How To Tame An Empress (BOOK I)

Chapter 26 - The Game She Thinks She's Winning

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The nursery was still and scented faintly of lavender. Evan squirmed lazily in my arms, one fist curled at his mouth, and eyes too curious for sleep, instead, they gazed up at me as I cradled him in my arms as if he were made of glass.

"You look just like her when you pout." I observed, tapping his nose. "Same little frown. Same stubborn eyes." The child blinked, a smile growing on his face as he cocked his head to the side.

"Mama?" He asked. Now that he had learnt his first word, it is all that he said, all that he did. He called out for her when she was near and when she wasn't, making me wonder if his desire to be with her was greater than mine.

"Yes. Your mama." I answered, continuing to rock him in my arms as he giggled giddily.

"Tell me, son, what am I to do with your wildfire of a mother?" I asked him in a playful tone. "She thinks she is so clever, but she never learns her lesson." Sighing, I tutted, and he continued to laugh, wondering what I'll say next.

"You are excited to know too, hm?" Chuckling, I bumped my forehead against his lightly, and his laughter continued, growing louder and happier.

"I will take that as a yes." I mumbled. There was no anger in my voice, in fact, I found myself smiling as I spoke, like a man amused by a predictable play in a well-rehearsed game. Because with Ria, that is what this is. A game. 

One that she started, and one that she thinks she can win. But little does she know that games are my specialty, and I will be happy to end this one on my terms.

A knock was heard on the nursery doors, I didn't turn to see who it was as the low groan of the door being pushed open followed. I simply continued to gaze at my son as I rocked him in my arms and he smiled up at me with the same beautiful eyes as his mother.

"Imperator." Claudius' voice called, low and steady, but filled with an undeniable worry that had my smile waning. He has not had more than a handful of interactions with Ria, yet that was enough to have him worrying about her? How amusing.

Either my wife is a bigger seductress than I give her credit for or this man simply lacks any affection that a single smile from my wife is enough to have his heartbeat fastening.

"It happened just as you said it would. The guards at the main gate confirmed that she left with her bodyguard on horseback moments after your council meeting started." I did not flinch from hearing his words, I did not even react. I simply continued to rock my son, rubbing slow circles on his back as he leaned closer to me.

"Trust Ria to always keep me on edge..." One minute we are laughing, smiling and making love throughout the night, the next minute she is dressing herself in plebian clothes in a sorry attempt to escape my watch.

Claudius stepped closer, and while my head remained focused before me, my eyes looked to the side to catch his head bowing down.

"Shall I go after her? Like I did last time at the market?" The image of him grabbing her and holding her in his arms as he rode his horse while she clung to him made its way into my mind, and I felt the last remnants of my smile dispersing to reveal a sour grimace.

"No." I answered harshly.

"You are not her husband. I am." My words were cold, and he lowered his head further.

I stood straight, my son somehow having fallen fast asleep against my chest in the few seconds that I hadn't been looking at him, but despite that, I walked to the cradle and lay him down gently, brushing a hand over his downy hair.

"Ria is mine. My wife, my empress, not anyone else's... So, it is only right that I am the one to bring her back home." I have taught her lessons before when she defied me, and I will teach her a lesson again. Just as my father did when I acted out of turn, this is nothing new. Lessons teach people things, they help them grow, and Ria will be no different.