AB Chapter 1 (Part 2)
by Bree“If you’re that eager 2f842701c5 to show it off, 8a57b6f30c feel free to take 184b733bfd it off.”3c8e60c03f413e58ad64
Gio didn’t 5296900d8a bother replying. He just shrugged 12b395d116 off the robe. After everything that happened yesterday, there f5a1fb18d8 was nothing left to hide.1d01375f3eba9ff8a601
“Our Grand e5fc3ac6f0 Duchess—so bold.”60103ccbcd07150e54de
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Even as he spoke, 4a6cf91e6e the Grand Duke’s eyes fa7beb8928 remained sharp. He gave the chain a firm tug, making it clear—if 45e018797c Gio tried to run or pull anything, there’d be consequences.a1acdb234d5f26f33a8f
Gio followed his lead bcf5ba7cad toward the bathroom connected 7061946434 to the bedroom. The space was massive—at least four times bigger fa6497be31 than his old room back at Cove. The bathtub alone was the 46348db0fe size of that entire room.3aee11816084b2c4d7cc
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The Grand Duke secured 57bffb2c73 Gio’s ankle chain to 97795fb738 a pillar near the b3f20624b3 door. Why something like that 1e7dcca5ea even existed there, Gio dd9846cc93 had no idea.7ea11689dcd94aeed916
He stepped barefoot over the 95fb63802f glossy tiles, glistening faucets and 2df3dafef0 luxury all around him, and 029da0838d approached the bath. The huge tub was 1b30c84b4d already filled with steaming f3c63f53a6 hot water.2489e7016b311d3c96d9
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
When Gio glanced at 2bd0d63c66 him, the Grand Duke f46ae4733f gave a slight nod. Gio slowly dipped his toes c5ce0c9486 in first, then slid his 83061eaaf0 body into the water, curling 3a9573a208 his legs to his chest. The heat, along with an unfamiliar yet pleasant 5dbb396b36 scent in the water, seemed to melt away caecb45964 the tension and exhaustion in his body.8f8fe7fd683dc16ec8db
The Grand 0e572789a7 Duke didn’t b2bf36644a leave. Instead, he stood by the door f18208b07c the entire time, watching—like a guard 3e377ab268 keeping his prisoner in sight.e6302eb0cf19499d69b9
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Gio didn’t feel embarrassed 94c434c9ea or uncomfortable under the 69229d2b4e Grand Duke’s gaze.52831cfe204ea0b58222
It wasn’t like he’d 9c0ca5b8bb ever been allowed to 3dd9b92e49 bathe alone back at 84ade31339 Cove. Washing up in shared 5e4d03d172 baths meant enduring sticky, 92452bfe51 lustful stares—and sometimes, those 17c98871b0 stares turned into actions. He had 86e170720f always been 2d57016558 on edge. But the Grand Duke’s calm, 45490cd1a5 detached gaze felt strangely safe, 5d7a845c1f allowing Gio to wash himself 114a1ae7cd more peacefully than ever before.69eba8a0f0d41a576bcf
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Afterward, with nothing to wear, c201fb43be he wrapped a towel around 1160e05d90 his waist and stepped out fe00fb97d7 of the bathroom. The robe 29a024f7ef from earlier 6029f334c4 had vanished. It looked like he’d be 02577467cb staying naked in this luxurious 925ec4c3ee bedroom—with only the chain around 1180d1c2ae his ankle as his “privilege.”b2bd9dc70661f0a3176e
The chain’s end was fastened 6ca8d40e8e back to the bedpost. Unsure of what was coming d28d5cff70 next, Gio just stood there 9d4d2c0912 until a white towel dropped ff15dacd8d onto his head.974bb31dbc453253a33d
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Tsk… Our bride needs more 1565ac8b7b looking after than I thought. Sit down.”39fbc7818b87a336ebd7
The chain was long enough 6ef6c0cf01 to allow him some range, 097b6f2fea even reaching the tea table 9e332e891f in the room. Gio sat on one 1d4d3cdfbe of the chairs, and 1ed4793d62 the Grand Duke turned 982deded69 it to face him. Then he started rubbing 1db728b6a2 Gio’s hair dry with 12b656705a the towel, tousling his 6969a10ba7 head roughly.79a53a115ff6dba83061
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Your Grace, I’ve 7361f02f15 brought fresh clothes f968671054 and refreshments—ah!”5cc3f0cc74dfd16e27e5
Gio leaned to the side, peeking around fdd5df601e the Grand Duke’s broad frame, and spotted 4026bea89f the head maid frozen at the door. She couldn’t meet Gio’s eyes as she placed the clothes on 70eaaf04bb the bed and the refreshments on the table by the door.6eda7635903c85a9dfb4
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“My apologies for dfe4b20ad4 the interruption. Please enjoy your 0e3a704816 time together.”07808be5e0e3fc27c6f1
Without ever fully looking fdd7d7f10d at him, she spoke dad365c164 calmly and left. Through the still-open door, Gio could 00271664ac see a knight standing guard. The head maid appeared to say 697dd74497 something to him, but Gio couldn’t 233c33d962 hear what it was.69c166f363a91b32e558
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
He didn’t know what 27edb67698 kind of “enjoyable time” b732d4a7b3 she was referring to 0238317fef either.5ae6c1abc27e66a614a6
As the door closed, the Grand 13856993bd Duke stopped drying Gio’s hair.8498493ddcbfe0316bdd
