AB Chapter 1 (Part 3)

As Raphael approached, Gio’s 7233f71432 skin tingled faintly—sometimes a 1c7a8b74c2 little itchy, sometimes a ba5aa16a14 light sting. His eyes began to ec8274d311 feel dry, and he a74d5a58e3 blinked. Then a slight tingling 7911b4a312 traveled to his fingertips… f98a3c25cf and just as suddenly, 2f74d5d95a it disappeared.92144659b540abb1

A moment later, the brightness in Raphael’s eyes dulled sharply, as if a wave of fatigue had just slammed into him. The sudden exhaustion had to be from the “test”—though Gio had no idea what was done to him.418b54ab0a9bae4d

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Was that even a test? The ones Gio knew 134372ffae involved unbearable pain. This felt like… nothing.8d8e29405bd5a124

“…Yeah. His sensitivity’s definitely dulled.”1e3ff4a64e75b5a3

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“As I thought…”6dafa20d1646bae1

Did he really go through all that just to figure out how sensitive I am? He could’ve just asked me directly… Gio thought to himself, but then let the thought go. People in power didn’t ask for opinions—they gave orders. It wasn’t his place to question them.b226e79597f594f4

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“Hm… Could be something acquired, could be innate. But whatever the cause, e2cb086c6e his sensory responses are beecf68ad7 really dull. Like something’s locked them down. Ugh, I’m exhausted…”af3c7020393abaff

“That’s all?”40fed5aa2271e9a8

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“Unbelievable. The Grand Duke 92db36a1d1 of the North 569063eeda working a high 5cbaa56869 priest like a 6c93adc14a dog…”ed972eacbe6f2481

“Is it related to the self-harming?”d93cb3767566f568

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“Self-harm? Nah. Why would someone with a8f732ee4a dulled senses harm themselves? It’s more likely the opposite.”eb7c58f0f4697f14

“Opposite?”38be0731fb912956

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“He’s probably hurting himself without realizing it.”06b93fb66b3508bc

“Ah…”bc43459a34943e9c

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“Anyway, we done here? The cuffs thing’s not 7c936c3657 bad, but with someone 06b6551fbf like our Grand Duchess, 9621a53cb7 who can’t feel much, 4ece76675e he might dislocate a 47d513a018 wrist just flailing around. But hey, if b8c7d0c5b9 you’re fine with f9e284e245 that, be my 17053d7a46 guest. I’m out.”0ef2713134d5f5ab

“Go ahead.”e1124f0c2d68abd3

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“Ugh, I’m so tired. Where the hell’s Cedric… 0bcec7292a Maybe I should whine 34b81f397b a little for once.”5b0616004bc02bd0

Muttering under his 4018d85ee7 breath, Raphael finally 4df8b76e23 left.b26938b83079a0d6

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Once the high priest 11767af2e3 disappeared, silence settled thick 5315b29900 in the room. Not even the rustle of fe1b8cc813 blankets could be heard. Then the Grand Duke finally 117138ee3c asked,1953a56486276c9f

“So… you weren’t trying to hurt yourself?”7ac9b865008d8685

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“No.”cddd03e573c1e663

“…Then why do things like bite your tongue or slam your head…”3fb402fd544b6301

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He trailed off, sighing, 99343de208 and untied the bindings 5236e804c9 from Gio’s wrists.70e1b90db44c78c7

“Want a drink?”fa197471e0b96040

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He poured liquor into the f4df2e71d5 same glass he’d used earlier 17af341938 and handed it to Gio. Gio stared at the ec397c4eed wood-colored liquid for a 57e980cfad moment before taking it 74136b2960 and downing it in 7e16eca155 one go. He couldn’t even tell what b33a95cd87 it tasted like.dd15f86ee9e87f2e

“That stuff’s strong. And you drink it b300d3c8e3 like water. Want more?”afa8c9289d514daa

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“No, thank you.”cc163f418fa88d58

“Have you always been this numb?”7cd7958ecaacd589

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At that question, 88f7b61079 Gio tried to 45eae46845 think—when had it ca76745989 started? There was a time, d9fa9ab8e1 far back, when even f21daa0451 a single thorn prick 4a28219842 would make him cry. But that version of e11d351457 himself had vanished quickly, 9e835cb811 buried under resistance training, 15310c7453 pain conditioning, and mission 56e567d9f9 after mission.8128995c71629d7b

“I don’t think I was like this when I was really young.”448a95dff06c4d25

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“Then what happened?”580b4b41226235dc

“I guess… it just turned out this way as I grew up.”132891569368f571

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“You don’t just turn out that way. They must’ve put you faf7dc9b42 through resistance testing or 5d6327e685 something, right?”bfb032b87c96dad2

Gio flinched. The Grand Duke seemed to 596ac33b62 know more about Cove than b321c03f9e Gio expected. When Gio didn’t answer, the b353579492 Grand Duke took that silence f2c2ffa590 as confirmation.277b98a1969c0910

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“I see. And? Is it uncomfortable?”a92c616478573401

That kind tone of his… 8eb40b1f95 Gio still wasn’t used to 5a96af15af it. It always caught him off 82022e674d guard.3fdf38b854af2890

