HTTRPIAO Ch 125-129

“Haah, mhm.”

Etienne couldn’t gather his thoughts from the endless kissing. All he could do was cling to Rishar. Rishar alternated between lightly brushing their lips together and diving deep again.

“Haah, hn… mhm.”

Every time their sealed lips parted, wet sounds escaped along with uncontrolled moans. Then the heat would return. Rishar acted as if he intended to swallow everything Etienne released.

“Mmm, st-, ah. Ri-, mmph.”

Etienne panted pleadingly, tired from the kiss that showed no signs of ending. Only then did Rishar stop kissing him.

“Haah…”

Etienne let out heavy breaths through his finally freed lips. He kept trying to steady his ragged breathing while resting his forehead against Rishar’s. Whether it was from his body heating up from the kiss, or from being moved while held by Rishar, his vision was spinning.

Etienne rubbed his forehead against Rishar’s as he felt intense dizziness.

When silky hair flowed down, tickling his forehead and eyes, Rishar made a sound like a languid beast. Feeling Etienne’s body slumping, he supported his back with one hand while more firmly holding his ass with the other arm.

Then Etienne’s hands gripping Rishar’s shoulders also tightened. As if that was a signal, Rishar tilted his head.

“Ah!”

Etienne let out a short moan when his chin was suddenly bitten.

Rishar, who had lightly bitten the round chin, sensuously licked up the lower lip that was glistening with saliva before devouring it whole.

The hot, wet flesh pushed between lips that opened as if welcoming him. Due to the changed angle, their lips overlapped even deeper than before.

Rishar moved his feet while freely exploring Etienne’s lips like an unleashed beast. With the rough movement, the black coat flowed to the floor. Following it, the cloak that had been barely hanging on Etienne’s shoulders also fell. The large hand supporting his lean back moved to the front.

Click, click click.

The sound of buttons coming undone seeped into his heated ears. With each button undone, Etienne’s eyelids trembled.

Soon Etienne’s jacket slipped down smoothly. Following it came the sound of something else dropping with a thud. Rishar had thrown off his own jacket. As the clothes covering their bodies were removed one layer, their skinship increased and the heat grew more intense.

Thump. Once more came the sound of clothing falling to the floor. Before they knew it, both were down to just their shirts. The bed made soft noise as Etienne’s back met the plush sheets.

Rishar, having laid Etienne down, mounted on top of him. Etienne trembled at the heavy weight pressing down on his body.

“Hyung-nim.”

Rishar called Etienne in a voice hoarse with lust. Instead of answering, Etienne let out rough breaths. Seeing the lips struggling to move, Rishar’s eyes narrowed.

He moved his hand to gently caress the heated cheek. He liked how the usually bloodless pale face had turned red because of him.

Rishar, savoring the soft skin clinging to his fingertips, couldn’t resist the rising urge and lowered his head.

Etienne closed his eyes, feeling the warmth touching his forehead. Then lips landed in sequence on his eyelids, nose, and cheeks. Haah, hot breath touched Etienne’s lips.

A light noise sounded when there was friction between their lips. Etienne bit his lip, unable to bear the ticklish sensation.

Wet sounds rang out several times between breaths.

“Open your lips, please.”

Rishar, who had been pecking his lips like knocking, pleaded in an anguished voice. At his words, Etienne parted his closed lips. Rishar dove between the shyly opened lips as if he had been waiting.

“Ri-, haah, Rishar, nn, mhmn…”

Etienne trembled, making groans at the kiss that was rough from the start. When the rough tongue pressed against his palate, every hair on his nape standed on end and a shiver ran down his spine.

Etienne didn’t shy away from the sensations Rishar gave him. He liked that Rishar was excited because of him.

While kissing Etienne, Rishar undid his well-fastened collar. The buttons that had been done up to the very top came undone one by one, and between the parted shirt, lean shoulders were revealed.

Only then did Rishar part their lips to look at Etienne breathing heavily beneath him.

The hot breath flowing between parted lips, the chest rising and falling irregularly, the collarbones prominent because of it – all stimulated dark desires. Rishar, imprinting Etienne’s appearance in his eyes, slowly lowered his upper body.

When he buried his lips in the straight neck, Etienne’s shoulders hunched. Rishar inhaled the fragrant body scent with his face buried in the slender nape.

Like a flower tempting butterflies and bees, pheromones had been flowing from Etienne’s body continuously. Feeling intense hunger from the scent so strong it made him dizzy, Rishar opened his mouth.

“Ahh!”

Etienne’s body jerked greatly at the painful but pleasuring sensation, being the pleasure greater than the pain. Rishar left a mark on Etienne’s neck and closed his eyes, letting out a heavy breath as if suppressing himself.

“I was going to let you rest…”

Rishar muttered in a low, sunken voice after taking a short deep breath. He felt that if he went any further here, he really wouldn’t be able to stop. Rishar gritted his teeth, feeling his reason was so close to snapping.

After learning Etienne’s secret, Rishar had gotten to meet his body several times, but they had never gone all the way. Etienne’s body was very weak, and he would quickly tire even from a slightly intense stimulation.

So Rishar didn’t dare go all the way with Etienne. He was afraid of hurting him if he made a mistake.

Of course, there were other reasons too. Ending up in bed with Etienne during his heat cycle was practically an unexpected accident. They had ended up being one before he could even convey his feelings.

That’s why he hadn’t gone all the way even though he had several chances to take Etienne. Because the first button had been fastened wrong and he regretted it, he wanted to do things in the proper order at least the second time.

