TPWTM 17

“Karon, ugh!”

“What’s with all these things getting in the way, Yuri.”

“Ugh!”

As Karon unbuttoned his shirt and pulled Yurik close, he impatiently pressed their lips together. When he bit Yurik’s lower lip, a small gasp escaped as Yurik’s mouth opened. Karon scraped the inside of Yurik’s mouth, exploring it. He teased the roof of Yurik’s mouth with his tongue, rubbing against it. Yurik’s body twitched in response. However, Karon grabbed Yurik’s jaw, preventing him from moving.

Slurp, the wet sounds of their flesh pressing together filled the air with a lascivious noise. Their lips met, parted, and met again, saliva mixing and flowing between them. Yurik eagerly swallowed the indistinguishable fluids. The intense kiss sent electrifying sensations pounding through his brain. His breath caught, but Karon showed no sign of stopping.

“Ugh… ugh!”

“Ha…”

Karon sucked on Yurik’s lips until they swelled, then tangled their tongues, deeply exploring Yurik’s mouth. The vivid sensation of their membranes rubbing together surged through him. Yurik trembled uncontrollably. The initial resistance had long vanished. From the moment their lips met, his mind began to melt. Karon kissed Yurik’s disheveled jaw with a smack and said,

“Ha… we’re going to get married, aren’t we, Yuri? If it’s a spouse’s duty, doesn’t that include taking care of your rut? According to that damned contract, that is.”

“Ugh…”

“So, I’ll take responsibility, Yurik Windsor. Don’t push me away like that.”

“I… never pushed you away.”

“You never pushed me away? You’ve been pushing me away all this time, Yuri.”

“You, you were the one who…”

Gasping for breath, Yurik clamped his mouth shut. What had Karon done first? He had no choice but to partner with Luches due to the Empress’s orders. And he committed outrageous acts for the sake of their marriage.

Even though Yurik saw it, why was he feeling hurt? He knew Karon’s interactions with Luches were unavoidable, so why was his heart boiling with emotion? Karon with an omega seemed to embody the essence of an alpha.

He and Luches clearly matched well. So, would I also match well by his side? Yurik thought he didn’t know. All the emotions swirling in him now stemmed from unspoken, pent-up feelings from the past.

When Yurik couldn’t say anything, Karon laughed.

“If you don’t like it, resist.”

“Ugh…!”

Karon pressed his wet lips against Yurik’s again. As he gently sucked on them, Yurik felt like he might faint. Karon grabbed the back of Yurik’s head and pulled him closer.

Their tongues moved back and forth between deeply pressed lips, rubbing against each other. The grip was strong, and the kiss was intense. Even though he felt like he couldn’t breathe, strange sensations clouded his mind. His core grew heavy, and a burst of pheromone scent filled the air.

“Ugh, ha, hng…!”

He couldn’t hold back the moans spilling out. Karon whispered,

“I’ll help you, so don’t hide from me even in a situation like this. You can just let go.”

“Ugh…”

The soft whispers tickled his eardrums. Yurik’s trembling reason snapped. The arm that had been pushing away now wrapped around Karon’s neck. Their lips met again, bitten and parted once more. A languid, chilling sensation tickled the back of his neck.

Seeing Yurik’s eager response, Karon grabbed his hair and pulled him into an embrace. The kisses continued relentlessly.

With impatient hands, Karon tore at the shirt he was wearing as if he might rip it apart. The room filled with the thick scent of pheromones, fueling their excitement. Could this really happen? Sucking on the soft lips that parted and met again, Yurik thought. The sweet scent of Pleonia felt overwhelmingly potent, stimulating his body.

His lower body trembled with the thrilling pleasure sweeping through him. Karon unbuttoned and discarded Yurik’s shirt, kissing his bare torso and gripping and releasing his flat chest. He teased Yurik’s areola, scraping at his nipples.

“Ugh, ha…!”

As Karon fondled and licked his nipples, Yurik’s hips jolted. Karon unbuckled Yurik’s pants, deftly removing them and pulling the exposed thighs around his waist.

