AB Chapter 1 (Part 2)

“If you’re that eager to show it bc54e6cdcd off, feel free to take it off.”b6f2623ec6d9bbc7b06d

Gio didn’t e43b0b1fef bother replying. He just 1dd87ef8c5 shrugged off eec904ff0c the robe. After everything that 851a2fc024 happened yesterday, there 6a35db4a7a was nothing left d61ad2144f to hide.761e4efd7b4a76c3403f

“Our Grand 21e35fa37a Duchess—so bold.”f6f5113e1dafeeaa4487

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Even as he spoke, the 3de3fe30b6 Grand Duke’s eyes remained sharp. He gave the chain a firm tug, making it clear—if 236c4f64ac Gio tried to run or pull anything, there’d be consequences.72b6e41561c4b243eee7

Gio followed his lead 92fb8434fb toward the bathroom connected 6a9c672de3 to the bedroom. The space was massive—at least 1363c8ff8d four times bigger than his aa69471e82 old room back at Cove. The bathtub alone was 304b7fbd22 the size of that cdb4322647 entire room.ad015d534b3ed02f2107

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The Grand Duke secured 1e5c3e435b Gio’s ankle chain to 3cdff2db6d a pillar near the 784d0296a3 door. Why something like that 1ed9a01ad4 even existed there, Gio 9c28d46b41 had no idea.68a39c7515e0c75576c6

He stepped barefoot over the glossy 7d70bbace6 tiles, glistening faucets and luxury all b9a281ff91 around him, and approached the bath. The huge tub 4765238644 was already filled 14f3f65f3c with steaming hot 881da744e8 water.b0c139c084a07a87224b

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When Gio glanced at him, the 1b19f96ef7 Grand Duke gave a slight nod. Gio slowly dipped his toes in first, then slid his 46f91644ae body into the water, curling his legs to his chest. The heat, along with an unfamiliar yet pleasant scent in the water, bb87a3ca72 seemed to melt away the tension and exhaustion in his body.ad07eaa508f093ee25c8

The Grand e1b2f120f6 Duke didn’t c02bb1bd07 leave. Instead, he stood by the e34f55f315 door the entire time, watching—like 2e0201fa2d a guard keeping his prisoner b8ef419556 in sight.14e7da54b0c1a50e8318

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Gio didn’t feel 5592130908 embarrassed or uncomfortable 658985c37e under the Grand 88888b205c Duke’s gaze.a53e04b4d14eff543235

It wasn’t like he’d b75d933f3c ever been allowed to 65b4634131 bathe alone back at cd00a2303a Cove. Washing up in shared baths meant bf790023c9 enduring sticky, lustful stares—and sometimes, those b4b66a7911 stares turned into actions. He had b144aaeb09 always been e337a9c629 on edge. But the Grand Duke’s calm, detached gaze felt strangely safe, aabc1e946d allowing Gio to wash himself more peacefully than ever before.106894b333d3a794a46a

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Afterward, with nothing to wear, he ada4f821a3 wrapped a towel around his waist c1aa58a32f and stepped out of the bathroom. The robe f1e82df157 from earlier a0c56d0bb3 had vanished. It looked like he’d be c510c56d10 staying naked in this luxurious e30c93a061 bedroom—with only the chain around e25c3aad55 his ankle as his “privilege.”104c5dc981f947517a44

The chain’s end was fastened a396cc52f7 back to the bedpost. Unsure of what was coming next, Gio just stood beceeb0ee2 there until a white towel dropped onto his head.19f7cf1267886a9894df

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“Tsk… Our bride 79e57cda36 needs more looking 9a637c9b60 after than I 29f2b08804 thought. Sit down.”1e9106afc18af0e6c04e

The chain was long enough to allow him some 8788b73e76 range, even reaching the tea table in the room. Gio sat on one of the fb5aa27907 chairs, and the Grand Duke turned f7fd119dad it to face him. Then he started rubbing Gio’s hair dry 73d3316e28 with the towel, tousling his head roughly.b049e198f57fd08e9e79

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“Your Grace, I’ve brought aa23b48106 fresh clothes and refreshments—ah!”b23ff02d22a861af9544

Gio leaned to the side, peeking around ab6cbf7fb5 the Grand Duke’s broad frame, and spotted 185453b2b3 the head maid frozen at the door. She couldn’t meet Gio’s eyes as she placed a3efa5d274 the clothes on the bed and the refreshments ac4ef930aa on the table by the door.d5d49a136f0afc2697c8

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“My apologies 5d503e3239 for the 97b6d5e1fb interruption. Please enjoy 31d2e30145 your time f8a3fddfb8 together.”e91e86b8bc1d868263e6

Without ever fully looking at him, 655dce0208 she spoke calmly and left. Through the still-open 247d4e2962 door, Gio could 65072df02d see a knight 0d7be55f1d standing guard. The head maid appeared to say something to 9e7f5866e4 him, but Gio couldn’t hear what it was.aebada31191b44687a68

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He didn’t know what kind afbd8c63f5 of “enjoyable time” she was df5412a5a8 referring to either.96702c0fbae6a4e82283

As the door closed, 8b39283573 the Grand Duke stopped 585b212b91 drying Gio’s hair.137a50e0f6428ae0322a