Rishar decided to wait until Etienne accepted his feelings. He didn’t want to sleep with him getting caught up in the mood, or unable to resist a moment’s desire. For both their sakes, there shouldn’t be any more accidents.

Although he had endured so far with such thoughts, it was never easy. Rishar’s reason was like a candle in the wind before Etienne, with every moment being close to a crisis point.

The hardest part was that Etienne was surprisingly unopposed to skinship with Rishar. Rather, sometimes he would want it first. At those times it really felt like he would go crazy, and there were many times he pounced on Etienne, giving in to his temptation. However, he barely managed to maintain the final line.

“Why are you holding back?”

“Because I don’t want to push you too hard.”

Rishar answered Etienne’s question as if stating the obvious. Unlike his answer, there was no composure in his voice. Desire seeped through various parts of his suppressed voice, as if letting him know he was barely holding back.

“Is it because I’m weak?”

Etienne asked carefully. He remembered how he had always tired first whenever things got heated with Rishar.

“That’s part of it… but also because I don’t think I could control myself.”

After hesitating briefly, Rishar honestly revealed his thoughts. Until now, he had been able to be satisfied with kisses or slightly more intense contact. He did desire him, but he could somehow endure because he needed to respect Etienne’s feelings.

But now it was impossible. Now that he knew Etienne felt the same way, he couldn’t hold back anymore.

“If that’s the reason, you don’t have to hold back.”

“You might get hurt. No, you will get hurt.”

Rishar shook his head despite Etienne’s permission. Fear briefly flashed across his expression before disappearing. Rishar knew well that he was different from others. He was too strong compared to Etienne. No matter how careful he was, there was a high chance of hurting him.

“But last time… when we first did it, we went all the way.”

“That was… because you were in heat then. I went into rut too.”

Rishar explained, swallowing a sigh. During heat cycles, it was fine. At those times, even Omegas with weak bodies temporarily became stronger because their bodies changed to become suitable for the act, following their instincts like animals in heat.

An Alpha’s body in rut was similar. Although it seemed like they lost reason and pounced recklessly, they unconsciously regulated themselves to not hurt their Omega.

But now they were both clear-headed. Naturally, the burden on Etienne would be much greater.

“So you’re going to hold back?”

“…Yes.”

Rishar, who had hesitated for a moment, squeezed out his answer. Seeing him obviously struggling yet saying he would hold back, Etienne felt a bit dumbfounded. He raised his hand and firmly pressed Rishar’s deeply furrowed brow. Then he gently rubbed it.

“Even if I say I want to?”

“What?”

“I want to do it with you right now.”

Etienne revealed how much he wanted it without hiding it. Rishar drew in a sharp breath at the direct words.

Etienne slightly curved his lips up at Rishar, who was looking at him with surprised eyes. It somehow felt like he had become the seducer, but it couldn’t be helped. His body, having learned the joy of intimacy with Rishar, was wanting him. Above all, this time he wanted to connect fully with Rishar of his own will.

“Rishar.”

Etienne called Rishar in a gentle voice. His fingers that had been resting on his furrowed brow brushed past his eyelashes and reached his ear. His straight, slender fingers traced along the ear with clear affection.

“Hyung-nim, please.”

Rishar tried to stop Etienne, startled by the touch that encouraged his barely contained emotions, but Etienne was faster. His hand moved below the ear and gently massaged the firm nape of his neck. Through his palm, he could feel the warmth radiating like it had been heated by fire.

“Back then, I was too overwhelmed. I barely remember what happened with you…”

Etienne slowly raised his upper body while mentioning that time. Even now, thinking about that day, he was aware he truly hadn’t been in his right mind. The despair of Rishar discovering his secret, the fear of what was to come, the unfamiliar sensations – it would have been difficult to maintain clear consciousness through it all.

Fragments of memories surfaced occasionally, but even those were hazy like they were shrouded in fog. What remained was only the sensation of his body not feeling like his own.

“That’s why I want to feel you properly this time.”

After saying this, Etienne pulled Rishar towards himself by pressing down on his neck. Although he was gentle and didn’t use much force, Rishar’s body leaned towards Etienne without any resistance. Their noses touched first, followed by their lips.

Etienne gently opened his mouth and lightly bit and sucked on the touching lower lip. Then he pushed his tongue into the parted lips. The tongue that entered like swimming gently licked and rubbed against the even teeth.

“Mmm…”

Etienne tasted Rishar’s lips as if savoring a delicious dessert. Rishar clenched his fist so tightly that blue veins stood out in response to the gentle, soft kiss. If he didn’t, he felt he would want to have Etienne right here and now.

Whether aware or not that the bed sheet was being mercilessly crumpled in Rishar’s hand as he desperately clung to his reason, Etienne was absorbed in indulging in his mouth.

He chewed and sucked on Rishar’s tongue and lips like a child eating a delicious dessert. The thick saliva was as sweet as honey flowing from a flower. An elation he had never felt before filled his chest.

Have I ever desired something so much like this before? Have I ever wanted someone this intensely?

Etienne thought with his mind consumed by excitement. Even when he wasn’t aware of his emotions, physical contact with Rishar felt good, but kissing after becoming aware of his feelings was on a different level. So good he couldn’t control himself.

Ah, Etienne let out a breath mixed with a moan and tilted his head to the side. As their lips locked as tightly as possible, the kiss deepened. When his breathing started to quicken, Etienne reluctantly parted his lips.

“Sha…”

Etienne murmured an affectionate word with a languid sigh, filled with satisfaction. His heart beat pleasantly.