Karon placed his hand on Yurik’s now fully erect, heated core. Lowering the already damp drawers, Yurik’s member sprang free. It was quite large, befitting an alpha. Karon gave a sly smile. Yurik wouldn’t need to use it in the future. Karon removed his own drawers, grasping both their members together with his bare hand.

His thumb rubbed the tips, and his hand moved quickly.

“Ahh, ah…! Ugh!”

Pleasure flooded through him like madness. The hand stroking his fully erect member was both indifferent and rapid, rough. Even the calluses on Karon’s hand seemed to stimulate him. The rough hand repeatedly kneaded the veined flesh.

Yurik clenched his teeth against the electrifying sensation coursing through him. Intense feelings spread from his core. It was a sensation he’d never felt when handling himself alone.

“Ha…”

Finally, his hips trembled, and Yurik’s member released a stream of white fluid. As Karon continued to stroke it, he lowered his head.

“No, don’t…!”

Yurik flailed in panic, but stopping Karon was futile. Karon leaned down first, opening his mouth and taking Yurik’s still-erect member inside.

“Ha… ngh!”

The hot membrane enveloped his member, and a soft tongue wrapped around it from base to tip.

“Ah!”

With hot breath, Karon sucked on it like candy, rolling his tongue. Yurik’s hips twitched uncontrollably. The intense stimulation felt like his brain might explode. Karon, sucking deeply, released the member, and Yurik’s hips trembled again as he climaxed. The stimulation was unbearable.

“Ha… ha…”

“Yuri.”

Karon wiped his lips with the back of his hand and called out to Yurik, but Yurik was already far gone. Karon smiled slyly at the flushed, disoriented Yurik, gently stroking his body.

He twirled Yurik’s nipple with his finger, then buried his face in his chest. Red marks dotted his skin. Despite having released twice, Yurik’s core remained erect.

His slightly lean body with just the right amount of muscle and fair skin was pleasing to both see and touch. Karon bit at Yurik’s chest, then moved up to his collarbone, lewdly teasing his neck. As he nibbled and sucked deeply, Yurik let out soft, aching moans.

“Ugh, ah… Ka, Karon…”

“Yes, Yuri.”

“Karon…”

“Mmm.”

Yurik felt his entire body relax under Karon’s caressing hands. His limp body was completely out of his control, melting into orgasm and pleasure.

Karon kissed Yurik’s body, then pulled his hips close. Yurik unconsciously thrust into the air. Seeing his member pressed against his lower abdomen, Karon gave a slight smile.

He never spoke honestly, but his body was utterly truthful, wasn’t it?

That’s why Karon loved this moment.

He pulled Yurik’s hips close, their bodies pressed tightly together. Karon grabbed Yurik’s jaw, kissing him while touching his lower entrance.

“Ugh…!”

As soon as he felt the wrinkled texture, Yurik’s body jolted. Even in his dazed state, he looked at Karon with unfocused eyes, biting his lip. This was likely a first for him. Karon kissed the slightly frightened Yurik, teasing his perineum before sliding a finger inside.

“Ha…! It’s weird, take it out…!”

“Ha, Yuri. Just bear with it a little.”

“Ugh…!”

The finger pushing into the tight passage felt like nothing at first, but as it moved, a strange sensation built. Yurik felt like an omega. This strange feeling was unbearable and humiliating, and he thrashed. His face was already bright red.

“Karon…!”

At his scream-like moan, Karon stopped moving his finger. Yurik clutched Karon’s shoulder, trembling convulsively. Karon grabbed his wrist, pinning it above his head with one hand.

“Ugh… Karon!”

Yurik shook his head as the finger continued to probe the tight passage. Karon held Yurik’s trembling thigh with one hand, spreading it, pressing inside the passage, then pulling his finger out with a smack.

“It’s too tight, after all.”

“Alphas… ugh…”

Alphas don’t get wet like omegas. It was naturally tight. When Karon said it aloud, Yurik felt even stranger. The shame was evident on his burning face. He turned his head, avoiding Karon’s piercing gaze.

