* * *
As he scissored his fingers and traced the inner walls, the whimpering grew louder.
“You look beautiful, all worked up and ready to take your husband’s cock.”
His kisses trailed down Sylvian’s trembling back as his fingers stretched him open.
Two fingers became three, then four.
“Huu—I’ll inspect you thoroughly, even the shallowest parts. Starting today, you’ll have your purity checked every teatime, understood?”
Right?
Not missing his chance, Zeroth nipped at Sylvian’s ear just before pushing in.
A small nod was his answer.
Sylvian’s mind was clouded—he’d take anything to ease this heat.
“Haaah—!”
Schlick.
Thud.
“A hole this tight… No other alpha could’ve gotten in, could they?”
“Hiiik—!”
With a single thrust, Zeroth’ cock buried itself deep, sending Sylvian over the edge instantly.
“This is just an inspection—let’s see how well your hole milks me. No signs of another cock here.”
Every filthy whisper made Sylvian’s entrance clench cutely.
“Z-Zeroth! Only you—! Nngh! Only—!”
“Haha, so you’ll only take mine?”
“Yes! Yes! Ngh—! Ah!”
His small hips pinned, Sylvian gripped the sofa armrest like a lifeline as another moan tore from his throat.
After over a month of guarding his purity, his body welcomed Zeroth violently.
The alpha who’d promised to go slow was nowhere to be found—now he was devouring his omega whole.
“Hhngk! Hah—!”
“You always liked having your chest played with too. How careless of me to forget.”
Zeroth hauled Sylvian up from where he’d been sprawled on the sofa, his body jolting with every thrust.
“Ughaah—!”
The shift in angle drove Zeroth even deeper.
“Ah! Aah—!”
A hand snaked under his arm, twisting his flushed nipples.
“Just as I thought—got the answer right.”
The louder Sylvian moaned, the more his inner walls fluttered wildly. Zeroth’ jaw clenched at the sensation.
He wanted to flip Sylvian over and pound into him—but he couldn’t be rough with someone who’d just opened his heart and body to him.
Instead, his fingers dug in harder.
“Hh…”
Sylvian’s head fell back against Zeroth’ chest, his golden hair splayed like a blooming flower.
Zeroth seized his throat and kissed him.
Choked sobs and slick, filthy sounds filled the parlor.
“Ngh! Ah! More—! Hah!”
“Sylvian.”
Zeroth’ gaze darkened as Sylvian rocked his hips needily.
The slender waist, the shallow movements—all etched into his crimson eyes with adoration.
“So pretty. I’ll love and cherish you forever—so don’t push me away, understand?”
“Hah—! Yes! Yes!”
A whisper at his ear, and the answer spilled out between moans as Sylvian arched his back.
“Pr-promise—! Ngh—!”
“Hah! Yes! Yes!”
The harder Zeroth moved, the tighter Sylvian’s toes curled.
His body jerked with every brutal thrust.
Terrified, he tensed—only for the next snap of hips to hammer deeper.
Deeper. More.
Tears streamed down Sylvian’s face as Zeroth’ cock ravaged him without mercy, as if determined to consume him whole.
It felt like he’d long passed the limit of pleasure he could endure.
All that escaped him now were animalistic cries.
He could only sob and wail at Zeroth’ words.
“Hih—! Ugh! Nn—!”
His lower belly burned, breath coming too fast—if he opened his mouth wider, he feared Zeroth’ cock might slip out.
“Hng—!”
“Shall we finish with you crying prettily for me?”
Zeroth, satisfied with his thorough inspection, bit the smooth nape beneath him.
“Hh—! C-coming! Hah!”
“Good boy.”
Large hands pinned Sylvian in place.
One dragged roughly over his nipple while the other stroked his cock in time with each thrust.
“Haaaah—! Ah!”
Even with his eyes squeezed shut, bursts of light exploded behind his lids.
Every time white-hot pleasure struck like lightning, Sylvian’s body convulsed violently.
“Sylvian, I love you.”
“—!”
As Zeroth’ confession spilled out, scalding heat flooded Sylvian’s deepest part.
“Ngh—!”
Feeling Zeroth’ release pulse against his battered walls, Sylvian came with a broken cry.
“Hah! Too m-much—! Ngh! Stop—!”
“Aah—!”
Clutching Zeroth’ arm with a pained expression, Sylvian trembled.
He’d thought only cum would spill out—but the way his fluttering walls clenched around nothing made him whimper.
“Hah…!”
Zeroth, still buried deep inside Sylvian, pressed firmly against his lower abdomen, making the slick, trembling sensation even more intense.
