesitated.

I feared that he would be angry if I said that I didn’t and then perhaps that wasn’t the whole truth. However, to admit that I did miss him might not be entirely true either and that would be too embarrassing to say out loud…but I did think of him all the way through dinner.

“I’ll find out by myself if you don’t answer me…” Ren said without a care.

His lips sealed mine again as the passionate dance between out wet tongues continued. The kiss felt endless, and it made my head feel light. I felt the warmth of his body against mine as Ren wedge his knee in between my legs, forcing my legs to part.

–To be continued…