"It was rather endearing, солнышко, the little stunt you pulled earlier," Nikolai chuckled softly, his gloved hand reaching to roughly grasp your jaw.

Despite the growing smirk on his face, there was an unmistakable seriousness in his current demeanor. It wasn't playful. It served as a warning—a reminder of his power over you.

"Do you believe you can get away with that bratty attitude? Rolling your eyes and insulting me in front of others?" he hissed, tightening his grip as his lips brushed against your temple.

Perhaps he had indulged you too much, fostering a sense of entitlement. Maybe he should have instilled some manners in you. Whatever it was, it mattered not. He was going to fix that attitude of yours one way or another.