Osbourne was momentarily taken aback by a subtle and strange feeling rising within him. However, his gaze quickly deepened, and he discreetly withdrew his hand.
He just stood in place, silently watching Iger.
Iger seemed visibly surprised by his public gesture. However, when he met Osbourne’s sea-blue eyes, he found them calm and emotionless, as if there were no ripples within.
Osbourne calmly whispered, “Your Highness, go by yourself.”
Ian, witnessing the scene, found the amusement in his eyes more apparent. A hint of imperceptible satisfaction flashed through his expression as he immediately added, “Yes, Iger, if you find it too noisy here, you can go back. I’ll explain to Father, Mother, and Duke Leicester on your behalf.”
At this point, the banquet had just begun, and it was a lively moment. Even the King and Queen had not left; how could anyone else dare to exit prematurely?
After listening, Iger glanced at Osbourne beside him. Then, with a cold expression, he inserted his hands into his pants pockets, stood still, and smiled faintly, “Actually, I just don’t want to see His Highness Ian. But obviously, His Highness is not aware of that. Of course, if His Highness is sensible, please don’t come to disturb Osbourne and me. After all, his current identity is not only the Empire’s general but also my Beta…”
Iger provocatively looked at Ian, and a hint of anger appeared in his rare light brown pupils.
The last sentence was enunciated particularly clearly. Osbourne’s gaze subtly shifted, realizing that Iger seemed to have completely overlooked him. All the anger and resentment were directed solely at Ian.
Upon hearing this statement, Ian’s usually composed smile was on the verge of breaking. However, he quickly thought that Iger was indeed a fool. Displaying such a domineering and unreasonable attitude, treating Osbourne as his private possession, would undoubtedly provoke Osbourne’s resentment.
He timely revealed a touch of sadness and surprise, glanced at Osbourne beside him, paused, and sternly said, “Iger, even though General Osbourne has married you, I believe you don’t have the right to restrict his interactions with anyone. He has his own freedom.”
Iger listened but disdainfully smiled. He was about to say something when he noticed Osbourne, who had been silent all along, staring at him. In that gaze, there was a subtle, indescribable coldness and annoyance. Suddenly, the words he was about to say came to a halt, and even the mocking expression on his face instantly froze.
Osbourne remained aloof throughout, but his gaze was unwaveringly fixed on Iger. When their eyes met, Iger seemed momentarily stunned, then quickly averted his gaze.
The unmistakable astonishment in those eyes caused Osbourne’s heart to skip a beat, yet at the same time, a numbness, difficult to articulate, surged within him. He understood that it was a base and retaliatory pleasure.
Osbourne also realized that his emotions tonight were somewhat uncontrollable. He had firmly believed that he could no longer be easily influenced by this person’s emotions. However, upon seeing him again, he found that the pain this person brought him was so profound. Even with just a brief encounter, he couldn’t maintain composure.
Taking a deep breath, Osbourne shifted his gaze away from him. Yet, in these few short seconds, he noticed that the other’s expression had returned to normal. Tightening his lips, those cold hazel eyes, which no longer paid attention to him, Ian, or anyone else, turned towards the center of the dance floor.
Seeing Iger walk away, Ian, who had observed everything, couldn’t help but sneer. Apart from a good appearance, Iger had nothing else to compare with him. Even if his background was noble, it didn’t matter. In terms of character and broad-mindedness, he couldn’t even compare to half of Ian’s little toe. What was most contemptible was his promiscuous private life. When Osbourne understood what kind of person he was, he probably wouldn’t be deceived by him anymore.
Ian still wore a smile on his face, seemingly unfazed by Iger’s unreasonable behavior just now. “Osbourne, Duke Leicester just gave me a bottle of Crystal Flame. When can we get together? Since graduation, our opportunities to meet have been limited.”
In addition to fatigue, Osbourne felt an indescribable irritability, which wasn’t just physical tiredness but mental and psychological exhaustion. After so many years of marriage to Iger, he was growing increasingly desperate. He had tried everything, but their relationship was becoming colder by the day, and there was nothing he could change.
However, tonight, a subtle understanding made him realize that the best course of action was to distance himself completely from this person rather than resorting to this pitiful and low retaliation.
“Ian, Your Highness, I would like to be alone. I apologize.”
Ian’s smile froze, with a hint of sadness in his eyes. He noticed that when Osbourne spoke, his gaze didn’t even fall on him but was directed in another direction, lost in thought.