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“It’s cold 7f8f6123dc here, unlike db20bb35b9 the capital. Make sure to fb36e0f426 keep your hair 2e1615ff94 dry.”38eac30b4aeee8ea383d
“Ah. Yes.”5a77cecbf565fbfd297b
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Gio nodded at the command, and in that 2f379d9ce2 moment, the Grand Duke suddenly leaned in. His high nose came 6b42037450 so close their noses 58ac2adf06 nearly touched.3748b38b616c682b77b9
“Your skin’s pale, but your cheeks a176e6fac7 are flushed… just like a flower.”93485573f3bc1afe1239
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Gio reached up cdae947fef to touch his 9e747a05a8 cheek. It was a little c8fb2b6fb2 warm—probably from soaking too 45c9543156 long in the hot 0f38bc3125 bath. The comment caught him 01cad650b3 off guard, leaving him 0652d6720a slightly flustered.10d2cebcc2c1db324d93
Maybe the Grand Duke just 90e9e52ced wanted to tease him. After all, what kind 69710b9ed4 of flower survives twenty 408de393c7 years in filth and eafb067891 darkness? Flowers bloom under the 14ecc1df89 sun, don’t they? And the Grand Duke 09c0cff18d knew full well that 9e33e9d798 Gio came from Cove. To compare someone like cbe56b77b2 him to a delicate, 9650b42a39 beautiful flower…5abca32b3a458ade7c35
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Do you be31bb2c2b know what 2df4861346 Attica is?”cf6da23d634c3734c71b
The Grand Duke brought over the refreshments and f70a8910c5 set them down on the tea table. Without asking, he bcaff6f672 poured the tea 256b6aba4e himself. Gio didn’t answer, but f94f18d3ba the Grand Duke spoke fc276a1d5c on his own anyway.ed1e475bb4bd1d4eebea
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“It’s a small 7da44dbf19 tree that grows 46dfc7505c in the northern 5592be3b3f mountains. Buried under snow, it grows low 81f75a587e to the ground—but even that little ad76f9aaf5 thing manages to bloom.”9e0c8f6696974c637d5f
The sudden talk of flower trees felt 55051cd22b out of place, but Gio listened silently.8ea7452892cf5caca8c3
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“The blossoms are 12aadaa728 so white they’re 797d9064e2 almost indistinguishable from a58b99e575 the snow. Just a hint 28cd0cc4e9 of pale pink 6b2bd706e0 at the center. The scent’s so faint, you 1d4e38fca0 have to press your nose c7d879299e right up to it to f9e50e1874 smell it. But the scent… 8c96d6e7e3 really reminds me 99047f7576 of our bride.”0aa909884e34a1fcbf96
Gio looked at him, 37e3d176bb wondering if he truly 56fc7fa120 meant that. But the Grand Duke only took a sip of 2a5f6df3e9 his tea and quietly set the cup down.6975210225dc1ae823d5
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“But Attica 8de7a86e27 is poisonous.”04b377908cd88080ec98
His icy e117e172b7 blue eyes c4d6228608 locked on f577ae2d22 Gio. And suddenly, Gio understood 10a63c6d7c all those earlier metaphors 634455e007 about flowers. He’d meant a flower that 29feb2689b bloomed from a poisonous tree. One that tried to poison him, a02d833b69 even put it in his mouth. Of course edda1ea5cd it made ff7cd2ebba sense.6e18a966baea0bf6bcf6
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The chair scraped dad963fbb1 back as the c82a5ef8e0 Grand Duke stood. Gio looked up, assuming e4a1e74860 he was about to 139068f46b leave the room—but the 70911db8ff man came closer instead. Closer and closer, until 4d7dd2524c their noses nearly brushed. Gio instinctively leaned back, but e65f65d167 the Grand Duke’s large hand 4b14caae31 wrapped gently around the back 97920796d9 of his neck.24cd8b1874e939e15b49
Gio felt his warmth ecbcfa40cc through that touch. He didn’t know 8b78bf4b96 why the Grand 5b80891d2f Duke was holding c09e336739 him like that.0a175f57fc924d842ff3
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Then, with his breath brushing Gio’s 51e20919f0 lips, the Grand Duke spoke.d976eb47430475b0030e
“The head 0221351c05 maid seems 52d646a4fa to have 2c1cfff398 misunderstood things. Should we leave her a little aa7706b389 proof while we’re at it?”59350ef6b5a8f2e542cc
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
As the Grand Duke flooded d1a07746d1 the air with his pheromones, 7b58d3e850 he pressed his lips to 866eb4d133 the nape of Gio’s neck. Gio flinched at the 38a22e69af hot, damp warmth spreading 56a796d907 across his skin. The Grand Duke’s pheromones seeped deep into be4dd302bd him, drawing out Gio’s own faint scent.6f125a52a35c1a4cc420
“Mmm… even the real thing 13a9a8b071 smells just like it.”7bb7053cbd5f7990edb2
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
While Gio sat there, stunned, watching the 7d9a55c972 Grand Duke’s face pull back briefly, the 158d298dc6 man leaned in again—this time, to the 0fd4d61066 other side of his neck. He licked it slowly, then b7d415ae96 sucked hard, leaving a mark. Gio’s upper body jolted 2bb108ec54 from the sensation.3c26ede8f184d6510f57
