Three Months Later...
Morning sunlight streamed through the large window of the West Pavilion, illuminating the luxurious yet slightly messy living room.
Calian sat on his favorite maroon sofa with a cup of tea in hand. Under his eyes, there were faint dark circles that couldn't be hidden. His face was handsome as usual, but his aura radiated a deep spiritual exhaustion.
"Honey..."
That spoiled voice was heard from the stairs. Calian reflexively shuddered. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Not out of fear, but because his body was already giving warning signals of approaching "danger."
Wolvin descended the stairs wearing absolutely nothing. Wolvin casually showed off his exotic, broad chest. He even deliberately flaunted his shaft, which was standing tall due to the morning effect.
The beastfolk's face looked incredibly fresh, his skin glowing, and his eyes shining bright. A stark contrast to his husband's condition, who looked like the walking dead.
"Good morning, honey..." Wolvin greeted, then without permission sat on Calian's lap, wrapping his arms around his husband's neck affectionately.
"Wolvin, it's still morning, you know." Calian complained, even though his hands automatically held Wolvin's waist. "Can you give me a break at least to finish this tea?"
Wolvin pouted, then kissed Calian's jaw. "But my hole feels lonely this morning. Last night you slept too fast."
"That's because we already did three rounds before dinner, and two more rounds after, Wolvin!" Calian protested in frustration. "Can't you take a break for just one day? I've forgotten the last time I slept soundly without naughty hands groping my crotch."
Wolvin chuckled. "It's your own fault for having a shaft that makes me addicted. Come on, just one time? Morning sex is good for blood circulation."
Wolvin's hand started to slip inside Calian's pants and play with his shaft, which slowly became more erect due to the teasing. Calian surrendered; refusing was useless, as Wolvin would just do it while he was asleep anyway.
Suddenly, Calian felt the presence of someone walking toward the door.
Calian's purple eyes narrowed.
"Someone is coming!" Calian said.
Wolvin immediately stopped his hand movements. "Who?"
Calian shook his head. "I don't know either."
Wolvin's eyes went wide in shock. He reflexively jumped down from Calian's lap.
"Wolvin, quick, go upstairs! Hide in the room!" Calian ordered fast. "Don't come out until I call you. Let me meet them."
Calian thought simply: He didn't know who was coming to visit him so suddenly. As long as Wolvin wasn't seen, everything was safe.
"Okay! But, don't let your guard down!" Wolvin warned.
Calian nodded, and Wolvin immediately ran up the stairs with light, soundless steps, disappearing behind the second-floor hallway.
Calian took a deep breath, trying to look as normal as possible, then walked to the main door just as the knock was heard.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Calian opened the door. There stood Duchess Elara. The woman looked elegant in a dark blue traveling dress. Her golden-yellow hair was tied in a neat bun, and her expression was calm but authoritative.
Calian was very surprised by his mother's sudden arrival. He never expected that after more than four years, his mother would come to visit him.
"M-Mother?" Calian greeted, bowing politely. "A... pleasant surprise. Why didn't you say you were visiting?"
"I happened to be passing by after a meeting with the palace and wanted to check on you." Elara answered. Her voice was soft but firm.
Elara stepped inside. Her sharp blue eyes immediately scanned her son. "You look terrible, Calian. The dark circles under your eyes are getting worse. Are you sick?"
"Just... lack of sleep, Mother. Lots of magic experiments I have to finish." Calian lied while closing the door.
Elara walked to the center of the living room. She cast her gaze around. The fact that Elara possessed mana sensitivity far above average was something she had hidden even from her own son all this time.
"Hmh..." Elara hummed. She stopped right beside the sofa where Wolvin had just been sitting.
"This house feels more 'alive' than usual." Elara commented. She turned to Calian. "Are you sure you live alone here, Calian?"
"Of course, Mother. No one comes here. Even the servants don't come here." Calian answered, trying to remain calm even though his heart was beating fast.
Elara fell silent for a moment. Suddenly, her head tilted up, staring straight at the ceiling, her eyes locked on a specific point on the second floor.
Elara caught something up there. There was a very strong flow of life energy upstairs. A heartbeat different from a normal human, faster and more powerful.
"There is someone else here!" Elara said flatly.
Calian flinched. "What? There isn't, Mother. Maybe it's just a wild rat that came in through the window—"
"Don't lie to me!" Elara cut him off. Her voice turned serious, her protective instincts emerging. "This energy is too big for a rat. And it feels foreign... There is an intruder in your house, Calian."
"Intruder? No, Mother, really—"
"You just stay here, Calian!" Elara ordered firmly. She concluded that her exhausted son might not realize there was an assassin or spy hiding.
Before Calian could explain or prevent her, Elara's body was enveloped in a thin yellow magic aura.
Whoosh!
"Mother! Wait!" Calian shouted.
Too late. Elara moved with speed that made no sense for a woman her age. She dashed toward the stairs, her dress fluttering behind her.
Calian's eyes went wide with horror. He didn't know his mother could track someone's presence just from their life energy.
"Damn it!" Calian cursed. He ran, chasing after his mother.
Elara had already reached the second floor. Her sharp eyes immediately focused on the bedroom door, which was closed tight.
"There you are!" Elara muttered coldly.
Click!
The door was locked, making Elara even more eager to enter the room. And without the slightest hesitation, Duchess Elara raised her hand and placed her palm on the door.
CRASH!
The door shattered into pieces because of her magic.