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The veil was pulled back, revealing the pale face underneath. Kim Dokja peered back at the taller man as a sort of reflex to his face being exposed, but Yoo Joonghyuk merely glanced at his soon-to-be wife’s face before looking back at the priest indifferently. The priest at the altar continued with the ceremony as if nothing happened, uttering the vows in a low voice. The cathedral was bare of living souls, save for the few servants of the Yoo family to bear witness. Kim Dokja had brought no one. His father was too cheap to give him any servants.
The veil was removed. Kim Dokja slowly turned around as thin hands took off the bridal choker, exposing his pale neck, free from marks. He leaned slightly forward, allowing better access for the groom to come forward.
The grip on his shoulders was crushing. Pain registered at the back of his neck. Kim Dokja bit his lip to hold back his grimace as the teeth sunk into his skin. Kim Dokja had always imagined that being claimed by an alpha would be both an interesting and wonderful experience, but he realized that had been nothing but childish dreams when the Yoo family came after his family debts. His whole body shuddered as the feeling of being claimed made him feel complete.
It was unfortunate that his feelings weren’t the same.
“The ceremony is now complete,” the priest confirmed. “May the couple remain together for this life.”
Yoo Joonghyuk pulled out his handkerchief to wipe away the excess blood from his bite mark, dropped the dirtied cloth into Kim Dokja’s hand, and turned around to exit the cathedral.
The bride was left at the altar. A shaky sigh left Kim Dokja’s lips.
-
This was not truly marriage. Kim Dokja was painfully aware of that fact. He didn’t even receive the Yoo family’s heirloom ring, but a similar copy to it that had a tracking feature. The debts that the Kim family owed were insurmountable, with the only way of saving his parents from ruin was to use their only son as collateral. Yoo Joonghyuk, the current head of the archducal Yoo family, took Kim Dokja as his stand-in wife because he didn’t want to be bothered by other annoying suitors. Yoo Joonghyuk had only agreed to the proposition when he found out that Kim Dokja was an omega.
But a failure of an omega he was. Due to the lifestyle that his father chose, it left both his wife and son little to use and eat. Kim Dokja grew up with a weak body, and because of his malnourishment, his development as an omega was stunted. It was only when he came to the age of 20 did he start presenting signs of being one. His father disdained him even further.
Kim Dokja was shown to his new room within the Yoo residence. It was separate from Yoo Joonghyuk’s, which Kim Dokja was thankful for. The servant behind him bowed slightly before leaving the room, allowing Kim Dokja to observe his surroundings. The wealth of the Yoo family was amazing – everything that he could see and touch had some sort of incredible value.
He sank into the soft bed, his anxiety piling up on his tired bones. The bite mark on his neck ached.
From tomorrow onwards, he had to act.
-
“Announcing the arrival of Archduke Yoo Joonghyuk and Archduchess Kim Dokja!” the servant loudly introduced. The large doors swung open, revealing the couple as they walked forward into the crowd. Gazes pricked Kim Dokja’s skin as they silently made their way across the room to greet the royal family.
Yoo Joonghyuk had as many enemies as he had suitors. As the archduke of one of the wealthiest territories, he was second to the royal family in power. Many vied for his attention and his influence, and it was Kim Dokja’s job to fend his female and omega counterparts off.
Kim Dokja smiled at the young lady of a Marquess’ family who came too close to the couple. He wrapped his arm around Yoo Joonghyuk’s stiff one, leaning his head to touch against Yoo Joonghyuk’s bicep.
“I’m afraid my husband is busy,” Kim Dokja lightly commented, his smile immovable, “you will have to wait for another time to have a chance with him.”
The young lady apologized lightly and turned away, but not before glaring at him as if he was a stain in her eyes.
Most noble families were already aware that Kim Dokja didn’t get his status in the regular fashion. Whispers and gossip behind his back spoke of his family debts and how the head of the Yoo family would soon throw him away when he was of no more use. They could wait for their chance or find a way to backstab him.
Kim Dokja wouldn’t let that happen. The little amount of pride inside of him wouldn’t let them achieve that.
-
“Your Grace, here’s the report,” Shin Yoosung said as she placed the folder onto his desk, “and here is your afternoon tea and treat. The other maids put extra effort into making it, so please eat it.”
“Thanks, I will take a pause soon.” Kim Dokja nodded, his hands already flipping through the report. The report in his hand was grabbed by his personal attendant, her expression reading concern, lip trembling.
“… Alright, I’ll eat now then.” Kim Dokja sighed.
For some reason, the longer that Kim Dokja lived within the Yoo residence, the more and more of the Yoo family servants warmed up to him. He couldn’t understand what he did to attract their… loving attention as he did his best to stay out of their way, but he didn’t want to be useless either.
