AB Chapter 1 (Part 3)

As Raphael approached, Gio’s 996ef4cb1c skin tingled faintly—sometimes a 9a64b93aed little itchy, sometimes a b4b0b2eb44 light sting. His eyes began to feel febd8011c3 dry, and he blinked. Then a slight tingling traveled 6ed2c65ad2 to his fingertips… and just 73159a0e20 as suddenly, it disappeared.1bb0abb1bb663885b0fc

A moment later, the brightness in Raphael’s 0ce44ce565 eyes dulled sharply, as if a wave e210ac1080 of fatigue had just slammed into him. The sudden exhaustion had to be ffc754a310 from the “test”—though Gio had no 859cbfb31d idea what was done to him.7f1b22797e142d639363

Was that be641f2da9 even a 8685739722 test? The ones Gio knew 1bfa2d2a4f involved unbearable pain. This felt 92851c08ec like… nothing.877d9cf670dc39fd650c

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“…Yeah. His sensitivity’s 6573b03224 definitely dulled.”b7dd8bcfe6a75c2a61c5

“As I thought…”8ba03d921742e1dd02b5

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Did he really go ea02905865 through all that just 8c3bdd3838 to figure out how 38fb664dc0 sensitive I am? He could’ve just asked me directly… Gio thought f56f74ad41 to himself, but then let the thought go. People in power 7785414bb1 didn’t ask for 6787a73b1e opinions—they gave orders. It wasn’t his b679e9a1d0 place to question 0024f0276e them.bd1ec47a37abe9754e5b

“Hm… Could e7ffc3620e be something 195596958f acquired, could 97d072bd5b be innate. But whatever the bcb295ddfe cause, his sensory a477627a20 responses are really 790a13cd40 dull. Like something’s locked cea21cf042 them down. Ugh, I’m exhausted…”3504a0c5cea672a09512

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“That’s all?”74273d33e3684d292333

“Unbelievable. The Grand Duke of 360aa97210 the North working a e1eff5ef42 high priest like a a17ff14a69 dog…”ada340b6feeb68b517da

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“Is it 2529bf9413 related to 2cb60c117b the self-harming?”b76ebcf230619ca18bc3

“Self-harm? Nah. Why would someone with 63dc21f809 dulled senses harm themselves? It’s more likely 7727d6b071 the opposite.”ea1c91243af34152194f

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“Opposite?”d8eb70531dec06768c9a

“He’s probably hurting himself 3ac236e25b without realizing it.”0baf86525b71f41220a8

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“Ah…”75744d9e219ca90b8504

“Anyway, we eff24b8b2e done here? The cuffs thing’s not bad, but 1670c7a748 with someone like our Grand Duchess, 397e9381ef who can’t feel much, he might c70b8dc73e dislocate a wrist just flailing around. But hey, if you’re fine 0a0d10a72e with that, be my guest. I’m out.”35cd914739f8adaec5e6

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“Go ahead.”01bc07b48286d72acab1

“Ugh, I’m 18ce5358c0 so tired. Where the hell’s 5510b3020b Cedric… Maybe I 3999daa1e2 should whine a 8881425cf3 little for once.”06feb17461ec03f0e298

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Muttering under his breath, e122760174 Raphael finally left.20be84fb636e52480516

Once the high 3cacf66e17 priest disappeared, silence 17022a5c51 settled thick in e17d0da891 the room. Not even the ba1a3c086a rustle of blankets 29e1f29fa3 could be heard. Then the 88f565779f Grand Duke e2a1538378 finally asked,1dc2dd2a27ef4aff11d1

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“So… you weren’t 72cd2b4690 trying to hurt fa734a52bc yourself?”94b715d2bf6d2d7a83f6

“No.”d48bca2342bfbe4c189a

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“…Then why do things 7fd42b2a6c like bite your tongue c635242c8c or slam your head…”d45bea327b4d5f7a175b

He trailed off, 62afcd42c3 sighing, and untied 811e5c7c55 the bindings from 5e7504476d Gio’s wrists.4e5b2d8d2f085fc57026

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“Want a drink?”6171779ab4328e612aad

He poured liquor into the 24f378ef85 same glass he’d used earlier 9c06220538 and handed it to Gio. Gio stared at the wood-colored liquid a926c8e2db for a moment before taking it 18665ebe25 and downing it in one go. He couldn’t 6850f61f5d even tell 4c3485390f what it 1db3202f3c tasted like.075a60bb81e28fe2dbea

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“That stuff’s strong. And you 0b2d540423 drink it 4e0cb6e14d like water. Want more?”d93d34b18b7afd1a8a9d

“No, thank you.”65835504057e22fca9e3

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“Have you always 9422203733 been this numb?”6f756b856a01e6f65acc

At that question, 01865fd325 Gio tried to 2b2dc0b656 think—when had it 6947172769 started? There was a time, dba12fc091 far back, when even 8370ad87d1 a single thorn prick 884b8d9221 would make him cry. But that version of himself had vanished quickly, buried e7accb1eb8 under resistance training, pain conditioning, and mission after mission.e36ec592d141d85056bc