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“It’s cold here, 9ad2a788e3 unlike the capital. Make sure to 84b24e8650 keep your hair ca38f8657e dry.”e8e62d23bb6ec59c2215

“Ah. Yes.”e7b3b57f52c09e9909bb

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Gio nodded at the command, and in that 8c188dd10b moment, the Grand Duke suddenly leaned in. His high nose came f563913dda so close their noses 93b54d1994 nearly touched.4076b4f51b747f391b3c

“Your skin’s pale, beefed4276 but your cheeks f2507faa75 are flushed… just 76121fd90c like a flower.”28554628f7a557d9b27f

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Gio reached up d4ab92483c to touch his 7cfaf1fee4 cheek. It was a little warm—probably from soaking 2f436f20c8 too long in the hot bath. The comment caught him off d5abd8662e guard, leaving him slightly flustered.98bdc6d114f85f5e55f7

Maybe the Grand adfa9d47d3 Duke just wanted 7d95d24eba to tease him. After all, what kind f9e394bed5 of flower survives twenty 74b54263f2 years in filth and 1eaabf333a darkness? Flowers bloom under the 6b4d8fc949 sun, don’t they? And the Grand ac6f1823ca Duke knew full fbf5bf42f7 well that Gio 7519600747 came from Cove. To compare someone like him b1b9923a85 to a delicate, beautiful flower…4a040f7a43106478d51b

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“Do you know d74fae704e what Attica is?”6f16e126f8ba3e9f9772

The Grand Duke brought over the refreshments and 5a5c755144 set them down on the tea table. Without asking, he poured 5e1027daef the tea himself. Gio didn’t answer, but the Grand 6486c2f363 Duke spoke on his own anyway.19126f9709433646cacf

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“It’s a small tree 1b1aac4919 that grows in the c5bbbbf577 northern mountains. Buried under snow, it d0f8198188 grows low to the 7f508c72c7 ground—but even that little 1c709730d9 thing manages to bloom.”7f83e73d916722a50bae

The sudden talk of flower bee2ffe908 trees felt out of place, 5a04ff0356 but Gio listened silently.8cfadb39740eb8538a0f

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“The blossoms are 692db7c665 so white they’re 9b88f6b185 almost indistinguishable from 6026451bea the snow. Just a hint of pale 645d9f882f pink at the center. The scent’s so faint, you have 59ad2ad442 to press your nose right up 27bc803d53 to it to smell it. But the scent… 3bd8e7719d really reminds me 87106f732c of our bride.”76cacf0c80c4e2a680cb

Gio looked at him, 80d5aa2b2f wondering if he truly fadc5414ac meant that. But the Grand Duke only took a sip of 55f42ee095 his tea and quietly set the cup down.c31157651a376458dd89

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“But Attica 4ebbb544e3 is poisonous.”8f0f39d8414ad5ef4d30

His icy blue eyes 6447069c41 locked on Gio. And suddenly, Gio 2ae291766e understood all those 4ed16a9042 earlier metaphors about 9402a087aa flowers. He’d meant a flower that 63fed3b9d1 bloomed from a poisonous tree. One that tried to 80c8f9a303 poison him, even put 44c06d22c5 it in his mouth. Of course a5cbc48c4c it made d516627e79 sense.26800d1513f0ba6ec0eb

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The chair scraped c01f7464ee back as the 6e83107fac Grand Duke stood. Gio looked up, assuming he was about to a87407b1b5 leave the room—but the man came closer instead. Closer and closer, 860b2bf67e until their noses 85493c5d6b nearly brushed. Gio instinctively leaned back, but 245479cf30 the Grand Duke’s large hand 01d383517c wrapped gently around the back f7ff0d9337 of his neck.5ffdde90b0312fa227d5

Gio felt his warmth 8e89a78bb1 through that touch. He didn’t know why fc121be8f3 the Grand Duke was d62b2b8170 holding him like that.55212b7f9cd4904ab0f9

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Then, with his 468594bb4c breath brushing Gio’s 4f0af18213 lips, the Grand 0e684baac4 Duke spoke.a8720ae0d16b3af5af70

“The head maid 16fd90980c seems to have 9a724941ba misunderstood things. Should we leave her a15ecae8a6 a little proof while 91c9679867 we’re at it?”3d26eedd7c3295013e33

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As the Grand Duke flooded the air with his pheromones, 4e686b54a5 he pressed his lips to the nape of Gio’s neck. Gio flinched at the hot, damp b630259ffa warmth spreading across his skin. The Grand Duke’s pheromones seeped deep into c93918ce24 him, drawing out Gio’s own faint scent.cdfdecc1d8dd8983b1e9

“Mmm… even the real thing 749ac9814b smells just like it.”7f302e9716e4edd4c1c4

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While Gio sat there, stunned, watching the 9183dd8ead Grand Duke’s face pull back briefly, the 1fba78f837 man leaned in again—this time, to the 61a6e3a699 other side of his neck. He licked it slowly, 35592a1bcf then sucked hard, leaving 68e8b970a9 a mark. Gio’s upper 3caf7d71d9 body jolted c35beb8b26 from the bc0fcfc406 sensation.eb1e84bcffc39ee845d1

