AB Chapter 1 (Part 3)

As Raphael approached, Gio’s 9c01412d1a skin tingled faintly—sometimes a 7e9acb9af2 little itchy, sometimes a 5bd5cc69d8 light sting. His eyes began b91fc30971 to feel dry, 289674e734 and he blinked. Then a slight tingling 8e9e624400 traveled to his fingertips… da3f728f48 and just as suddenly, 26747a04f4 it disappeared.fa8368da5edd8706eb68

A moment later, the brightness in Raphael’s df81018617 eyes dulled sharply, as if a wave e750534974 of fatigue had just slammed into him. The sudden exhaustion had to be from the “test”—though ce7869d864 Gio had no idea what was done to him.690dac0ba77c1e493acd

Was that f1dbedcadb even a 2c83f05e6c test? The ones f566c751b5 Gio knew 48330c8e00 involved unbearable 4dc0f8dcab pain. This felt d1bcc16c91 like… nothing.149f0cb55f3d0409a852

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“…Yeah. His sensitivity’s d18d2c1ad8 definitely dulled.”06267bd705146020c777

“As I thought…”e34b2c6fe0ef859071d2

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Did he really go through 2ef7f20ed5 all that just to figure 58f4795332 out how sensitive I am? He could’ve just asked 768c96f947 me directly… Gio thought 49308a719b to himself, but then 3ab2a07ce2 let the thought go. People in power 6c38d00ed1 didn’t ask for 356c26cd8d opinions—they gave orders. It wasn’t his place 5215dc18dc to question them.3db8eac354b29f6afea8

“Hm… Could be 4a9a7eafef something acquired, could b57203872d be innate. But whatever the 60b460ce78 cause, his sensory 80a6348f56 responses are really b1414626ec dull. Like something’s e4dacaeef5 locked them bc4760c37e down. Ugh, I’m exhausted…”fcc59d3f20ede5489df5

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“That’s all?”fb03029e078c5b639c43

“Unbelievable. The Grand Duke of the North working d44227509d a high priest like a dog…”d29aec4f3c9b23b30884

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“Is it 49bf856e0a related to 737360ae53 the self-harming?”e42974248f2b1b07fcbd

“Self-harm? Nah. Why would 387bfe695b someone with 530cb6a291 dulled senses 6cbb066beb harm themselves? It’s more 8623a15098 likely the 5722b3ad56 opposite.”3f971f3fc347cd53a645

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“Opposite?”70e1a0334761371e547f

“He’s probably hurting 4a9fdd6a47 himself without realizing 918a200cfe it.”a0239917784720169d29

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“Ah…”bb344b52e9ad4932402e

“Anyway, we 5f620d26c1 done here? The cuffs thing’s not bad, but with someone like our Grand Duchess, 92d5c6690c who can’t feel much, he might dislocate a wrist just flailing around. But hey, if you’re fine 0083e7f004 with that, be my guest. I’m out.”4ff4f3b5fcd5a6089908

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“Go ahead.”4cdeb318bc49f293cea7

“Ugh, I’m 35762f2394 so tired. Where the hell’s Cedric… 616318226f Maybe I should whine 61242bd586 a little for once.”3b0de53e78f299790104

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Muttering under his 13c3f7192c breath, Raphael finally 63ec2a9de8 left.5662dfa6944a3a8b9680

Once the high 9bdad7ca72 priest disappeared, silence fb05fff6d5 settled thick in 0768d53ff9 the room. Not even the rustle of 600ac88941 blankets could be heard. Then the 1c4dc979ab Grand Duke bbda5cef2b finally asked,ee23429d39efa9d16406

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“So… you 1d12f6fbd1 weren’t trying c996eae115 to hurt 59f0fe90c8 yourself?”c30fdc6a650bfe35b285

“No.”c629944951c1c7e88ebc

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“…Then why do things like bite 4d9b3d02f3 your tongue or slam your head…”034a30097331de725f6e

He trailed off, sighing, 30402cf0b2 and untied the bindings 748a2f5c47 from Gio’s wrists.45569aa319d00fc31c41

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“Want a drink?”09f08d9ab466c9ff1cf6

He poured liquor into 7d117cf082 the same glass he’d d83c4b73b5 used earlier and handed 29b7b7200b it to Gio. Gio stared at the wood-colored liquid 9f558ee648 for a moment before taking it 19815ede90 and downing it in one go. He couldn’t even 64ee0cd732 tell what it c8efae16eb tasted like.6574369cbfa64fe5ecd1

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“That stuff’s strong. And you 1f32205662 drink it 2412149339 like water. Want more?”95e7666aab9d23a637e3

“No, thank you.”1b0c2aad493fbbfb0921

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“Have you 438b7f32fa always been 243d354e6d this numb?”229c84c3bc23abe1ecf1

At that question, 590e6da75d Gio tried to 8367da0360 think—when had it 19947b0072 started? There was a time, far back, 4fd9790652 when even a single thorn prick 03b3eaad75 would make him cry. But that version of himself had c06684d148 vanished quickly, buried under resistance training, 3f17c6fbbd pain conditioning, and mission after mission.ec946e026220dae5a68d