Following Osbourne’s gaze, Ian looked to the end of the balcony, where Iger was drinking with several young noble Omega men. The Omega youths surrounded him, chatting incessantly, while Iger reclined lazily in the wicker chair, legs casually crossed. His lips carried a subtle smile, and he occasionally nodded in agreement. Most of the time, however, he lowered his eyes to the cup in his hand, portraying an indifferent yet elegant and noble demeanor.
A married Alpha behaving this way was truly nauseating. Ian thought for a moment and smiled at Osbourne beside him, saying, “It seems that Iger is still as popular with Omega as before…”
Sure enough, before Ian could continue, Osbourne’s initially cold expression turned even colder. Without waiting for any further words, Osbourne took big strides towards Iger.
Watching Osbourne’s departing figure, Ian swirled the liquid in his glass, suppressing the disappointment in his heart, his gaze playful yet filled with malice.
*
The few Omegas gathered around Iger immediately scattered when they saw Osbourne approaching. Some hurried to the restroom; some pretended to be looking for their brothers, each finding an excuse to leave swiftly.
Iger, however, remained seated, looking up and flashing a smile at Osbourne. There was a victorious, smug expression in his eyes, and an indescribable radiance adorned his usually indifferent face.
Then he picked up an unused empty glass from the small table and poured half a cup for Osbourne, asking, “Do you want some?”
Osbourne’s gaze fell on the hand wrapped in bandages, and faint traces of blood were visible on the white fabric, making it stand out.
Osbourne took the glass but didn’t drink. His alcohol tolerance was very low, unlike Iger, who could down a whole bottle of this proof without getting drunk. Moreover, this person smoked, possessing all the bad habits of the idle aristocracy. It could be said that he was entirely different from the future partner he had once naively envisioned.
Seeing him not drink, Iger didn’t insist. The banquet continued, but people were gradually leaving, and the surroundings seemed to quiet down.
[Doesn’t this wine taste like water? Leicester didn’t buy fake wine, did he…]
[Host, don’t forget, Iger can handle any amount of alcohol. He can down five bottles of this proof in one go. Have you forgotten how he got the title of Nightclub Prince?]
[…]
Despite knowing that the other had a high tolerance for alcohol, Osbourne couldn’t help but furrow his brow as he watched Iger drink. There was no expression on Iger’s face, making it impossible to tell whether he was enjoying the sensation of the alcohol flowing down his throat. For some reason, Osbourne found it hard to witness, and, putting down his glass, he said, “I’m leaving.”
However, the next moment, his wrist was grabbed.
Then an irresistible force pushed him against the wall. The cold and rich fragrance of alcohol, mixed with the refreshing scent of the forest, overwhelmed him, filling his entire nose. Osbourne felt a slight warmth and swelling at his neck, and his legs seemed to be nailed to the spot, making it impossible to move.
Osbourne knew this was the powerful effect of the other’s pheromones affecting him. He closed and reopened his eyes, and his once-clouded mind cleared up a bit. However, he was caught off guard when he locked eyes with a pair of light brown pupils.
The light-colored pupils were beautiful yet aloof, reflecting only him at this moment.
Osbourne felt an uncontrollable flutter in his heart, which started to beat surprisingly fast. In just a few seconds, he found the other cupping his face and leaning in for a kiss.
The taste of alcohol in his mouth became even more intense, but the warmth of his lips was icy. As their lips met, the last bit of resistance in Osbourne seemed to snap, and he couldn’t help but embrace the person in return.
The system was dumbfounded, never expecting the male lead this time to be so vulnerable, lasting for only a bit more than two hours: […So, this is the winning tactic? Why didn’t you use it in your previous world, Host?]
[Hehe…]
After the kiss, Iger reached out to adjust the collar of Osbourne, looking at the sexy Adam’s apple protruding from his slender neck.
Osbourne intended to brush away his hand but was firmly caught. To his surprise, Iger even leaned down and bit his neck, warning with a tone that carried both threat and amusement, “If I see you talking to Ian again, believe me, I can make you bedridden.”
After saying this, Osbourne’s gaze completely cleared. He pushed Iger away, but whether it was due to genuine intoxication or acting, Iger stumbled a bit and almost collided with the balcony railing behind him.
The balcony railing wasn’t very high, and Osbourne’s heart skipped a beat. Fortunately, Iger steadied himself; otherwise, the consequences of a fall from the second floor would be unimaginable.
“Is General Osbourne planning to murder his spouse?”
Though it was spoken in a joking tone, Osbourne could clearly sense that, compared to a moment ago, Iger’s expression had noticeably cooled.
