Warning: This chapter contains , emotional abuse, and disturbing content. Reader discretion is advised. Intended for 18+ readers only.
Ignareth looked at Kaereth, his eyes cold."What are you doing here?" he asked sharply.
"I need to talk to you," Kaereth replied, his voice hesitant.
Ignareth's expression remained icy. "I don't need to talk to you right now."
Without waiting for a response, Ignareth turned and headed toward his room. Kaereth followed closely behind.
"Prince Ignareth," Kaereth said, "I know you're angry with me, but I really need to talk to you about something."
They entered the room. Without warning, Ignareth grabbed Kaereth's arm, pulled him inside, and slammed the door shut behind them. He pressed Kaereth against the door, one hand beside his head, the other gripping his arm tightly. Kaereth tensed under his gaze.
"You're being annoying," Ignareth muttered.
Then, he cupped Kaereth's face and kissed him—fiercely, deeply, with a kind of desperation that left Kaereth breathless. Kaereth struggled slightly, pushing against his chest, trying to catch his breath.
Ignareth finally broke the kiss, his voice low and rough."You want this, don't you?"
Kaereth looked at him, his expression serious, tense.
Ignareth smiled slowly, placing a hand against Kaereth's chest. "Your heart is racing," he whispered.
Kaereth flinched slightly, his breath catching.
Still smiling, Ignareth moved closer, sliding a hand around to Kaereth's back and pulling him tightly against his body. His lips brushed Kaereth's ear as he spoke in a cold, low whisper, "If you keep testing me… I won't hold back. Do you want to be broken by me?"
Kaereth's eyes widened, nervousness flickering across his face.
Ignareth began slipping off his cloak. "You didn't say no," he murmured, voice laced with danger. "Seems like I'll have to show you what I mean."
Kaereth instinctively stepped back, but Ignareth caught his arm and yanked him toward the bed. He pushed him down and leaned over him, eyes burning with dark intent.
Time passed, and Kaereth lay beneath Ignareth—stripped of everything, his body trembling with exhaustion. His breath came in broken gasps, soft cries escaping him with every harsh motion.
"I-I'm sorry," Kaereth whispered hoarsely, eyes wet. "Please… enough… I can't—"
Ignareth didn't stop. He leaned closer, his breath cold against Kaereth's ear.
"Oh? You're already done?" he said mockingly. "How disappointing."
With one swift motion, he pushed deeper, harder—forcing another cry from Kaereth's lips. Kaereth's body tensed, eyes wide, a tear slipping down his cheek.
Then suddenly, Ignareth stilled.
He wrapped his arms around Kaereth's trembling form, holding him tightly as if in mock comfort. He pressed a kiss to his forehead—gentle, almost tender—and whispered, "Your crying face… it makes me feel good."
Kaereth looked up at him, lips parted, eyes filled with fear and silent anger. But he said nothing.
Just stared, powerless.
Some time had passed.
Ignareth sat calmly on the velvet sofa, fully dressed once more. Across the room, Kaereth lay on the bed—motionless, naked beneath the disheveled sheets. His body was bruised, his breath shallow, and his legs slightly parted in quiet pain.
Ignareth glanced at him once—expression unreadable—and adjusted his cuffs.
"Stay here," he said flatly. "I'll send the butler to tend to you."
Without waiting for a reply, Ignareth opened the door and stepped into the hallway.
Leaning against the wall was Noah, arms crossed, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. He let out a soft, amused laugh.
"So…" he said casually. "You finally ruined my pretty, innocent little brother."
Ignareth met his eyes with a cold, emotionless stare. He said nothing—just brushed past him.
Noah's smile widened into something twisted, eyes gleaming with something between madness and satisfaction. "Typical," he whispered to himself, voice laced with amusement.
A moment later, K—entered the room. Noah gestured toward the bed with a tilt of his head.
"Take care of Kaereth," he said smoothly. "He'll need it."
James and Lord Sebastien were seated together in the lounge area, engaged in quiet conversation, when Noah stepped out from the upper floor. He paused at the railing, his sharp gaze scanning the hall below. His eyes landed on the two men sitting together, and a faint smirk curled on his lips.
Sebastien shifted slightly in his seat, clearly sensing the tension.
Noah descended the stairs slowly, almost theatrically, and made his way toward them. James noticed him approaching and rose politely.
"Prince Noah," James greeted.
Noah gave a casual nod, eyes flicking from James to Sebastien. "It seems someone here is feeling a little... uncomfortable," he said, his tone light but laced with subtle mockery.
James chuckled politely. "Ah—yes. Lord Sebastien isn't used to parties like this. It's his first time attending such a gathering."
Noah's smile widened with feigned amusement. "So, you know Lord Sebastien quite well then?"
James kept his smile intact, though something stiffened in his posture. "Not particularly. We only just met, really."
"Is that so?" Noah replied, voice edged with sarcasm. "You two seem rather close."
As he spoke, Noah reached out and casually placed a hand beneath James's chin, tilting it just slightly.
What the hell is this guy doing? James thought, though his smile didn't falter.
Beside him, Sebastien's expression twisted into one of annoyance. Who is this guy supposed to be? he thought, resisting the urge to speak.
Noah finally dropped his hand and stepped back, still smiling. "Anyway... let's have a drink, shall we?"
He grabbed two glasses from a passing waiter's tray and handed one to James, then held the other out to Sebastien. The younger man hesitated—clearly annoyed and a bit embarrassed—but accepted it out of politeness.
Noah lifted his own glass. "To Lord Sebastien," he said, his tone playfully taunting.
They clinked glasses and took a sip. Noah didn't look away from Sebastien even once.
Sebastien felt it—the way Noah's gaze lingered on him too long, too boldly. He's making me uncomfortable on purpose, he thought, gripping the glass just a little tighter.