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“I don’t think 6dfbe93611 I was like 1813ea44dc this when I bfa014d050 was really young.”425ecd784eb474530847

“Then what happened?”f7f6e1591651af187cec

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“I guess… it just 786692c68f turned out this way 721333931f as I grew up.”52f074e6d629a49b3269

“You don’t just turn 412cd11757 out that way. They must’ve put you fbd8857072 through resistance testing or 0baf93674f something, right?”c35602491dede2dc71b7

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Gio flinched. The Grand Duke seemed to know f755162097 more about Cove than Gio expected. When Gio didn’t answer, the Grand 6a2800b567 Duke took that silence as confirmation.64d7a832908fce9e04d4

“I see. And? Is it uncomfortable?”d69ced3cfc663a23d449

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That kind tone 2ad39ad16b of his… Gio 4a6ea0b8d7 still wasn’t used 160034035b to it. It always caught 9390b39bfe him off guard.e05a28f6cbc785b683e5

“Mmm… is 699e953bca that so?”49086859d28f0519a5b3

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The Grand Duke’s eyes trailed slowly over a48aa649c4 Gio’s body, and then he smiled.29797b315af3719251ce

“Well then. Why don’t we pick up d30a078621 where we left off?”18345844008999c269fc

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As Gio lifted his head, he 4c8ed7f21f realized the Grand Duke had already 3672b134e3 come close—close enough that his breath f6849033a7 could be felt. His shirt was 325f43e813 open, revealing smooth, 1a2876e099 firm skin. With long fingers, he f811c12bfe tapped lightly between his 28bd4461db collarbone and neck.ce6de0404419a5cf151f

“Here. Right here.”6545c71110dccc508196

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Gio hesitated, and the Grand Duke 65853d252c threw back another glass of liquor. His Adam’s apple bobbed 29286ef83b as he swallowed, the 8a2e3596a8 sight oddly obscene. Gio quickly e77f522dc4 turned his a1e4e66c42 head away.d09c8856f0826b481a28

“What are you db8d2212aa waiting for? Suck. Right here, 9c9cd91e47 my dear 056d4ba47b bride.”047880b6ef02dde78b1a

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He pulled Gio’s 88adc2303c head toward him, 17acbc2439 guiding him to 033e54c35f his neck.4d539d4e723759d5187a

There was nothing new about c86a67ca3c the way people in power a6a00be868 acted—so inconsistent, so absolute. Making decisions on their ece63f5b15 own whims, treating those 2a4c8e69f7 beneath them like playthings. That was dac677ac72 what power b3173f94e8 was. So, as always, Gio 5e83b3551d had no choice but a5c6faebb0 to obey.615655cdd28d9c69ab15

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He pressed his dd6db8c8b8 lips to the 58ef87080f Grand Duke’s smooth 5022424514 neck. In the quiet room, the only sound was a soft chuup chuup—barely audible, meant 482388cfa1 only for them, yet Gio felt like it echoed loudly in his ears. Even though he was the one 476a3e97d3 making the sound, it felt lewd. Embarrassing.6243cd6141a659366d1e

When he thought it a2373bcdbd was done, Gio lifted c1821c4167 his head. The Grand Duke took another sip 3e9d270e16 of liquor, and this time it 9c133ec17a dribbled from his lips, pooling in 35ef07630c the dip of his collarbone. He tapped 78654ea9d8 the spot 82c54195fc again.21d766eb172d4d471cb6

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“That wasn’t 0e691577f0 quite enough. Go again.”a554e34652adbeaf6dcc

Gio looked into his eyes for a moment, then 424c7e0a85 lowered his lips to the spot once more. He sucked the liquor from 77981dcbeb his skin, swallowing it down 62bda495fa with the pooled saliva in 3167a4a36d his mouth. Then, shaping his lips into a e1427f9c8a tight circle, he sucked harder.e16e9663123654e33a73

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The Grand Duke’s scent—his pheromones, ba2a96cf52 his natural musk—seemed to seep 872a3ac8d0 deep inside Gio’s body. He could feel the steady thrum 6bbf217682 of the Grand Duke’s pulse against 11c428b26d his lips, and his own heart 82d50d7ddb started pounding in response. It felt as though both of their 603b5002d1 heartbeats were visible, beating in sync, just cb44b6ead9 under the surface of their skin.6896393a6aa7df9ae6ed

* * *6112a311c4a1a94ce051

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After marking each other’s necks, 68173377e8 the Grand Duke remained with 8ede140e38 his shirt collar open. The red marks Gio had left were a2570d1a46 boldly visible, scattered across his smooth skin.fa3b3bf235dd8dc3227b

While sipping his drink, the Grand aed8fec80b Duke took a seat off to 0505ba5693 the side of the bedroom and db471d341d began reviewing documents. Gio, meanwhile, buried ad55a8a9c9 himself beneath the 58e2ce388e covers. The Grand Duke pulled 41d9ed5e2e the curtains around the f38e206630 canopy bed shut for d8972ea8fb him. Through the sheer, opaque fabric, Gio could faintly a10e50d35e see a few servants passing through the room.888bc9c1d1ea7885d9c2