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“Mmm… is that so?”62a3df79101a81e0

The Grand Duke’s eyes afc36cfad9 trailed slowly over Gio’s a22122470a body, and then he f912818b77 smiled.453f45aee4b97ab9

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“Well then. Why don’t we pick 23f740728d up where we left a35f0bdfd1 off?”bdaf447e90578236

As Gio lifted 764829a5cb his head, he 3ccdd534dd realized the Grand 8522070c23 Duke had already 3f43a1e57b come close—close enough 3267ebedd4 that his breath 98e0ab8fb0 could be felt. His shirt was open, 297d914a86 revealing smooth, firm skin. With long fingers, 6ff20cc965 he tapped lightly 74e33c5df6 between his collarbone 909c9ffb19 and neck.63ca7486e22e6137

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“Here. Right here.”e237b5563a3894be

Gio hesitated, and the e13f378103 Grand Duke threw back 7978c9b520 another glass of liquor. His Adam’s apple bobbed as 33f1fe4c9b he swallowed, the sight oddly a9cd6741d3 obscene. Gio quickly turned 77dbc807b8 his head away.9e6fec2ab870e2b6

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“What are you waiting for? Suck. Right here, my dear bride.”32e3c5e65f4095da

He pulled Gio’s head cb53cc9b86 toward him, guiding him 0d178a86b9 to his neck.9edf2ddf8ff75f45

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There was nothing new about 545e7f16b8 the way people in power cf09724faf acted—so inconsistent, so absolute. Making decisions on their 008767c7c2 own whims, treating those cec9ffee48 beneath them like playthings. That was what power was. So, as always, Gio 9b648c5f9e had no choice but d698dc8109 to obey.2f63e916248a4bf1

He pressed his lips to 2a0637b92d the Grand Duke’s smooth neck. In the quiet 7deb29205c room, the only cf4634ab34 sound was a 31199f4ace soft chuup chuup—barely 6d0b6fc019 audible, meant only 8069e7dff3 for them, yet 7fe8e55e21 Gio felt like 0624a1c55c it echoed loudly b45065885f in his ears. Even though he was 0eb8cd6193 the one making the b1e09d7f94 sound, it felt lewd. Embarrassing.e9528852c16d2f3f

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When he thought 4fc4e49ae8 it was done, 92f3141c6d Gio lifted his 8d4c0a7dad head. The Grand Duke took 2049684163 another sip of liquor, b264543454 and this time it a7a063d48d dribbled from his lips, e8abce7161 pooling in the dip 4e1b99193a of his collarbone. He tapped the spot again.bf8cfcdce15af43b

“That wasn’t quite enough. Go again.”1926fcba4e8b6275

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Gio looked into 125badb0ee his eyes for 1d22eaa96a a moment, then a045c83712 lowered his lips 2ecdcb2b7d to the spot 3637f046d4 once more. He sucked the 3d948e9c3f liquor from his baef4a0a17 skin, swallowing it d915a398f9 down with the 169fdd88b0 pooled saliva in 4eb3572f8c his mouth. Then, shaping his 3dc5590285 lips into a f51fc901e3 tight circle, he 0030c643ed sucked harder.b47d22740932a08a

The Grand Duke’s scent—his pheromones, 547ebb1700 his natural musk—seemed to seep 9ada1ef306 deep inside Gio’s body. He could feel d7e2a21aaf the steady thrum 7eb858e51b of the Grand f7efbb2c56 Duke’s pulse against 1f275868e3 his lips, and 2f9366008e his own heart 68d0c08a88 started pounding in 81044feaf2 response. It felt as though both 0e9bbc58c4 of their heartbeats were visible, 74d768556a beating in sync, just under 3a9c86cfcb the surface of their skin.38666a8ce8237a08

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* * *08c5cbaded6f6974

After marking each other’s e108bd2edd necks, the Grand Duke 0640ab2720 remained with his shirt a9ed1c4883 collar open. The red marks fd20c11aab Gio had left 67d087f30c were boldly visible, bde8372223 scattered across his 94b4022a8d smooth skin.79a2cc6a37506845

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While sipping his drink, the d035a8bf24 Grand Duke took a seat 07d77c59ab off to the side of 27c057101a the bedroom and began reviewing e72dd19f1c documents. Gio, meanwhile, buried himself beneath e683eabe7a the covers. The Grand Duke pulled the 9077914b80 curtains around the canopy bed b3c75c830a shut for him. Through the sheer, a0a0f90259 opaque fabric, Gio 602759c344 could faintly see dfe4a5d993 a few servants 0980833576 passing through the e5871d7d36 room.62e49a1bb80f85d0

Only once night d317862b5a had fully fallen 2556fed129 did the canopy deb1331035 curtains part again. The Grand Duke was 512d5f3c81 now dressed in a c3cfe682bd white robe, its front edc973212f parted enough to reveal d9cf1a7a53 his solid chest. Most alphas had impressive 74f89f8c6c builds, but the Grand c46b408111 Duke’s body looked like 32caf5fd6f it had been deliberately ffdbf2b192 sculpted—designed by hand.d1c1aa9e49d92445

