There were still traces of Shafray’s blood on his sleeves. Chen Nian, almost on a whim, raised his hand to his nose, and the rich aroma of Sherry wine wafted out. The various bodily fluids of AOs were definitely the places with the highest concentration of pheromones. 

In an instant, the Alpha pheromones awakened the desires sleeping deep within every cell, trying to break free from the restraints of the inhibitors. The glands at the back of Chen Nian’s neck even felt a bit sore, so he quickly lowered his hand, took off the blood-stained clothes, and stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, taking a deep breath of the cool air outside. 

How did things end up like this? Sigh. 

After a while, Chen Nian vaguely heard footsteps outside. He hurriedly changed his clothes and peeked out. He saw a tall, unfamiliar figure quickly passing through the corridor, followed by numerous attendants and butlers, arriving at Shafray’s door. 

With platinum hair and a pair of imposing violet eyes, it was clear he was an Alpha. It was none other than the current Emperor, Shafray’s father, Mikhail Shepchenko Vitaljevich. 

The Emperor was dressed in pajamas, moving hurriedly, clearly ready to rest, and had come over after hearing the news of Shafray fainting. Chen Nian quickly shrank back, hiding himself. 

This was the first time he had seen the Emperor. Not long ago, he had even spun a tale about the Emperor and his own father in front of Shafray. Although as long as Shafray didn’t say anything, the Emperor would definitely not know, Chen Nian still felt a bit guilty. 

The Emperor asked the butler a few questions in a low voice. After listening to the butler explain the situation, he grunted and entered Shafray’s room. 

— So this is Chen Ci’s future father-in-law? He looks a bit intimidating. 

Chen Nian quickly closed the door tightly. He didn’t want to appear in front of the Emperor just yet. Not to mention that he was the culprit behind Shafray’s sudden fainting, the Emperor was likely aware of many hidden truths. If he saw Chen Nian and noticed the differences in behavior compared to Chen Ci, that would be a disaster. 

“How is Shafray doing?” Chen Nian asked the smart butler as he sat on the edge of the bed. 

“The prince has already woken up.” The smart butler, Silt, who had just been scolded by Shafray, seemed much more relaxed in front of Chen Nian. “As soon as you left, the prince woke up.” 

Chen Nian: ? 

“Am I that scary?” he couldn’t help but wonder. 

“The prince has always been in good health. This is the first time something like this has happened.” The smart butler felt it necessary to explain to the Prince Consort. What if the Prince Consort mistakenly thought the prince was unwell and didn’t want to marry! 

Hearing this made Chen Nian feel even guiltier. If he hadn’t gone to find Shafray tonight, nothing would have happened. 

Chen Nian wasn’t really a person with a strong sense of morality. He had never felt guilty when he deceived many Alphas in matters of the heart; instead, he treated it as a form of entertainment. 

Just like how he had deliberately given Antonio the wrong impression, leading him to flirt with Shafray. 

Perhaps because Shafray usually appeared so upright and honest, bullying someone like him always made Chen Nian feel like he was truly wicked at heart. 

Especially since Shafray never blamed him. No matter how outrageous his actions were, the Alpha would only express his thoughts with a helpless gaze. 

Such a good-natured person, if he weren’t the Crown Prince, would surely be bullied a lot. 

On the other side of the wall, upon hearing that the Emperor was coming, Shafray immediately sat up straight, leaning against the headboard. 

“Father.” He called out as the Emperor stepped into the bedroom. 

The Emperor pulled over a chair and sat by the bed. “How do you feel?” 

“I’m fine now.” Shafray replied truthfully, “I just came out of the program core and have a bit of high blood pressure.” 

As the main maintainer of Cinnabar for decades, the Emperor knew well the side effects caused by excessive mental energy consumption. Maintaining and repairing the beacons was never a simple task. 

“Was Chen Ci with you just now?” 

“Yeah, I think I scared him when I suddenly fainted.” 

The Emperor was well aware that Chen Nian had moved from the White Tower to the palace a few days ago and was living in the room next to Shafray’s. To anyone outside of them, it looked like their relationship was warming up. “How has your time together been these days?” 

Shafray replied vaguely, “It’s been okay, he’s still the same.” 

He hadn’t seen Chen Ci for a while, only privately transferring some money to him. 

But from the snippets Chen Nian had shared, it seemed Chen Ci was doing quite well in the Underground City, even going on trips. 

