AB Chapter 1 (Part 1)

1. Grand Duchess Cove. The name of the 5c7a3242e7 assassin organization where Gio 0849509733 lived before coming to cdfbc54a3c the Grand Duke’s estate. In that place, he survived by licking 7c41471a74 poisoned porridge in complete darkness where not e0f8ac5af1 even an inch ahead could be seen.56a0c0fb680b136b6725

They called 3fa5aa5a0d it resistance 870cefbbc0 training—for poison. Even knowing it would hurt, 4db0a0a012 he had to eat it. There was no other choice when 79effdb3f8 his stomach felt like it was 265cb54f5f being twisted from hunger.c8d1a5025a58fd2e1637

When children were first thrown into the darkness, they would cry be8b9ebdc7 in terror, wet themselves, or leak something one way or another. But Gio 0ce8ceae59 found the da775f18f1 darkness… cozy. Maybe that’s why he e9edc41c9d adapted faster than the d62b568e42 others—if you could call ba40939a3f it adapting.4428550a905b536b9460

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Gio had always known what 06d54f62a3 kind of person he was b37c7f3f13 from the beginning. He was born on the dark streets, c129f5b5f6 so of course darkness felt familiar. That familiar darkness slowly devoured everything inside him 2921b42228 until, eventually, even his sense of self began c68db091ed to blur and fade into black.e92dd14e8e14217f5890

Only when his companions—children who’d entered with 2e2334f984 him—started to disappear one by one did 148dbfb54e the shadows finally begin to lift. That was 230f578fa8 when he c7d516198e was allowed 5df30685bb out.7997963a005b64d2c3d8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Just as he was about 96341fbea0 to be completely swallowed by 1b03fefff8 the darkness, a faint light ff5b16a58f appeared in the distance.2e4403a791033a0b56b1

Gio had only 28931413d6 wanted to stay 0f86fce9ba buried in the a1c3358136 dark. But, as always, 72cc41c1b6 nothing ever went 946d3b14ef the way he 4edaff030d wanted. Without even realizing it, 9d6b0a3268 he was slowly pushed 3340e6cf59 upward, drawn toward that 0d28d984fa light.40c6864b1f0fd4d35c29

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Ugh…”92389f841df27207c459

The light a5db0b80d2 of the 7faa0dbca1 world was b07b718664 blinding. Oddly, his body fdb34836a4 felt warm and c81a270d3d comfortable. The pain wasn’t 5c2f45ff4e as sharp as d82fd56aab usual. He’d never fallen asleep without pain df33f3453a before—but today, it wasn’t too bad. This was… a 984136b1ff good state. Which made the d82ccee788 situation all the 42e7bf558e more strange. There’s no way he 0d4e0ee08c shouldn’t be hurting.4b86ddabc32f0db70c74

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He remembered nothing a2358ea9ca after being inspected—front 15a68dcb61 and back—by the cc82fb173a Grand Duke yesterday. He must 6008a83892 have passed 333ae651a9 out. There had ef1753c426 been blood.4b56bda7cbfe23d7e1db

And yet, this 9f70b45d6e wasn’t a prison 6e239664ed cell. It was a 8a6b7fc257 soft, plush bedroom. This was supposedly the fe20b0f468 Grand Duchess’s chamber… so 0e7aaedb09 why was he here?32f774ee22544d9f4b2a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Bright red velvet wrapped 03c1f712c1 gently around Gio’s body. He had never once in his 17f85f95b6 life lain on fabric like this. It was the kind of dce9079959 expensive bedding that felt like 02d4c7abcd it would get stained just 0b9ff74420 from his filth touching it.e570887018f774d22a28

“You’re awake?”ad0b6ab159c05cbaea30

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The voice startled Gio, and he jerked upright out eafdaccff5 of reflex—only to crash off the bed with a 5c803cb099 loud thud as something caught at his ankle. His ankle throbbed. A shackle was locked around 6bbf1b7d81 it, and a chain trailed 03b2132de4 from it to the bedpost. That post extended all the b1e540e2e6 way to the ceiling.b6280697878b392eea94

“I didn’t mean to 60add81f5f frighten you, but it 73b2590e41 seems I did. I’ll be d5706c5877 more careful 0c29f22b4f going forward.”6da81e28f6662f6ba73b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The voice was precise, every cb83baa5f8 word clear to his ears. It was the kind ed1762c6ef of voice that calmed 505debf615 people just by speaking. When he looked up, he saw a calm-faced woman in glasses 769be1ba7a standing at the vanity, hands folded neatly in front of her. He hadn’t sensed her 998d9ae054 earlier—probably because there was 1f8b31c7a7 no malice coming from 1d4b397257 her.8917939ac7110c161780

“My name 20913a6a95 is Hena. I’ll be serving you from 2375e8c079 now on, Your Grace.”079bc3e86ddc84f234c8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The woman, Hena, bowed deeply 5f5f9daf5c as she greeted him. Her hair was tied back so a53ac3946e smoothly that not a single strand 560d6688f1 was out of place. All he could see was d7be846e26 the crown of her head.3011abab8345f1cd6df6

Groaning, Gio managed 45d7591e1d to sit up a3968973e3 on the bed. While lying down, he hadn’t felt it—but the moment 6cc257539c he moved, pain bloomed all over his body. Especially in his aface337ae shoulder and head.1da48afb9a6199a3f4ab