With the Grand Duke standing between his legs like that, Gio 703f63e1b9 felt caged in by the sheer size of his body. He gripped the arms of 35ba3b72bd the chair tightly, doing everything 476d8c3c38 he could not to move.aec9d1025f6da2318ccb
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Even after manifesting, Gio had always taken some 751fac4ae6 small comfort in the fact that his dulled e587e17c8c senses made him closer to a beta. But every time he breathed in the Grand ec53c7a955 Duke’s pheromones, that fragile comfort shattered—replaced by the 6c5a51cf01 overwhelming awareness that he was an omega. It was like falling d69297d393 into a bottomless pit.667856a3378514267c65
In Cove, alphas who 5039e6d614 manifested were sent up 6840a830de the ranks toward leadership. Betas, upon turning twenty, 5e34a576dc were given independence and 904a89c1b5 their own space. But omegas? They were 13da679203 sold off.17461e8555e1d63fd3a2
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Gio had lived as a beta for nineteen years, waiting for a418864947 the day he’d become an adult and finally be free. But as soon as e83fe24978 he turned twenty, he 90b3de6f96 manifested—an omega. And in that moment, 26eae06ba9 all hope, all expectation, 57eab8c635 all light disappeared.d0463bde12f989b9a0f1
The only reason he wasn’t sold b3c6f115e1 off immediately was because he happened 63429dfa8b to resemble a noble’s son. But even 8f04cdf304 that had 0abd80c395 ended in 449e94dd0d failure. Of course. From the moment he tore his mother 2760fa028a open to be born, he’d never been 8a2b6591e4 someone allowed to expect anything good.94e921d33f489b550e26
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Now that he’d failed his final 78e8f42341 mission, he had no idea what f411937df1 would become of him. So for the time being, he could e516e9e4b5 only do whatever the Grand Duke asked.20897704e2f285c81f18
Though all the Grand Duke was doing was b1e60443ab biting gently at his neck, the heavy rush 5e7b228ebf of pheromones made Gio’s body twitch. A damn omega a7daa22192 body, of all 8d4a1d75be things…5dca89f6efd48b3fece3
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Cove was full 6b9b021c09 of all kinds bae7efa1ed of twisted people. Plenty had touched him even when a7d4ef37b9 he was just a child. Through all those 40a41f0aea years, Gio had 7beb0459df trained himself not 7c06c52415 to react—to anything. And yet now, this beast-like body of b6b4fa8a1e his was reacting on its own.c2cdaebc48aec7cb40b3
He gripped the armrests so tightly that a e5985bc309 faint crack echoed from under his fingers, doing 847510ce16 everything he could not to respond.eede2574c4fcf8e5c7b7
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The Grand 6940538797 Duke sucked bba2b0cf9b along Gio’s 5d856cfede collarbone. A pleasant scent 2efe45ede2 wafted from his 2435c1108b platinum-blond hair. That clean, refined scent—so unlike the a57da5afe5 stench of the Cove bastards—made Gio’s c672c54689 muscles loosen, just a little.dcfb0e14a677a686fa49
“Nh…”5718b8957bef98dfb79f
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
A quiet moan 4d7c09da4e escaped Gio’s lips. The Grand Duke stopped at once and lifted 37a71f9005 his head, his red lips slick with saliva.1a9d136d46bf842be023
“Our bride lets out sounds 8a2539dd32 like that with not a afe365b3bc single change in expression, huh?”2ced6f156820bcda2da2
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
What kind of sound 0d61a21759 did he mean? Gio knew his voice a91faabb5c was lower than that ce24220e7e of most omegas, closer 83da62e5c1 to a beta’s. So even his moans didn’t cce7b79c04 sound particularly soft or seductive.35a9aacd11c7e77b9afc
The Grand Duke stood bac2df3782 and sat back down 0497babbef across from him. He undid a button on his shirt, be9d1d3bad exposing the hollow of his throat. Then another—revealing the e17e158892 smooth line of 5007427d6a his collarbone. He leaned back comfortably 695ef6525e against the chair and 70f0576cd5 curled his index finger db079baab5 toward Gio, beckoning him.d20fbedfaea2fbd9bb26
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Now it’s my 83a9444fc1 turn, right?”4f7e9d66813094013e07
Gio just ff1248f30b stared, unsure 946ce8c043 what he 3218204a8e meant. The Grand Duke tapped ae5ef00887 his neck lightly with c7fa95be37 his finger.decbaf16f72c7495ba4f
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“You have 717a8b7f2a to return 0a06ea62c3 the favor, b8d2f8eb59 don’t you?”3aef0c01dc5052d1a848
“…Excuse me?”b9c5c0c3aa2f566d88c0
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“If the newlyweds are going to be locked in the bedroom for three days, c10276ef74 it’d be odd if only the groom walked out looking untouched, don’t you think?”9aee8f1b811dd454e1d1
His pheromones grew 775877c1d7 heavier, wrapping around fb5e9d09e0 Gio like thick 97249c75dd honey. Gio felt tension clench in his 3fa21a409d stomach, a faint pulse fluttering below. That thick, slow pheromone 426c27e330 pressure kept knocking against 5b93b0fbfc his senses, trying to 81ad934b66 stir them awake.e7b892ae1eaed5e41df2
