It Begins with Isaac Chapter 20.1

Since returning to the capital from the Grand Duke’s estate, Valery had acted like a frantic courtesan. It was embarrassing to admit, but no other metaphor fit. Even in their reckless tumbling, Valery poured all his effort into satisfying Asil unconditionally, and those efforts were blatantly obvious to Asil.

If giving a chance meant including this, Asil would have thought twice. Glaring at Valery’s head, latched onto his chest and sucking his nipple, Asil pondered. Whenever he tried to push Valery away out of annoyance, Valery’s hypocritical whispers about opportunity made Asil’s only option to sit still with hands down. As Valery nibbled the erect nipple between his teeth, Asil muttered lowly.

“How long are you going to keep at it, hng…?”

Asil had woken from the sticky sensation on his chest. The early morning estate was silent. The sound of Valery sucking his chest was unusually loud.

“Don’t you like it?”

Dropping his lips, Valery looked up at Asil. A trail of saliva stretched from his chest, dripping below Valery’s lips. He glanced anxiously at Asil’s chest. As the saliva-soaked chest softened again, Valery rubbed the nipple hard with his thumb.

“Ugh, eut…”

“You like it…”

“It’s instinctive, isn’t it? Anyone would react like this… hng…”

Asil’s body, seasoned by intercourse with Valery, was highly sensitive to pleasure. As Valery scratched the nipple’s opening with his thumbnail, he tugged the protruding flesh. Feeling the chest stretch with a sharp sting, Asil let out an “Eut” moan, wrinkling his eyes. Already heavy from the morning, his lower body sensed the stimulation and quietly rose. Knowing how Valery would react to his erection, Asil bolted upright.

Valery intended to spend every remaining moment on Asil. Ignoring the princess’s summons, he postponed all urgent matters. Consequently, Asil, his aide, had time to spare. Rather than being drained by Valery in the estate, he wanted to do something productive.

Asil recalled a letter from Graim that arrived days ago. It mentioned settling in Nian and adjusting to school, ending with the title of an opera recently studied with interest. Noting its harmonious content and music, it suggested Asil watch it in the capital if he had time. The idea flashed in his mind. Rather than spending half the day in bed with his organ wrung out, going out seemed better.

“Want to see an opera?”

As Asil sat up, Valery, who had been frowning discontentedly, froze, lips trembling. About to counter with talk of opportunity, he fell silent for a few seconds, lost for words. Analyzing the meaning repeatedly, he quickly slid off the bed.

“When? Now?”

“Well, we could go after breakfast… You’re staying at the estate today, right? But shouldn’t you visit Her Highness at least once?”

With the critical matter of the Emperor’s successor undecided, was it not too leisurely? Concerned, Asil was about to suggest visiting the palace. Valery, his face visibly brightening, picked up the phone on the bedside table. Connecting to the first-floor hall, he brusquely ordered the servants to prepare breakfast.

It was far too early for breakfast. The servants, likely just woken, probably scrambled into the dining hall. Asil scratched his buoyant bangs. Did Valery, of all people, enjoy opera? He tried to ignore it, but Valery’s excitement was glaringly obvious. Smiling broadly at him, Valery left Asil unable to say anything else.

After a rushed meal and dressing for the occasion, Asil followed Valery.

“The Lieutenant…”

“He’s at the palace.”

Asil sighed in relief at Valery’s words. He had shown Cain every embarrassing sight. He did not want to travel to the opera with him too. If Cain, who knew their situation intimately, noticed their relationship shifting strangely, Asil would be too ashamed to lift his head.

“I’ll drive.”

Having learned to drive from Cain, Asil headed for the driver’s seat. But before opening the door, Valery pushed him into the passenger seat. Taking the driver’s seat naturally, he started the car and placed his hands on the wheel. Having only seen Cain drive, Asil quietly doubted Valery’s skills.

“You… drive well.”

A few minutes into the ride, Asil mumbled. Valery glanced at him, incredulous, and smoothly turned the wheel.

“Did you think I couldn’t drive and sat in the back?”

“Not that, but… oh, a bicycle is passing.”

“I know. I see it.”

Valery’s gaze, fixed on Asil’s profile, slowly shifted forward. Leaving the hilltop estate, the car sped downhill toward the city. Driving silently, Valery spoke to Asil, who was quietly looking out the window.

“Why the opera all of a sudden?”

“I just… felt like watching one.”

“You are not tired of rolling around with me, are you?”

His perceptiveness is infuriatingly sharp. Valery tilted his head slightly toward Asil, who was silently pondering a retort.

“What do you dislike?”