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He couldn’t even remember how 9c554554bd he lost consciousness last night. He was still 64ad85a16b dizzy now. And he had no idea 7883ee7490 what he was supposed to 6f3152b83f do at this point.2ee38388fe7f3c34a038

He figured he f65899178e should start by 0033d27ec2 asking something. But Hena 389c767875 was still 93a0c6b513 bowing. It seemed she wouldn’t raise her 37d27f96eb head until she received a reply. So he opened 78cd094618 his mouth to 1c951eb727 say something—anything.41076aa09a7e2ecd7385

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Hena…?”89953d84601b7dfeb42a

“Please, just 593fbe360f call me ddb3781124 Hena. Or Head b07fc980ea Maid, if fbb1f71eb2 you prefer.”446a9915cade5d01f548

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Alright, Head Maid. Shouldn’t you d431f1ce17 raise your 3b9216eed9 head now?”93838e7d76842875d29b

“Please drop 580d830c36 the honorific. I am your ee7796577c subordinate, Your Grace.”9403d7d101420c48a5fa

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Gio didn’t 58c9144533 understand what 7df607fe0b she meant. Subordinate? And why was 541fb876a4 she calling him 2974e97603 Your Grace? It had all already 83907aa0c8 been exposed yesterday—hadn’t it?04cf1565261e83b2eef7

But she 5b38c12288 remained bowed. Stubborn. She must have been firm 24b2b43621 in her beliefs and duties, 0491dd4af6 being the head maid of c6726d461c the Grand Duke’s estate. Still, since Gio wasn’t the real Grand 93ee5364e3 Duchess, he couldn’t speak too casually.508b6c93868c7eb94899

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“We can 059815e02c deal with 98c3f987c3 formality later, d5c3b577ee Head Maid. For now, 8e7c3d8df7 please stand b7217dd316 up.”ed8b9ff58dc91d6a974d

Even after that, she didn’t move—so Gio dd08aaa8ab gave her back her own logic.ae71cd7f01d623a8945c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You said you’re my e87040c5e1 subordinate, didn’t you? Then shouldn’t you 0b26c5fdb1 listen to me?”646352edfcd27af21aa4

Only then did b19f26d12b she straighten up, 7af0ec48b0 smoothing out her 430035a3b8 wrinkled uniform. She still kept her head 7a2c4bab66 lowered, her face slightly flushed.6e0626bbaf509015b4a4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Gio went b37a273015 straight to 331685a651 the point.f6acf794e2ecc7ba0722

“Why are you cfe690a0ef calling me ‘Your 499916eaac Grace’?”4f44290fd2b8a57fd38f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

To that, Hena responded 87ebafb73e with clear confusion, as 261fc6c4bb if the answer was 58e8d4dd75 obvious.9922232ce31f9330c2ac

“Well, you had your 84147ea921 wedding yesterday… and your aaf7fd88e7 wedding night. So the marriage 4ee8698c9e has been consummated.”3060e7348331bc85a635

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Among nobles, a marriage was 53971a9dd6 only considered complete after both ba8eda82fa the ceremony and the wedding cdf7e03922 night—after they’d had relations.533d4cedbbdc544d72eb

Gio had done no 50981f25a7 such thing with the ac8b5fc37a Grand Duke. But Hena spoke as though a8be8fe602 it were a given.158e3172c42b4d0fcec5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“The wedding night…?”3220f72c108b785f4417

“Yes. That’s why I’m the only one who 7b3d4c6166 came in to clean the bedchamber. May I tidy the b0233ba749 bedding for a moment?”b8d166d7b81dca952988

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As she gently pulled the 6dcc12ef2a blanket aside, the state of 9a3867d0e3 the sheets beneath was revealed. Hena glanced at Gio with f354eb5f08 narrowed eyes and spoke.6cc8e1558ee54df77f76

“Traces of the b9c8ac2c3f wedding night remain 842dcf59bd all over your 4aecc7e16e body. So the 393ababc7d marriage is 407d542a93 fully valid.”b40fabafa355788c9bee

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Gio followed her e690ad2f53 gaze and looked d2afc75156 down at himself. Red marks stained various parts 52b904d4e7 of his skin—like the aftermath 26efb1690c of an intimate encounter.49f0fc569f5a1418df7f

He didn’t know what had 1cf424ade0 happened while he was unconscious. But it felt like 2edf46ce1e his body was telling 6311be7612 a very different story ee3f1339ec from what he remembered.787216fe58d8611b15e8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Gio had grown up on the streets and trained as an assassin, encountering every 8d084dc9a2 kind of person imaginable—but he’d rarely interacted with ordinary people like the head maid. More precisely, he didn’t know how bb500c9b51 to respond to anyone who wasn’t e68f1885fe part of a mission.24b5b489e6f2419daa8f

So right now, all he 8f9867a038 could do was follow whatever 7856d5031f the head maid told him 4eb13b3a35 to do. That’s why he 4211860d93 accepted the meal a6129e8edb she brought. His mouth still ached, and it felt eb7da38cf2 like the bleeding had started again, but 67db455d87 under her watchful gaze, he finished eating.a888fda1ab83c9150732