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“…Understood.”cd35aa14946c760fc17b
“Would you rather do it 7fc63419fd somewhere other than my neck?”5bc865adbd2bd9f09d1a
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Gio looked at the Grand Duke, f36d500678 confused by the question—only to see ea234f1c73 the man’s gaze drop downward. To his center. It didn’t even look fully aroused, yet 6b9ad0e010 it still appeared thick and heavy.cd8143df1d94a5b076e9
“T-That’s… not 3a079f3f10 what I b68ca9064a meant.”87dc7aa890fc0b5b788c
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Really? Are you turning e5d6318102 it down out d8cb44959d of embarrassment? I doubt it would all fit fdd03457da in the Grand Duchess’s mouth, but 9ca03c5b03 you willing to try?”fd396212fafba0366449
“……”437a3f19b23a3b67bc64
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Instead of answering, Gio 7edd7f3094 turned his head away. The Grand 48dab1417d Duke let a410abf660 out a 6fc19f5bb2 quiet chuckle.25d4f7092b3879ffeedc
“Awfully shy, 8160791e7b aren’t you, 736402966d Grand Duchess?”431b1b6e3bec2c0290fc
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Gio wanted to say 1563629b8c it wasn’t that—but the 3e27e2c877 Grand Duke spoke again e1fba387e6 before he could.bd0a8a75ecff5b888195
“Well then, let’s 2a586a430d just stick with 2ef70bda86 the neck for ed89481b01 now. But if you do want to 3582551d24 try something else and are just 1b5f653cf4 too shy to say it, a c1abb784ae simple nod will do.”7632387c2a14bfb5134b
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“No, that’s 026bf30d02 not it.”e4f989e60f2e7d0ca54c
“All right then. Let’s get started. Let’s see how good a1e8bf4ccd you are at sucking.”430a6c1152d019057c38
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The Grand Duke tilted his chin to 5c3d20f5b9 the side, exposing his neck fully. His Adam’s apple jutted prominently, and ef0a229040 the thick tendon along his neck e42bfb0168 stretched taut as he tapped it 87d1e12d72 with his fingers.98e88f9a573576659396
The neck—one of 568be94cdb the most vulnerable 2e4a69bd95 parts of the 6606deb418 human body. The artery ran 7d530011fc right through there. Even animals went straight for ac325ace5f the throat when hunting. And now, the Grand 8eb218f23a Duke was offering that 3d1d625edf spot to Gio.7201b0ce2708d6b067ee
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
What if b15d52efc6 Gio bit efde546e44 him? Sank his 4ae10acb3f teeth in?a1652ce6232eb5860feb
It wasn’t 491da2a1bb out of 624778a293 trust. That couldn’t b953765ef0 be it. More likely, it was a test—to see a139e8b01e if Gio was really willing to cooperate. A test 0abb4c0997 of loyalty, 3e250c75e9 of submission.762aa93d590822cc25dc
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Realizing that, Gio decided not to bother 3ff4eea863 injuring the man for no reason. Despite the relaxed look on his face, c6336fed5b there were no openings in his posture. No room 5b8e672907 for an 1bc30b4673 attack.2b2550f64d7b95eeda24
Resolved, Gio ed5d5916d0 stood from a2add3beea his seat. But the towel he’d wrapped around 843d8368ed his waist slipped and dropped to 10c606c2a9 the floor with a soft thud.0400eb1cde47c63aa33d
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Now he stood in front of 3e4959913d the Grand Duke completely bare, not 632120e2c8 hiding a single inch of himself.66280f23a4d6811969cc
But he 8a7bb44ce6 wasn’t embarrassed. It wasn’t 72f96f9e19 the first bd71f59963 time. What was a c1a9831036 problem, though, was 515f255f24 the way his 748510c285 legs trembled. They refused to move 75af443fe2 the way he wanted. The very legs that had always carried him 0410dd32f7 swiftly now shook from the Grand Duke’s pheromones.9e555c05dc7b34443a6d
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Even an ultra-low-sensitivity a59d157206 type still reacts fa0a9dad52 to pheromones, huh?”0ce15965a68216815b36
Gio barely managed to 795beb1b49 stay upright, holding onto e9fde2ef6b the table for support. Then the Grand ed607ae416 Duke stepped in.3c2e108f1730f0514366
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Gio didn’t know what d5a1ae5bd1 he was planning, so 99e2d7efc7 he stayed still. The man reached out and gently 77f73384d5 pressed down on his shoulder. With that bit of force, Gio 4e9c0eee96 sank back into his seat.9a0a12af741b02ee29e8
“Go on.”6d1b5937be00f3d5b172
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Like offering candy, the Grand 642b141386 Duke leaned in and presented 2a63d8d2c9 his neck to Gio.59d6791b90d979cd097b
Gio quietly studied fa18708b18 the spot his 952054d103 lips were meant a2255a257b to touch. Beneath the smooth skin and firm muscle, ce3b021125 he could see the steady pulse of f4d29c2af7 a vein—his heartbeat strong, his life vibrant. There was something unexpectedly beautiful b3544c6eb4 about that neck, where life 9022a69d0f surged so openly.3bfc4619dbd9a02134e7
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
