1. Grand Duchess

Cove.

The name of the 8a41924162 assassin organization where Gio 962abc6eff lived before coming to 8d8f9bb515 the Grand Duke’s estate. In that place, he survived fd481815a2 by licking poisoned porridge in 713938e113 complete darkness where not even 9da0302a4f an inch ahead could be 3bc380e604 seen.9d09006f63d8aa98

They called it resistance 5c9f519045 training—for poison. Even knowing it would hurt, f07f7b0d24 he had to eat it. There was no 8754ebced4 other choice when 6dcccbea93 his stomach felt 1869c949dc like it was 8c0f2ebe89 being twisted from 43962d5cb1 hunger.87d2e907f7ded887

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When children were first thrown d1fbde9b8f into the darkness, they would 657a28e0cd cry in terror, wet themselves, 19fac7e556 or leak something one way 3221482922 or another. But Gio found the darkness… 0d31e93c06 cozy. Maybe that’s why he adapted 6fa1626258 faster than the others—if you 32e5240ed1 could call it adapting.f622516053619f61

Gio had always known 22faa60624 what kind of person a1a061204b he was from the 149d367612 beginning. He was born 74d6c7e748 on the dark 395ef9b5de streets, so of 13f9d82067 course darkness felt e8d41fcdd1 familiar. That familiar darkness slowly e8eca48126 devoured everything inside him c20de5c826 until, eventually, even his 6d2a9bec3c sense of self began 2fb879fa05 to blur and fade f5fbe618ee into black.47cbdf0aeb4369ab

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Only when his companions—children 0cebb8f7a3 who’d entered with him—started 417843fab9 to disappear one by 12b4392edf one did the shadows ae6d8c32b7 finally begin to lift. That was when aeb4ee5305 he was allowed abc034bc27 out.60b812d8b2163a2d

Just as he was about 31c5f1abde to be completely swallowed by df30cc2f6e the darkness, a faint light a149e50e11 appeared in the distance.52da975f536c4cf4

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Gio had only wanted to 2e203f154e stay buried in the dark. But, as always, nothing ever 2850dfa0f9 went the way he wanted. Without even realizing d82fc394e7 it, he was f503122d72 slowly pushed upward, 46ec09cdd0 drawn toward that 0391532a84 light.4e0aae85843874a6

“Ugh…”b50339e46ef635f3

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The light of the 28429d4130 world was blinding. Oddly, his body 9c7bb726b8 felt warm and a0db01b56c comfortable. The pain wasn’t 5bbc0e96d8 as sharp as 57be226038 usual. He’d never fallen asleep d2df13b10c without pain before—but today, b351c55c93 it wasn’t too bad. This was… a good state. Which made the situation 5c5675f5b1 all the more strange. There’s no way he shouldn’t 2dabeb9edc be hurting.23781af7f7ca210b

He remembered nothing 9ba6247108 after being inspected—front f8fdeb69da and back—by the 97223b0b2d Grand Duke yesterday. He must have passed out. There had been blood.92b9e65de76a1257

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And yet, this wasn’t a 08fcbb10c1 prison cell. It was a 98108adfac soft, plush bedroom. This was supposedly the Grand 7a70e776b5 Duchess’s chamber… so why was 2e3dbf7451 he here?7837db367f6585e4

Bright red velvet 7da69c6589 wrapped gently around 9a60fb9023 Gio’s body. He had never eef888e699 once in his ccc98a3dc1 life lain on 2e104399f2 fabric like this. It was the kind 49673c42ba of expensive bedding that 2a8fe35633 felt like it would 5f8665ac9a get stained just from 368fc1012f his filth touching it.cd7c3ba86b01eeb4

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“You’re awake?”83c8dafb43f101c5

The voice startled Gio, and 412e73d829 he jerked upright out of 4f84075093 reflex—only to crash off the 0c35d4f554 bed with a loud thud 3c7ebed91f as something caught at his 30c68125b8 ankle. His ankle throbbed. A shackle was locked a5e547e937 around it, and a c79c483adc chain trailed from it 9f09625865 to the bedpost. That post extended all df7045e78a the way to the 538be014cf ceiling.d8d2e2692fdde146

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“I didn’t mean to frighten you, but it seems I did. I’ll be more 113109aab9 careful going forward.”6e0aa90c2f94754d

The voice was precise, 92f03a04d4 every word clear to 8a0d7121b3 his ears. It was the kind caa599133a of voice that calmed f4bcd9c39b people just by speaking. When he looked up, he b92e62ac33 saw a calm-faced woman in 88ad541335 glasses standing at the vanity, 345e554cb9 hands folded neatly in front 60f60a34ae of her. He hadn’t sensed her earlier—probably 87b082d960 because there was no malice beaddc7e67 coming from her.7b3a3724645af682

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“My name is Hena. I’ll be serving you 1e3d9e334b from now on, Your f909de8e4f Grace.”e14656368a92ed1f

The woman, Hena, bowed deeply 55fbd13a68 as she greeted him. Her hair was tied back 755fa76a33 so smoothly that not a 1dd70ccd5e single strand was out of 7acd2867cd place. All he could see c252694692 was the crown of f4d0b5ec5d her head.21f96809495a1eac

