* * *
“Luaia! Where’s Sylvian’s map?”
Luaia, tidying the Duchess’s empty room, didn’t flinch.
She quickly retrieved the map Sylvian had gifted.
“Here it is!”
Something told her it was important.
“Henders!”
“Hah—huff! I’m here!”
Henders confirmed it was the map he had enchanted and infused it with mana, causing it to expand.
If she was within the capital, they would find her.
‘Please, please.’
She had to still be wearing the ring.
“Found him! He’s in the eastern part of the capital! This location is—”
“The upscale residential area.”
One of Count Cavern’s properties.
Without hesitation, Zeroth threw open the window and leapt out.
“Duke!”
“Bring my horse!”
Kelvin, who followed behind, gasped.
But with aura channeled to his legs, Zeroth moved like lightning.
Running would be faster.
As he charged toward the front gate, a knight on horseback rushed into the estate.
“Duke Graham! A special order from His Majesty!”
“Denied!”
“The rebel forces—”
Zeroth yanked the knight from the saddle, stole the horse, and galloped away.
“W-Wait! Duke?!”
“Forgive me. I believe I’ve found a clue to the Duchess’s location.”
Kelvin, chasing behind, gave a deep bow.
The royal knight stared helplessly at the command scroll in his hand.
“What happened?”
The knight squad, called in by message, arrived hurriedly.
“Sir Julian, follow the Duke!”
“Let’s go!”
At the butler’s command, Julian and the knights took off in pursuit.
“Where is the Crown Prince?”
“I’ll return and explain the situation.”
The knight glanced sadly at the Duke’s estate.
Of all times, the rebel activity had worsened right after the Duchess vanished, delaying the search.
“Don’t worry. His Majesty is greatly concerned as well.”
The Emperor, too, had vowed to crush the rebels this time—no more lenience.
He felt ashamed, always relying on Duke Graham.
This time, the Imperial Knights would handle it.
With resolve in his heart, the knight offered a respectful bow and left the estate.
“Ugh…”
Sylvian groaned and opened his eyes.
As always, there wasn’t a trace left on his body—either they used a healing potion while he slept, or something else.
Since the first day Karl visited, the shackles had not returned.
But instead, he had to offer his body each time Karl came.
Karl would kiss him and touch him as if forced to do so by the demands of the kidnappers.
He wasn’t as frightening as Zeroth, but Sylvian still had to open his body to the gentle pressure he couldn’t resist.
Thankfully, Karl hadn’t penetrated him yet.
‘My jaw hurts.’
Yesterday, he’d had to keep sucking Karl all day, tightening his throat just right until he was satisfied.
He got hard, and he seemed aroused, yet he still didn’t go all the way.
‘There’s something holding him back.’
Whatever it was, it allowed Sylvian to experience freedom and even pleasure in this imprisonment.
He felt guilty toward Zeroth, but whatever Karl had done, it was enough that Zeroth still hadn’t found him.
“Yawn…”
He was getting sleepy again—it meant Karl was probably coming soon.
He visited every few days, always behaving like he, too, was being kept in another room.
“Mm…”
Time passed with Sylvian’s eyes closed.
Then—click—the bathroom door opened.
Sylvian hadn’t fully fallen asleep.
He listened quietly to Karl’s approaching footsteps.
“Hnn…”
“Sylvian?”
“Ahh…”
As Sylvian let out a faint moan, Karl naturally pulled down his pants.
What used to be hesitant hands now moved with no hesitation.
“Ah!”
“So you’re awake.”
He opened his eyes as if surprised, and there was Karl smiling gently above him.
Shiver.
Press.
Long fingers slipped into a now-familiar hole.
“Haa…!”
“Is it still hard for you?”
Nod, nod.
Sylvian looked up at him with tears in his eyes, and Karl kissed the corner of his eye as if full of sorrow.
“I don’t know when you’ll be free from this place.”
“Uugh! Hnng!”
He was so used to Karl’s touch now that his body reacted just from being touched.
Shaking all over, Sylvian weakly shook his head.
“K-Karl… are you okay?”
“Hoo…”
Karl exhaled a deep sigh, like he was going through something himself.
If Sylvian were truly naive, he might have been fooled by the act.
But Karl’s face and body were in perfect shape.
He didn’t even pretend to be tired.
Sylvian frowned, watching him breathe heavily with a perfectly normal face.
“Hahh… what should I do?”
His green eyes brimmed with sorrow and anguish.
Sylvian trembled through his tears, Karl’s hands never stopping.
“So please, trust me a little more.”
“HAAH!”
Drip.
Suddenly, Karl gripped him tightly and slid his hand upward, forcing Sylvian to climax.
It was far too quick compared to the beginning.
His pleasure-drenched eyes wavered helplessly.
Karl watched him and muttered with frustration.
Why can’t I just take him?
He’d touched Sylvian many times now.
He’d inserted fingers into that tight hole, used toys to make him twist in pleasure.
“K-Karl…”
Sylvian moaned, and Karl rubbed his swollen tip against Sylvian’s lips.
“Mm…”
His grotesquely hard erection slid into Sylvian’s small mouth.
At first, Sylvian had struggled—but now he just accepted it.
“I’m sorry, Sylvian.”
Karl murmured hollow apologies while stroking Sylvian’s face, lost in his own illusions.
His body, soaked in aphrodisiacs, responded purely to the pleasure Karl gave—yet Karl was deluded into thinking he was loved.
‘You’re insane.’
He was starting to feel pity for the person he should have broken and ruined.
“I can’t leave today without going all the way.”
Sylvian’s eyes widened. He quickly tried to push Karl away, but Karl held his head down tightly—he couldn’t escape.
“Ugh! Hup!”
Choked noises escaped as Karl thrusted roughly into his throat.
Sylvian tried to hide his arousal but couldn’t help reacting.
He had to keep pretending—Sylvian, after all, was still someone who would remain loyal to Zeroth.
So he continued his sobbing, ashamed and humiliated, hoping Karl wouldn’t cross that final line.
“Mm!”
Spurt.
Right before climaxing inside, Karl pulled out.
Semen splattered across Sylvian’s face and body.
Karl gently stroked Sylvian’s hair as he collapsed, then turned him over softly.
“N-No.”
“Shh. It’s alright.”
“Hngh…”
Karl’s fingers slipped naturally back into Sylvian’s hole. This had become a routine.
He only came once every few days—what was he doing the rest of the time?
Still, he never finished the job, always just teasing and leaving.
‘If it were me, I’d have devoured him by now.’
Watching Karl’s big cock without actually being penetrated was starting to feel like a waste.
Whatever. Since when did I care?
Sylvian clenched tightly around Karl’s moving fingers.
‘Please, just put it in today.’
After the heat cycle he’d spent with Zeroth, this limbo with Karl was driving him crazy.
He wanted to be pushed to climax for real—but Karl always pulled away at the last moment.
‘Coward.’
Sylvian sobbed in frustration.
Despite saying he wouldn’t leave without going all the way, Karl once again failed to claim him, only lingering on his thighs before leaving.
* * *
