Bab 580: I'm not commanding, I'm persuasive

She smiled and shook her head, reaching out to ruffle her fingers in Alexander's soft red hair, "Oh, you're just a troublemaker."

He smiled, and chuckled. He seemed pleased, his expression warm.

"You think I am troublemaking, do you, my Empress?"

She hummed and nodded. "Mmh. I do."

She smiled and kissed the top of Snowball's head, nuzzling the kitten's soft, furry cheek against her own. He made a little mrrrp and rubbed his head against hers.

"Perhaps I am." Alexander sighed.

His voice was almost airy, distracted.

She glanced up at him.

For just a moment he seemed to be lost in thought, though what about she didn't know.

The moment he noticed her looking up at him, though, his blue eyes focused on her one again and he leaned down to press his lips to her.

"I wonder. What trouble shall I make for this vulnerable empress, alone and unguarded in the privacy of the garden...?"