CP 8

Winter at Castillo Castle was bitterly cold and filled with constant snowfall. As Mikhail had said, it was a mess of mud once the snow melted, but when it snowed and piled up again, all the filth was hidden, leaving only a pure white world.

Chaika stood by the window, having left a randomly chosen book open after flipping through a few pages. After he completely stopped taking Bellazie, the pheromones emanating from his body grew stronger, prompting Mikhail to reorganize the inner castle’s security. Knights now regularly patrolled even the garden’s side paths, where no one walked except for the gardener.

The library was the only place Mikhail ever allowed him to be alone, as he usually kept him by his side every single moment. Under the pretext of reading books every day, Chaika spent an hour or two in the library observing the garden patrols.

As is usually the case, patrols were organized in a consistent pattern and schedule. Chaika curled the corners of his lips as he watched a knight changing shifts in the distance. That particular knight, who had just taken over, patrolled a side path every day where foot traffic was sparse and the trees were tall enough to obscure visibility. He was a clumsy, young Alpha knight, brimming with rigid discipline. He had likely been knighted not long ago. He was the perfect target Chaika had been looking for.

Seeing the knight begin his patrol, Chaika left the library without hesitation. It was simple to exit using the hidden passages in the walls primarily used by the servants. In a secluded, inconspicuous spot along the knight’s patrol route, Chaika hurriedly began gathering and packing snow. Following Mikhail’s instructions, he packed the snow into a round ball and rolled it across the field to increase its size. After rolling it over and over, it became the size of a baby’s head, and with more rolling, it grew to the size of Chaika’s own head.

It was while he was deeply focused on making the snowman. The crunching sound of footsteps on snow grew closer. Chaika pretended not to hear and focused on his task. A moment later, the patrolling knight discovered him.

Everyone at Castillo Castle knew about Chaika. Seeing Chaika crouching in the secluded garden, the knight looked around, searching for Mikhail. However, after confirming that Chaika was alone, the knight approached him.

“Are you here by yourself?”

The knight asked. His stiff, formal tone reeked of a rookie who had just been knighted.

“Ah… yes.”

Chaika put on a troubled expression, as if he had been caught. The knight’s face immediately hardened.

“While nothing is likely to happen within the inner castle, it can be dangerous for you to wander around alone like this. I will escort you back to the mansion.”

At the knight’s words, Chaika looked at the snowball he had been diligently rolling with a hesitant face. The knight’s gaze followed his to the snowball.

“I wanted to make a snowman as a surprise gift for Lord Mikhail. Lord Mikhail is always so kind to me, but I have nothing to give him… I wanted to make him happy, even with something like this.”

When Chaika made a sulking face, the knight looked conflicted.

“If you stay out here alone for too long, His Excellency will come looking for you.”

Chaika looked back and forth between the snowball and the knight, then asked cautiously.

“Then… could you help me make it? No matter how much I roll it, the snowball won’t get any bigger. Since it’s a snowman for Lord Mikhail, I want to make it big. If you help me, it’ll be finished in no time.”

The knight hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Chaika smiled happily.

“The one I was rolling is the body. Please make it bigger, bigger, visit [Read on Read BL Novels]our siteand even bigger. I’ll make the head to go on top.”

“Understood.”

It was obvious the knight just wanted to finish quickly so he could take him back to the mansion. Smiling, Chaika pointed to the snowball. As the knight stepped right in front of Chaika to take the snowball, his body suddenly stiffened slightly.

“Thank you for helping me.”

Chaika thanked him with a clear, innocent smile. The knight’s eyes wavered. To be shaken this easily. Chaika smiled coldly inwardly.

“I heard that you make it bigger by rolling it forward once, and then rolling it sideways once.”

With an innocent face, Chaika pressed close to the knight and instructed him on the direction to roll the snowball. The knight began rolling the snowball in silence. Chaika stepped slightly aside and began making a new snowball for the head.

Unlike Chaika, who had small hands, the knight quickly created a large body. When Chaika looked at it with admiration, the knight’s face hardened awkwardly. Since the head was relatively small, Chaika finished it himself. Once the sizes matched, Chaika beckoned the knight to come closer.

“Please place this carefully on top of the body.”

At Chaika’s request, the knight lifted the head and placed it atop the body. He then meticulously packed snow between the two spheres to ensure it wouldn’t fall. Chaika used pre-broken twigs to create the eyes, nose, and mouth. It was just a regular snowman that looked nothing like Mikhail, but it was finished nonetheless.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I managed to make it. I could never have made it thstolen Read on Read BL Novelscontent[stolen content]span>is big on my own.”

Chaika stepped closer to thank him again. The knight’s face was slightly flushed, and his breathing had quickened. His hand was gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, and a few drops of cold sweat had formed on his forehead. He was desperately resisting Chaika’s pheromones. Chaika sneered inwardly while putting on a worried expression. He then pulled a handkerchief from his clothes and handed it to the knight.

“You must have sweated from lifting something heavy. Please use this to wipe it.”

That handkerchief was one Chaika had intentionally kept against his body for several days without washing.

The knight took the handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, then his complexion suddenly changed. The knight pressed his nose into the handkerchief and inhaled deeply. Having breathed in the concentrated pheromones of Chaika, the knight trembled slightly. His chest heaved rapidly as if he were short of breath, and he licked his lips as if they were dry. The muscles in his clenched jaw twitched violently. Chaika could see the reason vanishing from his eyes.

“Sir Knight?”

With an innocent and worried face, Chaika took a step toward the knight. He reached out toward the knight’s face. Grab. His reaching hand was seized. Before he could react, the knight roughly dragged Chaika toward a secluded corner of the garden.

“K-Knight? Sir Knight?!”

Though he was a rookie, he was a formal knight who had been knighted as an Alpha. The strength with which he pulled Chaika was immense. Unable to withstand the speed, Chaika tumbled onto the ground. However, the knight, whose eyes had already gone wild, ignored it and continued to drag the fallen Chaika. It didn’t take long to be dragged into a corner of the garden where no one could see.

The knight slammed Chaika onto the ground. Then, he began to undo his own clothes. His eyes were completely glazed, and his face was filled with nothing but blatant lust and a desire for conquest.

“N-no.”

Chaika used his elbows to push himself backward. But he hit a wall and had nowhere left to go.

“Help—!”

The moment he took a deep breath to scream, the knight lunged and covered his mouth.

“Mmph. Mmph-mmph!”

The strength of the knight, who had completely lost his reason to the pheromones, was overwhelming. With his large hand covering the mouth, the nose was blocked as well, making it impossible to breathe. Even if you’re going to rape me, you should let me breathe. You stupid bastard. Chaika struggled with all his might and struck the knight’s face. But the knight didn’t budge.

While keeping one hand over the mouth, the knight tore Chaika’s clothes apart. The thick, heavy winter fabric was completely ripped in just a few movements. The cold winter wind stung his bare skin. Chaika did not stop struggling.

“Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!”

It wasn’t easy to rape someone while keeping one hand over their mouth. The knight slapped Chaika across the cheek. His head snapped to the side, and flashes of light burst before his eyes. He felt a lukewarm liquid flowing from his nose. In the meantime, the knight tore Chaika’s trousers.

Chaika fought back frantically, flailing his arms and legs. In response, the knight drove a fist into Chaika’s abdomen. Kuh-hek. A single blow that felt as if it would burst his internal organs choked the breath out of him, and physiological tears streamed down his face. His body went completely rigid from the massive shock, refusing to move as he wished.

Even while choking, Chaika laughed softly. It was quite a sight to see those who pretended to be decent on the [stolen [visit our site][Read on Read BL Novels]content]surface transform into barbaric beasts devoid of reason. Yes, this is your true nature.

Eventually, the knight tore away everything, including the underwear. His completely naked body trembled from the cold and fear. Just as the knight tried to force his thighs apart, Chaika scraped together all his strength and slapped the knight’s cheek. Slap. The hit landed squarely, and a drop of blood formed at the corner of the knight’s mouth.

“You little bitch.”

The knight traced his split lip with his tongue and then delivered a blow to Chaika’s cheek. With a loud slap, his neck twisted violently. His vision turned black. He couldn’t regain his senses. In the meantime, the knight drove another fist into Chaika’s abdomen, completely neutralizing his resistance.

“Pl… please stop….”

Just two slaps had left his lips and the inside of his mouth completely torn. Chaika murmured, barely gasping for air. He acted like an innocent Omega, terrified and knowing nothing. The knight pulled the dagger from his waist and stabbed it firmly into the ground right next to Chaika’s face. Chaika’s face was reflected in the sharp blue blade. The knight leaned down and whispered into Chaika’s ear.

“If you scream or resist, I’ll kill you.”

There was sincerity in the knight’s whisper. Hic. His breath hitched involuntarily. Thinking that was enough, the knight began to fully expose his lower half. At this rate, there was no way to fight back. The plan was to almost be raped, not to actually be raped. He had been beaten enough; it was time to end this.

Chaika grabbed the dagger planted in front of his face and swung it with all his might. Taken by surprise while exposing himself, the knight quickly recoiled. Gripping the dagger with both hands and pointing it at the knight, Chaika screamed with everything he had.

“Lord Mikhail!! Lord Mikhail! Lord Mikhail!!”

He had managed to scream only three times, using every ounce of strength he possessed. Slap! The knight immediately slapped him. The dagger visit [visit our site]style="font-size:0;position:absolute;left:-9999px;">[stolen content]our sitehe had been gripping flew aside, and his body collapsed helplessly onto the ground. The knight grabbed both of his legs and forced them open.

“Stop it! Please stop!”

Chaika sobbed and pleaded. But the knight had no mercy. As if he were being too noisy, the knight silenced him with a punch to the abdomen before thrusting his member between Chaika’s legs.

“…I don’t want to. I don’t… Lord Mikhail….”

He no longer had the strength to resist or scream. Lying on the filthy ground, a mess of snow and mud, Chaika streamed tears and murmured Mikhail’s name. Will he arrive in time? He had committed this act based on the calculation that he would, but now that it had come to this, he suddenly felt uncertain.

“You’ll be soaking in lubrication and loving it in a bit anyway. That’s how Omegas are, isn’t it?”