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Just yesterday, he had tried to bite his tongue d1f16d81ae and die—and yet now, he didn’t want to do 1a47d5d97a something so grotesque in front of a civilian. Gio figured that was ef1f5fa4d0 the last sliver of c2f08ff036 humanity he had left. After she left, he could 6df5ea9012 take his own life or a209952cf1 resume the mission—whatever came first. There was no need 28fb968811 to show her something 64e4bd0782 that cruel.b1ad803f93e4ad5ef777

“You did well.”0d8cec95cb6ad73810c2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

All that for finishing a single cd60ad8e3d meal—he couldn’t help but stare blankly 8ae8d8fe80 at her in disbelief. She excused herself, gathered 21c0080632 the empty dishes, and 0357d94b12 left the room.392e64defca5a42eea4e

Left alone, 9058165385 Gio tested dd5f3d4276 his movements. His dislocated wrist had been set 2dd986f0de back in place, and aside from 2ff62b8863 the bruises and discoloration across his 97f14913e9 body, he seemed fine. Whatever had happened to 865f431ad2 cause this, he must 4d81c87c6e have been treated afterward. He’d even been e37092d100 given food.ac6661cb9c33809e84b5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Why?8432656eb58b3ccdc62a

Why treat someone c7d1a77895 who’d come to 61b0f1e6b8 assassinate the Grand 304750b50e Duke?d172317a3fc9edb7efff

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The chain around his ankle was the only b84537edc4 thing that reminded him of his current reality. But even that seemed 02a3eefd71 absurdly flimsy, considering what d6975b6002 he’d tried to do. If both his arms were 67b0f0aac6 free, he could have threatened 86ef59d27c the head maid the moment f6747236a3 she walked in. Why had 6d4cd46e05 they left c8b1980d84 him like bc1f4bb2ae this? A body without pain, f58a103871 soft fabric on his 07ab4ef6dc skin—it all felt alien.e6b722e344acce08b352

Gio had e84ad240aa failed his 238ae24a54 mission. For someone like him, 9967d43b70 failure meant a fate fc58e6f125 worse than death.7955bd54965aca2fad6b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He slammed his forehead against b2b5e113f9 the bedpost his ankle chain 443402200a was tethered to.a5a47c228bfaa5a4ab05

– Thud98200a3110acd0f490eb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Pain flared from the a011884ee2 spot he’d hit yesterday.d4f54f239554718fb8c6

– Thud4ddf0925c76cb2f403eb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He had no idea 7b5cbacaba what would happen once 0df6be8187 Cove found out he’d badd3f8e34 failed. Everything had 55a27037bc gone to 6c372f4306 hell.ea3118cf1add81cee700

– Thud38c25b40e971b544c948

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The pain 91eb495867 brought clarity, f4eb5db928 at least.8312d371613cac560f6a

Even if he was tortured here in the Grand Duke’s estate, c2c25762b2 there wasn’t much he could reveal about Cove or the mission. Cove didn’t entrust valuable d52e11a50a intel to mere assassins.128dcfb67f62f737d52d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He’d have another chance to 53cbcd53b7 meet the Grand Duke. When that c779adc55d time came, ceb9887c54 he would 1a9dda952f strike. And if he 6caf396a91 failed again—he’d take 86556fdaf5 his own life.87026b3bb47390aede9e

– Thud32885ce2f473b8d3eced

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Just as he slammed his 1dbdca319e head once more, the sharp e38d80226f scent of a wintry forest 3122b4f8b0 filled the air. It wasn’t 4cd080b043 a fragrance—it 92ca1ddff5 was pheromones. His heart dropped.d77f441ef273cd8c4167

“Our bride seems to have 0fc3c2c74e quite the unusual hobby.”712f377b32ad532799db

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Still leaning against 98f71e856b the doorway, the b6a731a366 Grand Duke spoke 1459341e5e with amusement. Gio turned slightly, his c764140da4 head still pressed to c1a246f46b the post, and stared f1577213d3 at him. Hobby? What was he f6371b8e0f talking about?f13dcd8f34d7dafe6594

“Think slamming your eaa3234c31 head on a a7245b4e15 post will kill 4810a217a6 you?”7d42630ba1aac0fef05f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Gio looked up 8c76c90584 at the post. It was made 0b7a8a1d04 of iron, solid. Maybe, if he slammed hard a8f54a77e1 enough, once, cleanly—it might work. But if he 60ea1c98db failed, it would 4513872a20 all be for a78c6bdf00 nothing.7eb4ebbec2bb2f7f56c3

As he thought through that, the Grand 3885e2f8a4 Duke’s pheromones thickened in the room. As he approached, Gio felt 86400a9a3f an uncomfortable warmth gather in 14f6b9e1a7 his lower stomach. He instinctively 46f4f1303d backed away. Leaning against the headboard, his bc958d489c robe fell open slightly, revealing fe54ad9b47 his smooth, well-toned leg. The Grand Duke’s 196ccbe928 gaze seemed to e22ae4976f slide across his 4b99508083 bare skin.f15c286ae986eb3ee50b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Then a knight entered from 38bb914441 outside and handed the Grand f3011d7e13 Duke a pair of cuffs. Gio saw him 4ea0d08e2f take them and c048558ff5 begin walking over. So this is 3bc1cdf5cb it, Gio thought. He would d9bc83063d be restrained, b486a3d7ed tortured next—probably.2dd2e2b6b96fac53b89b

