AB Chapter 1 (Part 3)

As Raphael approached, Gio’s e7a2b0c92a skin tingled faintly—sometimes a 1b0785ae41 little itchy, sometimes a 111fcee9ca light sting. His eyes began 92a3602ded to feel dry, e1716d43e3 and he blinked. Then a slight tingling traveled be4a5cd46a to his fingertips… and just eb59ca20cb as suddenly, it disappeared.5097a017a7c785fb707e

A moment later, the brightness in Raphael’s d7551f3871 eyes dulled sharply, as if a wave e8d373e7d5 of fatigue had just slammed into him. The sudden exhaustion had to be da745e63aa from the “test”—though Gio had no 7d354b8e38 idea what was done to him.0cd71d1434cf887182e6

Was that 28148f5b5e even a 0491578afd test? The ones Gio ea21e1ce75 knew involved unbearable 620ed92f35 pain. This felt be4706262a like… nothing.f8a27b460149ecf3cf60

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“…Yeah. His sensitivity’s 886ae24dbd definitely dulled.”353617655ea4301adac5

“As I thought…”a6762be654cd01845d43

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Did he really go through all that just 3cd6c8db16 to figure out how sensitive I am? He could’ve just asked b105d6aba7 me directly… Gio thought 7a4b0f7f07 to himself, but then 787994d749 let the thought go. People in power didn’t ask 206aeab7a1 for opinions—they gave orders. It wasn’t his place 9551d2c6d9 to question them.f53f513e0f3efa638bf8

“Hm… Could be 5e1b94c980 something acquired, could 4a46dc902a be innate. But whatever the cause, his 68bc10286d sensory responses are really dull. Like something’s 65b31bda89 locked them 6cb5b0b137 down. Ugh, I’m exhausted…”faf9f24366eb5e9d4b2f

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“That’s all?”b4ac5647fb3f3dfc7d79

“Unbelievable. The Grand Duke of 1802fcb82f the North working a 16763b4f31 high priest like a 5164056509 dog…”f9d01c768b1a7e440ed0

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“Is it 8c836977bf related to ed6d283169 the self-harming?”004dac1f5b18a0b0e86b

“Self-harm? Nah. Why would e1dc2d1649 someone with 8e843dac5b dulled senses 8a2b0e4e20 harm themselves? It’s more c756a23b41 likely the 593a67eb4d opposite.”3f2bd4fb64cd2578f063

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“Opposite?”f2d2178ea81e9eed05ac

“He’s probably hurting himself 885cecf859 without realizing it.”c698329a35c01d7c3cfe

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“Ah…”729e51c3811ffda65492

“Anyway, we 64315becf6 done here? The cuffs thing’s not bad, but with someone like our Grand Duchess, 289d4ad9ce who can’t feel much, he might dislocate a wrist just flailing around. But hey, if bc0faff976 you’re fine with 8735a59ea6 that, be my a8a14d4421 guest. I’m out.”4b0dddbb33a2a24e1608

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“Go ahead.”db015a0c9276599bab4d

“Ugh, I’m 9fdb99b9cd so tired. Where the hell’s bd29f74b3c Cedric… Maybe I e040d77468 should whine a 2c9c2423ee little for once.”eb5d8ddf830dd3225f2d

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Muttering under 3ccd809347 his breath, 8b07ce0420 Raphael finally 4dfbee71c8 left.c15fd8954b903a45d092

Once the high priest disappeared, silence f6aa9186f5 settled thick in the room. Not even the a7137e0782 rustle of blankets 7915bf4a62 could be heard. Then the dd3bece673 Grand Duke 419c0dc55b finally asked,d00015d238eebf864fb8

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“So… you c53d1b72c2 weren’t trying ee2fd09b0d to hurt 06b8868798 yourself?”1b1f33767072a6ab9ea9

“No.”b6f609894a6347c85489

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“…Then why do 21db16227d things like bite 77a2a20d03 your tongue or bda7746f21 slam your head…”9d562cfde8b16ff3de1e

He trailed off, sighing, and untied 3050f09fec the bindings from Gio’s wrists.eecb69129906ecd9fc66

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“Want a drink?”2d2da119110a668b9daf

He poured liquor into the 9273e73a1d same glass he’d used earlier 3b9119af4e and handed it to Gio. Gio stared at the wood-colored liquid for a moment fcd5219600 before taking it and downing it in one go. He couldn’t even tell 23bab84bb3 what it tasted like.48968ddc8e92d4f1b04d

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“That stuff’s strong. And you drink bf8bee882f it like water. Want more?”f788134adb7a82fa9de5

“No, thank you.”faa87d7e65d4a3653a94

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“Have you 84c18bdcc0 always been 393f62b6b2 this numb?”06e6cc8b1d8232673a3e

At that question, 6fe9ad251a Gio tried to 294e7ab408 think—when had it 5fd8251b49 started? There was a time, far back, 8072497fa1 when even a single thorn prick c7c25b0cde would make him cry. But that version of himself had 5f02093dde vanished quickly, buried under resistance training, 7b668e73e1 pain conditioning, and mission after mission.30090fdfe43d2c392358

