He sat frozen on the floor, his eyes locked onto the sword, terror and unease written all over his face. This couldn’t have been just a hallucination—the images were too vivid, too real, as if he had personally witnessed the carnage. That sword… it was no ordinary weapon.“No, it’s impossible… he…” Leon’s voice trembled, the words faltering, unable to form a coherent sentence. His breathing was erratic, and he became painfully aware of his own hands shaking uncontrollably like they had just touched something unimaginably evil.“Calm down, Leon. Calm down…” he whispered hoarsely, but calm was nowhere to be found. Desperation clawed at him as he scrambled to his feet, stumbling toward the bed. He grabbed the blanket and wrapped it tightly around himself, curling into a trembling ball.“Sleep… sleep… stop thinking…” he murmured under his breath, desperately clinging to the words, hoping they could shield him from the horrifying images. He buried his head deeper into the blanket, strainin
The door burst open with a resounding bang, and Jasper’s tall, commanding figure filled the doorway. His gaze locked onto Leon instantly, sharp and unwavering. For a moment, Leon forgot how to breathe. He watched as Jasper stepped inside, each movement deliberate and unhurried. His demeanor showed no hostility, yet the memory of Jasper’s furious departure the previous night sent a shiver down Leon’s spine. This wasn’t just anyone—this was a demon.Instinctively, Leon scooted back, his body acting before his mind could catch up. By the time he realized what he was doing, his back was already pressed against the edge of the bed. He had nowhere left to go.Jasper, meanwhile, made himself comfortable, sitting casually at the foot of the bed. His piercing eyes bore into Leon, unrelenting and impossible to ignore.Leon felt the blood in his veins had turned to ice, a tingling numbness spreading to his fingertips. Overwhelmed, he made a snap decision. Pulling the blanket over his head, he bu
Jasper looked up, his gaze softening, carrying a hint of apology. “That’s why I considered finding a human partner from your world. But I never imagined… even then, the wedding would be ruined.” He leaned a little closer to Leon, his voice low, filled with guilt. “Leon, I’m sorry. Because of my selfishness, I must’ve frightened you, and you’ve been through much suffering.”Leon was caught off guard by Jasper’s candid confession, and a faint blush crept up his face before he could stop it. While he was still processing the moment, Jasper’s hand slowly reached out, gently cupping Leon’s cheek.“I admit,” Jasper began, his voice low yet brimming with tenderness, “at first, I didn’t know you. But what I said last night—about love at first sight—was true.”His words were steady and sincere, and his gaze seemed to pull Leon into its depths. “So… will you forgive me? Let’s start over. If you’re not comfortable with marrying first and falling in love later, we can take it slow. We can date fi
"Yesterday's bravery or ignorance—I chose wrong. You’re just ignorant," Aric murmured, leaning closer to Leon's face, his voice low and laced with danger. "So, if it’s ignorance or cowardice this time, which are you? Shall we make a bet?"Leon swallowed nervously, his throat dry, his voice trembling. "A... a bet? On what?""If I’m wrong, I’ll leave immediately," Aric said, his smile tinged with a teasing mockery. "But if I’m right... then we continue."Leon’s voice wavered, barely audible. "C-continue what?"Aric leaned close to his ear, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur, like a dark, honeyed whisper. "Continue to let yourself be completely defiled. That way, you can stand tall in front of that brat and tell him with pride that Prince Aric has entirely claimed you. He won’t keep pestering you to marry him after that."Leon’s breath hitched at those words. He couldn’t help but shut his eyes, his body shrinking slightly as a chill ran down his spine. He could almost feel the mock
As soon as his words fell, the hall fell into a brief silence.Then, to Leon’s surprise, Zalethos's stern expression seemed to crack, and he burst into laughter. "Hahaha, this kid is interesting!"Rose gently shook her head, a bemused smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You don’t need to worry about those formalities here, Leon. Those kinds of gestures are forbidden in our kingdom."Leon, feeling a bit embarrassed, awkwardly scratched his head. "Well... could you give me some tips then? I’m already at a disadvantage with the whole species thing so a little guidance would be nice. At least let me act normal, so I can at least seem a little... well, normal, in front of everyone."“Hahaha, as long as it's similar to your world, that’s enough,” Zalethos laughed heartily, though his gaze carried a hint of amusement.Leon blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Really? So... that means there are no royal protocols?"He hesitated momentarily, then, testing the waters, gave a slight bow towa
In the luxurious VIP room, Leon reclined on the soft bed, his mind finally at ease for once. The room was quiet and comfortable, even the sound of the wind outside carried a sense of tranquility. Stretching lazily, he thought to himself, “At last, I’ve shaken off those two clingy princes.”His gaze drifted to the candle on the table, lost in thought, and a hint of anticipation stirred within him—The human district. Would it feel more like home? At least there, he wouldn’t have to deal with those domineering, otherworldly demon princes and their constant entanglements. The idea made him almost giddy with excitement.Unfortunately, the peace lasted only a fleeting few minutes. Suddenly, the room was filled with a familiar presence.“Bang!”Leon was startled and quickly sat up, his eyes locking onto the faint distortion in the air before him. In the blink of an eye, Aric materialized like a phantom, standing right in front of him. Leon distinctly remembered the door hadn’t opened, and th