“Ah, ah!”

Suddenly, Karon hooked his arm under Yurik’s knees and lifted his hips. Ah! As Yurik panicked at his bending waist, Karon spread his legs and closely examined the exposed entrance. Yurik shouted in shock.

“What, what are you doing…! Karon…!”

Yurik struggled, but he couldn’t overpower Karon, an active soldier and knight. Karon smirked, locking eyes with him and licking his lips.

“I’m loosening you up. Doing it directly would hurt.”

“Ugh, ah!”

Karon buried his nose between Yurik’s buttocks and began licking the wrinkled entrance. The sensation of the wet tongue made Yurik open his mouth in shock. It was a shocking act. But the maddening sensation tingling from his tailbone left him speechless.

“Ugh, ugh!”

The tightly closed entrance quivered, and the tongue licked around it, slowly probing inside. Yurik shuddered at the unbearable sensation.

This was a first in his life. Despite meeting many omegas, Yurik had only relieved his rut through Arianen, and even then, it was only with the aid of pheromones, not full-on sex.

He knew how sexual intercourse worked through education but had never wanted to do it. Yurik recognized his near-obsessive cleanliness. So, this act felt all the more shocking.

“Ugh, ugh…!”

His legs trembled, and his knees shook. The intense stimulation made his hips quiver. Karon slung Yurik’s legs over his shoulders, delving deeper into the entrance. He soaked it with saliva, pressing the inner walls with his tongue. Yurik trembled violently in response.

When he pulled his lips away, the clean, hairless entrance revealed a vivid pink crevice, glistening with saliva, looking utterly provocative. Karon wanted to explore it immediately. He buried his nose again, sucking on the wrinkled entrance.

“Don’t, don’t do that, please stop…!”

With a feverish face, Yurik clutched the sheets, his wrists straining. Karon, face buried, chuckled. Did this man know how much his reactions made Karon want to tease him more?

Karon leisurely probed the inner flesh with his tongue until Yurik hiccupped, gasping for air, then pulled away. White fluid was dripping from the erect member. Karon lowered Yurik’s hips, gently gripping his member.

“Wow, Yuri, you came from that?”

“Ugh, ugh…! Please, your fingers…!”

Karon slid a finger into the loosened entrance, shaking it, then bit the flesh of Yurik’s white thighs. He wanted to leave marks on this body. His biting and licking were lascivious, but his finger’s movements inside were rough.

“Ugh, ugh, ah…”

Yurik twisted his hips, unable to endure any longer. Karon spread Yurik’s legs wide, leaning over him. The heat of the rut made Yurik’s scent fill Karon’s nose.

Karon probed the tight inner walls, then pulled his finger out.

“Haa…!”

Yurik let out a cry. Karon looked at his flushed face. His half-lidded eyes showed he’d lost most of his reason. Karon rubbed his own erect member against Yurik’s buttocks. The scorching heat of Karon’s member touched Yurik’s entrance. Startled, Yurik’s unfocused eyes widened as he looked at Karon.

“You… you’re going to put it in?”

“Of course.”

“That, that big thing… it won’t fit, no way.”

Yurik touched his lower abdomen, shaking his head. His urgent tone, slightly hoarse, sounded even sexier. He was gauging the size of Karon’s member, calculating if it would fit. Karon felt his member grow harder at the adorable reaction.

“That’s why I loosened you up, Yuri.”

Holding Yurik’s shaking jaw, Karon deeply entwined their tongues. Even sucking on his lower lip made Yurik moan.

“Hng, ugh…!”

A thrilling sensation passed through their mixed saliva. The chilling feeling sent shivers down his spine and tickled his neck. Karon rubbed their tongues, grabbing the back of Yurik’s head, invading deeper as if to leave a mark. Their lower bodies pressed together, rubbing their members.

Then Karon took his member, aligning it with the entrance, slowly pushing in from the tip. Yurik, distracted by the kiss, trembled and opened his mouth.

“Ah…! Ah!”

The entrance stretched as the thick member pushed through, scraping the inner walls. Yurik could only gasp. It wasn’t just pain—it was a sharp sensation piercing his entire body.

