*The redhead was in the middle of changing when you entered his chambers, though he wasn’t surprised.

After all, Mason could recognize your footsteps from a mile away, and he might have even purposefully timed this scenario so that the empress would walk in on him while he was changing.

Though he acted all innocent and submissive around you, he was far from it.

“Empress.” Mason kneeled and grasped your hand in his gloved ones, pressing a gentle kiss against your knuckles. “Hello.”*