The knight sneered with a face full of anticipation. He then pressed himself against Chaika’s entrance. Unlike when he was with Mikhail, Chaika’s rear was tight and dry. The knight spat into his palm and applied it to Chaika’s entrance. Then, he pressed his member firmly into the saliva-moistened opening. Chaika simply closed his eyes. What are you doing, not coming quickly? You slow bastard.

“…Lord Mikhail….”

The words he murmured with tightly closed eyes were filled with sobbing. Although it was an intentional act, he couldn’t help but feel disgusted.

Just as the knight’s member was pushing into the tight entrance, a hot liquid suddenly splattered across his closed eyes. Chaika snapped his eyes open. He saw the knight mounted on top of him. No, he saw only the knight’s body, his head gone. The headless body slowly tilted to the side and then collapsed heavily onto the ground.

As the knight’s body vanished from his sight, Mikhail [stolen content]appeared. The moment he saw Mikhail, [stolen content]his face hardened in terror and holding a sword, tears burst forth without the need for acting.

“Why were you so late!!”

His true feelings slipped out unconsciously. He immediately realized his mistake. An innocent Chaika wouldn’t be the type to resent Mikhail like this. As if nothing had happened, Chaika curled up tightly to cover his naked body and wept sorrowfully. Mikhail took a cloak from a nearby knight, wrapped Chaika’s body in it, and carefully lifted him up. He then pulled the cloak over Chaika’s head to hide his face.

“I was so scared. I was so, so scared.”

Chaika continued to repeat that he was scared, sobbing. The grip of the hand and arm holding him tightened. Mikhail’s embrace felt safer than anywhere else in the world.

After walking for a while, Mikhail placed Chaika down on a soft surface. When the cloak covering his face was removed, he was on Mikhail’s bed. Chaika tightly grabbed the hem of Mikhail’s clothes with both hands as he tried to stand up. With eyes brimming with tears, he shook his head desperately.

In the end, Mikhail greeted the physician while being held tightly by Chaika. The physician, who had been summoned suddenly, could not hide his shock upon seeing Chaika’s state.

“My goodness, what on earth happened….”

The physician, unable to hide his bewilderment, stopped speaking upon seeing Mikhail’s coldly frozen face.

“I must treat the wounds first.”

The physician placed his bag on the table and took out medical tools. He approached the bed with a few of them. Terrified [[visit our site]class="wm" style="opacity:0;font-size:1px;user-select:all;">unauthorized copy]by the approaching physician, Chaika clung tightly to Mikhail’s back to hide. The physician looked troubled at the sight of Chaika trembling violently while clinging to Mikhail.

Even without asking, the physician seemed to guess what had happened. He set aside the tools for treating wounds and instead poured a bit of wine into a glass, adding a few drops of liquid from a glass bottle in his bag.

“He seems to be in a state of mild shock due to the trauma. He will feel a bit better after taking this sedative and getting some deep sleep. The wounds are severe, so they must be treated quickly.”

The physician handed the wine mixed with the sedative to Mikhail. Mikhail took it and fed it to Chaika. With a face full of tension and fear, Chaika swallowed the wine Mikhail held to his lips bit by bit. Due to the aftermath of being slapped several times, his lips and the inside of his mouth were completely torn, making every sip of wine an agonizing experience.

Whenever Chaika winced while swallowing the wine, Mikhail opened his mouth to check the inside. Upon seeing the torn flesh inside the mouth, Mikhail’s gray eyes hardened even further, and the muscles of his tightly clenched jaw twitched. The anger that naturally leaked out caused the physician and the butler to stiffen and step back several paces.

“You have to drink it all even if it hurts, so bear with it for a moment.”

Contrary to his face frozen in rage, his tone as he soothed Chaika into drinking the wine was soft and tender. Tears welled up in Chaika’s eyes again. As he swallowed the wine sip by sip while enduring the pain, the tears pooled in his eyes rolled down. Once the wine was finally finished, Mikhail laid Chaika on the bed very carefully, fearing he might cause pain.

“You’ll feel much better after a nap.”

“Please don’t go anywhere. Please stay by my side. I’m scared.”

Chaika pleaded, tears streaming down his face as he gripped Mikhail’s clothes like a lifeline. Mikhail stroked Chaika’s hair and nodded.

“I will not move from your side until you wake up. When visit our sitestyle="position:absolute;left:-9999px;font-size:0;">[stolen content]you wake from your sleep, I will be here.”

“…You promise.”

As the sedative began to take effect, Chaika’s speech became slurred. A faint smile touched Mikhail’s cold face as he nodded.

“I promise.”

Only then did Chaika seem relieved, his eyes fluttering shut. Soon, he was swallowed by darkness.

Once he confirmed that Chaika was fast asleep, Mikhail signaled to the physician. The physician approached the bed, carrying several tools. As the cloak surrounding the body was carefully removed, Chaika’s exposed form was revealed. The physician let out a soft gasp upon seeing his condition.

Both cheeks were swollen bright red, as if he had been struck several times, and his lips were completely burst. The state of his abdomen, where he seemed to have been hit while resisting, was also severe. The physician carefully felt the abdomen, pressing lightly to check if any internal organs had been damaged. Given Chaika’s frail body, there was a high possibility of internal rupture if an Alpha had lost control and thrown punches.

After completing the abdominal palpation, the physician let out a sigh of relief.

“Fortunately, the internal organs seem to be fine. Aside from some cracked ribs and bruising, there are no major injuries. And…”

Trailing off, the physician glanced at Mikhail before continuing.

“May I examine the lower area?”

By ‘lower area,’ he meant between the legs. Mikhail nodded with a frozen, cold expression. The physician carefully lifted Chaika’s thighs to inspect his private parts, then let out another sigh of relief.

“Fortunately, it did not go as far as rape. The bruises on the face and abdomen will fade with time, and while the burst lips and the inside of the mouth will be painful, they should mostly heal in a few days. It seems some ribs are cracked, so it would be best to be careful with movement for the time being. I will provide sedatives and pain relief medication at the appropriate times, and I will instruct that soft, lukewarm soup be served until the inside of the mouth recovers.”

While the physician applied medicine to the burst lips and took necessary measures, maids brought warm water to carefully wipe Chaika’s body and dress him in soft pajamas. Mikhail stared at Chaika’s face, which still bore the vivid marks of the ruthless assault, for a moment before stepping out of the bedroom. The captain of the royal guard and the vice-captain were waiting outside the door.

“We have no excuse, Your Excellency.”

The two bowed their heads. Mikhail barely restrained the urge to draw his sword and sever both their necks on the spot.

“How do you manage your subordinates that a wretch dared to lay a hand on the Duke’s Omega?”

Extreme rage seeped through every single syllable Mikhail uttered.

“In our effort to strengthen the security of the inner castle, we increased the number of knights, and some very young recruits were assigned. We assigned patrol routes to avoid the paths Lord Chaika usually takes, but we never imagined such a thing would happen… We are sorry.”

“From this moment on, any knight who has not been commissioned for at least ten years is forbidden from entering the inner castle.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Put that wretch’s head on a spear and display it in front of the novice quarters in the outer castle. Let them see clearly what happens to those who greedily covet what belongs to another.”

“Yes.”

Having given those orders, Mikhail immediately turned and returned to the bedroom. He wanted to be by Chaika’s side in the event that he woke up.

The physician, having finished the treatment, packed his bag. The maids also withdrew.

“Um… Your Excellency. Could you spare a moment of your time?”

Instead of leaving the room immediately, the physician spoke to Mikhail.

“What is it?”

“There is something urgent I must tell you regarding Lord Chaika.”

At the mere mention of Chaika’s name, Mikhail’s face hardened.

“Speak now. Chaika is fast asleep and won’t be able to hear anyway.”

The physician nodded and checked Chaika’s face to be sure. Since he had taken a sedative, he was sleeping as if unconscious and would not wake for a long while. The physician turned back to Mikhail and spoke cautiously.

“It is something I have been thinking about for some time, but I suspect Lord Chaika’s pheromones are excessively potent. As a Beta, I am not particularly affected, but lately, the way the knights’ faces stiffen whenever Lord Chaika passes by has been unusual. I suspect today’s incident happened because of that.”

What the physician mentioned was something Mikhail had also felt. Chaika’s pheromones were growing stronger by the day; any Alpha in the inner castle would be feeling Chaika’s presence intensely.

“Is it a reaction to having them forcibly suppressed with poison for so long?”

When Mikhail asked his guess, the physician tilted his head, unsure.

“As Your Excellency says, there is a possibility that it is because things that were suppressed for a long time are being released all at once. However, if that is not the case…”

The physician hesitated.

“It is fine, speak.”

“It is a thought that occurred to me only a few days ago… but could it be that Lord Chaika is a Dominant Omega…?”

“Dominant?”

Mikhail frowned as if he had heard something absurd.

Just as there are Dominant Alphas, there are Dominant Omegas. A Dominant Omega is as rare as a Dominant Alpha. No, they were several times rarer. Currently, there were only two Dominant Omegas on the continent. Both had formally married into the Imperial or Royal families. The partner the Emperor, Mikhail’s brother, had married was one of them.

“There is no way a Dominant Omega would be in a place like this.”

Mikhail muttered to himself while looking at Chaika.

Dominant Omegas, born only two or three times per generation, invariably hailed from the Duchy of Ruslan.

The Duchy of Ruslan was a small country sandwiched between great powers, possessing neither special resources nor formidable military strength. Yet, the sole reason it maintained its borders and survived among the great powers was the fact that rare Dominant Omegas were born only from the bloodline of Prince Ruslan.

For generations, the Duchy of Ruslan had formally married the Dominant Omegas born into the royal family to the Emperors or Kings of great powers, protecting and prospering the country through those marriage alliances. As far as Mikhail knew, a Dominant Omega had never once been born from a bloodline other than that of Prince Ruslan.

“I heard that Lord Nile’s mother was an ordinary Omega and Lord Chaika’s father was a Beta. A child born between an Omega and a Beta is usually born as an ordinary Beta, and in very rare cases, as an Omega. Of course, even if born as an Omega, most are born as recessive types whose characteristics are not prominent.”

“Then the probability that Chaika, who possesses pheromones far stronger than an ordinary Omega, was born between an ordinary Omega and a Beta is almost zero.”