The loosened inner walls clung to the hot member, opening as if welcoming it. The member forcing its way in was overwhelmingly large.

“Ahh, ah…!”

Karon trembled, letting Yurik wrap his arms around his neck. Since Yurik’s injured arm kept slipping, Karon held his chest. Yurik gripped Karon’s shoulders tightly, almost clawing at them.

“Ugh, you’re too tight, Yuri. Relax.”

“Ha, ah… how am I supposed to, hng…!”

At the command to relax, Yurik’s face crumpled, but with a thrust of Karon’s hips, the member slid in fully. Their hips pressed tightly together. Yurik couldn’t close his mouth as the member pressed his prostate, piercing through him. His toes curled, and his mind blurred. The overwhelming sensation, the maddening pleasure, raced up his spine. It felt like his brain was melting.

Karon slowly rotated his hips, moving gently.

“Ha, Yuri…”

“Ha, ah, hng, ugh…!”

“Yuri, ha…”

Karon, who had been gently rotating his hips, grabbed Yurik’s knees and began moving back and forth. Yurik felt like his hips were being struck with each thrust. The deeply embedded member moved slowly, scraping every inch of his inner walls. Karon licked his lips. The tantalizing pleasure made him want to move more roughly.

Above all, the sight of Yurik, flushed and panting with his arms around Karon’s neck, was a rare spectacle. Karon’s thrusts grew fiercer. The entrance burned hotly. Yurik squeezed his eyes shut at the rapid thrusts.

“Ah, ah, hng!”

He couldn’t hold back his moans. The scraped inner walls felt vivid. Karon gripped the back of Yurik’s head with a veined hand, pulling him into a kiss. The wet kiss accompanied the rough thrusts.

Karon felt intoxicated by Yurik’s pheromones. This was just to fulfill a spouse’s duty, to relieve a rut, yet he felt an increasing hunger. His member grew harder. He wanted to keep going. The tight inner walls wrapping his member were ecstatic.

“Ha, Yuri, Yuri…”

“Ugh, ah, ah, hng!”

Karon thrust harder, pounding his member in. Uncontrollable desire surged within him. He wanted to hold Yurik until he broke. Yes, from the start.

“Hng, ugh…! Ka, Karon…”

“Yuri.”

Looking at Yurik shaking beneath him, Karon thought. His disheveled face, pressed with physiological tears, showed an expression Karon had never seen. Karon brushed Yurik’s sweaty forehead, thrusting deeply again.

From the start, he wanted this. From the moment they kissed, Karon wanted to have sex with him. He wanted to bury his nose in this bittersweet scent. Karon hugged Yurik tighter.

That dawn, Karon lifted the exhausted, collapsed Yurik, covering him entirely with his scent. The unconscious Yurik didn’t wake. Karon held him and boarded a pre-prepared carriage. A servant knocked on the door.

“Shall we head to the main estate?”

“No, to the private residence.”

“Yes, sir.”

The servant left, and the carriage started moving. Karon closely observed Yurik, still asleep against his shoulder. The shadowed face in the dawn’s dim light felt new again. Until they reached the residence, Karon kept stealing glances at the sleeping Yurik.

• ~ *

The rut lasted about four days. During that time, whenever Yurik woke, Karon mingled their bodies, and each time Yurik opened his eyes, he felt intense stimulation. Karon pressed his hips firmly, roughly grinding against him.

“Ugh, hah…”

The fiercely thrusting member drove Yurik to climax. Karon squeezed the member, now leaking thin fluid, shaking it. Yurik, dazed, asked,

“The… the banquet…”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Karon thrust his member, which he’d pulled out, back into the entrance.

“Hng…!”

Yurik felt like he might faint. The member, thrust in fully again, moved back and forth, roughly scraping the inner walls. The sensation was too much, too good, and Yurik felt his thoughts vanish again.

Karon buried his face in Yurik’s shoulder, pressing his hips and thrusting. Yurik’s white body was covered in bite marks and red welts. His neck had long been thoroughly bitten.

