There was no such thing as a free lunch, and you couldn't just wake up to find a six-foot-five, dark-skinned wolf-eared beauty falling into your arms. If that seemed possible, you probably weren't awake yet.
Compared with the exceptionally muscular Capitoline Wolf, Hogg, whose abs had long since been squeezed away by the joy of sugary drinks, huddled on the sofa like a Gretchin with its toes stepped on. His eyes were brimming with tears as he occasionally rubbed the half of his face that had just taken a massive slap.
"Seriously, why'd you hit me? I got slapped out of nowhere. Do you have any idea how much that hurt my fragile little heart?"
Before he could finish, a pair of large hands rose again. Hogg instantly clamped his mouth shut, frightened into silence, and could only offer wordless resistance with his eyes.
Even without a word, the Emperor could tell from years of experience raising children that this little bastard was cursing him behind his back.
But she absolutely couldn't resort to physical discipline again. That slap just now had made the whole room resist her. If she hit him once more, Consciousness Space might kick her out.
To wake Hogg's consciousness, the Emperor could only force a smile and try to soothe him.
"Why are you hiding from me? I would never hurt you."
"What? Say that again!"
Hogg's gaze sharpened. He raised his right hand and pointed at the still-red half of his face, plainly asking if she was joking. Half his face was red from the slap, and that didn't count as hurting him?
"Uh, well... would you believe me if I said it was a reflex?"
Hogg certainly didn't believe her. But after glancing at the strong, powerful arm of the beauty beside him,