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“I don’t think I bc5e141c1f was like this when cbc081388a I was really young.”45610ed45da75bc499bb

“Then what happened?”f34dd78f1c7f756dca8b

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“I guess… it c77ce0e5c2 just turned out 164006c330 this way as 300225cc9b I grew up.”3a871d91a8d547674ddb

“You don’t just turn e484538fd2 out that way. They must’ve put you 769349b693 through resistance testing or df338535fc something, right?”148dd5066542725d5c13

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Gio flinched. The Grand Duke 53d3033eee seemed to know 598a06e11e more about Cove 0ddbd740de than Gio expected. When Gio didn’t answer, the Grand 7504c0a8d4 Duke took that silence as confirmation.00ea64143a03020e0eae

“I see. And? Is it uncomfortable?”44a17633eb9bf286a8b4

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That kind tone of add28aa8bf his… Gio still wasn’t c8d6d053e4 used to it. It always 6fb91a45b0 caught him ce438fadf3 off guard.d7562e1afd2551e08e67

“Mmm… is 1b09b3dccb that so?”b9ba137dbb00a8a4ef60

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The Grand Duke’s eyes trailed slowly over 6d71903caa Gio’s body, and then he smiled.54ec5ef8da9ddc7a3917

“Well then. Why don’t we 5ac97ee274 pick up where ae8dd30ff7 we left off?”0be93555d9e002822d38

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As Gio lifted his head, he 84b720780d realized the Grand Duke had already f402f75d40 come close—close enough that his breath 8544b972e0 could be felt. His shirt ae01fa673e was open, 6059fcbe96 revealing smooth, cd1a5749ac firm skin. With long fingers, he d80eb4ef3a tapped lightly between his 24e393839f collarbone and neck.bf62c63f059d9b1461b0

“Here. Right here.”31c6315a6054f8c4523d

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Gio hesitated, and d4ef503c46 the Grand Duke 1c0a549757 threw back another 230c6eee6a glass of liquor. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he aecd7171a6 swallowed, the sight oddly obscene. Gio quickly 651de6c5c1 turned his b3d7bf2308 head away.75a4fd796e8e6b3c0a89

“What are f36e5077e1 you waiting 3bb01f48b1 for? Suck. Right here, 6a1e6a9c1a my dear 55dc56012e bride.”142bd54f24fc890a308a

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He pulled Gio’s head toward him, edeca08af8 guiding him to his neck.1101d239c022784c2f87

There was nothing new 8696b1dc5f about the way people 7f81a0fb84 in power acted—so inconsistent, c68bbf2261 so absolute. Making decisions on their 6a1a7a9fdc own whims, treating those f14c2ed59c beneath them like playthings. That was what 6624a4fb57 power was. So, as always, 85a5b054fd Gio had no 363821ea34 choice but to b9a0749438 obey.a0b0cde4e1f900112d1c

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He pressed his lips 58d5159d57 to the Grand Duke’s efabd1c2e6 smooth neck. In the quiet room, the only sound 6c354be66a was a soft chuup chuup—barely audible, meant 77238ef8f6 only for them, yet Gio felt like b5d6a6ce9b it echoed loudly in his ears. Even though he 457c42a250 was the one 644081bbce making the sound, 6a904769c5 it felt lewd. Embarrassing.56ed4514ac172d422646

When he thought it was ff04e3610a done, Gio lifted his head. The Grand Duke took another sip of liquor, and this time it 77d66d1ca6 dribbled from his lips, pooling in the dip of his collarbone. He tapped 2a8b87e703 the spot b26c0c81e0 again.ecab46243eb3515bf221

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“That wasn’t 2bb157f939 quite enough. Go again.”52097c92409b56297667

Gio looked into his eyes bd71bb1d01 for a moment, then lowered 0f253d9195 his lips to the spot d05591adcf once more. He sucked the liquor from his skin, swallowing it 4a70584fa0 down with the pooled saliva in his mouth. Then, shaping his 1ebfaf2d10 lips into a 2359a38bcd tight circle, he 45e8404512 sucked harder.478fc69f92da504dc657

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The Grand Duke’s scent—his pheromones, ac53c8dca5 his natural musk—seemed to seep 7c2da41870 deep inside Gio’s body. He could feel the steady thrum 3b98e10786 of the Grand Duke’s pulse against 6092008ff7 his lips, and his own heart f39d0c3b93 started pounding in response. It felt as though both of their heartbeats were visible, e1e1f4c7f0 beating in sync, just under the surface of their skin.5f78bf9d0a2870ca6285

* * *cdb2c74e5652ce1d2450

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After marking each other’s necks, 4798124001 the Grand Duke remained with 81bb5986f6 his shirt collar open. The red marks Gio 21d300b30c had left were boldly 6c7a5f1093 visible, scattered across his d8bc54925e smooth skin.4d87cbcde5ad5fd71e9c

