* * *
“Hmm.”
“Sir, did you enjoy yourself?”
Zeroth gently tugged at Sylvian’s cheek as he dozed off in his embrace, careful not to hurt him.
The image of him hesitating and wanting to escape at every turn was still vivid in his mind.
“At least you have a good eye.”
Even while trying his best not to look, he still managed to pick out things that suited him perfectly.
And then, he would turn away as if he hadn’t seen anything.
Zeroth had to grab him and drag him back into shops multiple times after he kept walking ahead without stopping.
By the end, Sylvian had clung to a store’s entrance, tearfully pleading that he was done, but Zeroth had simply lifted him up and carried him inside.
He chuckled, remembering the stunned faces of the nobles who had been watching.
By tomorrow, the entire empire would be buzzing with rumors.
The thought of frustrating the imperial family—who had tried to force him into a union with their ideal Omega—filled him with amusement.
He hadn’t planned on attending any parties, but now he was reconsidering.
If he showed up with Sylvian dressed in the outfits they picked today, no one would dare look down on his former duchess, even if they divorced.
‘I can’t let those old perverts have him.’
Not that he wanted to hand him over to a younger Alpha, either.
Should he just lock him up in the annex?
Zeroth found himself grinning as he realized he was growing more and more fond of Sylvian.
His gaze fell on his wife, peacefully asleep on his shoulder.
What should I do with him?
Lost in thought, he idly ran his fingers over Sylvian’s soft body until they arrived at the mansion.
It had been a good day.
He had bought plenty of expensive clothes, and he had taken care of that baroness who had been harassing him, even if he wasn’t entirely satisfied with how he did it.
At least, for the duration of the duke’s orders, she wouldn’t come near him.
That gave him time to expand his connections.
“Sir, you’re awake?”
When did I even fall asleep?
As he blinked himself awake, Zeroth’s voice drifted down from above.
“Did you sleep well, Zeroth?”
“Haha, it’s still night.”
As he sat up, the dimly lit room came into focus.
A soft glow illuminated Zeroth, who had been reading a book by the light.
“Did you have fun today?”
“I loved it.”
It had been perfect.
Even the jewels he had doubted Zeroth would actually buy had been handed over without hesitation.
He had gotten rings, bracelets, and necklaces—so many that he barely remembered which ones he had chosen.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”
Zeroth set his book aside and got up.
“You haven’t had dinner. Aren’t you hungry?”
Just thinking about shopping made him feel full.
Sylvian absently rubbed his stomach and shook his head.
Smooch.
Smooch.
“Mm…”
Zeroth raised an eyebrow before pulling Sylvian onto his lap.
Soft lips pressed against his own, parting slightly to let a hot tongue slip inside.
“Ngh…”
He’s really good at this.
Was it because he was the protagonist? Zeroth kissed better than anyone Sylvian had ever met.
Their tongues tangled messily, but it didn’t feel dirty or unpleasant.
Each deep stroke left his tongue sore, yet the kiss was satisfying enough to make up for the ache.
“Ngh!”
Even the way Zeroth teasingly tickled the roof of his mouth and explored every corner was intoxicating.
Maybe he was feeling so generous because of all the new things he had gotten today.
By tomorrow morning, the clothes and shoes he had sent in a separate carriage would arrive, ready for him to try on.
The thought made him smile.
Is this why people become lovers of powerful men?
A giggle bubbled out of him.
Press.
“Why are you laughing?”
“…Because I like you, Zeroth.”
His bright, carefree smile made Zeroth grip his head firmly.
“Mmph.”
Sylvian let out a soft whimper, struggling to breathe, but Zeroth wouldn’t let go.
Instead, he carefully pulled him closer, mindful of his small, delicate frame.
As Sylvian’s body threatened to topple backward, Zeroth supported the nape of his neck and let his hand slide beneath his nightclothes, caressing his back.
“Haa!”
“What did I tell you about tonight?”
“T-To… properly express my gratitude… to my master…”
Panting from the deep kiss, Sylvian obediently recited what Zeroth wanted to hear.
He had been made to say so many things that this much was nothing now.
Tonight, Zeroth looked more handsome than ever.
I really am materialistic.
Since he had no means to gain power or build his own influence, wasn’t this the next best option?
Charm is a kind of strength too, isn’t it?
Sylvian thought, shamelessly reaching out to touch Zeroth.
“Then… shall I prepare myself alone as a sign of gratitude to my master?”
“…?”
Alone?
What was he talking about?
Sylvian blinked in confusion, but before he could process it, Zeroth had already stripped him of his nightclothes.
Completely bare in an instant, Sylvian yelped and instinctively pressed himself against Zeroth.
“Haha. Sir, you don’t need to be embarrassed in front of me.”
He had seen this body countless times, yet Sylvian’s flustered reaction amused him.
Zeroth ran his hand slowly down Sylvian’s back and squeezed his bare hips.
“Tonight, you’ll spread yourself open and show me how well you can take your master’s cock.”
“Ah…”
Hearing him say that, Sylvian swallowed hard.
Zeroth tightened his grip.
“Eep!”
“This is about learning how to properly express your gratitude. You can handle that, can’t you?”
As Zeroth grinned down at him, Sylvian clutched his clothes.
“Would you rather not do it alone? Are you scared?”
The teasing question made Sylvian hesitate.
Wait, if I ask for help… he’ll probably do something even worse, right?
“I-I can do it. I’ll do… as I was taught.”
A smirk tugged at Zeroth’s lips as he watched Sylvian’s trembling fingers hesitate over his own body.
“When you spread yourself, you should be on all fours. You must show your master how eager your hole is and seek permission to be filled.”
Zeroth repositioned Sylvian’s body, making him face away and arch his back.
As he reached behind himself, his fingers brushed against the puckered entrance, making him flinch.
Zeroth stifled a laugh.
“You still can’t do it on your own, can you? And you haven’t even asked for permission yet. Hah.”
“Ah… Master…”
How the hell was he supposed to ask for permission for this?
“You have to say, ‘Please allow your bitch to stretch its hole.’ That entrance belongs to me, so nothing should go in without my permission.”
Sylvian lowered his head, hesitating.
‘Do I really have to say that?’
‘Well… I was already planning to let him do whatever he wanted tonight.’
But now that he was making him say it out loud, a wave of rebellion bubbled up.
Haa… Is there really no kind-hearted Alpha anywhere?
Holding back tears, Sylvian finally whispered:
“Master… please allow your bitch to stretch its hole.”
“Why do you want to stretch yourself, Sir?”
Wait… why is he changing the question?
Sylvian turned his head, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Zeroth was still smiling, but he reached out and pressed against the sensitive skin around his entrance.
“Before I give permission, I need to know why you want to stretch yourself.”
“Aah! Hngh…!”
A sudden wave of pheromones flooded the air, enveloping him.
His body trembled as slick dripped down between his thighs.
“Ah…!”
* * *
