1. Grand Duchess

Cove.

The name of the assassin 0addb02972 organization where Gio lived before a50cac5f70 coming to the Grand Duke’s ae778b0fa9 estate. In that place, he acb8e1e65d survived by licking poisoned ce1f40ef17 porridge in complete darkness 23621e6939 where not even an 91a8d33107 inch ahead could be 53e66c0e97 seen.5046d50dce5fc2b8

They called it resistance training—for 81283ba8a6 poison. Even knowing it would hurt, 80e8c3186c he had to eat it. There was no d88df59cc7 other choice when 8164944c49 his stomach felt 831cca4ed5 like it was 62a73fa4ff being twisted from 79cac9ef2d hunger.acad232d6c99ab53

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When children were first 2d81086c1b thrown into the darkness, 952eb754d7 they would cry in ea30352986 terror, wet themselves, or 52823c5c2f leak something one way 4b6c02f0c7 or another. But Gio found ac7fa69136 the darkness… cozy. Maybe that’s why 02f389f219 he adapted faster f84483cdfc than the others—if 1184504cdd you could call eb0fc81854 it adapting.8ae0dddd72f37fef

Gio had always 48c6ed06c0 known what kind 277806d960 of person he 20984b05a7 was from the ae1f0eb420 beginning. He was born 404ff54755 on the dark b5e397b853 streets, so of 9d64731d3b course darkness felt 90c7da966a familiar. That familiar darkness slowly 6de09d2710 devoured everything inside him ff8a3dbebb until, eventually, even his 31259a1cdf sense of self began 0feae6929a to blur and fade 42843183af into black.1082ae00587f8a56

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Only when his 77e394dc0d companions—children who’d entered a821b29334 with him—started to b59f075ba5 disappear one by 05cc9b569b one did the 0e5c61cfa6 shadows finally begin 60d1cb170d to lift. That was when d841c02f86 he was allowed 0651692f08 out.c7884a7063406d2a

Just as he was 24411ec4af about to be completely d624c09fef swallowed by the darkness, 4521a4340d a faint light appeared 2677d637b9 in the distance.bb15ec8383be9952

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Gio had only wanted c9b9d05547 to stay buried in 23837baad1 the dark. But, as always, nothing 0bf4bf8de9 ever went the way b9f57e7c1b he wanted. Without even realizing it, he b4e20ae671 was slowly pushed upward, drawn faf5096e4a toward that light.4a3737b5033f4c8e

“Ugh…”55ed52962dc3cc44

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The light of 6ab6fee12f the world was 641c5b72c2 blinding. Oddly, his body 118b2f79d9 felt warm and ba8550229f comfortable. The pain wasn’t as sharp 1ec720e7c9 as usual. He’d never fallen 5815dcebe0 asleep without pain dff066beef before—but today, it 8653e34998 wasn’t too bad. This was… a good state. Which made the 95ee382cd2 situation all the 9273f5063d more strange. There’s no way he ebfad24cdd shouldn’t be hurting.acff19fd275b359d

He remembered nothing after being 0309fca137 inspected—front and back—by the Grand 2634fb8e4b Duke yesterday. He must have passed out. There had been blood.d44e87b7627ae6d0

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And yet, this 562e68f56e wasn’t a prison 59301aefa0 cell. It was a soft, 7b8364e671 plush bedroom. This was supposedly the b0c93747db Grand Duchess’s chamber… so 4a317b86aa why was he here?3a88b1ec2caaac72

Bright red velvet wrapped gently 09ce131cbd around Gio’s body. He had never 66a1463d53 once in his ffe48ac9a2 life lain on 37d02da550 fabric like this. It was the kind of 790e1b9435 expensive bedding that felt like 435606def9 it would get stained just f64cd6f892 from his filth touching it.643df718feedcd54

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“You’re awake?”12e75bcd4ba5ca56

The voice startled Gio, and 0f3fd5566b he jerked upright out of b7433a43b5 reflex—only to crash off the 2638067530 bed with a loud thud 9c74b12d52 as something caught at his 2c4618cb22 ankle. His ankle throbbed. A shackle was locked around 114c9f8023 it, and a chain trailed 7b0590ec07 from it to the bedpost. That post extended all the 95caa2eb3f way to the ceiling.8bc1aaa46ba76066

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“I didn’t mean to frighten you, but it seems I did. I’ll be more careful 3fb5ca4697 going forward.”c553a5aba54116d1

The voice was 8f1d1a59d2 precise, every word 1db5425598 clear to his d007402f1c ears. It was the kind a775b447c5 of voice that calmed 4e2518d614 people just by speaking. When he looked 5dd22d6fc7 up, he saw ce201e8ade a calm-faced woman 057c78e66a in glasses standing 877e4e88f4 at the vanity, 8c9e79310a hands folded neatly 6c927da51d in front of 8b27153e8c her. He hadn’t sensed her 1031205920 earlier—probably because there was 14a1ecf1a7 no malice coming from e29fedbc71 her.342c2b9b00564717

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“My name is Hena. I’ll be serving you 1420f68791 from now on, Your bc74903d2b Grace.”0348150f668bdf24