Though… why in 7f53419755 the Grand Duchess’s 176f06ed88 chamber?79ca0533f9ce26cf0cfc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

There wasn’t the slightest opening c1b8640f4f in the Grand Duke’s approach. Near the bed, there was nothing even remotely f617a5d6bc usable as a weapon—not even a flower vase. Of course 167f4ed5e1 there wasn’t.184fd61c718c3f820962

That meant he’d have to go with 59bdc79b11 the method he hadn’t been able to 96d1130be3 use on their wedding night. Even if dying this way wasn’t easy—even for b04201a60d someone like him—he had no other choice. If he couldn’t kill the 7bcf53c427 Grand Duke, then dying beforehand b09b395658 was the better option.66bf5e446a39b943da05

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Gio was about to bite down hard on his tongue when 1870c5cb82 it hit him again—like being dropped into a frozen forest. The Grand cfc77d9b0e Duke’s pheromones 5d8797d0fc came pouring 3079e38927 in.464a7c231fa96afb8fe5

“Urgh…”71fe4d3af971f41ff3cf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Pheromones so thick they felt c925b9f33a almost visible flooded over Gio 73fdd04dbf like a wave. Then the Grand Duke’s large frame moved swiftly 90ea163fea onto the bed and pinned him down.0d98eeed9d8f7df7d3d9

The dense alpha pheromones made Gio’s 7575fbbd02 whole body begin to tremble. But he’d been raised as 29bdb7ef05 an assassin from birth. He jerked his knee up, trying 3fef2aa1ab to attack the Grand Duke and b9b9a72ceb escape, thrashing beneath him. The bed shook violently e80b23132b from the struggle.a8c161326dd3a02f1c30

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But the Grand Duke pressed him down 83688bae52 with his body and seized both arms. His large hands crossed Gio’s wrists—and in a 8f5cb95861 flash, cuffs clicked into place against the headboard. Every time Gio 071a9a7548 moved, the metal 86eac04b8c rattled and clanked.ec33004c15fee06acb3e

The Grand Duke’s face in front of 95e461b240 him blurred and refocused again and again. Gio couldn’t muster strength 3ddcb6076e in his jaw. It had to c5758b4a7d be the pheromones. His legs instinctively curled inward, 1892704535 but he ignored it and 949ab8c0c9 summoned every last bit of 7de8b2b391 strength to bite his tongue. Or, he acf3db952c tried to.6f1a8b050ef7aacea6f6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No, you don’t.”d8561e525b0b3f1d9a45

“Urgh…”eac8959710cbb7bac95f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The Grand Duke 20abf9d684 seized Gio’s jaw 416fe82740 with brutal force. With his jaw locked f08740f9f3 up, it was impossible f59dfba023 to close his mouth—let 670f54b2f0 alone bite down. Gio felt like his 6d7889bfa8 face might shatter under bd126e2cba that grip. He could see 3ef28efb9e the tension in 64fe58cf61 the Grand Duke’s 72e58bd00d forearm.6f19a61ddd2dd48b4f09

Saliva pooled 030393f6f5 in Gio’s a4ea5813f9 open mouth. The Grand Duke’s overwhelming pheromones 90cc86d3b0 poured down on him relentlessly. When a thread of drool e931e4787d slipped from the corner of 4a1884fb33 his lips, the Grand Duke d98f83f2fe glanced down.f9055b261008b3e66742

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Still not d5de315b61 hard, huh?”89d7e2507a32d6b1f304

He stuffed 82a77a75b8 a handkerchief 039976e8cc into Gio’s 17357f1b96 mouth. Then he lifted 5a891d505d his body and 8189be1381 looked down at 061a3e3522 him. The robe had a66b1fe667 fallen open, revealing b8ab159530 his bare body.4fc7eb919e9eeb8cad7b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His pale skin—untouched 74de4d151e by sunlight—shivered faintly. And at the center, a limp, pitiful penis hung 772a683cc6 uselessly, as if to mirror Gio’s current state. A faint trace of 36a69ffffc slick had leaked from 4b3592f8a3 behind, but not even ef5d32effd enough to mention.cf4c1df7c0abd64c981f

The Grand Duke looked over the 1435ad6e91 sight for a moment, then withdrew 06492bf4f1 his pheromones all at once. Only then could b85ad6c2d4 Gio finally breathe 671f279c8d again. His shallow chest b1e106f986 rose and fell f8244131c1 rapidly.ff1da3f78d7ae640e0b8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“My dear bride. Are you planning 3ee03a69c2 to just stay 12962c1dc2 mute forever?”4869ffb248231369490d

He lightly tapped Gio’s cheek e0c22f8ca2 before rising from the bed. The entire mattress ec62834f79 seemed to shift ae78d251eb with his weight.207554d632d4d2a48334

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Russell Silion… no, 406315ae32 that’s not right. My nameless bride?”f29f170c89fea2741359

He stood beside 1556bc2e56 the bed, looking cea6bd7b1e down at Gio. Sunlight caught his bright a87a08e861 blond hair, making it 02856ad616 almost look transparent.d17ee1fe8932343e018d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“At night, with a veil on… 3fd2734f78 Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”b49faa9ef2d49290ab61