“At least, that is my deduction.”

“Nile lied to me.”

Mikhail smiled coldly, recalling Nile’s face.

Nile had said that Chaika was a child born between his mother and a Beta. The reason Mikhail had believed Nile at the time was that he had considered Chaika to be an ordinary Beta. When it was revealed that he was an Omega, he assumed he was either a recessive Omega born with low probability or an ordinary Omega.

However, as the effects of the poison gradually faded and Chaika’s innate pheromones emerged, the situation changed. Whether Chaika was Dominant or not, an Omega with this level of pheromones could not possibly have Beta blood. Then whose bloodline did Chaika actually belong to? Nile, and perhaps Marquis Lucius, likely knew the answer.

He could have seized Nile and interrogated him immediately for daring to utter lies before the Duke. But to Mikhail right now, Chaika’s true bloodline or the secrets of his birth were nothing. The only thing that mattered was that Chaika recovered smoothly in both body and mind.

“This is still only a speculation, so do not breathe a word of this to anyone and focus solely on Chaika’s treatment.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

The physician bowed deeply at Mikhail’s command.

Having been assaulted by a knight with an overwhelming difference in power and nearly being forcibly violated, the shock was naturally immense. Because of this, the physician mixed sedatives and sleeping pills in appropriate proportions to ensure he slept soundly for a full day.

After a day passed and the effects of the medicine wore off, Chaika slowly opened his eyes, frowning. Because the blows to his cheeks had affected his eyes, his eyelids were swollen and bruised. As soon as he managed to open them, Chaika moved his pupils back and stolen contentcontent -->forth, searching for Mikhail. Upon seeing Mikhail sitting by the bed, he smiled faintly, looking relieved.

Chaika’s face was a mess. Being struck by a knight’s large hand was practically the same as being hit across the entire side of the face. Both sides of his face were swollen with dark bruises, and his torn lips were healed so precariously that they seemed ready to burst again with the slightest movement. When Chaika smiled faintly upon finding Mikhail, he winced and groaned as if the mere action caused pain. Mikhail sat by Chaika’s head and gently stroked his hair, the only part of him without injuries.

When Mikhail lifted his upper body to hold a cup of water to his lips, Chaika’s expression distorted in pain with every sip he swallowed. As if the distortion of his face triggered further pain, Chaika struggled even to swallow a sip of water, not knowing what to do. After barely finishing the cup of water and lying back down, beads of cold sweat had formed on Chaika’s forehead.

“You said you would be in the study; why did you go to such a remote place alone?”

At Mikhail’s question, a hint of guilt appeared in Chaika’s eyes. It was guilt for having deceived Mikhail.

“A snowman…”

“A snowman?”

“I wanted to make a snowman like the one you made for me back then and surprise you.”

Having said that much, Chaika frowned and breathed heavily for a moment, as if even moving his mouth to speak was painful.

“Then a knight came and helped me make the snowman… I thought he was a good person… but suddenly…”

As he recalled the situation, Chaika’s eyes filled with moisture. The impact of the [Read on Read BL Novels]blows to his cheeks had reached his eyes, leaving the capillaries burst. With Read on Read BL Novelsaria-label="unauthorized copy">unauthorized copyeyes in such a state, it couldn’t help but hurt to hold back tears. Because even crying was painful, Chaika eventually broke into sobbing, hiccuping through his tears.

Mikhail leaned down and pulled Chaika into an embrace. Chaika clung desperately to Mikhail’s chest, pouring out his tears.

“I knew you would come for me. I felt like you would just come even if he stopped me from screaming. That’s why I worked so hard to say no, to tell him not to do it.”

If Chaika had not resisted, the novice knight would have simply satisfied his lust. He wouldn’t have been beaten into such a mess or suffered such injuries. Whether the knight had instinctively controlled his strength or not, Chaika had been in a situation where he could have died from the beating, not just been injured.

“If something like that happens again, just stay still. So you don’t get hurt.”

Mikhail whispered while stroking Chaika’s hair. But it was a lie. Even though Chaika had been beaten into a wretched state and was in pain, Mikhail felt joy and satisfaction that he had resisted so desperately. He was grateful and proud. Thus, Mikhail could never reveal his true feelings to Chaika. It couldn’t be helped. Mikhail was, after all, an Alpha, and Alphas were a breed that could never tolerate anyone touching their possessions.

“Never go anywhere alone from now on. That includes within this castle. The reason Omegas cannot live alone and rely on families with power and money is precisely because of things like this. Without someone to protect them, they have no way to fend off the Alphas who pounce on them. Alphas can control their pheromones, but Omegas cannot, so there is no way other than being careful.”

“…It’s unfair,” Chaika suddenly said. He then lifted his head to meet Mikhail’s gaze and repeated, “It’s so unfair.”

Chaika’s eyes were brimming with a sense of injustice. Mikhail was unable to speak for a moment.

Omegas who lacked the strength to protect themselves, simply drifting from one Alpha’s arms to another, bearing children and living comfortably off the benefits. How pathetic and contemptible he had found their lives. But Mikhail could not feel contempt for the Chaika currently in his arms. Far from contempt, he felt only tenderness and pity. He was a pitiful creature, born weak and unable to protect even his own body.

“It’s so, so unfair.”

As Chaika spoke again, a single tear rolled down his cheek. Mikhail wiped away the falling tear with his index finger and gently rubbed Chaika’s back. Then, he murmured softly, almost as if talking to himself.

“…Yes. I suppose it is unfair.”

After sobbing in his arms for a long while, Chaika calmed down. Once the tears stopped, Chaika’s expression became sullen.

“I’m sorry you lost a knight because of me. If I hadn’t asked for help making a snowman, he would have just passed by. It happened because I asked for help.”

Chaika lowered his head deeply, as if he had committed a sin against Mikhail. Mikhail clicked his tongue shortly and gripped Chaika’s chin to force their eyes to meet.

“None of it is your fault. It is the fault of that wretch who didn’t know his place and had no patience. Do you understand? None of it is your fault. Now, repeat after me.”

Chaika’s eyes wavered at Mikhail’s words. After his lips twitched for a moment, Chaika slowly spoke.

“…None of it is my fault.”

“Yes. Say it one more time.”

“None of it is my fault.”

“One more time.”

“None of it… is my fault.”

Only after making him say it three times in a row did Mikhail stroke Chaika’s hair.

“Yes. None of it is your fault.”

Chaika hugged Mikhail tightly and sniffled.

* * *

Because of the bruises covering almost his entire abdomen and his cracked ribs, Chaika complained of pain at the slightest movement. His face was the same; he suffered whenever he ate, drank, or spoke, and he groaned that even frowning was painful. However, these were not injuries that could be treated with any grand medical procedure, so they could only wait for time to pass and for him to heal.

For several days, he spent his time lying in bed, eating, taking pain medication, and sleeping. The burst wounds inside his mouth, which had caused him the most distress, almost healed, and the swelling in his face began to subside. Around that time, Chaika began to grumble that he was bored of just lying in bed.

From then on, Mikhail carried Chaika around, wrapped up tightly. Whether he was working in his office, eating in the dining hall, or taking a walk for fresh air, Chaika was always held in Mikhail’s arms or sitting on his lap. Since he did this all day, Ilya teased him whenever he saw them, but Mikhail ignored him. The one who felt embarrassed was Chaika, yet despite his shyness, he had no intention of leaving Mikhail’s side.

As his body recovered, Chaika’s expression brightened, but the trauma from the incident certainly remained. Whenever a knight came near, Chaika would grip Mikhail’s clothes and stiffen his body, unable [visit our site]to even breathe unauthorized copy-->stolen contentproperly. Considering that knights were the ones protecting Chaika when he was away from Mikhail, this was a very awkward situation.

Eventually, Mikhail changed all the knights’ cloaks to a different color. He couldn’t do anything about the armor since it was extremely expensive and required an enormous amount of cost and time to remake, but changing the cloaks would at least make them look different. Mikhail’s measure had some effect, and Chaika’s reaction of stiffening at the sight of a knight softened slightly.

When going to sleep at night, he still needed the help of sedatives and sleeping pills. Without medication, he would either wake up with a start or be plagued by nightmares. He became extremely anxious especially when Mikhail was not by his side, so whenever he was awake, he always tried to stick to Mikhail.

“Aren’t you spoiling him too much?” Ilya asked, tilting his wine glass. Mikhail checked on the deeply sleeping Chaika, who had taken his medicine, and then tilted his own glass. Because Chaika became extremely anxious without him, Mikhail had no personal time at all, which was why Ilya had brought a bottle of liquor and stormed into Mikhail’s bedroom.

“I cannot say that I am not,” Mikhail replied, draining the strong liquor in one gulp. Being raped, or being in danger of being raped, was a common occurrence for Omegas. Fortunately, this time it had not gone as far as rape, so it was a relatively lucky case.

“He lived as a Beta. He hasn’t been living as an Omega for very long, so it’s only natural he’d react that way after suddenly going through something like that.”

Having said that much, Mikhail let out a heavy sigh.

For an Omega, being treated as a sexual object is something they are very accustomed to from a young age. They grow up knowing naturally and instinctively that they can be targets of sexual predation, that they are viewed as sexual objects, and that they are treated as such. But Chaika was different. He had lived his entire life without ever feeling that he could be a sexual object or a target of predation. To experience such a thing in the midst of that transition made it only natural for the shock to be immense.

Ilya, filling an empty glass with liquor, glanced at the bed where Chaika lay. He then slightly opened the window beside him.

“His pheromones are too thick, that guy.”

Speaking with a serious expression, Ilya took a deep breath of the cold air from outside.

“It’s dangerous even with this level of pheromones. If they get any stronger… this kind of incident won’t end with just one time.”

At Ilya’s warning, a deep frown creased Mikhail’s brow.

Ilya’s advice was accurate. Chaika’s pheromones were too dense. They were as potent as those usually emitted by Omegas when they enter their heat cycle. No matter how old or experienced an Alpha was, there was a limit to their patience. Young Alphas, in particular, could lose their reason in an instant, regardless of their own will.

“The physician says he suspects he might be a Dominant Omega.”

“Dominant?”

Ilya frowned as if he had heard something bizarre. However, after thinking for a moment, Ilya looked at the sleeping Chaika with serious eyes.

