CP 5
As autumn deepened, the weather grew colder by the day. A thin shirt was enough for Mikhail, but it was different for Chaika. Even when dressed in thick clothes, he would shiver whenever a cold wind blew. There was a limit to how many hours they could lounge around together under the pretext of a walk.
Instead of strolling through the garden, Mikhail would wrap Chaika up in a thick fur coat, carry him to a small annex on one side of the inner castle, and begin playing inside. Unlike the lavish mansion, the annex was a relatively small building made of gray limestone, built hundreds of years before the current Castilla Castle was completed.
The small building from an era plagued by war every few years had no elegance or grace, but it had a sturdy feel, like a fortress wall. Once the drab gray walls were adorned with silk, the floors covered with carpets, and the space decorated with ornate tapestries and expensive furniture, it became quite a sight. Since it had been built for military purposes, the windows were small and it was quite dark due to the lack of sunlight, but that was solved by lighting the fireplace and numerous candles.
In fact, it was a good thing for Mikhail that they could be together in a dim space in broad daylight. When it was too bright, Chaika would avoid even a kiss simply because it was too light. On the other hand, in a dark place like the fireside, he responded quite obediently to kisses and allowed light touching. Eventually, the annex became a fixed hideout where Mikhail and Chaika spent time together under the guise of walks or horseback riding.
Despite bullying the herbalist and assigning several capable people to the task, there was no progress regarding the identity of the herb. Mikhail alternated between smelling the crown of Chaika’s head and his ears as the boy sat leaning his back against Mikhail’s chest. Time flew by simply sitting still and smelling the boy’s scent. It was a strange thing.
Leaning comfortably in Mikhail’s arms, Chaika was nibbling on dates preserved in honey. A bowl of dates sat right on Chaika’s thigh. Once he had tasted the sweetness, he had developed a complete craving for them, and a single date after taking his medicine was no longer enough to satisfy him.
Mikhail had enjoyed watching the corners of Chaika’s eyes droop with disappointment whenever he gave him only one after his medicine, so for a while, he continued to give him only three dates a day. However, one day, Chaika grabbed Mikhail’s sleeve and pleaded, “…Just one… more, please,” and Mikhail willingly gave up that pleasure.
In this annex, a bowl of honey-preserved dates was always prepared. Whenever he entered, Chaika would sit embraced by Mikhail by the fireplace, clutching the bowl of dates. He would pick up a single date with both hands and nibble it from the end. He looked just like a squirrel eating an acorn.
While he had a small appetite for other things and would stop eating, saying he was full after just a bit, he could nibble away a considerable amount of dates. Mikhail was happily anticipating that in a few months, Chaika’s thighs might actually have some touchable flesh on them.
When eating dates, Chaika didn’t resist strongly even if Mikhail subtly caressed his body; he would only occasionally shrug his shoulders to pretend to push him away. Using the dates as bait, Mikhail caressed Chaika’s body to his heart’s content until the bowl was completely empty. Though it was mostly just his fleshless thighs, thin waist, flat chest, nape, and buttocks.
Burying his nose in the nape of the neck and inhaling deeply, Mikhail narrowed his eyes. Over the last few days, the scent of the herb, which was like visit our siteon Read BL Novels" style="display:none;" aria-label="Read on Read BL Novels">Read on Read BL Novelsthe boy’s own body scent, had been growing stronger. It had been intensifying slightly every day, so he hadn’t been certain, but today the scent was noticeably stronger, as if the intake had been significantly increased.
Just how potent was this herb if the scent emanated from the body to the point that it tasted bitter in Mikhail’s mouth? Instead of pressing Chaika for an answer, he had intended to have the herbalist find out its identity, but as progress was slower than expected, his patience was gradually running out.
Finally, the moment he had been waiting for arrived.
The reason he had intentionally prepared a smaller amount of dates than usual today and waited quietly for Chaika to eat them was for this very moment. Just as Chaika finished the dates in his hand and reached for the last one remaining in the bowl, Mikhail quickly snatched the final date.
“……. Ah?”
The reaction came quite late. After the last date in the bowl vanished into Mikhail’s hand, Chaika stared blankly at the empty bowl before letting out a dumb sound a few beats later. Then, he slowly turned his head to see Mikhail smiling mischievously. Bewilderment and absurdity were written all over Chaika’s face.
As Mikhail maintained eye contact and brought the last date to his own mouth, the absurdity on Chaika’s face turned into a nervous anticipation, and finally, into a sense of betrayal. The changes in his facial expressions were so diverse and amusing that Mikhail eventually burst out laughing.
Realizing that Mikhail had intentionally teased him, resentment filled Chaika’s eyes, his cheeks puffed out slightly, and his lips pouted.
“Since you ate them all yourself, I should be allowed to have at least one, right?”
Mikhail waved the date in front of his eyes teasingly. Even while feeling resentful, Chaika’s pupils followed the date, moving left and right. Mikhail waved the date back and forth before slowly bringing it to his own mouth. Then, as if to show off, he bit the end of the date with his teeth.
“…You’re too much.”
Chaika mumbled with his pouting lips. The date in his mouth wasn’t stolen contentthe problem; [Read on Read BL Novels]Mikhail wanted to devour those pouting lips.
Mikhail grabbed Chaika’s face with his hand. As his thumb and index finger pressed both cheeks, the lips became like those of a goldfish. Mikhail brought his face close as if to kiss him and popped the date right into Chaika’s goldfish mouth. Chaika’s eyes widened.
When he let go of the face, Chaika held the date in his mouth with both hands, pondered for a moment, and then took a bite and chewed. The resentment vanished completely from his eyes, and without any anger over being teased, he simply seemed happy to be eating the date again, even letting out a strange “hit” sound of laughter.
“You’re such a fool.”
Mikhail ruffled Chaika’s hair messily. Chaika smiled with his eyes while chewing the date.
After messing up his hair, pulling on the cheeks that moved as he chewed, and fiddling with his earlobes, Mikhail suddenly stopped. Chaika was busy cutting and chewing the last date in tiny pieces, about the size of a pinky nail, to make it last.
Mikhail’s eyes scanned Chaika’s face thoroughly. For some time now, he had increased the amount of meat in the soup and ensured the medicine was taken without a single miss. He had also been eating quite a few honey-preserved dates. Naturally, he should have gained weight and his complexion should have improved, but Chaika’s appearance was going in the opposite direction.
For the past few days, there was no way to describe Chaika’s complexion other than pale. Shadows began to form under his eyes, and the color deepened day by day, making him look like someone suffering from a deep illness. Although he never complained, even walking a bit for exercise seemed burdensome, as his legs would tremble slightly after only a short walk.
Mikhail had ordered the butler to find out if something was happening at Nile’s quarters throughout the night, but he was told nothing unusual was occurring. He simply slept and woke up on the fur bed Mikhail had made for him in front of the warm fireplace.
Having finally finished the last date he had been savoring, Chaika sucked the honey off his fingers with a look of regret. Mikhail immediately sucked the finger Chaika had just licked. Chaika was horrified, calling it dirty, but it tasted sweet.
After wiping his hands with a handkerchief, Chaika leaned comfortably back into Mikhail’s arms. His pupils, reflecting the firelight, wavered in a deep color. It was impossible to tell if he was thinking about something or simply watching the fire.
Sometimes, Chaika felt incredibly distant. Even though he was right next to him, or even while holding him like this, there were moments when a cozy yet distant gap was felt. He didn’t know yet if it was because [visit our sitestolen coRead on Read BL Novelsntentfont-size:0;position:absolute;left:-9999px;">]of his worry over Chaika’s death or something else.
Just as he was about to call out, “Chaika,”
Chaika placed his hand over Mikhail’s hand, which was wrapped around his waist. Despite basking in the warmth of the fireplace, Chaika’s hand was as cold as ice. Mikhail squeezed Chaika’s hand.
“Lord Mikhail.”
A small voice called him. Unlike the various expressions he had shown earlier, his voice was low and subdued. Instinctively, Mikhail knew that whatever Chaika had to say would not be to his liking.
“No.”
Mikhail rejected him flatly before he could even speak. Chaika turned his head slightly and narrowed his eyes.
“You haven’t even heard what it is.”
“I don’t need to hear it to say no.”
“Aren’t you even curious about what I was going to say?”
“I’m not.”
“Eh….”
“I’m not curious at all, so there’s no need to hear it.”