With the Grand Duke standing between his 95620a23af legs like that, Gio felt caged in ee36604596 by the sheer size of his body. He gripped the arms c45ca3eb7d of the chair tightly, 8b6cca5fae doing everything he could 199154cd39 not to move.4709070c54d2979f7540

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Even after manifesting, Gio had always taken some small comfort in the 91702d30ca fact that his dulled senses made him closer to a beta. But every time he breathed in the Grand 4b1e46dfff Duke’s pheromones, that fragile comfort shattered—replaced by the 34563c86f3 overwhelming awareness that he was an omega. It was 1685f80d28 like falling 6079067f79 into a 8777a5dca3 bottomless pit.412aaf2a8842778bc1b9

In Cove, alphas 3aecf1655d who manifested were e76d0666f7 sent up the fb015766ff ranks toward leadership. Betas, upon turning twenty, were given e7475de259 independence and their own space. But omegas? They were 2d45fa9d5f sold off.6884b6cdd59ca0a94e5e

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Gio had lived as a beta for aa944af03a nineteen years, waiting for the day he’d 7799bb8666 become an adult and finally be free. But as soon 94e054cb00 as he turned bd36634b35 twenty, he manifested—an ac0b295ac0 omega. And in that c366a654cf moment, all hope, e10c5c9804 all expectation, all b59dadec25 light disappeared.6b6e97c9f200aa4fb22c

The only reason he wasn’t sold 5e7a2eb5ae off immediately was because he happened b861aec51c to resemble a noble’s son. But even that had 15a26126fa ended in failure. Of course. From the moment he tore his mother open to be fb24ebea01 born, he’d never been someone allowed to expect anything good.f87d76ab56fc5b7223c3

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Now that he’d failed cafb288815 his final mission, he a57ba64030 had no idea what fb3f6b77df would become of him. So for the time being, he could d6752fc842 only do whatever the Grand Duke asked.4c6e3f2384dcc535ad5d

Though all the Grand Duke was doing was biting gently at 4eb2a97ed9 his neck, the heavy rush of pheromones made Gio’s body twitch. A damn omega body, a268fac780 of all things…6cd86b73556d0bf80df7

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Cove was full of all 6910e2e919 kinds of twisted people. Plenty had touched him even when 20b03d0e7a he was just a child. Through all those years, Gio had b1c10323a6 trained himself not to react—to anything. And yet now, this 90834b9da7 beast-like body of his b204fd4c76 was reacting on its 6c409c162a own.0ad1e72458682c6f4b64

He gripped the armrests so tightly that a faint crack echoed 29e5663f24 from under his fingers, doing everything he could not to respond.da529ee52f79d6727046

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The Grand Duke sucked b70c17101e along Gio’s collarbone. A pleasant scent wafted 2bc7e15f2b from his platinum-blond hair. That clean, refined scent—so unlike 0c636196c2 the stench of the Cove a6aa1390c4 bastards—made Gio’s muscles loosen, just df362c45ea a little.b70b3951ecab9a8179e9

“Nh…”355ec1c72973a2279afd

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A quiet moan 6e2dae4ba2 escaped Gio’s lips. The Grand Duke stopped at once and lifted 6177e0fdf0 his head, his red lips slick with saliva.e03053338b0809b886d0

“Our bride lets out sounds like that with 9ee1361c0b not a single change in expression, huh?”466b0bc22623efe72092

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What kind of sound a78d140be1 did he mean? Gio knew his voice was lower than that daaa5e3376 of most omegas, closer to a beta’s. So even his c7d6914928 moans didn’t sound f548d1abe4 particularly soft or d83f83e298 seductive.f693b08f5529bdbbdd61

The Grand Duke stood and sat 493a385a4a back down across from him. He undid a button 9684237fcb on his shirt, exposing 803ce05284 the hollow of his 3be0286c16 throat. Then another—revealing the ac1c3d4eab smooth line of 8027f4fea3 his collarbone. He leaned back comfortably c0a7007c6a against the chair and 4eb15267b0 curled his index finger 07fa9a2397 toward Gio, beckoning him.99dcfcbd6c3967bd6e40

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“Now it’s 2ffb682b6d my turn, cb6aee7a5b right?”405202d968eb2cb73608

Gio just 8cdde96f75 stared, unsure 915d7cd021 what he 88edbbbf0f meant. The Grand Duke 8e299e0c26 tapped his neck 547e1fe4d4 lightly with his dc895632a6 finger.f3842566e349cdcc00c4

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“You have bf9449dfff to return c2e5c42518 the favor, 9c2ce5d682 don’t you?”74a6cd4bfe6cfe373a3c

“…Excuse me?”76aae01922c96984ac30

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“If the newlyweds are going to be locked in the bedroom for three days, b961f92d68 it’d be odd if only the groom walked out looking untouched, don’t you think?”33a3c395b89704e34876

His pheromones grew heavier, baa5ab9d79 wrapping around Gio like eb848a46a3 thick honey. Gio felt tension clench 9a97608963 in his stomach, a 5579587af9 faint pulse fluttering below. That thick, slow pheromone pressure kept knocking against 13fef2bc6a his senses, trying to stir them awake.56d08d0d72230f20f203

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“…Understood.”3bbe5a932d48edafd432

