Chapter 410

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The throat was a vulnerable spot, one most people guarded carefully, rarely letting anyone near. But Aurelius showed no trace of tension–his eyes were drenched with a lovesick haze, letting Nyx knead his neck however she pleased, like he was worshipping her, leaving his life in her hands.

Nyx’s heartbeat skipped out of rhythm. All this over dyeing her nails. She had never noticed he had a thing for her hands before.

After all these years together, she was still uncovering new quirks about her partner. Nyx couldn’t help but get curious too, letting him take her hand and explore further. That exploration dragged on for quite a while.

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At dinner, the maids brought in the meal and, unsurprisingly, saw Nyx lounging lazily while Aurelius diligently served her.

Usually, she’d at least pick up her own fork, but today, he fed her every bite. Probably because she was downright exhausted.

After all, she’d called for water several times that afternoon.

Nyx didn’t feel like moving a muscle. She was worn out–her hands especially, wrists aching from overexertion.

Pale Wolf had dropped by that morning, and then she’d spent the afternoon with Cotton Candy. She wasn’t made of iron; offering up her hands was her half–hearted attempt at slacking off.

“Nyx.” Aurelius said after dinner, sidling up to her once the maids were gone. He rubbed her hands, kissing her ear as he suggested, “How about I dye your toenails sometime too?”

Nyx went quiet for a long moment before she couldn’t help herself and gave him a light kick.

She was wrong. This little pervert of a cat didn’t just have a thing for her hands–he was shamelessly obsessed with every inch of her, head to toe.

That not–too–gentle kick felt less like punishment and more like a reward to the hot–blooded man–he didn’t feel pain, just an itch in his heart.

Nyx glanced down at him, quickly scooted away, and didn’t dare stay close. Just then, Arlong showed up with a report–there was movement from the jailed official.

Aurelius had no choice but to reluctantly throw on his outer robe and head off to deal with state affairs, using work to cool himself down.

The next day, Nyx slept in late, feeling refreshed, then took the now–grown Pale Wolf–Grayball–for a few laps around the garden. She came back with a light sweat glistening on her skin.

While bathing behind a screen, she suddenly heard the maids outside greeting someone. “General”

Before she could react, a tall figure strode in with big steps, rounding the screen and stopping in his tracks.

Nyx said, “Not today.” Her tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation, and Erik’s face flashed with unmasked disappointment.

“Then can I just kiss you?” he asked, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he settled for second best.

Nyx shook her head, and he drooped like a sad puppy, ears and tail practically wilting.

She sighed, exasperated but soft–hearted, and waved him over. The general perked up instantly, tail wagging as he bounded over.

That bath ended up being for nothing But Nyx was used to it by now and took it in stride.

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53 Erik massaged her shoulders and legs, then casually brought up his rival’s whereabouts. “That official nearly got killed in jail yesterday. They caught the assassin and grilled him all night, but he didn’t talk. The official, though–he spilled everything.

“Turns out he used to be a retainer for Prince Banon. Been under his thumb all along. This time, it was Prince Banon who ordered him to push Aurelius to take consorts in court.”

“Prince Banon?” Nyx frowned. “What’s he got to gain from this?”

Ever since that banquet when she’d caught and detained him in beast form, Banon’s faction had taken a huge hit- practically crippled, with no strength left to challenge for the throne.

These past few years, he’d kept his head down, probably knowing he had no shot, and lived quietly with his tail between his legs.

Nyx hadn’t heard his name in so long she’d almost forgotten he existed. Erik wasn’t quite sure what Banon was up to either.

Other than annoying Aurelius a bit, it didn’t seem like he’d get much out of it–more likely, he’d just piss Aurelius off and get nothing good in return.

The couple sprawled on the bed, tossing ideas back and forth, trying to figure out why Banon had suddenly lost his mind.

Chatting idly, Nyx’s voice grew softer and fuzzier until she dozed off in her partner’s warm embrace. When she woke up, the room was pitch black.

Nyx blinked groggily, so out of it she couldn’t tell what time it was. She reached left and felt her partner’s chin, then right and touched another one’s hair. There were people on both sides.

Two strong arms wrapped around her waist at the same time, pinning her so she couldn’t move.

“Nyx, you hungry?” Aurelius’s voice came out of the darkness.

It sounded soft and gentle, but it made Nyx tense up instinctively. She shook her head fast. “Not hungry, not hungry.”

“How could you not be?” A big hand rested on her stomach, and Erik’s tone turned serious. “You’ve been asleep since this afternoon—it’s past midnight now, and you haven’t had dinner.”

Hearing that, Nyx slowly calmed down from her jumpy state, her little face flushing. They were actually just asking if she was hungry.

She coughed lightly to cover her embarrassment, nudged Erik to light a lamp, then turned to Aurelius. “When did you get back?”

“Not too early–around ten,” Aurelius said, running his fingers through her long hair and tying it into a loose bun. His gaze landed on the red marks along her collarbone, and his movements froze, his expression darkening.

Nyx didn’t notice a thing, still asking curiously, “So what’d you do with Prince Banon? What’d you find out?”

Getting someone to push the Emperor to take consorts wasn’t a big crime–or even a crime at all, technically. But forming a faction and harboring ulterior motives was a different story.

Aurelius didn’t seem keen to talk about it, but Nyx’s wide, curious eyes wore him down, and he gave in. “He didn’t just manipulate that official to nag me about consorts in court—he’s been spreading rumors inside and outside the court too, saying you’re barren and jealous.”

In a commoner’s household, that’d be grounds for divorce–let alone for a Queen. Unable to bear kids and refusing to let the Emperor expand his line was unforgivable.

“His plan was that the rumors would rile up the ministers and the people, pushing me to fill the harem,” Aurelius said, a cold smirk on his face. “Next step would be forcing me to depose you. If I insisted on protecting you, I’d get branded a fool of an Emperor, and he could stir trouble.

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53 “If I gave in and took consorts, it’d drive a wedge between us. He sees you as my greatest ally–getting rid of you would be like cutting off my right arm.”

The logic wasn’t bad. But Aurelius was not some weakling who’d bend to rumors.

Besides, the rumors didn’t even work like Banon hoped. “The people just thought it was nonsense, cursed it out, and wanted to drag the rumor–spreaders to the authorities. Even the courtiers who believed it mostly still sided with you–worried about your position instead.”

Only a handful of dimwits actually submitted memorials to test his reaction. But the second they saw his icy glare in court, they shut up and shrank back.

Banon schemed his heart out and got nothing–nobody in court backed the official. The official toughed it out alone, got thrown in jail on the spot, and not a soul objected. A total flop of a plan–no gains, just another lost pawn.

“I stripped him of his title, confiscated his estate, and banished him to the Four Peaks Mountain,” Aurelius said casually.

That place was remote and desolate, a rundown old villa. With all the dirt they’d dug up on Banon over the years, this punishment was downright merciful–preserving the royal family’s dignity.

The maids brought in a late dinner. Since it was so late, Nyx didn’t eat too much—just enough to feel satisfied. After washing up, she flopped back onto the bed, her round almond eyes wide open, limbs splayed out. “I don’t think I’m sleepy.”

She’d napped too much that afternoon and was wide awake now.

“Can’t sleep?” Aurelius loomed over her, brushing his hand along her collarbone. “Then tell me, Nyx–what’d you get up to with Erik this afternoon?”

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