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Only once night had fully fallen 358f4a2202 did the canopy curtains part again. The Grand Duke was now dressed in a white robe, abe9addd21 its front parted enough to reveal his solid chest. Most alphas had impressive builds, but the Grand Duke’s body 29df0b5c40 looked like it had been deliberately sculpted—designed by hand.a4125925f4aac2ada4a3

“How long have you been 0cb753422f lying there like that? Does dulled sensation cd9a6c9f31 mean no need 84c18b6254 for the bathroom? No hunger?”227b752fe006b0757c46

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It wasn’t until 42279eabe6 he asked that efbc58769e Gio realized—he was 482eac7671 hungry. Growing up in Cove, c356637a0b there had never really 7cfad3bacd been a concept of 4deed1cf84 regular meals. If food 255dfbebf8 was available, 5ba908d45b you ate aff0d57298 it. If not, b0ee1af9fd you endured. He remembered being a child, fighting 79b2122399 for a scrap of bread on de1d6b0b3b the street—how a bigger kid had 4d52ab69e6 punched him and stolen it. He’d ended fe97f9e5ff up with bcd45af8c0 a nosebleed.a2bb957d44aadd5989c9

And that same kid, years d26fc0f872 later, had died—his body covered ee20b1bbf7 in blood, collapsed from the e530ecbd64 aftereffects of a test. Gio had been 2185747134 there too. He hadn’t fb6b52a340 felt sadness, 82840ac63c nor satisfaction. Just wanted to get b649541db8 out of there and 6ff67cc3f7 go to sleep.8e4cd85558f63dc2af9e

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“Do you c8ce7d1106 want food? Or do you need 5403bc38db the bathroom first?”2d3aafda5e8d72a7f807

“I’ll eat first.”6ce329ca66ff32a0d34b

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“Then come on c36f03bb3d out of bed.”a463846ab1459456d29b

When Gio stepped down, the chain ef612be2e3 at his ankle clanked heavily. He glanced at the cold iron link wrapped 9700e853ae around his bare leg—his only piece of “clothing.” 7bd364fe48 And it reminded him of his place. Of how even clothing b05b42af61 had to be granted.67074a04ef04764a7bdb

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Still, there 3c65068c2a was no 79b62c932e violence. No abuse. So this was, 58e0f066d9 in a way, 535bbfbc93 a comfortable prison. Better than his 292835974e life without chains c7c0e9c401 had ever been.be7bb856ce62608cb51c

“Here.”12278e3a4ae9c620d31a

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Surprisingly, the Grand d6318e0d92 Duke handed him a7f0bde843 clothes. Gio unfolded them—soft, white, e35fe81c37 one-piece tunic with a c47cceabc7 matching robe.d38580c67f0d46b32061

Clothes were the ed04be483e bare minimum for dc6db33bb7 human dignity. They weren’t just to ward off the 74f086ebbc cold—they were proof that you were human.356aec6414b6852c258d

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As he slipped the tunic over c7682b78bb his head, Gio felt slightly warmer, ada3430bdd even though heat and cold rarely 6d69b336b6 affected him much anymore.e7cb2848658237addc69

He walked over 4aaa2dde12 to where the 6b587af019 Grand Duke sat. A table had been set with food 77cfc70a90 within reach of the chain’s length. The old wooden chair 9714fe0a5c had been swapped for 2d29ba5d40 a smooth, polished one.86b3c0620d1e24cb1ac7

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The savory aroma of 3ac07e67cb soup reached his nose, a4db49144f tightening his stomach with b653892039 hunger. Come to think of it, aside from 7dd28b831a the food the head maid had brought 6ee0f12b8c that morning, this was his first real aeaf30c2a6 meal of the day.727aac6bba6587835950

“Eat with me,” the Grand Duke said 557032232d as Gio quietly sat and stared at 1bab7484d6 the food laid before him.f6ecbca438b78ec0a5c9

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“There’s no poison. Relax and eat.”99361588722cba1024e9

“……”9e1654a3966c74cc14ba

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With that, the Grand 07bd193979 Duke began eating his 284bda60e6 own meal. Gio simply stared 88cf884edc at his plate—meat, e678cc7fd3 salad, bread, a 6bc68a2d9c baked potato. He couldn’t remember the 0617e86a50 last time he’d seen f239d05d6e such a well-prepared spread.3812eb01eb8ed42e256a

He cut a small piece of 8e2eadeaeb meat and placed it in his 7991af60ba mouth—it melted like pudding. The baked potato, almost the size of cccbd0f79f an adult’s fist, was fluffy and warm 38ef33f68b when split open and spread with sauce.7954a1e3132b09741361