The years of living with his father had proved to him that reality was cruel. If one did not work, then one did not eat. If Kim Dokja failed to keep Yoo Joonghyuk untouchable, then he most certainly would be kicked out of his residence. He’d have no home, no place to return to, and as a marked omega, no value. The best situation he could think of was living as a prostitute. He could take drugs to relieve the rejection pain.
The report he received from Shin Yoosung was a daily task. As the stand-in wife, Kim Dokja was supposed to be responsible for financial affairs and other connections. However, Yoo Joonghyuk did not trust his wife, and so he gave him no responsibilities.
However, his lack of trust in his omega was also his strongest point. Kim Dokja had spent months coaxing the Yoo family servants to slowly bring him reports so that he could provide comment and direction, allowing others to take credit for his work. He wanted to be invisible, just as Yoo Joonghyuk intended.
The pen in his hand stilled. Aside from mandatory gatherings and checkups, the couple had never been in the same room. Not for eating, not for chatting, not even purely for Kim Dokja to make a silent appearance. Yoo Joonghyuk would only come to see if Kim Dokja was still alive and that he wasn’t doing something behind his back.
That was fine. The moment the Yoo family demanded he be wedded off, Kim Dokja lost all hope for any sort of affection or future with it.
He had to do his job right. It was better living here than with his father.
-
A knock against the window frame distracted Kim Dokja for a moment.
“Come in,” he ordered.
A knight opened the window as she silently slid inside. Within her hands was yet again another report, which covered territorial disputes and trading concerns. Kim Dokja quickly flipped through the papers and told the knight to strengthen the forces at the southern border and to open more markets in the east.
“Your Grace, may I ask why you are doing so much?” Jung Heewon asked in a quiet voice.
“Assurance.” Kim Dokja gave a wry smile. “If I happen to fail to act as a proper wife and I’m left to defend myself, I want to at least live somewhere prosperous that won’t end up with me dead.”
“But that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll live within the archducal territory.” Jung Heewon’s voice quivered.
Kim Dokja could only give her a soft pat on her armoured hand. “I also want the Yoo family servants to be well, including the knights. If you’re doing well, that means I can do well too, isn’t that right?”
Jung Heewon bit her lip. “Yes, your Grace.” she finally spat out.
The night was long, with only the candle on Kim Dokja’s desk giving warmth.
-
“I greet the Archduke Yoo Joonghyuk and the Archduchess Kim Dokja,” Lee Seolhwa bowed gracefully.
“You may rise.” Kim Dokja motioned. Lee Seolhwa returned to her elegant posture and offered a soft smile.
Kim Dokja watched his husband from the corner of his eye. Out of all the possible candidates that Kim Dokja had determined, Lee Seolhwa was the best option. Although she was not from a powerful family and was neither alpha nor omega, she was smart and kind, dabbled in medicinal practices, and even knew how to defend herself. If she gained a foothold in this household, the acceptance of her arrival would be quick.
Besides, she was the only one who could make Yoo Joonghyuk smile, even if it was a small one.
‘I have to invite her more often,’ Kim Dokja thought to himself.
-
“Archduchess, are you feeling well?” Lee Seolhwa asked, her gaze full of concern. Her hand was pressed against Kim Dokja’s wrist, reading his heartbeat.
“I’m alright, you need not go this far.” Kim Dokja discreetly pulled his hand away.
“But from what I understand, you haven’t had a proper heat in years. As an aspiring doctor, how could I not be concerned for the archduchess’ health?” Lee Seolhwa persisted. “I’ll prescribe you some medication. As the archduke’s wife, you must be able to conceive in the future.”
Kim Dokja could only offer a polite smile. Since they had married three years ago, Kim Dokja had never once gone into heat. In fact, he only had his first one when he was 21. That was seven years ago.
Making an infertile omega fertile again was like solving an impossible puzzle.
“Thank you.” Kim Dokja said out of courtesy.
-
Rumours were already bubbling around noble society that the wife of the archduke was unable to conceive. More and more suitors became proactive in separating the couple.
Kim Dokja sighed. Handling both increasingly difficult suitors and territorial affairs was time consuming and energy draining. He couldn’t rest, not with the sudden report he received from Jung Heewon.
Others had found out that Yoo Joonghyuk had a special interest in Lee Seolhwa. At this point, she was a threat. The report Kim Dokja just received was not in fact one report, but many pieced together. A whole plot was devised to have Lee Seolhwa vanish.
As the best candidate to replace him, Kim Dokja wasn’t going to allow that.