“Eh….”
Bewilderment spread across Chaika’s face. He fidgeted with his fingers and breathed softly, seemingly thinking hard. After pondering for a moment, Chaika spoke cautiously.
“Lord Mikhail… are you not going to have a child with Lord Nile?”
Nile, child.
Just hearing those two words made irritation surge to the top of his head. Feeling that harsh words would fly out the moment he opened his mouth, Mikhail simply clicked his tongue. The sound of the click was so full of irritation that Chaika flinched slightly. As punishment, Mikhail gave the nape of Chaika’s neck a sharp bite. Chaika stiffened with a “hik” sound.
Despite having clearly expressed that he didn’t want to talk about it further, Chaika seemed determined to speak. The fidgeting of his fingers would not stop.
“Why are you curious about that? Are you jealous that I might climb into Nile’s bed?”
Mikhail threw the words out like a joke, suppressing his irritation as much as possible.
“…….”
He had just said it to tease him. But Chaika’s reaction style="position:absolute;left:-9999px;font-size:0;">[stolen content]was strange. He lowered his head visit our sitedeeply, and the fidgeting of his fingers stopped instantly.
“…Chaika?”
Mikhail brushed back the hair of the bowed Chaika to see his profile. His pale face was flushed red. Chaika turned his head slightly to look at Mikhail. When their eyes met, his golden eyelashes trembled.
There was no need to ask again. It was jealousy. A sense of pride tightened Mikhail’s chest. Despite following Nile like a god, he had been anxious on his own that Nile and Mikhail might sleep together.
Mikhail hugged Chaika tightly without a word. His mood soared to the heavens and crashed to the floor based on a single small reaction or action from this boy. Did this boy know that he was easily manipulating the Duke of Castilla, a man whom even the Emperor could not treat carelessly?
After being held in silence for a long time while fiddling with Mikhail’s hand, Chaika spoke cautiously.
“…Lord Nile’s heat cycle is coming soon.”
“Wasn’t it just a while ago?”
Mikhail frowned. Unlike an Alpha’s rut, an Omega’s heat cycle is mostly periodic. It was far too early for the next heat cycle to arrive.
“That’s why Lord Nile was surprised too. He thinks it might be because he’s been close to you every day, as a Dominant Alpha, that he’s been affected….”
Because he disliked and loathed the very existence of Omegas, he didn’t know much about them.
‘What a tedious and annoying existence.’
Mikhail muttered inwardly, while speaking in a calm voice outwardly.
“Tell them to prescribe suppressants.”
“……. Yes.”
The short answer that came late was trembling slightly. Was he relieved that Mikhail and Nile would pass the time without sleeping together? If so, Mikhail would be pleased.
“And….”
Chaika caught his breath for a moment before speaking.
“Even if he takes suppressants, he finds the heat cycle period difficult. I want to stay by his side and take care of him only during the heat cycle.”
Having said that, Chaika quickly added.
“I’ve always taken care of him by his side during his heat cycles. It’s always been that way.”
“No—”
Just as he was about to cut him off, Chaika gripped Mikhail’s hand tightly [Read [unauthorized copy]on Read BL Novels]and looked up with desperate eyes.
“Please, Lord Mikhail.”
Good grief.
Mikhail lamented inwardly.
His will crumbled at the words of a tiny Beta human holding his hand. Chaika didn’t miss the opening and pleaded once more.
“It’s only for a few days at most, so please, just for that time. Lord Mikhail.”
The game was already over. Mikhail simply could not refuse Chaika’s desperate request. Even though he had reached a state where he couldn’t refuse, his insides boiled at the thought of the boy being with Nile day and night for several days. The thought that he wouldn’t be able to see him during that time also fueled his irritation and anger. Truly, there wasn’t a single part of the Omega breed that wasn’t annoying.
“……. Fine.”
Mikhail barely managed to force the words of consent out of his mouth. Inside, he was still seething.
Chaika’s eyes widened slightly, and then the corners of his mouth softened. His eyes curved gently, and a bright smile slowly bloomed across his face, like a flower bud coming into full bloom. It was the first time Mikhail had seen him smile so radiantly. His heart beat so violently it felt as if it might shatter his ribs.
“For such a tiny thing.”
How dare you play me like this?
Mikhail pinched Chaika’s cheek firmly. Even with his cheek pinched, Chaika just giggled happily.
“Thank you, Lord Mikhail.”
Chaika hugged Mikhail tightly. A sharp prickle of spite rose up—asking if he was really that happy just to be able to look after Nile—but it slowly subsided under the strength of that embrace.
“How many days will it take?”
“Usually, if you take the Suppressants according to the initial timing, it ends in two or three days. But they said they couldn’t be certain this time because it came on suddenly due to the influence of a Dominant Alpha like you, Lord Mikhail. Still, I think it will be over in three or four days.”
“First this, and now it’s just a nuisance. An Omega, of all things.”
As Mikhail spat out his annoyance, Chaika silently hugged him even tighter.
“In a few days… everything will be back to normal… we can spend time together like we do now. Just like now.”
Chaika repeated the words as if making a vow. In that moment, Mikhail felt something shift again. Despite holding him in his arms, it felt as if Chaika were too far away. A distant gap.
“Chaika.”
Mikhail called his name and tried to break the embrace to look at his face. However, Chaika [Read on Read BL Novels]shook his head and burrowed deeper into Mikhail’s chest.
* * *
Only a few hours after Chaika had shut himself away in Nile’s quarters with the Suppressants, Mikhail’s patience had already run dry. With the boy, who had been glued to his side nearly all day except when sleeping, gone, the day felt empty. It hadn’t even been a few months since Chaika arrived at Castillo Castle, yet in that short time, the boy had grown too large in Mikhail’s life.
“At first, I was simply trying to catch a cheeky intruder who dared to set foot in my study.”
Mikhail sat askew in his office chair and opened the lid of a box. It was the first trace of the boy he had found among the bookshelves during the early days of chasing him. A single strand of brown hair, of poor texture, lay neatly inside. Mikhail took it out and rolled it between his fingers. When he brought it to his nose, a faint, bitter scent still lingered.
Mikhail felt an impulse to go to Nile’s quarters right this instant, kick down the firmly closed door, and drag the boy back. In fact, there hadn’t been a single moment since Chaika went there that he hadn’t felt that impulse.
“Damn Omega.”
Mikhail gnashed his teeth at Nile, who had snatched Chaika away, claiming another heat cycle had arrived shortly after the last one had passed. He decided that once this heat cycle was over, he would definitely get rid of Nile before the next one came. Whether he sent him back to the Marquis Lucius estate or handed him over elsewhere.
The butler pushed in a tray and began to brew tea. Mikhail inhaled the scent of the hair several more times before placing it neatly back in the box and closing the lid.
“Not yet?”
The question, asked a dozen times a day, was steeped in irritation.
“Seeing as the door remains closed, it appears so. The style="position:absolute;left:-9999px;font-size:0;">[visit our site]knights are guarding the front of the door thoroughly, so please do not worry.”
The butler answered while pouring the tea.
“It’s already been two days.”
Mikhail muttered irritably and clicked his tongue. Had he said two days at the shortest, and three or four at the longest? If it took longer, he would have to wait another two days on top of the two that had already passed. Curses naturally escaped his lips.
“How about going for a hunt, Your Grace? Since it is now winter, it would be wonderful to catch some foxes or martens to make a coat for Lord Chaika.”
The butler made a tempting suggestion. Since it was time he had to spend waiting idly anyway, hunting would at least lessen the boredom and anxiety. As the butler said, it would be perfect if he could bring back foxes or martens to make a coat for Chaika.
“…Forget it.”
But Mikhail soon shook his head. Even though the one undergoing the heat cycle was Nile and Chaika was merely staying by his side to care for him, for some reason, a sense of unease and anxiety would not fade. The instincts of an Alpha, especially a Dominant Alpha, were highly developed; there had to be a reason why Mikhail felt this anxious. There was no way he could hunt properly in this state.
“Check on the knights at the door frequently, and supervise the guards strictly to ensure no one intrudes through the windows below the quarters.”
Mikhail repeated the words he had already said several times yesterday and today.
An Omega entering a heat cycle becomes extremely vulnerable. The Omega themselves are out of their mind with intense reproductive desire, and if they take Suppressants, they fall into a near-unconscious sleep until the cycle passes.