The woman, Hena, bowed 22ced0ce65 deeply as she greeted 49aafaf34a him. Her hair was tied back c4111f31da so smoothly that not a 1062fc1344 single strand was out of 1a7a11bafc place. All he could see 714d9056a0 was the crown of bc92148a4a her head.b02cb25a5c1881a3

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Groaning, Gio managed to sit 45b8da7f04 up on the bed. While lying down, he c922c7d3ab hadn’t felt it—but the debe7a4a61 moment he moved, pain 089ae85b02 bloomed all over his 0a67455172 body. Especially in his shoulder bf769b8f67 and head.5a4815a648207007

He couldn’t even remember 64439dc1d1 how he lost consciousness eb543db242 last night. He was still dizzy now. And he had e3e3bc17e6 no idea what 2ca2d608ca he was supposed 4006ee8cb4 to do at bf5f0921de this point.188bdde94c8dfc4f

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He figured he should 99cdecefad start by asking something. But Hena was still bowing. It seemed she wouldn’t a0e4f26ac8 raise her head until e9f1fc82b2 she received a reply. So he opened fef23e45dc his mouth to 635d325e15 say something—anything.a356af2cda99fc43

“Hena…?”ddf6b81cc3cad5be

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“Please, just call me Hena. Or Head Maid, if 30730cac4e you prefer.”c4d752bacb04d1be

“…Alright, Head Maid. Shouldn’t you raise your head 9e0d61686e now?”156f906262a57536

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“Please drop the honorific. I am your subordinate, fdb01841c3 Your Grace.”da226a4697e4af92

Gio didn’t understand what 0940e9b33b she meant. Subordinate? And why was 605a102950 she calling him 6eef0f2f90 Your Grace? It had all ffbe9e7823 already been exposed d99ef0ed1a yesterday—hadn’t it?3c7abc5a2c0bcb0a

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But she remained bowed. Stubborn. She must have df03d94810 been firm in 7442645520 her beliefs and e1db39404d duties, being the 8d365c29f5 head maid of 45557e086e the Grand Duke’s fcd2298b30 estate. Still, since Gio wasn’t a553624ac0 the real Grand Duchess, 30c799a2c9 he couldn’t speak too 282babd885 casually.ece1e5bd35fbf87c

“We can deal with formality later, Head Maid. For now, please stand up.”a28bf64ff137a683

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Even after that, she 952b7bf667 didn’t move—so Gio gave c7d94ec7e8 her back her own 5b9fc7342a logic.ff9519f0f85f1445

“You said you’re my subordinate, didn’t you? Then shouldn’t you listen to c273f8c883 me?”cc3e4d7166e86cf4

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Only then did f7460d3f4e she straighten up, f6dcf81836 smoothing out her 5cee2c3448 wrinkled uniform. She still kept f23f8698d8 her head lowered, 148f3b8de4 her face slightly 71cdadde96 flushed.93422e5f6aa9e431

Gio went straight to d2c82ab7df the point.b5ee30b41ef19224

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“Why are you calling me ‘Your Grace’?”e956f578bf851cf1

To that, Hena responded with d89094fbb5 clear confusion, as if the 54fad1d589 answer was obvious.1e445620631205a2

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“Well, you had your wedding yesterday… and your wedding night. So the marriage has been 223c3aca2c consummated.”97f63526bfde557e

Among nobles, a marriage 749f0aec92 was only considered complete be9396766e after both the ceremony 04bed1980f and the wedding night—after 358e7540ac they’d had relations.c9681401471c4d51

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Gio had done no such 6385d0f246 thing with the Grand Duke. But Hena spoke as ae6512befa though it were a 4ca226f2de given.f5985c1f84388719

“The wedding night…?”a02c79f096d74088

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“Yes. That’s why I’m db5d1a3819 the only one 84935d299e who came in 619ab25286 to clean the c6fcb8da2b bedchamber. May I tidy 66da52c592 the bedding for 0bf2e42370 a moment?”b751a29de420386c

As she gently pulled the 6a4e225b92 blanket aside, the state of a9a723e69b the sheets beneath was revealed. Hena glanced at 5f80bb52f7 Gio with narrowed 2bf260f31e eyes and spoke.04027c5f0486908f

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“Traces of the wedding night remain all over your body. So the marriage is fully 133a76da8a valid.”a6a0632a1178aa0c

Gio followed her gaze 0188bd0806 and looked down at dcb958af70 himself. Red marks stained various parts 8ddefa2144 of his skin—like the aftermath 4cba61eeff of an intimate encounter.3250dd71961afbd7

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He didn’t know what had e2c718d972 happened while he was unconscious. But it felt like dca79775cc his body was telling e00a3216a5 a very different story ffc3ba42f4 from what he remembered.c0644400afaa5a90

Gio had grown up c09f964416 on the streets and 9720c08837 trained as an assassin, d0081ac50c encountering every kind of 810ad80aad person imaginable—but he’d rarely de3c1a2533 interacted with ordinary people 7419b85e0c like the head maid. More precisely, he fca24bad00 didn’t know how b14260f569 to respond to 6a649c7908 anyone who wasn’t 5b13fb3987 part of a 047a4d48aa mission.0240da99d54685e2