But Karon didn’t want to stop. Holding this white body, he wanted to push deeper, leave more marks. Karon hugged Yurik’s hips, continuing the position.

“Ah, ah…! Stop, please…!”

Feeling his insides completely stirred, Yurik clutched his lower abdomen. But he couldn’t stop Karon’s movements. The loosened entrance now easily took in Karon’s thick member. The member slid in and out smoothly.

Yurik trembled, tightening around the member in full orgasm. Karon kissed his neck. Soon, the member shuddered, releasing. Exhaustion flooded in.

“Ha… ha…”

Yurik collapsed onto the bed. Karon slowly rotated his hips inside Yurik, then pulled out and released. The sheets were already stained with various fluids.

Yurik blinked slowly, breathing heavily. Was it right to be so consumed by sex? Doubt crept in, but as Karon grabbed his knees, spreading them and thrusting again, his thoughts broke off.

“Hng…!”

• ~ *

The next morning, as the rut fully subsided, Yurik came to. He woke in a pristine white bedroom. Sitting up, the blanket slipped, revealing his bare body. Blinking, Yurik gasped at his reflection. His nipples were swollen as if bitten and sucked, his body covered in bite marks and welts. A dull pain lingered in his hips.

“Ha…”

Yurik was dumbfounded. It was as if someone had devoured him. He rubbed his nape in disbelief, feeling the marks even without looking. Yet his body was clean, freshly washed, and felt refreshed. For the first time, he felt invigorated and relaxed after a rut, his muscles loose and clear. It was as if his body had already embraced the change, as though this was how it should have been all along.

“…”

Unable to voice any resentment, Yurik grimaced and got out of bed. Despite the slight muscle ache from changing positions during sex, it couldn’t dampen his current refreshed mood.

Yurik slowly surveyed the room. The high-end white furniture gave the place a cozy feel. Where was this? Having been unconscious during the move, he couldn’t recall where he’d been brought. This surely wasn’t his own estate.

‘Surely not the Chevinelle main house.’

Yurik broke into a cold sweat internally, frowning. If this was the Chevinelle estate, he’d rather bite his tongue and die. How could he face Duke and Duchess Chevinelle in such embarrassment?

Yurik spotted a bellpull at the bedside but couldn’t bring himself to pull it. With no underwear and his body marked like this, he couldn’t face a servant. He needed something to wear…

Yurik moved slowly, rummaging through the bathroom until he found a robe. As he emerged, someone was in the room. Pausing, he saw Karon setting a plate on the table, turning to look at him.

“Slept well?”

Yurik froze briefly, but Karon glanced at him casually, sat on a chair by the table, and spoke. Freshly showered, his wet hair glistened, and he wore a robe and slippers.

Karon popped a cherry tomato from the plate into his mouth, looking at Yurik again. Staring blankly, Yurik cleared his throat and approached the table.

“…No servants? You brought this yourself?”

“None. It’s just the two of us here.”

Karon grinned in response. Yurik felt a mix of relief and unease, biting his lip. Something… felt strange. To think he’d spent such a night with Karon. Sitting opposite Karon, Yurik deliberately maintained a calm expression and asked,

“Where is this?”

Karon smiled, holding a steaming mug, and answered.

“One of my houses.”

“One of your houses…”

Right, considering the Chevinelle family’s status, they’d have more than a few villas. Yurik nodded quickly, accepting the mug Karon handed him. The warm coffee aroma wafted up. About to drink, Yurik paused, startled. This wasn’t the time to relax.

“Oh… the victory banquet.”

“It wrapped up spectacularly.”

“Oh…”

“Yuri, I informed your colleagues at the office about your situation, and I told the Windsor estate you’d be staying here, so don’t worry. Though, your butler seemed quite concerned.”

“I see.”

Come to think of it, this was his first rut since sending Arianen away, so the butler must have been worried. Yurik pursed his lips, staring at the coffee in his mug. Karon silently ate the salad he’d brought, using a fork. For a while, only the sounds of eating filled the air. Yurik pondered what to say to Karon in this silence.