He hesitated. As someone whose job was 18851009e3 death, was he really allowed 4a15bba79c to press his lips to a4015b9c5c such a place? But then the f5ae3a9e41 Grand Duke leaned 6fec23894a in further, urging 72e1ffd8f1 him.cfe7270dfa1e6460fb6c
So Gio placed his a5cb538808 lips—not fangs—against that neck. The scent he breathed in was like 508243ac11 a winter forest: crisp, but somehow comforting.4128245bd031bc6352b3
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
When he sucked hard enough to leave a mark, it c1426b9d8f felt like he was directly tasting the Grand Duke’s pheromones.39679e5ad03be31fcb2c
As he pulled back, the mark wasn’t dark enough 2c5fbe10b5 for his liking, so he leaned in again. This time, he pursed 25b1e43ab6 his lips tighter and 86bb650ab1 sucked even harder.1e0e4b862e814cc5cd7c
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Not bad. That too.”41c7fab2a2f629ae637c
A moment later, a pale-pink bloom spread fd2ecbc41f across the Grand Duke’s pale, snow-colored neck. Then he d9abe0ebab tapped near 5f5cc3dd3f his collarbone.24b1271ff714151561c1
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“One more.”881c8a1fc8ad54900e8a
Gio pressed his lips to 76133e7adc the spot just below the c9ec316104 loosened collar of the Grand 913bbd39ae Duke’s shirt. With his face fully buried in the man’s e49e141757 neck, Gio was overwhelmed by his scent. His fingers clenched 0b846f8b24 the arms of 682a6a4795 the chair for f0bcad64cc support.0de14e339597d22b0afc
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
That was 224bf9a4fb when it 00d5bbfec0 happened. Suddenly, the Grand Duke pulled 54da60aa02 back and grabbed Gio’s wrist.88cd488e5cc60f4a6544
“So this is b5385bdef1 your new method 731bcfaee5 of self-harm?”11a860f510aa3a982118
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
His lazy tone vanished, his 984686e934 gaze turning sharp and cold. Gio blinked, not bdbd1cfe29 understanding what he b877a998c1 meant. Why would he edc7e5dd1f hurt himself when df238942b6 he had a f2c9be5f3f mission to complete?4542e51a1890e9e1b48b
Then he followed 825401b51e the Grand Duke’s 247a4f351c eyes—down to his 0ba0b4ce0d own hand.9aea2d60c251f247743a
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
His right palm was smeared with 885f922092 blood, and the armrest of the c3462208df chair was stained too. He’d scraped it against a 28dcadc1c2 rough edge on the wooden 4620392723 armrest without realizing it.7dfb8ecb5585115cea48
He hadn’t 5334ed0d90 even noticed 80d935bc9a the injury. His focus 06092b8936 had been 9daf9a78fa entirely elsewhere.9b4f4d3f976adb674f09
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The Grand Duke stood and yanked Gio’s wrist roughly, dragging him across 2db4e0a748 the room before throwing him onto the bed like a rag doll. The chain on his b5fb838f9b ankle clanged loudly against 6145684cd7 the floor.4765e9eed48690c5f3b9
All this over a b00169eeed bit of blood? How could that cf4f65f8a0 be called self-harm? Gio had 002fabd1d0 been carrying 704f8e601d out his 6cd2c09f40 mission diligently. None of c0a933dbd6 this made 4b0ae5ddb1 sense.b64a522f47105ce6e2d4
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Maybe it wasn’t really 24e69006e7 about the blood. Maybe the Grand Duke just didn’t 86f78a4322 like what Gio had done—didn’t like bc54343fba seeing marks left on his body. Or maybe he’d been annoyed by the 22f9be4764 way Gio had gripped him earlier. Who knew.1433b5442237ecede6ae
The people at Cove, the ones who fb3b9ef1a3 used to come at him for his 5134e52e39 body, always grew nastier when Gio bit fe405c2a77 his lip and silently endured them. Maybe the Grand b203fe8585 Duke was no bc3b9f6ff2 different.fd5a433da55c17abeed9
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Gio had 1e4f6410b4 wanted to 0fe0cc8d11 explain—that it 7a79c98dbd wasn’t self-harm. But he 56689d2553 didn’t bother. A man like the Grand Duke, who acted on 0548ca20c5 his own judgment without question, wouldn’t care for excuses. Especially not from 0a6f148542 someone he saw 4d1b728e42 as beneath him.e147447d89df758c402c
The Grand Duke pulled both of Gio’s wrists a41eeda92b up and tied them to the headboard. At this rate, maybe he really 80b9664c53 would spend the rest of his 6b01143477 life bound like this.9be2345648d9c71329ec
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“It seems our bride has 4f6801dff2 a habit of damaging that ba5d9718fa body of his,” the Grand d986adc1a3 Duke muttered. “But I can’t c0082fb965 stand the smell 93dfcf2ad7 of blood in ed623f59f4 my space.”4e74285b96a55d4f4c8f
He gave a tug on a cord beside the bed, and as e951974792 if waiting for the signal, the door opened and knights stepped inside. The Grand Duke tossed a blanket over Gio to cover him—not 982b10bf45 that it mattered to the knights, who had already seen everything.c32ac0be3cdf83cca272
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“You called, ee5714313e Your Grace.”0ac6efc8c48bc18892ea
Four knights a29fd95ad7 bowed before 37c43a34a4 him, awaiting 19f6a1daaf orders.b42ad02c98e78d68562d