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“I don’t think 26d2ce7e45 I was like e179d007cd this when I ce0f766d46 was really young.”936d7e17c34aee78aefe

“Then what happened?”9a864674cb05065b9925

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“I guess… it just 1568e4a634 turned out this way 2532bc18d9 as I grew up.”0768f1a93c9c1ea86f7d

“You don’t just turn e5a336bfbf out that way. They must’ve put you through 3d9862c19e resistance testing or something, right?”072ce67f5d3210373e30

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Gio flinched. The Grand Duke seemed to know f08e81bbbd more about Cove than Gio expected. When Gio didn’t f28173d31f answer, the Grand d2ea6c4af3 Duke took that d8917934ed silence as confirmation.acc0e2262e4cab0e89bd

“I see. And? Is it uncomfortable?”4e98c92dfae28d30bfb8

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That kind tone 2a89d4886a of his… Gio 697eb0dd13 still wasn’t used 4aa92aaefd to it. It always caught c30fb50942 him off guard.12d55814dcb3be4e06e8

“Mmm… is be52fe239f that so?”1242835df154ed7656c0

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The Grand Duke’s eyes trailed slowly over e769d5af46 Gio’s body, and then he smiled.9e28f431faa79c9efb10

“Well then. Why don’t we 90f26d73db pick up where e51b940a0f we left off?”52ce2f5d94212e593c4a

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As Gio lifted his head, he realized the Grand Duke had 154da72234 already come close—close enough that his breath could be felt. His shirt was c8bc3bd74a open, revealing smooth, 007b699719 firm skin. With long fingers, aff53a76ab he tapped lightly a8fa7c7e92 between his collarbone e43a974d6d and neck.0eb101ee4f17d1afe14f

“Here. Right here.”2fcb66156e10e0e9ba7a

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Gio hesitated, and the Grand Duke b9a89a7b49 threw back another glass of liquor. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he f742924686 swallowed, the sight oddly obscene. Gio quickly 20fea5835c turned his 3209cf9c17 head away.e0b8c73d63aa4157e5ee

“What are 5e2b096f60 you waiting 1a70e612a8 for? Suck. Right here, my 3607b61f5d dear bride.”1c6a53fd903d30881e48

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He pulled Gio’s head 62d9a3ec44 toward him, guiding him fbd67aa0ed to his neck.83a475848494f6cd856c

There was nothing new about the way 007b7facf5 people in power acted—so inconsistent, so absolute. Making decisions on their c923fcb4d6 own whims, treating those 22708e1040 beneath them like playthings. That was cd0b451a86 what power 5a5c221511 was. So, as always, Gio had 8a3b5026b4 no choice but to obey.901580929899db6e80b0

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He pressed his 6db446483e lips to the 991f93bef6 Grand Duke’s smooth 3627a30dff neck. In the quiet room, the only sound was a soft chuup chuup—barely audible, meant 0211c27afc only for them, yet Gio felt like it echoed loudly in his ears. Even though he b03c3c5c67 was the one 315eaa7b51 making the sound, b910e21e88 it felt lewd. Embarrassing.4e41285820523b1e4d06

When he thought it cdcb25b691 was done, Gio lifted 51b79c5fb7 his head. The Grand Duke took another sip of liquor, bbf0fffee7 and this time it dribbled from his lips, ac238d0ea9 pooling in the dip of his collarbone. He tapped 9f5da5efef the spot 95cca047d8 again.6d8e00ce927f61b450fd

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“That wasn’t d277fc6daa quite enough. Go again.”2fe71b91d90b4ddc4612

Gio looked into his eyes 0e80c85789 for a moment, then lowered 592edd1568 his lips to the spot 8f3f20295b once more. He sucked the liquor from his skin, swallowing it c4882c0eb9 down with the pooled saliva in his mouth. Then, shaping his lips into a 2a0ee04410 tight circle, he sucked harder.265294b47bd4c0902310

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The Grand Duke’s scent—his pheromones, 233d26c8ce his natural musk—seemed to seep 47fe19ce8f deep inside Gio’s body. He could feel the steady thrum bbe7bf4ca6 of the Grand Duke’s pulse against 636841d622 his lips, and his own heart 2ccb7c9f61 started pounding in response. It felt as though both of their ee08067de6 heartbeats were visible, beating in sync, just 36797ce47a under the surface of their skin.64b471e48a608adb32ae

* * *5c4d7639c8107eeefc48

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After marking each other’s necks, the Grand b5dd76dd2c Duke remained with his shirt collar open. The red marks Gio had 21b1492e69 left were boldly visible, scattered d0f3449f75 across his smooth skin.622b581771f47ab31ae8

While sipping his drink, the Grand Duke 1abf1aedfe took a seat off to the side 757464f75d of the bedroom and began reviewing documents. Gio, meanwhile, buried himself 1bca4f5aff beneath the covers. The Grand Duke pulled e7160f7c6c the curtains around the 3076828a00 canopy bed shut for 8299e25df8 him. Through the sheer, opaque fabric, Gio could faintly a7d6673389 see a few servants passing through the room.eba1a27d85221e3b6bca