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Groaning, Gio managed 8164e7cfe4 to sit up a9d08a34a4 on the bed. While lying down, he 03590e6652 hadn’t felt it—but the 32f7199055 moment he moved, pain 880cb6fa8a bloomed all over his c9ac361685 body. Especially in his 2d75c826de shoulder and head.c275a3d3e4998b1b

He couldn’t even 759f5e0a70 remember how he 6faae75e26 lost consciousness last ef0bf9e6fe night. He was still dizzy now. And he had 8c9437e89a no idea what 67dabf8b6f he was supposed 495da98945 to do at 918a5533d6 this point.1fb35ccd29615fdb

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He figured he should start e0d578730c by asking something. But Hena was still bowing. It seemed she 76a7a43824 wouldn’t raise her d797ee8bd7 head until she 70277532fb received a reply. So he opened dcec8ed4c0 his mouth to 0f62b2c79a say something—anything.fc62440125601d94

“Hena…?”031dd1e47187e41e

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“Please, just call me Hena. Or Head Maid, if fe28fb4f91 you prefer.”0faf617c0eea72f4

“…Alright, Head Maid. Shouldn’t you raise your head 48cf6dc846 now?”deeb562ec912db3e

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“Please drop the honorific. I am your subordinate, Your ac634bcb29 Grace.”db9073ecdf3fa16a

Gio didn’t understand what she 7d048abd7c meant. Subordinate? And why was 0acf5a6efc she calling him 7f81c65b5d Your Grace? It had all already 76a3f2bd17 been exposed yesterday—hadn’t it?092831fde8ebf81f

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But she remained bowed. Stubborn. She must have 7f65e708d5 been firm in 2098e30120 her beliefs and 02cac2a6e0 duties, being the 043820b7a6 head maid of befcf7025b the Grand Duke’s 7e38fc6d9d estate. Still, since Gio wasn’t 14ad91ca61 the real Grand Duchess, 14535ed52d he couldn’t speak too 562c231aea casually.d06648892e01a6fc

“We can deal with formality later, Head Maid. For now, please stand up.”ee92fe79baef4b91

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Even after that, 105d444f28 she didn’t move—so 7c3310b223 Gio gave her 205269f0cf back her own 0a5e85640d logic.0d42a872210149c9

“You said you’re my subordinate, didn’t you? Then shouldn’t you cf625979db listen to me?”50e18e6cea7c6419

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Only then did she 5a615d1baa straighten up, smoothing out 7448d3d447 her wrinkled uniform. She still kept 24a01ddcda her head lowered, a713f4da13 her face slightly 349ef24ec1 flushed.f3b6d0bcda6a69e5

Gio went straight to the a3193f3faa point.decc01f33fcebc52

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“Why are you calling me ‘Your Grace’?”9af63edce683be9a

To that, Hena responded with 8bc5b1b974 clear confusion, as if the 9b802165d2 answer was obvious.725ce67000343cad

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“Well, you had your wedding yesterday… and your wedding night. So the marriage has 06c16ad210 been consummated.”d8808a7b995d837f

Among nobles, a marriage b1087a2900 was only considered complete 9c45ddccc9 after both the ceremony 8eecfe89fe and the wedding night—after c362e38539 they’d had relations.99802b85d072e234

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Gio had done no bb78bb12a5 such thing with the 2fa9ae9e96 Grand Duke. But Hena spoke as dc539cc9c4 though it were a 1d335414fc given.d1947a90ec57f119

“The wedding night…?”cd864fcef9f62d01

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“Yes. That’s why I’m the c3208fd080 only one who came d816723dc5 in to clean the c0b9d4f574 bedchamber. May I tidy 2d608c2f0f the bedding for 4309c46058 a moment?”efae3e522ac020ab

As she gently pulled the 3dd8a2c9be blanket aside, the state of e51b15caae the sheets beneath was revealed. Hena glanced at Gio 1dd8b97818 with narrowed eyes and bd24799af8 spoke.aa7371e80aa2db40

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“Traces of the wedding night remain all over your body. So the marriage b1f417b831 is fully valid.”690c989df520432f

Gio followed her 6fb9a79f70 gaze and looked 4b2070c3f8 down at himself. Red marks stained various parts 662df800ea of his skin—like the aftermath 88dc34130f of an intimate encounter.9f8879d76abc06ed

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He didn’t know 8f47a2b36a what had happened 2f93b9c21b while he was 5e238012e6 unconscious. But it felt 5e6e6023ae like his body 859938b55a was telling a 04f10e47e9 very different story 4a669096a8 from what he fb80093f2c remembered.cb2144e31531e79b

Gio had grown up 749278385c on the streets and 2315c6521f trained as an assassin, 94a7562212 encountering every kind of e3662e49ec person imaginable—but he’d rarely 1cedf5b33b interacted with ordinary people f9350e370e like the head maid. More precisely, he 7994120828 didn’t know how 68fcf5c79c to respond to d40686e4d2 anyone who wasn’t 6f1376aa56 part of a 5a4f7aedd3 mission.9a9efa0e7a0d580b