‘Say thank you?’

No, that felt too awkward. Karon had indeed helped with his rut, but… saying thanks outright bruised his pride. Didn’t he look like he’d been completely devoured? Facing Karon like this felt somewhat humiliating.

Yurik frowned, thinking of what to say. He had to say something. Taking a sip of coffee, he slowly opened his mouth.

“…Please give me some clothes.”

“Pfft, ah, Yuri.”

Karon nearly spat out his coffee, then burst into laughter. Yurik looked puzzled, not understanding why Karon was laughing. Karon chuckled, wiping his mouth with a napkin, and looked at Yurik.

Unbeknownst to him, Yurik’s appearance was oddly relaxed. Though he wore just a robe like Karon, his slightly exposed chest and neckline were covered in marks from Karon’s bites. And his crossed legs revealed his thigh.

Karon grinned broadly. It was a pleasing sight, but the issue was Yurik’s unawareness.

“Going home?”

“What, stay here forever?”

“I’d like it if we stayed together.”

Karon smiled brightly, but Yurik’s expression soured.

“…I have work to do.”

“Work… yeah, there’s plenty. I’ve got a pile too.”

“…”

“I mean, I want to be with you.”

At Karon’s words, Yurik’s lips twitched, and he looked away. What should he say? You want to be with me? Why? Yurik stayed silent, sipping his coffee, then looked up. He was embarrassed, but Karon seemed unfazed, so maybe it was best to at least say thanks now.

‘…I really don’t know what to say.’

Yurik sighed softly. Thanks for helping with the rut? Was he supposed to say something so cliché? But he couldn’t leave as if nothing happened. Karon’s words about wanting to be together had already faded from memory.

Though outwardly calm, Yurik was internally restless, thinking hard. Finally, he sighed softly and opened his mouth. Karon spoke at the same time.

“…Spousal,”

“…The wedding.”

Both stopped, falling silent. Karon looked at Yurik and smiled.

“You first.”

“No, you go.”

“Why? Speak, Yuri.”

“No. You speak.”

Karon couldn’t hold back, lowering his head and chuckling. Yurik was baffled. What was so funny about this guy? Karon looked up, still laughing, at Yurik.

“What, shy?”

“I…”

Yurik tried to retort but couldn’t hide his flushed face. Stammering, he grabbed his mug and gulped the coffee. His ears were surely red.

Watching Yurik chug hot coffee, Karon hid his lips to stifle his laughter. When Yurik glared coolly, Karon finally stopped, though his lips still twitched. Yurik avoided his gaze and continued.

“…I’ll consider it a spousal duty.”

“Responsibility for a pheromone rut does fall to a spouse.”

“Don’t… use such vulgar words. Honestly…!”

“What else do you call a rut? Just sex…”

“Karon!”

Yurik shouted. To throw around such embarrassing words so carelessly. It was unbearably humiliating. As Yurik glared, red-faced, Karon grinned. Leaning his elbow on the table, he brought his face close to Yurik, smiling smoothly.

“If that’s what you mean, so be it.”

“Don’t… talk like you’re doing me a favor.”

“Why not? It’s not something to be embarrassed about. We’re going to be spouses, Yuri.”

Karon spoke, unable to hide his amusement. He looked genuinely delighted. Yurik was irritated. Why was this man so relaxed?

“Yes, we’re getting married to fulfill spousal duties. Anyway, you won’t be able to live your flamboyant imperial playboy life anymore, so don’t forget that.”

“Then I’ll fulfill those spousal duties.”

“…”

Despite Yurik’s sarcasm, Karon replied with a smile. Yurik, at a loss for words, clamped his mouth shut. Karon spoke as if past events didn’t matter, as if it was truly about ‘spousal duties.’ Was this something to brush off so easily? Yurik frowned, deep in thought. Then Karon, stirring his coffee with a spoon, said,

“We should talk about our wedding too, right? It’s set for two weeks from now.”

“Two weeks? Who decided that?”

“You and me.”

“When did I?”

“Last night, crying under me…!”

