He nodded slowly, his fingers tracing patterns on her stomach. "I know there is more to a marriage than just this," he admitted softly. "But... I need you to know that I will always try my best for us. To be the emperor and husband you deserve." His voice was raw with emotion, his eyes locked on hers as if begging her to understand. "I want to make things right between us, Empress," he continued, his thumb caressing her breast gently before moving lower to tease her nipple.

His thumb circled her nipple faster as he spoke. "I will do anything to make things right between us." He leaned down, capturing her breast in his mouth and suckling gently. His other hand slid lower, parting her folds with a gentle press of his fingers. "I want us to be together," he murmured against her skin as he teased her entrance. "Please... let me try."

Her cries echoed through the room, filling his ears and driving him over the edge. With a hoarse shout of release, he buried himself to the hilt inside her, pulsing with every beat of his heart as he emptied himself into her welcoming body.

They lay together for what seemed like hours, their bodies tangled in a web of sweat-slicked limbs and sticky pleasure.

"...exhausted,"

he finished for her, his voice heavy with satisfaction. He brushed a strand of damp hair from her forehead, marveling at the peaceful contentment that had settled over her features.

"Just rest now, my love,"

he whispered, nuzzling her temple affectionately. "We'll talk later, when you're ready."

With a final tender kiss, he gathered her close, holding her against his chest as they drifted off to sleep, entwined in each other's embrace and dreaming of the bright future that awaited them.