Gio looked at him, c2283d2a52 confused by what he a8bb55587b meant, and the Grand f92e9ad9b3 Duke continued.a76256bfd5a03ce72ab8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Your eyes 33892b29c4 are all b3bbd78f52 wrong. That eye color couldn’t 6f99e1eeb0 come from House Silion. No matter how dark they b7ab9d3138 are, I would know.”c44ab77b0c2c2e978bb7

Height, build, hair, and even facial structure were a close match—but the eyes 52e4426630 had been just different enough that Gio had kept the veil on. And the room ddeac496ac had been dark 8a42b32df0 last night. He had assumed bc4886855a the Grand Duke cdb0cb46ad wouldn’t notice.389d255db32f33266138

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But it seemed the Grand Duke 682bf0e88a had figured it out and prepared ea68167136 for it from the beginning.105a5493cc2b446a3413

“The moment cd49337397 I saw bbfbae0786 you, I 131511b7f7 knew. If you weren’t 4f27282162 the real bride, f4cd99ac9a you could only 2c76861dbd be an assassin.”3c2ed0663c4a1350cd0a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

When he reached 13f9ab21a6 toward Gio’s face, 01f8852207 Gio instinctively turned 3fc0dcb80e his head away. His jaw still ached from earlier, and he had no 4bb0e5f766 idea what the man was going to do next. The Grand Duke gave Gio another soft 436725e18a tap on the cheek and spoke again.67aa68fe029831a3b7e4

“There’s only one person e6a5a02dbd who’d bother sending an 063af285fb assassin after me. It’s always b9beb2d344 the same. The Emperor. And that e93ca9e7ce filthy Cove 5b8fae1f6b licking the 3c6a46d75c Emperor’s boots.”0535f0115fb45888ebc1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Gio flinched, his body effa020af3 tensing up in shock. Fortunately, he likely didn’t show a122617875 much on his face. Assassins were trained to suppress their 06ceccc9bc expressions—any twitch could be a giveaway.769d0ae0d0a375d5f4ae

From the moment the Grand Duke mentioned the 3101d7aa0b Emperor, a murderous aura poured off of him. Gio’s skin prickled from bfd463eb3d the intensity of it.f549500e49e848b4dc7b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

That reaction alone 35df0b089b said enough. The Emperor had clearly 9556686455 twisted the Grand Duke’s 68391deca0 entire life.b7192e65113f81d59ba8

“There’s no need 0a650c844e to interrogate you. No need for 6b29706274 torture either. Assassins are usually killed 5e6da915e6 on the spot. No reason to d99db7cf6e keep them.”10ecba5b5006499c1641

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

And he 254c2cc095 was right. From the moment Gio failed 70c167981a his assassination attempt, he was 8a98824b2a as good as dead. He had 3ba01f6e3e no value e2bb1923e6 now.933b1b8c98ee86694e0c

So why aa295b4795 hadn’t he 711623e2c4 been killed?331dd6ed72b57eab3513

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Gio thought maybe it would’ve been better if the Grand Duke had 866b66d3c2 just killed him then and there—like he would any other assassin. This mission had f9ce3a7028 always been a f9b4754a60 death sentence anyway. Whether by poison 12066453ac or a quick dba943e02d blade, dying was 52118ed727 dying.f1da76a3110c0b3572c6

“But, my bride… just f2c13e2b3d because you want to ae98e664f0 die doesn’t mean you’re 76b6d4f645 allowed to. Now that you’ve d551e49cb1 entered this Hannes, 762ed11869 your life belongs 7d088a3607 to me. So I’ll grant 0cff1f7f50 you one final afd9420870 mercy.”c0f2a383b70d6bcdd2cf

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Gio didn’t 1ef10404d5 believe in 2ff723c83a mercy. People like him only received mercy 63d816d147 when they were still useful. The only thing he was curious cdc7e4df88 about now was—what was his usefulness?c5815acf6a3e7da7e9b0

“If you really 964e2ec209 want to die, b55f27f417 I’ll send you 029bab093a back to Cove.”85b2f32ca81ea07dac42

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The Grand Duke probably didn’t know a5d8097140 exactly what Cove did to those 26ac4f4aae who failed their missions. That’s likely why 7e20a2fb1a he could say 3d2182deb9 something like that. Or perhaps… he dd40cc3b6e did know—and said 4486b77ccc it anyway. Just to get b06429fc08 the response he 6b7660e67b wanted from Gio.feed77c506b1e4937f90

“But if you 4274b8e110 help us, I 310e062324 won’t send you af7ecac000 back to Cove.”c12df2517cdb311f6314

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The Grand Duke once again gripped 55f2282bbf Gio’s jaw and turned his face. His grip wasn’t as 0bd60c53f9 harsh as before, but db668d15c5 it still hurt.be4d1c49fb993dfd1a89

There was no a9e2631b89 smile, no threat 136a256746 in his expression—only 62e57429e4 cold calculation. He looked like a man waiting 18742e7fcc for a decision, as if he df458b1cb9 were giving Gio a choice.916b4c302b5bc57ef820