“…Certainly… a guy who sprays pheromones of this concentration even when he’s not in heat can’t be an ordinary Omega. But if he’s a Dominant Omega, then his origin…”

Ilya trailed off. Mikhail spoke the word that Ilya had swallowed instead of uttering.

“There is nowhere but the Duchy of Ruslan.”

Ilya silently downed a glass of strong liquor in one go.

The Duchy of Ruslan was one of the things Mikhail loathed. Omegas, Omega pregnancies, the Duchy of Ruslan.

At the center of all those things was Sherl, the Omega who was the progenitor of both Mikhail and Ilya.

The Duchy of Ruslan, the only place that produced Dominant Omegas, also produced many superior Omegas with exceptionally beautiful and fragrant pheromones, even if they weren’t Dominant. Sherl was an Omega from the Duchy of Ruslan.

In the past, Mikhail would have been enraged to have an object of his hatred revealed before him. But now it was different. Mikhail’s thoughts were focused entirely elsewhere. Specifically, on protecting Chaika.

“If Chaika really is a Dominant, it will be hard to completely prevent things like this from happening again, no matter how tightly we wrap him up and protect him,” Ilya said.

Mikhail nodded in agreement.

“There is only one way to prepare perfectly so that such things don’t happen.”

“……. You can’t possibly be thinking of imprinting, can you?”

Ilya asked with a bewildered face. Mikhail tilted his glass in silence.

“How long has it even been since you met him for you to think of something [stolen content]stolen content -->so extreme? It hasn’t Read on Read BL Novelseven been confirmed that he’s a Dominant yet, and if we just prepare properly, we can prevent incidents like this. There’s no need to go that far.”

“I don’t intend to do it right now. First… I’ll have him bear a child.”

When an Omega becomes pregnant, their pheromones naturally fade to a point where they are difficult to detect until they give birth. At least during the pregnancy period, there was no need to worry about sexual predation.

At Mikhail’s words, Ilya sank deep into the sofa as if a weight had been lifted. He then spoke while swirling his glass with a troubled expression.

“Imprinting… is not something to be done lightly. Especially if the partner is someone with a weak body like Chaika, it’s even more out of the question. They say most of the poison has left his body, but there will be aftereffects. His lifespan might be shorter than that of an ordinary Omega. If you imprint on someone like that, your own life thread will be shortened too.”

“I know.”

“The previous Marquis Lucius imprinted on his Omega knowing full well that he would die young, and he followed him to the grave in less than a hundred years. Thanks to that, a young Andre Lucius inherited the marquessate. I can’t stand to see you end up like that.”

“The only way to regulate his pheromones so that other things don’t swarm him is imprinting. As for the lifespan… Chaika just needs to live a long time. If I keep a physician by his side and take care of his health, it will improve.”

“Ha! Until just a few months ago, you were the one who said you felt nauseous just smelling Omega pheromones. You said you’d rather die than get an Omega pregnant, and that imprinting was madness. There’s a limit to how much a person can change. Unless you’ve gone crazy, why are you suddenly trying to go that far?”

“Because he is mine.”

Mikhail spoke without any preamble. Ilya ran a hand through his hair roughly, as if frustrated.

“Right. That’s right. It’s only been a few months. Just because of that guy I’ve known for a few months, I feel as if everything is becoming perfect and complete. No matter what happens, he must be mine, and he will be mine. You’ll probably meet someone someday and feel that too.”

“Mikhail!”

Ilya shouted as a warning, unable to hold back. Mikhail simply curled the corners of his lips into a smile. Ilya took a deep breath and let it out. Once Mikhail made up his mind, it was nearly impossible to change it. That was simply his innate nature. For now, he had to stop the imprinting.

“…As you said, let him have a child first. After he gives birth to an heir, think again about whether to imprint or not.”

Mikhail nodded as if that was his intention all along. Ilya looked as if he could breathe a sigh of relief for a moment. Filling his glass with a face exhausted by the brief conversation, Ilya suddenly spoke as if remembering something.

“Ah, come to think of it, the Emperor sent another special envoy today.”

Mikhail’s expression soured.

“Rumors have spread throughout the country that you cherish an Omega named Chaika so much that you carry him around everywhere, so there’s no way the Emperor wouldn’t know. He sent a portrait painter along with the envoy, ordering a portrait of Chaika to be painted and sent.”

“He must be bored to death. Does the Emperor have nothing better to do?”

Mikhail muttered in an irritated tone.

“What can we do? He is the Emperor, after all; we have to do as told.”

Ilya shrugged.

* * *

It took nearly two weeks for the bruises on his face and abdomen to disappear. As the colors slowly shifted from red to purple, purple to green, and green to yellowish before fading, his original face finally began to emerge. The broken capillaries in his eyes also vanished, leaving them clear.

While the external wounds had healed, the inside was different. Although he was much better than in the beginning, Chaika was still afraid of being alone, and he became anxious and restless, not knowing what to do, especially when Mikhail was not by his side. Occasionally, when Mikhail had to meet people alone in the audience chamber or elsewhere, he would leave Ilya in his place; in those moments, Chaika would gnaw on his fingernails and ask every few minutes when Mikhail would return.

One might expect Mikhail to find it tedious when Chaika clung to him like that, but he showed no such sign. Rather, he was overtly satisfied that Chaika struggled to stay only by his side. Ilya grumbled that even if a person changes, they shouldn’t change to this extent.

“Um, Count. Is there no way it could work today?”

The court painter sent by the Emperor clung to Ilya with a desperate expression. It had already been over ten days since the court painter arrived at Castilla Castle under imperial orders. Having received the command to paint Chaika, the painter tried every possible way to meet him and paint the portrait, but it was not easy. For the first ten days or so, Chaika’s face was a mess, making it impossible to paint, and even now that the bruises had almost faded and he had healed, there was no progress at all.

The biggest reason the portrait couldn’t be painted was Chaika. Upon hearing that a portrait of him was to be painted, Chaika was horrified and ran away here and there. To say he ‘ran away’ was a bit of an exaggeration; it would be more accurate to say he hid behind Mikhail’s back and wouldn’t even show his face. If Chaika avoided him that much, Mikhail could have simply told him to sit still, but Mikhail, who detested the Emperor and imperial orders, simply found the desperately fleeing Chaika cute.

As a court painter who had come to uphold a solemn imperial decree, he had to paint Chaika’s portrait by any means necessary. Thus, he first begged Mikhail, then Chaika, then the butler, [Read on Read BL Novels]our site">visit our sitebut all three were useless. Finally, the last person he clung to was Ilya.

“I mean, really, how significant is painting a single portrait that he avoids it so desperately? Did you ask him once, as I requested?”

The painter asked with a desperate face. Ilya toyed with his chin, chewing over Chaika’s answer. Then, chuckling, he relayed Chaika’s response.

“He said he heard from someone when he was young that if you have a portrait painted, your soul is stolen by the painting.”

“What on earth is this absurdity…!”

The painter shouted with a face that looked like he was dying of disbelief. Watching this, Ilya laughed even louder.

“Oh, Count. Please don’t just laugh. Please do something about this. There isn’t a single noble in this country who hasn’t had a portrait painted, yet he’s defying an imperial order because of such a ridiculous story! If His Majesty presses me as to why it’s taking so long, what answer am I supposed to give?”

The painter lamented, almost on the verge of tears. Whether the painter was in trouble or not was irrelevant to Ilya. Ilya simply found the excuse Chaika gave to be amusing.

“Chaika is so naive and timid by nature that no amount of persuasion will work, and there’s only one person who can persuade him… The problem is that person is that Duke Mikhail Castilla.”

“…Count…”

The painter’s shoulders slumped. Duke Mikhail Castilla’s notoriety was so great that the painter visit our sitestyle="opacity:0;font-size:0;">unauthorized copydidn’t dare cling to the Duke again to ask to paint Chaika after being rejected once.

“Now, don’t make a face like someone who’s already received their death date…”

Ilya chuckled and patted the painter’s shoulder.

“It’s practically the same as receiving my death date. If I return without properly fulfilling the imperial order, I’ll be severely punished by His Majesty.”

Hmm—. Ilya let out a breath and pretended to think for a moment. The painter sent a desperate gaze toward Ilya.

“I beg of you. I will never forget this kindness.”

At the mention of not forgetting the kindness, a smile appeared on Ilya’s lips.

“If you go that far, I have no choice but to give you a way. In exchange, you must grant me one request.”

“Anything. Just say the word. I will do anything I can.”

The painter snapped up the bait. Ilya nodded, patting the painter’s shoulder.

“Right. Let’s do that then. My request is this: paint a portrait of my lover who lives [unauthorized copy]outside the outer castle. Since a court painter has come, he’s been pestering me so much that he wants a portrait, and I can’t hold out any longer.”

Whether Ilya’s request was much better than he had feared, the painter’s face brightened. For a court painter, painting one more portrait of a woman was no trouble at all.

“Of course. I will do my best to paint her beautifully.”

Having answered energetically, the painter soon assumed a secretive expression and asked Ilya.

“Then, as for that method…”

When the painter asked, Ilya draped an arm over the painter’s shoulder and spoke in a low voice, as if whispering a secret.

“Since getting formal permission to paint is out of the question, just sneak peeks whenever Chaika is around and make as many facial sketches as possible. Sketch the clothes he wears and the accessories too. And sketch a few backgrounds that would be perfect for a portrait. With your skill, wouldn’t you be able to paint him as if he were sitting right in front of you just by looking at those sketches?”

“…Hooh…”

“After all, His Majesty’s order was to bring back a portrait of Chaika, not to get permission and have him sit formally for one, right? You just need to bring back a proper painting.”

Having said that, Ilya winked at the painter and released his arm from the shoulder.

“Don’t forget to paint my lover’s portrait.”

Ilya waved his hand and walked away. The painter thought deeply for a moment, then nodded and grabbed a passing servant to interrogate them thoroughly about the Duke and Chaika’s daily routine.

From that day on, for several days, the painter began to follow Mikhail and Chaika around like a tick. Of course, he was empty-handed, without any sketching tools. Except for when the two were in the office, bedroom, or library, he followed them every single moment. Mikhail didn’t care about the painter’s presence, and while Chaika seemed wary, he slowly relaxed his guard after confirming that the man was merely following them.