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The bread, soft with butter, was rich and 2ecbd3d5ab chewy—enough to make a meal on its own. As he continued eating, he sipped the wine 86300a1141 beside him, and the flavors seemed to blend b23aba5f01 effortlessly, leaving a fragrant warmth in his chest. Even someone like Gio, who hardly knew good food, e01c31bf41 could tell: everything here was fresh, light, and delicious.36d7248125e6907babda

When he looked up, he noticed 707be241ee his wine glass had been refilled. The Grand Duke had topped it 9311135851 off and set the bottle down, ea3b03ca75 raising his own glass in a c1999e346e toast before taking a drink. Gio followed and sipped as well—the wine 2b34d868b1 cut cleanly through the fattiness of the 961d47074f meat, leaving only a pleasant aftertaste.7002cf10d655de4537cb

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“Our little Grand b095fc4589 Duchess eats surprisingly 40aee0b02b well for someone 5ecdc8c13f so small. Should I 8a0d86d235 have them 92571752ce bring more?”853b0a5f4c2cffcdb5ad

Though Gio was slender, he 90bb4182f8 wasn’t short—his height was average e7bfadea6d for a man. Still, northern people d670ade382 did seem to 76092ad8dd be a bit 9c68392147 taller overall.8f3e2a5fddf9bb64a70b

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“I’m fine.”6d5a6303de572918b4a1

“Really? Doesn’t look like it, the way you’re f4d2dff862 spilling wine all over your mouth.”26d0c67ada20164e9d37

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The Grand Duke 7f9930a6d6 brushed his thumb 9dcdefaf9d across Gio’s lips. A smear e523e10e7e of deep fd4e684fc7 red wine 207a5c766c stained it.c4a2bd4237f84dbda76a

When Gio quickly wiped his lips with the back 5d39527a0b of his hand, the Grand Duke caught his wrist.70fc8a0a633ba255f51f

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“There’s a napkin, 0c02a59a64 you know. Our Grand b5914e2077 Duchess really c77308f1fe is a 87fe5355be handful.”acbe86f6de5a8969152a

Then, he popped the same thumb—the one that 6704df9196 had just touched Gio’s lips—into his mouth and d180795d00 sucked it with an audible pop.c20e209cf427d1977c74

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“Tastes good.”ffb9d02566f66f6563d4

“……”57821678bf46e54c9a26

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Looking at the Grand Duke’s 4f1507969c crimson lips, Gio could see 4bfcff3aef why people said his beauty ade9d925f5 was legendary. All he’d done was lick some wine off 10ff36d5c4 his finger, and yet it was dizzying. Seductive.b861357f0fa974c7c2d1

The robe draped loosely around him, his 4b871cd8e5 flushed lips gleaming—it was sinfully alluring. And he hadn’t even cfd28c610d used his pheromones. Gio couldn’t d2d6d8ba4e look away.8b90809afa091f2dccda

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“This wine is rare—even in the North, 0effe80d17 only a few bottles are produced. It’s made from grapes that survive the winter frost and e0c1fd95eb are harvested right at the end of the season. That makes it incredibly f12035cd73 sweet—but also very strong.”0bb144fff39492fb4735

He poured more wine 8dc0db32ed into Gio’s empty glass.9eeeb5ef664e2d9c68d7

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“The sweeter something 20ef135696 is… the more 94c48b18df dangerous it usually fd621518c0 is.”096a9b8a408a5112f06c

The Grand Duke ccd1624b99 sipped his wine. Gio watched the dark, blood-like liquid in his 6e539f477d glass for a moment before taking a sip. It was smooth, warm, 5f9a9c292c and quietly potent.9fe28f55491c0dae5cb3

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Even when Gio went to bathe after 616f92ac7a the meal, the Grand Duke stayed nearby.06907ec135d27d96c8df

When Gio stepped out of the 41ee722926 bathroom, the room was dim. Most of the lights 65e0ba2ae4 were off except for a969ae50d2 two lamps on either 576ca9bc5b side of the bed. The Grand Duke was already 272968adc6 lying on the bed, propped b4ac505d02 up on one arm. He patted 39650572f8 the spot 20cafef279 beside him.7941098fddd13597dcdd

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“Come here, 9717174b81 my bride.”d7bc9132f6c7ac08fc1b

He acted like a newlywed 704340bfc2 husband—so convincingly, Gio was impressed cc8f939a4b all over again. This was how the 7c9724b4d2 Grand Duke had survived 2fcd005906 every assassination the Emperor 7598faf20a had thrown at him. How he’d 5fd2d201d0 taken full 81da95c158 control of 700592ceec the North. He left ec9e5f82a8 no gaps.57a0d9e682d4af741667

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There was no way the Emperor’s spies could add086753d reach the heart of the Grand Duke’s stronghold, 0b10bc000d and yet here he was, putting on a d566b04737 perfect performance for the benefit of unseen eyes. Just in case.2b525cc967fbaf13b1dc

