Vol. 1 Chapter 6.1 - The first one

When Aelock first became pregnant with his first child, he wasnt surprised. His once-proud family had already fallen on hard times and had to sell their estate, the epitome of Teiwinds pride, after barely enduring a few years on their own. When he found out that the buyer was none other than Klopp, he didnt feel shocked or surprised; in fact, he thought his pregnancy was a good thing. After all, the father of his child was none other than Klopp Band.y.k.e.

It was quite unexpected, in a way. Even if he put aside his alpha status, he never imagined that Klopp would extend a hand to him, who had lost everything due to foolish judgment. While all his former friends and relatives ignored Aelocks desperate letters, Klopp came to him when he had nowhere to go after selling his estate to pay off his debts. He offered to let Aelock stay in the mansion.

Is there anything that youre good at?

Im good at things involving literature, music, or art.

That means youre good at nothing.

Klopp had never looked at Aelock warmly, but that time, his eyes had looked very eerie, like a truly bloodthirsty predator. It was as if he knew something.

It doesnt matter if you cant do anything useful. I have something else to do for you.

Whats that?

When the time comes, Ill let you know. Also, now that Im the owner of this house, and youre a guest of mine, please be careful with your words.

It was a fair demand, but it wasnt easy to be formal towards him immediately. After some hesitation, he replied, I understand that well.

Klopp really didnt ask him to do anything specific. Klopp was busy with various things, so he rarely stayed in the mansion. Klopp would leave early in the morning and return late at night, when Aelock occasionally encountered him in the hallway, Klopp would walk past him making a small sneer but still treating him with impeccable manners.

At first, Aelock was very nervous and awkward facing Klopp. He wondered if Klopp might know something. However, Klopp only mocked the fall of the Teiwind family and didnt indicate any other motives. Considering his naturally aristocratic demeanor and the fact that everyone had a certain amount of pretense for the sake of maintaining their status, it was possible that he had no ulterior motives. Aelock, whose life was in utter despair, was so desperate that he could hardly suspect anyone. The days pa.s.sed without anything happening.

One day, Klopp who returned early, found Aelock in his study, lost in thought, reading his favorite cla.s.sic. He held out a rather full paper envelope.

What is this item?

From now on, three times a day, two pills each. Take three capsules before bed.

Pills? But Ive not hurt anywhere.

He looked up at him in wonder. His eyes were cold, and he hadnt even removed his coat yet. He took off his gloves one by one before he turned to Aelock and mocked him.

You fully know that youre in no position to say that, Count. Just eat them as I say.

Aelock frowned at the sarcasm and opened the envelope, finding the pile of white pills.

Why, do they look like poison pills?

Do I have to answer that?

He laughed lightly. But his deep eyes still glowed with a fierce intensity that still gave him an eerie feeling. Seeing Aelock smile reflexively, Klopp explained in a light voice.

Its a new drug from a pharmaceutical company I recently invested in. They say its amazing at enhancing pheromones.

So Im the test subject.

Do you not want to?

Even if he didnt want to, he couldnt say yes to that. The pheromone pills sounded like some kind of tacky potion or erectile dysfunction treatment. Aelock would have preferred to test poison pills, but it was clear that Klopp had chosen these drugs on purpose. Human testing of such a crude drug could be done on anyone wandering around looking for a mate, like a dog in heat. Perhaps Klopp wanted to humiliate Aelock. Still holding the open book in his lap and the bag of pills, Aelock looked up at Klopp.

Aelock tried to read if Klopp had any ulterior motives, but his expression remained unchanged. No one knew what had happened. Unless Aelock spoke anything about it, it would just be remembered as an unfortunate accident. In all honestly, that was the truth too.

I understand. I will make sure to take them on time.

Im thankful for that, and please keep me posted on the progress. Information is important for investment.

With a satisfied smile, Klopp left the study. Aelock grimaced at the mysterious pills before pus.h.i.+ng them aside and browsing through the rest of the bookshelf.

A few months later, Aelock realized that the pills were extremely dangerous. Every night, his stomach hurt so much as if it were tearing apart, and his brain was spinning so much, making him dizzy. Even just taking the pills made him constantly nauseous, unable to swallow food, and later, he was even unable to properly vomit bile. He would get a fever, and he would groan and toss around all night. He would barely recover in the early morning hours, with a soaked body from sweat that required was.h.i.+ng. Strong black tea was all he could force down his throat during breakfast, brought to him by the old butler, who was the only remaining Counts servant and still served Aelock. He was losing weight rapidly.

You dont look well, my Count.