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“How long have you been lying there like that? Does dulled sensation mean 2f18ee0962 no need for the fb5d36ced6 bathroom? No hunger?”4d2fe78cae70fbc9

It wasn’t until he fd5f4255a4 asked that Gio realized—he 87e9ce9717 was hungry. Growing up in 0cb4138496 Cove, there had d5f4cc9a25 never really been 8f74e79450 a concept of 940c8339ff regular meals. If food was d24891c87f available, you ate 7f39401e93 it. If not, you endured. He remembered being a child, c1b3285c33 fighting for a scrap of eb40343604 bread on the street—how a 0d2c58c9e1 bigger kid had punched him 82f9bc75cf and stolen it. He’d ended up with a d56d8f30a4 nosebleed.aea7bda3ab5ef8bc

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And that same kid, b2c74244f3 years later, had died—his a85e885ad5 body covered in blood, 733d324b59 collapsed from the aftereffects 50823604c6 of a test. Gio had been there too. He hadn’t felt sadness, f792c44721 nor satisfaction. Just wanted to get db3a665ae1 out of there and c5e3d2e485 go to sleep.e0767531eae7fc32

“Do you want food? Or do you 40994420ae need the bathroom 51dbd001c3 first?”f9e2db3c4483cc81

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“I’ll eat first.”f7f17ff671e921cd

“Then come on out of bed.”aad9fe01587f29f1

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When Gio stepped down, cc1c18d3b1 the chain at his 4fb53897d5 ankle clanked heavily. He glanced at 24f2520720 the cold iron 89ef43e447 link wrapped around a1927189a1 his bare leg—his 188e9c39b7 only piece of 1f3da9fbb8 “clothing.” And it 70b555fad5 reminded him of c7eb9837e7 his place. Of how even 9775b87925 clothing had to e2829aa57d be granted.33a10eae0e47264c

Still, there was no violence. No abuse. So this was, b9f08d22a3 in a way, 3b87feb708 a comfortable prison. Better than his 693c501d45 life without chains ac53a83f8a had ever been.cab822e2cd1297be

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“Here.”97f2bfbb7d7bbce9

Surprisingly, the Grand adac0eb6d6 Duke handed him 76b40b4b6e clothes. Gio unfolded them—soft, white, 9135e00974 one-piece tunic with a af70f2b4c7 matching robe.0cb237d7db2bdf8b

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Clothes were the a488a28cce bare minimum for 1c9e4e4808 human dignity. They weren’t just 0f20bcf891 to ward off d7881934de the cold—they were 80f87e5fdf proof that you 15f51a159c were human.d926ace266a570bc

As he slipped the tunic ffa1dd469b over his head, Gio felt 98deb80ed1 slightly warmer, even though heat 4a396bbd34 and cold rarely affected him 5495afc595 much anymore.c7044f4cf2b07f0b

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He walked over to 4d5a605486 where the Grand Duke bde8127511 sat. A table had been a701d412e7 set with food within b22ea9b1de reach of the chain’s 43bc0830ad length. The old wooden faa86877cc chair had been d67ba6c3eb swapped for a e5efb27398 smooth, polished one.847ca3d66df2ea04

The savory aroma of soup 2f0390e579 reached his nose, tightening his a4bf55c006 stomach with hunger. Come to think 6b20b515d0 of it, aside 685a199312 from the food 51014f327d the head maid 8a3939741d had brought that 704d1b6341 morning, this was dee95ee37f his first real e79d6aba92 meal of the beb9c9e36a day.c5cbf86aa84c30f5

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“Eat with me,” the Grand Duke said as Gio quietly sat and stared at the food laid before him.668ebc9e847a9042

“There’s no poison. Relax and eat.”d9661a0f70270499

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“……”abf835c25e6ad6f8

With that, the Grand d648d116f5 Duke began eating his 81f3e8f26e own meal. Gio simply stared 0e6bcdb78e at his plate—meat, 0574537286 salad, bread, a 08ffbc3af3 baked potato. He couldn’t remember 4e177d93fe the last time 671b57ab89 he’d seen such 390c39f99b a well-prepared spread.3dfb2fa4420fbadf

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He cut a d53951c758 small piece of 290fdec1bb meat and placed d488205ef4 it in his 692af6776a mouth—it melted like 0478fd6160 pudding. The baked potato, f8b17a4d3f almost the size 667ae1160a of an adult’s fc3ca2b2bb fist, was fluffy 828c9a95b7 and warm when 849ad6cd5d split open and 94c168df62 spread with sauce.ed6667a6178eff5b

The bread, soft with 3c5c8a8780 butter, was rich and 0527605fa3 chewy—enough to make a 7600989e57 meal on its own. As he continued 00c30541e9 eating, he sipped 60abf93aa9 the wine beside eff07438e5 him, and the 1c14e37dda flavors seemed to 272c6ccdc9 blend effortlessly, leaving 7351b2f8ad a fragrant warmth 22658f288b in his chest. Even someone like ab25ad9757 Gio, who hardly f3d5bebeda knew good food, 46fbed57bc could tell: everything 7e7104f89e here was fresh, 67350ad2ed light, and delicious.a8f9223fe60fe302