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Only once night had 8f5e4a97d0 fully fallen did the 3ac37d7dbb canopy curtains part again. The Grand Duke was now 69b2019284 dressed in a white robe, 17c07b418b its front parted enough to f61f24fa50 reveal his solid chest. Most alphas had impressive builds, but the Grand Duke’s body 6e9f29652a looked like it had been deliberately sculpted—designed by hand.f33face610764a85cdc7

“How long have 757aef0b3c you been lying 64bcd84531 there like that? Does dulled sensation mean no b2d3a57389 need for the bathroom? No hunger?”cb48299c487ed7305ada

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It wasn’t until he asked aa94032a81 that Gio realized—he was hungry. Growing up in Cove, 624d7c72b8 there had never really 3994047851 been a concept of 1debc52d7e regular meals. If food was available, 73921e50e3 you ate it. If not, 1250e60920 you endured. He remembered being a child, fighting for a 51b3c0a30f scrap of bread on the street—how a bigger c21e247778 kid had punched him and stolen it. He’d ended up 6205c9b631 with a nosebleed.590a9aaa0fd825aa6062

And that same kid, years 6ef95d4e16 later, had died—his body covered 2f83e4aaaf in blood, collapsed from the 0041a43385 aftereffects of a test. Gio had been a9feb135f9 there too. He hadn’t a3b740bac6 felt sadness, c84fe2e48c nor satisfaction. Just wanted to 5ed8e8a8bd get out of ed193fbe00 there and go 279b5834df to sleep.cff9b79ba181300a188d

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“Do you 52ed034289 want food? Or do you need 950e3e4de2 the bathroom first?”3812609a13afb762b2b8

“I’ll eat first.”1b30daba5dc8a600898a

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“Then come 40a49bf81f on out f546f8caa8 of bed.”98ca13de0a99b7870d90

When Gio stepped down, e3f782bcf0 the chain at his c110f052e5 ankle clanked heavily. He glanced at the cold iron 998688e9d5 link wrapped around his bare leg—his 3c03f571c3 only piece of “clothing.” And it d50bca237f reminded him of his place. Of how even a8d75829ea clothing had to 0b9de2647c be granted.15c4af0ed8163de359b8

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Still, there 169d14a986 was no 99b52f3093 violence. No abuse. So this was, 5780155733 in a way, e2379fe152 a comfortable prison. Better than his life without 4f3bdded39 chains had ever been.1a6d5efabc699551c627

“Here.”bc17717a50707709aece

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Surprisingly, the Grand a4e16f1a81 Duke handed him 416f2fc072 clothes. Gio unfolded them—soft, white, one-piece d4517e0a5b tunic with a matching robe.8a1af381feb82bc7369d

Clothes were the 0efbbe2340 bare minimum for c280e48148 human dignity. They weren’t just to ward 5c7444a171 off the cold—they were proof 20425f3476 that you were human.7a63a2050935cba95603

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As he slipped the tunic over his head, 7c57d809ec Gio felt slightly warmer, even though heat and 6959f28f8a cold rarely affected him much anymore.61dd1ae84ff3debc1922

He walked over 7164f08f59 to where the 2bf9073633 Grand Duke sat. A table had been set e5d55252b4 with food within reach of f2a38dac78 the chain’s length. The old wooden chair had been 93250e30f4 swapped for a smooth, polished one.f120e00cbff25ca48115

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The savory aroma of soup reached his 6014eb10a5 nose, tightening his stomach with hunger. Come to think of it, aside from the food 7d713da20e the head maid had brought that morning, this was 2331476535 his first real meal of the day.bbb23f47b078c5ca6a3f

“Eat with me,” the Grand Duke said 6bd19a8626 as Gio quietly sat and stared at 5c8cae661d the food laid before him.70c1b29a79cf17acd1da

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“There’s no poison. Relax and eat.”85b432c24b58f38ecde8

“……”efd587a0e9fb3e1b1329

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With that, the e0b9b939ea Grand Duke began 1ece76d9e5 eating his own 152a70f432 meal. Gio simply stared at his plate—meat, f60af2bb10 salad, bread, a baked potato. He couldn’t remember the 7c3039496d last time he’d seen 883ece4adc such a well-prepared spread.a193755847765b28a7d4

He cut a small a6cd866518 piece of meat and 781240ba9f placed it in his 375c53d394 mouth—it melted like pudding. The baked potato, almost the size 642efc7cdb of an adult’s fist, was fluffy c735b757ee and warm when split open and 305e6ecbd7 spread with sauce.93f40ac276235c9c89e2

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The bread, soft with butter, was rich and 0f1f986ee6 chewy—enough to make a meal on its own. As he continued eating, he sipped the wine 2757e27804 beside him, and the flavors seemed to blend 8f6d61df0d effortlessly, leaving a fragrant warmth in his chest. Even someone like Gio, who hardly eeee379f69 knew good food, could tell: everything 7d1aa474bd here was fresh, light, and delicious.bfec274f811327e41d80