Sure enough, after escaping the White Tower, Chen Ci’s life would only get better. 

The Emperor fell silent for a moment and said softly, “This is the engagement I made with Chen Wei for both of you since childhood. Although I didn’t ask for your opinions, I still hope you can be as happy as possible.” 

Hearing these words made Shafray’s heart feel a bit heavy. 

Since they were young, he and Chen Ci had known about the engagement. That piece of paper shattered a significant part of Shafray’s fantasies about the future. Even the physiological stirrings of adolescence turned into something wrong. 

Especially when he differentiated into an Alpha at sixteen, while Chen Ci was only ten, still a complete child. 

Just looking at someone else could evolve into a deep betrayal of Chen Ci. 

And facing the young Chen Ci, Shafray had no thoughts at all; he wasn’t someone with special preferences. 

That’s why Shafray chose to wear a neural adapter, indulging in the virtual world. 

Pouring his emotions into paper dolls would surely pose no problem, right? 

So by the time Chen Ci differentiated into an Omega, when Shafray learned the bad news that their pheromones were not sensitive, he didn’t react much. 

He had already grown accustomed to being indifferent. 

Others always thought the royal family was high and mighty, living in glory, but only those truly in that position knew how much they were bound by circumstances beneath the glamorous surface. 

The father and son fell silent for a moment. The Emperor understood his son too well; Shafray had been even more taciturn as a child, accustomed to hiding everything in his heart. 

While other kids tried every possible way to get their parents’ attention, Shafray was the opposite, always playing quietly by himself. 

This steady personality was exactly what the royal family needed, but the Emperor soon felt a headache coming on because Shafray was just too honest. 

He had his own ideas and calculations in his heart but rarely contradicted others. This wasn’t how a good leader should behave. 

After more than twenty years of careful cultivation, the Emperor had finally seen some improvement in Shafray’s character. This was the eldest son he had entrusted with too many expectations, and thus he couldn’t choose his life freely like his two younger sisters. 

The Emperor suddenly said, “Next Monday, you and Chen Ci should go to the Veterans’ Institute.” 

Next Monday? Shafray thought for a moment before realizing that it was the anniversary of Marshal Chen Wei’s death. 

Every year, Chen Ci would go to pay his respects, and occasionally Shafray would accompany him. 

Had another year passed so quickly? 

“Okay.” Shafray agreed. Chen Ci would go to pay respects every year, placing a bouquet of flowers in front of the cold tombstone. 

But for Chen Nian, before Shafray provided detailed information, he didn’t even know what his father looked like. 

Confirming that Shafray’s health was fine and that the core maintenance of Cinnabar was proceeding smoothly, the Emperor didn’t linger and told Shafray to rest early. 

Shafray had a good relationship with the Emperor and didn’t need to go through many tedious formalities; he simply sat on the bed and watched his father leave. 

The room was left with just him. Shafray raised his hand to rub his forehead; he still had a bit of a headache. 

The smart butler’s voice rang out, “Your Highness, the Prince Consort just inquired about your condition.” 

Shafray’s forehead twitched: “What did you say?” 

“I said you’ve woken up and that there’s nothing serious.” 

Shafray hesitated, ultimately closing his eyes and lying back in bed. “Forget it, turn off the lights, I’m going to sleep.” 

The smart butler automatically interpreted his reaction as a form of shyness that couldn’t be clearly expressed. 

It recorded this in the program logs, wondering if this was what human emotions and interests were like? Indeed very complex, but as the most complete smart butler, it still effectively promoted the emotional development of the two princes! 

On the day of the grand wedding, it would surely have its place at the banquet. Perhaps it could even find its one true love among the Androids. 

Another day of hidden merit and fame. 

That night, Chen Nian didn’t sleep very soundly. 

Perhaps it was because he had deliberately inhaled the bloodstains left by Shafray, the pheromones made all his cells come alive with anticipation, and the desire surged quickly and fiercely. He had tried to relieve himself in the bathroom, but it didn’t quench his thirst at all. 

Chen Nian couldn’t help but miss the little mushroom under his bed again. He still had more than ten days before he could go back. What was he supposed to do during this time?! 

In desperation, Chen Nian could only take an inhibitor, feeling the desires forcibly suppressed. He fell asleep feeling both frustrated and uncomfortable. 

But the dream came as expected. 