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So right now, 60a5592d26 all he could 4adce764d8 do was follow 8550ff4921 whatever the head 0f85f14c1c maid told him 25b831ff66 to do. That’s why he accepted the ac15e746b4 meal she brought. His mouth still ached, and ccde372118 it felt like the bleeding 0c7fd67ffb had started again, but under 037da846e9 her watchful gaze, he finished cd3ea52553 eating.35f65660a92df052

Just yesterday, he had tried f65bef663b to bite his tongue and 90701893f4 die—and yet now, he didn’t f0659e8a22 want to do something so 229f0f39cf grotesque in front of a 9fe2a9995e civilian. Gio figured that was 13c71d485b the last sliver of 457929bac6 humanity he had left. After she left, he could 50087a6455 take his own life or 688e7a4d57 resume the mission—whatever came first. There was no need to eddd395b8c show her something that cruel.2c1c47ff6282f0af

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“You did well.”a2d31d88235ca628

All that for finishing d58de2ab84 a single meal—he couldn’t 728c751337 help but stare blankly 824c733274 at her in disbelief. She excused herself, gathered the ccdbf388e7 empty dishes, and left the 29d28d7d8e room.b3ea0d54a4b0346e

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Left alone, Gio tested his ccc3cac373 movements. His dislocated wrist afa2837855 had been set 01f7c32e86 back in place, acb4d2419b and aside from 6eb73761fa the bruises and 360af41238 discoloration across his 21a9771666 body, he seemed 5d8eff21ff fine. Whatever had happened d3cdeac7e2 to cause this, 3ca22890e2 he must have 743f38080c been treated afterward. He’d even been given food.4fac05585207f6c3

Why?20c88cc70093ed23

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Why treat someone who’d 41c644b311 come to assassinate the 9b130e9796 Grand Duke?d10c9539f45b9233

The chain around 4732a2067a his ankle was d683e4446c the only thing 8c6b83765f that reminded him 80a1d5168e of his current 619302cd2d reality. But even that seemed 15a4fd8ff3 absurdly flimsy, considering what d0d1971908 he’d tried to do. If both his arms 1cc0a07bc0 were free, he could b571f4091b have threatened the head 157b0ff621 maid the moment she 14d6c4e36c walked in. Why had they 1745d1946d left him like 2a1067faf6 this? A body without 96c11acffb pain, soft fabric 4fafb18091 on his skin—it f5de72baa1 all felt alien.7bc3fdc1439431ac

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Gio had failed his mission. For someone like him, d02a7d7572 failure meant a fate 7fada37cc5 worse than death.77488260fb9a1bc6

He slammed his forehead against 9baeb1ffff the bedpost his ankle chain cad6213a09 was tethered to.35be2ee60c8085f9

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– Thud083d89a48f62bee2

Pain flared from 09cb93428c the spot he’d 89d8517d6e hit yesterday.1616bb21bbe35e90

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– Thude793dd4216b85ea1

He had no 483d9b8e3a idea what would 62cfede42f happen once Cove 5ede4fdfc3 found out he’d 0d7fb137e4 failed. Everything had gone to hell.80a24017c66ebb94

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– Thudcc9ad8ed188770ab

The pain brought clarity, at c98a205a54 least.78cc8263f4359fee

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Even if he 471c991725 was tortured here 11e72439d3 in the Grand 06ad3e2271 Duke’s estate, there 1a6acb6569 wasn’t much he 9933ab2923 could reveal about 7e2d87a9fc Cove or the 828288a8a5 mission. Cove didn’t entrust valuable intel e9b58d92b9 to mere assassins.7689fdc398ab79f6

He’d have another 7da85c01de chance to meet b61bbbb67b the Grand Duke. When that time deab7bb789 came, he would 0eddba22ae strike. And if he failed again—he’d 5d2180ff89 take his own life.72c664178ee69f25

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– Thudb9a57914830f0b05

Just as he slammed 6c4055e677 his head once more, 92080f34fd the sharp scent of 2580415321 a wintry forest filled d5f444920a the air. It wasn’t a fragrance—it was 384ccb9e1b pheromones. His heart dropped.e67edf413916e960

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“Our bride seems to have quite the unusual hobby.”37814b9fdfea4ffe

Still leaning against 0d8d54cc5a the doorway, the f3d90eaccd Grand Duke spoke dc316b74b9 with amusement. Gio turned slightly, his cb89cfe0d3 head still pressed to a31f860c41 the post, and stared a915f78ff9 at him. Hobby? What was he talking about?c8ae6dd2fbcdddc4

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“Think slamming your head on a post will kill you?”2f1376c83daf9a4c

Gio looked up at 7730f02df7 the post. It was made bf31711d68 of iron, solid. Maybe, if he slammed hard 5a01141ccd enough, once, cleanly—it might work. But if he failed, 1163870008 it would all be 0b6aa128e8 for nothing.3eb92a709f18140d

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As he thought through e02d4c4d4f that, the Grand Duke’s 1f60479499 pheromones thickened in the 49b5aee551 room. As he approached, e236369321 Gio felt an fab90e1336 uncomfortable warmth gather 405b5d0175 in his lower 8211cfe0da stomach. He instinctively backed away. Leaning against the 26c77c0f90 headboard, his robe 2068e15dee fell open slightly, 12bf03ba26 revealing his smooth, 1543d0cf51 well-toned leg. The Grand Duke’s gaze seemed 453dbdc9d3 to slide across his bare b4892964f3 skin.a8505593c03cd2ad