The thick pheromones emitted by the body stimulate and attract nearby [Read on Read BL Novels]Alphas. Alphas who have Read on Read BL Novelsstyle="display:none;" aria-label="visit our site">visit our sitesafely passed their young and immature years have some self-control, but young and inexperienced Alphas tend to rush in blindly when exposed to those pheromones.
Taking Suppressants drastically reduces the amount of pheromones emitted and prevents pregnancy, but the pheromones are still more intense than usual. That was why he had stationed experienced Alpha knights as guards again, just like last time. It wasn’t particularly to protect Nile, but rather out of concern that an Alpha who had lost his mind might intrude and Chaika might get caught in the crossfire and get hurt.
Mikhail, who had raised the teacup to his lips, suddenly frowned and slammed the cup down roughly. Hot tea splashed onto the desk. Without a hint of surprise, the butler took out a handkerchief and wiped up the spilled tea.
“Two days is plenty of time.”
Mikhail muttered this and bolted upright from his seat. It was a mistake to have allowed it just because Chaika had begged. Furthermore, since he had waited long enough for two days, Chaika wouldn’t resent him much even if he brought him back now. In the first place, how much care could there be in looking after an Omega who was passed out and sleeping after taking Suppressants?
The moment he thought of bringing Chaika back, he felt cheerful and refreshed. Mikhail let one corner of his mouth curl into a smirk and headed for the door.
Knock. Knock.
Just as he was about to open the door, a knock sounded. A visitor at the worst possible time. Mikhail intended to ignore whoever it was and go to Chaika, so he flung the door open. However, the moment he saw the visitor’s face, he changed his mind.
“Your Grace.”
The person bowing deeply was none other than that herbalist. He hadn’t looked presentable to begin with, but perhaps because he had been subjected to constant urging that bordered on threats, his face looked extremely haggard.
“I have finally found it, Your Grace.”
The herbalist spoke in a rough voice, almost spitting Read on Read BL Novelswm: visit our site -->content -->stolen contentthe words out. He even swayed slightly while standing, as if he hadn’t slept for several days.
Mikhail looked back and forth between the hallway leading to Nile’s quarters and the herbalist. The impulse to run and snatch Chaika away was far stronger than the desire to hear about the herb. However, this was information Chaika was intentionally hiding. It was better to hear the information about the herb now while the boy was absent. He could just go pick him up immediately after hearing the news.
Mikhail gestured for him to come in and returned to his office chair. He crossed his legs on the desk and leaned deep into the chair, waiting for the herbalist to speak.
The pale-complexioned herbalist’s legs were trembling as he walked toward the desk, likely because he had pushed himself too hard. When the butler handed him a glass of water, the herbalist took it with both hands and gulped it down. It was clear he had rushed here without even time to drink water. It seemed the frequent threats—renewing the deadline every two or three days and claiming he would hang himself if this deadline was missed—had worked quite well.
“Speak quickly.”
The butler urged the herbalist. The herbalist nodded, swallowed hard, and opened his mouth.
“The plant Your Grace ordered me to find is called ‘Bellazie.’ It is a rare species because its natural habitat is very small and limited, but since it is neither used as medicine nor as poison, it is usually treated as a weed.”
“And?”
Irritation and impatience leaked from Mikhail’s question. He wanted to hear the answer quickly and run off.
“To ordinary humans… that is, Betas, it is a common weed that is neither medicine nor poison, but it is said to have a unique effect specifically on Omegas. However, since very few Omegas use it, very few people know about it.”
A deep frown formed between Mikhail’s brows; he had intended to hear only briefly whether it was medicine or poison and what its effect was before leaping up from his seat. Thinking this was a prompt to hurry, the herbalist increased his speaking speed.
“If an Omega ingests this, it acts similarly to a Suppressant. It suppresses the unauthorized [visit our site]unauthorized copyvisit our site -->copyheat cycle, but if ingested regularly, the Omega’s characteristic pheromones themselves are not produced, allowing them to live as if they were a Beta.”
“…….”
“However… because it neutralizes the Omega’s pheromones using the toxicity of the Bellazie, the side effects upon administration are severe, and long-term use leads to extreme physical weakness and damage to various organs, eventually resulting in death.”
The herbalist finished speaking and glanced at Mikhail’s reaction. Mikhail remained silent, a deep crease between his brows. The words the herbalist had just poured out shattered and reassembled repeatedly, spinning in his head.
Beta. Weed. Omega. Suppression. Pheromone. Toxicity. Side effects. Damage. Death.
“…Live as if they were a Beta?”
As Mikhail muttered, the herbalist nodded.
“Yes. That is why it is said that some Omegas, fearing their children would be sold elsewhere by the father, secretly obtain and feed this to them. Of course… instead of being sold, they live as despised Betas and die young, but some Omegas believe that is preferable…”
‘In a few days… everything will be back to normal… we can spend time together like we do now. Just like now.’
The words Chaika had said two days ago suddenly came to mind. Words that had felt like something had clicked the moment he heard them. Come to think of it, the boy had said things like that unusually often.
‘I, Lord Mikhail. I like things just as they are now. I don’t need anything more.’
‘I just… wish everything could stay the same as it is now. I [visit our site]wish nothing would change in this state, that you would remain as you are, Lord Mikhail, and I would remain as I am… I wish for that.’
“……. So… that brat is an Omega?”
Mikhail muttered the conclusion he reached no matter how he turned the thought. But no matter how much he thought about it, it couldn’t be. Something so small, insignificant, cute, and lovely couldn’t possibly be an Omega.
His reason split into two and argued violently. But every time, it ended in a one-sided victory for one side.
A plant with no effect on Betas. A poisonous herb that acts only on Omegas. The boy who had been secretly growing Bellazie. The bitter scent of Bellazie that always wafted from him. How long had he been taking that poisonous herb to emit that scent from his entire body as if it were his original natural scent? Skin so white it was pale, a thin body, a fragile and small frame that seemed to bounce as if his ribs would shatter with a single cough. Blood he vomited along with those coughs. A body that could barely survive ten or fifteen years because it was so weak.
“…If taken long-term, how long do they live?”
The herbalist, who had been frozen in place watching Mikhail’s reaction, swallowed dryly and spoke slowly.
“Cases of long-term use are so rare that the physician I met could not be certain, but in the one case he witnessed personally, someone who had taken it since childhood did not pass twenty. I have heard rumors that other Omegas also lived much shorter lives than Betas.”
Screeech—.
The chair screamed as it was pushed back. Mikhail, having stood up, remained still for a moment before beginning to walk toward the door.
“Your Grace?”
He heard the herbalist calling, but it sounded faint, as if calling from a far-off place. Every step he took toward the door felt unreal, as if he were stepping on clouds. It felt as if he were [visit our site]style="position:absolute;left:-9999px;font-size:0;">[unauthorized copy]floating in a void. Nevertheless, his body steadily opened the door, stepped into the hallway, and headed toward his destination. It felt as if his soul and body were operating separately.
‘In a few days… everything will be back to normal… we can spend time together like we do now. Just like now.’
‘I, Lord Mikhail. I like things just as they are now. I don’t need anything more.’
‘I just… wish everything could stay the same as it is now. I wish nothing would change in this state, that you would remain as you are, Lord Mikhail, and I would remain as I am… I wish for that.’
Just like now. Just as it is. In this state.
The meaning of the words Chaika had said out of habit finally took full shape and struck Mikhail’s head.
The brat is an Omega? An Omega pretending to be a Beta?
Mikhail muttered repeatedly to himself. One part of his mind stubbornly denied it. There was no way that boy was an Omega. There was no way he was such a loathsome breed. But the rest of his mind had already accepted it. Considering all the circumstances, that boy was an Omega. An Omega pretending to be a Beta.
Without knowing when, he had arrived in front of the door to Nile’s quarters. He had almost no memory of walking from the office to this place.
“Your Grace.”
The two knights guarding the door bowed their heads. Mikhail slowly reached his hand toward the door. It was merely placing his hand on a door, yet it felt like putting his hand into the maw of a great beast.
“…….”
Mikhail blinked. Even though the thick, sturdy door was firmly closed, the pheromones of a heat cycle were leaking out minutely through the gaps. A sensual and obscene scent that called out to nearby Alphas, one that could not be completely hidden even after taking Suppressants…
“…Chaika…”
Mikhail muttered, sensing the scent of the pheromones. This did not belong to Nile. The scent and quality were different from Nile’s pheromones. There were only two people inside. If it wasn’t Nile, it had to be Chaika’s scent.