*
By the time the banquet had completely dispersed, it was already eleven o’clock. Osbourne looked at the young man sitting in the passenger seat, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. After restraining himself for a while, he said, “Didn’t you drive here yourself? Get out…”
However, Iger glanced at him, then waved his right hand, wrapped in bandages, in front of Osbourne. “It hurts. You didn’t notice at all. You didn’t care about me the whole evening…”
Osbourne sneered inwardly. This person always used this trick, sweet words when pleased, and he probably wouldn’t bother to look at Osbourne even if he died in front of him when upset.
Seeing no response from Osbourne, Iger finally withdrew his hand. After a moment of silence, he lowered the car window and took out a cigarette, lighting it.
“I’ve told you before, no smoking in my car. Get out…”
Iger coldly sneered, as if making it clear that he intended to defy him, and smoked even more vigorously.
Osbourne, suppressing the throbbing veins on his forehead, finally seemed unable to endure it any longer. He forcefully opened the car door, slammed it shut with a resounding bang, and then stood by the fountain, taking out his communicator to send a message.
Once Osbourne left, Iger extinguished his cigarette, watching the flickering sparks. In his mind, he thought, “This character really burns through cigarettes,” silently reciting, “Smoking is harmful to health.”
[Master, where are we going now?]
Osbourne had already been taken away at this point. Iger looked at the hazy moonlight outside, his eyes almost too tired to stay open. He slapped his face, trying to revive himself.
[The Nightclub Prince must live up to his name. Let’s continue partying!]
[…]
After another three hours of revelry in the private room, Chu Yan truly felt like he was about to ascend to the heavens. His soul had undergone a thorough cleansing and sublimation. When he was sent back home, he felt like he was walking on cotton.
Seeing the sofa, Chu Yan couldn’t control himself from collapsing onto it.
[Master, are you okay?]
Osbourne, who returned after handling urgent documents, saw his car in the garage and was contemplating whether to stay at the hotel for the night. By the time he reached the door, the voice-controlled sensor lights had already illuminated. The multifunctional robot resting in the corner of the entrance started moving.
It shuffled over to him, and the robot said in an electronic voice, “Good evening, General Osbourne. Welcome home. Prince Iger is drunk and currently sleeping on the sofa, but I can’t move him.”
The smell of alcohol in the air was so strong that it couldn’t be ignored. Osbourne checked the time; it was already 2:40 AM.
He asked, “What time did he come back?”
After a brief pause, indicating data retrieval, the robot replied, “At 2:15:04.”
“Got it.”
Osbourne walked over and discovered Iger nestled on the sofa. The sofa wasn’t small, but for his height, it still seemed cramped. The hand wrapped in bandages hung limply over the edge of the sofa. A small bloodstain, now spreading, contrasted starkly with the white bandage, creating a somewhat alarming sight.
After sitting on the sofa for a while, Osbourne stood up and fetched a first-aid kit. Half crouching in front of the sofa, he began to unwrap the bandage. However, when he saw the wound on Iger’s hand, he froze for a moment. Then, a surge of anger and humiliation exploded in his mind, spreading instantly to his limbs and bone marrow.
It was a deep bite mark, and because it was so deep, the fresh blood at the wound hadn’t stopped oozing. It seemed like an overly intimate and suggestive injury. Osbourne looked at the person who was soundly asleep, seemingly oblivious to everything happening around him.
*
The next morning, upon waking up, the entire house remained eerily quiet. Only the robot, Xiaozhi, moved about the room with gentle and meticulous cleaning actions. From the staircase carpet to the window glass, everything was wiped spotlessly clean.
[Master, I suggest you check the interstellar net.]
[What’s going on? Did I become famous again?]
It had to be said that, whether in the future or the past, entertainment gossip was an indispensable spiritual nourishment for humanity. In the Empire, the romantic lives of the two young and handsome Alpha princes of the royal family were especially captivating for the public.
When the news of General Osbourne and the Second Prince’s wedding came out, it shocked the entire Empire. Both official and entertainment media rushed to report the event. The photos and videos of their wedding dominated the front pages of major news websites on the entire StarNet for almost half a month, breaking the Empire’s highest record for online views.
Iger took out his communicator, opened the largest entertainment forum on StarNet, and indeed found his handsome photo floating on the front page. However, the title and content were quite vulgar, giving him a feeling of being transported back to the 1990s.
#Royal Romance: Can the Prodigal Son Change His Ways? Is Empire’s Second Prince Iger Unfaithful After Marriage? How Will General Osbourne Cope?#
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