This man planned to knot Chaika during this heat cycle and get him pregnant without even asking for consent. There were several reasons behind it. First, he would be able to control Chaika’s increasingly potent pheromones throughout the pregnancy. Second, he would secure an heir. And third, through that child, he could bind Chaika completely to himself. That was how alphas usually thought. Duke Mihail Castiya was no exception.
There wasn’t much time left before the heat cycle. Once Chaika spent this heat with Mihail, he would become pregnant, and as soon as the pregnancy stabilized, he would have to leave Castiya Castle. After that, he would need to hide deep and far away for quite some time to evade the relentless pursuit that would follow.
The plan was flawless. From the investigation to the detailed planning and even execution, there hadn’t been a single problem. Mihail, who claimed to loathe omegas, had now fallen head over heels for Chaika—and was even considering getting him pregnant sooner than expected. Having gone this far with the Duke of Castiya, it was only natural that Chaika felt proud of himself, even impressed by his own competence.
However…
Chaika slowly opened his closed eyes and quietly studied Mihail’s face.
Mihail falling for Chaika had gone exactly as planned. What Chaika had failed to account for was the difference between “falling for someone” as a concept, as words on paper, and the emotions that arose when one person truly fell for another. For someone as naïve and fragile as Chaika, the affection, care, and generosity he received from Mihail were unbearably gentle, tender, and sweet. So much so that, when the plan neared its final stages, the idea that he would have to abandon all of this and leave began to feel strangely unreal. At times, he even caught himself wanting to settle into this reality—and would immediately scold himself for it.
Duke Mihail Castiya did not love Chaika. What he loved was the naïve, delicate Chaika who had swallowed poison to live as a beta, shaving years off his own lifespan. The fabricated personality Chaika had created solely for the sake of this plan would be discarded the moment the plan ended, erased without a trace.
In the near future, when Mihail realized that he had been completely deceived by a con artist named Chaika, he would likely burn with rage so intense that killing Chaika a hundred times wouldn’t be enough to calm it. He would hate him, despise him, loathe him.
Thinking of that, Chaika mocked the part of himself that wanted to cling to the present. Then, he dredged up the venom he had carried in his heart for a very long time. That poison was Chaika’s strength—his weapon. The moment he discarded it, he would be utterly disarmed, reduced to a fragile being incapable of resisting any threat. That could never be allowed to happen.
Mihail, notorious for his foul temper, poured a feather-light tenderness on Chaika alone—but the one receiving that affection was not the real Chaika. Which meant that the gentle Mihail standing before him now wasn’t real either. Staring at Mihail, Chaika repeated that truth to himself over and over.
***
As the heat cycle drew closer day by day, Chaika became extraordinarily sensitive sexually. Still, it wasn’t much of a problem. Mihail eagerly indulged in that state of his. Whether it was the office, bedroom, garden, or study—location didn’t matter. The moment Chaika seemed even slightly inclined, Mihail’s hands would slip straight under his clothes. Even if it wasn’t full sex, he would fondle or suck his cock, torment his nipples, or shower him with lewd, sloppy kisses.
Chaika usually responded just as eagerly, so even before the heat cycle arrived, the two of them were spending their days in an unrelentingly heated haze.
Within Castiya Castle, it had become official knowledge that the Duke was utterly besotted with an omega named Chaika, and rumors that a child would soon follow were practically treated as fact. Everyone was shocked by the transformation of a duke who once wouldn’t even go near omegas. Still, most people considered the situation fortunate.
Though he wasn’t particularly kind or generous as a master, Duke Mihail Castiya was, befitting a Dominant Alpha, a beautiful and refined man. Chaika, too, when he showed his face and dressed properly, possessed a mysterious beauty that made it hard to look away. Seeing such a beautiful pair so deeply in love with each other—there was hardly a more pleasant sight.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
Mihail asked. Chaika stared in surprise at the foal being led out by the stable hand. It was still young, but once it grew a little more, it would be the perfect size for Chaika to ride. The foal’s coat, evidence of its excellent bloodline, was a soft cream color, with a diamond-shaped marking on its forehead. Its eyes were large and gentle.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Chaika exclaimed, gently stroking the foal. The foal seemed to like him as well, calmly enjoying the touch.
“The color’s gorgeous—and it’s so soft.”
He looked ready to kiss it, having clearly fallen in love at first sight. All the effort Mihail had put into tracking down and purchasing a foal Chaika would like—at an exorbitant price—had been worth it.
“This one’s yours, so you name it.”
“…What?!”
Chaika couldn’t hide his surprise at Mihail’s words.
“My horse?”
“That’s right. Even fully grown, this breed doesn’t get very large. It’s known for being gentle, nimble, and fast—perfect for you to ride.”
“Ah…”
Chaika looked at the cream-colored foal with a startled, flustered expression, then hesitated awkwardly.
“What? You don’t like it?”
When Mihail asked, Chaika shook his head and smiled brightly.
“No. I love it. I really, really love it. It’s perfect. Thank you.”
At that single line of thanks, a smile spread around Mihail’s eyes. He lifted Chaika effortlessly and set him atop the foal’s back. Startled, Chaika clung to it for a moment before gently stroking its mane.
“You should give it a name.”
Mihail said, patting the foal’s side. Chaika thought for a brief moment, then spoke.
