Chapter 348

Chapter 348

The next day, Lucius the First woke up before Poliana this time.

The emperor didn't get much sleep last night. Just the fact that Poliana was sleeping next to him... He was so happy that he didn't want to miss a moment.

Lucius the First quietly drew down the bed canopy so Poliana could not be bothered by the sunlight. He tried his best not to make any noise, but Poliana, who was a very light sleeper, opened her eyes. Lucius the First tried to give her a morning kiss, but he was stopped by Poliana's loud groan. She stretched her arms and pounded her back hard.

Her hangover dulled her muscle pain the first time they slept together, but now, Poliana could feel every inch of her body clearly.

They looked at each other. Poliana stared at him blankly while Lucius the First blushed and looked away shyly.

He asked her, "Are you alright?"

"Yes. How about you, your highness?"

"I am excellent."

"..."

"..."

Then, there was silence. They were close enough that they usually felt comfortable in silence, but after spending the night together... They couldn't help feeling awkward. It was the emperor who couldn't stand the silence anymore. He coughed and put the kettle on the fire. Walking towards the table, Lucius the First pretended to be busy picking out the tea.

Poliana busied herself wiping her body with a wet towel. She realized that they have finally done it this time. There was no going back now. They weren't drunk when they chose to be with each other. There was no excuse. On top of that, all of the emperor's maids and servants knew about their night together now.

So how did she feel?

'It was good.'

It was pretty good. Of course, in this context, "pretty" meant incredible. Last night was... amazing.

She slept with a man she liked. At first, they were a bit hesitant, but their bodies were burning with desire. There was no effort to be made. They both let their bodies do the work.

It was beyond PG 15. In fact, it was more like PG 28. This was perfectly alright since they were both over 30 years old.

Lucius the First poured some cold water into a teacup and handed it to Poliana. He looked excited and happy like a groom after his wedding night.

Poliana thanked him quietly. Lucius the First was not a good tea maker. He put the tea leaves when the water was too hot. Poliana, however, didn't complain. It was rare for her to complain about the taste of food because she could usually eat anything and everything.

Lucius the First sat next to her at the table. He took a sip of his tea and frowned at the taste before telling her, "If we get another child from last night..."

"That would be shocking."

"I would love a daughter, Milady."

Gerald was a miracle, but another baby? Poliana began to cough in shock but not because of what he said. It was the way the emperor said to her.

His speech was much more respectful, and he seemed very proud of it.

"Your highness, why are you talking to me like that?"

"Well, you are going to be my wife very soon, which means I cannot talk to you disrespectfully, Pol."

'Oh.'

Suddenly, Poliana realized what was happening here. Lucius the First addressed those close to him by their nicknames. Towards the end of the conquest, he began to call her "Pol," but when he realized that he fell in love with her, he changed back to calling her "Sir Pol." After she broke up with Frau, he again began to call her Pol until Poliana sobbed after Lucius the First confessed his love to her.

She was addressed as "Sir Pol" by the emperor since then even after she returned to Yapa. He was making a point of calling her by her knight's title because he knew how important her position was to her.

Poliana replied, "But your highness, we aren't married yet." She began to count slowly as she continued, "Spending one night doesn't mean we must get married. If that was the case, you would have so many wives by now... Let me see... One, two, three..."

Lucius the First's eyes widened. He knew he had no excuse regarding this matter, so stood up quickly and tried to change the subject, "Breakfast! We need to get some breakfast! You didn't eat much last night so you must be very hungry!"

Poliana stopped counting and replied, "It's just a joke, your highness."

"Haha."

Lucius the First patted his chest and staggered a little. "You're so funny, Pol. I almost had a heart attack because it was so funny. Anyway, if you insist, I won't change how I talk to you."

"Your highness, I may have fallen in love with you, but that doesn't necessarily mean I will marry you."

"Because it would mean you would have to give up being a knight?"

Lucius the First tapped the table quietly as he added, "I understand this isn't fair for you. If it was anyone else other than me, the emperor, you wouldn't have to give up so much. I understand why it would be hard for you to accept me."

"You are correct, your highness."

"If it was anyone else... Even my cousin Luzo, who is working like a slave for me... You wouldn't have to give up your sword. The two of you would've slaved away for me for the rest of your lives."

"That is true."

"But can't you see it from my point of view as well? See how unfair it is for me too?"

Only

Lucius the First kneeled in front of her. Poliana, feeling shocked, tried to get up and kneel as well, but the emperor stopped her. He put his hands on top of hers and continued, "Just because I was born to a royal family and united the continent, I am having a difficult time marrying the woman I love. How unfair is that? But Pol, what bothers you certainly bothers me too. Your problem is my problem as well."

The emperor began to tell her what he has been thinking for a long time.

"You can continue to carry your sword if you wish. You can continue to wear pants as well. You can also continue to boss around everyone. If there isn't a law to stop you from doing these... And if someone argues against it..."

Lucius the First was about to say he would take care of these opposers, but he knew better. He said instead, "You will beat them up, I'm sure, and I will always back you up no matter what."

Poliana quietly listened to the emperor. Born as the only son to the emperor and therefore forced to rule the kingdom... It was true that Lucius the First never had any choice in this. She could understand how he would feel that the world was unfair. Although it looked like he had everything, she knew that things weren't always perfect for him.

The emperor begged her, "When things become too unbearable, please just remember me. The fact that you have me hopefully helps."

"But your highness..."