Mikhail slowly pushed the door. As it opened, a provocative and sensual pheromone wafted out. The knights in front of the door flinched and stepped back a few paces. The obscene pheromones tempted Mikhail. Mikhail slowly walked inside the room. And then he closed the door.
“…Y-Your… Grace?”
Nile, who was standing by the bed holding a medicine bowl, looked bewildered. Nile, who should have been in a deep sleep after taking Suppressants for his heat cycle, didn’t know what to do upon seeing Mikhail; he avoided his gaze and then bit his lower lip hard.
“…Your Grace.”
Nile called out softly. But even as he called, his face showed he didn’t know what to say.
Mikhail approached the bed with slow steps. A tiny figure was lying on one side of the wide, plush bed. The boy he had been dying to run and snatch away just a moment ago was fast asleep with a pale face and closed eyes.
As Mikhail approached, Nile stepped back. Mikhail stood right beside the bed and gazed down at Chaika. Brown hair, drenched in cold sweat, was clung to his forehead. Mikhail shifted his gaze to the medicine bowl in Nile’s hand. The bitter scent that usually wafted from Chaika was emanating from the bowl so strongly it nearly paralyzed his sense of smell. He snatched the bowl and looked inside; a murky green juice, squeezed from crushed poisonous herbs, was half-filled.
“…….”
“Your Grace, that is…”
Nile stepped forward and began to speak. Mikhail threw the bowl against the wall and immediately delivered a blow to Nile’s cheek. Nile collapsed to the floor without even being able to scream.
“…Ugh.”
Blood trickled from the corner of Nile’s mouth. Holding the cheek that had been struck, Nile slowly pushed himself up. Mikhail looked back and forth between the shattered bowl and Nile.
“You fed poison to the brother you care for so dreadfully?”
“…It is not what you think.”
Nile spoke calmly and stood up. He then brought a kettle and a bowl from a table in the corner of the room and placed them on the bedside table. Nile poured the liquid from the kettle into the bowl. It was the same liquid from before.
“You’ve gone mad.”
Mikhail grabbed Nile by the collar and hauled him up. But even while being held by the collar with his feet dangling in the air and his life threatened, Nile’s face remained completely unyielding.
“I must feed it to him.”
“You’re saying you’ll feed him poison even in front of me?”
“I must. His body is so weak that he won’t be able to endure the heat cycle without taking that.”
“Feed him Suppressants.”
As he spoke, Mikhail realized it. Despite his inner denial, his reason had fully accepted the fact that Chaika was, in truth, an Omega. The boy was an Omega.
“Because he has been taking that since he was young, ordinary Suppressants do not work.”
“So you intend to keep feeding him poison?”
The composure on Nile’s face cracked. His beautiful features slowly distorted.
“That is how I protect this child!”
Nile cried out desperately, shaking off Mikhail’s hand from his collar. Though the strength was absurdly weak, Mikhail let go. Nile slumped to the floor, then pushed himself up with his hands. He reached for the bowl once more.
“You’re insane.”
Mikhail snatched the bowl containing the Bellazie extract and hurled it against the wall. As the bowl shattered, Nile pulled the kettle of extract into his arms as if protecting it.
“This is the last of the extract. If he doesn’t take this, the child will die.”
Mikhail’s hand, which had been about to snatch and smash the kettle as well, flinched and stopped. In that gap, Nile moved to Chaika’s bedside and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Feeding a newborn poison to deceive the world into thinking a child born an Omega is a Beta—is that your way of protecting your brother?”
“Then what? He betrayed his Alpha owner and bore the child of another Beta. If that child were born an Omega, what fate would await him? He would be sold to a filthy brothel as an example, or if he were lucky, sold to some Alpha. Just like I was!”
His voice, which had been growing louder, turned into a near-scream by the end. Nile’s beautiful face was twisted with hatred and loathing.
“Why? Do you think it would be a better life for this child to live as an Omega—something Your Excellency finds so abhorrent and nauseating—rather than living as a frail Beta and dying young? Wasn’t it the Omega who bears the child of one Alpha, then is handed over to another Alpha to bear his child, living like that, who was nauseating?!”
Nile’s outcry was as caustic as the scent of Bellazie. It was steeped in poison and malice. Inside the always obedient and quiet Nile, such anger, hatred, and loathing had pooled like venom.
“So just leave him be. So that he doesn’t live like me. Even if his body is weak and he cannot live long, let him live and die like this, rather than living like livestock being sold around like our mother. If Your Excellency has even a shred of affection for this child, please, let him live this way.”
The voice fueled by malice and poison gradually subsided, eventually turning into a faint sob. Nile tilted the spout of the kettle toward Chaika’s lips. The extract of the poisonous herb, which consumes the body and eventually leads to death, fell drop by drop into the deeply sleeping Chaika’s mouth. Mikhail watched it happen right before his eyes, yet he could not bring himself to stop it.
Nile patiently let the extract trickle in bit by bit for the Chaika who could not swallow on his own. After spending a long time doing so and ensuring a fair amount was swallowed, Nile placed the kettle on the table.
“…It would be best if you stepped outside.”
Nile spoke in a weary voice. Mikhail did not listen. Nile, likewise, [visit [Read on Read BL Novels]our site]did not [stolen content]force Mikhail to leave. Instead, he held a cloth prepared by the bed and stared silently at Chaika.
Was it just his imagination? Chaika’s pale complexion began to turn blue. Something was wrong. The moment Mikhail could no longer endure it and reached out, Chaika’s body convulsed violently, and he began to vomit bright red blood.
Ugh. Ack. Gack. Gack.
With every surge of blood, a suppressed groan of pain was expelled. His body, convulsing in short, powerful spasms, twisted agonizingly from time to time. His already small and thin frame looked as if his breath would be completely extinguished.
“Leave him. Just leave him.”
Nile repeated, wiping away the vomited blood with the prepared cloth and turning his head to the side to scrape out the blood pooling in his mouth so it wouldn’t block his airway. Mikhail stared at Chaika, feeling more powerless than at any other moment in his life. Even as he watched him be fed a poison that hastened death, and even as he suffered, vomited blood, and had his lifespan shaved away because of that poison, Mikhail could do nothing.
Chaika’s convulsions ceased, and the vomiting stopped. Nile replaced the cloth beneath Chaika’s head with a fresh one and wiped the blood-stained mouth with a damp cloth.
“…Is it over now?”
“The heat cycle is almost over, so now we just need to let him rest deeply until he wakes up.”
Nile spoke in a calm voice, then added in a hushed tone.
“……. If he wakes up.”
“You’re saying he might not?”
“I have heard that such a risk always exists.”
Mikhail felt a powerful urge to snap the neck of Nile, who spoke of Chaika’s death in such a calm voice. He wanted to do more than snap it; he wanted to rip him from his torso and throw him out the window. No, he wanted to tear him limb from limb.
“Step back.”
Mikhail spoke lowly. As if he had finished his task, Nile obediently stepped away from the bed. That act saved his life.
Mikhail gazed at Chaika’s pale face for a moment before slowly reaching out. His hand stopped abruptly just shy of touching the face. Omega. That single word had transformed this small creature into a completely different being. Mikhail wondered if he still wanted this boy. But nothing came to mind.
He saw only the pale face, the lips stained bright red with traces of blood, and the brow furrowed in pain. The breath, so weak it could barely be heard if one listened closely, was as fragile as if it might snap at any moment. Only Chaika’s appearance and his frail breathing filled his mind. He could judge nothing. But one thing was certain: he had to take Chaika out of this place. This was not Mikhail’s domain. Chaika needed to be in Mikhail’s domain.
Mikhail wrapped Chaika carefully in the sheets and lifted him gently. He moved his steps with extreme caution, fearing that even the slightest shake might stop that fragile breath.
“What do you intend to do with the child?”
Nile, who had stepped back, asked quietly.
“It is none of your concern. You would do well to ensure you don’t cross my path after today. I might snap that white neck of yours the moment I see you.”
Nile did not open his mouth again. He simply watched silently as Mikhail left the ro-->stolen [stolen content]contentom while holding Chaika.
Chaika slept for another half-day lying in Mikhail’s bed. No, rather than sleeping, he was essentially in a coma due to the effects of the poisonous herb. Mikhail stood nailed to the bedside, listening to the fragile breathing that barely continued. His mind was empty, unable to think of anything. Just the pale face before his eyes and the frail breathing in his ears. That was all.