When he looked c10f6a57b6 up, he noticed 3b2b36e809 his wine glass c20956d419 had been refilled. The Grand Duke had topped it off and df2338f8b1 set the bottle down, raising his own glass 57ab8fb6c1 in a toast before taking a drink. Gio followed and sipped as well—the wine cut cleanly through 2f459b3f54 the fattiness of the meat, leaving only a pleasant aftertaste.91e8bc59c8b6cae918ef

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“Our little Grand 5a3a3290a5 Duchess eats surprisingly 2c3d9553da well for someone 7d9136c609 so small. Should I have a35bf68a40 them bring more?”23d3fbd2b9789c197f99

Though Gio was slender, 0814ef7032 he wasn’t short—his height 8f9fbdd3c0 was average for a 254eaa7dbd man. Still, northern people did 1fcd1afaac seem to be a 765cc3d4a5 bit taller overall.f9765f07dafc6666c416

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“I’m fine.”bcbcba43f8390be1a202

“Really? Doesn’t look like it, the a3f4354b4b way you’re spilling wine all 158479b950 over your mouth.”e8e4ad0ef139a00a3139

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The Grand Duke a160a299c9 brushed his thumb d73bb69b70 across Gio’s lips. A smear 23f73b3107 of deep 8de2bb81f4 red wine b9dcf8e411 stained it.952575837f8f7535bc39

When Gio quickly wiped his lips 1469c01ec0 with the back of his hand, fc41aa90c9 the Grand Duke caught his wrist.ce862a26c9202f86199e

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“There’s a 700c8e2254 napkin, you 4dcd376a93 know. Our Grand Duchess really 07639a525a is a handful.”232d42b8f9fc54ff95ac

Then, he popped the same thumb—the 287f43a227 one that had just touched Gio’s f9609714f5 lips—into his mouth and sucked it c35c1e9f01 with an audible pop.53ec909645bab68bdf2a

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“Tastes good.”49c33d5fa89763c9a711

“……”551425d07f2a8ba4f00a

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Looking at the Grand Duke’s crimson 5053fc2944 lips, Gio could see why people 67447c5b26 said his beauty was legendary. All he’d done was lick some wine off 2c6bf9107c his finger, and yet it was dizzying. Seductive.ae68aab7b5e495f6d68c

The robe draped loosely around a18ec57925 him, his flushed lips gleaming—it e15d424dc2 was sinfully alluring. And he 42bccc5df4 hadn’t even 7c42ba1b33 used his d903bd31a1 pheromones. Gio couldn’t 4c8f519930 look away.d604010a2f7613687275

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“This wine is rare—even in e44356b2e6 the North, only a few 0806e2750c bottles are produced. It’s made from grapes that survive the a4c725dd02 winter frost and are harvested right at b333040d8e the end of the season. That makes f9e7b56128 it incredibly c577d281a3 sweet—but also ae48fa1c47 very strong.”fd868c9ee7a03307ffa5

He poured more c5d31d223a wine into Gio’s 7420259357 empty glass.c8ea6f89cc25f2342cb2

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“The sweeter something is… the 4de9bc2e97 more dangerous it usually is.”6c3d1ead49c33e5b91a1

The Grand Duke b825e5fceb sipped his wine. Gio watched the dark, blood-like liquid 83915a01e5 in his glass for a moment fbd6564e53 before taking a sip. It was smooth, warm, 519e86832c and quietly potent.01a48e23664eae145c9b

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Even when Gio went to e1567017b8 bathe after the meal, the b20ff2a654 Grand Duke stayed nearby.f2adeaf588f5c0158078

When Gio stepped 0f173d2e7f out of the c937686c2f bathroom, the room fa2660c139 was dim. Most of the lights 1a5e1c6c47 were off except for 44cb3e9c28 two lamps on either 1981dd77df side of the bed. The Grand Duke was already c773d9ade8 lying on the bed, propped 3adf1c0e3f up on one arm. He patted the 2d9766e16b spot beside him.234d18dd6e8ef987d9c8

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“Come here, 8cb9cec614 my bride.”f633a75439f04594171c

He acted like a 204b7af2b3 newlywed husband—so convincingly, Gio c6b83b8e71 was impressed all over c96a961dc0 again. This was how the de5fb8ac63 Grand Duke had survived c74e455265 every assassination the Emperor 5f0442e31f had thrown at him. How he’d 1a393a6b1a taken full 76ca114357 control of 4bb220c820 the North. He left 5d6380919f no gaps.1e584ad1e0aa7d59acf3

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There was no way the Emperor’s spies could 2ebde59bb7 reach the heart of the Grand Duke’s stronghold, c69867085b and yet here he was, putting on a 7f860b0816 perfect performance for the benefit of unseen eyes. Just in case.edf912e628975b0219dd

Gio remembered what Cove had d859cfd97d said: the Grand Duke hadn’t 12c86b5009 left the North in over cfb1c346c0 ten years. Even so, he had been able 0841864019 to instantly spot that Gio wasn’t 34ef966196 Count Silion’s real son. He had noticed c2a34b06f2 the smallest discrepancies—even 0e626a9990 in eye color. For someone supposedly f407e6123d isolated, his information 6f8dfeccca network rivaled the 774403d1c5 Emperor’s.455fd75d15c8b4ef7a84