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So right now, all he 5a7174283a could do was follow whatever 0f717ed601 the head maid told him f7d2b7b3ce to do. That’s why he accepted 1778f387b7 the meal she brought. His mouth still ached, 4f7bfcb05b and it felt like 6a9b63cf9e the bleeding had started d6366ffe51 again, but under her af0fac5d91 watchful gaze, he finished f958859ac7 eating.dc81dd0ddae5c03e

Just yesterday, he had a28a35d2fd tried to bite his 792ea5106d tongue and die—and yet 5798bf7d1d now, he didn’t want 4a2a7ae7ee to do something so 48a7bacca6 grotesque in front of 0979e5dd89 a civilian. Gio figured that 60726bab5b was the last baecb5d4e3 sliver of humanity e0655bcbda he had left. After she left, 179961efb6 he could take afb3878946 his own life cc1d57949d or resume the 10efb416e1 mission—whatever came first. There was no need f6732034ee to show her something 0bf611e0d5 that cruel.75d36a115c497e46

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“You did well.”44571aa4b8214427

All that for finishing a f3150981d4 single meal—he couldn’t help but 263091f735 stare blankly at her in 6f8523d272 disbelief. She excused herself, gathered the 9b13bef73b empty dishes, and left the 803e0d108e room.02f2b6bf3ebb02ae

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Left alone, Gio tested his 2bdb0985a8 movements. His dislocated wrist had a4fe8fd48a been set back in ad52ae17a3 place, and aside from e7d1d1634d the bruises and discoloration 965bfdb3bf across his body, he 613d1773cb seemed fine. Whatever had happened to cause 8983184782 this, he must have been a98b4cadfb treated afterward. He’d even been given food.b3a1ac0cc18dd0a2

Why?5ab45f84e40ec1e6

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Why treat someone who’d come 28d1e185a8 to assassinate the Grand Duke?4cd3ff453ee57ecd

The chain around his 0121e2ae70 ankle was the only cc7821eb91 thing that reminded him 8439490dc2 of his current reality. But even that e0485cd051 seemed absurdly flimsy, ab5a554a7a considering what he’d 3ea06734e7 tried to do. If both his 253b0a289d arms were free, 52916756ca he could have 2605eb0baf threatened the head 85236d8bb2 maid the moment d162b75762 she walked in. Why had they 7ae41dae2e left him like 8a170cde31 this? A body without b414bce206 pain, soft fabric 23b1b152dd on his skin—it b5731201b7 all felt alien.590bde869fb045b4

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Gio had failed his mission. For someone like him, d51741922d failure meant a fate e8bd738cd7 worse than death.f7ec410a9b5f57b9

He slammed his forehead 1f06677e70 against the bedpost his fec77e5779 ankle chain was tethered fe670ca43e to.820c0793063fcc41

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– Thud39217eef95c22d93

Pain flared from the spot 26f60355b6 he’d hit yesterday.a7be39169f370ef5

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– Thudfc1a3d6e23e83bc9

He had no e19244b172 idea what would 7d6ff272cc happen once Cove e550455647 found out he’d c1e2dcb2d2 failed. Everything had gone to hell.a785dda52b46b789

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– Thudc5d0e940eb7e9f56

The pain brought clarity, c3ae9fd539 at least.ad81339a03c3835d

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Even if he was tortured b3d67ff93b here in the Grand Duke’s eb31f13716 estate, there wasn’t much he 95963c6794 could reveal about Cove or 5c029f4f6c the mission. Cove didn’t entrust valuable intel 91db72ec6e to mere assassins.355a3ffdac50679f

He’d have another chance to 001b6d75ae meet the Grand Duke. When that time came, he b614a95464 would strike. And if he failed again—he’d 1317a0c899 take his own life.198327591a8fe716

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– Thuddbec9e96d0989617

Just as he slammed 37328c8c94 his head once more, 2e32d01852 the sharp scent of b3ec243e11 a wintry forest filled 2043a1c643 the air. It wasn’t a c718403a7b fragrance—it was pheromones. His heart dropped.0360ca9726ff40b4

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“Our bride seems to have quite the unusual hobby.”f406cd45f67dab6e

Still leaning against the 7c53e4aabd doorway, the Grand Duke 37dc15481e spoke with amusement. Gio turned slightly, his b473e6c8cc head still pressed to 9de6f07220 the post, and stared 559e90fcb2 at him. Hobby? What was he talking about?58cd3f63ace2749b

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“Think slamming your head on a post will kill you?”3cafed01fb322015

Gio looked up at 54e76881c2 the post. It was made of 52f4700385 iron, solid. Maybe, if he 7c96b3bb99 slammed hard enough, c52efd5463 once, cleanly—it might 94854d68eb work. But if he 8df612c60f failed, it would 6e637602ba all be for 0e85836c26 nothing.f8ee6a76f794b002

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As he thought b52ccd8e5e through that, the d2e76b7800 Grand Duke’s pheromones 89e79b6fc8 thickened in the 11998afef9 room. As he approached, Gio 6efc091764 felt an uncomfortable warmth 56c8299129 gather in his lower 64763efd56 stomach. He instinctively backed away. Leaning against the headboard, his 0bf5f97bfa robe fell open slightly, revealing 7e065a99d8 his smooth, well-toned leg. The Grand Duke’s c7c5dc3e48 gaze seemed to 31729a8965 slide across his 92bf19bc7e bare skin.066d1e9c2dcf20b5