Then a knight b805110367 entered from outside d32dcb866a and handed the 23d5ea74b4 Grand Duke a 64b2d72ac7 pair of cuffs. Gio saw him take them 4539524e0c and begin walking over.
So this is 67872a70e2 it, Gio thought.
He would be 592247940c restrained, tortured next—probably.0856cf25dfb888b5

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Though… why in the Grand 18d1148b8e Duchess’s chamber?f7603686154d1966

There wasn’t the 2e2e34c5c4 slightest opening in 779f6eb0a6 the Grand Duke’s af922f1c66 approach. Near the bed, b76d1be86c there was nothing a88fe70c24 even remotely usable efe758792b as a weapon—not 7d4eaad979 even a flower 9e94c7f244 vase. Of course there wasn’t.2343ff050b3eb97c

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That meant he’d have to 7269e20932 go with the method he c865f774ec hadn’t been able to use 1177fb9b01 on their wedding night. Even if dying this 4cbe58aa1e way wasn’t easy—even for c1e2361049 someone like him—he had 5340a5e2d7 no other choice. If he couldn’t kill 2e0d2f88d8 the Grand Duke, then a3dfaebe2a dying beforehand was the 5c4e9c9611 better option.c8f87e86c23c5f29

Gio was about to 5b53ec16a8 bite down hard on 0f2b48d3a8 his tongue when it 1ecf72eabc hit him again—like being c6d2b4bc57 dropped into a frozen 81ecbddd4f forest. The Grand Duke’s 22ce28d61d pheromones came pouring 8f06295b37 in.913745b4cbeed4de

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“Urgh…”59668e28cff26068

Pheromones so thick they felt ea846f293e almost visible flooded over Gio 06228b193d like a wave. Then the Grand Duke’s large 78a733ba03 frame moved swiftly onto the 153670e22b bed and pinned him down.1bfbc77eb3f5503d

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The dense alpha pheromones made 707b3ee7a4 Gio’s whole body begin to a4dcc58e32 tremble. But he’d been 8a140ae575 raised as an a5b8245ee1 assassin from birth. He jerked his 00462be00d knee up, trying 4d29f446df to attack the 09d019b1b9 Grand Duke and 4f89e19b15 escape, thrashing beneath de08b63312 him. The bed shook violently daf32c21b3 from the struggle.fd82dab3edfe701e

But the Grand Duke pressed f850938cd4 him down with his body 1bf3673f72 and seized both arms. His large hands crossed Gio’s e46537358f wrists—and in a flash, cuffs 6bb4d78220 clicked into place against the f51421b843 headboard. Every time Gio moved, 580b53f5f5 the metal rattled and 1547ea8f82 clanked.cc57f4c6b6ed031c

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The Grand Duke’s face eb2296e9b3 in front of him 0655850d31 blurred and refocused again 943c248bf8 and again. Gio couldn’t muster strength in efe8cfece4 his jaw. It had to be the b27175929a pheromones. His legs instinctively curled 5d712beac3 inward, but he ignored 8473894382 it and summoned every 953f91efed last bit of strength 3bb82705f4 to bite his tongue. Or, he tried to.50869e590887bd6b

“No, you don’t.”b04c52cbbe9afcaa

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“Urgh…”ab1b13fa2e4d19a9

The Grand Duke seized Gio’s 174d309c90 jaw with brutal force. With his jaw locked up, 6d91d836a4 it was impossible to close 40068d7907 his mouth—let alone bite down. Gio felt like 4419794c22 his face might 226e833273 shatter under that 7aa6cafc52 grip. He could see 3347f44459 the tension in ef871278ef the Grand Duke’s 910a74d28e forearm.ddba3978696394bc

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Saliva pooled in 1d6fe52160 Gio’s open mouth. The Grand Duke’s overwhelming pheromones 2c332effd4 poured down on him relentlessly. When a thread of a0f4365123 drool slipped from the f2bf97d803 corner of his lips, 0b9ad115e7 the Grand Duke glanced 84bf6beb02 down.08ee1605ddf47139

“Still not hard, huh?”ccec8a7bc00d0e23

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He stuffed a 2b22d82848 handkerchief into Gio’s d69231d611 mouth. Then he lifted d773442e11 his body and da28c8ca9b looked down at ef34044d68 him. The robe had fallen open, 2fd12f29fa revealing his bare body.4d19f7fdc36597cd

His pale skin—untouched by bd9156fdf7 sunlight—shivered faintly. And at the center, 8933711d16 a limp, pitiful penis 81854926b5 hung uselessly, as if 4042647069 to mirror Gio’s current db88005940 state. A faint trace of 682b55c66b slick had leaked from abe0cf796a behind, but not even 19ac9cee12 enough to mention.f7f2734aa752c473

