Leon was momentarily stunned. He thought about it and realized there was some truth to it. He nodded but couldn't help adding, "You're right. This place is a bit different from what I expected… full of surprises." He deliberately paused at that point, glanced at Aric, and added with a smirk, "Of course, some of them are more like shocks."Aric looked at him, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Your arrival was a surprise to me as well. And also…"Leon instinctively sensed something hidden in those words. He narrowed his eyes. "Also what?"Aric's voice dropped slightly, laced with an amused undertone. "Astonishing.""A-Astonishing?" Leon was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected Aric to describe him that way. "What do you mean?"Aric’s smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "That kind of astonishing—your flushed body, the way you moaned so beautifully. I still remember it vividly.""You—!" Leon’s face instantly turned scarlet. He jumped up, pointing at Aric wi
Leon frowned. “So mistakes can’t even be called out? The rules where you come from are ridiculous.” Good thing he never considered joining Jasper’s side—who knew how long he’d last before being tormented to death?Jasper didn’t argue. Instead, he added calmly, “Actually… Selena was involved as well.”Selena? Leon immediately thought of that elusive, enigmatic witch. She and Morgana were sisters, but her abilities were far more unfathomable.Jasper’s tone remained even, but there was an undercurrent of helplessness beneath it. “Morgana may be one of my mother’s most trusted witches, but the one she truly values is Selena. Because of Selena, my mother has always shielded the Thorn sisters unconditionally. And as for me… of course, I can’t go against them.”Leon studied Jasper’s expression, searching for something beneath his carefully measured words.Jasper let out a soft, bitter laugh. “Ironic, isn’t it? I’m a prince, and yet I’m this powerless.”Leon lowered his gaze in thought, but s
Leon had quickly made a name for himself in the Medical Division, becoming a living legend within weeks.Whenever he walked through the long corridors of the department, demons would pause to bow their heads respectfully as he passed.“Master Leon!”“Good morning, Lord Leon!”He never cared much for formalities, but his unmatched medical skills and unwavering dedication earned him the respect and admiration of everyone in the division.The event that solidified his near-mythical status, however, was his miraculous treatment of a noble demon’s bedridden daughter. This young lady had spent nearly two decades confined to her bed. Even her influential father had sought out Iris and Elian, hoping they could help. Yet despite their considerable expertise, both had regretfully admitted that the girl’s condition was beyond their capabilities.Then came Leon. He patiently adjusted her medicine, fine-tuning every ingredient with meticulous precision. Together with Elian, he crafted a new potion
He suddenly opened his eyes, only to be met with complete darkness. It felt as if his eyes were tightly bound, blocking out even the faintest hint of light. The air around him hummed with low, indistinct noise, mingled with the faint sound of several voices, tinged with laughter. His mind was still hazy, but a deep sense of unease surged within him, sweeping over his heart like a rising tide."Ahem, now we come to the final lot of the night—Lot number 1036!" A woman's voice rang out, filled with excitement yet strikingly clear and detached. "A healthy, clean-shaven 26-year-old virgin, thoroughly examined and confirmed to be free of disease or disability."Each word struck him like a sharp blade, sinking deep into his mind. He froze, disoriented. Where was he? How had he ended up here?"According to the auction intermediary, the subject's obedience is rated at seventy-five percent," the woman's voice continued, now carrying a hint of ambiguity, even tinged with a subtle, almost mischie
A freezing, bone-chilling liquid poured over Leon's head, shocking him awake. Cold water streamed down his face, soaking him to the skin. He coughed violently, the suffocating sensation leaving him momentarily breathless. Blinking hard, he opened his eyes, only to be confronted by a woman whose presence was nothing short of horrifying—a living embodiment of an evil witch from a dark fairy tale.Her skin was waxy and ashen, etched with deep, uneven creases, as though time had cruelly carved its mark upon her. Her nose was sunken, her lips cracked, and her hair hung in disheveled, straw-like strands over her shoulders. Her half-lidded eyes glimmered with a frigid malice that sent a shiver down his spine."Awake, are we?" she rasped, her voice a grating, metallic screech-like nails on glass. She let out a hoarse, grating laugh. "If it weren’t for the fact that this ritual demands your consciousness, I wouldn’t have wasted a basin of my precious well water on you."“Ritual? What ritual?”
