Elias lay on the bed, his head resting gently on Adrian's chest. Adrian slowly ran his fingers through Elias's messy hair, the room filled with quiet warmth.
"Isn't it… wrong? What we're doing?" Elias whispered, his voice soft and unsure.
Adrian smiled, his hand never stopping. "If it's just you and me… together, how can it be wrong?"
Elias sighed. "It's late. You should go home. I have class tomorrow… and Nao might worry if you stay."
But Adrian tightened his arm around him. "I don't want to go yet. I want to spend more time with you."
Elias pulled back slightly. "No, really, you should go."
Adrian pouted playfully. "Then give me a hug and a kiss before I leave."
Elias narrowed his eyes. "No."
Adrian grinned. "Then I'm not going anywhere."
Elias groaned but eventually gave in, leaning forward to place a soft kiss on Adrian's lips, then hugged him tightly.
"Now go," Elias murmured with a small smile.
Adrian chuckled. "Fine… but I'll be dreaming of you."
Nao slept peacefully, his breath soft and steady, his body wrapped in the warmth of the night's intimacy. The moonlight spilled gently through the curtains, casting a silver glow across his bare shoulder.
Raviel lay beside him, wide awake.
His crimson eyes were fixed on Nao's sleeping face—not with desire this time, but with concern. That drink… it wasn't just alcohol, Raviel thought, his brows furrowed. Someone tried to poison him… to manipulate his body, his mind.
Raviel clenched his fist silently. "You acted that way because of what was in that drink…" he whispered to himself, guilt and anger mixing in his voice.
He lowered his gaze to Nao's parted lips—the same lips he had pressed his own against to give him a few drops of his blood. That was the only reason Nao was still breathing, the only reason the poison hadn't taken full control.
Raviel's eyes darkened. Who is helping Isadora from inside the castle?
He knew one thing for sure—this wasn't just a scheme from the outside. Someone within the walls of Vermillion Castle was betraying Nao. And Raviel was determined to find out who.
Because no matter what it took, he had made a promise.
And he wouldn't let anyone hurt his master again.
Morning sunlight filtered gently through the lace curtains, warming the grand bedroom with a soft golden hue.
Nao stirred beneath the sheets, eyes fluttering open. A dull ache pulsed through his lower back, and as he sat up slowly, memories of last night rushed over him like a crashing wave.
His cheeks turned a deep red.
Did I really… with Raviel?
He looked down at himself, then glanced sideways—only to lock eyes with Raviel, who was already awake and watching him with a calm, unreadable expression.
Flustered, Nao immediately turned his head away. "Oh gosh…" he whispered to himself, burying part of his face into the blanket. "What did I do last night? And why does my bottom hurt like hell?"
His mind flashed with vivid images—his hands clutching Raviel's skin, his lips trailing over his chest, the heat, the sounds, the wild desperation. It wasn't just a kiss. It was everything.
Raviel sat up quietly, his voice gentle but firm. "You don't need to feel guilty, young master. You weren't yourself."
Nao's eyes widened. "What… what do you mean?"
"You were poisoned," Raviel said, his crimson eyes serious. "Someone mixed something in your drink. A potion designed to mess with your emotions and… instincts."
Nao's breath hitched. "Poisoned? In the castle? Who… who would try to do that to me?"
His heart raced, not just from the memory of last night—but from fear.
Raviel looked away briefly, his jaw tight. "That's what I intend to find out."