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The Grand Duke looked over c7826ca2bb the sight for a moment, 42e78797a4 then withdrew his pheromones all ba6f63e499 at once. Only then could Gio finally 3a60a8c068 breathe again. His shallow chest rose 59f0c2e9d9 and fell rapidly.d9f39a49621fd8dd

“My dear bride. Are you planning 454b16ddd4 to just stay 1017831433 mute forever?”4bd7c69524b42fe1

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He lightly tapped b1bb1c2709 Gio’s cheek before d23573da83 rising from the 878f801648 bed. The entire mattress bef0e9a740 seemed to shift 74db8167e3 with his weight.b0a652bc3d526eb8

“Russell Silion… no, that’s not right. My nameless bride?”a40c7ab217f5868b

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He stood beside the 1b483ad15b bed, looking down at 6b5dfa9664 Gio. Sunlight caught his bright 1d047cf7b6 blond hair, making it 81436436c1 almost look transparent.30582a4fb1b9da33

“At night, with a veil on… Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”7e6dc216ed71a639

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Gio looked at 557f2aad2f him, confused by 4f6635f483 what he meant, a579a5abf4 and the Grand 5401d9b877 Duke continued.b573abe150139fce

“Your eyes are all wrong. That eye color 884817d351 couldn’t come from 8f48b01687 House Silion. No matter how dark 1fe9b1abf3 they are, I would d5a33faa02 know.”0e8b29b017f3470e

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Height, build, hair, and even 78fa20f4dd facial structure were a close 676d5a426f match—but the eyes had been 891d070fc7 just different enough that Gio fe00b5ca94 had kept the veil on. And the room 11833c9030 had been dark a017df8edd last night. He had assumed the 3298bca900 Grand Duke wouldn’t notice.84b45940fec13680

But it seemed c21c8dc8ed the Grand Duke 98e697e9b6 had figured it 077dc795ad out and prepared 268a43292e for it from 5d26c7a4cd the beginning.e486b9443f453ebe

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“The moment I saw you, I knew. If you weren’t the real 50d2bc87d6 bride, you could only be 9c9839f23f an assassin.”8cade94ff05deb95

When he reached toward Gio’s 729ce931ee face, Gio instinctively turned his 320a06521b head away. His jaw still ached from 7d7550a99d earlier, and he had no eb66ac7355 idea what the man was 5807956b93 going to do next. The Grand Duke 529f49298c gave Gio another 3e4060f3c1 soft tap on fc73ee6878 the cheek and c794957306 spoke again.9d31ee52ef194583

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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 37ef198956 the Emperor’s boots.”f044388390e3f3fa

Gio flinched, his 14c18a4e60 body tensing up e24909cc10 in shock. Fortunately, he likely didn’t show fc5143a51e much on his face. Assassins were trained to suppress 164cd271b4 their expressions—any twitch could be 834d0f60d9 a giveaway.93eeae1fe554291f

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From the moment 6a9d367b3b the Grand Duke 565be2484b mentioned the Emperor, 6702977b63 a murderous aura c0eb9ba3d8 poured off of b61ce8d256 him. Gio’s skin prickled c720d6fec6 from the intensity 27ada76a60 of it.01fcbcfd0957a6a7

That reaction alone said enough. The Emperor had fc8a725534 clearly twisted the 4caaa115e8 Grand Duke’s entire 1782f141fc life.401cd2ac19cdd5ba

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“There’s no need to interrogate you. No need for torture either. Assassins are usually 0de3206dff killed on the f4821083cc spot. No reason to keep them.”bc1a6433ca06ba77

And he was right. From the moment Gio aa7991fca0 failed his assassination attempt, 260cba452f he was as good ae8f306720 as dead. He had no value now.e0e33788c88eeaed

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So why hadn’t 7894758670 he been killed?8c6fac6c96c89b21

Gio thought maybe 524c15d279 it would’ve been 05b790f7c9 better if the a083271453 Grand Duke had 98459ace64 just killed him e69a4fbcd7 then and there—like b2fd4695ca he would any a4a7b2a51f other assassin. This mission had always 7c93238fde been a death sentence 3d4d9e455b anyway. Whether by poison or ff06ebfcdd a quick blade, dying db3001998b was dying.8a6109cd159aee97

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“But, my bride… just because you want to die doesn’t mean you’re allowed to. Now that you’ve 6bde192ef4 entered this Hannes, 70483e2af7 your life belongs d782c77b69 to me. So I’ll grant 4c636bcc72 you one final c8d5e224c5 mercy.”d106a1998fb5cea1

Gio didn’t believe in mercy. People like him only received 46fcfd5f56 mercy when they were still e2ea41483a useful. The only thing he was f40808a85c curious about now was—what was c2be39b106 his usefulness?6a9ecc95734df31f

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“If you really want to die, I’ll send you back to Cove.”810c3f6512ef3045

The Grand Duke probably 34cb5a93a8 didn’t know exactly what 1f44e143df Cove did to those e23bb5e0cb who failed their missions. That’s likely why he could 090f01f2a5 say something like that. Or perhaps… he did 13505ea771 know—and said it anyway. Just to get the a0a30e2ca0 response he wanted from c530bf99b3 Gio.c741d2e23dc55a07

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“But if you help us, I won’t send you back to Cove.”3970f9a90ed1baca