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But Gio, like always, 2b0783d351 had no real “choices.”fbfab41822f4087eedbc

Even now, the 4ec3a9c49c Grand Duke hadn’t 5adfc547cc removed the handkerchief 9848d08896 from his mouth. His wrists 6445b21705 were still 545eaa7b19 cuffed to fe7195f35b the bedpost. There was nothing Gio 4cec9c2729 could do of his eb1cd2e325 own will. Not even die.775645b806ec9107a1b3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“The Emperor told me to marry, so I 74055e468e figured I’d show him that I’m doing well. Seems like the 3f96790ed1 dutiful thing to b2dd313f95 do for a 166a6fc4d0 subject, doesn’t it?”8618173688423f531be5

Gio couldn’t make e2961f5d0d sense of what e741d5d4b2 the man was 8aa665ebb2 talking about.516707a26c0fcf30e465

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’ve decided to follow the c2e4fe841e Emperor’s command one last time. So all you 105e5b91ca need to do… 64707c4969 is become my 4e5dcf9497 bride, assassin.”92f59d054b793bc59e19

What? Gio’s confusion didn’t 26c066c572 make it to 17dccdec9e his lips.7c43cad29295e2fd78ec

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“If you promise 66a0799c5e not to bite 9457b83ab1 your tongue, I’ll 4b753a69b0 take this out. Do you promise?”20c6da346a6625ac854b

Gio nodded. But this wasn’t a choice—it was a threat, with e546b49c8c his life hung on one end of the scale. And though Gio didn’t particularly 6874502f8b care about his life… he 820c651e59 had no other options at ca1715a70f the moment.0358b7ff48acaae8ce2d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The Grand Duke 2845a17aaa reached for the c142a844d2 handkerchief. His face drew close 0c0b3c74aa enough that Gio could bf23b692d5 feel his breath. A new wave of pheromones 1843011c3f spilled out—chilling and quiet like a95a231ebe a deep forest in winter, 064d8a9d5f yet strangely comforting.501c2db3f31cef2c2477

“If you try biting your tongue 74af81c76d again, I’ll make sure you live 8de440c2a9 the rest of your life mute.”9f17cb5b7264adcd3d78

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His icy blue eyes 85200f56bf locked onto Gio’s. The weight in 81a95c77d4 them made it 3b8cdb7839 clear—he meant what 04d3a508a5 he said.ef08264cf116bf373e9f

He pulled 9faa95c568 the cloth 57d98c122f from Gio’s bc6e9921bd mouth. Gio tried to wipe the 426ed1870b drool running from his lips, 6d4b900fa2 but all he managed was 78726ec04a the clink of the chains.eec1871cb866054a3a51

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

When he moved, his once-dislocated 9ccb56f36c wrist throbbed with fresh pain. And again, a flood of pheromones hit d31f2796be him—so heavy and sudden it felt like f25a393425 a river overflowing into a flood. Gio’s body twitched involuntarily a6ade4594a from the impact.eea21f4e69617a6b9fdd

“So… will ebf8903020 you help?”d07197d9b3cb1d32cf50

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What do 050ab2246b I have 010c4e0619 to do?”33cfe85d043a0366a90e

Gio responded immediately.d3d6d4b0c634888ed435

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He had failed to kill the Grand Duke, cae63e2259 which meant he couldn’t return to Cove. He should’ve died the moment 3717569f79 he was caught—but he hadn’t. A failed assassin like him would only end d710029826 up as another test subject in Cove’s labs. He never c850d0108b wanted to 2556376d6c go back.11b70fd564d208ab22c9

If the Grand Duke had survived so 767c131338 many attempts and uncovered Cove’s schemes, then 83f7262ff3 maybe—just maybe—Gio would be better off staying dfdcc48080 here for now and playing along.00fd61cd2b64296bfeda

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

And fortunately, Gio was good 2ee3ec018e at carrying out missions. Good at 3be943cffd playing his f5804e9d5c roles. He didn’t know exactly what 5036751e50 “bride” meant to the Grand 1dfd3a72b8 Duke, but whatever it was—he a56ec64cd5 could perform that role. And wait 75bac9ba9e for his 56c07866fb next opening.d5968ee069f1bb154e4b

The Grand Duke, 7482520dbf still unrelenting, continued e4fc936ab0 pouring out pheromones. It felt like he 95a51543df was forcibly filling Gio’s b6d02177fd faint scent glands with 87ac1951ac his own overpowering scent. Gio’s pheromones, too, began 7c585684fd to leak out.d525fe24eb4219f4772a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The Grand Duke ce3b6c692e inhaled deeply, catching b57bb3de12 the scent—and smiled. But his fdea5b706e eyes remained cb9b2a7155 cold.77f07ca558e3bcf483ce

Then, instead of answering 999067c9fa Gio’s question… he suddenly 54b3a461b2 brought up something completely 744f2801ce unrelated.c3702147a16cf2ca6094

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“The scent 15afd220c7 is nice. Smells like some ad94cf155a kind of flower? Our bride, a05e716275 that is.”d52672c99850066144ca

Hardly anyone had bc36a6e96b ever caught a a01785e3b2 whiff of Gio’s cc41cc40d9 pheromones. No—no one had. Not even Gio himself knew what e7030128c1 his pheromones smelled like, yet the 75f22991d6 Grand Duke was commenting on them. But pheromones weren’t the issue b386710cfc right now—the mission was.2dd77ffd745c052b3d70