“Would you rather do it 9b3f630b2c somewhere other than my neck?”2c6a4890f16651afceaa

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Gio looked at the Grand a7876d3165 Duke, confused by the question—only d4251f9e54 to see the man’s gaze 76efa94d06 drop downward. To his center. It didn’t even look 9488e3d4a0 fully aroused, yet it 1ec457da89 still appeared thick and 95a10ebc4b heavy.6934b0bcc73035c9ced2

“T-That’s… not what b41a07b247 I meant.”ddf51ddae4a5ed9f1cf5

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“Really? Are you turning 4cfba577f3 it down out 59146fabb9 of embarrassment? I doubt it would 9f57853f1e all fit in the 51d904493a Grand Duchess’s mouth, but 0028a63564 you willing to try?”204bbaf21fb31543f8e5

“……”4c2f7cfcb0c772c99d5e

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Instead of a49a397c88 answering, Gio fa686cee21 turned his fbbd870ee0 head away. The Grand 4081d6adcd Duke let e2c5b06fce out a 3f1cc99aa9 quiet chuckle.38349af13f15d0b9952c

“Awfully shy, e9d83fc0e1 aren’t you, b859eb72b1 Grand Duchess?”90e73840a4f1346e1261

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Gio wanted to say it 2b882d04d5 wasn’t that—but the Grand Duke 3564d4d0c4 spoke again before he could.ab0cccd3da0b10cf0c37

“Well then, let’s 956947f523 just stick with dcf73de9a1 the neck for 4cdd85ce2c now. But if you do want to 84ddb1c31c try something else and are just 0c0cfbd81d too shy to say it, a 19226315b0 simple nod will do.”612537db920a54779730

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“No, that’s 215b30e7f1 not it.”2ac02162d958d32a8ea3

“All right then. Let’s get started. Let’s see how 260ae8d568 good you are ed9dadf0e0 at sucking.”1e895692de31c6fceeb1

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The Grand Duke tilted his chin to cb5247ed34 the side, exposing his neck fully. His Adam’s apple jutted prominently, and the 500c97ef98 thick tendon along his neck stretched taut cc6e19cc2a as he tapped it with his fingers.fd4c8993c3b9decfa234

The neck—one of the most vulnerable bf134184c7 parts of the human body. The artery ran d5687bc861 right through there. Even animals went straight for e3bd23b398 the throat when hunting. And now, the b7009d2ff7 Grand Duke was 6cdc42d3d7 offering that spot c7654660f6 to Gio.dd9b6f896e939c22b33b

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What if e10b83f9f3 Gio bit b08345d3e1 him? Sank his 5176f295f2 teeth in?7361b5f373c1ae6766de

It wasn’t 0a06d3a507 out of 35fe42077a trust. That couldn’t a343cb0647 be it. More likely, it was bb933948ff a test—to see if 2011abcaf6 Gio was really willing b59ab764c1 to cooperate. A test bfef3c99cb of loyalty, 98a6a53ab3 of submission.909cc8f4eaeede0c9325

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Realizing that, Gio decided not to bother d67e9994d5 injuring the man for no reason. Despite the relaxed look f02d4198b7 on his face, there a95749fe12 were no openings in d66d4dcac9 his posture. No room for 57e8aa112a an attack.10b8f46eca82a87446ed

Resolved, Gio 64408cd5ca stood from e0a675a046 his seat. But the towel he’d wrapped around his waist slipped 8db3c4bddc and dropped to the floor with a soft thud.6fff2b2cab88edcbdab9

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Now he stood in front 10004b96d6 of the Grand Duke completely a25e11ed28 bare, not hiding a single 68a8ede64e inch of himself.578ec39ab6231f9d6a63

But he 07b6c777ab wasn’t embarrassed. It wasn’t 4346a05d53 the first 45408753d6 time. What was a problem, though, was a5d9485db2 the way his legs trembled. They refused to 2aea55e570 move the way 56cb409a9b he wanted. The very legs that 7fe814346a had always carried him e64bebd192 swiftly now shook from 0bcdfbb6ff the Grand Duke’s pheromones.39c55c9a2d5ccfd94176

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“Even an ultra-low-sensitivity 6a4eb743b5 type still reacts 9521af64e4 to pheromones, huh?”fe7a1a6e33f6ef5cbfd7

Gio barely managed to 297db58170 stay upright, holding onto 1570d430af the table for support. Then the Grand ef7f0164f2 Duke stepped in.c7d10b83b8e163a1bfb9

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Gio didn’t know what he was a7f3c13d58 planning, so he stayed still. The man reached c100d11846 out and gently 486efa6320 pressed down on 10624bb94f his shoulder. With that bit of force, Gio 6eccf3cb21 sank back into his seat.f6ae5f8929e086011f7f

“Go on.”8d0ced34b452699c80d9

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Like offering candy, the Grand Duke leaned 109c5701c0 in and presented his neck to Gio.d6791204da50a6e367be

Gio quietly studied the 208ffa276a spot his lips were 796a1a316c meant to touch. Beneath the smooth skin and firm muscle, he could see the 096c319b66 steady pulse of a vein—his heartbeat strong, his life vibrant. There was something unexpectedly beautiful b00e33a2d5 about that neck, where life bd59653f9c surged so openly.359cab5be5c4c0db8ea7