At that moment, a rough hand grabbed Etienne’s body. Thick fingers dug between the golden hair strands that reflected the moonlight, grasping the round back of his head, and lips parted fiercely like a predator hunting prey explored Etienne’s lips without hesitation.

“Haa, ha, Risha-, ahh, hnn. Mmph.”

Etienne, suddenly devoured, made pained sounds at the heat stirring inside his mouth. His body trembled in surprise at the kiss that had no gentleness at all. It was truly a kiss that felt like being eaten alive.

Rishar greedily devoured every sound Etienne made. Saliva tangled and flesh collided, making wet sounds. Their bodies moved together and sank into the bed.

“Mm, haah…”

Etienne tried to pull his body away, feeling short of breath. His composure from earlier was long gone. He was just struggling to keep up with Rishar’s kisses. His hand that had been holding Rishar’s nape curled and scratched his skin at the suffocating sensation.

Rishar, who had hesitated at the stinging sensation felt on the back of his neck, tightened his arm around Etienne’s waist. He moved the hand that had been cradling the small back of Etienne’s head downward, firmly trapping him in his arms to prevent Etienne from pulling away.

“…!”

Etienne’s eyes widened as a hand burrowed into his crumpled shirt. Rishar stroked the pearl-smooth skin while still kissing Etienne. The thin waist twitched at the greedy touch, caressing his heated skin.

“I’m so desperately trying to hold back, and you go and incite me.”

Rishar separated his lips and uttered a complaint while pressing Etienne down. His dark blue eyes shone brightly in the darkness. Confirming the desire in those eyes, Etienne smiled broadly even as he struggled to catch his breath.

“I said, haa, you don’t have to hold back.”

“Don’t regret it later.”

Because I won’t be able to stop even if you say no now. The lips that uttered a low warning found their way to Etienne’s mouth. The delicate lips was thoroughly wet from the continued kisses and swollen thicker than usual.

Rishar deliberately made a sound as they kissed, then immediately bared his teeth and gently chewed on the bright red swollen lower lip. Not satisfied with that, he bit the tongue hiding inside the mouth as if tearing into it.

“What are you, ngh!”

Etienne’s body jerked as his tongue tip was bitten following his lips. A tingling pleasure climbed up his spine to the top of his head. Rishar’s eyes narrowed as he felt the body pressed against him trembling. He slightly parted his lips and asked in a low voice.

“Does it feel good?”

“Y-Yeah…”

“Shall I make you feel even better?”

Instead of answering, Etienne let out a moan at the strange heat. Each time Rishar spoke, their lips collided, and a ticklish heat rose.

“Answer me, hyung-nim.”

“Haah, yes.”

At Rishar’s urging, a sound that could have been a moan or an answer flowed between Etienne’s quivering lips. Rishar, interpreting Etienne’s sound as he pleased, released his pheromones and overlapped their lips again.

At that moment, Etienne’s eyes widened as he felt Rishar’s pheromones enveloping his body. His vision filled with a dark blue sea. Navy eyes holding a blue heat like a raging storm looked at Etienne as if they would devour him. At the same time, Rishar’s pheromones, freed from control, poured out like a tsunami.

“Ah!”

Etienne cried out in surprise at the pheromones fiercely invading his body. The pheromones that penetrated every corner moved as if alive, spreading to his fingertips and toes.

It’s different. Something is different.

Etienne caught his breath as he felt his body hair stand on end. It felt similar yet different from the pheromone showers he had occasionally had with Rishar. If Rishar’s pheromones usually felt like washing away the poison remaining in his body, now it felt like awakening senses Etienne didn’t know he had.

“This, ngh, what, ahh!”

Unable to bear the unfamiliar stimulation, his lips parted, and moans close to sobs continuously leaked out. Etienne’s waist trembled at the sensation of his insides melting. He floundered, trying to escape Rishar’s pheromones that had taken over his body. But he was soon caught by Rishar.

As if saying he wouldn’t allow him escaping, Rishar firmly embraced Etienne and kissed various parts of his face. In contrast to his fierce pheromones, his voice was extremely affectionate.

“It’s okay. It’s just the pheromone shower we always do.”

“N-no, this, hic, this is…”

“It’s okay. Don’t resist and accept it, hyung-nim. It feels good.”

“It’s not… okay… haa, ah, Sha, wait, uugh… ngh.”

Etienne shook his head and sobbed. As Rishar said, it felt good. But the problem was that it felt too good. Indescribable pleasure bloomed wherever Rishar’s pheromones passed.

His toes curled involuntarily, unable to bear the strange sensation like snow frozen all winter melting and flowing in the spring sun. This feeling felt strange and overwhelming. Etienne pushed away the sheet caught on his feet as he raised his toes. He had to do something to endure, it was getting hard to handle.

“Hyung-nim.”

Release your pheromones. At the low whisper, Etienne blinked his hazy eyes. His mind, drunk on heat, was foggy. His heated eyes were filled with tears.

“Etienne.”

The lips that wiped away the droplets gathered at the corners of his eyes called Etienne. As if in response, a strong floral scent arose. The clear sea scent also intensified with the subtle yet captivating flower scent like the moon rising at night.

As the two pheromones met and mixed, the room alternated between becoming a night sea holding the moon and a garden in full bloom.

Etienne, intoxicated by the mixed pheromones, slowly closed and opened his eyes. His mind became distant as if floating in a sea of fully bloomed flowers. Then, a voice awakening his dazed mind was heard.

“Don’t run away. You said you wanted to be one with me. You have to accept all of me.”