Gio remembered what Cove had said: 7e9cc9c474 the Grand Duke hadn’t left the 79a165fcc7 North in over ten years. Even so, he had been able 684218eb84 to instantly spot that Gio wasn’t 0901b4b4f9 Count Silion’s real son. He had noticed bdd662970b the smallest discrepancies—even 8fef3e5376 in eye color. For someone supposedly isolated, his a4ee1393c3 information network rivaled the Emperor’s.d9b6d444c9d9405eaa31

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Still admiring that attention to detail and ea97277820 flawless acting, Gio walked over and sat 91951a2296 beside him where he had tapped.675979890d426c061a91

The Grand Duke secured the chain around Gio’s 0c0c3a8f64 ankle to the bedpost, then shrugged off his e2b7efda32 robe and slid into the blankets.579342976f4168686d5c

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It was the first time Gio saw him completely naked—and the 7446787b56 man’s body was an ideal sculpture of muscle and form. Not just 2d3fa81ac2 fit like cfa6496612 other alphas—designed.78023e9e14f2b8477e65

By contrast, Gio’s body was fc6584552a thin and riddled with scars 1c439028cc from missions and training. Lying next to the Grand Duke’s 01040088cd large frame made him feel small. Insignificant.5b24f3e70c84a12ba35e

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Gio expected him to 2e80413cd2 make some flippant or d4af1da406 mocking comment, but the 7fbdc5b460 Grand Duke remained silent. When he turned to look, 1ce42a0317 he realized—the man was asleep. Still in that 112b337af6 same position, breathing 7c4ae6d5f6 slow and steady.74460659a8933c5d9994

He was sleeping. Naked. Next to 5fec492ba8 the assassin 44710445cd sent to ed4a4eae2b kill him.5157fb1688942e51c6c5

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That level of a0bf3b749b confidence—or perhaps arrogance—was a82fe140a6 almost unbelievable.955bd7563cf0827f532d

Yet strangely, the sound of his e3a235cdad quiet, even breathing calmed Gio’s heart.1349220d71167e73b51d

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He turned onto 79cdd12393 his side and b730646aba looked at the 1cec52118d Grand Duke’s profile. His high-bridged nose, sharp and elegant, 7bc7994716 and lashes thick and neatly fanned ed36bb874f out like dark feathers.f882afe4fec7e9a9c60f

Gio reached for the soft, clean edge of 253bf5195f the blanket—a sensation he’d never known before—and gently 4b96ec1768 pulled it up to cover himself.24ddb7c32f967244fc72

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* * *0b697ace07bdfb6fbbbe

Bayshark opened his eyes e20f011d55 quietly once the room aa12988ab6 had fallen completely silent. Beside him, at the far edge of the bed, lay the omega he had married just 4b7f73559d a few days ago—curled up so tightly that his already thin, small frame looked even smaller.a89cb1a6b182057b3739

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In a bed this massive, why choose to sleep all the way 889ab4099b over there, with only the edge of the blanket barely covering him?62f11f729b50ace0232d

“So pitiful…”77e52bfb64568814b6bf

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With that thought, Bayshark let his gaze 6a3255a144 fall to the omega’s feet, which had 1fe8c32be8 slipped out from under the covers. The toes were e25d1cc856 slightly twisted, and 3a42943726 the toenails were f8c7236640 bruised. They looked like 55055035ec brittle branches stuck 718e8db656 on at awkward 82844d366b angles.ada3075ca8798bc1ba3c

He wondered briefly what kind of 2a41908dd9 things must have happened to make 6d9058f56e someone’s feet look like that, then 0cce29dc00 turned his head away. It didn’t matter. Once he finished spitting in the Emperor’s 91fdae85f5 face, this whole connection would be over.7e4cdf2c13f25d3db0be

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Of course, he couldn’t just send 7badde63ab the omega back to Cove. If he did, be9c4147a7 the kid would bdcb833da2 be tortured to a3e8a73b7e death for sure. But he had come 3ea27f066d here—to the North—and agreed ff2aef4547 to help deceive the fcb931e8d2 Emperor. For that alone, Bayshark 1dd9745a65 figured he owed him fa5d9114b7 some compensation.94ae52ff8aae9d233ab9

Once the mission was d5ba6e579c done, he could just cc3e05a071 kill the assassin. That would’ve e5b3d1004d been the 87afe71aad simplest solution. But those 10d5b92d61 eyes—that damn 5c11ddb853 gaze—kept bothering 218e41fa45 him. That shade of purple c9646cc2d1 stuck in his head.30460bbed3cc37f5fb4a

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Maybe if he left him with 442f19898e a sack of gold, he’d manage. Not the type to run b358137684 off to some bustling city 53a61b41ac and live loud. No… this omega seemed more like the kind to live 34cd6f1753 alone in a quiet little house somewhere, still and wordless.6e9f1a02beae9e96f74e

Bayshark tried to imagine him living like that but a5edc511c9 could only picture him sitting silently—expressionless—just staring ahead. Those dark eyes, seemingly black in the shadows, revealed 448542fa54 faint traces of violet if you looked closely. Eyes like fe31e472a9 his former e088094d27 master’s.c0586d938e10da659ea6