“What are you talking about…”

“Sucking you off. Do I do it too roughly? Or do you hate it when I lick your chest and make you hard?”

“…”

“You like it when I thrust hard into your hole. You said slow makes you cringe, so I deliberately…”

“Are you joking?”

“Hm?”

“Are you doing this on purpose? I am not some sex-crazed maniac who is constantly…”

“But you go wild once I start thrusting.”

This is infuriating…

“You are only clear about what you like and dislike when we are rolling around.”

Valery muttered defensively, gauging Asil’s reaction as he sat speechless, dumbfounded.

“If there is something you hate, I will stop doing it, and I want to do more of what you like… That is all.”

“…”

“If you really hate it, I will not do it.”

“Another bicycle is passing.”

“I said I see it.”

The opera recommended by Graim happened to start during the lunchtime slot. Despite not having a reservation, a staff member who recognized Valery escorted them to the best seats. Typically, nobles attended operas after dinner, so there were no familiar faces in the auditorium. Given that this was the grandest and most luxurious theater in the capital, Asil had expected to encounter several acquaintances, but looking around, no one seemed to be a noble. The cheaper ground-floor seats were mostly occupied by ardent fans of the opera singers and ordinary parents with young children. Occasionally, young couples with linked arms could be seen. Asil, who had been peering below with binoculars, sank into the couch.

The third-floor seats were cozy and private, with walls lining the railings. Thinking that they had avoided rumors about Colonel Grekosha and his aide coming to the opera alone, Asil quietly waited for Valery, who had stepped out to fetch wine.

“You are only clear about what you like and dislike when we are rolling around.”

Recalling Valery’s listless murmur, Asil let out a scoff.

“Even when I say I hate it, he interprets it to suit himself and calls that an excuse.”

So that is why he acts like he will die if he does not extract semen for a single day? His approach was fundamentally flawed. Sex with Valery was exhausting and overwhelming, far from something Asil craved or sought out. He did not know what misunderstanding Valery was under.

“When did I ever go wild…”

Could anyone endure having their insides prodded with that monstrous thing until they swelled without crying? Any claims of liking it were just excuses to escape the overwhelming pleasure. Why did he assume and decide things on his own, making life unbearable? To think that his grand effort for a so-called opportunity boiled down to sex was laughable.

Then again, had Valery ever tried to win someone’s heart? Reflecting on his uncharacteristically vulnerable strategies, Asil could not stop laughing. Continuing to chuckle, he gazed at the stage now bathed in light. A tiny, stick-like figure darted across the stage, delivering lines in a resonant voice. Perhaps due to the darkened surroundings, his eyes were naturally drawn to the actor moving under the spotlight.

“It looks like it has started.”

Valery, pushing aside the curtain, handed over a glass brimming with wine. Tasting it, Asil found a sweet flavor lingering on his tongue, despite the bitter aroma. It was a light wine, perfect for this time of day with a mild alcohol content. Asil drained more than half in one go, then raised the binoculars to study the actor’s face. A male actor with a dark beard sang energetically in a high, thin voice. For some reason, Graim came to mind. Was this the kind of actor he wanted to become? Did Graim sing well? Come to think of it, Asil had never seen Graim sing.

“He was good at acting, though.”

He recalled putting a wig on Graim and having him act to evade Nian’s guards. Without much rehearsal, Graim had been perfectly in sync. His acting was extraordinary. Back then, Asil had half-jokingly encouraged him to become an actor. The signs were there even then… He should have sent him off on better terms. Asil sighed, lowering the binoculars. The immersion in the play had waned due to trivial thoughts.

“Enjoying it?”

To be honest, it was not enjoyable. He was not sure if the content was engaging enough to lose himself in. Perhaps he lacked an aesthetic eye. The singing was melodious, but the thought of sitting for hours staring at the stage already made him restless. He should have suggested horseback riding instead. Sweating it out would have let him feign exhaustion and collapse into sleep by evening.

Asil let out a low groan. Admitting it was boring felt awkward in the confined space with just the two of them. Fearing Valery might start some mischief, taking advantage of the lack of onlookers, Asil pressed the binoculars to his eyes and leaned forward.

“Yes… This is an important part. Please do not talk to me.”

To his surprise, Valery stopped talking. Pretending to be engrossed in the opera while staring blankly at the stage, Asil glanced at the quiet seat beside him. Valery, holding a wine glass in one hand, looked utterly bored, gazing at the stage with a listless expression. Mid-yawn, he rubbed near his brow bone, perhaps from stinging eyes, then noticed Asil’s glance and turned his head.