-
Yoo Joonghyuk furrowed his brows. He had seen the interaction with Kim Dokja with Lee Seolhwa increase. Although it was a bother to have the other woman constantly come to his residence, Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t mind it either. In fact, that was the only time he ever saw Kim Dokja with a soft-looking expression.
What really bothered him was the changing state of his stand-in wife.
When Kim Dokja arrived, he was merely skin and bones, evidence of his family’s situation. His servants had to feed him well in order to maintain a healthier glow, but now his omega looked basically the same as he did when he first arrived. It was… concerning.
Yoo Joonghyuk became suspicious of his actions. What was he doing behind his back?
His servants answered him dutifully, but even he could tell now that something wasn’t right. They skirted around certain topics, only offering the words that Yoo Joonghyuk wanted to hear.
“Tell me the truth.” the alpha hissed, pen in hand snapped in two. Lee Hyunsung started to sweat as Shin Yoosung fidgeted.
“Well, you see, your Grace…”
-
“Your Grace,” Jung Heewon abruptly opened the window, “Lady Seolhwa was captured. It is at the location we identified.”
“Bring me to her.” Kim Dokja stood up abruptly from his desk.
It was two in the morning. Kim Dokja could only grab a cloak to cover his body and his bag that he had prepared beforehand. Only Jung Heewon went with him as the two used a teleportation spell.
The Industrial Complex. It sat at the border of another territory; its underground aspects started crawling towards the Yoo territory. It was a concern that was already on Yoo Joonghyuk’s radar, and so patrols there were incredibly tight.
Unfortunately, because the black market was there, that meant that there was always a means of slipping through.
“Execute plan E.” Kim Dokja ordered Jung Heewon. Her eyes widened. Plan E was…
“I know what you’re thinking, but I mustn’t let you go further. Is your allegiance not with the Yoo family?” Kim Dokja interjected before she could speak up. “Let me handle this. As the stand-in archduchess, it is an obligation. To lose the best candidate would impede on the Yoo family name. Please.”
Tears welled up in Jung Heewon’s eyes. After a long silence, she finally spoke up. “I understand.”
Kim Dokja sent her off before turning towards the brothel. With a mask that he stole, he muttered the password for entry. He ordered a room before using an invisibility spell. It could only last for an hour, but it was plenty of time.
He slipped through the guards and went underground, biding his time to slip in between doors and wait for passing patrols.
His quiet footsteps wandered between the cells, his eyes adjusting to the dark.
Finally, a familiar person came into his view.
Using his knife, Kim Dokja broke the lock. Lee Seolhwa’s head shot up from her slouched position, alarmed by the sudden noise.
“Lady Seolhwa,” Kim Dokja whispered. Lee Seolhwa’s eyes widened.
“Your Gr—” her voice was muffled when Kim Dokja pressed a hand to her mouth. She immediately understood and went silent.
“I’m here to rescue you.” Kim Dokja answered. He slipped her a one-time spell as he continued to say, “this item will give you invisibility for an hour. Stay quiet and we should be able to leave with no problems.”
“Why are you helping me?” Lee Seolhwa whispered as she quickly activated the spell. They held hands to confirm their positions.
“Because you are the best candidate to be with the archduke.” Lee Seolhwa could hear the firmness within Kim Dokja’s voice. Lee Seolhwa’s mouth opened and closed, but ultimately, no voice resounded.
-
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes snapped open. He suddenly rose from his bed, his eyes darting to the ring on his left pinky. The ring that he wore shone a red glow, and soon a mini-map appeared. A tracking dot surfaced on the map.
The Industrial Complex? What was Kim Dokja doing there?
“Guards!” Yoo Joonghyuk yelled as he quickly got up and dressed. His knights soon burst open the door to hear their next orders.
“We are going to the Industrial Complex, now!” he ordered.
-
The two got up from the cell. There was only a five-minute interval between patrols, and the guards would notice if they didn’t leave now. They made their way to the door to the basement, waiting for them to notice the empty cell. It’d be the only time this door would be swung open with careless abandon.
It went as expected. The guards were alarmed, and the door was left open. The two slipped out and ran through the streets, shouts echoing from the brothel.
The two had just made it to the outskirts of the Industrial Complex when Kim Dokja’s invisibility spell finally died out.
“Shit.” Kim Dokja cursed. He was so busy following the memorized route that he forgot the timing of his spell. The moment he suddenly appeared in the wilderness, the black market’s guards and patrol were startled by the sudden appearance.
He pulled Lee Seolhwa along into the forest that bordered a large river. She’d at least be safe here – he estimated that she still had at least twenty or so minutes left of her invisibility. He slipped off his ring and handed it off to Lee Seolhwa.