“Cream.”
“Cream?”
“Yes. Because its coat looks just like cream.”
Chaika nodded without hesitation.
Thus, a foal of exceptional pedigree—purchased for an astronomical sum—suddenly acquired the name “Cream.” Mihail didn’t interfere, simply nodding in approval.
Though Chaika had mounted it briefly, the foal was still a bit too young to carry him properly. In another month or two, it would be just right. Mihail lifted Chaika back down, and Chaika happily fed Cream a carrot.
After a light walk past the stables, the two headed straight to the bedroom. As the heat cycle approached, Chaika tired easily. His heightened sensitivity and rising body heat left him constantly on edge. Mihail—who only days ago would pounce the moment Chaika showed affection—was now deliberately avoiding sexual contact as much as possible, preparing for the heat cycle that would last roughly two days.
Sitting propped up on the bed, Chaika’s cheeks and the corners of his eyes were flushed. A mild fever lingered. Even the brush of the bedsheets against his bare skin was difficult to endure, making every movement require careful restraint. The physician entered carrying a lunch tray and placed it on the bed. Chaika frowned, clearly sick of eating the same meals day after day.
“Even if you’re tired of it, you must eat everything. That’s the only way your body will endure the heat cycle.”
The physician coaxed him, placing a spoon in Chaika’s hand. Chaika sighed deeply as he stared at the soup—boiled with duck, various tonics, and a heavy dose of herbs. For Chaika, who usually followed instructions obediently, to show such open reluctance said everything about how it tasted.
“…Lord Nile didn’t have to eat things like this before his heat cycle.”
Chaika grumbled, stopping midway through lifting a spoonful.
“That’s because Lord Nile was very healthy. You, Lord Chaika, have taken Bellagie for a long time, and the toxins have not fully left your body. You must nourish yourself thoroughly to get through this heat safely.”
The physician replied in a deliberately solemn tone. Instead of eating, Chaika narrowed his eyes slightly.
“I got through my last heat cycle just fine without eating stuff like this.”
The physician was left speechless and cleared his throat awkwardly.
Of course, even without extra nourishment, the worst that would happen was that Chaika would collapse for a few days after the heat ended. The real problem was that Mihail intended to impregnate Chaika during this heat. With Chaika’s already frail health, the physician needed to fortify him as much as possible beforehand for any peace of mind.
When persuasion failed, Mihail—who had been standing behind—sat down beside the bed, draped an arm around Chaika’s shoulders, and spoke gently.
“You remember how you were bedridden for days after your last heat, right? The physician’s just taking precautions so that doesn’t happen again. Bear with it and eat.”
At Mihail’s coaxing, Chaika didn’t argue further. Instead, he began eating spoonful by spoonful, wearing a deeply displeased expression. With each bite, his face grew increasingly miserable. Clicking his tongue inwardly, Mihail gestured to the butler. The butler slipped out of the room and soon returned quietly with several servants.
“…I’m done.”
Chaika set the spoon down, looking utterly defeated. Mihail stroked his hair as if praising him, but Chaika’s expression didn’t improve. Mihail quickly popped a honey-preserved date into his mouth. Chaika chewed it doggedly, trying to erase the taste of the tonic soup.
“You endured it so well—you deserve a present.”
Mihail said with a laugh in his voice, then gestured to the servants who had entered earlier. The butler and servants lined up beside the bed and opened the elegant boxes they were holding.
“…Oh…!”
Each time a box opened, Chaika’s eyes widened slightly, a soft gasp slipping from his lips. Once all the boxes were open, the servants stepped forward and displayed them in a row. Each box contained a single item—every one a dazzling piece of jeweled jewelry.
“Do you like them?”
Mihail asked. Chaika alternated his wide-eyed gaze between Mihail’s face and the jewels before finally speaking.
“They’re… really shiny.”
Mihail burst into laughter at that. He took an amethyst ring from the nearest box and slipped it onto Chaika’s finger. Surrounded by diamonds, the deep-purple amethyst fit his finger as if it had been made for him. Mihail lifted Chaika’s hand and kissed the back of it.
“I had it specially commissioned to match your eye color.”
Mihail said with a smiling gaze. Chaika stared at the ring on his finger, then at the expensive jewelry held by the servants, unable to speak for a moment. As he blinked in visible confusion, a faint shadow suddenly crossed his face.
Mihail hadn’t expected him to leap with joy like an innocent child, but he had assumed Chaika would at least be happy to receive gifts. Puzzled by the unexpected reaction, Mihail gestured for everyone to leave. When they were alone, he pulled Chaika into his arms.
“I thought you’d be happy.”
Mihail said, fiddling with the ring on Chaika’s finger. Though he had carefully selected all the jewelry, this ring in particular had demanded special attention. Finding an amethyst with the perfect hue to match Chaika’s mysterious violet eyes had taken considerable time and money. This wasn’t merely an accessory—it was Mihail’s own way of hinting at his intention to formally marry Chaika.
Though Chaika’s background made him grossly inadequate as an official spouse for a duke and royal like Mihail, Mihail calculated that once Chaika bore an heir, even the Emperor would have no choice but to permit the marriage. No one else would stand a chance—but given Mihail’s extreme omega aversion, Chaika was the only one he could ever bring himself to accept.
