* * *
Faced with the overflowing room full of jewels, Sylvian sent a pleading glance toward Luaia.
“Let’s start by removing the ones you don’t like.”
“Good idea. Then, let’s take this one out… and this one.”
Sylvian got up and began inspecting each item.
Lauren, who had previously built some rapport with the duchy’s butlers, was grateful for it now as he cheerfully cleared away the rejected pieces.
After a long process of sorting with Luaia, only a few accessories remained before Sylvian.
“I’ll give these emerald earrings to Lady Nefer, and keep the rest for myself.”
He kept shining the pieces under a small light until his eyes began to sting.
“I’ll take care of this one myself.”
Sylvian picked up the Jewel of Truth that Lauren had brought.
It had been a while since a wizard had inscribed magic into it, and Zeroth was probably looking forward to the gift.
Although the ducal wizard had promised to keep the secret, Sylvian couldn’t bring himself to trust that completely.
“Thank you for giving me so much of your time today.”
“Not at all. I should be the one thanking you for calling me.”
While Lauren packed up, bowing deeply, Sylvian headed to his bedroom.
After sending all the maids away, Sylvian slipped the Jewel of Truth onto his finger.
“Is it his skill… or just luck?”
He chuckled at Lauren’s confidence when he’d said they’d meet again tomorrow, after being asked to prepare a matching ring.
‘Who is it that wants to possess me?’
Karl? Or someone else?
Click.
Sylvian opened and closed the ring case meant for Zeroth.
He was relieved the original plot had derailed, but life continued.
A mere month wasn’t enough to ease his fears just yet.
Placing Zeroth’s ring into his pocket, Sylvian called for Fenny.
There were things he had to do—before danger came.
Zeroth now smiled as he watched Sylvian calmly take a seat in his reception room.
He used to approach both the study and reception room with a face full of anxiety, barely daring to knock before entering.
Now, he quietly opened the door and came right in.
Zeroth had told him not to knock, just so he could enjoy watching Sylvian panic, but Sylvian entered casually now and said his name with a straight face.
“Zeroth?”
“What is it?”
“Um… well…”
Was he flustered again over something?
Maybe it was just in his nature—or perhaps he still hadn’t received enough love.
Sylvian continued to hesitate over every little thing.
Tap.
He carefully placed a small box on the table.
Just large enough to hold a ring or some cufflinks.
Was it that ring?
“It’s a gift.”
Zeroth reached out and gently brushed his reddened cheek.
“A gift for me?”
He stroked Sylvian’s cheek for a long moment before opening the box.
Click.
As soon as it opened, a dazzling red gem appeared.
A platinum ring.
Ornate vine patterns were engraved into the band, with tiny gems arranged in unique designs around the main stone.
“It’s quite a flashy ring.”
“I thought it would suit you.”
So this is what Henders had carved a tiny magic circle into, at the Duchess’s request.
Zeroth chuckled faintly and reached to take it.
“I’ll put it on for you!”
Sylvian quickly took the ring from him and held his large hand.
With a serious face, he slipped it onto Zeroth’s left ring finger.
‘Now that I think about it… I’ve been too lazy to even wear my wedding ring.’
Zeroth casually glanced at Sylvian’s fingers.
“…Is it the same ring?”
“Yes. I wanted us to have matching ones.”
Before coming here, Sylvian had stopped by to confirm with Henders that Zeroth’s ring had no enchantments at all.
When he said he wanted to wear the same one as the Duke, the ducal wizard had beamed and said, “The Duke will be pleased,” escorting him out all the way to the door.
“Zeroth?”
Zeroth stared silently at Sylvian.
Thinking he’d done something wrong again, Sylvian glanced nervously between their hands.
‘Maybe he doesn’t like it…’
If you don’t like it, then forget it.
Zeroth didn’t thank him, didn’t show any sign of being pleased.
Sylvian dropped his gaze to the table.
It was just an excuse to wear the ring himself anyway.
No big deal.
“Don’t you like— Eh?!”
Just as he began to pout at Zeroth’s lack of reaction, he was suddenly pulled in.
“Hyuk!”
His body was swept up and over the table.
Before he could even gather his senses, his lips were crushed.
A firm tongue forced its way between his parted lips, tangling with his own as he instinctively tried to flee.
“Haa!”
Zeroth gave him no chance to breathe, his tongue exploring deep, making Sylvian tilt his head back with a gasp—only for Zeroth’s hand to catch him again.
“Don’t run.”
That almost dangerous growl told Sylvian all he needed to know—his gift had pleased him.
He could feel Zeroth’s arousal, stiff and throbbing, pressing hard against his thigh.
“Huff… Haa… Haah…”
Zeroth seized Sylvian’s trembling body, just as he barely managed to break away from their kiss, gasping for breath.
Thin hands pushed against Zeroth’s shoulders with urgency, but Zeroth didn’t budge—he pressed in even harder, completely cutting off Sylvian’s air.
“Ngk—ahh…”
Sylvian’s vision blurred.
He tried to breathe through his nose, but with Zeroth relentlessly pushing forward, even that was impossible.
Just as the fear of suffocating began to take hold, warmth passed from Zeroth—his breath.
Desperately inhaling the air Zeroth gave him, Sylvian gulped it down greedily.
A low sound rumbled in Zeroth’s throat.
“Puhah.”
The moment Zeroth parted their lips, Sylvian sucked in a sharp breath.
As he heaved and panted, a warm hand gently patted his back.
“Hnn…”
When he finally calmed down enough to open his tear-brimmed eyes and look up, Zeroth kissed him again.
“Mmph!”
This time, the kiss was gentler—almost cautious.
Sylvian responded by timidly moving his tongue.
Every time their tongues slid wetly against each other, he flinched down below.
Zeroth’s thick tongue moved as if it were going to fill his entire throat, making Sylvian tremble uncontrollably.
It was just a kiss—and yet, it felt as though he was being connected to Zeroth from top to bottom in the most intimate way.
The wet, obscene sounds echoed in his ears, as if they were coming from where their bodies would join.
Sylvian flushed with shame.
No one kissed as lewdly as Zeroth did.
The longer it went on, the deeper the kiss became, and soon those large hands began to roam.
“Hngh! Ah!”
Sylvian shivered as Zeroth’s hand swept down the line of his back.
“Tomorrow! Hic! Ah!”
“The… party.”
Just when Zeroth seemed completely absorbed in devouring Sylvian’s body, he came to a stop.
Holding Sylvian in his arms, he exhaled deeply.
“I’m very pleased.”
Zeroth ran his tongue over the ring—his red tongue slowly tracing over the gemstone.
“I won’t take it off… until we find another one to match it.”
“M-me too…”
Sylvian couldn’t take his eyes off the blazing red in Zeroth’s.
He nodded, enchanted.
* * *