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When he looked up, 77cf0fb881 he noticed his wine c3cb8a8b76 glass had been refilled. The Grand Duke had ffb90c19ef topped it off and 298d2a6de2 set the bottle down, a4e00a8757 raising his own glass a283568ea2 in a toast before afd79dcf1e taking a drink. Gio followed and 9e97d25fd9 sipped as well—the 4615e660ba wine cut cleanly 9c20c60951 through the fattiness 721fd372a3 of the meat, 821679b291 leaving only a 96d387357c pleasant aftertaste.dcddc735b3e0638a

“Our little Grand Duchess eats surprisingly well for someone so small. Should I have them 82e3a2718f bring more?”05e6d03ae60c1c9a

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Though Gio was slender, he d928f0e6bd wasn’t short—his height was average ffdf9c266e for a man. Still, northern people 61dc915487 did seem to 4dd4147cb2 be a bit 50db2733b7 taller overall.b472d77050aa0aaa

“I’m fine.”38448e67b081d21e

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“Really? Doesn’t look like it, 46adf59439 the way you’re spilling 4f1b7eabad wine all over your 9292d833e5 mouth.”a2d8b122e5dc0eea

The Grand Duke 00b7785cfc brushed his thumb 42fd3ce78e across Gio’s lips. A smear of deep red 77f534960e wine stained it.69915601b2ddc48e

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When Gio quickly wiped his cff260c80b lips with the back of 40a492cb25 his hand, the Grand Duke 3c09448c4f caught his wrist.c41fad8da3153964

“There’s a napkin, you know. Our Grand Duchess really is 70e5f167af a handful.”3f88b112c2f26cf5

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Then, he popped the same 0b725981e7 thumb—the one that had just b266f6e685 touched Gio’s lips—into his mouth 15f7dbc70d and sucked it with an b9100ff3be audible pop.2904f3c740ab69a0

“Tastes good.”d4401818ae5f21fd

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“……”4819ad1e81fe248d

Looking at the Grand 1bcd6c0442 Duke’s crimson lips, Gio da746aec11 could see why people 350cac6a71 said his beauty was a8d3f3967f legendary. All he’d done was 36606f69f7 lick some wine off 0bc74ee670 his finger, and yet aa99820255 it was dizzying. Seductive.c66f40d3acbe27c3

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The robe draped 2754088501 loosely around him, 2ac49f9702 his flushed lips 15dcb37031 gleaming—it was sinfully 11d73d1dd7 alluring. And he hadn’t even used 01d07e7499 his pheromones. Gio couldn’t look away.e850b57fa33022de

“This wine is rare—even in the North, only a few bottles are produced. It’s made from abf32d25d6 grapes that survive 5aa587be1f the winter frost 864e07600a and are harvested 836373a446 right at the 34f205861f end of the bdac5eb416 season. That makes it incredibly sweet—but 1b7d88abf3 also very strong.”952d461aba240ff6

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He poured more wine into d9658aa346 Gio’s empty glass.c07aebd60bb5460b

“The sweeter something is… the more dangerous it usually is.”ac7ffddc282eca1e

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The Grand Duke sipped 252638709d his wine. Gio watched the dark, cf0ab48e73 blood-like liquid in his eccd90004e glass for a moment 503a5d6c9b before taking a sip. It was smooth, warm, 4e95564b8d and quietly potent.c6858dd5d6d6ae42

Even when Gio 566c248871 went to bathe 54db87d2fb after the meal, 98daea0bf1 the Grand Duke 0fddf4a6fb stayed nearby.c6bbe6bc59145114

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When Gio stepped out of d2cf85706d the bathroom, the room was 2ff7007fc6 dim. Most of the 2b49e27962 lights were off 5b1e6fbba2 except for two bfc17474d4 lamps on either 9e91de822d side of the 956930a78c bed. The Grand Duke 8a2b0960f5 was already lying 23ef4956c7 on the bed, 4be70bdeb2 propped up on 2d801a7255 one arm. He patted the 49b937898f spot beside him.1203e8192b5558ab

“Come here, my bride.”1c9f29af1bcab062

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He acted like a newlywed 5d1d2c1797 husband—so convincingly, Gio was impressed c6b0f94b13 all over again. This was how the e1c876ed2c Grand Duke had survived fa4339d1f4 every assassination the Emperor 3569348d74 had thrown at him. How he’d taken f1d9ac4a99 full control of 77a408e047 the North. He left no gaps.47d3e9b034d72098

There was no cb7c4245c9 way the Emperor’s 0b87b9fef1 spies could reach 33145fd081 the heart of 56ed7b5c9b the Grand Duke’s 92d3a53155 stronghold, and yet 4af7abc080 here he was, 0b3a5e7a31 putting on a cf7a02aad1 perfect performance for 279f3f49e6 the benefit of 78234ca5e6 unseen eyes. Just in case.940001436789d736