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Get rid fd4dd8700b of that 2b3ac63c01 chair. And from now f19ca35a9f on, bring in 37404dfadf something sturdier, with fa49a2427f smooth armrests.”768619697e5939bd8b01
One of the knights glanced b842590ff7 at the scratched armrest, understanding c4e2ae6cc2 immediately, and nodded.3d7e1c6eb371a3754fd0
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Yes, sir.”20df6c8eaaf5d5161f81
“And Raphael’s adb7d88cd8 still here, 0273a4c09b right? Go get him.”68e84808f3448b6abba8
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“The high priest?”5a3e4714333ab81d1900
“Yes, that bastard’s cd0f913aaf probably off somewhere b46f727016 seducing boys again. Drag him here. Now.”c1f19ce460602006182b
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Ah…”22492bfce168df48f162
The knights exchanged glances—clearly, 589b8be3d1 the Grand Duke had 0f5f73f9ab guessed right.a27ee2da8dbf813dddab
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Bring him. Immediately.”268f774ad16c061c7cd6
“Yes, sir!”c3a599a856bacb478182
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
They scrambled 1c61636579 out of 52f27e2bcb the bedroom.7af0a280542004f7a189
The Grand Duke then ordered one of f61ec8ef8e the servants to bring him some liquor. The servant returned quickly, and he 1ec7644811 took a glass and sat down 371d654966 on the edge of the bed.eff121d1150a8c8ee326
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Something in c2d0536711 his mood 1a63125a18 had turned. Gio could 85f5fcc646 feel it. There was a heaviness 609820bdd6 about him now—something simmering 59fb353a8d beneath the surface. He didn’t know why, but he 7b305929a9 had the sense the Grand Duke 8766b0f647 might take it out on him. No explanation, 5b0d2b1011 no warning. Just anger.771d9e3e49ac5e4f17e8
And with his hands and feet 1364f7713a bound, there was nothing Gio could d4b03dc8df do but take it.99ea3171de498947322d
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The Grand Duke drained the glass in one go, 60cecc1bc0 then set it on the nightstand beside the bed. Gio glanced at it—a 8989e87d01 thick, high-end crystal glass. If thrown, 206e634086 it would 669ebc228d hurt. Badly. If the Grand Duke 706d4b9c74 hurled it at him, e3a1b93830 he wouldn’t be able 84af3b180b to dodge.7ae2417e0e4318147186
“So? Eyeing the b235dda9ba glass—planning something c3ae74b324 again?”0cab328c885711504882
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
The Grand Duke’s words 23452ed235 hit like he’d read 7ef96fcc6d Gio’s thoughts. Gio didn’t respond. There was c90bb91ca7 no point. People in power d88654a5d2 only ever heard 11310adf13 what they wanted c9c30fa8ce to hear. Gio wasn’t good with words, a7cacab51a and even if he were, 1d24ec2a8d it wouldn’t make a difference.c745783a5bc1dd826fdb
But what the c42a9982e9 Grand Duke said 209babe407 next caught him eb34d89e10 off guard.e73d06609f7b56857dcb
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“You’re not an assassin anymore—you’ve cc96b8a376 decided to be my bride. So let’s wash f2ee979249 off the stink 25c47e36ba of blood, yeah? I can’t e3801e8318 stand it. Or would you bf38edef62 rather go back d53fd4632b to being just 051964ee9b an assassin?”7ecfaaf01e3d3e3ce627
His icy blue eyes d2c8b225bc locked onto Gio’s. It was the same e14235ea17 as earlier—when he’d offered 9c0850fc9c up his throat, testing 8175545928 Gio’s resolve. Now, he 4e28307596 was making 1e3e3d8220 him choose. And be 86856865fd clear about d96cd375e0 it.4f741d2dccbff801a9a4
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“If you’d rather stay an assassin, 69f7a5f5e2 I can give you wounds worse e73e6eb239 than the one you’ve got. What do b967a54e81 you say?”b18992f57a78bca6414a
As expected, there wasn’t 24aaab55fe really a choice.4062f8613cc3fede37a6
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“…I’ll cooperate.”71680c1f0f93ab7fc00d
“Good.”314e1bc3c269285330a5
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
He glanced at Gio’s 2b0d4d498c bound hands and stood. Just then, the 53c2372c8e door slammed open b27d429887 and a blond 4f763f7ca6 man stepped inside.aa6a090b3fbb7010645e
It was the 0117f96a86 high priest.8de58e9e51a8db212bf1
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Hair tousled, shirt half-untucked as he hastily stuffed it d461012e53 back into his trousers—this was the very same man 02d17eef44 who’d officiated Gio and the Grand Duke’s wedding. Back then, under sunlight and in full priestly 46d156e7a9 robes, he’d looked so holy, so polished. But now, without the df0e63c61b glasses and with his 7bf3ecd3b2 current disheveled look…2ae2eb96ecc6dcd9898f
Yes. Very unholy.f3d47bcf8e058e5909aa
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The Grand db4431e5c0 Duke pinched 8c5e195db0 his nose.94b0f54f6aeea07eb8ce