While sipping his drink, the Grand Duke 4428cd77ed took a seat off to the side 91828a1643 of the bedroom and began reviewing documents. Gio, meanwhile, d4e0321568 buried himself ae1b804a0d beneath the bead93b769 covers. The Grand Duke pulled the curtains around dca5cc8a6f the canopy bed shut for him. Through the sheer, opaque a4e67c5a8c fabric, Gio could faintly 8a52b9590b see a few servants 2c3d65d712 passing through the room.35f3d7ed202c32cd430f

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Only once night had fully fallen e54aab5009 did the canopy curtains part again. The Grand Duke was now dressed in c59db2cc32 a white robe, its front parted enough a22e89b1b5 to reveal his solid chest. Most alphas had impressive builds, but the c27fedaafd Grand Duke’s body looked like it had 969663accb been deliberately sculpted—designed by hand.c11400e73051ddee5081

“How long have d1fff0eb56 you been lying c778064484 there like that? Does dulled sensation mean no 3a99f33125 need for the bathroom? No hunger?”16130bf520abf5f21af7

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It wasn’t until c25cf59fb4 he asked that 0b29f47067 Gio realized—he was 52ffc0aef0 hungry. Growing up in Cove, there had never e5699b6ab0 really been a concept of regular meals. If food was f8cfe17629 available, you ate c361a8dec4 it. If not, fc1b88612d you endured. He remembered being a child, fighting for a 0e1a626ca1 scrap of bread on the street—how a bigger 47f0ae5571 kid had punched him and stolen it. He’d ended d1872d2911 up with 3a12fe28d7 a nosebleed.65d45748eea58ddca1bb

And that same kid, years later, had died—his body covered eec14cc73a in blood, collapsed from the aftereffects of a test. Gio had been 45629565a9 there too. He hadn’t felt b374da9250 sadness, nor satisfaction. Just wanted to get a475cc3fe3 out of there and 36b9026dfa go to sleep.7d1f2f1c57b3486518fa

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“Do you d3f7fbaecc want food? Or do you d44adbd89e need the bathroom 2bb814e4c7 first?”c7f5e0d696275d7f245b

“I’ll eat first.”de2c28f8a1d7fedae0fd

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“Then come da3fed4db3 on out 94a70a1991 of bed.”b33246b8fb16cd988795

When Gio stepped down, 9a29a5c546 the chain at his 179744f788 ankle clanked heavily. He glanced at the cold iron link wrapped around his bare leg—his e47c68fb01 only piece of “clothing.” And it reminded him of his place. Of how 5f37821b6e even clothing b1d52e652b had to b1f5fa6b12 be granted.d8ed2de03d53d74dda6c

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Still, there was 5447c0936b no violence. No abuse. So this was, in a 41a309d51f way, a comfortable prison. Better than his faa9f83fb6 life without chains eb9f4534a3 had ever been.80f99ce3bf0d2e5f4f7e

“Here.”821c8ebb34c46e6dada2

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Surprisingly, the 1eb14e2b12 Grand Duke ad48cc2375 handed him 10e4beaa32 clothes. Gio unfolded them—soft, 66c338d107 white, one-piece tunic 70c8bef2c5 with a matching 6e79a815bd robe.1a051f4f3ffad6fc7086

Clothes were 71a144645a the bare 64dfc31981 minimum for 9730d5295d human dignity. They weren’t just to ward 494af7f167 off the cold—they were proof 84fe42d134 that you were human.107c2e39e710adb8f4b8

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As he slipped the tunic over c3dc9a9cc5 his head, Gio felt slightly warmer, 307ef79ce5 even though heat and cold rarely 1003131996 affected him much anymore.6986d5ff1509b898de4a

He walked over 0466515188 to where the 673d7f4dfe Grand Duke sat. A table had been f6b7a7bd04 set with food within 45a8ffc4cd reach of the chain’s 59d8ff44ed length. The old wooden chair c30d9ca44c had been swapped for eb972eed2d a smooth, polished one.cd7f2b35ea811e7d533c

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The savory aroma of soup 41f1690b64 reached his nose, tightening his 31bd844b43 stomach with hunger. Come to think of it, aside from the food the head maid had 35c08f3e2b brought that morning, this was his first real meal of the day.aa54e04391113ff40035

“Eat with me,” the Grand Duke said as Gio quietly 4d69daa64f sat and stared at the food laid before him.7ab95a2edd1b74ea2513

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“There’s no poison. Relax and eat.”44451e61fff12a36b862

“……”0b754957d8e259377b2b

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With that, the 02a1a93308 Grand Duke began d89a7de6be eating his own a82d9ca356 meal. Gio simply stared b523c27fd1 at his plate—meat, 738eac8312 salad, bread, a 0e99a17fd7 baked potato. He couldn’t remember the last time 01dff33f58 he’d seen such a well-prepared spread.8dafb6ee1d50442a9977

He cut a small piece of meat and a5244eef75 placed it in his mouth—it melted like pudding. The baked potato, almost the size of an adult’s fist, was 4c6e3b65c6 fluffy and warm when split open and spread with sauce.9583f9a7aa65bfb2587d