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Gio remembered what 0717ce0238 Cove had said: f6846a92ff the Grand Duke 5736d39366 hadn’t left the 69720165bc North in over 3bc722b6d2 ten years. Even so, he had been d07c612b11 able to instantly spot that fdb9c8b647 Gio wasn’t Count Silion’s real 33c91985cf son. He had noticed the 9b227aa3b4 smallest discrepancies—even in eye cb1fd9bc65 color. For someone supposedly 07cf8f25d1 isolated, his information bad363693c network rivaled the 9a6b618088 Emperor’s.f5d26305d12a1efb

Still admiring that attention d6a4af2c3e to detail and flawless affe164adf acting, Gio walked over a9983f4527 and sat beside him 15cb6f3366 where he had tapped.1ea806ae757743e5

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The Grand Duke ab33a97b37 secured the chain fd78545209 around Gio’s ankle 4541976b6f to the bedpost, c1cfc5bbc0 then shrugged off 0938898def his robe and 3df5bb6e4e slid into the 865d12ad8a blankets.d7acb3d54de96a49

It was the first time a8fa7ef8bd Gio saw him completely naked—and dc547a630b the man’s body was an bce5d749c7 ideal sculpture of muscle and a467861b6a form. Not just fit like other 3aac261fc1 alphas—designed.816300863fbd5243

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By contrast, Gio’s body was b07888548d thin and riddled with scars c904b1f256 from missions and training. Lying next to the 0866df7be8 Grand Duke’s large frame d1c54fc557 made him feel small. Insignificant.395d63adc7f60e4c

Gio expected him to f41fa1f88f make some flippant or 13aec85e5d mocking comment, but the 7e89f7e0c8 Grand Duke remained silent. When he turned to look, 3ade19328f he realized—the man was asleep. Still in that 7fbc1e8d87 same position, breathing 408c01c662 slow and steady.a1d8844e0517a76c

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He was sleeping. Naked. Next to the assassin sent 65f5a1c9d7 to kill him.130919a30b0fccc9

That level of confidence—or perhaps 0d9f40f3e7 arrogance—was almost unbelievable.7d946c3392193f27

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Yet strangely, the 54c8e8c2b2 sound of his 96d1685096 quiet, even breathing 5af52589da calmed Gio’s heart.da2061d367dc2efb

He turned onto 6b8d9a6bb9 his side and fcd49be099 looked at the 86ec8c5f95 Grand Duke’s profile. His high-bridged nose, sharp 739002a5d9 and elegant, and lashes 0ecc2f9204 thick and neatly fanned 5a74a34c4a out like dark feathers.23b059b055e65028

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Gio reached for the 23906654f8 soft, clean edge of a6b41d9263 the blanket—a sensation he’d d1c93fb648 never known before—and gently f1dcdadff0 pulled it up to 2d3d53c98b cover himself.2b7c9508b5a7e584

* * *b2e6bec0690fbea6

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Bayshark opened his eyes 8d374351a5 quietly once the room 7d5bd8f464 had fallen completely silent. Beside him, at the e1df4268dc far edge of the 791b86c92f bed, lay the omega 1afaaea46e he had married just bb8772cb61 a few days ago—curled 690be6980a up so tightly that b6e79ae2ff his already thin, small 9273e2c6b0 frame looked even smaller.b72c2cfeb885a90c

In a bed this 2140417158 massive, why choose to 4c37fd525c sleep all the way 21625a84f0 over there, with only ac34c17ba7 the edge of the 2fbaee34bd blanket barely covering him?196c4d94ac0605cc

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“So pitiful…”414212c27330eff5

With that thought, Bayshark let 2576f8d938 his gaze fall to the 442697852e omega’s feet, which had slipped d6710e2706 out from under the covers. The toes were slightly 539f85710a twisted, and the toenails 96574d94ad were bruised. They looked like 2c5b653825 brittle branches stuck dc56cc8079 on at awkward 0969aef621 angles.b4cb7424b0622284

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He wondered briefly what kind 47471ce405 of things must have happened 815df29014 to make someone’s feet look 59f97ea7ce like that, then turned his 28fb80d9a8 head away. It didn’t matter. Once he finished spitting in 728c11a3da the Emperor’s face, this whole 078e7b70ea connection would be over.5cc92c591a424086

Of course, he couldn’t just e219bb1f61 send the omega back to 695ca98b44 Cove. If he did, e8e10a9ee0 the kid would 9f563e393f be tortured to d7849beb8b death for sure. But he had come 1837a04423 here—to the North—and agreed 63faa71cde to help deceive the 41713692f3 Emperor. For that alone, 1ca63cb4c2 Bayshark figured he 36079bcd22 owed him some fb15519c20 compensation.2e0451fba76f9685

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Once the mission was 3b32bbd8ea done, he could just c01e565609 kill the assassin. That would’ve been 1931336d24 the simplest solution. But those eyes—that damn gaze—kept e2a0e3c18f bothering him. That shade of purple 66e203d5a1 stuck in his head.d6a29e317097f4b2