"What do you mean, 'I’m yours'?" Leon’s chest heaved with anger, his fingers gripping the bed sheets tightly, his fingertips turning pale. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and his voice was filled with accusation. "You... you’re the one who 'bought' me?""Yes," Jasper answered without hesitation, his voice sharp and clear.Leon froze for a moment, then gritted his teeth and growled, "Even if you 'bought' me, that doesn’t mean anything! I was forced into this! I shouldn’t have even been at that underground auction!""Leon, calm down," Jasper's voice remained steady, but a faint furrow appeared on his brow."Calm down?!" Leon’s voice nearly reached a breaking point, his emotions fully unraveling. "How am I supposed to calm down? Do you have any idea what I've been through? I was kidnapped, auctioned off, and now I’m locked in here, hearing this ridiculous talk about ‘marriage’! How can you expect me to calm down?!"Just as Leon teetered on the edge of losing control, a sharp, piercing voi
After wiping his body, the subordinates carefully laid Leon on the bed and began their massage. Their fingers moved with a nimbleness that seemed almost casual, unintentionally sweeping away the exhaustion from his body. Yet with each press, each knead, a more complex tide of emotions arose within him. Every motion felt like an indelible mark etched into his very being, leaving behind a disquieting resonance. Leon’s pallor grew starker by the moment. The subordinates, far from hurrying, seemed intent on drawing out the experience. Their hands roamed over his back, shoulders, and arms, applying just the right amount of pressure to relieve his tension. Yet this precise care carried with it an undeniable undercurrent of humiliation, heightened by the fact that he was utterly exposed, devoid of even the faintest shred of dignity. When the massage finally concluded, their work was far from over. They moved on to grooming him meticulously—polishing his nails, styling his hair, and careful
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Jasper’s voice rose sharply, his calm and gentle demeanor shattered. He stepped forward in a flash, grabbing Leon’s wrist and yanking him firmly to his side. “And keep your hands off him!” Leon, already stiff and unresponsive, stumbled forward under the sudden force. His body tilted precariously, only to be caught by a steady, powerful hand. It was Aric. His hold on Leon’s shoulder was precise and unwavering, seemed like he had anticipated the fall all along. Aric’s sharp eyes flicked over Leon, his expression tightening as he noticed the unnatural rigidity in Leon’s movements. He turned slightly, addressing the middle-aged man behind him. “Elian,” he said, his brow raising slightly. “Don’t you think something needs to be done?” Elian nodded subtly. “Indeed, I’ll handle it.” With a fluid, almost imperceptible motion of his hand, Elian gestured through the air. The shift was immedia
Leon had quickly made a name for himself in the Medical Division, becoming a living legend within weeks.Whenever he walked through the long corridors of the department, demons would pause to bow their heads respectfully as he passed.“Master Leon!”“Good morning, Lord Leon!”He never cared much for formalities, but his unmatched medical skills and unwavering dedication earned him the respect and admiration of everyone in the division.The event that solidified his near-mythical status, however, was his miraculous treatment of a noble demon’s bedridden daughter. This young lady had spent nearly two decades confined to her bed. Even her influential father had sought out Iris and Elian, hoping they could help. Yet despite their considerable expertise, both had regretfully admitted that the girl’s condition was beyond their capabilities.Then came Leon. He patiently adjusted her medicine, fine-tuning every ingredient with meticulous precision. Together with Elian, he crafted a new potion
Leon frowned. “So mistakes can’t even be called out? The rules where you come from are ridiculous.” Good thing he never considered joining Jasper’s side—who knew how long he’d last before being tormented to death?Jasper didn’t argue. Instead, he added calmly, “Actually… Selena was involved as well.”Selena? Leon immediately thought of that elusive, enigmatic witch. She and Morgana were sisters, but her abilities were far more unfathomable.Jasper’s tone remained even, but there was an undercurrent of helplessness beneath it. “Morgana may be one of my mother’s most trusted witches, but the one she truly values is Selena. Because of Selena, my mother has always shielded the Thorn sisters unconditionally. And as for me… of course, I can’t go against them.”Leon studied Jasper’s expression, searching for something beneath his carefully measured words.Jasper let out a soft, bitter laugh. “Ironic, isn’t it? I’m a prince, and yet I’m this powerless.”Leon lowered his gaze in thought, but s
Leon was momentarily stunned. He thought about it and realized there was some truth to it. He nodded but couldn't help adding, "You're right. This place is a bit different from what I expected… full of surprises." He deliberately paused at that point, glanced at Aric, and added with a smirk, "Of course, some of them are more like shocks."Aric looked at him, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Your arrival was a surprise to me as well. And also…"Leon instinctively sensed something hidden in those words. He narrowed his eyes. "Also what?"Aric's voice dropped slightly, laced with an amused undertone. "Astonishing.""A-Astonishing?" Leon was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected Aric to describe him that way. "What do you mean?"Aric’s smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "That kind of astonishing—your flushed body, the way you moaned so beautifully. I still remember it vividly.""You—!" Leon’s face instantly turned scarlet. He jumped up, pointing at Aric wi
