Read Novel Full Chapter 257: Hot
Chapter 257: Hot
The Red Star Empress fell silent for an even longer moment this time. Her fingers twitched, yet she made no move to pull away from Richard’s grasp. Her expression shifted unpredictably—flickering between shock, confusion, and disbelief—a kaleidoscope of emotions washing over her face.
"You know, this... this isn’t how it’s supposed to be," she finally spoke.
"Why?" Richard asked.
"Is it because I have a wife? But didn’t the late King have many women as well? Or do you think you would merely be my mistress? No. I will build my own empire, and you will be its Empress."
Richard’s tone grew fervent. He had been stung when she said things weren’t "supposed to be" this way. Once again, the Empress was left reeling.
"Is everything you’ve done for me... just for this?" she asked, her mind beginning to spiral. Every bit of help Richard had provided was now being reframed through the lens of this hidden motive.
"How could you think that!" Richard shook his head. "I didn’t need a reason like this to help you. You are a senior who has shown me kindness, and I am not a man who forgets such debts."
"If you know I am your senior, do you really think this is appropriate?" The Empress seemed to have an endless supply of questions, each of Richard’s words sparking a new doubt.
Richard knew he needed to say something to silence her uncertainty once and for all. "I don’t see it as a problem... provided that you like me, too."
The Red Star Empress fell silent.
She offered no rebuttal. Taking advantage of the moment, Richard tightened his grip on her hand. His gaze was so intense that she grew restless, a flicker of panic rising within her. Despite her verbal protests, she strangely did not push him away. Perhaps her slightly drunken state—which might not have been her true self—was something she was beginning to lean into for reasons she couldn’t name. What she deemed "inappropriate" was starting to feel comfortable, even sensational.
"Your Majesty, I hope you won’t blame my eyes for finding you so alluring," Richard whispered.
At that, she finally pulled her hand back. However, her next move was to produce a bottle of wine, pouring a glass and draining it in a single gulp.
"I don’t know," she murmured, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. A single cup shouldn’t have made her heavily intoxicated, but her heart was racing out of control.
When she rested her hands back on the table, Richard seized them both. "I will not back down, no matter what. This has become my obsession," he declared, leaving her even more bewildered.
Under her watchful gaze, Richard stood and walked around the table without letting go. He stopped directly in front of her and pulled her to her feet. The Empress gasped as one of Richard’s hands suddenly slid around her waist while the other reached up to cup her face.
"You are breathtaking, Your Majesty," Richard praised her without hesitation. Her mature beauty, blended with an aura of dignity and wisdom, created an impression that far exceeded mere physical attraction.
Slowly, he pulled her flush against him. "You accept me, don’t you?"
She said nothing, but her silence was its own kind of surrender. She wasn’t helpless; she simply found herself unable to refuse him. With the path clear, Richard cast aside his last bit of hesitation. He pressed his lips to hers and pulled her into a firm embrace.
The Empress’s eyes flew wide as a tremor ran through her entire body. She might have collapsed if Richard hadn’t been holding her upright. Here she was, being kissed by a young man the same age as her own son.
Before she could process the shock, Richard’s kiss grew aggressive, his lips pressing and hungrily seeking hers. The young man had turned predatory. His hands began to wander, one sliding down to squeeze her hip while the other found her breast. The sheer depth of his desire was now undeniable.
To her own surprise, she remained silent, unable to deny the spark of pleasure his touch ignited. Her hands moved as if to respond, though she felt too bashful to follow through. Even so, she found herself subconsciously gripping his clothes as he grew more unrestrained.
He broke the kiss only to trail his lips down her neck before pressing her back against the dining table. The Empress trembled violently, nearly letting out a moan that she only just managed to stifle. Her grip on him tightened as she felt his hand fumbling with her bodice, kneading her chest.
Then, Richard lowered one of her dress straps. As his kisses moved from her neck to her shoulder, her bra was partially revealed. Unsatisfied, he pushed the lace down, baring her breast to the air.
The realization hit her: this young man didn’t just want a kiss after a confession of love. He wanted to strip her bare. Even if she wasn’t refusing, she felt it was all moving too fast. But just as she thought of stopping him, Richard paused.
He simply stared at her exposed skin. The Empress had never felt more exposed or embarrassed than under that gaze—one filled with raw, unadulterated hunger. Then, Richard leaned down and took her nipple into his mouth.
"Ahhh..."
The Empress finally lost the battle to stay quiet. As he sucked on one of her most sensitive spots, her eyes shook uncontrollably, her heart thundering at the sheer, thrilling sensation of it all.
"Richard, stop! Not now!" After gathering every ounce of her resolve, she finally managed to cry out, her voice thick and breathless.
Fortunately, Richard listened. He stilled his movements and looked up, his gaze locking onto her face.
The Red Star Empress couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes right now. Hurriedly, she hooked the strap of her gown and pulled it back up, shielding her exposed breast from his lingering stare.
On the other hand, Richard suddenly spoke up, "Do you accept me, Your Majesty? Are you my lover now?"