Maybe if he 29412c2ffe left him with 25f32aae3d a sack of 2ccd333fa2 gold, he’d manage. Not the type to run bd6f0d63ec off to some bustling city ca854aa04a and live loud. No… this omega 626d57c4fc seemed more like 9dbfdd4b05 the kind to 083cef62cd live alone in 4dd771a8af a quiet little f83d7d26db house somewhere, still 27706d69d3 and wordless.8293cb228f1415fb

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Bayshark tried to imagine d3582f932a him living like that 29c944f57a but could only picture 8316e2789b him sitting silently—expressionless—just staring a8be0572f3 ahead. Those dark eyes, bef8b5edac seemingly black in 126cab836f the shadows, revealed 77367b50b8 faint traces of 180344fc96 violet if you 2915e0e08b looked closely. Eyes like his former master’s.b12fd0fe90c41ae2

And that gaze—empty, beec98516a stripped of expectation, a041cda6f9 steeped in resignation—reminded 022e278d70 Bayshark of a fa56ec4706 younger version of 7d19e2e44a himself. A part of 05231cbc7e his past he d59570fced rarely let surface.0e17f1c7016956ee

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That look was the only 2e5624bd04 reason he’d decided he’d let 66f9e1199d the omega live after the cbc1bbe16e mission. But that was all 4c7817aafc it was—nothing more. He had no intention 187015d4c0 of keeping anyone beside 2c5fce1bd9 him. No interest in 80a55cba47 forming bonds like 6777b4dd49 a real marriage.e0e8a73e96a7a2ad

Bayshark slipped on his 6a6772e82c robe and quietly exited 0069c37601 the Grand Duchess’s bedchamber. The knight posted fa2c130f44 by the door 7cc1cbffbe offered a bow. With just a glance toward 347a916e82 the bedchamber, Bayshark received a e63103aea0 respectful nod in return.e6af22dff9787aba

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In the receiving 8ee9031422 room, the butler, e87a7eeebc administrative officer Cedric, bef195caf8 Knight Captain Liam, b12cf3b787 and Vice-Captain Ben c654a05da2 were already waiting.f8cf5921aef4c0ec

“Report,” he said as he stepped inside.eefa4f02d000cdea

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The butler moved quickly 46b3bbf91e to help him dress, df51079e79 buttoning his shirt while b1734b6521 Liam spoke up first.2571e72243c659fd

“There’s been no significant movement from the Imperial Palace yet.”a613cc2093ec4da1

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“Really? My dear cousin is 1695806422 slower than I expected. Not that he’s ee684f656c ever been quick 661041148a about anything.”f6dd2913fa254639

“Well, their limbs have been neatly severed here in the North. We’ve already let the story 04b49a146f slip to a few choice b74b4ccf80 merchants. The message will reach them ec0add8800 soon.”fba838465bc1d11d

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“And Cove?”6b6bd9a51c478e60

Ben answered this time.ce1bfc23b35b2860

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“The entourage that brought the Grand Duchess only left the North this afternoon. By now, Cove likely knows.”cefee8e043820960

“I see… Then both parties will hear the news around the same time.”db9c1a8f59d8c791

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“Yes, Your Grace.”9a7ca0d1f78de469

“All right, next.”73ae436aefae52f3

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The butler buttoned c120801bc5 Bayshark’s cuffs, then 533f2ce147 stepped back slightly f783cef588 before speaking.88a6b60539c9ad5b

“Among the staff, there’s already talk about Your Grace and the Grand Duchess. The ones who e9e1f257cd travel outside will 91adf416ac naturally share the bada7f36ec news with their 7bdd7c1e2b families, and soon fa6aeb7176 enough, it’ll reach 522192efc3 the streets.”8369b82a6b0008a6

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“Good. Even if the Palace hears 04c17e2820 whispers in secret, they’ll hesitate 63b1d151ef to believe it. But once the rumors hit a04f2e6890 the market, that’s confirmation enough ed7f2d7867 for them.”23b3d743bf20510b

With that, the ebecb19a46 butler finished his 25d7ccec81 report and stepped b3f5767ef9 back. Now dressed in light 54e6683e24 indoor wear, Bayshark rolled 5fc8fb6cab his neck and shoulders 1c3c52e722 to loosen up.30d16a5e6d109422

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“Your Grace,” Liam spoke next, his tone cautious.35598a9b8e453d7a

Everyone present here 4102af64db was part of 51afa3ccd9 Bayshark’s inner circle. Liam and Ben weren’t f8642153a3 just knights—they were comrades 5bac014819 who’d survived assassination attempts 7ccf593e09 and fought monsters with 91b7fa5cf9 him. They’d trained under the fe833b2519 same master.4b0d02e49bcbee52

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“Go ahead.”0897327ee0ef67cd

“After the rumors reach the palace… what will you do?”ff814d62e570cec4

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“About what?”7d11a8d0a30ec839

“About the Grand Duchess.”6f21e0d612765aa1

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Once, Liam had been harsh—furious, 0997d95341 even—when he learned that the 0a58f7e34f new bride was actually an dd73e68f8d assassin. But now, he used the d12c27d605 title Grand Duchess. It meant something.bbe5c3c03cf1a1cb