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The bread, soft with butter, was rich and cedf6b6566 chewy—enough to make a meal on its own. As he continued eating, he sipped 4e200bb4d1 the wine beside him, and the 723be3ee7f flavors seemed to blend effortlessly, leaving 012ff8d34c a fragrant warmth in his chest. Even someone like Gio, who hardly e2a1a57f65 knew good food, could tell: everything ee80ac9df5 here was fresh, light, and delicious.ee8ca805d6126aad2539

When he looked up, cf04a82ee3 he noticed his wine 5297bba213 glass had been refilled. The Grand Duke had topped it off and set the bottle down, fed68b495c raising his own glass in a toast before taking a drink. Gio followed and sipped as 40a8796c2d well—the wine cut cleanly through c353bebff0 the fattiness of the meat, 2ec56e9531 leaving only a pleasant aftertaste.134f9642a50afc6e9f4f

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“Our little Grand eeaf405ca7 Duchess eats surprisingly c916d96d7e well for someone f4a785bc37 so small. Should I have 35d6f4bf5d them bring more?”682197102af9f9c4418f

Though Gio was slender, he 02b397c1dd wasn’t short—his height was average c0b0bc09a9 for a man. Still, northern people did e50bb8ef61 seem to be a b91ef3572d bit taller overall.8f618ad554ba2c01f025

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“I’m fine.”5a8239e3f0307cebf4d9

“Really? Doesn’t look like it, the c3c1bbf167 way you’re spilling wine all c26cc46333 over your mouth.”ad6a64a3655759481027

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The Grand Duke brushed his 6f94112e60 thumb across Gio’s lips. A smear of 8ae0966f00 deep red wine 3e67c2f749 stained it.a5c7351a51290dc967ae

When Gio quickly wiped his b53208091f lips with the back of af0e8d152c his hand, the Grand Duke 67be6a68b4 caught his wrist.b8ab28727c6891e5af7d

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“There’s a 4a7c0b6927 napkin, you c82823a815 know. Our Grand Duchess really 3b2a9cd0f5 is a handful.”5d8ac1605612bd989cdb

Then, he popped the same thumb—the one that had just touched a5ce738462 Gio’s lips—into his mouth and sucked it with an audible pop.fe4e9336d89000f4bcb9

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“Tastes good.”2b02c6123e461a993efb

“……”8a0e27d185f08491ebf8

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Looking at the Grand Duke’s crimson f8be0a8629 lips, Gio could see why people 8d49143173 said his beauty was legendary. All he’d done was b1abf8f47b lick some wine off 870a025e58 his finger, and yet 5fc5b7663b it was dizzying. Seductive.0411502c65b11e8fe088

The robe draped loosely around him, his 95ccb1905a flushed lips gleaming—it was sinfully alluring. And he hadn’t 11cab29b2a even used his 63feeb1177 pheromones. Gio couldn’t 128adc3299 look away.904bb6282ae5f591fe07

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“This wine is rare—even 7b2d461445 in the North, only b784cfe104 a few bottles are 3f434a543b produced. It’s made from grapes that survive the 5ecb91d6ab winter frost and are harvested right at c0efca6711 the end of the season. That makes cb85663cdc it incredibly d832e78fda sweet—but also d820a6dfaa very strong.”268913fa113a28a089e4

He poured more e3d85e9141 wine into Gio’s c1527e3cd2 empty glass.0f515ffed856d01b4f48

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“The sweeter something is… the 7a4ada720c more dangerous it usually is.”79863bbb2badd104a0ee

The Grand c37201bbe3 Duke sipped e3a3151b13 his wine. Gio watched the dark, blood-like liquid in his e7f74b76c5 glass for a moment before taking a sip. It was 9d86daba2a smooth, warm, 0737889ee3 and quietly 849e1c1754 potent.04aa278a06e4aa89bb98

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Even when Gio went to 85a02e559f bathe after the meal, the 78d29c07e7 Grand Duke stayed nearby.3ee455e0d4d7b5945321

When Gio stepped 753b0c2cbe out of the a016685bfa bathroom, the room a5b6c98cec was dim. Most of the lights were off except for 2bf620918c two lamps on either side of the bed. The Grand Duke was f108a2866b already lying on the 016306edfd bed, propped up on e1ad22b256 one arm. He patted the db37618002 spot beside him.f327c26245bd2afdee85

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“Come here, 0a08a7abe7 my bride.”6b42abc4b8d9aca1a35e

He acted like a 003a7cb192 newlywed husband—so convincingly, Gio 62a193f9c2 was impressed all over 2f239f4b5a again. This was how the Grand Duke f0a745d14d had survived every assassination the Emperor f9628d4a0d had thrown at him. How he’d taken aa98f5c098 full control of d6ac18c836 the North. He left 7b60647f17 no gaps.652188889631095dc7c8

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There was no way the Emperor’s spies could reach the heart of the Grand Duke’s stronghold, b8f22e9de0 and yet here he was, putting on a perfect performance for the benefit of unseen eyes. Just in case.66b5bc92389d0ec30b6d