Darkness fell. The butler entered, added logs to the fireplace, and lit the candles. He then prepared tea and water on the bedside table so they could be drunk at any time. Knowing his master well, the butler finished his tasks like a shadow and quietly headed for the door.
“The physician….”
The moment the butler was about to open the door and leave, Mikhail spoke softly.
“Search for and bring the physician with the most extensive knowledge of Omegas. And ensure the herbalist remains within the castle walls.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
The butler answered quietly and withdrew from the room.
Standing with his gaze fixed on Chaika once more, Mikhail suddenly let out a heavy sigh. He was dreadfully exhausted. He was dozens of times more tired than after running through snow-covered mountains for over ten days tracking an Alpha wolf.
Mikhail slowly reached his hand toward Chaika’s face. After hesitating at a distance where he almost touched, the tips of Mikhail’s fingers landed on Chaika’s forehead. It was cold. Mikhail slowly moved his fingers down from Chaika’s forehead. His fingers traveled down the forehead, passed the brow wrinkled in pain, and slid down the bridge of the nose. The fingers moved from the tip of the sharp nose to the lips stained red with blood, to the chin, and from the tip of the chin to the nape of the neck.
“…He was an Omega….”
Mikhail murmured, wrapping his hand around the slender neck. He could feel the pulse of the vein in the neck Read [stolen content]wm: stolen content -->on Read BL Novelsbeneath his hand. A pulse of life so weak, unlike his own.
Because Chaika had drunk the extract of the poisonous herb several times over two days, a bitter scent wafted from him much more strongly than usual. How strong must that poison be to not only suppress a heat cycle but to actually alter pheromones? How tenacious was Chaika, to unhesitatingly swallow a poisonous herb that eroded his life and destroyed his body and organs every time he took it? How could this small creature, this timid creature, be so tenacious? How did this weak thing, who could be easily killed with just a tiny bit of pressure on the neck, dare to deceive me so perfectly? How did he dare betray me?
…Betrayal.
Mikhail belatedly recalled that single word.
No matter what this boy had done, no matter what lies he had told, Mikhail could have laughed it off as a trivial prank. Even if he were a spy sent by the Emperor he loathed, it would have been fine. Even if he were a spy from another territory, or if he had seduced him just to change his fate, it would have been fine. But one thing. The boy… Chaika, must not have been an Omega. This boy had committed the most terrible betrayal Mikhail could suffer.
Mikhail applied pressure to the hand gripping Chaika’s neck. Now that the heat cycle had ended, the only thing emanating from Chaika was the pungent scent of Bellazie. No trace of Omega pheromones could be found. The creature lying before him was, at least in appearance, a perfect Beta. He was the Chaika he had known until now. He was mine.
But once the boy opened his eyes, everything would change. The one who had been mine would turn into a traitor, and if he didn’t take the poisonous herb, he would emit the nauseating pheromones of an Omega. Something lovely would transform into something abhorrent. Mikhail did not want that.
‘Should I just kill him now?’
Before the thought even fully formed in his head, his hand had already begun to tighten around the fragile neck of its own accord. Strength was applied to the hand slowly constricting the throat. Wouldn’t it be better to kill him in this state, before this small creature transformed into an abhorrent being?
‘In a few days… everything will go back to how it was… we can be like we are now. Just like now.’
‘I just… wish everything could stay the same as it is now. I wish nothing would change, and you would be the Mikhail you are now, and I would be the me I am now… I wish for that.’
Chaika’s desperate voice brushed past his ears. But that was a vain wish. It was a story that could only have been possible if Mikhail had not known Chaika’s true identity.
With just one strong squeeze, this fragile neck would break helplessly. If he squeezed just a bit harder, the breath and blood flow would be blocked, and he would die quietly. However, Mikhail’s hand could not exert that much strength. He was merely gripping him with the intent to kill, but he could not actually apply the force.
Mikhail grit his teeth. Then, he forced strength into the hand that was defying his will. The fragile gasping for breath subsided, and the pulse of the vein felt beneath his hand stopped. The pale complexion gradually began to turn blue. In about ten seconds, the boy would die just like this, while still being mine.
“…h….”
A faint sound escaped from Chaika’s mouth, which had parted slightly due to the strangulation. The golden eyelashes, which had been closed as if in death, trembled and slowly lifted, revealing purple eyes. The half-open eyes were wet with moisture. The moment their eyes met, the strength vanished from the hand gripping the neck.
The fragile breathing returned. The pulse of the vein beneath the hand started again. The purple eyes beneath the golden eyelashes stared silently at Mikhail, and soon, pooled tears flowed down his cheeks.
“…I’m sorry.”
“…….”
It was an apology without context.
“I’m sorry. …I’m sorry.”
Even a brief moment of strangulation had left his voice heavily sunken. Chaika apologized repeatedly in a voice that barely came out. Mikhail wanted to snap at him, asking what he was sorry for. He wanted to scream, asking if this was something that could be resolved with a mere apology. He wanted to ask if the boy didn’t know he had just been trying to strangle him to death. But facing those shimmering purple eyes, he could do nothing. No words came out. He simply stared, as if possessed.
The shimmering tears flowed down again. Mikhail’s heart plummeted with them.
“…You deceived me.”
Mikhail murmured in a voice that felt dreadfully powerless and exhausted. He felt as if he would collapse right then and there if he didn’t say something. No, he felt as if he would pull the boy into an embrace.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to deceive you on purpose….”
“An Omega?”
As always, a deep sense of loathing naturally laced the word Omega. Chaika’s eyelids trembled. The breathing that had been struggling to hold onto the thread of life became ragged. As Chaika scanned Mikhail’s coldly frozen face, his expression gradually distorted. Mikhail’s face, which clearly displayed his hatred for Omegas, made the boy cry.
Hic. Sob.
Chaika sobbed. He sobbed sorrowfully, biting his lower lip so hard it looked as if it would burst. Tears filled his purple eyes and flowed endlessly downward. Mikhail simply watched. He, too, had no idea what to say or what to do.
After sobbing for a while, Chaika reached out and grabbed Mikhail’s collar. Perhaps fearing he would be pushed away, the hand gripping the collar was trembling violently.
“…I just, I wanted to be born a Beta. Then Nile wouldn’t have to worry about me, and Your Excellency… Mikhail-nim, you hate Omegas. But I’m an Omega…. Still, I liked it so much that Your Excellency liked me…. I wanted to tell you the truth….”
Hic. Sob.
Swallowing his cries, sobbing sorrowfully, Chaika poured out his words in fragments and reached out with his other hand, gripping Mikhail’s collar with both hands as if it were a lifeline.
“I’m sorry, Mikhail-nim. I’m sorry for being an Omega.”
“…….”
“B-but if I just take my medicine regularly, I can live as a Beta just like now. The pheromones you hate won’t come out, and I’ll be just like a Beta. I’ll take the medicine well…. Please don’t hate me.”
Having said that while swallowing his tears, Chaika finally burst into loud crying.
Waaaah. Ugh. Waaaah.
A small, white face, completely distorted as he wailed without any regard for how he looked. How could something this cute and lovely be a mere Omega?
“I’m sorry, I’m sorr….”
Watching Chaika wail, repeating only that he was sorry, Mikhail’s mind went blank. Mikhail sat by the head of Chaika—who now looked the most unsightly he had ever seen, covered in tears and snot—and pulled the wailing boy into his arms. The boy, who would usually have hesitated even for a moment, immediately hugged Mikhail’s back tightly this time and continued to pour out tears.
Mikhail stroked Chaika’s small head. He was lovely. Even the way he cried in his arms was beautiful. His chest felt so full it seemed it might burst. The thought that this lovely thing would turn into something abhorrent in a short while made him shudder. He did not want to admit it.
“…Mikhail-nim….”
The prolonged wailing gradually subsided. Chaika sniffled, holding Mikhail tightly as if he were a lifeline. Mikhail gently stroked Chaika’s [Read on Read BL Novelsclass="wm" style="opacity:0;font-size:1px;user-select:all;">unauthorized copy]hair and kissed the crown of his head. Then, he whispered.
“You should have just never woken up, Chaika.”
The body in his arms froze like a stone.
“If you had, you would have died while remaining my lovely possession.”