In a dimly lit and spacious room, an Alpha knelt on the dark velvet carpet, his knees spread apart, and his thighs and calves were bound together with rough hemp ropes. 

Under the folds of his black trousers, there were perhaps marks left from being tied too tightly. 

The man had his head bowed deeply, his strong shoulders slumped, facing him in a completely submissive posture. 

Because of this, the collar of his shirt, with two buttons undone, was wide open, clearly revealing more of the scene inside. 

Chen Nian sat on the edge of the bed, lifted his foot, and placed his bare foot on the Alpha’s chest, applying a bit of pressure, then sliding down— 

The tips of his platinum hair trembled with each breath, and he still looked honest and simple. 

Only when he could hardly endure it would he tense up and shudder slightly, letting out a short muffled sound from his nose. 

When he woke up, Chen Nian was still in a daze. 

He had had plenty of wild dreams, but none as outrageous as today’s. Even now, he could still feel his heart racing. 

Perhaps the impact of last night’s scene was just too great. 

Chen Nian swore he really didn’t have any related kinks. He liked to maintain absolute dominance in relationships, but that didn’t mean he wanted to tie the other party up like a dumpling. 

After all, he still enjoyed more physical contact. 

With a sigh, Chen Nian got out of bed. He wanted to go find Shafray to check on him or maybe apologize a little, but he learned from the smart butler that Shafray had left early in the morning. 

Well, fine. 

At worst, he could wait. 

But unexpectedly, that wait turned into a whole day. 

Chen Nian didn’t receive any news of Shafray’s return until he went to bed that night. 

This was the first time he couldn’t find Shafray. After revealing his identity, Shafray had been considerate, arranging his time well so Chen Nian wouldn’t get bored, and would inform him in advance if he had personal matters to attend to. 

Was Shafray avoiding him? 

Even if fainting in front of him was embarrassing, it shouldn’t be to this extent! 

Just as Chen Nian was feeling frustrated, he received a message from the smart butler: 

His private tutor had been confirmed, and classes would start tomorrow morning. 

“So fast!” Chen Nian exclaimed in surprise, having completely forgotten about Shafray suggesting he take classes. 

Thinking about starting school made Chen Nian feel lazy and unwilling to move. 

After repeated urging from the smart butler, he sighed and resigned himself to getting up. 

— He had asked Shafray to find him a young and handsome Alpha teacher; maybe it would suit his taste? 

That was the only way Chen Nian could comfort himself. 

Dressed neatly, Chen Nian, with a fishing mentality, specifically changed to a plain white collar. He fiddled with his hair in front of the mirror, blinking his eyes to make himself look more innocent and pure. 

After having breakfast, Chen Nian went to the classroom specially prepared for him. 

Chen Nian was someone who could self-regulate well. His initial resistance to classes was quickly overtaken by the anticipation of meeting the new Alpha. He sat at the desk, waiting for the private tutor to arrive. 

Footsteps approached, coming closer, and then stopped outside the door. 

Chen Nian immediately perked up, sitting up straight to give the teacher a good first impression. 

At the same time, he looked towards the door, wanting to see what kind of Alpha would be his teacher for the foreseeable future. 

The grand classroom door was pushed open, and the golden-haired, violet-eyed Alpha stepped in. The moment he saw that familiar face, Chen Nian froze. 

It had only been a day, but Shafray was still the same. The Crown Prince was dressed in splendid attire, his naturally wavy hair fixed with gel, revealing his forehead and exuding a bit of authority, clearly having put effort into his appearance. 

He turned his head and locked eyes with Chen Nian, who was sitting at the desk. 

In that moment, Chen Nian clearly saw the hesitation in Shafray’s eyes. 

In the end, the Crown Prince said nothing and walked straight towards him. 

Chen Nian squinted, taking in Shafray from head to toe. 

Young, handsome, Alpha. 

Indeed, every aspect met his requirements. 

Before Chen Nian could figure out what Shafray meant, the Alpha arrived in front of him. 

Shafray bent his finger and tapped on Chen Nian’s desk, leaning slightly down to speak softly to the young Omega, “Yesterday, I spent the whole day picking a suitable teacher for you. Make sure to pay attention in class.” 

Chen Nian: “Huh?” 

Choosing a teacher? So his teacher wasn’t Shafray? 

He blinked and let out an “oh.” 

Hmm, why did he feel a bit inexplicably disappointed?