Leon tightened his grip on the photo, his voice low as he spoke. “I was studying out of town when I got the news that my father was sick. I rushed home, but as soon as I stepped out of the airport... I...” His voice caught for a moment before he continued, “I was kidnapped.”“Then sold at an underground auction, to Jasper, right?” Aric raised an eyebrow, his smile turning slightly mocking.Leon nodded; his voice tinged with resignation. “Yeah.”Aric suddenly chuckled, the tone almost playful. “And who sold you?”Leon’s expression instantly hardened, his grip on the photo so tight that his knuckles turned white. “I wish it had been some human trafficking gang,” he said bitterly. “But it wasn’t.”Hearing this, Aric’s gaze darkened. “So, you know something.”Leon lowered his head, staring at the photo as emotions of anger and hurt swirled in his eyes. “Before I passed out at the auction, I heard the intermediary making a call to his client. He mentioned two names—Janet Ma... and Randy Ma
After several days of waiting, Leon finally saw Iris standing before him. He looked at her, her hand holding a book that emitted a soft blue glow, her expression radiating joy."I can finally smell the scent of freedom!" he exclaimed. Leon had thought this day would mark the beginning of his release, the first step toward his escape to the human district and a new life. However, Iris' words came like a cold bucket of water, dousing his hopes."Leon, your herbs are indeed very effective," Iris said, her voice filled with genuine admiration, yet carrying a hint of something hard to pinpoint, something more complex. "Our patient used to take the medicine I made every day, but with yours, she only needs to use it once every three days."Leon froze for a moment, a surge of excitement washing over him, and his voice couldn’t hide its pride. "That’s great! Once I reach the human district, I can find even better herbs and send them back to you."However, Iris’ expression slowly shifted into s
"Recordings?"Leon frowned and tapped five times in quick succession. Five audio files lined up neatly in the message thread, sitting there like silent keys to a secret, waiting to be unearthed.Aric glanced sideways at the screen. “What’s that brat saying now?”Leon shot him a look, then tapped on the first one.The recording began with a few seconds of silence—then a voice came through the earbuds, so familiar it made the hairs on Leon’s neck stand on end.“Did you find the person I’m looking for?”Leon’s pupils contracted, his voice barely audible. “That voice… why does it sound so familiar…”Aric’s brows arched slightly. “It’s Jasper.”Leon froze, stunned. He played the recording again, this time paying closer attention—sure enough, it was him. The realization hit like cold lead sinking straight to the bottom of his chest, heavy and suffocating.The recording continued.A woman’s voice followed, soft and honeyed, laced with a servile sweetness: “We’ve narrowed it down. Just a few
Leon nearly threw the phone across the room in frustration. He forced out a cold laugh, fighting back his anger. “You need money? Go ask your mother.”“No need to ask her. You—might be able to give me more.”The tone on the other end was casual, even entitled, making Leon’s hands tremble. He took a deep breath, preparing to hang up, but Randy’s voice stopped him.“Hey, hey, hey! Don’t hang up yet! Don’t you want to know why you were sold at an auction?”The words struck Leon like a sharp knife, driving straight into the most vulnerable part of his heart.Lisa and Morgana mentioned it, and now—his brother was bringing up the truth of his "auction." That night, that horrendous experience lingered in his mind like a wound that never healed. It was a knot he couldn't untangle, lodged deep in his chest.Leon fell silent for a few seconds, his eyes sharpening into icy resolve. “How much do you want?”Once the call ended, he yanked Aric from where he was, still fast asleep beside him, shakin
He averted his gaze, gritting his teeth. “I’ll help you… but don’t make it seem like some kind of romantic gesture.”Aric followed the direction of his glance, his eyes sweeping slowly around the room with a flicker of amusement.The hotel, in all its over-the-top service, had indeed gone a bit too far—scarlet roses adorned nearly every surface, bathing the room in a heady, suggestive atmosphere.“A setting like this does invite something a little different.”Aric murmured, his tone laced with a half-smile. “I just wanted a change of scenery—something out of the ordinary.”Leon frowned, staring him down. “Out of the ordinary, how?”Aric’s eyes narrowed slightly as though dredging up a memory. His voice carried a faint trace of resignation. “The first time was in a basement. The second, a cave. The third—granted, it was just a kiss—but it still happened inside a prison cell. You tell me, how is it that Aric Blackwood can never seem to catch a single whiff of romance?”Leon rolled his e