“You—” Lee Seolhwa’s voice sounded desperate after realizing what he was doing. “Your Grace—”
“Keep this with you. Don’t let it go.” Kim Dokja smiled tiredly. His body was truly unfit, most of his energy spent. “Once the guards have passed, follow the river upstream. You will arrive at the Yoo family patrol unit after fifteen minutes have passed. My guard Jung Heewon will be waiting.”
“Kim Dokja!!” Lee Seolhwa yelled as Kim Dokja slipped loose. He headed downstream to divert attention.
The black market guards gained on Kim Dokja. His lungs burned, desperate for air, but Kim Dokja continued to push forward. He couldn’t lose out now, not when the river opening was soon to come into view.
Kim Dokja’s body lurched forward. An arrow had struck his shoulder, causing his already weak body to wobble. He fell face-first into the waters, a dull pain registering on his head.
-
Yoo Joonghyuk rushed to the location his ring had marked.
Kim Dokja was moving too fast, faster than Yoo Joonghyuk had originally thought, especially for omegas. Instead of the Industrial Complex, the marker was pointed in the direction of the Yoo family’s stationed forces.
His heart was pounding against his chest as he rushed forward, ignoring the calls of his knights.
It was only the day before where Lee Hyunsung and Shin Yoosung admitted to what Kim Dokja did behind his back. At first, he was stunned. Kim Dokja gave an external impression that he was prideful and greedy when in reality he was very much a bookworm who liked to stay indoors. The improvements to his territory were made by the slight tweaks of his stand-in wife. All credit to insightful suggestions made at his round table were actually Kim Dokja’s suggestions. All the servants under Kim Dokja were worried about not only his health but his habits. Kim Dokja had even told them to act as if nothing he did mattered so as to not arouse Yoo Joonghyuk’s attention. He fit his role too perfectly.
Not once did Yoo Joonghyuk glance at Kim Dokja meaningfully. How was Yoo Joonghyuk so blind to his care?
He would demand answers the moment he caught Kim Dokja. Demand why he did so much behind his back, why he was so feverishly looking for someone to replace him, and why he never cared for himself. The time spent with Lee Seolhwa finally clicked.
The person who actually appeared before him caused his heart to drop.
“Where is he?!” Yoo Joonghyuk shook Lee Seolhwa.
“He, he headed downstream to distract the guards. I… I—” Lee Seolhwa broke down. The ring in her hand was promptly given to Yoo Joonghyuk. “He left me this.”
Yoo Joonghyuk had never regretted a decision so hard in his life. The alpha’s grip on the ring crushed the tracking gem within it.
“Guards! Mages! Scour the river!” Yoo Joonghyuk yelled, “kill anyone on sight. Find my wife!”
-
Kim Dokja’s consciousness wavered. Murmurs of voices flitted between his ears, an occasional touch on his hand and forehead giving him the only sense of external forces. His eyes refused to open. His body felt as heavy as lead.
Was he still alive? How much time had passed?
“… .. … condition… … .. …. time… Grace…”
“… when …… … …..”
“I… …. ..”
“… .. …… .. busy…. …. .. … patience…….”
Voices spoke close to his person, but no matter how much he tried to focus, their sentences could not be discerned.
Suddenly, a firm hand gripped his own. It was large, warm, and frighteningly gentle.
Kim Dokja’s consciousness drifted off.
-
Kim Dokja slowly opened his eyes.
Sunlight drifted through the open windows, a soft breeze entering the room as early autumn rolled in. A tray came crashing to the floor. The maid who had just entered left the room, shouting that the archduchess was awake.
Soon after, Yoo Joonghyuk barged in, out of breath. Kim Dokja blinked his bleary eyes. Yoo Joonghyuk was here?
Yoo Joonghyuk came over in large strides before promptly sitting in the chair next to his bed. His hand pressed against Kim Dokja’s forehead.
“How are you feeling?” Yoo Joonghyuk asked.
Kim Dokja opened and closed his mouth. When Yoo Joonghyuk realized that he couldn’t speak properly, he grabbed the pitcher and glass placed next to his bed to serve him some water.
Now Kim Dokja really was dumbfounded. Was he hallucinating?
Yoo Joonghyuk slowly fed him water, patiently waiting for Kim Dokja to finish.
“Why did you rescue me?” were Kim Dokja’s first words after drinking his fill. He didn’t even know how he survived. He wasn’t expecting it. Plan E did not have a survival option.
“You are my wife.” Yoo Joonghyuk answered immediately.
“I am not.”
“You are.”