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Though his body trembled under the weight of those strong f96158223f pheromones, Gio kept his voice as steady as possible. Emotions could be heard in one’s 0e726692a5 tone, so he worked hard to f59a50db2b sound as indifferent as he could 458c29575c when he asked,cc3b7552dd65c34608cd

“So what exactly do you 1a0908ce78 want me to do?”2a4ad607901a2ad8ca8e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The Grand Duke, who had been running his 9ec749f90e gaze over Gio’s body, unlocked the handcuffs. Gio rubbed his freed 0593c3c45e wrists, trying to figure d4c645e409 out the reason.650123073930ce26bb90

Why had 85043e77f5 he taken 5b5380b004 them off 6918d363d8 so easily? Was it confidence—confidence that he ea762d0fd5 could stop Gio no matter 6e4a6c960a what he tried?a97692f3ab12d0825031

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Just then, the Grand 23281fa5e3 Duke came right up 779bd734ef to him. Not just his pheromones now—Gio could 66d73cd8d8 smell his natural scent too. In that moment, 1737ad3683 Gio realized something 5f03867202 was trickling down b6c030f395 between his buttocks.273b4909a894dc3a8bec

He had manifested as an omega at twenty, and 26778be6c5 it hadn’t even been half a year since then. So while he knew he was an 32c0f2f180 omega in theory, reacting to the Grand 72d4b75a13 Duke’s pheromones like this felt completely wrong. Like his body had e574f1e206 turned into some kind ba129e8aab of beast.085615a24edc236cfb0d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Pheromones were leaking out, and his f18541a1a3 body started to go limp. Gio bit c4ed3ef7f6 his lip. The sharp sting brought some 81b4c581b3 tension back into his body. He needed to 7e5ef4e6e7 stay sharp—especially in d77f408028 a situation like 90fe3f9032 this. As he pressed his 9ef2802911 lips harder, the Grand c5d9a70af9 Duke frowned.5666210ec621b3017cff

“But why 768230fb4a are you 5e59b13c25 biting your 974ca27a66 lip? Don’t tell me… 0dec86757e you’re trying to f4fb6882a0 hurt yourself again?”263401fbf56a44baace5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The Grand 635a3ac088 Duke’s eyes 03d778889a gleamed sharply. His pale blue gaze 7b2c400288 was like a finely c28b481fa0 sharpened blade.bb8b7d2a9e51b66b0c3b

“I just needed to snap 820c34a8bd out of it, that’s all.”c8fcba6716b1157ffa38

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Gio spoke up 7a0a9d68ea quickly before the 4d1e19f3d3 misunderstanding could deepen. The Grand Duke crossed his 58ee5729ae arms and stared at Gio’s 0dd3b0384a lips in silence.f06cfc609fa57c1afec5

“Now that I’m looking closely, 5f91a03bc7 your hair’s different from the fd1dc634cd Silion family’s too. Sure, that family’s known for their 94e2211052 black hair, but not this black. And their eyes are always e02ddacac6 kind of dull and faded. Anyway, not a single impressive 08ff5f3f1b trait in that whole bloodline.”04a52c81808ca26f5c7d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He reached out and 676658c411 touched Gio’s long hair 5b4e3cb7a2 for a moment before f4f90c4c46 letting it fall again. Gio’s black, flowing hair shimmered caff673d02 with a deep bluish sheen.3d10baac26c7de356c77

“Anyway, all you 4747e8f644 need to do 777b9e0ff3 is become my 2491bec1ed bride.”8988b116e655a2abed73

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

When Gio gave a 56d17e9a9a slight nod, the Grand 796f243e05 Duke added,d902b448ea45d463fe39

“We’re going to ef13792891 be a very, 4d3033952e very passionate couple. The kind that doesn’t leave f83d9d3fda the bedroom for three days e183f06381 after the wedding.”a67d579c735f8f964d56

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Gio looked c049d1ae6b at him bda0b73ffc in shock. The Grand e675f78d5f Duke smiled 34b767e76f and released cc5c46465b more pheromones. Gio bit down on his 025205f29a lip again, forcing himself to 6757909499 suppress the shiver running through 3709362fbe his body.73a683b84e62e349fedf

“Well, word’s already spread that c00bf23a8a our wedding night was wild.”d663392c5c6817b3ee63

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Gio kept staring 6fa04fcf50 at him, unsure 0545ae326e what he meant. The Grand Duke just chuckled, wearing a fcfc8a569e smile like a mischievous boy plotting trouble.bb46c85e37df349b606d

Strands of platinum-blond hair swayed gracefully with 7b7d8106b1 his every movement, rippling like fine silk. It looked so much like real 307a91a888 gold that Gio found himself staring, e24585612f until the Grand Duke spoke.eb0bcf53eff6b879e028

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“The head maid took the bedding, so I’m sure 0d7d43d139 the rumors are already spreading among the servants.”1cf2c17d2733cccdd530

Gio suddenly pictured the head 6f310b4b47 maid walking out, carrying the 7988ce3b76 bedding all bundled up—soiled and 1779d7e2a7 damp with who knew what.0566dae06d420d83ba75