“Haaah—!”
A clear liquid gushed from Sylvian’s oversensitive cock, as if nothing more could possibly be left after reaching climax so many times.
Trickle.
Zeroth’ hand worked him from base to tip, coaxing out every last drop of the fluid pooled inside.
Sylvian’s head slumped weakly forward.
As his body threatened to collapse, Zeroth caught him, slowly rocking his hips a few more times.
Only after indulging to his satisfaction did Zeroth finally pull out, his still-hard length glistening as it slipped free from the flushed, swollen entrance.
Lost in Zeroth’ embrace, Sylvian sobbed until his tears ran dry—only to wake and find it was already morning.
The familiar bedroom told him it was Zeroth’ room.
“Mmm…”
He much preferred Zeroth’ bedroom over the cold, impersonal chambers of the Duchess.
He wanted to sleep just a little longer.
A single provocation had solved everything.
Who knew it would be this easy?
“Haaah…”
He should get up now, but his body, still lax with lingering pleasure, refused to obey.
“Still sleepy?”
Just as he was drifting off again, Zeroth spoke.
“Yeah… tired.”
“Still, let’s get up. You should eat dinner before sleeping.”
A gentle shake jolted him fully awake.
“Dinner?”
He bolted upright and checked the window—the sun was already setting.
“Huh?! Did I sleep the whole day?!”
“After pushing yourself so hard, it’s only natural.”
Zeroth reached out, pulling Sylvian’s waist into his arms.
Nestled against him, Sylvian let out another big yawn.
“So sleepy… I could skip dinner…”
“No. Skipping meals isn’t allowed.”
The familiar exchange made him laugh.
Sylvian wrapped his arms around Zeroth and nuzzled into his broad chest.
“I want to ride horses tomorrow.”
“Maybe postpone that for a few days?”
“Why?”
When Sylvian lifted his head, Zeroth wore an awkward smile.
“My rut is coming soon.”
“R-Really?!”
Sylvian’s eyes widened at Zeroth’ words.
“You’ll spend it with me?”
“Of course. Who else would I spend it with? But if Paul says no, I’ll take suppressants and lock myself away for a few days.”
If he restrained himself in the underground cell, he could endure it.
He wouldn’t lie to Sylvian anymore.
Zeroth chuckled wryly as Sylvian gulped nervously.
He must be scared.
“I can handle it.”
“This isn’t something willpower alone can fix.”
And if he accidentally knotted him, the consequences would be irreversible.
He’d never spent a rut with an omega before—always relying on suppressants or betas to see him through.
“Your body’s still weak. An unplanned pregnancy would be dangerous too.”
“If you don’t knot me…?”
But could he even hold back? Sylvian was curious about Zeroth’ rut, but he had to admit his body wasn’t fully recovered yet.
The thought of being separated from him again for days was disappointing, but for now, he’d focus on regaining his strength.
“If Paul says yes… I want to do it.”
Sylvian tightened his arms around Zeroth.
Now that he knew Zeroth loved him, he wanted to give him everything he could.
“I’ll look forward to it. But don’t push yourself.”
“I won’t, I promise! I’ll even eat all my meals!”
Sylvian tugged the servant’s bell and ordered dinner.
When he mentioned wanting meat, Penny brightened and hurried off to fetch a suitable wine.
“I’ll drink two glasses and finish all the meat too.”
“Sylvian, don’t overdo it.”
Zeroth laughed as Sylvian eagerly stabbed a piece of pre-cut meat and stuffed it into his mouth. His excited expression, just at the thought of sharing his rut, was endearing.
I should’ve confessed properly sooner.
Things wouldn’t magically fix themselves overnight, but Sylvian’s face had grown brighter than before, now that he was drenched in love.
‘Though Paul already said no.’
In truth, he’d already gotten Paul’s answer—Sylvian’s condition wasn’t fully stable, and caution was necessary.
But seeing Sylvian’s joy, greed stirred in him.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it yet.”
“Don’t you dare hide things from me.”
Sylvian gripped his glass tightly as Zeroth’ face flickered with regret.
Sharing his rut would be the final seal on their bond.
They’d already married, received the Emperor’s approval, and spent a heat cycle together.
If they weathered Zeroth’ rut too, no one could dispute that Sylvian was his.
The thought of stamping that claim irrevocably sent a thrill through him.
“Then… should I tell you another secret?”
“……?”
When Zeroth leaned in, whispering that he’d share every secret he knew, Sylvian shook his head.
“Just tell me things about you. I don’t need anyone else’s secrets.”
* * *