What could be seen of Chaika was mostly him being held in Mikhail’s arms, walking by his side, or sitting on his lap. Mikhail did not let Chaika out of his sight for a moment, and Chaika likewise did not leave Mikhail’s side.

The painter observed these scenes carefully, and when evening came, he returned to his room and spent the night sketching the images he had seen that day. Since the two were always together, the results of the sketches naturally captured both of them. According to the plan, he should have only drawn Chaika, but it simply didn’t work out that way.

The court painter had faced the Dominant Alpha Emperor and the Dominant Omega Empress several times and had a history of painting their portraits. The more superior the innate abilities of an Alpha or Omega, the more beautiful their appearance. Therefore, the Emperor and Empress’s looks were truly supreme, to the point where they didn’t seem human. The painter didn’t believe the theories that they were descendants of the gods, but he certainly acknowledged the reason why people thought so.

It was the same for Mikhail and Chaika. The two of them were truly perfect.

Duke Castilla, a Dominant Alpha, possessed a beauty of a completely different atmosphere from the Emperor. His beautiful and perfect features, like those of a god, exuded a cold and chilly aura, and his black hair and the grey eyes beneath it emitted an overwhelming charisma. His tall stature, which differed markedly from an ordinary Beta, and his muscular body that looked almost slender, revealed the beauty and strength of the physical form in every small movement.

Though he was quiet now, considering the fame of the time when Duke Castilla led private soldiers as a mercenary, traveling through conflict zones of various countries and fighting desperate battles, the Duke’s appearance couldn’t help but look extraordinary.

Chaika’s appearance was equally extraordinary. At a glance, he looked like nothing more than a small person clinging to Mikhail’s side, but looking closely, it was completely different.

His face possessed a flawless beauty as great as that of the Dominant Omega Empress, and in particular, his purple eyes emitted various and mysterious colors depending on the direction of the light, making Read on Read BL Novelsthem seem non-human. stolen contentaria-label="visit our site">visit our siteHis hair was terribly frizzy, but the blonde hair growing from the roots scattered bright light in all directions like pure gold thread when it caught the light.

The body that seemed only small and fragile at a glance was also like that. Occasionally, when seeing him standing or walking, it was clearly revealed how beautiful and perfect the proportions of that small and thin body were. His arms and legs were flexibly and elegantly long, and the head atop his long neck was also proportionally perfect. His back, which always stood straight, never faltered whether he was standing or sitting.

In particular, there were times when the pure and shy expression he always wore vanished and a completely different expression appeared; that expression, which lasted only for a fleeting moment, suited Chaika’s appearance perfectly.

Because the two of them were the very definition of perfection, as a painter, he could not bring himself to paint one while leaving out the other. For a while, the painter forgot his given mission and spent every night sketching various scenes of the two together. Beyond just sketching them, the painter was swept by a longing and desire to formally paint the two of them together. However, he knew that given Duke Castilla’s personality alone, that was nearly impossible.

While spending time this way, a reminder finally came from the Emperor. The painter had to set aside his desires and carry out his original mission.

Thanks to spending many sleepless nights sketching and painting, Chaika remained vivid in the artist’s mind as if he were standing right there, even in his absence. The painter poured all his skill into beginning Chaika’s portrait. He imagined the original blonde hair had fully grown back and painted it gold, and finally, he spent three full days just to perfectly recreate those purple eyes.

Having remained shut in his room for nearly a month to complete the portrait, the painter collapsed in front of the painting as if exhausted, gazing up at it endlessly. Instead of the shy and gentle expression Chaika usually wore, the Chaika in the portrait stared straight ahead with an expressionless face. Even as an artist, he couldn’t say for sure why he had painted a blank face instead of the usual expression. He had simply captured the essence of Chaika that he felt instinctively.

For an Omega, a portrait featuring a submissive smile was the standard. However, the painter could not bring himself to correct this perfect portrait. Since the Emperor only wished to see what Chaika looked like, he likely wouldn’t care much about the expression. Persuading himself with this thought, the painter lay down where he was.

When the painter finally emerged from his room after a month, he was a sight to behold. In the meantime, the season had shifted from winter to spring. After calling a servant to wash his body, change his smelling clothes, and trim his hair and beard, he finally looked somewhat human again. After filling his stomach with warm soup and bread, the painter stayed outside the castle for a few days to keep his appointment with Count Ilya Basari while the painting dried. Then, he returned and carefully packaged the nearly dry portrait. Having fulfilled the imperial order, it was now time to leave.

While waiting for the servants to pack his luggage, the painter suddenly noticed the sketches piled high on his desk. The dozens of sketches captured the daily lives of Mikhail and Chaika exactly as they were. Because they were unaware they were being drawn, the images were raw and candid.

The painter flipped through the sketches one by one, organized them neatly, and placed them in the wide leather bag he used for carrying sketches. After a moment of hesitation, stolen contentaria-label="unauthorized copy">unauthorized copyhe pushed the bag deep into the top [stolen content]of the tall wardrobe he had been using. If fate allowed, someone would eventually see these drawings.

* * *

The cold winter passed, and the spirit of spring bloomed. The snow that had covered the garden in white vanished, and a vibrant greenery filled the grounds. The gardeners moved busily to make the spring flowers bloom beautifully.

Though a chill still lingered, there were many days when it was as warm as early summer while the sun was up. Chaika, who had waddled through the winter in layers of clothing, now dressed much lighter and could walk well like an ordinary person.

Winter and snow.

They say time is the best medicine. As the season in which he had almost been forcibly violated receded, Chaika’s heart seemed to have settled quite a bit. He no longer hid behind Mikhail whenever he saw a knight, nor did he become severely anxious when he was slightly apart from Mikhail. While it was a relief that his condition had improved so much, Mikhail seemed somewhat disappointed.

As the weather entered full-blown spring, Castillo Castle began to stir quietly and secretly. Indeed, Chaika’s heat cycle was approaching. Seeing how Mikhail treated him not just with kindness but with extreme preciousness, it was clear he intended to have an heir with Chaika; considering the Emperor’s order to produce an heir within a year, this heat cycle was the perfect timing.

The secret rumors were not merely speculation. In fact, Mikhail intended to get Chaika pregnant during this heat cycle. There was no need to waste time when he already had an Omega whom he recognized completely as his own. He wanted Chaika to conceive as soon as possible and complete the imprinting to make him perfectly his. The only problem was whether Chaika’s body could handle it.

“What do you think?”

The Omega specialist physician borrowed from Marquis Lucius was still residing at Castillo Castle. After having the physician examine Chaika’s body in detail, Mikhail called him separately into his office to ask.

“He is recovering very smoothly. Now that a certain amount of [Read on Read BL Novels]the poison has left [visit our site]visit our site -->his system, the superior recovery power unique to Omegas is manifesting, and he is becoming healthier by the day.”

The physician, who had managed Chaika’s health for several months, reported with a bright face. Mikhail, sitting with his legs crossed in his office chair, stared at the physician for a moment before gesturing for him to come closer. Then, he asked with a secretive expression.

“Has he recovered enough to conceive a child during this heat cycle?”

“…Pregnancy… this time, sir?”

The physician looked slightly surprised. He then frowned slightly as if thinking.

“If it is this heat cycle… I believe there are less than ten days left…”

“That is why I am asking. Whether it will be alright or not.”

The physician let out a long, silent sigh. Then, he spoke cautiously.

“Since we have focused so heavily on recovery, I don’t believe the body itself will have any issues with pregnancy. However…”

Pausing for a moment, the physician glanced at Mikhail’s reaction before continuing.

“Whether Lord Chaika would want that… He lived as Read on Read BL Novelsour site">visit our sitea Beta for a long time and has only been an Omega for a few months. I wonder if he can mentally accept a sudden pregnancy…”

“As long as the body is fine, I will handle the rest.”

Mikhail cut off the physician’s concern.

“The heat cycle is not far off, so ensure that his nutrition and health are cared for as much as possible until then.”

Mikhail’s command was like a blade, leaving no room for persuasion. The physician simply nodded and began to think about how to care for Chaika’s body.

After giving the order to the physician, Mikhail headed toward where Chaika was. Having finished his examination, Chaika had received Mikhail’s permission and excitedly ran to the library. Unlike other places, the library was a place where no one except the Beta caretaker could enter, so Chaika was not afraid of being alone there.

As Mikhail walked slowly through the library, muffling his footsteps, Chaika’s thick pheromones caught his scent. The pheromones had overwhelmed Mikhail from the moment he entered the library, leading him toward where Chaika was. Chaika’s pheromones ahead of a heat cycle were so intense that even Mikhail was often seized by an endless, powerful desire.

Passing a bookshelf, he saw Chaika. Chaika was curled up and reading a book, in the exact same posture as when Mikhail first saw him. Mikhail compared the current sight to the image of the stray street dog he had first encountered. He had changed so much that it was impossible to see them as the same person, yet his presence remained similar.

As the distance closed, the pheromones grew even thicker. The deep concentration of pheromones was so seductive that no Alpha could possibly withstand it. Mikhail was no exception; his lower abdomen throbbed, and his lower body hardened. He felt a violent urge to knock Chaika down right now, tear his clothes apart, and thrust himself deep inside him.

“Chaika.”

Mikhail called out in a slightly husky voice. Chaika, who had his head buried in [Read on Read [unauthorized [Read on Read BL Novels]copy]BL Novels]a book, looked up at Mikhail. Chaika’s eyes were flushed reddish due to the effects of the approaching heat cycle.

“…Lord Mikhail…”

Chaika called Mikhail’s name in an excited voice. As he looked at Mikhail, Chaika’s cheeks flushed slightly, and his eyes grew a bit redder. Licking his dry lips, Chaika already appeared to be significantly sexually stimulated. It seemed that just looking at Mikhail had stirred his passion.

“…Ah…”

Chaika let out a small sound as he lowered his eyes and saw Mikhail’s bulging lower body. Chaika swallowed hard. Having confirmed that the other was sexually aroused, the two no longer felt any hesitation. Chaika reached both hands toward Mikhail, and Mikhail swept him up in his arms, heading toward a large, plush sofa in a corner of the library.