Mikhail kissed the crown of his head once more and pushed Chaika away from his embrace. Pushed back and frozen like a doll, Chaika’s purple eyes were wide with shock.
* * *
Castilla Castle was a strategic military point where stone fortifications had existed for well over a thousand years. Over time, the castle had been expanded and rebuilt repeatedly to reach its current form. Throughout the grand and beautiful castle, traces of the old fortress remained.
To the north of the Castilla inner castle, a castle tower built hundreds of years ago stood solitary and erect. This old tower, built of gray limestone, was called the Black Tower because it bore blackened scorch marks in various places, as if testifying to the weight of the wars and years it had endured.
This gloomy black tower had been built so long ago that it was no longer used for military or residential purposes, though it was occasionally utilized for other reasons. It served as a place to confine prisoners whose status or ransom was too high to be thrown into the dungeons. Of course, even those instances were stories from a long time ago.
The black tower was the final stronghold, built in preparation for the event that the castle walls were breached. The entrance to the round tower, constructed from heavy limestone, was the only one, and the spiral staircase leading up was intentionally narrow, barely allowing one person to pass. As one climbed the stairs, narrow slit windows appeared sporadically—arrow slits designed to fire at enemies.
After climbing the narrow stairs for a long while, one reached the room at the top. The room was quite large, spanning the circumference of the tower. The space intended for the lord and his family to evacuate to when surrounded by enemies had, like the stairs, only very narrow slit windows, leaving it pitch-black even in the bright light of day.
The last person to reside in the black tower was a lord captured during a territorial war with the former lord of Castilla about eighty years ago. Though confined, he [visit our site]received lavish treatment for over three months while [Read on Read BL Novels]ransom negotiations took place, eventually being released after paying a massive sum in reparations. Of course, not every prisoner held here met such a happy ending. Some grew old and died in confinement, some starved to death, and others were dragged out to be executed.
Regardless, after about eighty years, a new master—or prisoner—had come to occupy the top room of the black tower.
The first prisoner in eighty years was quite lucky. Even before he entered the tower, preparations to welcome him were in full swing. The room, long neglected and covered in dust and cobwebs, was cleaned thoroughly, and soft, thick carpets were laid over the cold stone floor. The dark, drab walls, marked with traces of fire, were decorated with expensive, beautiful tapestries and silk.
A plush and comfortable bed was also brought in; to achieve this, the servants had to undergo the immense labor of completely dismantling a bed, carrying it up the narrow, long stairs, and reassembling it. The same went for the tables, chairs, and the large stove used to heat the interior.
Through the great effort of many, the room in the black tower was transformed into a space as comfortable as any room in the Castilla mansion. The only difference was that there were no proper windows; the narrow, long arrow slits were the only way to see outside. Furthermore, the fact that the lock was on the outside of the door served as a reminder of the room’s true purpose.
“The toxin has already permeated too deeply into his body, so if we stop the administration suddenly, there is a high possibility he will lose his life due to shock. It would be best to gradually reduce the dosage.”
“Do that.”
The physician and the herbalist, who had been standing side by side, bowed and withdrew.
Mikhail remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the window where a deep darkness had fallen. Beyond the garden, which revealed its beauty under the night lights, lay the black tower, shrouded in absolute darkness. Only the faint light leaking from a narrow, long window—barely wide enough for a small hand to slip through—announced the tower’s existence. And the existence of Chaika, who would be trapped alone inside…
“If you’re that worried, why don’t you go see him?”
Ilya, who was sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, sipping wine, suddenly spoke. Ilya had not mentioned Chaika for several days. But it seemed he now felt like interfering. Or rather, he probably found it stifling to keep his mouth shut any longer.
“If you’re going to lock him up, put him in the dungeon properly, or just keep him comfortably inside unauthorized copyon Read BL Novels">Read on Read BL Novelscopy -->the mansion. He’s not a prisoner of war, nor a traitor, so what’s with the confinement in the black tower? I heard from the physician that you decorated it as lavishly as your own bedroom?”
Mikhail did not respond. In truth, Mikhail could not understand his own actions at all. Why he had locked the boy in such a place, and why he had ordered it to be made so comfortable while doing so. He didn’t even know what he wanted to do with him. Watching the faint light leak from the black tower at night to feel the boy’s presence, and feeling relieved while receiving daily detailed reports on his condition—it was all incomprehensible and pathetic. Truly pathetic.
“Go tomorrow and see how he’s doing.”
At Mikhail’s blunt remark, Ilya let out a hollow laugh.
“Why don’t you just go yourself? So what if he’s actually an Omega? What does it matter? If he says he wants to live as a Beta, let him. Isn’t that what you want too? You liked him when he was a Beta. If you hate the fact that he’s an Omega, keep feeding him the medicine. He said he wants it himself.”
“Then it’s only ten years.”
“That’s better than nothing. Or can you not stand the thought of him dying? But you can’t treat him the same as before now that he’s an Omega?”
“…”
Ilya’s words were accurate. He didn’t want the boy to live a mere ten years as a Beta by taking poison and then die. He didn’t want to lose him. But he didn’t want the boy to become an Omega either. He didn’t want to see him turn into a loathsome being. Would it have been better to just strangle him to death back then? Then he wouldn’t have to see him waste away from poison, nor watch him transform into something repulsive. He would have died while remaining his lovely possession.
“You haven’t even seen him yet. The boy who became an Omega… you haven’t met him yet.”
Chaika as an Omega. A deep frown creased Mikhail’s brow. Omega. Just thinking about Chaika—that boy—exuding that filthy scent made him nauseous.
“He might be different. You said he’s weaning off the medicine? Then meet the boy who became an Omega. See if he’s as disgusting and loathsome as you fear. If he really is… then decide. [stolen content]style="display:none;" aria-label="stolen content">stolen contentEither send him far away, or live with him for ten years while continuing the medicine.”
Ilya spoke lightly, but his intentions were obvious. He wanted Mikhail to accept Chaika as an Omega. Chaika was the only person the Omega-hating Mikhail had ever opened his heart to. If he accepted Chaika as an Omega, he could fulfill the Emperor’s command to produce an heir.
“…Just go and check on him.”
Mikhail spoke quietly, pretending not to know Ilya’s intentions. He couldn’t bring himself to see Chaika directly. Nor did he fully trust the physician’s words. The only person he could trust completely was Ilya.
It was Ilya’s first time ascending the black tower. He knew the tower was located at the northern edge of the inner wall and knew the stories surrounding it, but he had no hobby of visiting a tower that was now little more than a useless ruin.
Seen up close, the black tower exuded a gloom that matched its name. As a tower built as a final stronghold, the outer walls of the round tower, made of layers of heavy gray limestone, were covered in scorch marks and countless dents and scratches from various weapons, preserving the traces of a once desperate war.
The single entrance door was made of thick wood with iron hinges; it looked as though it would require considerable strength and time to break through. When the soldier on guard opened the door, the rusted hinges let out a chilling screeeech. Ilya clicked his tongue, covering one ear with his finger.
The structure of the tower was very simple. It was merely heavy limestone piled high with a single room perched at the top. The narrow spiral staircase, the only entrance to the room, was an extremely irritating structure for Ilya, who was larger and taller than the average human. As he climbed, shifting his body sideways, his clothes—newly tailored to the latest fashion—became covered in dust and soot.
When he finally reached the top, another heavy door appeared. A guard stood before it. At Ilya’s gesture, the guard took a large iron key from the bunch at his waist and turned it in the lock. Clunk. With a heavy sound, the lock released.
Whistle—
Upon entering the room, the first thing Ilya did was whistle. He had heard about it from the physician who frequented the tower, but the interior he saw with his own eyes was beyond imagination.
The gray walls, which surely would have been as gloomy as the exterior or the staircase, were cleverly hidden by silk and tapestries, and the fairly wide stone floor was entirely covered with plush, soft carpets. There were [Read on Read BL Novels]style="position:relative;display:inline;">[unauthorized copy]only a few pieces of furniture, but all were luxurious and clean; in particular, the bed was so luxurious and massive that it was a wonder how it had been brought in. Furthermore, there was a large metal stove in one corner of the room, keeping the entire space warm. It was a truly cozy environment.
After taking in the scenery of the room, Ilya suddenly realized that something that should be there was missing. The prisoner trapped in the tower, Chaika. He walked into the room and looked around, but the bed was empty. There was no sign of him on the chairs, table, sofa, or in front of the stove.