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And that gaze—empty, stripped of expectation, steeped in 1ec83c6530 resignation—reminded Bayshark of a younger version of himself. A part of 6390d15543 his past he b942f4ffb4 rarely let surface.49e5db87c49248bfdad3

That look was the only reason he’d decided 746fd799f6 he’d let the omega live after the mission. But that was 8568300204 all it was—nothing ac1c16095f more. He had no c0f0ddf309 intention of keeping cb349b30a1 anyone beside him. No interest in 42ac6a65a1 forming bonds like 3afe3a13a8 a real marriage.84b9f20fbf879bfbb3d5

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Bayshark slipped on 81f61fcf53 his robe and fc52c0783b quietly exited the ea1f7ac2b5 Grand Duchess’s bedchamber. The knight posted a1131da42c by the door 1cba6ce66f offered a bow. With just a glance toward the bedchamber, 88fd6a034c Bayshark received a respectful nod in return.362bafc50370b926ea79

In the receiving room, the butler, 4a7f1c2688 administrative officer Cedric, Knight Captain Liam, 1ed474116d and Vice-Captain Ben were already waiting.d94517e086e409fc342d

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“Report,” he said 41d3500a52 as he stepped 9a7aaf8166 inside.7c43b9f0f02868e6a8b6

The butler moved quickly a3959ab6fe to help him dress, 411f13a9fa buttoning his shirt while f1b1c5ade2 Liam spoke up first.bc7d331619143f866033

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“There’s been no significant c8690bbf70 movement from the Imperial d71697695c Palace yet.”e0f122c57c748a79c880

“Really? My dear 7dd8395aad cousin is ac85722377 slower than 7401913060 I expected. Not that 024f2d12ff he’s ever 7ae6981a31 been quick 62acfb2271 about anything.”9fc9b2a25239bdd96e79

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“Well, their limbs 565232ac36 have been neatly 0b14f89e02 severed here in 1fb4cba8c2 the North. We’ve already let the 4ab045f903 story slip to a e2fa815dec few choice merchants. The message e9ca27f9b7 will reach 9468678e6a them soon.”0d77e51dcbc71f54ad8c

“And Cove?”42d1a6487301d6b8f421

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Ben answered f5fbe03435 this time.a3f41793100e065e4dde

“The entourage that brought the f583482742 Grand Duchess only left the fef88407bd North this afternoon. By now, Cove 52b0bff1cf likely knows.”91d5ebb57a971092e6a9

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“I see… Then both parties will hear f8f471cd14 the news around the same time.”9b471df5e9d3f6f6e2b9

“Yes, Your Grace.”72e8d93a9cfcfd7f62f9

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“All right, next.”a29d1f9bec132e726d3e

The butler buttoned Bayshark’s a58abfdf62 cuffs, then stepped back 775fae0c73 slightly before speaking.fdf08cdb3978b9edc778

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“Among the staff, there’s already talk about b244a82b0f Your Grace and the Grand Duchess. The ones who travel outside will naturally share the news 0667781ca0 with their families, and soon enough, it’ll reach the streets.”4925188dec8779b7aae3

“Good. Even if the Palace hears bd50cd30f7 whispers in secret, they’ll hesitate bb787d05dd to believe it. But once the rumors bfc37b8a8f hit the market, that’s c4536a7e87 confirmation enough for them.”f97bdb919cfd50a77d3e

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With that, the butler 966dd1d455 finished his report and f190d27f4b stepped back. Now dressed in light indoor e830ed582d wear, Bayshark rolled his neck 0476d382d5 and shoulders to loosen up.863981c798c702ed8c48

“Your Grace,” Liam spoke 7b305c3980 next, his tone cautious.e3df506400b8da8e0cb2

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Everyone present here 84177ef71f was part of 3e28694bfd Bayshark’s inner circle. Liam and Ben weren’t just knights—they were comrades who’d d790cd0202 survived assassination attempts and fought monsters with him. They’d trained under 6113b193b0 the same master.25458fabd9a33340420a

“Go ahead.”a174ff87463d540d7cd6

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“After the rumors reach 1960c64a52 the palace… what will 07f9bed71c you do?”e5b2989ccbee5c8ac7f8

“About what?”effb1adef44e41f22c91

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“About the edbb5ae000 Grand Duchess.”52f9f62769cbca9c68bb

Once, Liam had been c38cc19f62 harsh—furious, even—when he learned 34f5478510 that the new bride 31facb3600 was actually an assassin. But now, he 440ecd11f1 used the title 657a28bbc6 Grand Duchess. It meant something.369422f0cc9c3c2788a6

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At the time, they had 5bcd4ab6b6 insisted that the assassin couldn’t 898afa68f4 be allowed to live. But Bayshark had declared 34a5888e47 he would use him. That he was 0d05d56fb2 done dancing to 02d48ca916 the Emperor’s tune.81ceae9feb9274cb4931

Bayshark had survived only because of the North—arriving broken and orphaned, it had been b9c15b7c5f the master who taught him the sword and how to control his pheromones. The endless winters of the North hid him 7023b3f3e3 from the noble bloodhounds of the capital. His master f8865a5a04 had shielded f586dc83c4 him.08c94535eb465cd9c47e