“A stand-in is not a true wife. Only the true wife wears the Yoo family’s heirloom ring, does she not?”
Yoo Joonghyuk fell silent. Kim Dokja’s words were terribly true. He had not given Kim Dokja the heirloom ring.
“You can still mark others.” Kim Dokja gently reminded him. “I cannot bear children.”
“You can.” Yoo Joonghyuk suddenly interjected, “Lady Seolhwa can help you.”
“Your Grace,” Kim Dokja sighed. Kim Dokja then realized that this was the longest conversation the two ever had since moving here. He prodded, “I’m sure you’re aware that she’s the candidate I chose for you when I’m gone. I won’t take her place.”
“I was only interested in her for her medicinal prowess.” Yoo Joonghyuk said between gritted teeth. “The more medical power we have, the better my territory can do. Our population is at a steep ascend. Lady Seolhwa will prove herself useful then—but I shall not let her take your position.”
It was Kim Dokja’s turn to fall silent.
“Rest.” Yoo Joonghyuk said as he stood up. “I will have the doctors come here shortly.” Then, shortly, a few clipped words were thrown over his shoulder as he took his leave. “Your personal guard and your attendants are worried about you.”
-
From the day Kim Dokja woke up after the incident six months later, Yoo Joonghyuk visited him every day without fail. It didn’t matter whether he was busy or not. If he was, he would simply bring his papers along. Yoo Joonghyuk would attend to his needs every day.
Kim Dokja was very uncomfortable.
“Must he spend all his time with me?” Kim Dokja nervously asked in between bites. Kim Dokja was only able to voice his opinion while Yoo Joonghyuk was away during a rare pause, meeting with pesky officials. Shin Yoosung blinked, her hand paused in her action of feeding Kim Dokja some sliced fruit.
“He’s trying to make up for it, Your Grace.” Shin Yoosung sighed.
“After almost four years?”
“… Yes.”
“…”
“If his Grace puts this much effort into attending to your needs, then I believe you know how serious he is.” Shin Yoosung pointed out.
Kim Dokja chewed on his lip. “I know.” He looked away to the open window. “I wish he didn’t.”
-
“Your Grace,” Lee Seolhwa coughed, “you need to lessen your visits and use your time more wisely.”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyebrow twitched. “Like what?” he spat out. The pen within his hand continued to sign the mountain of papers on his desk. His ministers would not let him go back to see his wife until he finished them.
“For example, allow him to have a breath of fresh air instead of staying bedridden. Also, his body’s condition as an omega concerns me. Did you not once think that his lack of heat was alarming?”
‘I considered it a blessing back then,’ Yoo Joonghyuk crumpled his paper. “I do now.”
“Then, if I may be so forward, let me help you with bringing him back to full health.” Lee Seolhwa exclaimed. The papers that were hidden within her sleeve were slapped against the desk. Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes narrowed as he picked up the papers to read their contents.
“A health plan?”
“Correct, your Grace.” Lee Seolhwa nodded. “Please look at page four. This involves regulating his hormonal levels.”
Yoo Joonghyuk grunted. The ingredients needed were not only hard to obtain, but the steps to make the medicine were also time consuming and tedious. “Expensive.”
“And?”
“Exchanging for lower-quality materials is not allowed.”
Lee Seolhwa smiled sweetly. “Of course, your Grace, I would never.”
-
“I’m supposed to drink this?” Kim Dokja eyed the small bottle suspiciously. Lee Seolhwa had taken over as his personal doctor, supervising his food and exercise intake. It had only been a few weeks into the new regime did she produce something so odd. Its murky and viscous liquid did not look appetizing at all, even if it was marketed as a health product.
“I will not take no for an answer.” Lee Seolhwa smiled, the gaze in her eyes stern.
“I dare not contest that…” Kim Dokja muttered under his breath. In one fell swoop, he downed the entire bottle. He grimaced at the texture, but the bitter taste was not as bad as he had expected. It even had a floral aftertaste.
“I will be giving you this medicine once every three days until you reach a healthy weight and your heat cycles follow a regular schedule.” Lee Seolhwa explained to him as the other maids helped adjust his bedrest, “In return, we’ll start trips to the main library to strengthen your leg muscles.”
“The main library?” Kim Dokja suddenly perked up. In the four years of living within the archduke’s residence, he had never been allowed within the room he was most interested in. Shin Yoosung or Yoo Sangah would slip him some books now and then, but it could never compare to him personally picking books out and nestling in some corner to read.
“Yes,” Lee Seolhwa nodded, “his Grace is too busy at the moment to personally tell you, but you now have full access to the library.”
“Oh,” Kim Dokja’s eyes sparkled.