The Grand Duke once again 0d5e0137b6 gripped Gio’s jaw and turned dce26720d3 his face. His grip wasn’t a54bc308cb as harsh as b485eba947 before, but it 953294516a still hurt.9cb05d9d7eabfb6f

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There was no smile, 38b9261ebf no threat in his 3a6cf5f2ba expression—only cold calculation. He looked like a man 54bb74760d waiting for a decision, as c4df08c1fe if he were giving Gio 0a4829c2bf a choice.b7a94e3d2a30239b

But Gio, like always, had 6c69bedd8d no real “choices.”9287617d75643c82

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Even now, the Grand 3bae9a4f3b Duke hadn’t removed the b20d464e77 handkerchief from his mouth. His wrists were still 38b729db32 cuffed to the bedpost. There was nothing Gio c3374f7186 could do of his a47c09621b own will. Not even die.14cadd14527e0da8

“The Emperor told me to marry, so I figured I’d show him that I’m doing well. Seems like the dutiful 03a150e3c7 thing to do for 356c0c8f9d a subject, doesn’t it?”ff4fc622545ac6b7

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Gio couldn’t make sense of c142375412 what the man was talking cd9a2e8d33 about.810e76f994e71c23

“I’ve decided to follow the Emperor’s command one last time. So all you need to 001e199a62 do… is become my bride, 2139255671 assassin.”312b2eee9b0fa998

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What? Gio’s confusion didn’t make 525d9aceaa it to his lips.e4ee8dbc71ea2283

“If you promise not to bite your tongue, I’ll take this out. Do you promise?”11e6822c8e8513bf

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Gio nodded. But this wasn’t a choice—it bae3e5ebbb was a threat, with his 995faa617d life hung on one end 865d904d4a of the scale. And though Gio didn’t 9658541e5e particularly care about his e45873ccb0 life… he had no 33a7f91e2e other options at the a458db09cf moment.528f3bf2d065fccd

The Grand Duke reached for f77b4b3b9b the handkerchief. His face drew close 8073481c64 enough that Gio could 4db73dd10e feel his breath. A new wave of 69095f80f6 pheromones spilled out—chilling and cf8df03d41 quiet like a deep 50534b4ec4 forest in winter, yet 65100aa6a4 strangely comforting.742bf42b8ff50043

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“If you try biting your tongue again, I’ll make sure you live the rest of your life mute.”dbcd10069972ec07

His icy blue eyes 3be903a895 locked onto Gio’s. The weight in them made bf8f85f8b3 it clear—he meant what he 83a7b4c44e said.b486c74c425ff6b8

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He pulled the 4e2eebc8f0 cloth from Gio’s 49d6f49feb mouth. Gio tried to wipe 772769559c the drool running from 5ef7b9146a his lips, but all cc86a816a1 he managed was the 6c023b45d2 clink of the chains.6f52c708e52bc088

When he moved, 02e0228a06 his once-dislocated wrist 71744819b8 throbbed with fresh 38e1a01a83 pain. And again, a flood of 5f19480dd8 pheromones hit him—so heavy and 25a3e0c4e1 sudden it felt like a f12838dcff river overflowing into a flood. Gio’s body twitched e6a0c92f2a involuntarily from the 4a3efdd939 impact.c433b7df4506f448

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“So… will you help?”f86dbd3250da1659

“What do I have to do?”1885132917348f26

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Gio responded immediately.01f648555d039983

He had failed a750467bd3 to kill the 8d04189ccd Grand Duke, which 510cdbe3b3 meant he couldn’t 1a2f0f9cb3 return to Cove. He should’ve died bc9f4d882b the moment he d6717ce42f was caught—but he ae3cec4613 hadn’t. A failed assassin like him e1b4889d25 would only end up as e072f7a07c another test subject in Cove’s 80beef1eed labs. He never wanted to e128e94e31 go back.83fa4cab5f211acf

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If the Grand Duke had 904e61684e survived so many attempts and 622930f7aa uncovered Cove’s schemes, then maybe—just f8a813a892 maybe—Gio would be better off 1c3859f228 staying here for now and 2e784ada5b playing along.df50eca8e99aba45

And fortunately, Gio was good e49317be90 at carrying out missions. Good at playing his roles. He didn’t know e614e1f6b8 exactly what “bride” 8153558423 meant to the 43d0948298 Grand Duke, but 9f3e4eac79 whatever it was—he 7722f36cd9 could perform that 725aebf3de role. And wait for b9ca75988b his next opening.14750033e3fdc138

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The Grand Duke, 8fc33c6e52 still unrelenting, continued 4f3967b4b0 pouring out pheromones. It felt like 9a7dd883bb he was forcibly 62a4802dde filling Gio’s faint fc9aacd822 scent glands with 6d49f9f608 his own overpowering a34e66a8b1 scent. Gio’s pheromones, too, 5e0f5f0a1f began to leak cae1633257 out.d1e78badb18d4efa

The Grand Duke inhaled deeply, 5ff0333872 catching the scent—and smiled. But his eyes remained cold.85a4294ba08918d1

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Then, instead of answering Gio’s 1f1b4f31f4 question… he suddenly brought up 8a1a4ae6ca something completely unrelated.c5154823dce74c26