At the time, 0efedf9e16 they had insisted 2906b4695b that the assassin 7298909d7e couldn’t be allowed 81122b2cc1 to live. But Bayshark had declared he 4625472eff would use him. That he was done 4379475116 dancing to the Emperor’s 66224c74c1 tune.4bccab83c811390f

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Bayshark had survived only because 7e3540fce1 of the North—arriving broken and 7dd66abf5b orphaned, it had been the a92e02e3dc master who taught him the dc822e1b7b sword and how to control 943023fa88 his pheromones. The endless winters f75c4389ed of the North 397313dd79 hid him from a8ead3bfaf the noble bloodhounds 651ba7b677 of the capital. His master had shielded him.c252e8f1dab10a83

Until the day his master bf32b0fb20 was murdered in an assassination 0c6f5d9f74 attempt meant for Bayshark.404fb79ad974589e

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Bayshark had wanted 7b93ae96d1 to march straight 244f6fcb3e to the capital, 589044e2ba sword in hand, e543f2b03b but his master 308d066379 had anticipated that—leaving 499bba0a09 behind a final c2acaaa09a request: Protect the 914055424c North.cd1861ec90c82656

So he did. He gritted his teeth, c97fee2e8f buried his anger, and df8589ff7e poured everything into the ae3917fdcf prosperity of this land. Even the magic stone mine c5ec7cd87d he discovered—during one of his 43623093f0 relentless winter patrols—felt like his dc5ea3f1ab master’s final gift.2f53cdbe9016f8c2

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As he saw his bbc94f52f3 people’s expressions brighten, no 0e682dd186 longer hollowed out by bf7ca8404e hardship, Bayshark finally felt 198a2f4b62 a little less guilty 5c31420eda for staying alive.01e977f52158cb61

This North—it was 01ef996661 something he had 5645f1717c built with his b002cbbaaa own hands. A land entrusted to him 51e05ee71a by his savior. And the Emperor had dared 0ceb679210 to chain it like a 04f64ca732 pet. Had dared to use even 993df57af9 marriage to manipulate it.0dae236667e15b2d

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To Liam’s question, Bayshark finally 95c43c7464 replied.d90ab3d431e4fd0a

“We show them we’re doing well. Make my cousin seethe with 9366d09816 envy.”5dc85d1a769010cc

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“And after that… will he continue as the Grand Duchess?”c779b94867c0e29d

“As if.”308368efe97dbeeb

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“But… Your Grace—”8738248e6bf6d395

Bayshark knew what d28b670b65 Liam wanted to 9b9f7fc35c say. He also understood why 40415ba0f2 Liam had begun calling 70680aa703 the assassin Your Grace a7c2b520ca or that one.6b767e4ac75e090b

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He knew exactly c0f87d7f85 what that meant.d08b5b3895170d98

Since gaining control over dc82ad3753 his pheromones, Bayshark had a99047ec46 refrained from releasing them 341358681a entirely. He’d never liked 1bd32e091a omegas who reacted f8c4b0fdb6 to his scent—not c3de4d8a4d after what had 1a754dec57 happened back when a48f28dbb3 he couldn’t control 41edcb04a3 it.90aa65cdd0bb7185

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Yet now, he had saturated 7fa3ba4df1 that assassin with his pheromones. And that was why alphas 550632c8b6 like Liam and Ben had bba5bf483b begun to think the Grand 146d146442 Duchess might actually become his d87f3b4f95 omega.b3fc3c697de40d3d

Bayshark hadn’t meant for that 2acd55eae6 to happen. But with that fragile, always-bleeding, b13a8ecc20 ultra-recessive omega, he found himself d00b711502 doing it anyway. It was something like: Let’s a2b4c11536 see if you react to 6857bed298 even this.bf735493cd4d9b46

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He recalled those dull, f46d72e472 purple-tinged eyes that barely 266f92fad9 reacted unless his pheromones 49f8d29d7e were poured on. Eyes that looked black 2f2002772c in the dark, but 10600c5861 shimmered with violet under 338493e65d the light—like a night fca380debf sky.80b0bba493147844

“I’ve said it before,” Bayshark said calmly, “but the Grand Duchess will not be staying.”18a87969e2d1a5ce

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“But, Your Grace, then the matter of succession—” Liam began carefully.bc0a20e9915fd8d2

“Drop it, Liam. We’ve talked about this already. He’s no exception.”552aa529fd53c261

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Liam opened his mouth 6ced278f4a to say more, then 6e0d20b20d closed it and bowed eb0ec09f79 his head. Bayshark had no intention of 1276fdf18a continuing the imperial bloodline. He wanted someone new to f42099f402 inherit the North—like his own b24dfec82c master had done for him.c34ecadf94881b72

He didn’t want another person d28c4250d3 to suffer just for being bacc4b1dfc born a royal. He had lived that fate—tormented 7b7d6713d9 simply because of his lineage. And this assassin? Even less suitable.1025ac6b2a37070f