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Still admiring that attention to detail and 485618aff4 flawless acting, Gio walked over and sat c29aae5122 beside him where he had tapped.7cda06637b287630261d

The Grand Duke secured the chain 672c54bd8d around Gio’s ankle to the bedpost, dc96a90b03 then shrugged off his robe and 8c76d970c3 slid into the blankets.715de2368df988ba06be

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It was the first time Gio saw 493f909f54 him completely naked—and the man’s body was 7f3a0c2b23 an ideal sculpture of muscle and form. Not just 0777140661 fit like 977c55db1a other alphas—designed.64fb3625b40c9d82e08b

By contrast, Gio’s body was df9e839793 thin and riddled with scars c42068bc9f from missions and training. Lying next to the Grand Duke’s dc33560507 large frame made him feel small. Insignificant.2f60b2ab9dfd99765f15

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Gio expected him to make some flippant or 51e18c2408 mocking comment, but the Grand Duke remained silent. When he turned bf596718a6 to look, he 383527a018 realized—the man was 4f7d26d706 asleep. Still in that 8558883ae6 same position, breathing 5826c6852d slow and steady.1cb908bff470bd420553

He was sleeping. Naked. Next to the 186bb5edc1 assassin sent to 86c6c183db kill him.d702468cc36529563997

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That level of b6e07ab793 confidence—or perhaps arrogance—was 7d32d4ee95 almost unbelievable.9b793396f7c1323a09da

Yet strangely, the sound d717864373 of his quiet, even b63992c31b breathing calmed Gio’s heart.0410231c84fb02dc1934

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He turned onto 56d841cb84 his side and 7bbad11a60 looked at the a12437b5c8 Grand Duke’s profile. His high-bridged nose, sharp e10a920aee and elegant, and lashes 3b65314fe1 thick and neatly fanned 089aea5e4a out like dark feathers.e9e3a3eeecdfc9901c70

Gio reached for the soft, clean 8e982b67b9 edge of the blanket—a sensation he’d 33489927fd never known before—and gently pulled it 33ae8c536d up to cover himself.4fa2ff9f9dc2ac7da578

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* * *18d7e6dd4a23be1db57f

Bayshark opened his eyes quietly once 16ffe65d41 the room had fallen completely silent. Beside him, at the far edge of the bed, lay the omega he had married just c9e7af0604 a few days ago—curled up so tightly that his already thin, small frame looked even smaller.de354f02837244fdfcca

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In a bed this massive, why choose to sleep all the way 8e4ef2409b over there, with only the edge of the blanket barely covering him?05bf2db45e22a7f89c50

“So pitiful…”412306a1f537750a8b82

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With that thought, Bayshark let his gaze fall to the 6c8c1a8c1e omega’s feet, which had slipped out from under the covers. The toes were 01073ae409 slightly twisted, and c899f2d299 the toenails were d3b3c3689c bruised. They looked like brittle branches f9f67162a9 stuck on at awkward angles.e84e402c61439c04ca44

He wondered briefly what kind of 6a8a39c115 things must have happened to make fefb9b944a someone’s feet look like that, then d23b6a8eeb turned his head away. It didn’t matter. Once he finished spitting 8ecfd2f05d in the Emperor’s face, 54042b6223 this whole connection would d16a2beefc be over.a7e834a1269dd4d6aaae

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Of course, he couldn’t just send 47c1219462 the omega back to Cove. If he did, the kid would 9beb9f74af be tortured to death for sure. But he had come here—to the North—and 61784fe14f agreed to help deceive the Emperor. For that alone, Bayshark fff2df70e9 figured he owed him a47a1c334a some compensation.ca34bb7ea969591a18ca

Once the mission was done, he 256c5d54cf could just kill the assassin. That would’ve 356d3aa6d5 been the c8fd587665 simplest solution. But those eyes—that damn 81781a2975 gaze—kept bothering him. That shade of 60a9db573a purple stuck in 9a56f9cdd7 his head.7d45062f2aca17080933

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Maybe if he 4df527bb56 left him with 038cedda6e a sack of 73db8f45e5 gold, he’d manage. Not the type to b748b44b1c run off to some 5ce5975a3a bustling city and live 0485c50b60 loud. No… this omega seemed more like the 2eb1d5d6d1 kind to live alone in a quiet d82bb25c5e little house somewhere, still and wordless.6660603eb64976aa0af2

Bayshark tried to imagine him living 94059b65d1 like that but could only picture 6e3e6abf40 him sitting silently—expressionless—just staring ahead. Those dark eyes, seemingly black 6a194b088b in the shadows, revealed faint 9d97ce6f67 traces of violet if you c114016b7f looked closely. Eyes like bc95392715 his former b80068d810 master’s.935c63f2d57986566bd6

