–
In the end, Aristine couldnât bear to stay there any longer and returned to their lodging. She had initially planned to explore the bustling night market, but that idea had vanished completely.
Sensing his wifeâs mood, Tarkan uttered in a quiet voice.
âAhem, itâs not like itâs wrong that we have a good relationship, no need to be soâŠâ
âTarkan!â
âAh, they do have wrong information. Our bed hasnât broken just five times butââ
âShhhâ!â
Aristine was alarmed and quickly covered Tarkanâs mouth.
Tarkanâs eyes narrowed. Then he pressed his lips against the soft, hollow part of her palm.
âYou! Even at a time like thisâŠâ
âEven at a time like what?â Tarkan smiled slyly, âA time when weâre out alone at night on a trip?â
â…â
âRineh.â
âDonât call me like that. Considering tomorrowâs scheduleââ
âRineh.â
âI said, donâtâcall me like that.â
Tarkan took slow steps forward like a wild beast, and before she knew it, he was right in front of her.
She stretched out her hands to block him, but it was of no use. Her fingers, her palm, her wrist…his lips descended on every exposed part of her skin:
âRineh.â
âStop, ng, calling me…â
âIs this better than just calling you?â His hot lips trailed up her arm, reaching her round shoulder.
âKhan…â
His lips moved from her shoulder to her long, slender neck, and then to her earlobe.
Feeling a sudden bite to her earlobe, Aristineâs eyelashes trembled.
âYou…â
âI know exactly what pleases my Imperial Majesty.â
â…â
âSince we couldnât go to the night market you wanted to go toââ His strong fingers tugged at the strings of her garment. âAs your cute younger husband, I should make you happy in other ways, shouldnât I?â
He spoke so smoothly yet his eyes looked ready to devour her whole.
Aristine chuckled and wrapped her arms around Tarkanâs neck.
Her hands were tied.
After all, she did enjoy the cuteness of this younger husband of hers.
Soon, her husbandâs lips were on hers.
Even though they had kissed many times before, his actions were still eagerâno, even more impatient and restless than before.
Aristine barely managed to pull away and asked between rough breaths.
âWhy are you so impatient?â
âIâm always impatient.â
âStill?â
She recalled reading somewhere that a coupleâs honeymoon phase typically lasted only up to three years.
âWhat do you mean still?â Tarkan frowned and smiled. âI always want you, and Iâm always holding back.â
Soon enough, Aristine found out just how much her husband had been holding back.
***
âYour Majesty!â
Aristine saw what looked like a big dog wagging its tail and running towards her from a distance. She took another look and realized it was Ritlen.
Aristine sat under the parasol and gave him a small wave. It had been a while since they last saw each other so she would have loved to greet him properly, but she didnât have the strength.
âCan we even leave the gate as planned today?â
She was deeply worried.
âNot just today, but in the future too…â
âAre you okay? Drink this.â
Tarkan, as attentive as always, stuck close and made sure she had everything she needed.
However, Aristineâs gaze toward him was fierce.
Why wouldnât it be?
The culprit behind all this was Tarkan.
âYour Majesty?â
Once Ritlen got closer, he looked at Aristine with worry.
âAre you feeling unwell? Your complexion doesnât look good.â
âIâm fine. Donât worry.â
âYou donât look fine. There are shadows under your eyes.â
âI just hadâŠtrouble sleeping.â
Aristine felt like her conscience was pricked when she heard Ritlenâs genuine concern filled with a puppy-like innocence.
âYou didnât sleep well?! Youâre already not strong enough for long journeys, and now itâs starting off without you sleeping well? ThisâŠâ
âNo, really, Iâm fine.â
âYour Majesty the Emperor, you tend to hide it when youâre not feeling well, so I need to keep an even closer eye on you. Please tell me if youâre in pain.â
Ritlenâs drooping ears made Aristine feel even guiltier. But she couldnât exactly tell him she was tired from a passionate night with her husband.
âAhem, Lord Ritlen.â
Right then, one of the court ladies called out.
âYou donât need to worry. Her Majesty is actually very happy right now.â
âYes, she may be physically tired, but sheâs quite content…â
âHappy… Oh, right! Her Majesty has always wanted to travel since she was the Princess Consort!â
âAh, well… that too.â
âBut her current happiness comes from another importantââ
âQuiet. All of you.â
The stern command of the Emperor made the court ladies go silent.
But it couldnât stop their giggling.
Hihihihihi!
Tarkan grumbled into Aristineâs ear.
âYouâre always too soft on this guy.â
âWell, Ritlen was my first employee.â
âThat bloody first employee thing.â
Ignoring him, Aristine continued her lively conversation with Ritlen, whom she hadnât seen in a while. They discussed the development of new alloys, ways to strengthen the barrier, and the specifics of business plans that they had only exchanged in writing.
âTheyâre perfectly in sync.â
Tarkan frowned as he watched the two of them chatting so happily.
The once weary Aristine now seemed vibrant and full of life, like a flower revived by rain.
âI know sheâs always been really into business but…â
Why was the atmosphere between them so nice?
âSorry for making you work so hard. Expect a lot of money.â
âPlease donât say that. Just being able to work with Your Majesty the Emperor is enough for me.â
âRitlen…â
âIf it werenât for Your Majestyâs guidance, I donât know where Iâd be.â
âAnd if I hadnât met you, Ritlen, I donât know where Iâd be either.â
The two were sharing a sentimental moment, gazing at each other with moist eyes.
âDamn it!â
He knew Aristine and Ritlen were just talking like normal people. But he felt twisted inside seeing her speak so affectionately with another man.
âBut with me, sheâs upset!â
He flipped his head away but couldnât bring himself to leave his wifeâs side. Meanwhile, Aristine wrapped up her conversation with Ritlen.
âAlright. Then Iâll use this trip to inspect the barrierâs durability.â
âThatâs a great idea.â
Once their discussion was over, Aristine turned to Tarkan. Tarkanâs sulky expression was still the same as ever.
âRitlen is my first employee.â
âI know, I know.â
âKhan, you are my first husband, first business partner, and my first love.â
ââŠ!â
From the day he met her, his wife had been unpredictable, and even nowâ
âSeriously, you…â
Tarkanâs cheeks turned red. When he thought about it, he realized he was the only one she ever got upset with.
That was also proof of how special he was to her.
He had craved her so much last night, and even now, he wanted to kiss her lips.
Not knowing what kind of desire he was holding back, Aristine smiled refreshingly.
âAnd youâre my last husband and last love too.â
âHaâ.â
Finally, Tarkan couldnât bear it any longer and kissed his wifeâs lips.
*,*,*
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapters 50 – 55 - December 7, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapters 47 – 49 - November 22, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 44-46 - November 14, 2025
Tarkan was so down with Rinehđ€đ
Are all the side stories going about them having their time on bed? đ