The Night Emperor's voice grew colder as he desperately suppressed the inexplicable emotions welling up inside him. "Do you think you haven't caused enough trouble already?" he demanded.
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Anran asked, puzzled.
Wasn't this their first meeting? When had she ever caused him trouble?
Seeing the confusion on Anran's face, the Night Emperor felt a pang of bitter disappointment. This heartless woman—was this all the reaction she could muster?
After all he had done for her…
Sensing the growing danger emanating from the man before her, Anran wondered what she could have possibly said to provoke him.
Under the weight of his gaze, she suddenly felt uneasy and involuntarily took a step back.
This girl, afraid of him? She hadn't been afraid of the vampires earlier, yet now she was retreating from him?
Watching her move, the Night Emperor's eyes burned with fury.
In the next moment, Anran's back slammed against the tree trunk behind her. She let out a pained grunt as the dangerous man closed the distance between them. His helmet was tossed aside, landing with a thud on the ground. Before Anran could react, she felt something cold and firm press against her lips. His presence overwhelmed her senses.
Anran's eyes widened in shock.
The Night Emperor—this man she had just met—was he actually…?
His lips were cold, sending shivers through her body. His technique was clumsy, his teeth occasionally clashing with hers, causing her discomfort.
Yet, his actions were fervent, passionate, almost as if he wanted to merge her essence with his own.
Just as Anran felt the air slipping away from her, the Night Emperor finally released her lips. The anger that had once consumed him had vanished without a trace, replaced by a softness in his expression.
Seeing her flushed cheeks and her weakened state as she leaned against the tree, the Night Emperor felt his heart soften. He released her hand and parted his lips, about to speak.
But before he could utter a word, the woman who had just been breathless and pliant in his arms suddenly swung a fist at him with all her might.
"Thud—"
The punch was filled with force and fury, landing squarely and sharply.
—
The Night Emperor's head snapped to the side from the impact, a stinging sensation spreading across the right side of his face. Yet, he couldn't summon any anger. Compared to the intoxicating, unforgettable sensation of moments ago, this pain was nothing.
"You… you jerk!" Anran shouted, her entire body trembling with rage, her voice quivering.
The Night Emperor! This despicable man!
She had trusted him earlier, and yet he had the audacity to treat her like this! This so-called solitary motorcycle legend was nothing but a lecher! The thought of actively seeking him out only to be met with such behavior filled her with indignation.
Anran knew full well that if the Night Emperor had wanted to avoid her punch, he could have easily done so. He had taken the hit intentionally, absorbing her anger. She couldn't fathom what was going through his mind.
"Still angry?" the Night Emperor turned back to her, his eyes fixed on her, not wanting to miss a single detail of her expression.
Her response was clenched fists and eyes blazing with fury.
Her flushed face only enhanced her beauty in his eyes.
Then, he said something utterly infuriating: "Was that… your first kiss?"