* * *
The swollen head of Killian’s cock pushed past Nael’s throat, making him gag.
His hips snapped forward in short thrusts, spilling his thick, briny seed deep inside.
The cum that overflowed from his throat mixed with saliva and dribbled down his chin.
“Cough! Cough!”
Nael gasped, coughing desperately.
His lips remained parted, drool streaming down his chin, and his hair, now damp with sweat, clung to his forehead.
Killian bent one knee, lowering himself to Nael’s eye level.
“You alright?”
“Ugh… Cough.”
“Come here.”
Nael threw himself into Killian’s broad chest as if seeking refuge.
“I… I did well, right?”
Like a child awaiting praise for finishing his homework, Nael looked up at him expectantly.
Killian let out a soft chuckle.
Patting Nael’s back as he coughed against his shoulder, he murmured,
“Yeah, you did well.”
Nael rubbed his forehead against him.
Killian placed a brief kiss on his rounded cheek before undoing his collar.
“Shall we go see the ocean?”
Even beasts could be tamed with both the whip and the carrot.
Since he had been denied release and forced to use his mouth, a reward was only fair.
As Killian stood up with Nael in his arms, the smaller man squirmed.
“Ugh, you’re heavy. Put me down.”
“You’re lighter than a crow. During the day, I let them out, so don’t open the windows too much. You reek of sweetness—they might peck at you. You wouldn’t win even if you fought back.”
Huh?
Do I have to fight crows?
But I’m a person, not food.
Nael blinked and asked, puzzled.
“What is that tiny head of yours even thinking…”
Killian tightened his grip, making sure Nael was securely held.
Just then—
“Nael!”
“John!”
John entered alongside Ren, just as they finished breakfast.
He looked remarkably well, showing no signs of torture or mistreatment.
Dressed in clean clothes and freshly shaven, he smiled brightly—though his stiff, servant-like attire was nowhere near the finery Nael wore, John wasn’t the type to complain about such things in their current situation.
Like long-lost family reuniting, they embraced, though the moment was cut short as Ren pulled John away.
Even this has to be permitted, huh… Nael accepted it quickly.
But seeing John’s clear, bright expression dispelled any lingering gloom.
Only after stepping back did John take in his surroundings—a spacious, comfortable, and almost luxurious chamber.
Compared to the shabby hut Nael had once lived in, this place might as well have been heaven.
Within it, Nael’s refined attire and neatly trimmed hair—someone had clearly taken care of him—felt strangely out of place.
His face, however, still carried a faint, shadowy pallor.
“Are you eating well?”
For a sailor’s meal, it couldn’t be all that great, yet John asked with concern.
Nael nodded.
“Yeah.”
He ate meat and dried fruit daily, with fresh water always provided.
It was hard to believe water scarcity was an issue—he even had enough for daily baths.
Outwardly, nothing was lacking.
“What about the young master?”
John gave a wry smile before answering truthfully—Edward had gotten drunk on the Grand Duke’s liquor and caused a ruckus, so now he was being punished by cleaning out the crow cages.
“Well, he deserves at least that much. His Grace has been incredibly lenient. No matter how much we tried to stop him, he wouldn’t listen. Ugh.”
John clicked his tongue in exasperation.
He had clearly gone through some stress dealing with Edward these past few days.
Understandable—Edward was nothing if not stubborn.
Neither the Baron nor the Baroness had ever been able to rein him in.
With a sigh, John muttered,
“At least he’s finally got a proper teacher.
He used to think life was nothing but sunshine and roses.”
“And you?”
“I help Ren with work. I pitch in with the crew, but since I don’t know much yet, I mostly do odd jobs and cleaning. I do whatever I’m told—nothing too difficult.”
“Is it tough?”
John gave a small, dry laugh.
Both of them lowered their gazes to the floor, maintaining a long silence.
They didn’t need to speak to understand.
After all, John had boarded this ship because of Edward.
He must be missing his family, too.
He had trusted Edward’s words that they would arrive in a day or two, but now he was hearing that it would take a whole month.
From John’s perspective, it was only natural to resent Edward.
And even on the way back, they would have to travel together again.
John’s shoulders suddenly seemed much heavier.
Ren watched quietly, as if he were barely there.
The only sound filling the wide cabin was the breathing of the three men.
“Tomorrow.”
As Ren spoke, both of them turned to look at him.
“It might be nice to stand on the deck and feel the sea breeze. Around this time, the crows will also be released. If we’re lucky, we might even receive a letter firsthand.”
It was just a passing remark, but Nael was more excited than ever.
Ren’s words implied that they were expecting a reply tomorrow.
More than anything, he had been waiting for this moment, and he couldn’t sit still.
He sprang to his feet and gazed at the distant sky.
Tomorrow was still far away, but maybe—just maybe—he might catch a glimpse of something.
He clung to that hope.
“Do you think we’ll see them already?”
“Probably not. I should ask the master if we can keep the window open.”
“You mean to tell me…”
John was about to ask if Nael couldn’t even open a single window without permission but stopped himself, forcing an awkward smile.
He knew that anything spoken in front of Ren would reach the Grand Duke’s ears.
If he carelessly ran his mouth, he couldn’t guarantee his own safety.
Edward, at least, was the son of a baron, but John… he could disappear at any moment, and no one would even notice.
He suddenly turned to Ren, as if something had just come to mind.
“Your master seems to like crows.”
“Crows are intelligent and well-suited for use as messenger birds. With proper training, they can deliver letters even to the far south. You’ll see many more of them once we reach the Grand Duke’s northern domain, so you should start getting used to them now.”
Ren added, turning to Nael.
“By the way, the emblem of the Grand Duchy of Deville is a black panther. If you happen to see one, don’t be alarmed.”
“A black panther…”
Nael rolled the words in his mouth.
It still didn’t feel real.
He let out an awkward laugh.
“It still doesn’t feel like we’re really heading north, Ren.”
Nael rested his chin on the windowsill, basking in the wind. The sunlight shattered into tiny fragments, scattering like jewel dust over his face. Even back at the baron’s estate, where he had worn shabby clothes and been covered in dust, his beauty had never faded. Now that he was properly dressed, he looked almost otherworldly—like a fairy.
John found himself staring absentmindedly before quickly averting his gaze when Ren cleared his throat. He could understand why the Grand Duke wanted to keep Nael to himself. If he could, he’d probably encase him in glass and display him like a beautiful ornament.
“It’s time to close the window.”
“Ah, just a little longer.”
“You know that’s not possible. Don’t make things more difficult for me.”
As the wooden window shut, Nael traced the sliver of light that slipped through the gap with his fingertips.
“People need sunlight to live,” John said, gathering his courage to address Ren. Though his voice trembled slightly from nerves, he clenched his fists with determination. “If Nael stays in a place this dim for too long, he’ll sink into despair.”
Ren shrugged, as if troubled.
“If the decision were mine, I would allow it without hesitation. John, step outside for a moment. Nael, the master will be returning soon. You should prepare.”
“Yes.”
John hesitated. His feet felt heavy, as if weighed down by an iron shackle.
He barely managed to move toward the door, and just as he was about to close it behind him, he caught a glimpse of Nael starting to undress through the narrow gap.
* * *
Es triste yo odio este ML ya no puedo mas leer, gracias por la traducción