-
“Oh.” Kim Dokja’s eyes dimmed. The servants behind Yoo Joonghyuk took an extra step back.
“As your husband, am I not allowed to accompany you?” Yoo Joonghyuk frowned. His arm was still held outwards. It had been five minutes since he offered it.
“No, no…” Kim Dokja mumbled as he nimbly took hold of Yoo Joonghyuk’s arm, “I just… wasn’t expecting your Grace to be the one to lead me there.” I thought you were busy.
Yoo Joonghyuk pursed his lips. Just his Grace, not husband?
Kim Dokja grew more nervous.
“Let us go,” was all he said.
Though Yoo Joonghyuk did say that, Kim Dokja was still recovering. Despite the fact that his health had gone leaps and bounds (he had gained a considerable amount of healthy weight and glow), his stamina was another issue altogether. They had only made it halfway to the main library when Kim Dokja’s steps started to falter.
Not wanting to waste more time, Yoo Joonghyuk swept Kim Dokja off his feet with ease into a bridal carry, causing the omega to squeak. None of the servants batted an eyelid at the sudden gesture.
“I-I’m fine,” Kim Dokja stammered. He didn’t know where to put his hands. “I just need a pause to rest. You can just—"
“Hush.” Yoo Joonghyuk replied.
Kim Dokja clamped his mouth shut. The gait of the alpha’s steps was swift but steady, his hold on the omega surprisingly gentle.
It was only when they had arrived at the large doors leading to the main library did Yoo Joonghyuk put Kim Dokja down.
“Here.” Yoo Joonghyuk placed a large key into Kim Dokja’s hand. “A copy.”
“Oh.” Kim Dokja dumbly said. The key within his hand was warm with the alpha’s residual body heat. It seemed like he had prepared it for Kim Dokja just so he could witness him opening it for the first time.
The key made a satisfying sound as the lock slid open. When Kim Dokja opened the doors, the expanse of books before his eyes rekindled the fire burning within his soul. Off to the side, unbeknownst to Kim Dokja, a faint smile curled on Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips.
-
“What happened to meeting your daily quota of exercise?” Han Sooyoung bickered, swatting the omega’s hand away from another pile of books. “His Grace will most likely build you a separate bedroom in the library if this keeps going.”
“I would think otherwise.” Kim Dokja argued back. He stole back the pile of books under Han Sooyoung’s arm. “It has been two months and not one movement on his side has been made. Why would he now?”
Han Sooyoung rolled her eyes. “You dimwit. Planning takes time. When the bedroom shows up, you owe me.”
“Owe you what? My virginity?” Kim Dokja asked. Han Sooyoung immediately gagged on her candy and pulled away like lightning.
“Don’t say that so loudly, you idiot!” Han Sooyoung screeched, frantically looking around to see if anyone else heard such crazy words. “As if I could take the archduke’s wife! Just thinking about it makes me want to vomit. No, I just want you to do your stupid exercises more. Also, eat more, will you? You’re still so thin.”
“I just get full fast, okay?” Kim Dokja grumbled as he flipped open another book.
-
“He still does not have much of an appetite?” Yoo Joonghyuk asked. His finger tapped methodically against the desk.
“Yes.” Han Sooyoung nodded. “The maids have also noticed that he leaves food behind sometimes. You will have to intervene.”
“Intervene…”
“Don’t you want to show the archduchess that you care for him now?” Han Sooyoung pressed. “They do say that food can win people over.”
“… For once, I’ll take your advice.”
“What?! I’m your right-hand strategist, how do you not take my advice?! Joonghyuk, you—”
“Use my proper title.”
“To hell with that!”
-
“Eat.”
A plate was served before Kim Dokja. Its content consisted of a type of fried rice, with an omelette balanced delicately on top. When it was split open, the egg spilled to the sides, blanketing the steaming rice in a gentle wave. A thick, demi-glaze sauce was poured on top. The smell of the omurice was warm and enticing. Kim Dokja swallowed heavily.
The archduke could cook?
The couple were situated in the kitchen, where Yoo Joonghyuk simply plopped him down on a chair and told him not to move. Right before his very eyes, Kim Dokja watched the alpha make a meal with practised ease.
The spoon that Kim Dokja was hesitantly grabbing for was taken by Yoo Joonghyuk instead. A small spoonful of omurice was lifted to his lips, an action so foreign of Yoo Joonghyuk that all Kim Dokja could do was blink.
“Eat.” Yoo Joonghyuk repeated, this time gently pressing the spoon against the omega’s lips.
Kim Dokja’s mouth opened automatically and the spoon smoothly slid in.