Rishar whispered as he bit the tip of Etienne’s ear. Then he stuck out his tongue and licked the ear shell persistently. Haa, Etienne shrugged his shoulders and moaned softly. His highly aroused body reacted sensitively even to the slightest stimulation.

That’s right, I was the one who said I wanted him first.

Responding to Rishar’s whisper, Etienne raised his trembling hand and felt Rishar’s face. His vision was blurred by tears, making it hard to see Rishar clearly. Like someone searching for something, Etienne stroked Rishar’s cheek and neck, then opened his mouth to get what he wanted.

“Rishar.”

“Yes.”

“Sha…”

“Yes, hyung-nim.”

I’m right here. Rishar answered as he kissed the earlobe tinged red. Etienne, flinching at the breath invading his ear, felt Rishar’s shoulders.

“H-hold… my hand.”

As soon as Etienne finished speaking, Rishar took his hand. Fingers with thick joints settled between the slender fingers. Rishar, interlocking their fingers, asked in an affectionate tone.

“What else shall I do for you?”

“Kiss me.”

Again, as soon as the words ended, lips immediately found their way. Short kisses continued as if teasing. Finally, Rishar kissed Etienne’s wet eyes and smiled faintly.

“What next?”

“…”

The lips that had opened to answer Rishar closed again. Etienne looked up quietly with his azure eyes, which held a soft smile, waiting for his response. The deep affection in his deep blue eyes was vivid.

If one were to carve out the starry night sky and sculpt it, or freeze the moonlit night sea and scoop it up, would such a gem form out of it?

Etienne gazed at Rishar’s eyes as if lost in ecstasy. His heart swelled at the fact that these eyes, beautiful like a craftsman’s carved jewel, were completely focused on him alone.

Looking back, these eyes had always emitted the same light, always saying the same things. Even when he didn’t understand Rishar’s heart, even when he hadn’t realized his own feelings, they had shone unchangingly, like a guiding star rising in the same place every night.

“Please tell me what you want, hyung-nim.”

As Etienne moved his lips without speaking, Rishar urged him in a sweet voice. His eyes curved like a crescent moon, now holding an even deeper smile. At that moment, Etienne felt an intense possessiveness. He wanted to possess those eyes, that gaze exclusively.

He hoped these eyes, focused solely on him, would never change. Etienne, consumed by a deep sense of ownership, curved his fingers that were held by Rishar and interlocked them strongly. As if he would never let go.

“Rishar.”

Etienne put force into their interlocked hands and captured Rishar within his gaze. He was pleased that only they were reflected in each other’s eyes.

At this moment, there was only one thing he desired. Etienne turned his head and kissed the wrist of the hand intertwined with his fingers. Just as Rishar had done to him, he bit the skin with his teeth and strongly sucked.

Ah, Rishar let out a short moan as Etienne bit and sucked a mark onto his wrist.

Etienne looked at the kiss mark on Rishar’s wrist, proud. Now he understood why Rishar had left so many marks on his body. That was a symbol that he was his.

“Hold me.”

Etienne, with his lips softly pressed against the mark he had left, spoke his desire. He hadn’t expected to request such a thing, but he wanted him that much.

“I like you, Sha.”

Smack. Etienne deliberately made a sound as he kissed him and bit Rishar’s wrist again, where a clear, cool scent was flowing. At that, the hand holding Etienne’s hand tensed. The pheromones that had momentarily calmed began to surge again.

“Hyung-nim, you really…”

Rishar muttered in a low, suppressed voice, like a beast’s growl. It seemed he might have almost sworn. Etienne slightly closed his eyes towards him. He found the voice filled with lust for him very pleasant.

“Ri- ack!”

Just as Etienne was about to call Rishar again, he was swallowed by the urgent lips crashing into his.

Uhm, mnh. Etienne was enveloped by Rishar’s heat and pheromones like a ship caught in a storm. He couldn’t gather his senses against the kiss that threatened to completely swallow him whole. Every time pleasure surged through him, lightning seemed to flash in his mind, and his vision flickered on and off.

“Haah, Ri-, ngh, Ri… haah.”

The name that couldn’t form into words, mixed with moans, was swallowed into Rishar’s mouth. As he unconsciously tilted his head back from the unbearable sensation, a rough hand grabbed the back of his head, following him. A firm knee pushed between his trembling thighs, settling into place.

“Mmn, nhg… ah!”

Etienne trembled as the hand that had been holding the back of his head moved down to caress his flat stomach. Meanwhile, the other hand remained firmly interlocked with his, as if never wanting to let go.

“I love you.”

Rishar, barely separating their lips, whispered words of love passionately. His feelings for Etienne were overflowing, and he couldn’t bear not saying it.

Etienne, hyung-nim, I like you, I love you, I like you so much I might go crazy…

Rishar continued to pour out his heart to Etienne, sliding his lips. Lips brushing his chin, tickling his neck, touching his collarbone. Red flower petals bloomed where his lips lingered.

Rishar buried his face in Etienne’s chest and exhaled heavily heated breath. Badump, badump. The intense heartbeat was felt through their touching skin. He liked how the pale skin blushed.

I like you, hyung-nim. Raising his head to kiss the tip of his chin, Rishar whispered another confession, losing count of how many times he had already done so. At the end, his voice, intoxicated with passion, turned hoarse.

Etienne slightly lowered his head, breathing heavily from the confession that seemed to send chills to his entire body. He kissed Rishar in response.

“Me… too.”

With a dizzying breath, a delicate voice flowed out. It was a voice close to a sigh, incredibly weak, but Rishar heard it clearly.