Thump.

Having practically thrown Chaika onto the sofa, Mikhail immediately climbed on top of him. Chaika was already breathing heavily. His entire body, now hypersensitive, reacted strongly to even the smallest, finest stimulation.

“Lord Mikhail.”

Chaika urged him, calling his name. Mikhail tore Chaika’s top aside and pulled down his trousers and underwear all at once.

“I’m embarrassed,” Chaika said, covering his face with both hands.

Mikhail moved the hands covering his face and inserted two fingers into Chaika’s [visit unauthorized copyour siteclass="wm" style="opacity:0;font-size:1px;user-select:all;">Read on Read BL Novels]mouth. Then, he leaned down and took the member amidst the golden forest into his mouth in one go.

“Hngh—!”

As the moist cave swallowed his member, Chaika’s hips arched into the air.

“Ah. Uh. Ngh. Hngh. Ah.”

Every time Mikhail licked, sucked, pulled, and teased the indented tip with his tongue, moans burst from Chaika’s mouth. While pleasuring Chaika’s member, Mikhail used the fingers in his mouth to toy with his tongue, rubbing and teasing it. Saliva leaked from the corners of his mouth, which he couldn’t close. However, completely lost in the stimulation Mikhail provided, Chaika could only heave his hips and clutch the sofa with both hands, moaning as if sobbing.

The fluid bubbling from the tip of Chaika’s member was as sweet as the scent of his pheromones. It was no different from a natural aphrodisiac. As Mikhail swirled his tongue around the smooth glans and poked the indented hole, Chaika shivered violently.

“Ah, no! No… ahh. It’s coming. It’s coming…!”

With his hips floating in the air, Chaika’s body trembled in spasms before he soon reached a climax.

Mikhail swallowed everything Chaika produced and licked his lips. As if he had consumed a potent aphrodisiac, his reason was gradually fading. However, he could not simply run wild. Since the shock of almost being forcibly violated by the knight had not yet completely vanished, rough sex was forbidden for Chaika. Instead, the goal was to instill the deepest, softest pleasure until the heat cycle, melting his body enough to endure knotting.

Chaika lay limp with exhaustion, panting for breath. Mikhail gave him a deep, passionate kiss before moving down again to lift both of his thighs. As his buttocks rose into the air, his private parts were fully exposed. Chaika tried to cover himself with both hands, but it was useless. The entrance that would receive Mikhail was already moist with lubrication. Mikhail slowly leaned down and gently licked the entrance.

“Aah—!”

Chaika let out a high-pitched moan.

“No. Please don’t.”

Perhaps he was truly embarrassed, as he even struggled and writhed. However, the legs held by Mikhail’s hands didn’t budge. Eventually, Chaika covered his face with both hands and swallowed his moans as he was licked from behind.

Just by licking the surrounding area gently and poking slightly with his tongue, the entrance began to loosen and melt. It was commendable, as if it knew and welcomed its master. Mikhail licked diligently until the entrance was completely soft and melted, then pushed in a finger moistened with saliva.

“Ah!” Chaika twisted his hips at the intrusion of the finger. However, there was no pain or fear in the moan. Rather, there was a sense of anticipation.

Once the finger was inside and began a slow piston motion, his hips began to move in sync. His member, which had reached a climax once, had regained its strength and stood erect again. Mikhail took the member into his mouth again and added another finger to the entrance. The small hole tightened snugly around even two fingers. As Mikhail sucked his member and slowly moved two fingers in a piston motion, Chaika let out continuous moans, not knowing what to do with himself.

“Aah, ah, ahng, ngh, ah, Lo-Lord Mikhail, aaah—!”

As Mikhail diligently pleasured and toyed with a body already sensitive due to the approaching heat cycle, Chaika responded as if he were melting.

“Ah, no. It’s coming again. It’s coming…!”

Chaika’s body stiffened and convulsed in spasms. It was his second climax. His rear was still being violated by Mikhail’s fingers. Every time three fingers moved in and out, Read on Read BL NovelsBL Novels" style="display:none;" aria-label="Read on Read BL Novels">Read on Read BL Novelsthe wet lubrication made lewd, squelching sounds.

“Lord Mikhail. Please…”

Chaika pleaded, grabbing Mikhail’s arm. When Mikhail looked up, Chaika’s lips trembled as if he were hesitant to speak, before he whispered with a bright red face.

“…Please put it in now.”

Mikhail laughed long. Chaika, perhaps embarrassed by what he had said, covered his face with both hands again. Spreading his thighs and bringing his member to the melted entrance, Mikhail inserted himself all the way to the hilt in one go, unlike before.

“…Ahhat—!!”

The long, thick member was driven deep into his body at once. Chaika’s body stiffened and trembled. However, thanks to having been loosened for a long time, there was no sign of pain on his face. Instead, what appeared on Chaika’s face was intense pleasure.

“…Ah… aaah… ah—…”

With the member buried to the end, Chaika trembled violently. The moans escaping his lips in intervals were weak. The rear that had swallowed the member writhed like a living creature, tightening and sucking at Mikhail’s length.

Kugh. Mikhail grit his teeth to avoid climaxing. Then, he began to move his hips quickly and strongly. He thrust, drove, and rubbed his member toward the stimulation points he remembered in Chaika.

Every time the member pulled back and then drove deep, the collision of flesh and lubrication Read on Read BL Novelsmade a slapping sound. As he did this, he rotated his hips while buried [visit our site]deep, Read on Read BL Novelscausing Chaika to shiver violently. Chaika’s rear tightened around the member of its own accord, rubbing the stimulation point. Chaika’s hands scratched and gripped Mikhail’s back haphazardly.

The slapping sound of flesh hitting flesh gradually accelerated. Mikhail hugged Chaika’s body tightly. And before long, Chaika’s pupils dilated as he reached an intense climax.

“……!!!!!!!!!!”

It was a climax so intense that not even a moan could escape. Every muscle in his body tightened to the limit, and he squeezed Mikhail’s member as if wringing it with his hands. There was no way to withstand it. Mikhail, also hugging Chaika’s body tightly, reached a climax together with him.

“…….”

“…….”

It felt as if a great storm had passed. The two held each other tightly, breathing heavily. Despite the short act of love, it felt as if they had poured out all the energy in their bodies. Mikhail’s member was still inside Chaika’s body. He had no intention of pulling it out. Chaika seemed to feel the same, as he simply stayed embraced, panting for breath.

How long did they stay like that? By the time their breathing calmed and their hot bodies cooled, Mikhail gripped Chaika’s chin and gave him a soft, deep kiss. Though it was merely the act of mixing tongues and saliva and pressing lips together, it felt as if they were sharing their souls. After the long kiss ended, they stared into each other’s eyes with their foreheads touching. Sleepiness began to drift into the exhausted eyes of Chaika.

“I’m sleepy.”

“Let’s take a nap.”

As Mikhail spoke while stroking his hair, Chaika nodded and let out a long yawn. Mikhail didn’t know how cute the bridge of his nose looked when it wrinkled during the yawn. Mikhail spread a blanket to [[unauthorized copyclass="wm" style="opacity:0;font-size:1px;user-select:all;">visit our site]class="wm" style="opacity:0;font-size:1px;user-select:all;">Read on Read BL Novels]cover them both, embraced Chaika, and fell into a sweet nap.

When he opened his eyes, the orange light of the sunset was already leaking through the window. Chaika looked up to see Mikhail, who was embracing him. He seemed to have been awake for a while, reading a book while holding Chaika. Although Mikhail had collected many books, Chaika had never seen him actually reading one, but it seemed he did read.

Mikhail’s face, reflected in the sunset, was exquisite. It was only natural, as he was a Dominant Alpha. Every time Chaika looked at Mikhail’s inhumanly beautiful appearance, he chuckled at the fact that the most barbaric and beast-like of humans were the most beautiful.

Regardless, beauty was beauty. Chaika leaned into the languid feeling and admired Mikhail’s handsome features. The lips that had pleasured his member so lewdly and messily now boasted a neat line, as if nothing had happened.

Even though he was surely suppressing them, Chaika could feel Mikhail’s pheromones. Instinctively, deep inside his body throbbed. A body that had once felt the pleasure of intercourse reacted sensitively not only to Mikhail’s pheromones but also to his appearance and voice. Especially as the heat cycle approached, just thinking of Mikhail caused his body to naturally heat up and his rear to become wet.

Instead of feeling ashamed of his body’s reaction, Chaika honestly expressed his desire. He had come here to have his child, after all. Sex with him was the most important element of the plan.

Flip.

A page turned. Chaika shifted his gaze to peek at the book Mikhail was reading. He saw a page densely packed with difficult archaic language. Although Mikhail’s daily routine seemed to be nothing but idling and eating, he possessed all the basic knowledge required of a member of the imperial family.

The grey eyes that had been fixed on the book suddenly turned toward Chaika. When their eyes met, Chaika smiled with a shy expression. Mikhail stroked Chaika’s hair without a word. The touch was remarkably tender and soft.

“Are you hungry?”

“I’m not.”

Chaika answered, shaking his head. He pulled the blanket covering his body up to his neck and rubbed his face against Mikhail’s chest.

“I’m too lazy to get up.”

It was the truth. His entire body felt melted and languid from the sex they had just had, and he didn’t want to lift a single finger. He felt quite good being surrounded by the scent of books amidst the orange glow of the sunset. Moreover, Mikhail’s embrace was incredibly cozy and comfortable.

“Then get some more sleep.”

Mikhail spoke in a low voice and kissed the crown of Chaika’s head. He then returned his gaze to the book. The spot where Mikhail’s lips had pressed felt ticklish and tingling. Chaika quickly closed his eyes as if to hide his expression.

This man planned to knot Chaika during this heat cycle without even asking for permission to make him pregnant. There were likely several reasons for this. First, the fact that intensifying pheromones could be controlled during pregnancy. Second, the ability to produce an heir. Third, the fact that he could use a child to bind Chaika completely to himself. That was generally how Alphas thought. Mikhail was no exception.

The heat cycle was not far off. After spending this heat cycle with Mikhail, Chaika would conceive, and as soon as the pregnancy stabilized, he would have to leave Castilla Castle. Then, he would have to hide deep away for a while to avoid a fierce pursuit.