Its because I havent slept well. Its nothing to worry about, Aelock replied to the concerned butler. He was a loyal servant, but he was also old and about to retire. Aelock didnt want to make him worry when he couldnt even provide him with a generous retirement.

Another person who knew about Aelocks condition naturally inquired about him.

My stomach hurts so much at night that I cant even sleep, and my head is dizzy. I also feel nauseous. Investing in such pills seems like a big loss in the future.

Aelock was almost sarcastic because of the irritation caused by his body aches and lack of sleep. As if waiting for that response, Klopp lightly replied, Its absurd to get a lecture from the Count on investments. At least I havent lost my home.

Unlike other things, talking about his estate made him feel offended. As Aelocks brow furrowed and stayed silent, Klopp chuckled lightly and added, Dont worry about it, those symptoms were expected. Youre adjusting well, so I think its better for you to increase your dosage. Take three pills at a time and five before bed.

After giving that order, Klopp left again. He said it wasnt poison, but maybe it was. Maybe he intended to slowly dry him up and kill him. Perhaps he might even know the truth. Aelock held his aching head and sighed. Later, he took three pills and had to lie in bed from the dizziness that made his vision spin since broad daylight.

A few days into the dosage increase, he groaned and clutched his hurting lower abdomen as usual. When the sweat started to flow too much and soak the sheets, he had no choice but to get up despite his heavy body. He would have called for the maid in the past, but he couldnt now. Besides the butler, all the other employees were Klopps men. He didnt want to entrust his body to strangers. Instead, he took the wet towel that the butler had brought into the room and wiped himself off.

As he struggled to control his pounding head and lowered his legs under the bed to stand up, something hot trickled between his legs. He looked down in horror at the strange sensation of something unrecognizable running down his thighs and felt s.h.i.+vers down his spine. His light silk pajama pants were starting to get soaked red from top to bottom.

What, what is this?

As Aelock trembled in shock and reached out to touch the b.l.o.o.d.y fluid, something surged out from his opening along with stabbing pain, and it flowed down to soak his ankles and the carpet below. It was full of blood.

Its okay. Dont worry. Count, you will be fine soon.

I have served the Count since he was born. Sir Aelock has never bled before. We need to call a doctor.

Dont do anything unnecessary, Butler. In my house, you follow my orders.

I am the Counts butler.

This place isnt owned by the Count anymore. Dont be mistaken.

Aelock was still feeling too disoriented to open his eyes properly. The usually calm butler, in a rare burst of agitation, protested against the new owner of the house and was eventually dismissed. A few moments later, Aelock could barely open his eyes and saw Klopp with a faint smile.

Youve gained consciousness.

What was that drug?

Dont worry. You dont have to take them anymore in the future. I actually didnt expect you to listen to me so well. Is it because of your const.i.tution?

Although Aelock wanted to retort, he didnt have the energy, so he closed his eyes again and held it in. It was a clear sign that he didnt want any more confrontation. But Klopp continued to pace around the bed, seemingly unwilling to leave. His sensitive nerves were getting irritated, thus Aelock opened his eyes again and glared at Klopp with all the strength he could muster.

Id like for you to leave.

Ill leave for today. There will be a lot for you to do in the future, so you can rest for now.

Klopp told him to rest with a smirk on his face, but it was annoying that he was actually interrupting his rest. Aelock furrowed his brow, closed his eyes again, and turned his body away. However, Klopp stayed there for a while longer before finally leaving the room when Aelocks exhausted mind began to blur.

The next morning, Aelock still had a mild fever and painful b.l.o.o.d.y discharge, but he was in much better condition. He sat on the bed and waited for breakfast. Unlike usual, the breakfast was brought by a housekeeper he wasnt familiar with. She said her name was Martha.

When Klopp entered the estate, he brought in a middle-aged female omega who greeted Aelock dryly and put the breakfast tray on the table instead of the bed. Aelock asked her to bring it over, but she ignored him. He was infuriated by her rude behavior, given their clear status difference even if she was a maid who served a separate master. It was not right to vent his anger on someone elses poorly-educated servant. He would clearly convey her rudeness to her owner.

Aelock got up from the bed and carefully moved his wobbly legs to sit on the chair. She didnt even bother to make tea and was about to leave. He wondered where the butler was and why he had to be treated like this.

Where is the butler?

He has been dismissed early this dawn.

What?

Aelock was surprised and inadvertently raised his voice. Martha, who was about to leave the place, was filled with a strong sense of disgust as she glared at Aelock and said, That was expected. The master has no wage to give to the servant.

As soon as the long black skirt went through the door, it was immediately closed. Aelock silently looked down at the cold teacup. He had just truly become an orphan.