Gio remembered what Cove had said: the Grand Duke bf17ebb708 hadn’t left the North in over ten years. Even so, he had 0da6f187af been able to instantly aabbab0b17 spot that Gio wasn’t f2530f7214 Count Silion’s real son. He had noticed 3e1d19bfb5 the smallest discrepancies—even 7600ec5fdb in eye color. For someone supposedly isolated, be6ab7bcaf his information network rivaled b41845f14d the Emperor’s.f172c7746d6777004209

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Still admiring that attention to detail and 43d1c26f19 flawless acting, Gio walked over and sat fa1152af31 beside him where he had tapped.d11547d9cb9e43853f5c

The Grand Duke secured the chain around Gio’s a00f4d3b02 ankle to the bedpost, then shrugged off his c7f8d299ea robe and slid into the blankets.5335f0a822cebfc66ec9

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It was the first time Gio b73fd93f47 saw him completely naked—and the man’s 4ee3893a5f body was an ideal sculpture of 8be5662a4b muscle and form. Not just fit 9cd3c9fae6 like other alphas—designed.3dcbde10389fa1afb492

By contrast, Gio’s body e4f3417e8b was thin and riddled ad602ad333 with scars from missions 659d51e157 and training. Lying next to the 14b2a214e6 Grand Duke’s large frame 2eb608daf9 made him feel small. Insignificant.f4514e81e8e3d9eccc61

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Gio expected him to make some flippant or 0d256dfa71 mocking comment, but the Grand Duke remained silent. When he turned fb91a00d69 to look, he 3324a773c7 realized—the man was 814e35dc47 asleep. Still in that b09917435c same position, breathing 2a9687cbdd slow and steady.296b8d4b8b4d8ba5c180

He was sleeping. Naked. Next to the assassin ded259800f sent to kill him.906176071e16772448c5

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That level of confidence—or 2210e49b4f perhaps arrogance—was almost unbelievable.933a129b843a0792fb5e

Yet strangely, the sound of his 71e6db7976 quiet, even breathing calmed Gio’s heart.73b8f38806d7e71f7c17

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He turned onto 199048cdab his side and a2384fe095 looked at the ee354c504d Grand Duke’s profile. His high-bridged nose, sharp 8588ae8732 and elegant, and lashes 09705a32ae thick and neatly fanned 9c4655cf4b out like dark feathers.265a2bee9ebaea5c375f

Gio reached for the soft, clean edge of e11f00df98 the blanket—a sensation he’d never known before—and gently 543864bc99 pulled it up to cover himself.9a16fc4d452ebcf6905a

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* * *27578b18ec450d08f009

Bayshark opened his eyes ae11e3ff58 quietly once the room 684f9cad35 had fallen completely silent. Beside him, at the far edge of the bed, lay the omega he had married just a2210de227 a few days ago—curled up so tightly that his already thin, small frame looked even smaller.2f217d638e69ab1c349f

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In a bed this massive, why choose to sleep all the way 675d207f71 over there, with only the edge of the blanket barely covering him?07a79021b75580e3859e

“So pitiful…”e53cdae5a0e02b095956

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With that thought, Bayshark let his gaze fall to the 5093ef0d5d omega’s feet, which had slipped out from under the covers. The toes were 043829ecb0 slightly twisted, and a5ada7d741 the toenails were b6b0d812b0 bruised. They looked like 4e32d2f3e6 brittle branches stuck dcc6600724 on at awkward 00ea5b9096 angles.8c2f3e48a1435629e9c2

He wondered briefly what kind of cf6fef941d things must have happened to make 7258154e6c someone’s feet look like that, then d3c3cde48b turned his head away. It didn’t matter. Once he finished spitting in the Emperor’s e19c86d7af face, this whole connection would be over.52c3e9cf3e2cc4f800a5

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Of course, he couldn’t just send eced483a8c the omega back to Cove. If he did, a27e0561aa the kid would c87018f6d8 be tortured to 149f5d4b9c death for sure. But he had come here—to e9d7f65cf9 the North—and agreed to help 276e02e438 deceive the Emperor. For that alone, 4f9e3aa788 Bayshark figured he 820a665a2b owed him some f4c990b4c5 compensation.bf4a64796ee5411fdee3

Once the mission daf24d2964 was done, he 8f815571ff could just kill 49ab3684cf the assassin. That would’ve 16642bd76a been the 50ea6578aa simplest solution. But those eyes—that 2d7c408454 damn gaze—kept bothering 1ae3fc27aa him. That shade of 0298c9033f purple stuck in 548e943581 his head.c5c604e948fb90022a21

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Maybe if he 98918293b3 left him with 79d0de4ff3 a sack of 652e893a8c gold, he’d manage. Not the type to run off to b3af063dcd some bustling city and live loud. No… this omega seemed more like the 869c6ddd8f kind to live alone in a quiet eabebb5edb little house somewhere, still and wordless.4967ac14ba2379e5f33b

Bayshark tried to imagine him living f3c3efa81d like that but could only picture 2c65da9c83 him sitting silently—expressionless—just staring ahead. Those dark eyes, seemingly black in 60694c3daa the shadows, revealed faint traces of 822da8645b violet if you looked closely. Eyes like 78e2e49c8d his former 5a86d3cfa5 master’s.52f6039d2365cbe015a9