“The scent is nice. Smells like some kind of flower? Our bride, that is.”905140b45ae77e7a

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Hardly anyone had ever d071618b19 caught a whiff of 4bfc1956eb Gio’s pheromones. No—no one had. Not even Gio e6492958af himself knew what 65bc36d34f his pheromones smelled 753a8bb9a0 like, yet the 8cf74dfd5f Grand Duke was df073a1e36 commenting on them. But pheromones weren’t feac922943 the issue right c67cc73d0e now—the mission was.19c1fd27fbad06f5

Though his body trembled under d8a90f89a7 the weight of those strong 7f45d5ed16 pheromones, Gio kept his voice a88b68ff6f as steady as possible. Emotions could be heard bb442a52b5 in one’s tone, so 0fd9496619 he worked hard to 30de55bb2a sound as indifferent as 5a6504614a he could when he 4613bd0227 asked,93afee056c2176d8

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“So what exactly do you want me to do?”bc2e43c3b3bff8b0

The Grand Duke, ba002495f3 who had been 8c11fbf626 running his gaze e58421580f over Gio’s body, 947dda1d8a unlocked the handcuffs. Gio rubbed his freed 8f512e3f8b wrists, trying to figure 305c2926e8 out the reason.f729ead573495e6a

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Why had he 750ff9c95c taken them off 33674929a3 so easily? Was it confidence—confidence that 6c79f3caca he could stop Gio dcdded236c no matter what he 29d0fd6e80 tried?4a538015e129cf6b

Just then, the cd46895156 Grand Duke came 76a2ff6867 right up to fabde90c60 him. Not just his pheromones now—Gio 88f6633c05 could smell his natural scent 2c9c9d3b32 too. In that moment, Gio d8243d327b realized something was trickling c533173800 down between his buttocks.f30bcace9490aae7

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He had manifested 50eb4a6315 as an omega fdb226dc26 at twenty, and 5f41fa24dd it hadn’t even 5c1d3c49ba been half a 62660e043f year since then. So while he knew he ab545b68a1 was an omega in theory, b7c8007f40 reacting to the Grand Duke’s 14d791a8eb pheromones like this felt completely 5a88492b2b wrong. Like his body had turned b61c32b325 into some kind of beast.04bb4744fba94534

Pheromones were leaking 433bfe46ee out, and his 6645a9204e body started to 4c3c55beaa go limp. Gio bit his lip. The sharp sting f3c51742f1 brought some tension 60a583cc1d back into his aa78b9485c body. He needed to stay b919f82502 sharp—especially in a situation 7ac6c99da0 like this. As he pressed 79ac2268c1 his lips harder, a90f252cf5 the Grand Duke 895dc2599d frowned.a412fe70424dbda3

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“But why are you biting your lip? Don’t tell me… you’re bdd8dc121f trying to hurt yourself d0d54e95cc again?”9c6a16c1bdcb7e46

The Grand Duke’s 09a57e0823 eyes gleamed sharply. His pale blue gaze 6020c77eb7 was like a finely c58c4a7d7c sharpened blade.00eed93605c794da

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“I just needed to snap out of it, that’s all.”d9ac52af0ea18bbd

Gio spoke up quickly before f2aebdb58e the misunderstanding could deepen. The Grand Duke crossed his c3e9fdecc6 arms and stared at Gio’s 0a6830faf4 lips in silence.3ea7c2960288f852

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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 8bf14e5566 for their black hair, 33c1b1bc45 but not this black. And their eyes 19a6a2fbcc are always kind f4a7d8e86a of dull and dd0eee864d faded. Anyway, not a 9be029ade4 single impressive trait 5050e0eb5c in that whole 7b1bac7e70 bloodline.”655fb6d021c790e0

He reached out 26c6cfd317 and touched Gio’s bfffed8753 long hair for 490d7db959 a moment before 05e3a1886e letting it fall 5efbeb13d5 again. Gio’s black, flowing 8e6f20bcf8 hair shimmered with a2a840a63f a deep bluish 654982e53c sheen.3c81a5a0aca0745a

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“Anyway, all you need to do is become my bride.”4dc5749159e43a0b

When Gio gave a1a4ff1a2d a slight nod, aac660c531 the Grand Duke 69963eff43 added,36bef099b22cc258

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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.”c4413af44db2f1f8

Gio looked at him eb1ef51451 in shock. The Grand Duke 60f8e48350 smiled and released 5d491737a1 more pheromones. Gio bit down on his 81dc982d06 lip again, forcing himself to b7dd916e3a suppress the shiver running through 1b2be12c3b his body.cfbc176a34a3bf84

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“Well, word’s already spread that our wedding night was wild.”b72ceb86061c572d

Gio kept staring at bdecf0fc71 him, unsure what he e2017c8369 meant. The Grand Duke just 8ba95443c6 chuckled, wearing a smile 3b9b8c10e5 like a mischievous boy 206e07c55d plotting trouble.d63b26306634f01b

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Strands of platinum-blond hair swayed 11b9cfc82b gracefully with his every movement, 49a17663e1 rippling like fine silk. It looked so much 57b4a299c8 like real gold that 9239b5d597 Gio found himself staring, 4f7e542327 until the Grand Duke 7095957761 spoke.1ac85357277b99bb

