Vol. 5 ITRG Volume 5 Chapter 9

The mans reverberations stimulated the autonomic system, causing strange symptoms. Sometimes, Aerocs heart would speed up for no reason. There was an odd phantom pain that felt like needles piercing the insides of his joints while simultaneously enveloping his entire body in soft fur. A small s.h.i.+ver ran up the back of his neck, and his body s.h.i.+vered even when he sat still. His body felt dissatisfied for some unknown reason. No, after a little thinking, he could deduce exactly why, but Aeroc clearly didnt want to face the dire consequences.

He needed to deliberately distract himself. If not, the sensation on his lips and what was left of his tongue might overwhelm him and paralyze his respiratory system.

Reading was the easiest option, but it didnt give a satisfactory effect. Sitting still and focusing on something was too much for him today. It was better to go out for a change. Somewhere where Aeroc could be entertained without having to think too much. The answer could only be the art gallery.

Remembering that time again, there was a painting that caught his eye at one glance.

Im sorry, Count, but that painting is already sold.

But its only been a few days since then.

Someone came here and bought it the next day.

Oh, no.

Rather than a painting that he thought about carefully, a painting that he missed out by a second only made him want it more. Sometimes, if someone beat him to it, he would ask the buyer politely to sell it to him. When Aeroc pressed the issue, the curator gave him a troubled expression.

I cant tell you the customer.

You mean, to me?

Yes, Im sorry.

When Aeroc said hed come back to see a painting next time, it meant he was interested in buying the painting. The curator, whose trust had been built over many transactions, should have understood that meaning clearly. However, he still sold it nonetheless. The fact that it remained anonymous to Aeroc meant that the buyer was someone ofof a higher rank than the Count of Teiwind. Was it the royal family? That would be a shame.

As informed before, Bend.y.k.e showed up in time for dinner. The meal was almost like a battle. Aeroc attacked him with all sorts of different topics, which he defended very skillfully.

The maestro is very.

The debate stretched to all sorts of topics, and Bend.y.k.e, more literate than he realized, made clear comments that Aeroc could only sympathize with. Bend.y.k.e especially seemed to see right through him. Aeroc tried to cut that arrogant bridge of the mans nose, but was unsuccessful.

I thought you only looked at the ledgers and transactions. When did you read all those books? Your level of reading is enough to qualify you for members.h.i.+p in any of the social clubs I belong to.

Im not that interested.

Youre not interested and youve read all these books?

Im just curious about what someone sees and thinks.

Whatever someone Bend.y.k.e was thinking of, his lips tightened and his eyes grew more dangerous. It seemed to be implied that it was Aeroc. His vague amus.e.m.e.nt at the back-and-forth conversation quickly turned to displeasure. Aeroc was completely fed up with this person hurling unintelligible hateful words at him. Aeroc realized he couldnt take it anymore.

Wiping the corner of his mouth with a white napkin, Aeroc placed it on the table, barely soiled. He picked up his wine gla.s.s instead.

I have a question.

Bend.y.k.e, who had just sliced a piece of meat and popped it into his mouth, put down his napkin at the same time, tilting his head.

Why the h.e.l.l are you doing this to me?

As Bend.y.k.e chewed, his eyes widened a little, as if he didnt understand the question. Aeroc didnt even have the energy to admire the abomination acting.

Since when have we been friends? Acquaintances, no, just employer and employee. Were not even intimate companions. So why should I, the Count of Teiwind, spend a precious evening entertaining and conversing with a common gentry without a t.i.tle?

It was a burst of discontent, then Bend.y.k.e, rinsing his mouth with wine, said.

Youre the one who put me in this position, so why dont you answer for yourself.

What? When did I bring a man like you into this? Youre the one who drove me to this!

Think about it. Youre the one who came to me, and youre the one who asked me for help.

And you manipulated me into doing so.

Thats an unfounded delusion.

Did your dreams tell you to talk like that again?

The man returned a hostile gaze at the blatant sarcasm.

I cant take it anymore, so get it over with.

As you wish.

Aeroc rose to his feet, and Bend.y.k.e followed. His steps toward the Violet room were laced with disgust.

Heat flashed across his skin before they had even begun. Stepping into the small chamber, Aeroc felt like a knight about to go to battle. He snorted at himself for feeling so profoundly moved by such a lowly task. Instead of donning an armor, he resolutely removed the silk jacket he was wearing.

Youre in a hurry.

Im in a hurry to get things I hate done.

Aeroc draped the jacket over a chair and loosened his tie. Then, he unb.u.t.toned a couple b.u.t.tons on his s.h.i.+rt and turned around. All the while, Bend.y.k.e stood with his hands shoved in his pants pockets, a poor posture. His gaze, like a swamp bubbling with mud and spewing venom, was particularly unpleasant today.

Why do you look at me like that?

I am reminded that you are, at all events, a virtuous Count.

Despicable guy. Aerocs blood ran cold at the cold sarcasm. His fingertips trembled at the b.u.t.tons of his s.h.i.+rt.

Bend.y.k.e acted like a grudging compliant person. Even when he was the one who asked for this. It was as if it he was the aristocratic gentleman and Aeroc was the one being a promiscuous man making blatant advances. Aeroc felt humiliated and angry.

If you dont like it, then stop. Im also not doing this because I like it.

Aeroc was just about to b.u.t.ton his s.h.i.+rt again with trembling hands when the other man approached, wrapping his hands around Aerocs and continuing to unb.u.t.ton the s.h.i.+rt.

Youve got it all wrong. I want to nibble on this pale skin right now, penetrate your arrogantly innocent insides, and drive myself into you until you cry out that you cant take it anymore, but.

Without giving Aeroc time to reel from the shocking words containing eardrum-bas.h.i.+ng nakedness, Bend.y.k.e slipped his hands through his open s.h.i.+rt and caressed his hot neck and shoulders. The large hand was like a weapon. It rested lightly on Aerocs neck, where his pulse throbbed with fear, excitement, and a strange sense of antic.i.p.ation. Bend.y.k.e stroked Aerocs neck with both thumbs. Suddenly, Aeroc realized that if Bend.y.k.e applied any pressure, he could strangle him. A s.h.i.+ver of fear mixed with excitement ran from his toes to the crown of his head. His skin stung from the dense fuzz.

I just wonder if its okay to do this, and to be honest, Im afraid well start condemning each other again.

For a moment, a nervous shout nearly escaped Aeroc.

Afraid? Who? Kloff Bend.y.k.e is afraid? The mere lawyer who holds the neck of Aeroc, a chamberlain of the Imperial House, the head of the great and long-established Teiwind Clan?

And what did he mean by starting to condemn each other again? Was there even any affection between them in the first place? It was nothing more than a relations.h.i.+p that fanned the flames of a l.u.s.tful interest towards a sworn enemy.

Condemn is the perfect spice to elevate the appet.i.te for s.e.x, dont you think?

Aeroc glared at his opponent, who smiled back as he relaxed his stance. The distance between them disappeared.

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