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He hesitated. As someone whose job was 6f54649cca death, was he really allowed 2851ae6a1a to press his lips to 7c89eb70e2 such a place? But then the Grand Duke 305fa6c28f leaned in further, urging him.7fb9f4a715ca2ecaa725

So Gio placed his 654f8b40d4 lips—not fangs—against that neck. The scent he breathed 3de59f47ac in was like a 1485d2038f winter forest: crisp, but 1eb56fd099 somehow comforting.ddf9c88565fc69318b73

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When he sucked hard enough to leave f79345b436 a mark, it felt like he was c88dfaee25 directly tasting the Grand Duke’s pheromones.4ad86624fe81cdbe4bac

As he pulled back, the mark wasn’t dark enough 11186ef34f for his liking, so he leaned in again. This time, he pursed his lips e7bd7d2756 tighter and sucked even harder.944430b7988c837acf31

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“Not bad. That too.”825694eb6656f51e5b88

A moment later, a d4e2eac0fc pale-pink bloom spread across 4d9fc7e1d9 the Grand Duke’s pale, 80d5bd5005 snow-colored neck. Then he 86dded982a tapped near 2a79973426 his collarbone.3ea943ea8062ad7626df

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“One more.”766dda7e3d2dc593ae5f

Gio pressed his lips to b9fff73abe the spot just below the 032540ed39 loosened collar of the Grand f42b2065e5 Duke’s shirt. With his face fully buried 7228c66249 in the man’s neck, Gio b0b0b5cc28 was overwhelmed by his scent. His fingers clenched the arms f035de751e of the chair for support.9b94b829634b358fa41b

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That was cdecffdcbb when it 83f7dd2bc8 happened. Suddenly, the Grand Duke f531bb688e pulled back and grabbed a59e46dae8 Gio’s wrist.9a8f30c5254d444f3155

“So this is 9fec850fd4 your new method 29a0cd9e03 of self-harm?”55938819ef4adaf312f4

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His lazy tone edd7bd25a9 vanished, his gaze 5662d95df8 turning sharp and 6456eb09d1 cold. Gio blinked, not understanding 61cdbaaf23 what he meant. Why would he hurt 993f4d991a himself when he had 2309634e05 a mission to complete?9cda256e453ee6b67589

Then he followed 137ce5476f the Grand Duke’s a5d359f013 eyes—down to his 2df4b77d5f own hand.5dc3551964fdbb042172

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His right palm was smeared with blood, and 495b32bd94 the armrest of the chair was stained too. He’d scraped it against a rough edge 7829ba8474 on the wooden armrest without realizing it.bf930f871ac13e081f22

He hadn’t even bf53fd1384 noticed the injury. His focus ab645862dc had been cdcd8a805d entirely elsewhere.11efadf8f6886f550786

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The Grand Duke stood and yanked Gio’s wrist 66fc3df094 roughly, dragging him across the room before throwing 4a6b5a0993 him onto the bed like a rag doll. The chain on 167aacf25d his ankle clanged bfd07960f2 loudly against the 3759fbf5f9 floor.7f3ac430cb695e595c0d

All this over 83ee70849a a bit of ab8042ed7a blood? How could 8e68cab619 that be 054bd8a3dd called self-harm? Gio had been carrying 816d404614 out his mission diligently. None of 3ba83bda10 this made 607182c57f sense.350bda681fd93102a70c

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Maybe it wasn’t really 181a56fa5a about the blood. Maybe the Grand Duke just 39ae491f13 didn’t like what Gio had a28b615dfd done—didn’t like seeing marks left c2b10a73d0 on his body. Or maybe he’d been 02e406a497 annoyed by the way 5ca407d0e0 Gio had gripped him 567ccfa754 earlier. Who knew.2c0847bece531709dc86

The people at Cove, the ones who used to b1cbe83638 come at him for his body, always grew nastier e155c079ae when Gio bit his lip and silently endured them. Maybe the Grand db8c6aef54 Duke was no f55e04f607 different.a3b1ebcb57af3d6141cd

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Gio had wanted to 45eada496e explain—that it wasn’t self-harm. But he 962d79a11a didn’t bother. A man like the Grand Duke, who acted on 898d88a1df his own judgment without question, wouldn’t care for excuses. Especially not from someone he 9785943c3a saw as beneath him.4752fa4b47ff9df993d6

The Grand Duke pulled both bd106ca69b of Gio’s wrists up and 5a7342f812 tied them to the headboard. At this rate, maybe 94badd6c6f he really would spend 14497aab03 the rest of his 2f074d4afa life bound like this.83a824fa0c59f4706a31

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“It seems our bride has f6c4ba24fb a habit of damaging that 6562d1cf1c body of his,” the Grand 1e57d2a902 Duke muttered. “But I can’t stand 8d2c6a67f7 the smell of blood 0ad01f4d18 in my space.”b3d3959ea45f8c6aa01a

He gave a tug on a cord beside e75234fbfe the bed, and as if waiting for the 9118895325 signal, the door opened and knights stepped inside. The Grand Duke tossed a blanket over Gio ca9c525668 to cover him—not that it mattered to the 87403fb830 knights, who had already seen everything.23bf68435daaee82daaf