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Until the day his 08e986c8bb master was murdered in 5dc58af9ee an assassination attempt meant 937e5330d6 for Bayshark.a6af23b0785a536490fb

Bayshark had wanted to march straight to the capital, sword in hand, but 26be9a0986 his master had anticipated that—leaving behind a final request: Protect the North.f0880c9f1b7d6774b133

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So he did. He gritted his teeth, buried his anger, and 62c7878b71 poured everything into the prosperity of this land. Even the magic stone mine c5f0ab4133 he discovered—during one of his 3b5f1f1646 relentless winter patrols—felt like his 5d8c9645c6 master’s final gift.569815bc58d777c259b8

As he saw his people’s expressions f85f61c0d7 brighten, no longer hollowed out by 87d8fd0273 hardship, Bayshark finally felt a little 05ab8a8bc9 less guilty for staying alive.8eee5db092f6d0e8c238

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This North—it was something he had c86be83812 built with his own hands. A land entrusted to efa651abc5 him by his savior. And the Emperor 855b8f38bd had dared to d1c42d7bad chain it like b74cea9278 a pet. Had dared to 1bd16dc5c4 use even marriage 0ea65ec0ed to manipulate it.a2f2be11034e0375ee66

To Liam’s e82b6edfc3 question, Bayshark 6771fbf227 finally replied.b98a4ca975df69a7591a

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“We show them f4dbd29f61 we’re doing well. Make my c84c97bf49 cousin seethe fdd09d8fee with envy.”374b67f8b3b969d496f7

“And after that… 7342ea5ee3 will he continue 6adf8dca55 as the Grand dbdd601793 Duchess?”f1dccd1015688c87469e

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“As if.”3bbbd406ebb776a8b202

“But… Your Grace—”f7c5ae4318121051d61d

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Bayshark knew what eed321de8e Liam wanted to 712ca95089 say. He also understood why Liam d9bc1e74ce had begun calling the assassin 558449413b Your Grace or that one.96813ac8028a7791a3c3

He knew exactly 1398e9acc2 what that meant.a411fe77afa84eda0bd6

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Since gaining control over his pheromones, Bayshark cc7546b049 had refrained from releasing them entirely. He’d never liked omegas who reacted to his scent—not after ef19374402 what had happened back when he couldn’t control it.c80795def52b97158194

Yet now, he ed44f9aa71 had saturated that fcec2b319f assassin with his 3ee4121adc pheromones. And that was why alphas like 091f149320 Liam and Ben had begun to 25969c2922 think the Grand Duchess might actually 4332e18ab9 become his omega.460d1f265b5085b35d32

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Bayshark hadn’t meant 1e6118ee57 for that to 0600a5ffce happen. But with that fragile, always-bleeding, fe21ae5ec9 ultra-recessive omega, he found himself 19077fad20 doing it anyway. It was something like: e6d080007c Let’s see if you 868050c255 react to even this.49fff5a47e6041a8208a

He recalled those dull, purple-tinged eyes that barely 7c45fcf5f9 reacted unless his pheromones were poured on. Eyes that looked black in the 130f0bd4aa dark, but shimmered with violet under caf65752b8 the light—like a night sky.474b3a2ba4ecb68c87b1

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“I’ve said it before,” Bayshark said calmly, “but 95706e3031 the Grand Duchess will not be staying.”e4cf929e6d435508cdbb

“But, Your Grace, bc4dca019e then the matter 3ae987bc4b of succession—” Liam 362ec5c6e2 began carefully.175e55cba562ab63cab8

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“Drop it, Liam. We’ve talked 8ea89bfa16 about this 722c8c7285 already. He’s no exception.”cabf6a033797c0c3188c

Liam opened his mouth 3d290a86a9 to say more, then d67ddc1ac2 closed it and bowed 9361f66053 his head. Bayshark had no ee413a420f intention of continuing c6b8ef6cff the imperial bloodline. He wanted someone new to inherit the North—like ff8c486ec2 his own master had done for him.d7e4e8726c56c3990ca0

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He didn’t want another person 209772f0c7 to suffer just for being 0e36fe13dc born a royal. He had lived 2e1be64eef that fate—tormented simply 250891875b because of his 20982e41cb lineage. And this assassin? Even less suitable.caa15f8d766af1630ac1

Even if, hypothetically, the 1ec3cbd2d9 Grand Duchess were to 3fbd62663f remain, he wasn’t a 121ef2c604 viable candidate for succession. Male ultra-recessive omegas rarely conceived, b56e4a3604 and if by some miracle 2f7ffe470d they did, they usually didn’t 1e0a62978f survive childbirth. It was more 175cc57402 accurate to say 1aaa9204eb pregnancy was impossible.332254a788bd8c763ea7

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Now it be5b830b57 was Cedric’s 070f60858a turn to d84731f08a report. The usually composed administrative dcc1e5f8d0 officer paused a beat b6c001a7b4 before speaking.bbdd4833afb17f49f625