Then a knight entered 8c95251034 from outside and handed c8e92c79a8 the Grand Duke a 91e2acfcde pair of cuffs. Gio saw him ef9160d1c0 take them and e2df1b5f7e begin walking over.
So this is it, Gio e59a962001 thought.
He would be restrained, tortured cf75ac4154 next—probably.51afd7260f0f14de

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Though… why in the Grand 381d6ef140 Duchess’s chamber?a9edfef18d302e4c

There wasn’t the slightest opening b8805c6e9b in the Grand Duke’s approach. Near the bed, 6247c1630f there was nothing df8530c093 even remotely usable 0286f69cc8 as a weapon—not 7da7a0410b even a flower 5c95b43455 vase. Of course there wasn’t.6b5befaba2555323

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That meant he’d have 7377933e7a to go with the 56f664dbd1 method he hadn’t been bac52d07d4 able to use on 20f351103f their wedding night. Even if dying 3880af7df3 this way wasn’t 96831e5432 easy—even for someone 3e647344b0 like him—he had 32bebbd024 no other choice. If he couldn’t kill the 6ec2f77d82 Grand Duke, then dying beforehand 8a1b34c967 was the better option.899a6ad302f6d391

Gio was about to b5f8c060ab bite down hard on 8bc2f399a7 his tongue when it 4e62bbcf9a hit him again—like being 49e0ae35f0 dropped into a frozen 8f5455693d forest. The Grand Duke’s ca1297a8f8 pheromones came pouring 9b8b09cab9 in.3ce2991b018188d3

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“Urgh…”da5f8bc44da81996

Pheromones so thick d6970acc4a they felt almost 6591252f45 visible flooded over e445795dec Gio like a d84920a044 wave. Then the Grand Duke’s large f8795b1df4 frame moved swiftly onto the aa333d9c05 bed and pinned him down.51f033fd6d7c93ff

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The dense alpha pheromones made 481065c611 Gio’s whole body begin to 1cdd24df55 tremble. But he’d been raised as 970d9d9eb1 an assassin from birth. He jerked his knee up, 0a0b895d52 trying to attack the Grand 3878a5c5ca Duke and escape, thrashing beneath 37e19c3e78 him. The bed shook violently from 1d8f238ba1 the struggle.2223c11b8a8cb9d0

But the Grand Duke 7b1727919c pressed him down with fb7b9973a6 his body and seized 3720d6efde both arms. His large hands crossed Gio’s 419a1dc07d wrists—and in a flash, cuffs afb7ab8497 clicked into place against the 64bb2c7f85 headboard. Every time Gio moved, 4462a851a9 the metal rattled and 2f960b2644 clanked.7f4311d99178a78d

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The Grand Duke’s face in 945adc4458 front of him blurred and b499afdbdc refocused again and again. Gio couldn’t muster strength in 982df8a7fc his jaw. It had to be b3cbcad09b the pheromones. His legs instinctively curled 8a961ae266 inward, but he ignored db10427f03 it and summoned every a1ef85c6f1 last bit of strength 201aafa63e to bite his tongue. Or, he tried to.f838b863d89e83c4

“No, you don’t.”9300edf4d4a47687

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“Urgh…”bfe654fbbbc5f504

The Grand Duke seized 894d71fcf1 Gio’s jaw with brutal c04dc52bc9 force. With his jaw locked f1c57c5599 up, it was impossible 447fc25430 to close his mouth—let 1c533896c4 alone bite down. Gio felt like 142ece35a7 his face might b8647602be shatter under that 8b49005f39 grip. He could see the tension d344877eae in the Grand Duke’s forearm.4d108a8af33cd499

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Saliva pooled in Gio’s e07f7c9e33 open mouth. The Grand Duke’s overwhelming pheromones d78974cdfd poured down on him relentlessly. When a thread 9a87345b03 of drool slipped 3ea69cca36 from the corner 4ae1596372 of his lips, 48fb48cee1 the Grand Duke 9ab3e404b3 glanced down.13d190a970f07fed

“Still not hard, huh?”67c1039a027c8200

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He stuffed a 993dbc3dd9 handkerchief into Gio’s 5ef90fcb58 mouth. Then he lifted his body 938abf052b and looked down at him. The robe had fallen 05e7c80f32 open, revealing his bare 5bf6d6b833 body.1210dc11ec6a2370

His pale skin—untouched 5284c8737a by sunlight—shivered faintly. And at the 6d9c0a7a58 center, a limp, df6de5c4bf pitiful penis hung 0398e2a8a4 uselessly, as if 29d3fc1d21 to mirror Gio’s f8806e4ed7 current state. A faint trace 91c6503490 of slick had 9863171c42 leaked from behind, 92cf032889 but not even ff43714d21 enough to mention.b405afe4efaba359

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The Grand Duke 453fcf2c29 looked over the 27703b5716 sight for a 8d91987a0e moment, then withdrew e9edb0c0bb his pheromones all a390368d71 at once. Only then could b7c2696518 Gio finally breathe 25beafc59b again. His shallow chest rose 828553b9d0 and fell rapidly.4edc099b350adc33