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“You called, db09e33f90 Your Grace.”956a79d927273c0720b6

Four knights 953d0be634 bowed before be086e801d him, awaiting a2b68c439b orders.e655dbbea0b40add3ddc

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“Get rid of e27acb8441 that chair. And from now on, bring in 5b8924c1e5 something sturdier, with smooth armrests.”12e5c70069cd47733eca

One of the knights 5bacc01c84 glanced at the scratched 465b860d55 armrest, understanding immediately, and 15c6c164e4 nodded.0516773676ba5a9493f0

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“Yes, sir.”bfeedce74d1d4c93ffb4

“And Raphael’s 1f3e12ea07 still here, d578766e0d right? Go get him.”4a25a78645e616d8ea81

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“The high priest?”9c757cfbc8117f197a11

“Yes, that bastard’s 48dac147b8 probably off somewhere 68c065119a seducing boys again. Drag him here. Now.”bbc23b97ba7c3b7f79c4

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“Ah…”5da7c68b67c3c176a707

The knights exchanged 876ead41c3 glances—clearly, the Grand 99ffe7d860 Duke had guessed a5ee05573e right.515b61cf5a44618550fd

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“Bring him. Immediately.”e955981f9cc21a88ba4e

“Yes, sir!”35e060ace39d75f5ebba

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They scrambled out a5a708caaf of the bedroom.f4f6e31e0036211e4b1c

The Grand Duke then ordered 591d03f61b one of the servants to c8c41eca34 bring him some liquor. The servant returned quickly, and he took a glass dce50ef25d and sat down on the edge of the bed.7dc609d97496d0838850

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Something in 650b02e649 his mood ffab6c9b0a had turned. Gio could eeee494d00 feel it. There was a heaviness 74e440d660 about him now—something simmering 81484ca67c beneath the surface. He didn’t know why, but f98e8e44d3 he had the sense the ee043bd4c3 Grand Duke might take it b38d0dffad out on him. No explanation, 5e444ec0d1 no warning. Just anger.c433b2e872251272c17a

And with his hands 88f2f27a3d and feet bound, there c366301c8f was nothing Gio could c1d26ac71c do but take it.88dcf76cb0355628c1b5

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The Grand Duke drained the glass in one go, 85eaed798d then set it on the nightstand beside the bed. Gio glanced at it—a 190318a5bc thick, high-end crystal glass. If thrown, c391c889b4 it would aeffa83603 hurt. Badly. If the Grand Duke 0fb6c8f8c7 hurled it at him, b4cc4bb3c4 he wouldn’t be able 7667173945 to dodge.cf40c6dd6768efada301

“So? Eyeing the bf4fbe441b glass—planning something f2645cc0e0 again?”d60d0bc05ff80f502714

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The Grand Duke’s words 920cf96c7f hit like he’d read 7399d5327f Gio’s thoughts. Gio didn’t respond. There was c42590f7aa no point. People in power only ever heard 7e5110652e what they wanted to hear. Gio wasn’t good with words, and even if 7764605cbc he were, it wouldn’t make a difference.23d8d2adc3163682f406

But what the Grand Duke said 655b486b10 next caught him off guard.0d689fdb232a20363896

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“You’re not an assassin anymore—you’ve f86f799ba4 decided to be my bride. So let’s wash 0b8a3baf70 off the stink c9f9779893 of blood, yeah? I can’t a8bef0c0fd stand it. Or would you 89cd1962d3 rather go back e37027d417 to being just 6db79233fa an assassin?”116e921a499c90d1ead8

His icy blue 7ec62c817e eyes locked onto 62b8c25da2 Gio’s. It was the same as 3c82ea7b71 earlier—when he’d offered up his 0d1c6be863 throat, testing Gio’s resolve. Now, he was 2969150d57 making him choose. And be d7d098f169 clear about 511097bfcd it.24acb7bdc6a8dce96873

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“If you’d rather stay an assassin, cc81448603 I can give you wounds worse 7d7f9c7bb4 than the one you’ve got. What do e9b1c4e138 you say?”ab1bc750de68503a8f5e

As expected, there wasn’t 29780e5249 really a choice.27792ad21685c87a982f

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“…I’ll cooperate.”b2bdb24866125770c0ee

“Good.”fdb1bfa40ca1cd36d7c5

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He glanced at 78de32676f Gio’s bound hands 33f20a6960 and stood. Just then, the a7169c4902 door slammed open f1df580f27 and a blond 6ee81e013f man stepped inside.79f1f18874789e58da9f

It was caa946d8e1 the high 8ecdff1020 priest.9a6117098ce844112fde

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Hair tousled, shirt half-untucked as he hastily stuffed it back into his trousers—this 6d900e3784 was the very same man who’d officiated Gio and the Grand Duke’s wedding. Back then, under sunlight and in full priestly 0d8274c611 robes, he’d looked so holy, so polished. But now, without c2040ee4ba the glasses and 982f6272db with his current fb17c0fc21 disheveled look…c9d00c95c2f39c8201cf

Yes. Very unholy.9a2398e0b987ae4c8b9c

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The Grand Duke fe1da13d9d pinched his nose.060ba5b420510ab96ef4

