Victor hated Wednesdays. They weren’t fast like Fridays, or slow like Mondays. Just... disappointments sandwiched between routine.
He slipped his ID card into the scanner. The gates beeped, the turnstile clicked, and just like that, he was swallowed whole by the glass-and-steel building that owned his life.“Morning, Kudo-san!” chirped the receptionist.Victor forced a polite nod. “Morning.”Same suit. Same elevator chime. Same dead stares from floor 12. At 37, he had everything a model employee should: a corner cubicle, a stacked portfolio, and not a single scandal to his name.And still, no ring on his finger.It wasn’t because he didn’t want to get married. It’s just that when people said, “Find a nice girl,” Victor could only picture a quiet man instead. One who’d whisper in his ear, pin him against the doorframe, and take him apart slowly, like he was something sacred.But that didn’t fit the image.So instVictor dismounted the wyvern, his boots landing hard against the stone courtyard. Blood clung to his armor, not his own. Another mission. Another victory. Another massacre. His fingers flexed around the hilt of his blade, still warm. The garrison guard bowed as he passed, but he ignored them, eyes already lifting toward the manor perched on the hill.Aaron’s home.Victor didn’t ask for a feast or applause. He just wanted to see him, Duke Aaron, his reason. His anchor.But the doors didn’t open for him. No one waited.Instead, from the shadows of the archway, he saw Aaron step out in his formal black cloak. And behind him… four knights followed.Victor froze.The laughter of one knight echoed faintly as the door shut behind them all.His hand clenched so tightly around his blade, the leather grip groaned. He forced his gaze away, retreating into the barracks without a word. Cold water. No food. He washed the blood off, th
Victor’s legs still ached from the sealing ritual when he was yanked out of bed.No breakfast. No aftercare. No kiss on the forehead.Just Duke Aaron’s gloved hand gripping his arm, dragging him into the morning fog like what they shared back at dawn never happened.“Training field. Now.”Victor stumbled after him, barely dressed, simple tunic, boots, and his pride slowly peeling off with every step.“Good morning to you too,” he muttered under his breath. “I guess after bonding through orgasmic fireworks, we’re back to ignoring me.”Aaron didn’t glance back. “You’re the Empire’s weapon now. Weapons don’t need sweet words.”Victor rolled his eyes. “And people wonder why I grow fangs at night.”They reached the open sparring yard behind the main citadel. It was massive, framed by walls of dark ivy and stone, with several knights already circling like wolves. As soon as Aaron appeared, they straightened in fear. O
The air inside the summoning chamber shimmered. Dawn had barely cracked the horizon, yet the spell circle underfoot pulsed with a glow as if the sun itself had descended. Silvery runes spiraled out across the polished marble floor, circling both Victor and the Duke, naked and standing within the central glyph. Zaphis stood just outside the ring, his robes lifted slightly as his hands moved with graceful, ancient precision.“Remember,” Zaphis said calmly, though his voice carried weight. “The bond must be sealed through pleasure. At climax, your spirits must align, or the magic will break and never take root again.”Victor’s mouth twitched. “You could’ve at least offered wine first.”Aaron didn’t smile, though something in his eyes flickered. “You asked for duty, Hero. This is the price. Shall I take it easy on you?”Victor glanced at the man, his Duke, standing proud, broad shoulders relaxed, but a storm restrained behind his pale eyes. That voice
Victor’s knees pressed against cold marble, his skin still damp with sweat and magic residue. He didn’t even register the velvet texture of the navy cape wrapped hastily around his shoulders, only that it smelled faintly of leather, steel, and cold wind.The throne room was massive, carved from pale stone and lit by arched windows that poured golden sunlight across the polished floors. Rich crimson drapes hung like bloodied banners, and silver torches crackled on gilded sconces. It looked like a cathedral made for war.Above him, three voices echoed.“…The summoning was a success,” said a calm, proud baritone.Victor glanced up, eyes squinting at the figure seated on the high throne. Emperor Melikor.He was older than Victor expected, gray at the temples, a short beard tracing the edges of a strong jaw, but gods, he wore age like power. Shoulders broad, arms resting on the throne like he was carved from it. His robe was gold-trimmed navy,
Victor sat slumped in his usual corner of the late-night train, tie loosened, collar damp with sweat, the sterile overhead lights making his pale reflection look even more ghost-like in the window. Just him.Another day buried in quarterly reports and passive-aggressive emails. Another evening walking home under flickering streetlights and the pitying stares of passing couples. The smell of takeout clung to his shirt.He tried. Once. Love. But life made no room for the kind of desire he harbored. Not in a world that still whispered behind closed doors and flinched at softness between men. So he kept it hidden. Locked it down under Excel sheets and productivity trackers.Work made it easier to forget.Except on weekends.Saturday, 10:38 p.m.Victor shut the door of his cramped apartment and flicked off the living room light. The room was cleaned, scented. A low jazz instrumental played from the corner speaker.H
Victor hated Wednesdays. They weren’t fast like Fridays, or slow like Mondays. Just... disappointments sandwiched between routine.He slipped his ID card into the scanner. The gates beeped, the turnstile clicked, and just like that, he was swallowed whole by the glass-and-steel building that owned his life.“Morning, Kudo-san!” chirped the receptionist.Victor forced a polite nod. “Morning.”Same suit. Same elevator chime. Same dead stares from floor 12. At 37, he had everything a model employee should: a corner cubicle, a stacked portfolio, and not a single scandal to his name.And still, no ring on his finger.It wasn’t because he didn’t want to get married. It’s just that when people said, “Find a nice girl,” Victor could only picture a quiet man instead. One who’d whisper in his ear, pin him against the doorframe, and take him apart slowly, like he was something sacred.But that didn’t fit the image.So inst