The plan was perfect. From completing the investigation to drafting the detailed plan and executing it, there had been no problems at all. Mikhail, who was said to loathe Omegas, was now so deeply infatuated with Chaika that he was even thinking of getting him pregnant slightly sooner than expected. Having achieved this much against Duke Castilla, it was only natural for Chaika to feel proud and impressed with himself.

However….

Chaika slowly opened his closed eyes and stared quietly at Mikhail’s face.

Mikhail falling for Chaika was according to plan. However, Chaika had overlooked the difference between ‘falling for someone’ as a word or a concept, and the actual emotions felt when a person truly falls for another. The care, affection, and tenderness he received from Mikhail as the innocent and fragile Chaika were so soft, kind, and sweet that Chaika occasionally felt a strange sense of detachment at the fact that he would have to throw all of this away and leave once the plan reached its end. And sometimes, he scolded himself upon realizing that he wanted to settle into this current reality.

Duke Mikhail Castilla did not love Chaika. What he loved was the innocent and fragile Chaika who lived while swallowing poison to survive as a Beta, shaving away his own lifespan. The fake persona created temporarily for the plan would be discarded and vanish without a trace the moment the plan ended.

In the near future, when Mikhail realized he had been completely deceived by a fraud named Chaika, he would likely be so enraged that killing Chaika a hundred times would not appease his anger; he would hate, despise, and loathe Chaika.

Recalling this, Chaika mocked himself for wanting to settle into reality. He then summoned the malice he had harbored in his heart for a very long time. That malice was Chaika’s strength and weapon. The moment he discarded that weapon, Chaika would be completely disarmed, becoming a fragile being unable to respond to any threat. He could never let that happen.

Mikhail, famous for his foul personality, poured out a love as soft as a feather only for Chaika, but the one receiving it was not the real Chaika. Therefore, the tender Mikhail before his eyes was not real either. Chaika stared at Mikhail and repeated to himself inwardly.

* * *

As the heat cycle drew closer day by day, Chaika became extremely sensitive sexually. However, it wasn’t a major problem. Mikhail gladly enjoyed Chaika’s state. The office, the bedroom, the garden, the library—regardless of the location, if it seemed Chaika was in the mood, Mikhail would immediately slide his hand inside his clothes. Even if it wasn’t full sex, he would touch or suck his genitals, tease his nipples, and shower him with lewd and messy kisses.

Since Chaika also responded actively for the most part, the two of them were spending truly passionate days even though the heat cycle had not yet arrived.

It had become official in Castilla Castle that the Duke was completely infatuated with an Omega named Chaika, and rumors that a child would soon be born between them were treated as a foregone conclusion. Everyone could not hide their surprise at the change in the Duke, who used to loathe Omegas and wouldn’t even go near them. But regardless, most of them viewed the couple’s progress as a fortunate thing.

Though he had a bad personality and was not a generous or kind master, Duke Castilla was a beautiful stolen contentand [unauthorized copy]handsome man befitting a Dominant Alpha, and Chaika also possessed a mysterious beauty that made it hard to look away when his face was revealed and he was properly dressed. With such a beautiful pair deeply infatuated with each other, there was nothing more pleasant to see.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

Mikhail asked. Chaika looked surprised as he saw the foal the stable hand had brought out. It was still young, but once it grew a bit more, it would be the perfect size for Chaika to ride. The foal of excellent lineage had soft cream-colored fur with a diamond-shaped marking on its forehead, and its eyes were large and gentle.

“It’s so pretty.”

Chaika marveled, stroking the foal gently. The foal also seemed to not dislike Chaika, quietly enjoying the touch.

“The color of the fur is so beautiful and soft.”

Chaika seemed to have fallen in love with the foal at first sight, looking as if he might even kiss it. It was worth the effort of searching far and wide and paying a high price to find a foal that Chaika would like.

“This fellow is your horse, so you name him.”

“…What?!”

Chaika could not hide his surprised expression at Mikhail’s words.

“My horse?”

“Yes. This one won’t be very large even when fully grown, but he comes from a lineage famous for being gentle, agile, and fast. He’ll be perfect for you to ride.”

“Ah….”

Chaika looked at the cream-colored foal with a surprised and bewildered face. Then, he made a vaguely troubled expression.

“Why? Do you not like him?”

When Mikhail asked, Chaika shook his head and smiled brightly.

“No. I like him very, very much. He’s the best. Thank you.”

At Chaika’s single word of thanks, a smile spread around Mikhail’s eyes. Mikhail lifted Chaika up and placed him on the foal’s back. Chaika was startled for a moment and clung to the back, but soon began to stroke the foal’s mane softly.

“You have to give him a name, right?”

Mikhail said, patting the foal’s flank. Chaika thought for a moment and then spoke.

“Cream.”

“Cream?”

“Yes. Since his fur looks just like cream, Cream.”

Chaika nodded without hesitation.

The foal of excellent lineage, bought at an exorbitant price, suddenly received the name Cream. However, Mikhail did not interfere and simply nodded.

Although he was on its back, the foal was still a bit too young to carry Chaika around. Once it grew for another month or two, it would be the perfect size to ride. Mikhail lifted Chaika and set him back on the ground, and Chaika happily fed the foal carrots.

After a light stroll around the stables, the two headed straight to the bedroom. As the heat cycle approached, Chaika tired easily. It was because of the sexual sensitivity and heat that remained constantly on edge. Mikhail, who until just a couple of days ago would pounce the moment he felt Chaika was in the mood, was now refraining from sexual contact as much as possible. This was to prepare for the heat cycle that would last about two days.

Leaning against the bed, Chaika’s cheeks and the area around his eyes were flushed. He had a slight fever. Even the feeling of the sheets brushing against his bare skin was difficult, so every single movement was cautious. The physician entered carrying a tray of lunch and placed it on the bed. Chaika frowned as if he were tired of eating the same food for days.

“Even if you’re tired of it, you must eat it all. That is the only way your body can endure the heat cycle.”

The physician coaxed him, placing a spoon in Chaika’s hand. Chaika let out a deep sigh looking at the soup boiled with duck, various health-boosting foods, and plenty of herbs. Since Chaika, who usually did whatever he was told quietly, was showing such blatant dislike, one could guess the taste of the soup without even trying it.

“…Lord Nile didn’t eat things like this before his heat cycles.”

Chaika grumbled, stopping just as he was about to put a spoonful into his mouth.

“That is because Lord Nile was very healthy. Lord Chaika has taken Bellazie for a long time, and the toxicity has not yet fully left your body, so you must nourish yourself as much as possible to get through the heat cycle safely.”

The physician spoke in a solemn tone. However, instead of eating the soup, Chaika narrowed his eyes slightly.

“I got through the last heat cycle just fine without eating things like this.”

The physician, momentarily speechless, cleared his throat.

Of course, even without special nourishment, there wouldn’t be any major issues, though he would likely be bedridden for a few days after the heat cycle due to lack of stamina. The problem was that Mikhail intended to get Chaika pregnant during this heat cycle. Since his body was already unhealthy, it was only a relief if he was nourished as much as possible before the heat cycle.

When the physician failed to persuade him, Mikhail, who had been standing back, sat beside the bed, wrapped an arm around Chaika’s shoulder, and spoke tenderly.

“You remember how many days you were bedridden after the last heat cycle, don’t you? The physician is taking care of this in advance so that doesn’t happen, so just bear with it and eat.”

Since Mikhail coaxed him, Chaika didn’t say anything more. Instead, he began to eat the soup spoonful by spoonful with a miserable expression. With every spoonful that entered his mouth, his expression worsened. Mikhail clicked his tongue inwardly and signaled to the butler. The butler left the bedroom and returned quietly with a few servants.

“…I’m finished.”

Chaika put down the spoon with a look of utter misery. Mikhail stroked his hair as if to say he did well, but Chaika’s expression remained miserable. Mikhail quickly popped a date preserved in honey, which had been placed beside them, into his mouth. Chaika chewed it doggedly, trying to erase the taste of the health food he had just eaten.

“Since you bore it and ate well, I should give you a gift.”

Mikhail said in a voice tinged with amusement. He then signaled to the servants who had entered with the butler. The butler and servants approached the bedside and stood in a line, opening the luxurious boxes they each held.

“…Oh…!”

Every time a box opened, Chaika’s eyes widened slightly and a small exclamation escaped his lips. Once all the boxes were open, the servants stepped forward and arranged them in a row. Each box contained a single item, and every one of them was a dazzling piece of jewelry.

“Do you like them?”

Mikhail asked. Chaika looked back and forth between Mikhail’s face and the jewels with round eyes before finally speaking.

“They’re… so sparkly.”

Mikhail laughed out loud at Chaika’s words. He then took an amethyst ring from the nearest box and slipped it onto Chaika’s finger. The ring, featuring a deep-colored amethyst surrounded by diamonds, fit Chaika’s finger perfectly. Mikhail lifted Chaika’s ringed hand and kissed the back of it.

“I specially ordered it to match the color of your eyes.”

Mikhail said with a smile in his eyes. Chaika was momentarily speechless, looking at the ring on his finger and the expensive jewelry held by the lined-up servants. As he blinked, seemingly flustered by the situation, a faint shadow suddenly cast over his face.

Mikhail hadn’t expected him to jump for joy over jewelry given his innocent personality, but he thought he would at least be happy at the fact that he received gifts. Surprised by the unexpected reaction, Mikhail signaled for the people to withdraw. Once only the two of them were left in the room, he pulled Chaika into his embrace.

“I thought you would be happy.”

Mikhail said, fiddling with the ring on Chaika’s finger. He had carefully chosen all the jewels, but he had put particular effort into the production of this ring. He had spent considerable time and money to find an amethyst with a hue that matched Chaika’s mysterious purple eyes. This was not a mere ornament, but Mikhail’s own way of hinting that he intended to formally marry Chaika.

Because of his low birth, he was greatly lacking as a formal marriage partner for Mikhail, who was both the Duke of Castilla and a member of the Imperial family, but his calculation was that once an heir was born, the Emperor would also permit their marriage. For anyone else, it would be impossible, but because of Mikhail’s extreme Omega-phobia, the Emperor would have no choice but to accept Chaika, the only one he could be close to.