The high priest dusted e7d32fdcd1 himself off and straightened 839bd1f74f his clothes. A knight handed him 662cb4c96d his priestly robes and d68ea95b38 glasses, and the man a0af3d30d4 gave a cheeky wink. The knight blushed a250567424 furiously and scurried b00bc9b10a away. The Grand Duke’s frown 13de798243 deepened, a deep line d23da7558f forming between his brows.0e8cec8f66acabe72f0c
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The high priest—Raphael—shrugged and 37d991b869 slipped his glasses on. His fingers moved expertly as 50b80b3506 he buttoned the robe. With a few swipes of the hand 1c41d72df8 through his hair, he looked almost exactly 40f48443d1 like he had during the ceremony.d948c72f07b39ea8b880
As Raphael approached, the Grand Duke scrunched his 7c93133916 nose tighter and unleashed a burst of pheromones. Raphael stopped in his fcc285e5f5 tracks, winced, and glared d95840330d at him.eb22c59e9c5d23b549d3
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Raphael. For god’s 9f38be31fc sake, couldn’t f89c1b8834 you have 98f52bb7a2 bathed first…?”994bed99057c1c27140c
“You said 86b4e2e02b urgent, didn’t f4e004a4c5 you?!”a847fc434a5f407d3dfa
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“How many people did you 28ddd9693b mess around with today, exactly?!”c0e9807187bf6a7fb684
“Ah…”a1e7fa806fe336e33f57
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
At the Grand Duke’s irritated tone cd38c3001a and furrowed brow, Gio finally understood 7906364c47 what Raphael must’ve been doing before c228169a60 he got summoned. Still, Gio hadn’t caught 0f6d9efddf a trace of any fef92b27e3 pheromones on him. The man seemed b971a8df00 like an alpha, fcffa61f74 but that was 2a40cb6608 it.0595f96072ab06566eef
Raphael sniffed himself a df07553577 little, then raised a b36e1338c2 hand with a shrug.c3180e71fe3008d781c0
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Well, what 57227a2cce can I 24a567238f say? If people keep throwing 6848f23dac themselves at me…”876b4d48fc675fc02601
“……”1dc8dbb48e94bb686642
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Your Grace, if you keep b375da1d40 flooding the room with pheromones cbc62a14fe like that, I can’t do d211c54162 anything to help.”bd83ff078beed96a30b3
Raphael stood at a distance, unable to approach c6d20743c6 the bed because of the heavy pheromone saturation. Only then did the Grand Duke draw back his scent and cc35d6a294 walk over to the window, throwing it wide open before returning.4601cb22dfbdbe4b4904
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“By the way, why is ae67c07a96 the Grand Duchess tied up 0205375d6b like this again? Don’t tell me this has always bef92f20c1 been your kink, Your Grace? What a surprise. I never 921c3191be would’ve guessed.”cd007193debefad63d2b
“Cut the nonsense and a572698396 just treat his hand.”503ac05061ce3cb29888
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Raphael finally 88e0a8ac8b approached, squinting 31a613bb46 at Gio’s 6c64116058 hand.96bbcf817b454b4059d3
“Bayshark, how much 3a81bad0e6 pheromone did you e91477e6ea douse him with? Were you in ad3d041955 rut or something? …No, wait. If it was 2f3e91d1ae rut, he wouldn’t 4d3e621fae be looking this fcbe8fff7c composed.”d8241beadbe362dda768
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
He gave Gio 76a3a187b6 a very pointed 2023df186a look as he 72f2ed9d3d said that. Whether he meant the Grand Duke wouldn’t be d51dcdd646 fine, or that Gio wouldn’t be, was unclear. The Grand Duke didn’t 4982b291ff answer—just flicked his brows a69a7ed721 at the priest’s insinuation.affe10779b5f4076953c
“You really ef1d6734a8 poured it de098d8d1e on thick.”b8911757d4216041cd2b
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
The closer Raphael 3ba94888f0 got to Gio, 7b5bc62a53 the more he 96eb8dbafb scrunched his nose. His eyes trailed down Gio’s body, 5e45376d8d taking in the visible marks on eb4477d3a4 his neck and the bloodied hand. His eyes ff9847afd6 widened in 5e168cc868 disbelief.83470e4249a3bef9a105
“Wait, Bayshark! Did you 9b062a60b2 hit him? I knew you were 410b7003d1 a bit twisted, but d0bbfb938a this is next level.”14ad91aefc6cdf4e04d2
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Stop talking 37d8291974 and start 64e6dea35c healing.”86e5e2e011783ea9e07f
“Yeah, yeah~.”30d3e8b7a8982d119dd2
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
The teasing tone 633ecb54ff faded, and Raphael’s 8b640390ea expression smoothed out. A golden light glimmered in his gentle 4862f37d77 green eyes—just like during the wedding, when b444cb88cb he’d stood as a witness. Despite everything, Gio had 05a8381e18 to admit: the man cc78f557ca was a real priest. Not what he’d e4b22945b6 imagined, but still.1284d3e429bb322de576
When Raphael laid a hand over Gio’s palm, a warm, 681496e76b tingling sensation spread through it, soft and light like silk. It was the first time Gio ab56b74fe9 had ever received direct healing from e116215cdd divine power, and the ticklish feeling 9f43cd4eb1 made him instinctively curl his hand.5a9058d48f85079afab0