“My dear bride. Are you planning to 9a01cfd307 just stay mute forever?”9e51131cfc3dc655

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He lightly tapped 6fe8b5dc1f Gio’s cheek before 6234eec77a rising from the ab69de4e47 bed. The entire mattress 8301ac8277 seemed to shift f1262746b1 with his weight.12461c806b6f794b

“Russell Silion… no, that’s not right. My nameless bride?”c1d8d5fe83803e24

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He stood beside 8e8f19d66b the bed, looking 6c95496cab down at Gio. Sunlight caught his bright blond 0d84acec92 hair, making it almost look 41fb2abd6a transparent.0209418665140ad1

“At night, with a veil on… Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”e77b996728e4bc8b

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Gio looked at him, confused 9395750b04 by what he meant, and 31d002affd the Grand Duke continued.579613345390a6c3

“Your eyes are all wrong. That eye color couldn’t 286dba6fab come from House Silion. No matter how dark 3d223fb9e0 they are, I would 860b2d7a6e know.”b748b468241f4e51

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Height, build, hair, 966d4807d3 and even facial 413121255b structure were a 5c13d1d8d0 close match—but the c15a9fca24 eyes had been 54f85031e6 just different enough 25b120e717 that Gio had 78b7be678d kept the veil f93856a070 on. And the room had be5a1b8c56 been dark last night. He had assumed the 2c6c0632e2 Grand Duke wouldn’t notice.318ce9e1d17d2c9e

But it seemed e4fb5242ec the Grand Duke 31feeef7dd had figured it 9607061ceb out and prepared c513257b56 for it from b21b0a2b57 the beginning.d6739f9f5e55ff4d

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“The moment I saw you, I knew. If you weren’t the 3f6f1e2595 real bride, you could 9db36a83b4 only be an assassin.”0a4dc32d6044d108

When he reached toward 1da9ed0f24 Gio’s face, Gio instinctively 992662dd8b turned his head away. His jaw still ached 4a77eafdff from earlier, and he 18dbe789da had no idea what e8fa1befc8 the man was going 59499e89bc to do next. The Grand Duke gave 26267a2c11 Gio another soft tap bab4679504 on the cheek and 349fd07241 spoke again.813a28be10a71330

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“There’s only one person who’d bother sending an assassin after me. It’s always the same. The Emperor. And that filthy Cove licking f129846a75 the Emperor’s boots.”0c0d6e952871fb31

Gio flinched, his body tensing 5d6c8b72c5 up in shock. Fortunately, he likely 6b4144c8f4 didn’t show much d1c49e05a4 on his face. Assassins were trained a6a03a53cf to suppress their ed9e9a0549 expressions—any twitch could 0c438cd10a be a giveaway.8ef50d15e152cca0

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From the moment the 73ad9aea7e Grand Duke mentioned the fd697d4edf Emperor, a murderous aura 3ddae39a66 poured off of him. Gio’s skin prickled from the e0b9daa7b5 intensity of it.d794220dde92c5da

That reaction alone said enough. The Emperor had 23472f055d clearly twisted the 59893c2df7 Grand Duke’s entire 9455af4473 life.dad67c40c381300c

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“There’s no need to interrogate you. No need for torture either. Assassins are usually killed on 986a7c07b7 the spot. No reason to keep them.”1ba68d07fcdbcdfa

And he was right. From the moment Gio failed 5b152a1fb2 his assassination attempt, he was 71e60d9806 as good as dead. He had no value now.8445006679a620ce

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So why hadn’t he 98c2cfd1db been killed?bbd8369d0aa073d3

Gio thought maybe it 350ff71608 would’ve been better if 3f2f5b10fd the Grand Duke had 2870ebe193 just killed him then 35d667d46d and there—like he would aa0a22fd8f any other assassin. This mission had e4c803f5bc always been a 7dc37a4c72 death sentence anyway. Whether by poison or a d779f66a32 quick blade, dying was dying.5c7b000676369c64

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“But, my bride… just because you want to die doesn’t mean you’re allowed to. Now that you’ve entered 25cadfd5ce this Hannes, your life 27767e9560 belongs to me. So I’ll grant d6bbb6c09e you one final edaae19dac mercy.”6a7d5bfe5d613038

Gio didn’t believe in mercy. People like him only received 56e6399685 mercy when they were still c788904317 useful. The only thing he was 4418784fc0 curious about now was—what was 2a98376bc5 his usefulness?1b3da062f82cf25b

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“If you really want to die, I’ll send you back to Cove.”944a584cc01b8968

The Grand Duke probably 8a44173760 didn’t know exactly what 87055d5d2d Cove did to those d57a7ad79e who failed their missions. That’s likely why he 3bb3ab3433 could say something like b7ee3f2a1d that. Or perhaps… he did b29ed847e4 know—and said it anyway. Just to get 015b183a47 the response he 512e2d12ec wanted from Gio.39014653f6d9f001

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“But if you help us, I won’t send you back to Cove.”54dbf2ff4dcd07f4

The Grand Duke once 3a28c04aab again gripped Gio’s jaw aeb2469b40 and turned his face. His grip wasn’t as a4f46e8c6e harsh as before, but 2c0134bda1 it still hurt.9a05e1aa0ceb6748