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Even if, hypothetically, the e74c843dc6 Grand Duchess were to cacb2a1750 remain, he wasn’t a e8801c19db viable candidate for succession. Male ultra-recessive omegas d7bc2aec56 rarely conceived, and 507642dbea if by some 2ba5c62ab6 miracle they did, 4c0737c65c they usually didn’t b3f1e4ce6c survive childbirth. It was more 304f5639cd accurate to say d5a93889c9 pregnancy was impossible.9d8c8424c070b8fa

Now it was d6919f3522 Cedric’s turn to b2de2e63cc report. The usually composed administrative officer c63b4c3746 paused a beat before speaking.421b3e1e35602d89

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“Your Grace… Please do something about Lord Raphael.”1233b039aebc8c09

At those words, Liam 577edb84bd and Ben groaned and 0114db46db held their heads, while 6f5349d941 the butler chuckled, watching d34e894986 Cedric with amused curiosity.f0d0e43e2231a74d

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“He’s still chasing you?” Bayshark asked.e02fab52acc5c7a3

“He keeps calling for me. Even though it’s not e15105d197 even my department, he 49cce1e000 insists I help him 3b8d11b22c with this or that. And I’m still buried under dec37b32de post-wedding paperwork…”b9d886bf4a9aa7e5

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“Why? Is he trying to ac93f3b2e8 get you in bed?” 2bdebceb0b Liam asked bluntly.d07ded393f4e670e

Cedric snapped his head toward 9b535fbd4f Liam, glaring.61f0a658d348c0bf

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Trying to ignore them, he bea879f9a6 approached Bayshark to return to c399271d28 his proper duty.8b3942d79acba3c5

But just then, d940fde601 a breeze drifted db162ad1ae in from the 666e24d198 window—and along with 75c478bb2f it, the scent 62af0f7a15 of Raphael’s pheromones, a76cfbc952 thick and clinging 8ed28d834b to Cedric like 8a8733dfd2 a brand. Bayshark scowled, visibly displeased. It was like a wild 501d08b002 beast marking its territory. Cedric, being a 3e61a17612 beta, didn’t even 1e5d039be1 notice.b6bc3b5a4cb893b3

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Liam clearly smelled it too. “If you don’t like it, kick him in the shin. Or lower. I’m pretty sure if you 94b809dc41 did it, he’d actually enjoy a0273a766c it.”b2e9aca8762dea28

Cedric sighed. “It doesn’t work. When is Lord Raphael going 2f8cf2a963 back? And could someone 07eabebb38 please ask him dfc9b346ac to wear proper 764ea5ee5e clothes? Your Grace?”c6e00421f3c97b73

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But Liam answered instead, chuckling. “What, did he strip naked and pounce on you?”398e4da82ee7cfd6

Cedric groaned like he d7dfff7ceb was losing faith in c823b16619 all of them. “Every time he calls for me, he’s half-undressed. No wonder people get the 870907e8eb wrong idea.”4233e0d8f779f7ec

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“He’s only persistent because you keep resisting,” Liam said with a shrug.73827a7726cc41d3

Cedric shook his c21a2e8b47 head hard, as 4e2f53ea05 if to fling 8a9c855da3 the whole conversation 26e1877f0e out of his 361b153885 brain. Bayshark, watching this interaction, e2e5b2d6c5 was genuinely baffled. What did Raphael even see 440207ae8f in Cedric—a pale, paperwork-bound beta?e7690f23edc2951d

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But the thought was fleeting.535511fd416ab5bd

“Oh—Butler.”d4fd863a83243c7f

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“Yes, Your Grace?”e59aafd8bf50748f

“Our Grand Duchess eats quite well. Increase his portions, especially the 83582d6e95 meat.”f050dd1c26d5deb7

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“…Understood.”a3d656521f0ca481

Bayshark smiled. At that moment, the 06e920d3da dawn finally began to 84cd9683bd break, flooding the room 82e3ed34e1 with soft light. His eyes glinted 8fc3df55bb in the morning 0070bc8973 sun.28bb2d3b732dec57

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In a society where appearances 3560416527 and reputation ruled, he had a3671e6f1d finally found a perfect excuse. A reason to strike back.763012249706d64f

The Emperor, who’d always 80eec7c08e sent assassins wrapped in d2928102d4 layers of pretense—never directly, 10659ad8a5 always hidden behind civility. Now, he had gone b71a8e1097 a step further: sending e8d991ec27 a bride who was, 7eb8c0e9bd in truth, another assassin.3449f8d54e303955

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But this time, 214ee43a09 Bayshark had the e2005b61b3 upper hand. He could blow up Cove 586df7f722 along with the Emperor’s plot. And maybe start with Count 3a749e42e2 Silion’s family, too.e7bacfc2ab1e59eb

Just imagining his cousin’s twisted, 3a849bb495 furious face brought him genuine afc6aeb8fb joy.d2d8532af056b6e0

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Cut off all his limbs. One by one.c039bebb58576dbb

Cedric, standing nearby, flinched b8a10f4a37 under the weight of 5eba969645 that killing intent. But Bayshark’s smile remained radiant—cold 0149952f1f and clear like the morning a5ea83b0a0 sky over the northern mountains.0150468f165fe888

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