Kim Dokja’s eyes widened, his mouth slowly chewing. The flavours that burst within his mouth was a pleasant mixture of savoury and slightly sweet. The egg and demi-glaze gave the rice a rich flavour, but not to the point of overpowering. When he swallowed his first bite, he looked at Yoo Joonghyuk expectantly.
A never-had-he-seen-before smile was on Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips. A loud heartbeat passed before the spoon within the alpha’s hand-fed his omega another mouthful.
“I have hands, you know.” Kim Dokja pointed out, despite making no effort to move whatsoever.
“Mn, you do.” Yoo Joonghyuk responded flatly.
The plate of omurice was eaten completely at record speed. Kim Dokja even had the audacity to stick his finger onto the plate to lick up the remaining sauce.
Yoo Joonghyuk was satisfied with the response. From then on, Yoo Joonghyuk made his wife’s meals.
-
“You’ve gained considerable weight.” Lee Seolhwa commented with a bright smile. “A healthy weight, mind you. No need to overthink it.”
“I won’t…” Kim Dokja mumbled as he took the small bottle of medicine. “By the way, I’ve been taking this for a while and I don’t feel any different. Are you sure it’s working?”
“You needed to reach a healthy body weight first.” Lee Seolhwa noted. “Now that you’ve reached the ideal weight, you should soon see its effects. If nothing happens in the next few months, I will increase the potency as need be.”
“Hm.” Kim Dokja hummed in response. “It won’t be sudden, will it?”
Lee Seolhwa paused in her actions of putting away her medical equipment. “It depends on the person, your Grace. I cannot say for certain how much you will feel.”
-
Lee Seolhwa was right, one really couldn’t tell how hard it would hit.
At first, Kim Dokja merely thought the summer day was a little bit hotter than usual. He put it in the back of his mind when Yoo Joonghyuk shoved over a small bowl of homemade ice cream, but the thought resurfaced the next day.
“Isn’t it hot?” Kim Dokja commented. He hated wearing the regular clothes nobles wore during the summer, so it was not surprising when Shin Yoosung looked over to find him with a simple shirt and pants.
“Is it?” her ears perked up. The summers in the Yoo territory were not particularly hot, given its close proximity to the mountains and large swaths of rivers. It usually received a decent amount of snow each year, so despite the fact that Kim Dokja had lived here for over four years, her Lady’s response subtly meant something.
“I’ll get you some ice, then, please excuse me,” she said as she bowed out of the room quickly. A giggle rose from her throat as she trotted over to the archduke’s office prior to her visit to the kitchen.
-
The next three days were a constant build-up of uncomfortable heat. Anything that could cool his body temperature was only temporary, and Kim Dokja refused to discuss it with either Lee Seolhwa or Yoo Joonghyuk, and so locked himself in his room. He feared that if he opened the window, his pheromones would leak out, alerting Yoo Joonghyuk. He was the last person Kim Dokja wanted to see because even to this day, Yoo Joonghyuk had not touched him.
An unrelenting urge for… something was constantly on Kim Dokja’s mind.
He gritted his teeth. Were these the effects of the medicine he had? His first heat paled in comparison to how this one made his legs incredibly wobbly.
He crawled over to his bed, sliding under the covers no matter how stifling hot it could be. His limbs shook, the ache within his body increased, and something wet drenched his undergarments.
A knock on the door startled Kim Dokja out of his thoughts.
“Kim Dokja,” the alpha’s recognizable voice called out, “let me in.”
When Kim Dokja refused to answer, another knock rapped against the door.
“You’re suffering. I can help. Let me in.”
“Why don’t you just open the door then?” Kim Dokja asked back, his voice shaky.
A pause filled in the silence before Yoo Joonghyuk answered, “because I want to respect your space this time.”
Kim Dokja’s head slowly popped out from under the sheets, his gaze directed at the door. It was true that he didn’t avoid Kim Dokja, he fed him well, personally saw over his recovery, and let him go wherever he pleased within the Yoo residence, but…
“Please.” Yoo Joonghyuk called out once more, “only you.”
Kim Dokja choked back a sob. His hands gripped the sheets tightly with whatever strength he had left.
Kim Dokja slowly replied, “Okay.”
The door opened.
-
Kisses were peppered on his forehead as Kim Dokja’s clothes were slowly stripped. Kim Dokja felt like a shy, virgin maiden that he was, as he curled into himself in a pathetic attempt to cover whatever he could. The alpha’s pheromones soothed his nerves, and a shy whimper escaped his lips when a pulse of slick slid down onto the bed sheets.
“It’s okay.” he mouthed out against Kim Dokja’s shivering neck, trailing kisses from his chin to his collarbone. “It’ll be over soon.”