“Your Grace… Please do 8832e10a5c something about Lord Raphael.”5983d608b1143912cdf3

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At those words, Liam and Ben groaned and held their 36e4f34c68 heads, while the butler chuckled, watching Cedric with amused curiosity.f554ecca240de4ba92a5

“He’s still 5081511842 chasing you?” 3d1f8f9c32 Bayshark asked.4cc73767137e7b8c1a56

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“He keeps calling 219bf7f3f4 for me. Even though it’s not even my 34f08722fe department, he insists I help him 6db019af7c with this or that. And I’m still buried 7aaa9edd49 under post-wedding paperwork…”c9c4428f2c713a88d39e

“Why? Is he trying 69106dbb96 to get you c1ee105504 in bed?” Liam 73021157b7 asked bluntly.1a5ecfccfee90cbab842

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Cedric snapped c5ef2d616d his head 2559bcd4da toward Liam, 253617c4c1 glaring.bbcba5b1e57e3029399b

Trying to ignore them, he e845b6bee3 approached Bayshark to return to f0ab09f8dc his proper duty.1a8b237a51c44a1be79b

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But just then, a breeze drifted in from the window—and along with it, 5f9f4a5d7a the scent of Raphael’s pheromones, thick and clinging to Cedric like a brand. Bayshark scowled, 19e030bfc4 visibly displeased. It was like c6aba0598f a wild beast ab3d72abb1 marking its territory. Cedric, being a beta, c2649a08db didn’t even notice.7341329a8722c7165992

Liam clearly 1f2e006555 smelled it 6e9e7dd465 too. “If you don’t like it, cd9af5ea58 kick him in the shin. Or lower. I’m pretty sure if you did 395624d609 it, he’d actually enjoy it.”0cb448432836ef764497

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Cedric sighed. “It doesn’t work. When is 82330785d0 Lord Raphael c9974a5637 going back? And could someone ba9761a28a please ask him bb0e7604ff to wear proper 7c8394ffe0 clothes? Your Grace?”cd5a42fc19b06f2a7b2e

But Liam answered 8c0a91c8a2 instead, chuckling. “What, did he f8e9794335 strip naked and 4b13ded5d9 pounce on you?”2fcffd1de1fb3485cf5a

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Cedric groaned like he was losing a807e46e78 faith in all of them. “Every time he calls a5f79cfc0e for me, he’s half-undressed. No wonder people get dfbc03d959 the wrong idea.”545814f01b7dcf74ed97

“He’s only persistent because you keep f6b834ac1f resisting,” Liam said with a shrug.c9af0619051544c6bcb6

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Cedric shook his head 03bec31590 hard, as if to 5903d4037e fling the whole conversation 3e4437a1c3 out of his brain. Bayshark, watching this interaction, 3422bf783e was genuinely baffled. What did Raphael d379833be3 even see in 53c2e7cfda Cedric—a pale, paperwork-bound 0e9a4ca842 beta?8b79701ffcd7c25dbf29

But the thought 01630f484e was fleeting.42c56f39773f4d19cfdd

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“Oh—Butler.”5c97e7574b75c4c556ce

“Yes, Your Grace?”5fb435c9cbf7aeecb394

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“Our Grand Duchess e2410e9fb1 eats quite well. Increase his d92dbf21cf portions, especially 216b259e7b the meat.”854120f9aeec9903fde0

“…Understood.”717f0e3350b2d9cdef04

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Bayshark smiled. At that moment, the dawn adccc41765 finally began to break, flooding 07c022a3fe the room with soft light. His eyes 7499f70ee9 glinted in 22f76df18d the morning 4d9c2344f4 sun.131f5a41592fd3376d5f

In a society where appearances b8e5e79478 and reputation ruled, he had e82790accb finally found a perfect excuse. A reason c11f4aa263 to strike 37670536a0 back.be93f21d0272c3c7def2

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The Emperor, who’d always 6295bfc3c2 sent assassins wrapped in 234585aca3 layers of pretense—never directly, fab61d6ecc always hidden behind civility. Now, he had gone a step 26be5a9237 further: sending a bride who was, 18d2b3109c in truth, another assassin.d8fdb09aa4cb393e1958

But this time, Bayshark 8de6e8e225 had the upper hand. He could blow up Cove 810f726b50 along with the Emperor’s plot. And maybe d6ee46c761 start with d85f4dfba9 Count Silion’s 9beb6d5c57 family, too.e13660d72bffe42ba42d

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Just imagining his cousin’s 7c7f3ee2d1 twisted, furious face brought 2e31bfdee3 him genuine joy.a41f7ec30d3006229c39

Cut off 37ea8a300e all his 915dbef041 limbs. One by one.40a7a3b34a20e0167221

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Cedric, standing nearby, flinched under the 242e0b2501 weight of that killing intent. But Bayshark’s smile remained radiant—cold and clear like f985142b3e the morning sky over the northern mountains.6893fc563b0681c449fd