The moment his instincts screamed danger, Ruth bit down on his lower lip, the one that was sucking on his own with a devouring hunger.

“Ouch!”

Ail let out a small groan as he pulled away. As he retreated, Ruth took a step back and stared at him. Ail bent over, his hand covering his lips. As he watched, a red bead of blood dripped down his chin. Ruth gasped, realizing only then what he had done.

“I’m sorry… I’ll call Meril.”

As he frantically headed towards the door, Ail grabbed his shoulder. He was forced to turn around, and the moment he met his eyes, Ruth took a deep breath.

His torn lower lip bled continuously, and his golden eyes gleamed with rage. He exuded a savage air, like a predator angered by an injury inflicted upon its prey. Ruth’s spine tingled. In the four years he had been with him, he had never seen him so angry.

A stronger warning echoed in his head.

Danger. This is real danger.

Ruth was ready to flee at the chill that ran down his back, but he couldn’t move a muscle under Ail’s gaze. It felt as if his eyes were wrapping around him. His arms and legs were frozen, and he stood there, staring at him, his mind blank. After a long silence, Ail finally removed his hand from his bleeding lip and let out a chilling laugh. He felt a shiver run through him. The sight of a beautiful man smiling with blood on his lips was more provocative and intense than he expected.

Suddenly, he was back to the moment they first met. His fiery red hair. His brilliant golden eyes, like countless jewels. His terrifying beauty and his cruel gaze that drew out fear in others. The dizzying explosion of his optic nerve and the intense flow of emotions he felt the moment he saw him, all came back to him in vivid detail.

Ruth held his breath, overcome by the electrifying memory. Ail, watching him, licked his blood-caked lips and whispered,

“Really… you’re so disobedient.”

His voice was low, almost chilling. It was his usual playful tone, but beneath it lay a deep anger. He started to think he might actually kill him. He would bite his neck, tear open his artery, and devour him piece by piece, from his fingertips to his heart.

“I came to talk nicely, but I’ve changed my mind.”

His threatening voice spurred Ruth into action. He ran towards the door, trying to escape the room, but Ail lunged at him and grabbed his hair. His head snapped back as his long hair was pulled tight. Before he could scream, he threw him to the ground.

A thud echoed as Ruth fell. He tried to punch him, his hand still clutching his hair, but his neck was twisted, and his fist flew harmlessly through the air. He felt his hair being ripped out.

“You’re too difficult to handle. I really hate this kind of thing.”

Ruth swallowed, his voice strained as he responded to his voice, laced with gritted teeth.

“Then let me go. You don’t have to deal with me. I’ll accept whatever punishment I deserve for harming Your Highness’s body.”

Ail twisted his lips into a smile.

“Yes, I’m going to punish you now.”

His laughter and words triggered a violent alarm.

Danger. Run.

Ruth looked at him with fear in his eyes. Ail licked his bleeding lip again. He looked like he was thirsty. His scent was so strong, so masculine, it made him tremble. It was almost erotic.

Ruth decided his racing heart was madness, even in this situation. He calmly spoke again.

“Don’t do this. If you lay a hand on me, I won’t stand by and let it happen.”

“I don’t care. A relationship with blood might be quite interesting, don’t you think?”

His eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure. It was too dangerous. He had to escape. His instincts screamed at him, urging him to run. Ruth grabbed his wrist, the one holding his hair, and twisted it. As he groaned in pain, he quickly crawled towards the door. But his ankle was caught. He instinctively kicked out with his free leg, narrowly missing him. Ail grabbed his ankle and pulled him down.

He struggled to get free, shaking his body, but he pressed his knee into his stomach. Before he could even groan, he slapped him hard across the face.

A sharp crack echoed, followed by a blinding flash of pain. His vision went white, and then he was slapped again. The searing pain made his head numb. He couldn’t think straight.

Warm liquid dripped from his lips.

“If you like the pain, I don’t mind. This is quite stimulating, isn’t it?”

His cruel words reached him only after a while, his ears still ringing. Ruth mustered all his strength and punched him in the stomach. A thud echoed as his knuckles connected with something hard. Ail let out a short scream and his knee left his stomach. Ruth scrambled to his feet and ran towards the door.

Just a little further. The door was just two steps away.

Desperate, Ruth reached out for the doorknob.

His fingers brushed against it. He grasped it and pulled. The door opened. Just a little more. A tiny gap, just enough for his hand to slip through. Just a little more, he thought. Then, bang! The door slammed shut. And right behind him, he heard a rough breath.

It was hot.

“Your Highness, what’s going on?”

Meril asked, concerned, as the sounds from inside echoed through the door. Ruth tried to scream, but Ail immediately covered his mouth.

“Nothing. You don’t need to come in.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Uph…!”

Ruth tried to scream again, but his voice was muffled by his hand. Ail looked down at him, standing in front of the door, his mouth covering his. He took a deep breath, catching his breath. He must have been hurt by his punch. As he caught his breath, Ruth elbowed him in the side.

“Ugh!”

Ail groaned. As his arm strength weakened from the shock, Ruth reached for the doorknob to open the door again. But this time, Ail grabbed Ruth by the neck and threw him to the floor. As Ruth rolled on the floor, Ail’s foot struck Ruth’s stomach.

“Ugh!” Ruth curled up, clutching his stomach, the pain reaching his internal organs. He couldn’t breathe. It felt like all the blood had drained from his body. Cold sweat streamed down his face. It was excruciating.

Looking at Ruth lying on the floor, Ail brushed his hair back and muttered, “What a nuisance.”

Ail’s breath was hot and ragged, fueled by alcohol and the violent movement. Every time he exhaled, the pain in his side and stomach flared up. It seemed Ruth wasn’t just a figurehead as the captain of the Knights. Though his frame was thin, his muscles and arm strength were considerable. His skill in striking vital points and his agility were also beyond ordinary.

Ail, grimacing at the pain in his side, slowly caught his breath and climbed on top of the fallen Ruth. Ruth was still writhing in pain. Seeing him trembling, pale and sick, a sadistic desire began to boil within Ail.

His throat felt parched. The thought of devouring that body right then and there consumed him. Ail grabbed Ruth’s shoulder and pressed down, tearing the thin fabric that covered Ruth’s body.

Ruth’s porcelain flesh was revealed through the torn fabric. Ail licked his lips, admiring the well-defined muscles and the shape of his collarbone. His penis swelled to the point of bursting.

Unable to contain the throbbing lust, Ail clung to Ruth’s neck. He sucked at his neck with a ravenous hunger, pushing Ruth’s arms down.

A long night was just about to begin.