He stared up, his eyes wide with disbelief. His mind couldn’t quite grasp how he had ended up on the ground, but the searing pain in his knees—where they had struck the cold stone floor—was all too real. The sensation was like fire, shooting through his body; all he could do was sit there, stunned.Leon glanced down at Randy, lying on the ground, but his expression remained indifferent. He didn’t even bother with a sneer—Randy wasn’t worth the effort. Without breaking his stride, he simply tightened his grip on Aric’s hand and continued walking as leisurely as if they were strolling through a park.Randy, humiliated and furious, clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His face was flushed with rage, but he didn’t dare step forward again.He wasn’t a fool—he knew this man wasn’t someone he could afford to provoke.So, instead, he bit down hard on his lip, scrambled to his feet, and rushed into the house—no doubt running to tattle.Aric watched the retreating figure wit
They made their way through the forest, sunlight filtering through the gaps in the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Time seemed to stretch on as they walked, but finally, the path ahead cleared, and a smooth asphalt road appeared before them. Leon practically ran forward, eager to get moving, and waved down a passing taxi.The driver poked his head out, eyeing the two young men suspiciously. “Where to?”Leon casually named a destination in the city center, then quickly pulled Aric into the cab, letting out a sigh of relief.As the taxi sped away, the forest receded behind them, replaced by the towering skyscrapers of the city, neon lights flashing, and the buzz of voices filling the air. For a moment, Leon had been preoccupied with surviving in this world—after all, he didn’t have a penny to his name. But just as he was beginning to worry about his next move, Aric casually pulled out a black gold card, flipping it expertly between his fingers.Leon’s eyes widened. “Where
Just as he finished speaking, his bed suddenly dipped. The next second, a powerful force yanked him right out of the covers.“Hey! Hey! What are you doing?!” Leon screamed in surprise, but before he could react, Aric had already hoisted him onto his shoulder, as if he were a sack of potatoes, effortlessly carrying him away.“Put me down! Now!” Leon struggled desperately, but Aric’s strength was far greater, and he didn’t budge an inch.“If you refuse to get up on your own, I’ll have to do it for you,” Aric said, his tone light and even laced with a hint of amusement.Leon rolled his eyes, resigned to his fate. He buried his head in Aric’s back and muttered lazily, “Fine, do whatever you want. I’ll just switch to a different position and go back to sleep…”However, after a moment, something didn’t sit right.It wasn’t just him Aric was carrying.Leon slowly lifted his head, casting a glance toward Aric’s other side. There, he saw a large, bulging backpack, heavy and seemingly filled wi
As he stepped out of the prison, the cool night air brushed against his skin. The magic lanterns outside cast long, stretching shadows across the stone pavement. And there, bathed in that soft glow, Aric stood leaning against a stone pillar, arms crossed, his usual playful smirk dancing at the corners of his lips as he watched Leon."Has my great physician fiancé finished with his work?" Aric raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing at the corner of his lips. Yet, there was something serious in his eyes, as if he were trying to read something from Leon's expression.Leon snapped out of his thoughts, nodding. "Yes."He fell silent for a moment, then couldn’t help but ask, "Aric, I don’t understand. Why is Selena targeting the Blackwood family? Does that include Lisa and Jasper as well?"Aric dropped his playful demeanor, his gaze darkening slightly as he spoke slowly. "I don’t fully understand either... But from Morgana’s reaction, it seems the relationship between them and Lisa isn’
Morgana’s voice grew weaker, but the magic refused to let her stop. She was forced to continue, every word dragged out like a confession to the abyss.“The stone… shields her research… hides it from the Enforcement Division… She’s been working on it all this time… and once the spell is complete… she plans to destroy the Blackwood family… completely.”“What?!”Leon’s eyes widened, his breath hitching.Selena’s ambition wasn’t just to control someone—she wanted to erase the Blackwood family from existence.How dare she?The sheer scale of her plan was madness.But why? Why them?The cell fell into a suffocating silence.Leon’s fingers curled into fists, his knuckles turning white. His mind raced through the implications and hidden motives that led to this revelation.Aric, for once, was quiet. Then—he exhaled a slow, almost amused chuckle.“So that’s how it is…”He gazed down at Morgana, his expression unreadable, his voice as cold as steel.“You’ve given me quite the gift.”Morgana's l
Aric let out a quiet scoff, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes. “Hard to say. But this outcome was inevitable.”“Inevitable?”Leon’s gaze sharpened. Aric rarely used such a phrase—unless he had already woven an invisible net around his prey.Aric turned his head slightly, a ghost of a smile playing at the corner of his lips.“Among all the witches and warlocks, only their magic is truly… unnatural. Even by simple elimination, they were always the prime suspects.”He paused deliberately, his voice stretching out in a teasing drawl.“Besides… I had Elian spread a few rumors and exaggerate the results of the research. And you know how it is—when people have something to hide, they start acting strange. Keeping their heads down. Becoming just a little too quiet.”Leon fixed his gaze on him as if he had already pieced together where this was going. “And then?”Aric shrugged, his tone laced with a casual, almost playful cunning. “A few times, I made a point of boasting in front of the