Before Kim Dokja could retort, Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips met his, swallowing his cries as a tongue skillfully entered his mouth, tasting him fully. The omega’s back pressed against the mattress, his arms weakly pressing against the alpha’s chest while large hands roamed his skin. His legs were spread, his small cock painfully hard and dripping with precum, all of which was exposed to the elements. A panicked mewl escaped his muffled lips when he felt a finger touch his hole.
It went in with ease thanks to his slick, which was soon followed by another finger. Kim Dokja’s back arched at the intrusion as the fingers rubbed to find the one spot. Kim Dokja couldn’t help but react to his alpha’s touch, his body greedy and needy. Another finger was inserted and his thighs trembled suddenly, stars appearing in his eyes as an uncontrollable shiver overtook his body.
“Just do it,” Kim Dokja finally managed to say after he had come at least four times. Four fingers stretched his hole impossibly wide, those obscene sounds coming from him sending slight tremors. But Yoo Joonghyuk had to prep – he was simply too large, and forcing himself in would most certainly hurt his wife.
The pheromones exuded from his wife soon changed his mind however, its intensity growing stronger by the minute, filling the alpha’s brain with a haze for lust. He bit his lip to ground himself slightly as he finally pulled out his thick cock from his pants, his shirt thrown off some while ago and long forgotten. His cock slid in between his buttocks before prodding the tip against the twitching hole.
Yoo Joonghyuk entered in one push, fully sheathing himself to the hilt as Kim Dokja cried out. Yoo Joonghyuk growled at the sudden tightness, barely hanging onto his sanity as he waited for the other to relax. Kisses to Kim Dokja’s forehead reassured the other that it was going to be okay and that nothing would harm him.
Kim Dokja cried.
He was so gentle, a far cry from his usual brutish stature. Even his grip, which had the strength to crush his bones and bruise him blue had a cautious quality to it. Kim Dokja didn’t know what to feel, or how to feel it. His tears kept falling, his cries ugly.
And all Yoo Joonghyuk did was methodically rub at his sides to ease his pain, his kisses soft against the omega’s body, begging for forgiveness. He let his omega cry his heart out, let him wrap his arms around his frame, and let him take the time that he needed to understand that he wasn’t some stand-in anymore.
When Kim Dokja finally calmed down, Yoo Joonghyuk picked up his pace. He met the needs of his omega’s sensitive body, hitting it where it was just right, and giving his omega just enough time to adjust yet not enough to think.
After Kim Dokja came until it was nothing but clear, Yoo Joonghyuk shifted their positions. His omega rested on his lap, bouncing on his thick cock. Kim Dokja’s tears had long been spent as his weak arms desperately clung onto his alpha’s hold, slight hiccups mixing in with his sighs and moans. Yoo Joonghyuk’s fingers found their way into Kim Dokja’s mouth as the pressure inside Kim Dokja’s body started to build up.
Kim Dokja flinched as expected to the growing size of the knot building within him as Yoo Joonghyuk grunted, pumping his seed deep inside. Teeth sank into his nape, sending another electrifying euphoria throughout his body.
Claimed once more, this time willingly.
-
Kim Dokja didn’t know that he wouldn’t be able to rest until a few days later. Now that his body was functioning as it should have since long ago, the heat that he experienced lasted much longer than he thought. He groaned when the curtains were pulled back, revealing the morning sun.
Begrudgingly, he slowly got up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he yawned. When he refocused, his eyes happened to land on his left hand. Suddenly, he woke up.
The Yoo family’s heirloom ring.
The ring? The ring.
It was on his finger.
His finger? The one and only and most definitely expensive Yoo family heirloom ring?
“Yes, it’s on your finger.” Yoo Joonghyuk sighed as he returned to the bedside after having tied the curtains. He had long guessed what Kim Dokja’s reaction would have been. He gently reached for Kim Dokja’s left hand, bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss.
“It should have been here originally.” Yoo Joonghyuk rubbed his thumb against Kim Dokja’s ring finger.
When Yoo Joonghyuk looked up, fat tears fell from Kim Dokja’s eyes, curling downwards to his chin and falling to the bed sheets below. Yoo Joonghyuk sighed again, his touch soft as he brushed some tears aside. Kim Dokja tried to blink them back, but the feeling that welled up in his chest denied him.
“I’ve failed you for four years.” Yoo Joonghyuk murmured. “Can we start over?”
Kim Dokja cried even harder that morning. His grip on Yoo Joonghyuk’s hand tightened.
“We can… try.” Kim Dokja said between sniffles.
Yoo Joonghyuk returned the grip. “Of course, dearest wife.”