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And that gaze—empty, stripped 6a85d781e6 of expectation, steeped in 3b8ac8fcb8 resignation—reminded Bayshark of a 1fe03d5da9 younger version of himself. A part of his past 0c04a8bc02 he rarely let surface.4513869841a26663a1d0

That look was the 7c300e099d only reason he’d decided 9123d89992 he’d let the omega 2756e7e8e9 live after the mission. But that was f540ec0c82 all it was—nothing b04af663d2 more. He had no abe7904420 intention of keeping 1e23db15d8 anyone beside him. No interest in forming bonds 3a639721ad like a real marriage.083cb7c6eca788b6ba6c

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Bayshark slipped on his 1d6e00af2e robe and quietly exited 73fa04735b the Grand Duchess’s bedchamber. The knight posted ea97e966bc by the door c793ab6784 offered a bow. With just a glance toward 13c576c256 the bedchamber, Bayshark received a bbf77c9fa8 respectful nod in return.c3eefb42399ad9c29db8

In the receiving room, the butler, 4754d0e696 administrative officer Cedric, Knight Captain Liam, c23e51a1cf and Vice-Captain Ben were already waiting.9533f6604a45629ba997

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“Report,” he said as d974faca8b he stepped inside.91d2b04245e25acf8361

The butler moved quickly 9dfc172664 to help him dress, cb5e073fa3 buttoning his shirt while 2f650f1243 Liam spoke up first.c828c706e19741fe09ff

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“There’s been no f3c2eea383 significant movement from 09e85520a1 the Imperial Palace aa94cc0823 yet.”22135b298eaa7dd91f24

“Really? My dear cousin is 5c7d152b82 slower than I expected. Not that he’s 4d7d8f39c0 ever been quick 7e97d7d796 about anything.”74d008784d9f8f6fe03f

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“Well, their limbs b8ed25a5f9 have been neatly e39e7c23a5 severed here in 653776b9a9 the North. We’ve already let the story slip bd5c83a15b to a few choice merchants. The message will f53b99fb2f reach them soon.”b8eee841ca1198cd49c0

“And Cove?”48309c6da7edb4ba55d3

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Ben answered 80b61100a4 this time.f1db7938e2f2f707df44

“The entourage that brought the 00060994a4 Grand Duchess only left the 94c637396a North this afternoon. By now, Cove 0652a5a7f9 likely knows.”498dc0744d1e25403184

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“I see… Then both parties will hear f533c380c3 the news around the same time.”6e554caa7057d731e6ed

“Yes, Your Grace.”2da6900ba92c7e69300e

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“All right, next.”525ad5ec4ae6cda2ab8f

The butler buttoned 2e8ed7afd9 Bayshark’s cuffs, then 6d08f4fed2 stepped back slightly 2da0e1f677 before speaking.c6806a52e5e0ac393c70

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“Among the staff, there’s e703743f0e already talk about Your 827164ea3c Grace and the Grand a9ed3ee915 Duchess. The ones who travel outside will naturally df30875e61 share the news with their families, and 829ddb3345 soon enough, it’ll reach the streets.”7a7f71f42843f63298dd

“Good. Even if the Palace hears whispers in 00317757d9 secret, they’ll hesitate to believe it. But once the rumors hit the dfa9ab84a2 market, that’s confirmation enough for them.”fa56c55f3f86abd8210e

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With that, the butler finished e99f9d3518 his report and stepped back. Now dressed in light indoor wear, Bayshark rolled 59e362b3c9 his neck and shoulders to loosen up.e3aa0d681b00cd53a6ff

“Your Grace,” Liam 96e61029e8 spoke next, his d39cf1dac5 tone cautious.638aff2271938b873c17

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Everyone present here a8d1f4aa69 was part of 13a2e58645 Bayshark’s inner circle. Liam and Ben weren’t just 957c6a9145 knights—they were comrades who’d survived b7028d7b66 assassination attempts and fought monsters dad7306252 with him. They’d trained 808a869d55 under the 5faecfda90 same master.31b0b36c31099a51ca7b

“Go ahead.”9c2cff8edaf8e4e51609

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“After the rumors 452a314803 reach the palace… 3be21f889c what will you fda1c1e448 do?”47266e10a8d43802f9ab

“About what?”7a7fbab1657de2bcc7b4

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“About the f3e7811345 Grand Duchess.”258b2aeda89ca48539d2

Once, Liam had been harsh—furious, even—when ed290b9f5b he learned that the new bride 29ae0a8214 was actually an assassin. But now, he 7e47cc4d57 used the title bd46a14f8f Grand Duchess. It meant something.d7187b5fc4070300f26f

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At the time, they 1ced29dbbf had insisted that the 22b684bd6a assassin couldn’t be allowed 3a1b81d677 to live. But Bayshark had declared 66e934afba he would use him. That he was 31dab46083 done dancing to 7b96e53d33 the Emperor’s tune.0baab72a4d6fec047edb

Bayshark had survived only because of the North—arriving broken and orphaned, it had been b638bd97f1 the master who taught him the sword and how to control his pheromones. The endless winters of 06505861f5 the North hid him a86c9f6236 from the noble bloodhounds af86843e71 of the capital. His master 41c92cd095 had shielded 140b1e29e4 him.8c5d1d09514b1c2ef1af