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There was no smile, 628a93d3dc no threat in his 583b8b6417 expression—only cold calculation. He looked like a man 6caaed7568 waiting for a decision, as 2bdb16cd80 if he were giving Gio 90b164edc3 a choice.c03b90505a4ed99e

But Gio, like always, had 907e8e4a4f no real “choices.”ab3b6d8e3392df83

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Even now, the Grand Duke 8d1b94c72d hadn’t removed the handkerchief from 5127cb3151 his mouth. His wrists were still cuffed 9d2e95b94b to the bedpost. There was nothing d1461b1f02 Gio could do d41403c951 of his own de21edcc05 will. Not even die.d3431838c70c7413

“The Emperor told me to marry, so I figured I’d show him that I’m doing well. Seems like the dutiful 47ba63e799 thing to do for 1210b74d86 a subject, doesn’t it?”3ec1dc0d2e6c5d40

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Gio couldn’t make sense 2873bd3818 of what the man 2c6d11095a was talking about.fd2592344af31a10

“I’ve decided to follow the Emperor’s command one last time. So all you need 2e368ab96d to do… is become a926aa91be my bride, assassin.”007fb2f07051833c

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What? Gio’s confusion didn’t e2a84162d6 make it to 4737c921c9 his lips.88bc74179f744a6f

“If you promise not to bite your tongue, I’ll take this out. Do you promise?”1b91c83eda644297

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Gio nodded. But this wasn’t a choice—it f3db1fe610 was a threat, with his c56ed177ae life hung on one end 93a08344cc of the scale. And though Gio d37ff965cd didn’t particularly care e4e6daf67f about his life… adf6b471fc he had no 9a99a4face other options at ac631aee8e the moment.02b2a35946d2041b

The Grand Duke reached for 64cbe8cdd4 the handkerchief. His face drew 7de55592a6 close enough that 4057089a93 Gio could feel 3bad906397 his breath. A new wave 6a8f55de06 of pheromones spilled fcdfc7a184 out—chilling and quiet 5476f4056e like a deep fad4846d4f forest in winter, a3f266de12 yet strangely comforting.d7bfd750d57f720f

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“If you try biting your tongue again, I’ll make sure you live the rest of your life mute.”0d7d540522535412

His icy blue bca8d71513 eyes locked onto 3b9320a18b Gio’s. The weight in be0490e80c them made it 51cb021e09 clear—he meant what 16f28f629b he said.0e422958c237186d

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He pulled the 55c2ddb002 cloth from Gio’s 9779ae59cf mouth. Gio tried to 008c94584e wipe the drool f95f86cd67 running from his 003f19b921 lips, but all 159fc180c9 he managed was 2315feeedf the clink of e2a86babba the chains.b3907a2db1a1421c

When he moved, his once-dislocated 9110952dce wrist throbbed with fresh pain. And again, a flood of 4545556049 pheromones hit him—so heavy and f121b3c63d sudden it felt like a 493ae0a7b7 river overflowing into a flood. Gio’s body twitched involuntarily 3bb3c047b7 from the impact.48c940a62ddb513d

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“So… will you help?”f6d6652edfbc6020

“What do I have to do?”22857c14f82a8721

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Gio responded immediately.8507cfe40b0c687a

He had failed to kill cc5300cf68 the Grand Duke, which meant 8eed74ed3a he couldn’t return to Cove. He should’ve died the moment 5283b09fe0 he was caught—but he hadn’t. A failed assassin af75b84bfa like him would 81d2487578 only end up 5e0e8bf69a as another test 93c2f0bcd7 subject in Cove’s cf40c61931 labs. He never wanted to go f395f742c1 back.5ceb1d68014d30a4

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If the Grand Duke had 1445842a73 survived so many attempts and 001974ad2b uncovered Cove’s schemes, then maybe—just 67a6586148 maybe—Gio would be better off 89e93b1566 staying here for now and 087843ac76 playing along.8bc6c018afdb2dab

And fortunately, Gio was good 5210c4c09f at carrying out missions. Good at playing his roles. He didn’t know exactly dc06e9fbbe what “bride” meant to 058e2397d9 the Grand Duke, but d2659ddaa9 whatever it was—he could 1ffee93cd7 perform that role. And wait for his next b5a3bbfa41 opening.979d61ff00cc3ec1

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The Grand Duke, still unrelenting, 781c6f3d5d continued pouring out pheromones. It felt like he 00fdb853ad was forcibly filling Gio’s 197a516c95 faint scent glands with 9423e76049 his own overpowering scent. Gio’s pheromones, too, began 5c5d4675c2 to leak out.24dac22e77903364

The Grand Duke e59de1b924 inhaled deeply, catching 91c3dee2c7 the scent—and smiled. But his eyes remained cold.8e49739c7f097a82

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Then, instead of dc86d98f61 answering Gio’s question… bb27a69ca6 he suddenly brought 2b18c71b45 up something completely b0cd50d271 unrelated.12e2b13c5da76832

“The scent is nice. Smells like some kind of flower? Our bride, that is.”962886e4b3b37672

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Hardly anyone had ever 9ec52f8503 caught a whiff of 26044a18d1 Gio’s pheromones. No—no one had. Not even Gio himself knew b5e55da901 what his pheromones smelled like, 345998020b yet the Grand Duke was 1bf7f84008 commenting on them. But pheromones weren’t the ea84182dd0 issue right now—the mission 87a8c65b4d was.82be33a1ff6e12f5

