The Greatest Villainess (Completed)

Chapter 17

Inaabala ko ang aking sarili sa pagtingin ng mapa na nakadikit sa dingding dahil ayaw kong munang makausap ang Emperor, lalo na sa kalagayan namin ngayon. We were in the same cabin, and the night had already fallen, signaling that it was time for us to sleep.

I was dressed in a white nightgown, thankful that it wasn’t too revealing. The Emperor was taking his bath, right after I had finished mine.

“Are you comfortable with this?” His sudden question made me turn my head, but I immediately regretted it. His Majesty was only wearing a dark blue robe, his muscular chest exposed beneath it. I cleared my throat, trying to compose myself. Why did I suddenly feel so parched?

“Are you?” he asked again, his voice husky and deep, his eyes locking onto mine with a penetrating intensity. His gaze felt like it was unraveling me, piece by piece. Now, he was being considerate.

I forced a sweet smile onto my lips. “Of course, Your Majesty. After all, we are husband and wife,” I replied, keeping my tone gentle and sweet, as though this situation didn’t make my heart race. He nodded several times, the gesture slow and deliberate as he walked closer to me. “Husband and wife,” he repeated, his voice soft, as if he was implying something deeper, something unspoken. He stopped right in front of me, his presence overwhelming. I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure, though every fiber of my being felt the pressure of his proximity.

A jolt of electricity ran through me as he reached out and gently caressed my cheek, his touch both unexpected and deliberate. His eyes roamed my face, as if he were studying every detail, committing it to memory.

“You’re very close, Your Majesty,” I managed to say, my voice calm despite the rapid beating of my heart. My eyes met his, refusing to show the vulnerability I felt. He smirked, a subtle yet potent expression. “You just said we’re married, so there’s nothing wrong with this,” he reasoned, his tone carrying a playful hint, as though he were enjoying the situation far too much.

I let out a soft chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, and placed my hand on his chest. “You’re right, but why the sudden interest?” I asked, focusing on his eyes, searching for any sign of his true intentions. His expression turned serious, the playful air evaporating. “I’ve learned about your activities in the palace. I just realized that you’re somehow… valuable,” he remarked, his voice firm, leaving no room for misinterpretation. I gritted my teeth, my hands that had been resting gently on his chest now gripping his robe. Valuable? How arrogant! His words and demeanor suggested that I was merely an object he could use at his convenience and discard when I was no longer useful.

I will not allow myself to be treated as such. I will make him realize that I am more than just a tool—that I am a gem in his life, one that he cannot live without.

Taking a deep breath, I relaxed my grip and smiled again, though my mind was already plotting my next move. “Perhaps His Majesty is impressed by my ways,” I said, my eyes still locked on his, daring him to challenge me. He smirked, his eyes darkening with something unreadable. I gasped when he suddenly grabbed my waist, pulling me close against his body. “You’re right,” he replied, his voice laced with a seriousness that unsettled me.

I attempted to gently push him away, but he resisted, his grip firm and unyielding. I chuckled softly, masking the nervousness that was building up inside me, threatening to spill over. “Then, I’m glad,” I said, trying to keep my composure, though my heart was pounding in my chest.