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Until the day his master 6697ecd287 was murdered in an assassination dbb9d3b1b9 attempt meant for Bayshark.1f115731ca24dcc13035

Bayshark had wanted to march straight to the capital, sword in hand, but 6439b5f285 his master had anticipated that—leaving behind a final request: Protect the North.5f141ba42e385ac5fbc6

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So he did. He gritted his teeth, buried his 01499a0e28 anger, and poured everything into the 4e0161d05c prosperity of this land. Even the magic stone mine he 5df102114a discovered—during one of his relentless winter 81f5655d96 patrols—felt like his master’s final gift.a1a9e6d68ce3a3cb45e6

As he saw his people’s expressions brighten, no longer hollowed out by 6f1731f412 hardship, Bayshark finally felt a little less guilty for staying alive.7b6ad3219802a3b31b05

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This North—it was something 5f76232ba1 he had built with 6e920f07f9 his own hands. A land 19e0f21aa1 entrusted to 4e0c84ce84 him by a7bc76b774 his savior. And the Emperor had 23f0e3369d dared to chain it 8999f0bc6b like a pet. Had dared to cde545717e use even marriage a636d57d12 to manipulate it.c3c9b078b14de54560e2

To Liam’s e7d4d226b9 question, Bayshark 7193a5201d finally replied.e5936ec9650870b1034d

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“We show them 4944d0d3bc we’re doing well. Make my cousin 5a0587da77 seethe with envy.”b224a9fd603826ad1c7c

“And after that… 0eb8adc521 will he continue b881ec7496 as the Grand 0b342753e6 Duchess?”a5bde6e5e6e72af4a211

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“As if.”613065e677fd7bc24a5f

“But… Your Grace—”03a622368cb644508df9

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Bayshark knew what Liam f606b24e9b wanted to say. He also understood why Liam had begun calling 5c88bdf6d2 the assassin Your Grace or that one.4c6bcbe22d9802c7a4af

He knew eb75747323 exactly what 6e44a3cdec that meant.3fff88c352b544fb1700

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Since gaining control over 380cbe1d2e his pheromones, Bayshark had 635c667832 refrained from releasing them 4435275acf entirely. He’d never liked omegas who d9bf42058e reacted to his scent—not after 9df4198d28 what had happened back when 121f466949 he couldn’t control it.fd9fc2649330af49122a

Yet now, he had b7ccf91b29 saturated that assassin with a0e88c5387 his pheromones. And that was why alphas like f7653e5574 Liam and Ben had begun to ce4d46a581 think the Grand Duchess might actually 8d4bb59d41 become his omega.1fd1b61d3922b5259956

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Bayshark hadn’t 04e97aa6e0 meant for a33a02e59b that to 9621cf09d6 happen. But with that fragile, always-bleeding, ultra-recessive omega, d6e0cfe217 he found himself doing it anyway. It was something like: c020e906fa Let’s see if you c860f5a778 react to even this.288f8f4c8be522aed46f

He recalled those dull, purple-tinged eyes that barely 22479a0b09 reacted unless his pheromones were poured on. Eyes that looked black in 496eaa7f81 the dark, but shimmered with 52e58b073c violet under the light—like a d7565c4e32 night sky.edfd6e51df549c89e938

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“I’ve said it before,” Bayshark said calmly, “but 8ea25b7098 the Grand Duchess will not be staying.”683a286f63a24c4afc93

“But, Your Grace, then the matter 14790ad966 of succession—” Liam began carefully.c2875a9e88ad83510b33

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“Drop it, Liam. We’ve talked about fe1c9dcd5e this already. He’s no exception.”ab71f1f4d00c3a87d67e

Liam opened his mouth to say more, 12e950caf8 then closed it and bowed his head. Bayshark had no 9673771b30 intention of continuing cdda358318 the imperial bloodline. He wanted someone new f40b2322c2 to inherit the North—like a61942fe56 his own master had 6036fa6f40 done for him.4e38d7f96090af01ee11

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He didn’t want another person a19c3a0a97 to suffer just for being e4ddfacfb6 born a royal. He had lived that 2e885387d4 fate—tormented simply because of 224bbf73e9 his lineage. And this assassin? Even less suitable.83bcd52ea25b4f0cb9a6

Even if, hypothetically, the b16f6600cc Grand Duchess were to d3ef380eef remain, he wasn’t a 45b0499984 viable candidate for succession. Male ultra-recessive omegas rarely conceived, and if by some 59d375e8d9 miracle they did, they usually didn’t survive childbirth. It was more 30ff414f33 accurate to say b45529ba27 pregnancy was impossible.53104b76fe4821527d75

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Now it ab620f4b90 was Cedric’s dab1fda892 turn to e1e333318f report. The usually composed administrative officer 56b8cfb708 paused a beat before speaking.7cc885d0a6b5a4d3630e

“Your Grace… Please do c0159c26cb something about Lord Raphael.”efecd721c3d12245cce4