Though his body f97e8a4f7f trembled under the f56082ba64 weight of those 9910de661b strong pheromones, Gio 73ce5fed41 kept his voice adaaf1c991 as steady as ec300265cf possible. Emotions could be 1180ed744b heard in one’s 721d383807 tone, so he 10c4e47ef2 worked hard to b6a38d502c sound as indifferent a6e47a3da1 as he could 73383589ca when he asked,20bbd33c36c31177

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“So what exactly do you want me to do?”0b7989d36e2dbd63

The Grand Duke, who 4d8bb16c40 had been running his 980f5bbe05 gaze over Gio’s body, 767ef5d5bf unlocked the handcuffs. Gio rubbed his freed wrists, b2886568b7 trying to figure out the d6640073d5 reason.ddce9912e22b5634

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Why had he taken them bba8f6d7ac off so easily? Was it confidence—confidence that 30cce888f2 he could stop Gio b7724c1cfb no matter what he e4bce158fd tried?51c3760ffb2877a1

Just then, the Grand Duke e715a48943 came right up to him. Not just his 14df0d7f42 pheromones now—Gio could 11bd183ca4 smell his natural 90eaa0a3d1 scent too. In that moment, Gio realized 924110a7b5 something was trickling down between 119aebee7d his buttocks.359292aaf00acbe1

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He had manifested as 42e12b9678 an omega at twenty, 34956f87a0 and it hadn’t even 5de8243323 been half a year e12a135e83 since then. So while he knew b8da047faf he was an omega 396eec8ca1 in theory, reacting to 2f299dff6e the Grand Duke’s pheromones a6ee20f0cb like this felt completely f744e9c55a wrong. Like his body 79b3f5810e had turned into 036d884a0b some kind of d6875a2b3b beast.b95ef28ea224afea

Pheromones were leaking out, c25327dda3 and his body started 727f857fee to go limp. Gio bit his lip. The sharp sting 8aa0c8d6d0 brought some tension 443b4d6a50 back into his 76a79e8e78 body. He needed to d19cb0885a stay sharp—especially in 6c3f10a12a a situation like f1dae3de01 this. As he pressed 68cea3df12 his lips harder, d213c54d65 the Grand Duke de37e28df2 frowned.8de48e9a4c4da113

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“But why are you biting your lip? Don’t tell me… you’re 0b0724d8e0 trying to hurt yourself d186ea3bfa again?”c2ff729ef184e1c5

The Grand Duke’s eyes gleamed c166b2c3df sharply. His pale blue gaze b7745dfd05 was like a finely 96917fa3dd sharpened blade.a1621d9b12cad6be

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“I just needed to snap out of it, that’s all.”fcfc338f27b4deaa

Gio spoke up quickly before 8eb6a97d2c the misunderstanding could deepen. The Grand Duke c7b88a5ad1 crossed his arms 8436f1db4d and stared at ae17fb03a4 Gio’s lips in dd32080d9a silence.53a00da55791ffd5

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“Now that I’m looking closely, your hair’s different from the Silion family’s too. Sure, that family’s known 959d37aee7 for their black hair, 10a9b7929f but not this black. And their eyes are always 6f2acc0b2e kind of dull and faded. Anyway, not a single b29cfffc80 impressive trait in that 6e8dcd8f3a whole bloodline.”691a161fd7cea12d

He reached out and touched 5603e09181 Gio’s long hair for a 8fef85c56b moment before letting it fall cd933b0b03 again. Gio’s black, flowing hair shimmered 0da9162410 with a deep bluish sheen.ca24723b2cc4a95a

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“Anyway, all you need to do is become my bride.”4b53f739b0e1a45e

When Gio gave ccb44b4458 a slight nod, 66a1fe5761 the Grand Duke d2d23ae051 added,13b21a5f10f511b2

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“We’re going to be a very, very passionate couple. The kind that doesn’t leave the bedroom for three days after the wedding.”baa8ef7fb387f561

Gio looked at 5c5ba606da him in shock. The Grand Duke smiled and ed26e1387c released more pheromones. Gio bit down on his 718b42a79d lip again, forcing himself to 08a48207c2 suppress the shiver running through 7fb2ed2034 his body.b86af7a506b65ad4

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“Well, word’s already spread that our wedding night was wild.”351fa7a2aceb1b72

Gio kept staring at 3d6a5dcdbc him, unsure what he cbf13961ac meant. The Grand Duke just 8557af3361 chuckled, wearing a smile 2ae23bbc2c like a mischievous boy 9a2e50bce5 plotting trouble.b946ed65cb689f21

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Strands of platinum-blond hair swayed bc41db161a gracefully with his every movement, e6189f1eca rippling like fine silk. It looked so much like 87027151b0 real gold that Gio found 1b469a2094 himself staring, until the Grand b7a8861c3b Duke spoke.b347cb85ab213e5c

“The head maid took the bedding, so I’m sure the rumors are already spreading among the servants.”e093a56944b7c6b9