“The head maid took the bedding, so I’m sure the rumors are already spreading among the servants.”076e0b392cff7893

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Gio suddenly pictured the head e2cbee5077 maid walking out, carrying the ba2e1aa357 bedding all bundled up—soiled and 57616d6613 damp with who knew what.498d2fba14149912

“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.”eb956fa3a2dca763

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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.c6f904a6b8140ffc

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…ad963dc8be9beb8d

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Looks like he bb9ef948b8 wants to fool 365670719a the Emperor—but isn’t 6147266985 the best kind d58e9aac5b of lie the 96f15d0bd7 one laced with 609cd45019 just enough truth? If that’s the case, then 5ad382f94f even if he claims to d24328c548 have consummated the marriage with ad2b033777 me while I’m effectively a 5cd0f28abf prisoner, I’d have no grounds a83cd2d93c to refuse.e2ecf55f0e6555b6

“Are you really planning to consummate the marriage?”66168f006ecca9a4

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Gio considered telling him—if the 681657c6c4 Grand Duke really intended to a3d6d9cb98 go through with it—that he bafabc6015 wasn’t like other omegas, that 02c1efadfd his sensitivity was low, and 2fe52a7158 the experience might be… unpleasant. But in the end, he 6296ddf148 kept his mouth shut. That wasn’t the important part.7abb25aa72aaf3f4

If the Grand Duke 19068f2899 decided to take him, baa922f915 what could Gio do? He was already bound b804e6d6c8 to this northern land 329cbcce05 like a chain around e302f3e0ac his legs.17473018fc001355

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But the Grand Duke’s 9ecab049b6 response was completely unexpected.b8c04e31162d2b79

“Me? With you?”5b5895bb46a42bd1

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He seemed genuinely confused. So… he wasn’t 25b6a0f92f planning to consummate f8c618777f the marriage after e15f7f6d75 all?b8a7b3d68e06fbd4

“Ah… I told you to play the role of a bride, not actually become one. Right, assassin?”2b22edc9948b7b14

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At those words, Gio let 8bd5a18108 out a deep, shaky breath. So he hadn’t intended e426865eb6 to force himself on a9ee723cd4 him after all. That was something—better than 272cfc69eb the people from Cove, ab74bdccba at least. Honestly, if it had been 4af86b0b67 them, they wouldn’t even be 7c90742204 having this conversation.82620cfa8612b353

But just then, the 3fee5593a6 Grand Duke’s hand slipped fc0a7d3714 under the robe and 278b146a4e grabbed Gio’s soft center.003aadfbedcf5ffb

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“Ugh…”f05e2b402400121f

Caught off guard, Gio 2e2a842f5f let out a startled ea11b7bf3b moan. The Grand Duke’s d443cdc1bf hand kneaded his d2a16b30d1 center for a 6774ff2e62 moment, then moved b7200adf34 even lower. When Gio jerked 0fffa81ec2 in surprise, the 38d1d4cf7a hand brushed between 6cb115d8f7 his buttocks—then quickly 871ddf59f3 withdrew.df161cee1bc18830

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The Grand Duke stared calmly b287ed408d at the fluid on his daa607bc4f hand, then brought it to 75454145fe his tongue. Gio’s mouth fell open baade1610a in shock as he 69102ff820 watched. He might need to 28a2ff06b7 take back that thought b04a111247 about the Grand Duke 60a0b51d7d being better than the 7c7939b267 people from Cove.58096690211213ab

“Tastes just as sweet as it smells…”833912419ce4b34e

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“Why would you even…”c374b0e8c91ab8ca

The Grand Duke gave a c49e9e05c7 casual shrug. Pulling out a handkerchief, aa261a8f9c he wiped his hand 8fd02a9c61 clean and said,fd043ec796bc9407

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“I’ll only do it when your cock’s fully hard.”c3c365b5a9f85a03

“……”47f3bb01569a1bc7

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“Forcing it, even with my own bride—that’s just not my style.”2119ad29c52b6aa9

His actions were crude 12d4c6088d and perverse, yet his 7d16f67f28 words came out disturbingly 577a238744 refined.6dc0dc7d14bf5c15

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“Come on, go wash up. Take a piss while you’re 38c325f551 at it.”609729e54865f717

Piss? Was he treating 0230e7f223 him like a af98592a2c damn dog? Then again, an 32e66029a2 assassin was considered 7a29d814db lower than a 12e6f9466a dog. And an omega? Even worse.dbc5475239068dbd

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The Grand Duke 8162a7268e unshackled the chain d0e5caabd0 from the bedpost—but 89fc4169c0 didn’t undo the d4b344629f restraint on Gio’s aaccb9fb77 ankle. Instead, he tugged 95612ed06b the chain, and 8cebdfa00f Gio was dragged 9118157eed off the bed, 71ad042cdb hitting the floor 1b5a9d7baf with his bare 38b87b170e legs fully exposed. The robe’s sash had already c76be33c36 come loose, revealing everything down 9f116dd506 the center.be0e7d3dffe68be3