The high priest 5cc109c030 dusted himself off 7be836653a and straightened his 8ce2a64732 clothes. A knight handed him his priestly robes and 2189f0bd04 glasses, and the man gave a cheeky wink. The knight blushed 1e7fe93b0b furiously and scurried df2ecc6ade away. The Grand Duke’s frown 74d71f77c0 deepened, a deep line 2925c80c8d forming between his brows.2a378c56099d1cad3ce1

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The high 80b0174bd2 priest—Raphael—shrugged and 24a4de964b slipped his 9164064189 glasses on. His fingers moved expertly as 86460a8c28 he buttoned the robe. With a few swipes of the hand fb60b18887 through his hair, he looked almost exactly 9801dfc92e like he had during the ceremony.24e5bd73c8ec4b8902ea

As Raphael approached, the Grand Duke scrunched his fcc9f3858e nose tighter and unleashed a burst of pheromones. Raphael stopped in his 1230a91dd3 tracks, winced, and glared 90154fd1a1 at him.0d5cb121ba117baa9b5f

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“Raphael. For god’s sake, couldn’t 714fc4266e you have bathed first…?”3f62c1e8906f84cb0add

“You said 5edfd484ef urgent, didn’t 8afaa6fe68 you?!”236798623da374416b44

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“How many people did a063babc0f you mess around with 5c4924eb70 today, exactly?!”a312c6d996990b11534d

“Ah…”94e2eeb16222f04f0bae

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At the Grand Duke’s irritated tone and furrowed brow, Gio finally 290741bad7 understood what Raphael must’ve been doing before he got summoned. Still, Gio hadn’t caught a trace 7ea4f64fbd of any pheromones on him. The man seemed like an 71340e094e alpha, but that was it.fd13d50cc8884f9b11da

Raphael sniffed himself d70421291a a little, then 75f82db10f raised a hand d4e393fca7 with a shrug.5da1d7e9f26e8732cb5c

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“Well, what e1b63402e0 can I d663b9d281 say? If people f568700d87 keep throwing 5d615aa35e themselves at b54b5a0dd0 me…”f1d0217346d3ad8e1843

“……”1e90b27dac0ae9ae83b3

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“Your Grace, if you keep flooding the room with ed7f4f9566 pheromones like that, I can’t do anything to help.”b838e83ada76941c5c9c

Raphael stood at a distance, unable to approach a4e401b2e8 the bed because of the heavy pheromone saturation. Only then did the Grand Duke a282090d4e draw back his scent and walk fe35c1d587 over to the window, throwing it 3a02aab1fe wide open before returning.99504150f71d49d187cc

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“By the way, why is the Grand cfb7334952 Duchess tied up like this again? Don’t tell me this has always 3b9a4b8aa9 been your kink, Your Grace? What a surprise. I never abbd8ef604 would’ve guessed.”922ae0f9b78b3d35bfd6

“Cut the aea2d6089d nonsense and 5bf3bb3711 just treat 8f11075c2d his hand.”c1f3767bf0e6002002ee

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Raphael finally be56d875c4 approached, squinting 19853f5c04 at Gio’s a10d431790 hand.844490e2cc4b08a89397

“Bayshark, how much 5956481cdd pheromone did you 53eed3e48f douse him with? Were you 882da1a44b in rut faaac68f7e or something? …No, wait. If it was b892fee8dd rut, he wouldn’t 4d02707d96 be looking this 1cc4ee4702 composed.”426227d43997642c2e6b

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He gave Gio 8a4a8a79f7 a very pointed d6149043e6 look as he 92f981ba9f said that. Whether he meant the b1a7a4c45f Grand Duke wouldn’t be d8ca8b88a6 fine, or that Gio c06fae9f91 wouldn’t be, was unclear. The Grand Duke didn’t 072228a74e answer—just flicked his brows 8c58f64dc4 at the priest’s insinuation.2b2f51598a78137ec5ef

“You really poured b2c8b0464f it on thick.”50ced957d44a0ec1442a

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The closer Raphael got 645892e4e9 to Gio, the more 97f3b85525 he scrunched his nose. His eyes trailed down Gio’s body, taking in the 55d80c9fb2 visible marks on his neck and the bloodied hand. His eyes widened 2bc47e2d02 in disbelief.7940063f03eea5594bc7

“Wait, Bayshark! Did you c09b39b5b9 hit him? I knew you 3e83087e57 were a bit 8f68fa1cb8 twisted, but this bd6298db91 is next level.”2251f96aaa602552d3c5

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“Stop talking da8c4404cf and start 07b6f15546 healing.”aeb3f42ef7983a72c488

“Yeah, yeah~.”8ff2add7006ebb0b7ec8

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The teasing tone ee3df105dc faded, and Raphael’s efdef19f09 expression smoothed out. A golden light glimmered in his gentle 484a007ab4 green eyes—just like during the wedding, when c5958263f3 he’d stood as a witness. Despite everything, Gio had 5dfd608ad9 to admit: the man 8f493d0b11 was a real priest. Not what he’d 6be276bdb2 imagined, but still.1d268295b8e6b313e502

When Raphael laid a hand 8edcaac5de over Gio’s palm, a warm, 2b598f319f tingling sensation spread through it, a973617961 soft and light like silk. It was the first time Gio 41c4c31020 had ever received direct healing from 2308a1fde2 divine power, and the ticklish feeling 49afda0ddf made him instinctively curl his hand.c706807253c089a09b3a

