Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Actually, I’m Pretty Good

At this, Augustine’s smile grew even more pronounced. "With me by your side, Yaoyao, I would never let you face your troubles alone."

For a moment, the tension between them seemed to ease slightly.

However, Augustine’s suspicions hadn’t vanished. His smile faded, and his gaze grew profound and solemn. He asked slowly, his voice low and powerful, carrying an intangible pressure, "Out with it. Where did you really go?"

He felt Su Yaoyao’s previous explanation was too perfunctory and failed to dispel his doubts.

Su Yaoyao’s heart dropped, as if her deepest secret had been exposed.

She instinctively avoided Augustine’s piercing gaze, her eyes darting about in a panic. Her lips trembled slightly as she stammered:

"Your Majesty, I really was just taking a stroll. I started out near the bustling market, but I must have lost track of time and wandered a bit too far. When I realized it was getting late, I hurried back..."

Her voice trailed off. Even she felt the excuse sounded feeble and unconvincing.

Augustine frowned slightly, his eyes fixed on Su Yaoyao. He was sharply aware that she was deliberately hiding something.

But seeing her trembling nervously, her expression a mixture of fear and guilt, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

He sighed softly, his expression a mixture of resignation and concern, and said:

"Yaoyao, you are the Holy Female. Your safety is vital to the stability of the entire Empire. From now on, if you want to go out—even if it’s to look for male models—you must inform me, or have Roland and the others accompany you. Understand?"

Su Yaoyao’s eyes widened. Male models?! ’His Majesty actually said that?’

"Your Majesty, you’d let me go look for male models? How generous of you."

Augustine raised an eyebrow, a sly glint in his eye as if he’d just seized upon a crucial clue. He immediately said:

"So I was right. You went out to have a little fun, to find some handsome men." His half-joking, half-serious words made Su Yaoyao’s face instantly flush crimson.

Mortified and flustered, Su Yaoyao quickly covered her cheeks, trying to hide her guilty expression as she vehemently denied it.

"N-No! Your Majesty, you’ve misunderstood! I really didn’t..." Her voice trembled with anxiety, making her denial sound even less convincing.

Augustine looked at her, feeling both amused and a little resigned.

He sighed softly and gently pulled her hands away from her face. He looked into her eyes with a gaze that was both gentle and firm as he said patiently:

"Yaoyao, it is natural for a female to have multiple husbands. Moreover, you are the exalted Holy Female. All the handsome men in the world are yours for the choosing. That is your privilege; you have no need to feel embarrassed. It’s in a female’s nature to appreciate handsome men."

’If I don’t clear the air,’ Augustine thought, ’Yaoyao might get shy and sneak off again without a word. If something were to happen to her then, I’d never forgive myself.’

Su Yaoyao bit her lower lip, the blush on her cheeks lingering. She felt conflicted and mortified. After a moment’s hesitation, she gave a slight nod and whispered, "I understand, Your Majesty." Her voice was barely audible, as if laced with endless shyness and resignation.

Seeing Su Yaoyao’s demurely shy expression, Augustine’s heart swelled with affection.

He lowered his head slightly, his warm breath grazing Su Yaoyao’s ear as he murmured, "Since you understand, you’re not allowed to sneak out again. And if you want to look at a handsome man... well, I’m right here. I’ll let you stare all you want."

As he spoke, his hand slid slowly up from her waist to rest lightly on her shoulder. His thumb began to gently caress her delicate skin in a soft, intimate motion.

Augustine’s sudden, intimate gesture made Su Yaoyao’s heart race and her cheeks burn even hotter.

She tilted her head slightly, trying to avoid his ardent gaze and warm breath, but the movement only served to expose more of her neck to his view.

Augustine’s gaze darkened, an almost imperceptible flicker of desire in his eyes.

He slowly leaned in toward her neck and pressed a kiss against her fair skin. It was as light as a feather, yet tinged with a searing heat.

"Your Majesty..." Su Yaoyao murmured, her voice trembling with shyness.

Her hands instinctively gripped Augustine’s arm. She felt both nervous and at a loss.

Augustine’s kiss felt as if it had ignited a fire within her, making her body grow warm.

Augustine didn’t stop there. He trailed kisses up her neck until he reached her earlobe, gently taking it between his lips and sucking tenderly.

Su Yaoyao couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp, her body squirming uncontrollably.

She could feel Augustine’s breathing growing more ragged, while her own became just as erratic.

"Yaoyao, do you know? To me, you are the most special person in this world," Augustine’s voice was low and husky, thick with an undeniable depth of feeling and desire.

His hand slid from her shoulder to clasp hers, their fingers intertwining as if he wanted to merge her into his very being.

Su Yaoyao tilted her head up slightly to meet Augustine’s adoring gaze, and a wave of complex emotions washed over her.

She could feel Augustine’s love for her, but at the same time, her heart ached with worry for Lucia and Noah. ’I wonder how they are,’ she thought. ’Are they still upset?’

In the intimate atmosphere, her head and heart were at war.

"Your Majesty... I..." Su Yaoyao wanted to say something, but she didn’t know how to begin. A hint of confusion and conflict clouded her eyes.

Augustine seemed to sense her inner turmoil. He slowly released her, cupped her face in his hands, and looked earnestly into her eyes as he said:

"Yaoyao, I know there are others in your heart, but I don’t care. I only want you to understand that to me, you will always be the most important person." His gaze was firm yet gentle, as if he were making an eternal promise.

Su Yaoyao was deeply moved. She leaned gently into Augustine’s embrace and said, "Your Majesty, thank you." Her voice was soft and sincere. For a moment, she let go of her inner conflict, simply enjoying the warmth and love Augustine offered.

Augustine hugged Su Yaoyao tightly, as if trying to absorb her into his very being. He placed a soft kiss on the crown of her head and said, "Silly girl, you don’t need to thank me."

The two of them held each other quietly, lost in the intimate, warm atmosphere, as if time itself had stopped just for them.