“…Chaika?”
Ilya called Chaika’s name, hiding his bewilderment. In that brief moment, the vivid image of Mikhail’s reaction should Chaika have disappeared made the back of his neck grow cold.
“…Yes.”
Before the chill could fade, a small, whisper-like answer returned from some corner. Ilya breathed a sigh of relief and turned his gaze toward the sound.
“What are you doing there?”
Ilya asked in a slightly bewildered voice. Chaika was not on the bed, nor a chair, nor by the stove; he was curled up with his back against the wall furthest from the heat. Because he was such a petite person and was curled into a ball, he hadn’t been easily spotted.
Chaika did not answer. He simply remained curled up. Although the stove was heating the air, it didn’t seem like the warmth reached where Chaika was huddled. He seemed to be intentionally curling up in a cold, hard corner.
“Hmm…”
Ilya let out a soft sigh with a troubled expression. Being sociable and outgoing, Ilya had met all sorts of people, but he had never encountered someone like Chaika. That is… he seemed so small and fragile that he might snap if touched wrongly, yet on the other hand, he was an Omega tough enough to pretend to be a Beta while taking poison… should he put it that way? No, regardless of all that, the mere fact that he was the one Mikhail had given his heart to made Ilya unsure of how to treat him.
After a brief sigh, Ilya approached Chaika. He moved his steps very slowly, fearing he might intimidate him. Despite this, every time Ilya drew closer, Chaika’s curled body shrank a little more. It felt as if he might vanish if he kept curling aria-label="Read on Read BL Novels">Read [stolen content]on Read BL Novelsup like that. Ilya thought he understood why Mikhail couldn’t bring himself to treat Chaika harshly despite the feeling of betrayal.
Given the massive height difference, and with Chaika curled up, his face was not visible. Ilya hesitated for a moment before bending his knees to sit. Only then was he barely able to see the boy’s face.
“Chaika?”
At the call of his name, the head that had been bowed low slowly lifted. A small, white face turned toward Ilya. Forgetting the situation, Ilya almost whistled unconsciously. He had seen him in passing, but this was the first time he had seen his face properly from this close.
‘So he was hiding a face like this.’
Ilya marveled inwardly, trying hard to maintain his expression. A white, small face with beautiful features. Golden eyelashes and mysterious purple eyes. Judging by the color of the lashes, his hair must have originally been blonde as well. If there was a flaw, it was that he was too petite. But there were plenty of Alphas who would love exactly that.
The problem was the pheromones… He couldn’t know since he hadn’t smelled them yet, but for some reason, he felt the boy would exude a fantastically sweet scent. If he hadn’t been hidden by Nile and had been properly fed and trained, he would have become a high-end product no less than Nile. Perhaps Chaika might have been the one sold here instead of Nile.
“You’re still not feeling well, so why are you in a place like this? It’s too cold here. Hurry and go lie down in the warm bed.”
Ilya spoke with feigned concern. Ilya knew well that his appearance was quite likable, and he knew that most people disarmed immediately if treated softly and kindly. Mikhail knew this as well, which is why he sent Ilya to check on Chaika.
“…. …I don’t.”
Chaika murmured, his small lips fluttering as if debating whether to open them. However, his voice was so small it couldn’t be heard properly. Looking at those small, red, fluttering lips, Ilya thought that this must be exactly Mikhail’s taste. Then, he asked in an even softer, kinder tone.
“Aren’t you cold? [[Read on Read BL Novels]Read on Read BL Novels -->class="wm" style="opacity:0;font-size:1px;user-select:all;">visit our site]The floor must be hard. If it’s hard to move, shall I take you to the bed?”
“…I don’t deserve to be in a warm and comfortable place.”
“…”
“Because of me, Lord Mikhail…”
A faint moisture clung to the end of his fading words. Seeing the face full of self-reproach, Ilya’s heart grew unsettled. Anyone watching would think Chaika had stabbed Mikhail with a knife. …Well, for the first person he ever gave his heart to be the very Omega he loathed so much—that was a betrayal worse than being stabbed.
As Chaika bowed his head again, no pheromones characteristic of an Omega could be felt. Only the bitter herbal scent that always clung to him remained. Even though he heard the dosage was being reduced daily, seeing it remain the same made him wonder how potent this Bellazie really was.
“…Is Lord Mikhail not coming?”
Chaika asked in a voice tinged with hesitation. His voice was so small that Ilya had to lean in close to barely hear it.
“I wonder…”
Ilya answered ambiguously, then asked back after a short pause.
“Why? Do you miss him?”
The head that had been bowed low slowly lifted. Purple eyes wavered with moisture. The visit our siteEND: visit our site -->small lips fluttered, and after a long while, they barely parted.
“…Yes.”
Answering in a voice barely audible, Chaika curled his body even smaller and spoke.
“I miss him so, so much. But he won’t forgive me, will he?”
“I wonder…”
Once again, Ilya could only give an ambiguous answer.
“The medicine… if I just take the medicine again… if I just take the medicine.”
Chaika murmured. Ilya made a troubled face, having nothing to say to him.
After murmuring for a while, Chaika’s mouth closed firmly, and his expression changed slightly. Then he lifted his head and asked.
“How is Lord Nile? Is he doing well? Did Lord Mikhail perhaps…”
Ilya wondered why he looked so determined, only to find it was worry for Nile. Ilya chuckled.
“He’s doing well. He’s living just as he always does, so [[stolen content]class="wm" style="opacity:0;font-size:1px;user-select:all;">stolen content]don’t worry.”
A look of relief appeared on Chaika’s face.
“Lord Nile gets lonely easily. He’ll be even lonelier without me… he must be worrying a lot… Count, could you go to Lord Nile and reassure him that I’m doing well?”
“I will.”
“While you’re at it, could you keep him company for a bit? I was the only one he had to talk to.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Thank you so much.”
As Chaika gave his thanks, a bright smile spread across his white, small face like a flower bud in full bloom. Ah, that’s it. Ilya felt he understood one of the reasons why Mikhail had given his heart to Chaika.
* * *
After sending Ilya to the black tower, Mikhail could do nothing. Even when drinking tea, he couldn’t taste it; even when holding documents, the letters wouldn’t enter his eyes. Eventually, Mikhail stood by the window, staring intensely at the small black tower in the distance.
After waiting for several hours, a knock sounded.
“You’re late.”
Mikhail threw a cold voice the moment Ilya entered, and only then did he notice Nile standing behind him. His already cold face grew even frostier.
“It’s alright, come in.”
Ilya walked in front of Mikhail as if protecting Nile. Nile hesitated for a moment at Mikhail’s expression, but then approached with Ilya, his face determined.
“I suppose you’re late because you were doing something useless?”
At the phrase ‘something useless,’ Mikhail glared at Nile before turning his gaze to Ilya. Since being taken from Nile’s quarters, Nile had visited Mikhail several times a day. Of course, Mikhail had not granted him a single meeting. It seemed he had now come by using Ilya as a shield.
“I heard from the Count that Chaika is being well cared for in a comfortable environment.”
Having said that, Nile’s eyes briefly looked at the window behind Mikhail. From this window, the black tower was visible, albeit small.
“Thank you for not treating him harshly. But how long do you intend to keep him locked up there?”
Nile held his hands tightly clasped in front of him. Contrary to his calm exterior, he was doing his absolute best to summon every ounce of courage. Had Mikhail seen Nile’s face a day… no, two days ago, he likely would have struck him once, but fortunately, that was not the case today. Instead of answering Nile’s question, Mikhail brought up another topic.
“I have sent a letter to the House of Marquis Lucius. I told them to take you back as soon as possible, so return there as soon as someone from the Marquessate arrives.”
“…The House of Marquis Lucius does not accept returns on [unauthorized on Read BL Novels">Read on Read BL Novelscopy]Omegas once they have been sold. If I leave, another Omega will simply take my place.”
“No. That will not happen. I have already received an Omega to replace you. Chaika will take your place.”
Nile’s eyes widened at Mikhail’s words. Ilya also could not hide his surprise.
“Your Excellency!”
Nile shouted, taking a step forward.
“That child… please let that child live as he is now. I cannot let him live like I did!”
“That is not for you to decide.”
There was not a flicker of hesitation in Mikhail’s voice or expression. Nile searched Mikhail’s face for a moment before his expression fell in disappointment.
“Then, at the very least, please let me stay by his side.”
