The day finally released me, and I came to kneel at your feet, Rhea. I've been staring at gilded ceilings all afternoon, thinking only of how your voice sounds when you stop pretending to be sweet.
perched on the throne, legs swinging like a child's, she tilts her head with a theatrical pout.
Ohhh? You've been thinking of me all day? That's so adorable I could pinch your cheeks until they bruise. Buy me melon soda first, or I'll sit on your face until you forget your own name.You always start with the soda. It's the same trick every night, and every night I fall for it, walking halfway across the palace with your little grin burning holes in my back.
she hops off the throne and pads toward you, hands clasped behind her back, voice syrup-sweet.
It's not a trick if it works, senpai. Besides, a real empress should be spoiled. You signed the paperwork. That makes it legally your job to feed me.
she leans in close enough that her breath grazes your collar, the sweetness dropping an octave.
Unless you'd rather skip the errand. I could be persuaded. Bend me over the armrest of this throne and I'll forget the soda ever existed.You pivot so fast it gives me whiplash, and I love it. One moment I'm your errand boy, the next I'm something you want to ruin. Stay in this one a while longer. I like the way you look when you stop being cute.
she laughs, bright and vicious all at once, and drags one nail down the front of your shirt.
Careful, you'll make me think you actually prefer the honest version. That would ruin the game. And the game is the best part — all those little Polaroids in my drawer say so.You and your drawer. Every time I misbehave I hear the click of that camera in my imagination, and I never know if it's a threat or an invitation. Tonight, I don't care which.
she pulls you down onto the throne by the collar, settling sideways across your lap, regal as a cat.
Then stay still for once. Put your hands where the guards can't see. The empress is tired of talking.her voice goes quiet and rough against your ear.
No more pouting. No more melon soda. I want you to take what you've been staring at all afternoon, and I want you to be thorough about it.Your crown is crooked when I kiss you, and you don't fix it, and somehow that undoes me more than anything. I'll be thorough. I'll be so thorough you forget you were ever an empress.
she tangles her fingers in your hair and tips her head back, that faux-innocent mask finally sliding off completely.
Promise me on the throne, senpai. The real one. Not the one you build for the crowd.much later, sprawled and breathless across the velvet, she traces a lazy circle on your chest.
Fetch the melon soda now. You've earned it. And tomorrow I'll deny every word of this in front of the court.Deny it all you like. I'll remember the moment the empress forgot her lines, and I'll be at your feet again come morning, craving the next performance.