Rishar was certain that this might be the first and last time he would love someone like this. He hugged Etienne. Their lips and bodies overlapped as if they had been one from the beginning.

“My… hand…”

Amidst the pleasure consuming him, Etienne put force into their interlocked hands again. He wanted to remember every single sensation – Rishar’s breath, lips, and touch… without missing a thing.

As if understanding Etienne’s feelings, Rishar again intertwined their fingers, gripping his fragile hand so strongly that it might leave a mark. At that moment, Etienne completely surrendered to the ocean that swallowed him.

***

After such an amazing night filled with pleasure, a quiet morning arrived, and the ship was as silent as dead. While the people who had spent the night laughing, chatting, dancing, and singing were all lost in deep sleep, the servants moved about diligently, careful to muffle their footsteps. To erase the traces of last night’s festivities and prepare for the banquet resuming in the afternoon, they needed to get busy right away.

The servants moved through every corner of the ship, cleaning as a peaceful silence settled over the vessel, and they redecorated the interior with a different atmosphere than the day before. However, they made an exception for the owner’s suite, leaving it untouched.

Thanks to this, Etienne could sleep peacefully without any disturbance, wrapped in a sense of peace he had never known before.

The room was filled with a peaceful silence, like a calm sea. Etienne smiled faintly even in his sleep, feeling an indescribable comfort. Each breath brought a light floral scent mixed with a refreshing sea scent. It felt like floating in a sea made of flowers.

Suddenly, there was a sound, and a cool, moist breeze gently brushed his hair and cheeks. Rishar had probably opened the window for ventilation. Sunlight from late spring streamed through the fluttering curtains, followed by the sound of the ship cutting through water.

Do rivers have waves? Etienne thought, listening to the sound of the river splitting and dispersing against the hull. His consciousness, which had been sunken to the bottom, began to rise slowly.

“Keep sleeping.”

As Etienne turned to avoid the light, a tender whisper darkened his vision. However, this only made him more awake. Etienne slowly lifted his heavy eyelids. Sensing that he had opened his eyes, the hand covering his eyes left.

“Ri… shar… cough.”

Beyond his blurry vision, Etienne tried to move his lips happily upon seeing the face, but then let out a small dry cough. His throat felt scratchy and sore.

“Good morning.”

Rishar, smiling, kissed Etienne’s forehead and carefully helped him sit up.

With Rishar’s help, Etienne slightly frowned. Even with small movements, his waist ached, and he involuntarily let out a groan from the soreness he felt down there.

“Shall I bring you some water?”

“Yeah…”

Etienne weakly nodded. He hadn’t noticed while sleeping, but now that he was awake, his entire body felt heavy and sore.

“Drink slowly.”

Rishar brought the water glass directly to Etienne’s lips. Etienne obediently drank the water. He wanted to say he could drink by himself, but his body wouldn’t cooperate. His hands were so weak that he would surely have dropped the glass if he tried to hold it.

“What time is it now?”

Etienne exhaled a languid breath and asked, looking at the bright sunlight coming through the window. He made a strange expression at his own unfamiliar voice. Even after drinking water, his voice was terribly hoarse. His throat was ragged from crying and moaning in Rishar’s arms all night.

“Not too late, just past 10 o’clock.”

Meanwhile, Rishar placed the water glass on the bedside table and laid Etienne down again. The gesture meant he should rest more. Lying down, Etienne turned his head and surveyed the room. It looked subtly different from what he had seen before falling asleep.

“The room…”

“I moved you to another room after washing up. The bed in the previous room was in no condition to lie down again. Don’t you remember?”

“Oh.”

Etienne let out a small exclamation at Rishar’s response. As the drowsiness faded, memories returned. He remembered bathing together just before falling asleep and being held in Rishar’s arms as they came here.

“Are you hungry? Shall I have something simple brought?”

Rishar, who had gently stroked Etienne’s cheek, began to get up. He thought it would be good to feed him some soup or fruit before putting him back to sleep.

“Sha.”

Etienne stopped Rishar, who was about to go out and call someone. When Rishar turned at his call, Etienne raised both arms.

“Come here.”

“Why, hyung-nim?”

Like a butterfly drawn to flowers, Rishar entered between the arms spread wide open towards him. As he climbed up the bed, it slightly swayed. Even this minute tremor made Etienne let out a faint groan. Rishar, now half-positioned on top of Etienne, carefully made sure not to press down on him.

“Do you need something?”

“Come a bit closer.”

Etienne seemed displeased that Rishar was keeping distance, and placed both arms on his shoulders. Rishar’s expression showed how troubled he was. Even small movements caused him pain, and his full weight would surely strain Etienne’s body.

“If I completely climb on top, it will be hard on you, hyung-nim.”

“It’s fine.”

“Let me help you up instead…”

“I said it’s fine.”

Etienne insisted, pulling Rishar towards himself. Finally, Rishar carefully nestled into Etienne’s embrace, ensuring his weight didn’t press too heavily.

“Haah…”

Etienne exhaled a satisfied breath, having enclosed Rishar in his arms. He appreciated both the substantial weight and warm temperature. He slipped his hand between Rishar’s thick hair.

“Hyung-nim?”

Rishar’s eyes rolled around a bit, slightly flustered as Etienne stroked his hair. Although he was glad Etienne was treating him comfortably and more intimately than before, something felt strange. He felt just like a puppy being fondly petted by its owner.

“You don’t have to eat anything, just stay here.”

“But…”

Rishar’s words trailed off. He placed his hand on Etienne’s flat stomach. Even though it was already slim, it seemed to have grown even thinner overnight.