“I bought one Omega from Marquis Lucius. I have no need for two.”
Having said his piece, Mikhail gestured to the servant waiting by the door. The servant told Nile to leave, but Nile would not listen. Eventually, two servants forcibly dragged Nile out.
“Your Excellency! Your Excellency! Please, just let that child live as he is!”
Nile cried out desperately even as he was being dragged away. Ilya looked back and forth between the departing Nile and Mikhail with a troubled and pitying expression.
The door closed, and Nile’s voice soon faded into the distance. Mikhail returned to the window and glared at the Black Tower.
“Are you planning to get an heir from Chaika?”
Ilya approached and asked.
“How do you plan to make a child when you can’t even bring yourself to look at his face?”
“…….”
“Then again, he’s so small and frail that I’m afraid he might die if you make him give birth. …What do you intend to do?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“He leaves a plush bed behind and huddles in a cold corner where the heat from the stove doesn’t even reach. I’m told he only takes short naps while curled up there. When I asked why, he said he doesn’t deserve to be in a warm and comfortable place. He had a look on his face as if he should be punished for hurting the great Lord Mikhail.”
“…An Omega dared to hurt me?”
Mikhail muttered coldly. Ilya gazed at the distant Black Tower for a moment before speaking.
“He says he misses you.”
“…….”
“He said he misses you very, very much.”
After saying this, Ilya patted Mikhail’s shoulder a couple of times as if to encourage him and turned away. Left alone in the room, Mikhail sank powerlessly into his chair and covered his eyes with his hand. A heavy sigh escaped him.
‘He says he misses me. He said he misses me very, very much.’
The short words Ilya delivered lingered in his ears.
‘He says he misses me. He said he misses me very, very much.’
The words repeated endlessly in his ears, and gradually, the voice began to change. It was no longer Ilya’s voice, but the boy’s.
‘I miss you. I miss you very, very much.’
“You should be saying you’re sorry. That you were wrong. That you committed a capital crime. Begging for forgiveness. Begging me to kill you…. In a situation where you should be pouring out such pleas a hundred, a thousand times, you merely… miss me?”
Mikhail let out a hollow laugh and looked [unauthorized copy]unauthorized copy -->style="position:absolute;left:-9999px;font-size:0;">[stolen content]up. He glared at the Black Tower. Or rather, he tried to glare.
‘I miss you. I miss you very, very much.’
“It’s not asking for forgiveness, not asking for his life, not asking to be released…. He just misses me…. A mere Omega.”
Mikhail put force into the last words, but he knew it himself. The usual hatred was not properly infused into his voice. And… perhaps those words Ilya delivered were exactly what Mikhail had wanted to hear.
Less than ten days after the news reached the Marquessate, Marquis Lucius visited in person. Marquis Andre Lucius was not greatly angered even after hearing that the younger brother Nile had doted on was an Omega. He simply readily accepted Mikhail’s condition to take Chaika instead of Nile. For the Marquis, it was a great business gain; not only did he sell a product he didn’t even know existed at a high price, but he also received the high-grade product, Nile, back intact.
Perhaps as a token of gratitude for the great profit, the Marquis decided to lend a physician famous for specializing in Omegas from his own house to Castle Castilla. A physician who specialized only in Omegas from the House of Marquis Lucius, which dealt in Omega trade, would be a significant help in caring for Chaika.
Before leaving with the Marquis, Nile clung to them, begging to meet Chaika just once to say goodbye. Ilya, feeling pity for Nile, added a word of support. Having received permission, Nile climbed the Black Tower alone. Contrary to expectations that it would take a long time, Nile descended from the Black Tower in less than thirty minutes. No one knew what conversation Chaika and Nile had shared. Thus, Nile left Castle Castilla in the Marquis’s carriage, leaving Chaika behind.
Though Nile’s presence vanished, nothing changed particularly in Castle Castilla. It simply returned to how it was before he arrived. If anything had changed, it was that every night, a faint light leaked from the top of the Black Tower.
“Starting today, I intend to reduce the administration of Bellazie extract to once every three days.”
At the physician’s words, Mikhail tore his gaze away from the distant Black Tower.
“I believe the dosage was being reduced slightly every day. If you suddenly increase the interval to once every three days instead of every two, will there be no problem?”
“It has already been a month since we began reducing the dosage very gradually. Since the daily dose is already visit stolen contentour siteextremely small and the withdrawal symptoms seen thus far have improved significantly, I expect there will be no major issues in increasing it to once every three days.”
“Then it should be fine. What about his health?”
“As the toxicity is removed, his bodily functions are gradually returning. Since he has the basic recovery power of an Omega, he will likely recover smoothly at this rate. Though it will take some time to recover completely.”
“I see.”
Just as Mikhail was about to turn his gaze back to the Black Tower, the physician stepped forward cautiously and spoke.
“However… Your Excellency.”
“What is it?”
“Lord Chaika keeps demanding more Bellazie extract.”
Mikhail’s eyes instantly turned fierce.
“At first, it was just a cautious request for a little more extract, but recently, as the dosage has decreased significantly, he has been asking for more every single day….”
“Is it withdrawal?”
“He is extremely anxious, even biting [stolen content]his nails until they bleed, but I believe this is for psychological reasons, separate from withdrawal caused by addiction.”
“…Pheromones.”
The physician nodded at Mikhail’s words.
“The pheromones that had been neutralized by the toxicity are gradually recovering. It is still faint, so one must be close to feel it, but it will grow stronger over time. Lord Chaika feels this and is becoming more anxious.”
‘Pheromones.’
Mikhail muttered to himself while staring at the Black Tower. A disgusting scent that forcibly arouses an Alpha’s sexual desire. It meant that it was now wafting from Chaika’s body.
“Once the administration is reduced to once every three days, the recovery speed of the pheromones will accelerate, so it would be wise to change the guards of the tower.”
“I will.”
Mikhail nodded.
Currently, the tower door was guarded by ordinary soldiers. In any case, there was no reason for anyone within the inner walls of Castilla to intentionally break in, nor was there any chance that Chaika would open the door and escape on his own even if it weren’t locked. The guards were merely symbolic.
But it was different now. Once Chaika began to emit the pheromones unique to Omegas, he had to prepare for the possibility of reckless Alphas being drawn to him. There were quite a few knights in the outer walls of Castilla. Among them were those who had just become knights—young or immature ones who did not know how to control their instincts. It was time to have experienced Alpha knights protect Chaika against such predators.
The daily reports ended. Normally, Mikhail would have gestured for the physician to leave, but since he remained standing, staring silently at the Black Tower, the physician also stayed in his place. [[stolen content]class="wm" style="opacity:0;font-size:1px;user-select:all;">visit our site]After standing there for a long time, Mikhail suddenly asked quietly.
“Does he not say that he feels suffocated?”
“He says no such thing. He simply remains curled up in the same spot every day…. Since it is bad for his health, I move him to the bed every time, but as soon as I leave, he returns to the same spot immediately.”
“…….”
It had already been a month. Not a few days, not ten days, not fifteen, but a month.
The season had already completely passed late autumn and entered full winter, a time when the wind and air were freezing. The Black Tower had small openings instead of actual windows, meaning the cold air would rush straight in. He should be by the stove to barely avoid the chill, yet he was huddling against the wall furthest from the heat….
The muscles in his jaw tightened instinctively. Mikhail felt a powerful urge to head to the top of the tower immediately and bark at the boy to get into bed and cover himself with a blanket.
“…I worry if this is an overstepping remark, Your Excellency, but would it be possible to change Lord Chaika’s quarters? He suffers from severe depression, and staying in an environment with almost no sunlight is not good for his physical or mental health. Furthermore, although the windows are very small, the cold winter wind blows straight in…. It is an excessively harsh environment for a patient to spend the winter. I believe his body and mind would recover more quickly in a place with plenty of sunlight.”
“That is none of your concern.”
“…I apologize.”
The physician bowed deeply. When Mikhail gestured, the physician bowed his head in respect and stepped back. Just as a servant opened the door and the physician was about to slip out, Mikhail called him back.
“Wait.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
The physician stepped forward again. After staring at the Black Tower for a moment, Mikhail spoke.
“Let him take a walk in the garden once a day.”
“A walk?”
“Then he can get some sunlight and exercise.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
The physician retreated outside, his expression visibly brightened.
Comments 0
You must be logged in to comment.
No comments yet. Be the first!