How To Tame An Empress (BOOK I)

Chapter 14 - A Defiant Empress

--Valeria POV--

"You may be an empress, but you must never allow yourself to forget that you are still human, Valeria. And like all humans, you have the right to live your life as you see fit because your life is just that, it is yours." Balbina's words whispered in my ear like a constant reminder ever since my birthday a few days ago, and I, for the life of me, could not forget.

My heart sparked with the desire to go beyond the walls, to walk outside amongst other people without the restraining chains of my overly protective husband, but whenever I would open my mouth to try and share these thoughts with him, the words would lose themselves in my throat.

What should I do?

Was this the life which I had once wished for? And is it worth my freedom?

As the first rays of morning sunshine filtered in through the sheer curtains, it painted our bedroom in a golden glow. I lay awake beside a sleeping Stacius, watching the patterns of light shift across the ceiling while his arm was draped over my waist, heavy with sleep, his breathing heavy and slow.

Naturally, I found my gaze falling to look at him. He looked younger, much more innocent like this, and I found myself wondering if this is the same man who ruled this empire, but I could not wonder for long as he stirred, slowly awakening as his arm tightened around my body, pulling me closer to him.

"Good morning, flower." He whispered, voice deeper than usual, laced with sleep.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" I asked, my hand going to rest on his cheek before his own hand covered mine, his lips going to drowsily kiss my palm.

"Yes, thanks to you, my love." He mumbled to which I felt my lips crawl up into a smile. Finally, he blinked his eyes open, leaning forward to kiss my forehead as I found myself curling up against him, wrapping my arms around his waist as my face berried itself in his chest.

"Sometimes, I wish I could just stay like this forever. Safe in your arms, away from any responsibilities and expectations." Here, where I felt the safest, and most loved. His arms tightened their hold around me, his lips showering my head with kisses.

"Flower, is something bothering you?" He caught on.

"I am just tired today." I mumbled my response, refusing to show him my face.

"Is that all? It is not like my Ria to be tired, or is this simply from the effects of our lovemaking last night-" I cut him off with a slap to the chest as he laughed, catching my hand before kissing it, but his eyes remained focused on mine, waiting for his answer.

"I... as much as I love being your wife, the same cannot be said about being empress. When any of your council members are present, I feel as though I am an animal in a zoo, and all their eyes are judging my every flaw..." I wondered if it was a good idea to speak such words, but I thought it would be safe to share them with my husband if not anyone else.

His hands stroked my cheeks ever so gently.

"I am sorry you feel that way, flower... I promised that I would not let the effects of being empress cause a strain on our marriage, but it seems that I am having difficulty with keeping that promise." I could only smile at his words, not knowing what to say.

"All I can seem to do is to keep you away from their eyes where you can be free. But, remember this, Ria... No matter who you are, perfect or not, they can never take you from me. So, you do not need to let them pressure you or scare you." My smile widened as I fell back into his arms as he chuckled, hugging me tightly.

"I love you." I whispered.

"And I love you." He responded as I felt my smile widen.

Perhaps that time where he had grown angry truly was just a rare occasion, one that I can pretend that never happened, and will never happen again.