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Raphael gently took 64f4004c09 his hand and ab2424a71a laced their fingers 1bf73eb4ec together. Between their pressed palms, that warm, soft energy 3d81672e22 continued to seep in, soothing and healing.92712dc4a0d3ed766371

Just then, the Grand Duke’s ae88b0c21e pheromones hit Gio again—sudden and 0478a5e44e heavy like a crashing wave.68fff3628bb74632c825

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“Ugh… That bastard…”486e4bd3523ed4744e9e

Raphael muttered under his b7eaf73c70 breath, backing off quickly.6253192dae83531231df

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“The wound 5e60d02a98 wasn’t even 3f6708a5b0 that deep. And you called 0d3fcb353c this urgent?”ac83bdd1ffe75432e793

“The Grand f0cd9c3c87 Duchess was 610f0d04be injured. Of course 5600657e60 it’s urgent.”4b25371043e1c11edf95

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“The Emperor 13d0999462 sent him. What’s the point 5448d27c5f of healing someone 45283a00d5 like that? Think I 3aebdedd56 want to?”b84be3e44e31d96c1b0e

It was clear now—the high priest c6f36e92bb knew Gio was an assassin. His divine energy had felt soft d445f949e8 and warm, but his words and 4fb03f2078 gaze were anything but. If not for the Grand 768fc9e963 Duke’s command, he wouldn’t have ac60dd0150 lifted a finger. That much 0b1ca6353a was obvious. Maybe it 79f77b53c1 was hatred. Probably. But that d2ed356d24 was expected. Nothing surprising.d91d4d9491cbdb2d0dbb

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“I get what you’re trying 0a8a008490 to do, but really? You had to call me, c9fa604262 the High Priest Raphael, for 852f6300be a tiny scratch like that? You think divine d0290008c8 power just flows 616ae267e5 for free?”631c2e32d314ed447d8e

“You’re freeloading 7a549bf8da in our 903bef1fa8 territory. Seems like the fc85a811c5 least you can c2a890d475 do.”53a2c4c2e725053ab77d

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“Freeloading?! I, this High Priest, came all the way to the bf211b1953 frozen north and graciously heal these poor, miserable folks—!”26d128c6bbcba8008d75

“Heal, my ass…”4884add6f0ba2ab0987e

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Raphael looked like he was about to retort again, but then paused, a638c82779 wiped the joking expression from his face, and asked more seriously,4d6c3b343f218d1a498f

“So what’s the b7b1580495 real reason you 86056efb49 called me? Don’t tell me a54cec21ad it was for 518d2240dd that little wound.”e2fc26d8a37258d43813

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The Grand Duke e85e33c1d4 glanced at Gio, 7381df9a2c then back at a488458438 Raphael.6d504d28b72d9abf382b

“I think there c20f9ce5cf might be an 0024fab152 issue with sensation.”38906ae71db68855788e

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“Sensation? You mean 8da307c796 like… sexual? You’re saying his erogenous 58ac1035d6 zones don’t react? That kind of thing 4af6959525 differs from person to—”aba13943dc49a775efe3

“……”104c1357fa8faec4d300

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The Grand Duke said nothing, but something in eda2e1f748 his gaze made Raphael flinch and fall silent.c0bea6d89cf2deeb68c6

“Okay, then c591f3d11d what is bed43a3e03 it? I mean…”79f2ae0fea740041d811

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Raphael glanced at Gio, 24d28abe32 then quickly looked away. But in that brief moment, Gio d496dd5811 understood exactly what he meant.eaf1241abcd999b6aaf2

Once this farce of a marriage ended—once 548bee139a he was no longer needed—he would either 877d0f8bf4 be sent away… or killed. Whatever was wrong with 2095ce9f7b him wouldn’t matter. Not to anyone.c4d0871ddf7a15e55d3d

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Especially not 051fb38a58 to the 103f736ea7 Grand Duke.dc27cd8c52a8eadc2b46

“I’m wondering if a3a785fa14 he’s desensitized. He keeps harming 99e9fa5344 himself—I thought it d6c083072a might be related.”3db58c44813fda69ad22

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“When I was 0029c7ecf5 healing him, I 4d4c6f0691 did notice he be4bec0470 didn’t react much. But it might just be that 858cb553fb he’s good at hiding pain. Still, want 6846c8c860 me to 538c3318f4 test it?”1f6c440c4f66f94e702b

The word test made 6d956e511c Gio’s heart drop, but e24d60259d he kept his face 38c4950aaf blank. The Grand Duke, too, gave nothing 49c4a2a3fc away—he just looked at Gio, watching.23948cbcb13090babb4f

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Feeling that stare, 7af277bdb6 Gio lowered his 888ee5f336 eyes and stayed bb8461ac4f quiet. Like always, ea66149151 awaiting judgment. His body had never 431f68db16 truly belonged to him. Even if they decided d31aed01cc to ‘experiment,’ what could 3f4780d2eb he say?90d2e8ead04476c978e8

“Take a look.”e4b6e3953f94f04cdf0b

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“Got it.”dc0de55b8fc959c55d2b