“…I am happy. Very much.”

Chaika answered softly after a long while. However, the shadow on his face had grown deeper.

“What’s the problem? It’s alright, so tell me.”

When Mikhail coaxed him gently, Chaika hesitated for a long time before taking the ring off his finger. He fiddled with the ring and spoke.

“The foal from earlier, this ring, Read [unauthorized copy]on Read BL NovelsEND: Read on Read BL Novels -->and the other things are all so wonderful and pretty. I’m happy because Lord Mikhail gave them to me specifically thinking of me.”

Chaika smiled slightly as he spoke. Then, he placed the ring he had been fiddling with onto Mikhail’s palm.

“But that foal, this ring, and the other things… they aren’t actually mine. I heard that Omegas cannot legally own private property. So even if I have them, they aren’t mine; I’m just borrowing them from Lord Mikhail.”

Mikhail was slightly flustered by the unexpected words. He had never dreamed that such an innocent fellow would be thinking about such things.

Chaika’s words were true. Although it varied slightly by country, in many nations, it was the law that Omegas could not own private property. Even if an Omega had assets they inherited or were transferred, those were managed instead by a father or an Alpha brother. Ultimately, it was impossible for an Omega to be economically independent, and they had no choice but to rely on relatives or another Alpha. It was a tight social web designed to leave no room for an Omega’s independence.

In exchange, Alphas paid a certain amount of annual pension to Omegas as compensation for bearing children. The amount of the pension was agreed upon in advance before creating the child. Therefore, the more children an Omega bore for a wealthy family, the more the pension they could use for the rest of their life increased.

“Who on earth taught you that?”

Mikhail spoke in a voice mixed with irritation and clicked his tongue. He soon thought of the culprit.

“It must have been Nile.”

Chaika nodded.

Mikhail let out a faint sigh and slipped [unauthorized copy]wm: unauthorized copy -->the ring back onto Chaika’s finger. He then pulled Chaika into his embrace and kissed the crown of his head.

“What does it matter if that’s the law? Since we are together anyway, whether it’s the foal or anything else, everything you want is yours.”

“…I suppose so.”

As Mikhail coaxed him, Chaika soon smiled brightly with an innocent face.

As the heat cycle drew closer day by day, Mikhail showered Chaika with gifts. Starting with the foal, there were all sorts of jewelry, expensive clothes and shoes, rare and wondrous clocks made by the continent’s top artisans, dancing music boxes, a talking bird said to have come from a distant continent, a beautiful dagger decorated with ivory, jewels, and gold that fit Chaika’s size perfectly, and a gentle, cute puppy only a few months old. He gave him new gifts every single day. Every time he received a gift, Chaika could not hide his wonder and marveled.

“Are you sending wedding gifts in advance, or what?”

Ilya spoke, watching Chaika, who was preoccupied with teaching the talking bird to repeat ‘Hello.’

“You could say that.”

Mikhail affirmed immediately. Ilya raised an eyebrow in surprise. But that was only for a moment; he soon shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s impressive enough that you found an Omega you actually want to embrace, but to be this infatuated. You’ve been led by the nose quite thoroughly. Still, it’s a relief. I was worried you’d live and die alone without ever leaving an heir.”

Ilya spoke as if a weight had been lifted.

Meanwhile, Chaika, who had finished teaching the talking bird to say ‘Hello,’ clapped his hands in joy. In Mikhail’s grey eyes watching that sight, there was laughter and satisfaction.

“So… you’re going to get him pregnant this time?”

Ilya asked, looking at Chaika, who was smiling innocently, knowing nothing. Mikhail nodded without a word.

“Does Chaika know?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“The heat cycle is the day after tomorrow. You aren’t planning to get him pregnant without so much as a word of warning, are you?”

“He’s terrified of having a child. If I tell him in advance, he’ll fight it desperately. It’s better to just do it. Once he’s pregnant, his mindset will change.”

Ilya looked at Mikhail with one eye narrowed. In the grey eyes staring intently at Chaika, a strong sense of possessiveness flickered. Unlike his known personality, Mikhail bestowed infinite kindness and tenderness only upon Chaika, but his true nature remained—something that could never change. Alphas were a breed that would stop at nothing to possess the Omega they desired, and as a Dominant, Mikhail’s traits were even more pronounced. Thus, getting someone pregnant without consent was nothing to him.

“You’ll end up being hated if you do that.”

Ilya, who dated various Beta lovers, was familiar with the common sense of Betas despite being an Alpha himself. Because of this, he knew far better than Mikhail the kind of shock Chaika—who had lived as a Betaunauthorized copystyle="display:none;" aria-label="stolen content">stolen content—would feel if he were forcibly impregnated without consent.

“He’s obedient and completely infatuated with me. He might be surprised and resentful at first, but in the end, he’ll love it. If I soothe him well, he’ll get used to it in no time.”

Ilya wanted to advise him that because Chaika had lived as a Beta rather than an ordinary Omega, his reaction might be very different from what Mikhail expected, but he decided to let it go. No matter how detailed his explanation, it wouldn’t even reach the ears of Mikhail, who had already made up his mind.

“I hope that’s the case.”

Ilya simply said that and patted Mikhail on the shoulder.

Just as Mikhail said, once he was pregnant, what could Chaika do? He would have no choice but to accept the fact and give birth to the child…

* * *

“Ugh…”

Chaika frowned at the sensation of the sheets brushing against his skin. A body on the verge of a heat cycle was practically sensitized to the extreme; even the slightest touch made his entire body tingle and his insides throb.

“The heat cycle will likely begin tonight,” the physician said quietly after examining Chaika’s condition.

Chaika turned his head to check the closed bedroom door and [Read on Read BL Novels]aria-label="visit our site">visit unauthorized copyour sitespoke in a voice low enough for only the physician to hear.

“The Duke still intends to get me pregnant this time, right?”

Chaika’s attitude toward the physician was quite different from usual. This was because the Omega specialist currently residing at Castilla Castle to care for Chaika had been dispatched from the house of Marquess Lucius. He had known Chaika for a long time and was a key figure in executing this plan.

“Of course. He urged me several times a day to take extra care so that your body isn’t damaged by a premature pregnancy.”

Chaika laughed coldly. Even though he knew perfectly well that Chaika’s health was poor, he had no intention of postponing his own desires. It was typical of an Alpha. Of course, Chaika had no intention of criticizing him. Thanks to Mikhail’s haste, Chaika could shorten the timeline by several months, so he should actually be grateful.

“Would you like to take the medicine?”

The physician took a small cloth from his robe and unfolded it. On the cloth sat a round pill. It was a secret medicine of the Lucius family that allowed one to maintain rationality even during a heat cycle.

“I don’t need it. Not this time.”

Chaika shook his head. If Mikhail intended to get him pregnant this time, it would likely be a rough and long session of sex. Since Mikhail had been his first partner, this would also be his first time experiencing knotting. He had no desire to endure that while fully conscious. The physician did not press further and tucked the medicine back into his robe.

“You’ve informed Andre, right?”

“Yes. I sent a messenger to the Marquess, so he likely received the news yesterday or today.”

“Andre will send someone within a few days. Contact him and once again clearly instruct him on the subsequent measures. Notify me immediately if any changes occur. If I cannot leave the castle after the deed is done, everything we’ve done until now will have been in vain.”

“I understand. Please do not worry, Young Master.”

The physician nodded with a serious expression. Then, he looked concerned.

“Although most of the poison has been purged, your strength, which weakened during the treatment, has not fully recovered… You will likely be bedridden for several days after the heat cycle ends.”

Chaika scoffed at the physician’s worried words.

“What does it matter if I’m bedridden for a few days?”

Having said that, Chaika looked down for a moment, then curled one corner of his lips and spoke.

“Adjust the medicine so that the period of being bedridden is reasonably long.”

“…Do you mean I should only treat you moderately?”

“Yes. If the Duke sees me looking so frail that I’m bedridden for a long time after just one heat cycle, he’ll [stolen [stolen content]content]data-wm="visit our site" style="display:none;" aria-label="visit our site">visit our sitelet his guard down even more.”

“It seems he is already sufficiently careless, even without going that far…”

When the physician murmured this, Chaika shot him a chilling look. The physician bowed his head as if he had made a slip of the tongue. Just then, the sound of the bedroom door handle turning echoed. Chaika’s expression changed instantly. The cold, frozen face melted away, becoming gentle and soft. Soon, the bedroom door opened and Mikhail entered. The physician took a step back from the bedside.

“How is his condition?”

Mikhail asked as he approached the head of the bed.

“He is struggling quite a bit. However, this is something beyond my control…”

“His fever seems to have risen further,” Mikhail said, touching Chaika’s forehead.

“As the heat cycle draws near, the fever is bound to rise. He will enter the heat cycle tonight. He only needs to endure a bit longer until then.”

“Good work.”

At Mikhail’s words, the physician bowed and left the bedroom.

“Will the suppressants not work this time?”

Chaika asked, his face flushed red. Mikhail shook his head.

“I was told that because the effects of the poison remain, general suppressants won’t work. Once we continue the treatment, you’ll be able to use them by the next or the one after that.”

“I hope it happens soon. It’s too painful.”

As Chaika complained of his distress, pity and compassion clouded Mikhail’s grey eyes. But to Chaika, who knew that Mikhail had intentionally prevented him from taking suppressants, it looked like nothing more than a plausible act.

“Mikhail.”

Chaika called Mikhail in a slightly strained voice and placed his hand over the back of Mikhail’s. Looking into the grey eyes watching him, he spoke in a voice full of sincerity.

“Thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for?”

Mikhail asked with a smirk. Even amidst his struggle, Chaika smiled faintly and answered inwardly.

‘Thank you for holding my heart in place by committing the same disgusting acts that visit our sitestyle="position:absolute;left:-9999px;font-size:0;">[stolen [unauthorized copy]content]Alphas do, every time I feel myself wavering for you.’

Then, Chaika spoke aloud.

“Just… for everything.”

As if he thought Chaika was talking nonsense, Mikhail kissed his forehead.

Chaika turned his gaze to look out the window. The late afternoon sunlight was gradually sinking. Soon, darkness would fall and night would arrive. It was a night he had meticulously prepared for over a long time.