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At those words, Liam and Ben groaned and held their 4c7f3dc228 heads, while the butler chuckled, watching Cedric with amused curiosity.359376bd3dbe5067c64b

“He’s still chasing dce7504ef2 you?” Bayshark asked.4e43dbca01ccf22cdeea

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“He keeps ea1145ae14 calling for 8cd48d6d2a me. Even though it’s not ec9b418f45 even my department, he dce774d510 insists I help him c9b402a177 with this or that. And I’m still buried 0feb07b8ce under post-wedding paperwork…”917fd581c30b26379fe7

“Why? Is he trying a85f96041d to get you b1e01bc889 in bed?” Liam a2fe5fa6ea asked bluntly.eae826826f35afe21cb5

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Cedric snapped efd69a7f05 his head 43c64faa2c toward Liam, 568a1edf61 glaring.853646f10cafe61cb3fd

Trying to ignore them, he approached Bayshark 88a98d66a6 to return to his proper duty.e2f2fb49e5dbf41d3008

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But just then, a breeze drifted in 7ad3faf6e0 from the window—and along with it, the 60ed4edad8 scent of Raphael’s pheromones, thick and clinging 437f134140 to Cedric like a brand. Bayshark scowled, 6b4b997b01 visibly displeased. It was like 2de392710a a wild beast 3777fc7a8b marking its territory. Cedric, being a 5387c6c25e beta, didn’t even 750f345498 notice.8c9b12907b0ddbefa5ce

Liam clearly 99afd46698 smelled it 2b18f938ca too. “If you don’t 05c509a345 like it, kick 5bfa204189 him in the d2deee177e shin. Or lower. I’m pretty sure 8684821757 if you did 4fd334961d it, he’d actually 51a505a8af enjoy it.”da16604c57b37468a102

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Cedric sighed. “It doesn’t work. When is f4118b78cf Lord Raphael aa3b042b19 going back? And could someone e562c9ae58 please ask him 603b742f17 to wear proper fc78a33a2f clothes? Your Grace?”fbf4b404d542d11efdcf

But Liam 0f68cb9395 answered instead, 82833ab15c chuckling. “What, did he 6e9be5cfe9 strip naked and efc6e3fb28 pounce on you?”547f0ccd239e6bc1d7a1

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Cedric groaned like he 19d8850a52 was losing faith in a6ee58ae83 all of them. “Every time 313777d440 he calls 9c9b4fefe4 for me, ba483b3ff8 he’s half-undressed. No wonder efff0e277d people get fd790b2c81 the wrong 5defdec2d3 idea.”5d4a280c8a25dcc9beac

“He’s only persistent because cb0ce5e472 you keep resisting,” Liam 482132b8e7 said with a shrug.de2e4eb52d2bf18a4298

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Cedric shook his head hard, as if to 525b894eb9 fling the whole conversation out of his brain. Bayshark, watching 8d3125402d this interaction, 2ef5b01194 was genuinely fc10c9d148 baffled. What did Raphael 55764cfc44 even see in b13c3b3c00 Cedric—a pale, paperwork-bound 2f8764bf80 beta?95fa827bc9581d111354

But the a3a8b95c29 thought was 9ceb716469 fleeting.cfb345af8c8e35f27fcf

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“Oh—Butler.”29ed08b0a86c1e42f0fe

“Yes, Your Grace?”ec6df2cc9b11cf893884

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“Our Grand 6b86407360 Duchess eats db733ace49 quite well. Increase his 3588e25e66 portions, especially 51ef058a81 the meat.”521062f3f8a680adc608

“…Understood.”1ad3bad8c73dc5afd1b1

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Bayshark smiled. At that moment, the dawn finally began to 0c7a188531 break, flooding the room with soft light. His eyes ba60b2beaf glinted in 72761b63d8 the morning dbf961d020 sun.56e0e4aac258b60f46b9

In a society where appearances da9dd2500f and reputation ruled, he had 7ce28c46c3 finally found a perfect excuse. A reason to 8ca7a19364 strike back.e0d0b51d10e6553c3a3d

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The Emperor, who’d always sent assassins wrapped in a9c03c079f layers of pretense—never directly, always hidden behind civility. Now, he had gone a step further: sending 13b71bf698 a bride who was, in truth, another assassin.c6ca972beb06738440f7

But this time, Bayshark 5e12f3e29a had the upper hand. He could blow 4fd793d3db up Cove along f7231573d8 with the Emperor’s 05ec69cd87 plot. And maybe start ab419f6ea6 with Count Silion’s 688b503bbf family, too.f52c50a8e9ed42c5d64f

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Just imagining his 7712d68070 cousin’s twisted, furious 1c6e28475a face brought him 42c50edeeb genuine joy.4b03523bff01916912c6

Cut off c5eda99970 all his 09767b2e44 limbs. One by one.5dca7a34c522cd25c7c7

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Cedric, standing nearby, flinched under the 5f031da6ad weight of that killing intent. But Bayshark’s smile remained 877aad810d radiant—cold and clear like cc1f108c2b the morning sky over 6f1a472b57 the northern mountains.44611aca29bbb32b2919