“What about you?” He spoke softly, with a hint of restrained emotion in his voice. “You... you could’ve just ignored it.”“I could have, but that’s Caelum... my good friend,” Aric replied, his words simple but unwavering, his gaze carrying no hesitation."Aren't you afraid of being demoted?" Leon's voice was urgent, confused. "Didn't they say that even the ruling class could be cast down to the third tier? And in severe cases, even to the very bottom?"Aric glanced at him, his expression indifferent, as if such dangers were of no concern to him. He shrugged, his tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather. "Well, I gave up something important in exchange."Leon froze for a moment, his brows knitting together. "What did you give up?""The throne," Aric said matter-of-factly like it was nothing more than a trivial detail.For a brief moment, the air seemed to solidify. Leon stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief. "The throne?!""That's right." Aric turned to gaze out the window,
Leon’s brow furrowed deeper, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. Without wasting another moment, he stepped forward, turning Aric to face him. They stood face-to-face, and without hesitation, Leon grabbed Aric's cheeks, squeezing firmly, forcing their gazes to lock.“Think carefully!” Leon’s voice was almost a command, carrying a stubborn insistence that left little room for refusal.Aric paused for a moment, then smiled, a knowing grin curling at the corners of his lips. “You’re rather fierce.”Leon didn’t respond. He simply stared at him, his clear eyes filled with urgency and determination, making it impossible for anyone to look away.Aric raised an eyebrow, then suddenly bent down, his hands gripping Leon effortlessly as he lifted him and placed him on the nearby table."Give me a kiss, and I’ll think seriously," Aric said, straightening up, his hands casually resting on the edge of the table, his tone light and teasing.Leon froze for a moment, then instinctively flushed. “You
He lowered his head for a moment, taking a deep breath to compose himself. When he looked up again, his tone softened a hint of determination in his voice. “Come on, just wear it. It’s not like it’ll cost you anything. And... it’s a gift from me.”Leon’s voice dropped slightly, but the way he said it—soft and almost coaxing—struck Aric like a direct hit to the senses, making his heart stir ever so slightly.Aric studied him with an unreadable expression before a slow, amused smile tugged at his lips. “Hmm… then put it on for me.”Leon was caught off guard. His mind blanked for a second before heat rushed to his ears, turning them a deep shade of red. He bit his lip, reminding himself: “It’s fine. Rose said this is part of the plan. Nothing to panic about!”Taking a small step closer, he carefully picked up the bracelet. His fingers trembled slightly from nerves, and when they accidentally brushed against Aric’s wrist, he instinctively flinched as though he had been shocked. But the ne
A warmth spread through Leon’s chest, and he quietly followed Elian down the path. Yet, despite the comfort of Elian’s presence, Selena’s sharp, dangerous gaze and her parting words, “I suppose we’ll meet again if fate allows,” lingered in his mind like an unshakable shadow.“What does she really want?” The question gnawed at him, sharp and insistent, like a needle piercing his thoughts, leaving him with a sense of unease he couldn’t quite shake off.As Leon pushed open the door, he found Aric already waiting inside. The soft glow of the evening sun streamed through the windows, wrapping Aric in a halo of warm light. Yet his eyes betrayed a hint of unease, layered with emotions too complex to decipher.Leon hadn’t intended to say much, but the sight of Aric’s face immediately brought back the mortifying memories from that morning. His brows furrowed instinctively, and an awkward tension settled between them like an invisible wall.Elian, ever practical, gave Aric a brief set of instru
Elian had been rushing to catch up, his face showing signs of concern. But when he saw Leon’s carefree, almost “school’s out” demeanor, his tension seemed to evaporate like mist.Unable to help himself, he called out, “Leon!”Leon looked up and, seeing that it was Elian, he stopped and asked, “Elian, are you looking for me?”“Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about last night,” Elian replied, calm but laced with an undertone of something more serious.“Last night?” Leon blinked in surprise, and then certain images flashed in his mind, causing his face to flush red. He instinctively took a step back. “It’s not... something too personal, is it?”Seeing his reaction, Elian couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “Don’t worry, it’s definitely not personal.”“Then... you already know, don’t you?” Leon’s voice dropped to a barely audible whisper, his face turning an even deeper shade of red. He almost wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.“Given the messiness of the room… it’s hard t
“Lady Lisa?” Leon answered, “But I haven’t had the chance to speak with her in person.”“That’s probably for the best,” Rose scoffed lightly, her tone tinged with disdain. “Her methods are so cruel; just imagine how dangerous she must be herself. Remember this—if you ever cross paths with her again, and you don’t have anyone reliable by your side, don’t engage with her too deeply.”There was a sincerity in her words that made Leon’s heart warm. He felt a deep sense of gratitude, moved by the care she showed him. In just a few brief encounters, she had offered him a kind of concern he’d never felt before, not even from his human stepmother.He spoke softly, his voice filled with sincerity. “Thank you, Rose.”Rose gave his shoulder a gentle pat, smiling. “Silly boy, there’s no need to thank me for that.”Then, suddenly, her tone shifted. “Now, tell me, how’s life at Aric’s place?”Leon blinked, caught off guard. The question hung in the air for a moment, and he found himself swallowing