“Aaagh!”

Yurik jumped up, shouting. What was this man saying in broad daylight! Glaring at Karon, red-faced and panting, Karon held his stomach, chuckling. Yurik was even more annoyed. Was he being teased?

“You, really…!”

“Yuri.”

As Yurik was about to snap, Karon stood, locked eyes with him, and grabbed his hand. Their fingers interlocked familiarly, and Karon kissed the back of Yurik’s hand.

“I’ll take care of everything else, so just come prepared. That’s what I mean.”

“…It’s a nuisance to the Duke and Duchess. Us doing this so suddenly…”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already got their approval.”

“…A wedding in two weeks is absurd. We need to send invitations, select nobles to invite… and…”

“Yuri, know what’s great about being a noble?”

“…What?”

“You give orders, and a ton of people carry them out.”

Karon grinned.

Yurik gave a wry look at Karon’s aristocratic tone. Entrusting everything to others for a wedding, especially an alpha-alpha one, knowing the potential gossip, was hard to comprehend.

“So, relax.”

“Relax? Who’re you entrusting this to…”

“Why? Don’t trust your people?”

Karon smiled, pulling Yurik’s arm, signaling him to sit and stop being mad. Yurik sighed and reluctantly sat back down.

Marriage. That single word made his heart sink. Was he really marrying Karon? Even with a date set, it didn’t feel real. Yurik glanced at Karon.

Karon, casually pressing a fork into his salad, didn’t seem to take it as seriously as Yurik. Was that face genuine? Yurik wondered about Karon’s true feelings. Was marrying an alpha… really okay?

Despite spending nights and a rut with him, Yurik couldn’t shake the thought. It was his nature. The overthinking Yurik eyed the man before him suspiciously. Sighing softly and placing a hand on his coffee mug, Karon looked at him.

Karon’s eyes narrowed, scanning Yurik. He tossed two sugar cubes into Yurik’s mug and spoke.

“Thinking again?”

“…What do you mean?”

“You’ve got that brooding face.”

“Well… you brought up the wedding suddenly. There’s more to prepare than you think.”

“That’s not it, is it?”

Damn perceptive guy. Why was he so sharp? Yurik glanced at Karon, then back to his mug.

Seeing Yurik silent, Karon leaned back, crossing his legs. It was clear something was bothering him. Swallowing it was so like Yurik. But they couldn’t leave it like this. It needed to be addressed. Karon had learned that painfully during the victory banquet.

Of course… not everything could be said. Like the contract with the prince… that kind of thing. Karon thought.

‘If I bring that up, he’ll bolt.’

Having barely gotten him to sit, if Karon admitted his entanglement with Yurik was due to the First Prince, Yurik would vanish without hesitation. He might even look at Karon with contempt. The thought of Yurik’s disdain made Karon’s heart drop. It wasn’t just about their nights together…

Karon stared at Yurik. Unable to bear the gaze, Yurik looked up.

“Why’re you staring?”

“…Because I like it.”

“…What?”

“I like it.”

Yurik froze, mug in hand. Karon smiled softly, looking into Yurik’s blue eyes. Yes. He… didn’t want to be despised by this man.

“I like being with you, Yuri.”

Karon smiled. He couldn’t help it. The realization of his feelings was bigger than expected. The countless passionate nights were because he wanted to possess this man fully. Even when misunderstood due to the Empress, his desire to marry Yurik outweighed his own standing. It wasn’t because of the promise with Prince Lazhuel. It was…

“So smile, Yuri. It’s our peaceful time together, isn’t it?”

Karon smiled. Yurik stared at him, then awkwardly turned to his mug. The words felt sincere, like Karon truly enjoyed being with him, like he truly liked him, leaving Yurik speechless.

• ~ *

Back at the Windsor estate, Yurik first scanned the newspapers and tabloids the butler handed him, worried that his and Karon’s mid-banquet disappearance might have sparked rumors.

Fortunately, the papers were filled with praise for the lavish victory banquet. There were gossip pieces about nobles mingling, but nothing about Yurik or Karon.