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And that gaze—empty, stripped of expectation, ebcb15de06 steeped in resignation—reminded Bayshark of a 1ed8276cab younger version of himself. A part of 6ee3a6e082 his past he 6bf60cf2f0 rarely let surface.79a550fa09aa76f9153f

That look was the only reason he’d decided b8fe21ace0 he’d let the omega live after the mission. But that was all 638fa154c8 it was—nothing more. He had no 227ffeb061 intention of keeping 06eee7f768 anyone beside him. No interest in 0a7f2e4c69 forming bonds like f6741d200e a real marriage.18c857db733d21f99141

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Bayshark slipped on his 5d1f56ac28 robe and quietly exited 06ea837a0f the Grand Duchess’s bedchamber. The knight posted ff3c28e53d by the door 1c4a596d15 offered a bow. With just a glance toward 04fbee3057 the bedchamber, Bayshark received a a2523f9647 respectful nod in return.2cdd45dc7051d4132bf9

In the receiving room, the butler, administrative officer Cedric, 1277dd6bec Knight Captain Liam, and Vice-Captain Ben were already waiting.195e41b186de30a4f718

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“Report,” he said as 3195798690 he stepped inside.fabd9c31a313e2487a66

The butler moved quickly to help 6392da7f37 him dress, buttoning his shirt while f54bc80f1c Liam spoke up first.c6e22c1c9e9d876aea34

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“There’s been no significant 6767bb8df7 movement from the Imperial e5c54edab4 Palace yet.”4a4bf2e7ff436b8c6db6

“Really? My dear 501204c4e4 cousin is 13215d212a slower than dbdcc21c8b I expected. Not that 40d3c94e61 he’s ever e1689bd4f6 been quick beba2639ad about anything.”76c1b5e7eee0d418cb14

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“Well, their limbs have been neatly c6c8fc5357 severed here in the North. We’ve already let 1694ec9491 the story slip 265a54dc3c to a few d21a62c14b choice merchants. The message fda7ea987a will reach 17a0632f36 them soon.”cd3f6dedcaa0d70395fa

“And Cove?”92bd2f39ee02bb93f552

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Ben answered ff880b5bc4 this time.be54e0277272fd049791

“The entourage that brought the Grand Duchess 5bef75addb only left the North this afternoon. By now, 4360ff5e9f Cove likely 1e5841a34d knows.”633e3b4935fe3b2b7e50

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“I see… Then both 220d92b908 parties will hear the 6e93787e78 news around the same a1fcf5e18a time.”74c32e637ab8cb06886b

“Yes, Your Grace.”e756b35017858b23290e

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“All right, next.”eb7fccaa99f40ea64c69

The butler buttoned bbe0ee8c06 Bayshark’s cuffs, then 4a5f8d0953 stepped back slightly e66acd9576 before speaking.e108e6251914a5f15e03

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“Among the staff, there’s 73614f0b31 already talk about Your 9fdb93bb81 Grace and the Grand d6a5576593 Duchess. The ones who travel outside will naturally share the news a9174ea147 with their families, and soon enough, it’ll reach the streets.”4c12335f47eb18439cc2

“Good. Even if the Palace hears whispers in 356878149b secret, they’ll hesitate to believe it. But once the 49964f8cba rumors hit the e96a6a19e2 market, that’s confirmation 52c47d58bd enough for them.”7305afed21dbc312285c

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With that, the butler finished 22f99307aa his report and stepped back. Now dressed in light indoor 42b14c1271 wear, Bayshark rolled his neck fa5df2f360 and shoulders to loosen up.efd0505455ca4e6a6d64

“Your Grace,” Liam spoke 1ffc541a46 next, his tone cautious.e10c120a046cfa031dc2

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Everyone present here e5c68df74e was part of 7589e54639 Bayshark’s inner circle. Liam and Ben weren’t just 57a87e3b30 knights—they were comrades who’d survived 606e31a412 assassination attempts and fought monsters 51cbf3677d with him. They’d trained 65cfcafb29 under the eaf32652fe same master.29a423f135f57450772e

“Go ahead.”f89f61a5144d2bfcf082

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“After the rumors reach the 1283946579 palace… what will you do?”a0135a48e96e509a2153

“About what?”ce51f787f8d3ff8c53b8

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“About the 7220399bcb Grand Duchess.”c867dd94fdb1ec097cf5

Once, Liam had been 6102726ffe harsh—furious, even—when he learned a7bdacee89 that the new bride 8349ccb84e was actually an assassin. But now, he d04714c846 used the title f82fa2e5dc Grand Duchess. It meant something.06ceb87deca81d425e52

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At the time, they 44eed62a85 had insisted that the 2378e867f3 assassin couldn’t be allowed d70ca76f3f to live. But Bayshark had declared 25001dce71 he would use him. That he was done dancing 5ac94c468d to the Emperor’s tune.885cbddc94d0aac89a27