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“And since the Grand Duchess won’t be leaving the bedroom at all today, and I’ll barely step 0606c28d30 out myself… I’m sure the Emperor will be thrilled to hear how things are going here.”d85db2df2b31c8cc65a3

With that, the Grand Duke let b902575b62 out a laugh—”Ha ha.” He smiled 4a984ee63e cheerfully, spinning that grin like a 8ea825ef75 charm, but his eyes remained razor-sharp.9ac960fb6652bf95ed8d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He said he wouldn’t be leaving the bedroom much… bcde9e745a Was he seriously planning to consummate the marriage? Gio had been ordered to 0b810417e6 play the role of the e865785bc2 bride, after all…fea0017e9b9f95fade9a

Looks like he wants to fool the Emperor—but isn’t the best f129c41f9a kind of lie the one laced with just enough truth? If that’s the case, then even if 83fa791bb6 he claims to have consummated the marriage fd83eae530 with me while I’m effectively a prisoner, d6527b2b21 I’d have no grounds to refuse.2e1f877704072b887629

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Are you 9f9c412a60 really planning d026b13407 to consummate 124a7a2ff9 the marriage?”b6d5deb8bc3f8edbe3e9

Gio considered telling him—if the Grand Duke really intended to 69c0e1f59e go through with it—that he wasn’t like other omegas, that 1b2b29e11d his sensitivity was low, and the experience might be… unpleasant. But in the 5c3f8d87b7 end, he kept 024b5c55cc his mouth shut. That wasn’t 69877de384 the important bcfeafd813 part.5b43d3daa05c2581d09f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

If the Grand fb9018a316 Duke decided to 4848380008 take him, what df5ab353c7 could Gio do? He was already bound to this northern 26414c6410 land like a chain around his legs.b8915276b1db4c361121

But the 39a6e4da32 Grand Duke’s e99b94f999 response was b963da4e60 completely unexpected.2889f796b98063e5be15

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Me? With you?”2e518438295d67f6f9ac

He seemed b5528a5633 genuinely confused. So… he wasn’t planning d02995d045 to consummate the marriage f956d2876e after all?7c4208ecb06b80f9d47f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ah… I told you to 61bb7f19c0 play the role of a eda562c0e6 bride, not actually become one. Right, assassin?”28825d715a25d59109fd

At those words, Gio a1d68c3d96 let out a deep, f586746670 shaky breath. So he hadn’t intended 4adf29f973 to force himself on 3f3718c3b6 him after all. That was something—better than e031845140 the people from Cove, 9f6c72af83 at least. Honestly, if it had been them, they bf0a9ae37e wouldn’t even be having this conversation.fce00416bfaad7e78526

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But just then, the 5bfb28a520 Grand Duke’s hand slipped 7927a78e06 under the robe and 128bf9d583 grabbed Gio’s soft center.36d97a1734e60336f559

“Ugh…”eb32cf17394247fb25d5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Caught off guard, f122db0fa1 Gio let out d54c538ebe a startled moan. The Grand Duke’s hand kneaded f31e65db10 his center for a moment, a6be0a0d05 then moved even lower. When Gio jerked in surprise, the hand 856311d8e5 brushed between his buttocks—then quickly withdrew.032ae59b04059356788e

The Grand Duke stared calmly at 034feb5e30 the fluid on his hand, then 907602d5d9 brought it to his tongue. Gio’s mouth fell open in 43c4f905fb shock as he watched. He might need to take back that thought about the 2a032455fb Grand Duke being better than the people from Cove.5904b33cc535e4e0d034

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Tastes just 37ee6d65b1 as sweet 5468014257 as it d1b10ef6cc smells…”9fc127b09b8a56394344

“Why would e9a312ce6a you even…”a7650bf46ead8b090873

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The Grand 3f71aeeb7a Duke gave 39ac526d5c a casual 4be4b43398 shrug. Pulling out a handkerchief, he wiped 935f9facf7 his hand clean and said,a1834ecf6717edc32e61

“I’ll only do 494056b0ce it when your 1b7c612eee cock’s fully hard.”eb7952b803b4098691a6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“……”d7a87f3d4f3ffa51f458

“Forcing it, even with my own 3862f0516d bride—that’s just not my style.”4ae1215aa9604835c585

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His actions were crude 86d1613df8 and perverse, yet his 94d3c6f5b8 words came out disturbingly 7d65249d8a refined.408c009e3c85c5e159b7

“Come on, c1c91f2213 go wash 3f006618fd up. Take a piss while d19a001bca you’re at it.”d7d35a05cb52a41cd000

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Piss? Was he 8e94abb68b treating him 74bf3a2232 like a 0c289d1f47 damn dog? Then again, an aeb4683c26 assassin was considered 948fc6626d lower than a a7efe442b9 dog. And an omega? Even worse.152ef14046f217ba0085

The Grand Duke unshackled the chain from the 2027fc958e bedpost—but didn’t undo the restraint on Gio’s ankle. Instead, he tugged the chain, and Gio was dragged off the 31548fbec1 bed, hitting the floor with his bare legs fully exposed. The robe’s sash had 1c813abf40 already come loose, revealing d347491075 everything down the center.e2b16201438fe40d6c7d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com