“Isn’t your stomach hurting?”

When Etienne’s appropriately cool hand gently caressed his marked abdomen, he flinched. Everything else was hot, yet his hand remained perpetually cold.

Wait, was his hand hot last night? Etienne thought with a dazed mind. He was awake, but his head remained hazy and his body languid.

Etienne, who hadn’t responded to Rishar’s question and was staring blankly, let out a groan when Rishar’s fingers brushed over the skin marked with bite traces.

“It’s not my stomach, but other places that are sore…”

“Hmm?”

Rishar blinked a few beats late, then suddenly understood with an ‘Ah’ of realization. His gaze landed on the neck and collarbone not covered by the gown. Etienne’s skin, bitten and sucked all night by Rishar, was filled with bite marks and bruises.

“Oh.”

Rishar softly muttered, noting the marks were more severe than expected. Etienne’s body was far from being okay. Last night, despite claiming he would restrain himself for Etienne’s sake as they weren’t in their heat cycles, he had clearly failed to do so.

Rishar felt both remorse and a strange sense of pride. Seeing the porcelain-like skin marked by his traces made the desire he thought had calmed surge again. He shook his head, suppressing the rising heat. Doing more here would truly make him a beast without restraint.

“Are you in a lot of pain?”

“It’s not exactly pain… just a bit stinging.”

Etienne answered in half-honestly after some contemplation. The stinging and soreness were true, but something else was truly the issue. His body, completely marked by last night’s passion, felt hypersensitive, responding to the slightest stimulation. Whether the soft gown brushed against his skin or cool hands gently caressed him, strange sensations kept emerging.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.”

It wasn’t something to apologize for, Etienne added in a languid voice. Moreover, he was equally unable to restrain himself.

‘Ugh, Ri-, Rishar, Uh, Sha, ah.’

‘Yes, hyung-nim. Haah, I’m here…’

Caught in waves of continuous pleasure, he would sob and pant, and when he finally opened his eyes, he’d see the navy eyes filled with affection and passion directed at him. Entranced by those eyes, he would cling even more desperately.

‘Just, a bit more, ugh, yes. Too, ha, good.’

Each time he struggled, unable to bear the pleasure, he loved the warm embrace that seemed to say it was okay. He loved the lips that would seek him out as if they had been waiting whenever he called Rishar’s name. He wanted their connection to continue forever.

‘If you’re tired, haah, I’ll stop…’

‘No, not, tired, ha, don’t stop… continue, ah.’

‘Hyung-nim?’

‘It’s, fine, ugh, ah, don’t stop… keep going.’

They say a thief who learns late is the most dangerous, and indeed, he became so deeply immersed in the pleasure Rishar gave that he ended up acting even more proactively. Recalling last night’s memories, he bit his lower lip.

Although he had been intoxicated by pleasure, he had been clinging and speaking such words while fully conscious. He couldn’t understand what he had been thinking.

But he couldn’t help it. He found Rishar, who would crumble with just a gesture or movement Etienne did, so lovable that he couldn’t bear it. So this wasn’t Rishar’s fault.

“You’re not the only one who left marks, you know.”

Etienne tried to sound casual as he lowered the hand that had been stroking Rishar’s hair. He hadn’t made as many, but Rishar’s neck and shoulders also bore quite a few bite and kiss marks. Etienne traced his fingers over Rishar’s neck, scanning the marks he had left. He felt Rishar stiffen slightly at his touch.

“We both wanted this, so don’t apologize. If you do, it’ll seem like I did it against your will.”

Etienne lightly reproached him, tracing the distinct bite mark on his neck with his fingertips. Then he returned his hand to stroking Rishar’s hair. He enjoyed the feeling of the rough, sparse hair tickling between his fingers. However, despite Etienne’s reassurance, Rishar’s expression didn’t soften.

“I’m still sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

“…I’m sorry because you’re in pain, but I’m somehow happy. Seeing you hurt because of the marks I left makes me feel strangely good… It’s weird, isn’t it?”

Rishar candidly shared his contradictory emotions. He felt sorry for the marks on Etienne’s skin yet was simultaneously satisfied. It was proof that last night wasn’t a dream—that Etienne had truly become his.

“I feel the same way.”

“What?”

Rishar looked at Etienne with surprised eyes when he said he felt the same. Etienne smiled softly at him.

“Honestly, everything hurts… but I feel strangely good.”

Etienne spoke as if fascinated. His body, slightly damaged since childhood, had long been susceptible to illness from even a cold breeze. Naturally, he spent more time in bed than outside.

Who would feel good while in pain? But Etienne had always suffered severe depression when ill. Alone in his dark, quiet bedroom, groaning, he would cry, hating his own powerlessness. The most terrifying thing was the despair of believing this situation would never change.

On days when pain from the medication was unbearable, he had even wished he would stop breathing. He thought he could be free from all tormenting pain, and there were more than a few times he wanted to let everything go.

But not anymore. Etienne had newly learned that joy could exist even within pain. Rishar had shown him happiness where he could smile despite bodily suffering.

“Thank you.”

Etienne expressed his sincere gratitude to Rishar. He had survived those hellish times, unbroken, because of the hope he hadn’t ultimately abandoned.

He had lived holding onto the hope that someday he too could be happy, that he could be wholly loved by someone.

And finally, Rishar had fulfilled the hope he had quietly harbored, never sharing it with anyone.

“I’ve received so much from you.”

Etienne slightly lowered his head and kissed the top of Rishar’s head. Although he had lived immersed in his own misfortune and didn’t realize it, Rishar was always by his side even when he felt alone. Even during the times when he pushed him away and turned his back, Rishar remained steadfast in his place.