‘…Good, but strange. Karon’s every move is usually tracked.’

There was no mention of Luches or Yurik’s brief partnership with the First Prince before leaving. Though some private tabloids might have something, the major imperial papers had nothing, allowing Yurik to rest easier.

‘That wine glass was definitely off…’

Yurik thought, gazing at the sunlit veranda. At the banquet, he’d felt unwell, but it wasn’t a sign of a rut. Having experienced many ruts as an alpha, he was certain. He’d thought it was just a cold, but the rut hit suddenly. Checking the dates, it was four days earlier than his last cycle.

‘That margin of error might be dismissed, but… the taste of that wine from Viscount Graham was off, and it’s been nagging at me.’

This rut had been unusually unbearable, as if someone had deliberately triggered it, not just opened a dam but burst it.

‘Why would Viscount Graham target me…?’

No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t find a reason for Viscount Graham to harm him. Wasn’t Luches tied to Karon? With no evidence, only suspicion, it was awkward to bring up. Yurik clutched his forehead, feeling a slight headache, and closed his eyes.

Anyway, he’d survived this rut. Survived… was that the right word? Memories of his time with Karon during the rut made Yurik shudder with embarrassment. His body’s reactions, so unlike him, were mortifying to recall. Karon might be used to such sex, but Yurik wasn’t, making it worse.

‘Don’t think about it. Don’t.’

Yurik muttered like a mantra, exhaling deeply. If Karon was serious about the wedding in two weeks (and he probably wasn’t joking), there wasn’t enough time to prepare.

Yurik called the butler to compile a list of nobles for invitations. Flowers, decorations, and countless other details needed planning, and he couldn’t do it alone—he’d have to meet Karon again.

“…Contact the Chevinelle estate, and we’ll decide the rest later.”

“Will you go to work today, sir?”

“I have to. I’ve rested too long.”

“Too long? You should rest a full week.”

The butler spoke with concern, but Yurik just smiled faintly. Compared to his ruts with Arianen, the one with Karon was less taxing. Despite more physical exertion, his body had fully recovered. Avoiding such embarrassing details, Yurik called a servant to prepare for work.

“…Ah, young master.”

As Yurik unbuttoned his shirt, he saw a fleeting look of discomfort on the servant’s face through the mirror. Puzzled, Yurik turned to him.

“What… what is it?”

The servant hesitated, pointing to his neck. Yurik touched his nape, then looked in the mirror and realized. Red welts still marked his skin. Startled, he clutched his shirt. The servant bowed, flustered.

“…Ahem, I’ll dress myself today. You can go.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Yes? I’ll just iron your vest, young master. One moment…!”

“No, I said go! Hurry, hurry! Young master, let me know when you’re ready!”

The oblivious other servant replied cheerfully, but the one who saw Yurik’s neck quickly bowed, grabbed his colleague, and rushed out. Yurik stood silent before the mirror.

‘…Damn it.’

It was all Karon Chevinelle’s fault! If that man hadn’t done this!

Yurik covered his flushed face, writhing in shame.

• ~ *

Arriving at the administrative palace for work, Yurik checked his cravat to ensure it fully covered his neck before heading in.

“Hey! Yurik!”

He ran into Lawson from the Justice Department, carrying documents. Yurik gave a slight, stiff nod. Lawson cheerfully approached, slinging an arm around Yurik’s shoulder.

“Yuri, Yuri, Yuri~ The victory banquet’s finally over! Did you get some sleep? But wait, were you there? I didn’t see you at the end.”

“You didn’t see me because I wasn’t there.”

“Huh? What? I’m sure you were there the first day.”

“…I was sick.”

“Huuuh?”

Lawson’s eyes widened at Yurik’s furrowed brow.

“Sick? Where? Oh, wait, no way,”

“No way what? What are you assuming?”

“No, no, if the ice-cold Yurik is sick, there’s a reason! It must be because you couldn’t handle your fiancé’s antics! I knew it, no matter how fine you looked at the banquet, something was up…!”

“What are you talking about?”

“No, no, we all suffered because of his antics!”