Chapter 32
Luke took out a pill and brought it to Asher’s lips. Asher obediently opened his mouth and took the medicine. But as the bitterness hit his tongue, he instinctively closed his lips—trapping Luke’s fingers inside.
“…….”
Asher’s eyes widened in surprise. He awkwardly smiled, his red lips slightly parted around Luke’s fingers.
“……I’m sorry.”
Startled, Asher murmured softly, but Luke’s gaze remained fixed on his lips, as if he wanted to feel them again. Asher, still holding the medicine in his mouth, called out to him.
“Your Highness?”
Luke finally snapped out of it, letting out a long sigh. His expression was darker than usual, and Asher’s face fell slightly.
“The medicine… it’s too bitter……”
Asher complained, the pill still held between his teeth, his breath heated. Luke, as if he could no longer endure it, ran a hand through his hair and poured water from a glass on the bedside table, offering it to Asher.
“Drink.”
His voice was uncharacteristically stiff, almost cold. Asher took the glass, glancing at him nervously, but his hands were weaker than he thought. The glass tipped, spilling water all over his clothes.
“I-I’m sorry.”
Asher hurried to get up and pick up the fallen glass, but Luke swiftly pulled the blanket over himself, wrapping it around his body.
“Why do you keep provoking me?”
“Me? I’m not doing anything.”
Asher looked up at him, swallowing the pill dry, his expression aggrieved.
“The room is filled with your pheromones. You were the one who said you didn’t want to cross that line.”
“……My pheromones?”
Only then did Asher notice the faint peach scent emanating from himself. It was so subtle that one would only notice if they paid close attention.
“You came here knowing you were in heat? It’s a good thing the household staff are all Betas—what were you thinking?”
At the word heat, Asher’s large eyes widened in shock. He had thought he was just unwell, like a common cold from his past life. He had never experienced heat before and didn’t know what it felt like. He had only read that it involved fever and arousal. Luke, however, frowned slightly at Asher’s hesitation, as if he couldn’t believe Asher didn’t know.
“……I truly apologize.”
“You should have suggested postponing our meeting. You didn’t have to go to such lengths—I was going to agree to the engagement anyway.”
Luke seemed to think Asher had ulterior motives for visiting in this state. And perhaps he was right—how could an Omega like Asher not know about heat? Asher bit his lip, feeling wronged as he looked at Luke’s disappointed face. It was probably connected to that day when Baron Varhan had recklessly released his pheromones. Since then, Asher’s body had been unwell, and it seemed that incident had triggered his heat cycle earlier than usual.
“You said it yourself, didn’t you? That I didn’t want children in the past. That still holds true. Someone better will come along for you, Your Highness.”
“What kind of person do you think is ‘better’?”
“Your Highness—”
“Or are you deliberately trying to provoke me?”
The low, resonant voice filling the room sent shivers down Asher’s spine. He felt like he needed to escape immediately.
“I truly didn’t intend anything. I know you won’t believe me, but… I didn’t even know I was in heat.”
Asher forced himself to suppress the rising heat, his eyelids drooping slightly. But he knew everything sounded like an excuse, so he threw off the blanket and stood up.
“I’ll leave first. I’ll apologize properly when I’m in a clearer state of mind.”
“The conversation isn’t over yet.”
Luke grabbed Asher’s wrist and pushed him back onto the bed. The sudden change left Asher stunned. He swallowed hard as Luke’s cold gaze bore down on him.
“You said you didn’t want an unloved child to be born. That’s why you said you wouldn’t get pregnant.”
“…….”
“I agreed. No one knows better than I how cruel this world is for a child born without blessing. But hearing you now, it seems your thoughts have changed.”
“…….”
“I never thought your words meant this……”
The chilling atmosphere pressed down on Asher. Luke’s red eyes flickered with unrestrained emotion, and Asher couldn’t bear to meet his gaze. Even though he hadn’t released any pheromones, an inexplicable pressure radiated from Luke. The tense air made Asher’s eyelids tremble as he slowly parted his lips.
“……We’re in a dangerous situation right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m in heat… and if we’re not careful…”
They might cross the line. But before Asher could finish, Luke’s expression softened slightly as he asked gently,
“Do you really think so?”
Just moments ago, Luke had been angry. But now, his voice was filled with warmth. The abrupt change in atmosphere made Asher turn to face him. Luke’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“It’s only natural for an Omega to seek an Alpha. It’s instinctive, almost primal.”
“…….”
“So it’s only natural for you. You’re my Omega, and I’m your Alpha.”
Luke’s affectionate gaze traced Asher’s face slowly. Even without direct touch, the sensation made Asher’s long lashes quiver pitifully.
“So today, I don’t think I can let you leave.”
“……Your Highness.”
“If you’ve tempted me, you should take responsibility.”
As if it were the most natural thing, Luke’s thumb traced Asher’s red lips. Slowly, deliberately, he rubbed them, his heated gaze fixed on Asher’s soft mouth.
The intensity of that gaze made Asher’s lips burn. He could feel the heat rising within him.
“……You might regret it.”
“Do you regret it?”
Luke’s question was gentle, almost tender, though Asher’s words had been meant for the real partner who might appear in the future. Asher smiled faintly, shaking his head slowly.
“……No.”
The moment the answer left his lips, Luke’s lips pressed against his. The warmth made Asher slowly wrap his arms around Luke’s shoulders. Had Luke released his pheromones? The minty scent made Asher shiver.
“……Haah.”
The heated breath escaping Asher’s lips made Luke nip at his lips with the edge of his teeth. He bit gently, teasingly, stimulating Asher’s lips until they parted like ripe fruit, forming a small opening.
Luke adjusted the angle slightly, his tongue tracing the curves of Asher’s lips. Slowly, seductively, he rubbed them, and when Asher’s lips parted, Luke’s red tongue slipped inside, gradually widening the gap. Then, suddenly, he sucked on Asher’s lower lip, creating a wet, obscene sound.
The way Luke sucked, as if he were drawing out sweet juice, made Asher’s toes curl. He could feel the heat blooming inside him like flowers in spring.
“Nnngh… hngh…”
Moans mixed with lewd sounds filled the room. Asher’s lips opened like fruit, and Luke traced the edges with his tongue, drawing slow circles.
Asher’s vision blurred dizzily, and when he turned his head slightly, Luke’s large hand cradled the back of his neck, guiding him. Then, his tongue slid inside.
“Hngh… Your Highness…”
The soft, velvety red tongue pressed against the roof of Asher’s mouth, teasing and prodding. Unable to resist, it rubbed and pressed against Asher’s tender membranes, almost bordering on violation. The relentless movement of Luke’s tongue made Asher forget how to breathe, leaving him gasping.
“Breathe… hngh…”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