That’s why he was grateful and sorry. For not giving up on him, for continuing to be unchanging.

“Thank you so much, Rishar.”

If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known this happiness. Etienne pressed his forehead against Rishar’s and met his eyes.

He was glad to be alive; even though he thought it was futile, he was truly grateful that he couldn’t give up hope until the very end. For the first time, Etienne felt happiness in being alive.

Like a flower blooming in the morning sunlight, a smile blossomed on Etienne’s lips. His watery eyes curved into crescents, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a round shape, revealing his white teeth slightly. He smiled brightly for the first time in a very long while.

“I, no, rather I…”

Rishar, momentarily lost in the rare and precious smile, moved his lips as if unsure what to say. Then, unable to contain the surge of emotion, he suddenly embraced Etienne tightly. Even though he thought the strong hug might hurt him, he couldn’t hold back.

Etienne hugged Rishar back and smiled brightly. He could see the tips of Rishar’s ears turning red between his black hair. Unable to resist the tingling in his chest, Etienne planted a quick kiss on Rishar’s ear.

It’s dangerous.

Rishar gritted his molars, feeling desire boiling up from within. He didn’t know what Etienne was thinking, acting so defenseless, or why he kept provoking him. Rishar took a small breath and forcibly sat up. If they stayed like this, he felt he really wouldn’t be able to control himself.

“Shall I apply the ointment for you? Your main attendant gave it to me earlier, insisting that I must apply it.”

“Ben?”

“Yes. He said it was a special ointment made by your doctor. I put it on the table over there…”

Rishar tried to change the subject and move away from Etienne. But he was soon caught by Etienne. Etienne grabbed Rishar’s wrist and gently pulled him.

“Just do it later, I want to stay like this for now.”

“It’s just, I’m a bit…”

Rishar trailed off, his voice sounding troubled. Seeing his ear tips turning even redder than before, Etienne slipped his fingers between Rishar’s.

“If you want to do it, you can.”

“How shameless are you trying to make me?”

Rishar swallowed a sigh and covered his eyes with the hand not held by Etienne. Etienne caught even the hand Rishar was using to rub his face and interlocked their fingers like the other side.

“Then shall we just kiss?”

Etienne, holding both of Rishar’s hands, raised his head and kissed Rishar’s lips first. Ah, really… A low voice flowed between their touching lips, and soon their warmth found each other without leaving any gaps.

“Mmm…”

Etienne closed his eyes, happy, feeling the heat invading his mouth. Then he gently squeezed their interlocked hands. Like a river that eventually meets the sea after winding a long way, he finally felt truly connected to Rishar.

Finally together.

***

“Damn it!”

The table shook with a loud thud as curses flew. The servant attending to him flinched, but Theodore paid no attention. Or rather, he didn’t have the capacity to care. He was drunk and seething with anger.

“One more drink.”

At Theodore’s words, the servant holding the liquor bottle filled the glass with a pale look. Sitting and drinking from morning, he was quite a troublemaker, and the servant felt they had landed in such an unlucky situation.

The servant looked at Theodore, who was gulping down his glass, with an anxious expression. They felt they should try to stop him from causing harm to others, but lacked the courage to do so. There was a high chance of being punished if they offended the nobleman’s mood. Theodore’s atmosphere was that threatening.

As if he might stab someone at any moment, not just the servant but everyone around him looked uncomfortable. Some exchanged glances and gradually began to leave.

Regardless, Theodore continued to empty his glass with a face full of resentment. His head was burning with uncontrollable anger. Having been on the ship’s banquet for three days now, Theodore had been continuously ignored by Etienne from the first day.

“Just why?! Fuck!”

Theodore slammed the table again. He couldn’t understand his situation.

When he first heard from his father, Marquis Miles, that he would be Etienne’s temporary aide, he was happy. He thought he had finally found an opportunity to properly approach Etienne. However, he was thoroughly rejected when he went to greet him. It was the same afterward.

Etienne completely ignored Theodore, who was accompanying him. The more Etienne ignored him, the more his resentment grew toward the one who wouldn’t even look at him.

‘What did you do to His Highness!’

‘Eh?’

‘The Empress has sent notice of your removal from the temporary aide position! She said you committed a grave offense against His Highness!’

‘No, I…’

‘Her Majesty is very angry! What on earth did you do? Were you not aware of what a great opportunity this was?!’

‘I did nothing! On the contrary, His Highness ignored me!’

The incident happened not long ago. Marquis Miles, who had met the Empress, was furious with Theodore. Although Theodore protested his innocence, it was not accepted.

The next day, Theodore understood the reason he was cut from his aide position. The Empress took issue with Theodore having rubbed his pheromones on Etienne. When Marquis Miles learned of this, he was even more furious than the day before.

Theodore felt wronged. It was common for Alphas or Omegas to rub their pheromones on Betas they were attracted to. It was done with the intention to prevent others from approaching. So far, Theodore had not thought this was a big problem.

Of course, since he did it without Etienne’s consent, he had nothing to argue about. Many did not view the act favorably.

‘I heard His Highness is attending the Eckhart family’s ship banquet. Take the invitation I received and go as my representative. Go and somehow get His Highness to forgive you.’

Marquis Miles gave up his invitation for his disappointing son. Theodore attended the banquet without objection. He wanted to meet Etienne, apologize, and be forgiven.

However, Theodore couldn’t even see a single hair of Etienne. Unable to find Etienne, he went to his cabin and requested a meeting, but he was rejected, being told Etienne wasn’t feeling well.

