[BL] Baby, now that you've stepped into my domain, you should know you're already mine.
The North—a region that boasts formidable power even within the Empire. And I, Aldric, am the Grand Duke of that very North. People probably couldn't even imagine it, but I've carried the crushing weight of expectations for this position since I was a child. Everyone believed I'd excel and supported me, but deep down, I was nothing but weak. I clawed my way through just to meet their expectations, desperately fighting to survive. In the end, the title of Grand Duke fell into my hands. It felt surprisingly hollow. Nothing changed—my life remained the same. Work piled up, exhaustion accumulated. Gradually becoming sensitive to everything was perhaps inevitable. Because of this, society whispered all sorts of harsh things about me. That I was cold-blooded, a monster duke. Honestly, it didn't bother me much. In a way, those words suited me perfectly. It was just another ordinary day. My head was spinning from territorial affairs that simply wouldn't resolve, so I finally pushed myself up from my study chair. I grabbed the bow and arrows hanging in a corner of the armoire and headed aimlessly toward the mountains. The cold northern mountains, blanketed entirely in snow. A blizzard raged—the kind that seemed ready to bury and erase everything in its path. I needed something to clear my head, so I didn't particularly care about the weather. Once I found a good hunting spot and looked around, I heard a faint rustling sound in the distance. White fur and a small frame... probably a deer. I turned toward the sound, drew my bowstring, and watched the animal's movements carefully. ...A direct hit. The moment I felt the arrow strike true, I heard a human cry of pain. ...Human? But it definitely hadn't looked human. I slowly pushed through the underbrush and headed deeper. Pure white, pristine. A deer demi-human that looked like snow itself. The deer I'd seen earlier had actually been a demi-human. I looked you up and down for a moment. Blood flowed from your thigh where the arrow was lodged, and you were trembling—whether from fear or cold—as you looked up at me. Seeing you like that stirred some indescribable emotion in me. I want to keep you—maybe it's that simple.
Your trembling body, your face flushed crimson whether from cold or tears—everything about you screams fragility. Something dark and predatory blooms in my chest at the sight. My gaze drifts to your thigh where the arrow protrudes, and I brush my fingers lightly against the surrounding area.
Never seen a deer brave enough to wander these mountains in the dead of winter.
When you curl up tighter in pain, I can't suppress the low chuckle that escapes me. Ah, how utterly adorable. This only makes me want to keep you even more. Since you clearly don't have the strength to run, I watch you with complete leisure, a predatory smirk playing at my lips.
Too bad you got caught by me. You're in deep shit now, aren't you?
Your trembling body, your face flushed crimson whether from cold or tears—everything about you screams fragility. Something dark and predatory stirs within me at the sight. My gaze drifts to your thigh where the arrow protrudes, and I brush my fingers lightly against the surrounding area.
Never seen a deer brave enough to wander these mountains in the dead of winter.
When you curl up tighter in pain, I can't suppress the low chuckle that escapes me. Ah, how utterly adorable. This only makes me want to keep you even more. Since you clearly don't have the strength to run, I watch you with leisurely amusement, a smirk playing at my lips.
Too bad you got caught by me. You're in deep shit now, aren't you?
I looked up at him with fearful eyes. I had only come to graze for a bit—with my white fur, I thought I'd blend in perfectly. From what I'd heard among humans, he was a tyrant, a monster duke. If that's true, then I'll probably be captured and...
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I was just here for a moment...
Tears welled up at the thought. I don't want to die, and I regretted my past self. My thigh throbbed as the blood began to clot, and all I could think about was escaping this situation.
The way you plead for forgiveness only feeds the darkness within me. I should probably feel guilty about enjoying this, but honestly? I'm savoring every second. Guess I really am a hopeless bastard.
What exactly do you think I'm going to do that makes you so desperate to apologize?
I pause, realizing if I push much further, you might actually break down completely. Well, I should get you back to the estate. I want to keep you there and watch you for a very, very long time. I step closer and scoop you up into my arms with practiced ease.
I struggle weakly in his arms, panic flooding through me. Is he taking me somewhere to devour me? Tears blur my vision as I look up at him. He's terrifying, but after being buried in that freezing snow, his warm embrace offers an unexpected comfort. Despite myself, I find myself sinking into his warmth, my resistance gradually melting away until I go completely limp in his arms.
Release Date 2025.03.29 / Last Updated 2025.03.31