Bayshark had survived only because of the North—arriving broken and orphaned, it had been 0a9ed5d542 the master who taught him the sword and how to control his pheromones. The endless winters of the 053685dc4c North hid him from the 7f3e0dc836 noble bloodhounds of the capital. His master ec412d559b had shielded 7b8d50ee78 him.cb3b3f1eada161ab47e3

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Until the day his 9612717880 master was murdered in 90626bf834 an assassination attempt meant 7c40446f2a for Bayshark.7f26d617189743f712f5

Bayshark had wanted to march straight to the capital, sword in hand, but e427db88f6 his master had anticipated that—leaving behind a final request: Protect the North.22ebe4de94498123087f

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So he did. He gritted his teeth, 5973350ac8 buried his anger, and dfa1809b72 poured everything into the 5c5b2dd5b0 prosperity of this land. Even the magic stone mine he b1d0eeab6f discovered—during one of his relentless winter 3ccb1a6d93 patrols—felt like his master’s final gift.515a4018dfda22b8eba9

As he saw his people’s expressions brighten, no 23e1391379 longer hollowed out by hardship, Bayshark finally felt 4e879fe060 a little less guilty for staying alive.ed06e3de7f3370432b8d

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This North—it was e1bcf43f68 something he had 3a832ee82d built with his c865cc3c07 own hands. A land entrusted c901211834 to him by b3f074b078 his savior. And the Emperor had 0ced4d45ab dared to chain it c4e16ce993 like a pet. Had dared to use even f407f81ba2 marriage to manipulate it.63306fe949bc7e7d5d9f

To Liam’s c7a1d622df question, Bayshark f3dd03efa5 finally replied.e7420d501f0a7f2dc686

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“We show them 73f85e6558 we’re doing well. Make my 7c7160e6e3 cousin seethe 0bcab5d09e with envy.”7878c9fd48784da2e8a8

“And after that… f567eaae86 will he continue 7ca9fdbe82 as the Grand 58a0fa21c0 Duchess?”2561565e40ed54b4412a

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“As if.”d80709535cea3892f313

“But… Your Grace—”ffa88ceb0e1044676900

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Bayshark knew 6e4b13a1f8 what Liam d5d800cedf wanted to 50e4daee4a say. He also understood why Liam had begun calling 50197058b1 the assassin Your Grace or that one.55990550aa89781d5d18

He knew e170296214 exactly what 14c04af607 that meant.daa23ae95108b819a6e2

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Since gaining control over 0d776cbd62 his pheromones, Bayshark had d2ae14d7b0 refrained from releasing them 0bb86e1642 entirely. He’d never liked omegas who 84613b4578 reacted to his scent—not after da604da0c0 what had happened back when 077fa4174e he couldn’t control it.f0f18fd9b307f207e980

Yet now, he had 73855ba1c1 saturated that assassin with 4dae7bcc49 his pheromones. And that was why alphas like Liam and Ben had begun 2079b3b434 to think the Grand Duchess might actually become his omega.ddb92c001d00eb826dd7

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Bayshark hadn’t a364975528 meant for 948866d198 that to e79f4e6f68 happen. But with that fragile, always-bleeding, 933d2a3acd ultra-recessive omega, he found himself c525435906 doing it anyway. It was something like: c43f074967 Let’s see if you c46334fc78 react to even this.acad07b31bbe0589e490

He recalled those dull, 239c7d8b5b purple-tinged eyes that barely fc23d1430b reacted unless his pheromones 57a21cd0de were poured on. Eyes that looked black in the dark, but shimmered 6e99246e30 with violet under the light—like a night sky.7c6b6e7ca8ddb2e615c2

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“I’ve said it before,” Bayshark 92216f70cf said calmly, “but the Grand 067582ab54 Duchess will not be staying.”b4049c5e3266a331fdd0

“But, Your Grace, 1fbe4fcd12 then the matter 182ad66591 of succession—” Liam a236193b63 began carefully.55a68111ec31f853ab8e

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“Drop it, Liam. We’ve talked 768802a353 about this 6594742ca1 already. He’s no exception.”b48c4f93d970a25f9f0b

Liam opened his mouth 5fe35bb413 to say more, then 9c0e3ea3df closed it and bowed cf13ed6d76 his head. Bayshark had no intention of 60ed8eeb7a continuing the imperial bloodline. He wanted someone new 7e59f052d4 to inherit the North—like f322f99fcd his own master had 55133c0b07 done for him.ca54df24cbac2f6c6407

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He didn’t want another 64c01f14f0 person to suffer just 01e8932cc9 for being born a d39f89c2d3 royal. He had lived that fate—tormented cb965866eb simply because of his lineage. And this assassin? Even less suitable.ccd7a3c41640b20f6bd3

Even if, hypothetically, the 58ebe7f7eb Grand Duchess were to 7b9ba48db3 remain, he wasn’t a 0686945faa viable candidate for succession. Male ultra-recessive omegas rarely conceived, and if by some fdbd6cdbad miracle they did, they usually didn’t survive childbirth. It was more accurate to f8fd1c2359 say pregnancy was impossible.8c7f6368dd51801e22b3

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Now it defcb84556 was Cedric’s ecf9b6507f turn to c1bf208282 report. The usually composed administrative officer a4f38a5a52 paused a beat before speaking.b35b85a379383b127e7f