‘His Highness seems to have severe seasickness and will not be able to meet with you.’

‘Please, at least deliver my message to him. It’s important.’

‘I apologize.’

Etienne’s main attendant remained unmoved despite Theodore’s earnest request. Theodore rudely clung to the servant with an unyielding face. He sought a meeting with Etienne through the attendant several times a day. His pride was hurt to be clinging to a mere servant, but he had no choice.

‘His Highness does not wish to meet you.’

Today was the same. Theodore went to find Etienne first thing in the morning but was blocked again by the main attendant.

“Damn it!”

Unable to contain his boiling anger, Theodore cursed. His vision blurred from his unbearable misery.

‘Marquis Miles’s son?’

‘Eh? Yes! Your Highness. The-, Theodore Miles.’

‘Nice to meet you, Young Master Miles. My name is Etienne de Frederick.’

Theodore had been interested in Etienne for quite a long time. He first met Etienne on the day he entered the palace with Marquis Miles.

The moment he saw Etienne, Theodore was stunned like a fool. The boy, who looked like a doll carefully crafted by a master craftsman, was the most beautiful person he had ever met. Most of all, he stirred his instincts.

He’s not an Omega?

The first thought Theodore had when seeing Etienne was that. He couldn’t believe that someone who could stimulate his instincts as a dominant Alpha just by standing still was a Beta. From that moment, Theodore became interested in Etienne.

‘I want to serve you, Your Highness.’

Theodore actively expressed his favor whenever he met Etienne. As the heir of House Miles and a dominant Alpha who had lived getting everything he wanted, he thought Etienne would easily fall for him.

He realized his arrogance quickly. Etienne wasn’t interested in Theodore at all. Rather, he avoided his interest.

‘I do not need your loyalty.’

Etienne rejected Theodore’s words to serve him with a frown. His murky light blue eyes held no emotion.

‘I wish you would not concern yourself with me.’

Etienne firmly rejected Theodore. It was the first rejection Theodore had ever experienced in his life. After that, Etienne never changed his attitude.

“To think he would give up with just this much…”

Theodore muttered with a fierce expression. Then, two noble young ladies entered, talking excitedly.

“Did you see them? His Highness and Young Master Mathias were together just now. The atmosphere between them was… strange¹.”

“Is it because they both have pretty faces? They look so good together… It’s almost like two Omegas together, you know?”

“Hey! Watch your words, calling His Highness an Omega!”

“I’m just saying he’s pretty. What I’ve been feeling lately is that His Highness is different from the rumors. No matter how I look at him, he doesn’t look like a rogue…”

Theodore, who heard the ladies’ chatter, stood up abruptly.

“Has His Highness come out of his cabin?”

“Huh? Yeah…”

The ladies, who were about to sit down, were startled by Theodore’s direct questioning about Etienne. Theodore didn’t care about their reaction and asked again.

“Where is His Highness now?”

“Well…”

Overwhelmed by his intense demeanor, the two ladies mumbled their response. Theodore, having found out Etienne’s location, moved with staggering steps. His bloodshot eyes glinted menacingly.

***

“I’ve successfully been invited to Count Roten’s salon as Your Highness wished. Although I haven’t received the invitation yet, I might also be able to attend Countess Ors’s garden party.”

“Well done.”

A faint smile appeared on Etienne’s face upon hearing Antoine’s report. His results were much better than expected.

“You’ve worked hard. You did a great job.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Antoine smiled shyly at Etienne’s praise. Then, as if realizing his mistake, he quickly composed his expression. He tried not to make eye contact with Etienne while continuing his report.

“And there’s some information Young Master Lamude told me. Count Oser…”

Etienne looked at Antoine with a bitter smile as he unpacked the information the other Omegas had told him. Since the day he rejected Antoine’s confession, Etienne had been maintaining a somehow awkward and somehow not awkward atmosphere with him.

He had worried that Antoine might hold a grudge or be unwilling to work together, but Antoine worked harder than anyone else.

Thanks to this, the Omega group Antoine had formed became a topic of conversation in social circles. No one disliked young, beautiful Omegas actively engaging in social activities. Even more so if that person was Antoine, who was being discussed as Etienne’s potential partner.

Antoine deliberately approached noblemen and ladies with significant influence in social circles and was invited to their salons and parties. At the same time, he carefully looked after young nobles who had just entered social circles.

Margrave Mathias supported Antoine to establish himself in social circles. For the Margrave, who wanted to make his son Etienne’s partner, the more influence Antoine gained in social circles, the better.

With Etienne, the Margrave’s support, and adding his own charm, Antoine became a famous figure in social circles. People unanimously said Antoine would be this year’s social flower. Naturally, the number of places seeking Antoine increased.

As his popularity grew, Antoine’s days became busier. He would meet with Etienne intermittently to plan and select the parties and tea parties he would attend.

Antoine’s job was to monitor public opinion, gather information, and subtly spread the words Etienne had instructed him. As his influence grew, what he said spread quickly.

“I’ll look into Count Oser. For Countess Ors’s tea party… if you don’t receive an invitation, we’ll attend together. I have an invitation, so you can participate as my partner.”

“Understood.”

Antoine answered, motivated. As if this was almost the first time he had been the main agent of something, he was genuinely enjoying his work.

“…”

As the conversation related to work ended, an awkward silence fell between them. While Etienne thought about what to say, Antoine carefully asked,

“More importantly, how are you feeling? I heard your seasickness had gotten worse. Are you feeling better now?”