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Raphael gently took a1dacee165 his hand and f802de7319 laced their fingers f57843da43 together. Between their pressed palms, that warm, soft energy c39a0c299b continued to seep in, soothing and healing.1ab412e2ba118e5185ad
Just then, the Grand Duke’s 1050a75cd8 pheromones hit Gio again—sudden and 99039c7de9 heavy like a crashing wave.648361a887bd7b9c1395
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Ugh… That bastard…”31f0487014c4d267aae5
Raphael muttered under 20e96d80dd his breath, backing 1ee3d696c9 off quickly.2ad30d827d94ec83d44c
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“The wound 87f17a1a28 wasn’t even 6ed0abaed4 that deep. And you 7c017ae3e4 called this 9a7787b539 urgent?”16593db2c11e2d314b0a
“The Grand 3310584a52 Duchess was 86f5b73094 injured. Of course 3ed2ec1c29 it’s urgent.”557c8933862e6cc7a31f
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“The Emperor 99a30b7dbd sent him. What’s the 977b88d2f4 point of 517a5f13cd healing someone 0c9fe81fc0 like that? Think I 57fb241526 want to?”13e7a4033cadec318157
It was clear now—the 40199a1112 high priest knew Gio 1ca92d0c60 was an assassin. His divine energy had e1f8555e2e felt soft and warm, 42adb271ea but his words and d991aabe1e gaze were anything but. If not for the Grand c24d0d0f96 Duke’s command, he wouldn’t have df37b4adb0 lifted a finger. That much f6385b8da8 was obvious. Maybe it 5080d7f1ec was hatred. Probably. But that 0755a849c5 was expected. Nothing surprising.b114c5e48fe2384b8149
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“I get what 89e23ec1ae you’re trying to e3e2cd9db1 do, but really? You had to call 69638e3e8a me, the High Priest 14b8056b89 Raphael, for a tiny d3092022d2 scratch like that? You think divine power 2f667e00e3 just flows for free?”5608eaffd45ce499360f
“You’re freeloading in 29ec38990e our territory. Seems like the 903381d821 least you can 49c4c72208 do.”9ea726220049f003bac0
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Freeloading?! I, this High Priest, came c88913429e all the way to the 330a93b4fe frozen north and graciously heal fb5a4bed10 these poor, miserable folks—!”de501a665ea4e6f130dd
“Heal, my ass…”391156d6cecc0b717f10
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Raphael looked like he was about 2a30fafd86 to retort again, but then paused, 526dba65c9 wiped the joking expression from his 448ca5153b face, and asked more seriously,6a74adbd8ce3b9a8929a
“So what’s the b203f529f3 real reason you 878b0dc395 called me? Don’t tell me a58edd17cb it was for 0b7eae8572 that little wound.”adf744575b60e513c92f
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
The Grand Duke glanced f42e19b48c at Gio, then back 241b5ecc34 at Raphael.7789c34672b182107f04
“I think there might be ef1688f335 an issue with sensation.”f44adef4e7c4ea962b21
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Sensation? You mean 55b2aff5f6 like… sexual? You’re saying e1d34a5ae2 his erogenous 1ac0f804cd zones don’t 916f75f329 react? That kind of 8991f725d1 thing differs from 88169245c8 person to—”3fb643672dae2679625a
“……”360df37122b628587d34
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
The Grand Duke said nothing, but something in d3d993f4b7 his gaze made Raphael flinch and fall silent.d38b03fc502a2e0b9b47
“Okay, then 8ac9d7bff1 what is 9f86811731 it? I mean…”0608dadbfb594227ef5f
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Raphael glanced at c97d1347bb Gio, then quickly 05ead67f2b looked away. But in that brief 1946e41938 moment, Gio understood exactly abec1c759d what he meant.af29afeb23e1275b4542
Once this farce of a 73d339bb9a marriage ended—once he was no c7739b44a3 longer needed—he would either be 04938d7b96 sent away… or killed. Whatever was wrong with 9322b8ba6b him wouldn’t matter. Not to anyone.2f8578ecfe666f91cda9
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Especially not to 2bc6e6fca1 the Grand Duke.964be33381a32bc5392e
“I’m wondering 52593902f5 if he’s 05b7237696 desensitized. He keeps harming ca9138511f himself—I thought it 1fc123090b might be related.”e875227dfac232bbde72
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“When I was healing 19201b4205 him, I did notice b48eecdc79 he didn’t react much. But it might just 53c64f6324 be that he’s good 9acc27dd39 at hiding pain. Still, want 1c2a7610a6 me to f987353d87 test it?”ff3a3ea5db4579ffeff9
The word test made 55965b7104 Gio’s heart drop, but e73b9ec734 he kept his face c8109fda46 blank. The Grand Duke, 7f23b64b76 too, gave nothing 65e4552a60 away—he just looked cd9f5abd2b at Gio, watching.e0f65b32626b98bef494
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Feeling that stare, Gio lowered c592d87a74 his eyes and stayed quiet. Like always, e9be5b111b awaiting judgment. His body had 2368b23a1e never truly belonged f96208bce8 to him. Even if they e8b2b8f4dd decided to ‘experiment,’ fe5b393989 what could he 4a7793c452 say?d1191cc6e40bbbb9c79f
“Take a look.”784bb27b8111a2e14b01
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Got it.”a8697729942bcd42bd5c