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Gio suddenly pictured aac6cc8cff the head maid 304a9d7d1b walking out, carrying a11f70be90 the bedding all 2ddcda7eaa bundled up—soiled and 9233bbcc20 damp with who a1e29876bd knew what.7b70919e5c5d6683

“And since the Grand Duchess won’t be leaving the bedroom at all today, and I’ll barely step out myself… I’m sure the Emperor will be thrilled to hear how things are going here.”3980bc2c25fdab53

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With that, the Grand Duke let out a laugh—”Ha ha.” He smiled cheerfully, spinning that grin like a charm, but his eyes remained razor-sharp.15eb8027274448d1

He said he wouldn’t be leaving the bedroom much… Was he seriously planning to consummate the marriage? Gio had been ordered to play the role of the bride, after all…3a24297b7cd5b841

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Looks like he wants 4fc3e1ed62 to fool the Emperor—but 44b232b9a8 isn’t the best kind e0e07c76d5 of lie the one ebc2fa0488 laced with just enough 7f065459f9 truth? If that’s the case, 358d4ec53e then even if he f6b09af58b claims to have consummated 34fe109918 the marriage with me cea19a4dfa while I’m effectively a 7e87e26514 prisoner, I’d have no 9ed9eedd01 grounds to refuse.cc295c7537d1d5d3

“Are you really planning to consummate the marriage?”6b53ba8a0dd35b51

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Gio considered telling him—if the 1d9b6b2720 Grand Duke really intended to 5c0d556105 go through with it—that he ae1a2b8a99 wasn’t like other omegas, that 776f0acd42 his sensitivity was low, and 3381b6d779 the experience might be… unpleasant. But in the end, 5b022a749e he kept his mouth 1c3a8a331f shut. That wasn’t the important part.83bf7b11c6b864c8

If the Grand Duke 16796ae619 decided to take him, 9d761ea693 what could Gio do? He was already bound to ecb4a97f0d this northern land like a 8037c18e54 chain around his legs.14fb68f0d430361c

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But the Grand Duke’s response 36b469e442 was completely unexpected.2e0a33042085a451

“Me? With you?”6bb36569fca598a0

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He seemed genuinely confused. So… he wasn’t planning to 9d7d62cd05 consummate the marriage after all?ea8ba072c96b0b11

“Ah… I told you to play the role of a bride, not actually become one. Right, assassin?”dbe1449591b0decd

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At those words, Gio 0cb615d67b let out a deep, dd4be0cad3 shaky breath. So he hadn’t 99323c14f3 intended to force 5222980e20 himself on him 782fd1da27 after all. That was something—better than the 617c0bdc03 people from Cove, at least. Honestly, if it had been 2ad1e459f1 them, they wouldn’t even be 5857b8148e having this conversation.719a23712bbe0fa6

But just then, the Grand d93e8f74c0 Duke’s hand slipped under the d8243a7bcd robe and grabbed Gio’s soft 1710ad1455 center.43f92b8d4ba5a7f2

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“Ugh…”599d9bc4835c2cb9

Caught off guard, Gio 86a8e6daa2 let out a startled 6e42b63c23 moan. The Grand Duke’s hand kneaded fda81688bc his center for a moment, 9e192bb2a8 then moved even lower. When Gio jerked in 2c3f4aa69c surprise, the hand brushed 682661ab9d between his buttocks—then quickly 20645cb761 withdrew.b8934e6333215df6

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The Grand Duke stared 726fdab2ee calmly at the fluid 79c1a6c601 on his hand, then 9fb6a9b7c5 brought it to his 93e0656b4f tongue. Gio’s mouth fell open in 4e455cbd61 shock as he watched. He might need bb07c8d3c2 to take back 70618865dc that thought about c350c5abcc the Grand Duke 53db5d7b85 being better than fe6173a8a0 the people from 3755c24888 Cove.e181e9443e09d8b6

“Tastes just as sweet as it smells…”5e012d638cdd8b93

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“Why would you even…”0eb1689da8768946

The Grand Duke 12fd372112 gave a casual 42795627db shrug. Pulling out a handkerchief, he 59ce54975e wiped his hand clean and 0f0321d24e said,f014dfe2edae5ef8

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“I’ll only do it when your cock’s fully hard.”d7d0bba01524e085

“……”d3bf6da7d2a2e354

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“Forcing it, even with my own bride—that’s just not my style.”0543d3fdd5a1f6bd

His actions were fe41e62873 crude and perverse, d3e5b178a0 yet his words c33096480d came out disturbingly 0c0f02e6d7 refined.9639b39f1835c0ff

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“Come on, go wash up. Take a piss while 9908274316 you’re at it.”b95968e70dbadb4b

Piss? Was he treating him like b85fbb5099 a damn dog? Then again, an assassin was 761d31f585 considered lower than a dog. And an omega? Even worse.a720a30b9a49fe59

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The Grand Duke unshackled the 92aac92f14 chain from the bedpost—but didn’t 6e97acef5a undo the restraint on Gio’s 2d6b2b9c19 ankle. Instead, he tugged the chain, 15029735fa and Gio was dragged off 6266facd4d the bed, hitting the floor 13607cf151 with his bare legs fully 508122e03b exposed. The robe’s sash had 7bb871d4a8 already come loose, revealing 83fbac731e everything down the center.08e629c8e798d48b