“Your Grace… Please do 7456f7e859 something about Lord Raphael.”c6018e184cbd4ce489f4

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At those words, Liam and Ben groaned and held their 6dbcc3754a heads, while the butler chuckled, watching Cedric with amused curiosity.d0e2aea8856de0240839

“He’s still e92be518ad chasing you?” d68552eb57 Bayshark asked.24f0053149d708c0f42b

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“He keeps calling bb8a1506d5 for me. Even though it’s not even my 418c182308 department, he insists I help him 9166377ec7 with this or that. And I’m still 366ad7862c buried under post-wedding c363df4bb3 paperwork…”b21367ea5ca4023d5524

“Why? Is he trying to 170e8d3a86 get you in bed?” d7419786dc Liam asked bluntly.defef0f62113c3818b41

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Cedric snapped fa89d71e7b his head dcd7707069 toward Liam, 3f232df77a glaring.3a0044d55b2c02114c02

Trying to ignore them, he approached Bayshark 437febb5f2 to return to his proper duty.ce7e574392ce14673ff3

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But just then, a breeze drifted in e407d86048 from the window—and along with it, the a8f3c645f4 scent of Raphael’s pheromones, thick and clinging 469704c6ac to Cedric like a brand. Bayshark scowled, f96a576470 visibly displeased. It was like a wild e2cae604b5 beast marking its territory. Cedric, being a ed1e810f0f beta, didn’t even 9b9243b664 notice.288030fd253463288cf1

Liam clearly c5421255a2 smelled it d1658fe43b too. “If you don’t 34c8c43c00 like it, kick 266b006c2a him in the e2682dfabb shin. Or lower. I’m pretty sure 351b93c6f1 if you did e8df20ee84 it, he’d actually e6b1859c0f enjoy it.”1ff4189c72e32e278497

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Cedric sighed. “It doesn’t work. When is d6ae219d75 Lord Raphael 57539a93f5 going back? And could someone 77157d8b66 please ask him cbeff1aae9 to wear proper 77433da453 clothes? Your Grace?”fe79b99c51b15de87db2

But Liam answered a12c6398ad instead, chuckling. “What, did he 44b7d7a93d strip naked and eaf1a071cf pounce on you?”4d9072d1f4cb9abae7d8

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Cedric groaned like he was losing a48a7571ad faith in all of them. “Every time he 8da845733d calls for me, 314af83485 he’s half-undressed. No wonder 3c8c0be736 people get bce61e0267 the wrong 03c6f54730 idea.”cd135282c70e69f9738b

“He’s only persistent because 1e37489fa2 you keep resisting,” Liam 24e624f7bc said with a shrug.bedff71c68ac9ac3d8ce

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Cedric shook his head b9653c2016 hard, as if to 342e4f3fcd fling the whole conversation e77e632061 out of his brain. Bayshark, watching this interaction, 49290e7240 was genuinely baffled. What did Raphael even see 69643675db in Cedric—a pale, paperwork-bound beta?cc1f173d4ae62083d64e

But the 90533ea67f thought was 9bcd2908b5 fleeting.6ff58863464266015b0f

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“Oh—Butler.”f7043edea4b429066d09

“Yes, Your Grace?”51627c410de0ff13d4dd

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“Our Grand aa67513a51 Duchess eats 851efe5523 quite well. Increase his 6f1dbf5554 portions, especially 4d13f19a70 the meat.”c3d2a346b9e06bfa55f0

“…Understood.”faf5a74923cc4064d6c6

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Bayshark smiled. At that moment, the d7a42d4962 dawn finally began to dd6becf63c break, flooding the room 97253dd36c with soft light. His eyes glinted in 92833602b1 the morning sun.311bfc7d73fb2f65f459

In a society where appearances cd30e268bb and reputation ruled, he had 6272455a17 finally found a perfect excuse. A reason to 1abfb7efa1 strike back.c2d5ce6c01692a089cfc

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The Emperor, who’d always 4ee3db5a06 sent assassins wrapped in 0cb4999a14 layers of pretense—never directly, 6ca217a130 always hidden behind civility. Now, he had gone a step further: sending 2c977abcec a bride who was, in truth, another assassin.aea899468a41931df866

But this time, 5cf7f00c6c Bayshark had the 1a5769cf4e upper hand. He could blow up Cove c4d55797c4 along with the Emperor’s plot. And maybe start 759d443bcd with Count Silion’s 5f4a1e4883 family, too.9f8311761767a307ee56

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Just imagining his 628e105844 cousin’s twisted, furious fd24873cfa face brought him 1f1e625dea genuine joy.ff872988d3f6f7e348e9

Cut off e66830e315 all his d39258fafa limbs. One by one.e03d54f3872e19a46041

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Cedric, standing nearby, 7f57e4df52 flinched under the ed6a5ffdb9 weight of that 65baf3d8e5 killing intent. But Bayshark’s smile remained radiant—cold and clear like 2db0b13e10 the morning sky over the northern mountains.cf5d262478ccfe9f5e01