“You said it was fun.”

“…”

“That guy’s face is worse than mine.”

Nodding toward the actor passionately singing and moving across the stage, Valery leaned back in a relaxed posture. With his arm stretched along the couch’s backrest, he grinned playfully at Asil.

“Want to do something more fun with me?”

“No.”

Asil stood abruptly. The stage lights occasionally scattered bright beams across Valery’s smiling face. His harmonious features, undeniably more striking than the actor’s, were beautiful, but Asil, having been burned by that seductive smile countless times, could not trust it easily. Tugging his shirt to cover himself, Asil prompted a throaty laugh from Valery.

“I will get more wine. Give me your glass.”

Valery had nearly emptied his as well. As Asil reached for the glass, Valery straightened from his slouch. He glanced between the glass in his hand and Asil standing before him. A few seconds passed.

“Come back quickly.”

Handing the glass to Asil, Valery pressed his lips together. Perhaps intending to find some enjoyment in the dull opera, he picked up the binoculars as Asil moved. But the moment Asil lifted the velvet curtain at the entrance and stepped out, Valery muttered, “I need to use the restroom,” and quickly followed.

“Do you not trust me?”

“You will get the wine fine.”

“Are you worried I will run off?”

“You are angry.”

“Just go to the restroom.”

Asil, sarcastically retorting to Valery’s question about his anger, thought it was hardly surprising. Valery went to great lengths to keep Asil close. While he occasionally left Asil at the estate under the watch of numerous servants, during outings, he insisted Asil stay by his side as an aide. Now, with no one to monitor and even Cain absent, Valery’s anxious expression, fearing Asil might vanish, was amusing. Stifling a wry chuckle, Asil headed toward the liquor display.

Forced to head to the restroom after his own words, Valery glanced back. Catching Asil’s gaze, he raised his voice casually.

“I want white wine.”

After a few steps, he looked back again.

“You promised, right?”

That damned talk of opportunity.

“Yes. I will get white wine.”

At the display, Asil ordered two glasses of white wine. Showing the ticket granted free drinks, and the wine, befitting the theater’s reputation, was quite good. Receiving glasses filled to the brim, Asil thanked the staff.

“Thank you.”

The staff, blushing at Asil’s faint, polite smile, nodded vigorously with a shy grin. Turning with softened eyes, Asil’s expression hardened instantly.

“Who are you flirting with now?”

The moment he turned from the staff, Asil faced a familiar figure sneering, lips twitching with a mocking accusation.

“Are you following me?”

“What? Why would I follow you?”

“Then ignore me. I am leaving.”

“Stop right there!”

Coleman, roughly grabbing and turning Asil’s shoulder as he brushed past, panted heavily. The wine in Asil’s hands spilled, soaking his shirt and thighs. Feeling the wet hand and clothes, Asil barely suppressed the anger rising from his core. He did not want to cause a scene in the grand theater at the city’s heart. Shaking off the hand gripping his shoulder painfully, Asil glared irritably at Coleman, who clung on instead of letting go.

“Are you insane?”

“A lieutenant slacking off, drinking here? Living the good life, huh?”

Now Asil noticed Coleman’s flushed face, clearly drunk. The stench of alcohol wafted with every word. He must have been drinking at a nearby tavern before coming to the opera.

“Got another leave pass?”

“Damn it, who are you mocking?”

Before Asil finished, Coleman roared furiously. Grabbing Asil’s collar, he shook him violently. The remaining wine sloshed again. Asil handed the glasses back to the staff, who, startled by the sudden fight, quickly took them. With his hands free, Asil gripped Coleman’s wrist, yanking it off. Stumbling from the rough pull, Coleman barely steadied himself.

“Hey.”

Asil, smoothing his wrinkled shirt, called to Coleman. Meeting Asil’s icy, top-down glare, Coleman’s panting nose twitched.

“Want to get beaten for real? Why keep picking fights?”

“Damn it, hit me, hit me! You ruined everything. Everything’s ruined!”

Seeming briefly intimidated, Coleman glared again and lunged. Asil stepped back to avoid the shrieking Coleman, raising a hand to silence him, but his eyes met a group of young men entering the theater. Appearing noble, they stared at Asil, then, faces lighting up, asked if he was Lieutenant Richard, their voices brimming with certainty from meeting at the commissioning ceremony. This was bad. Asil swiftly grabbed Coleman’s arm, mid-swing, and threw it over his shoulder, dragging him quickly to a corner of the corridor.

“Let go! Let go! I said let go!”

“Shut up! Are you on drugs?”

Shoving Coleman into what seemed to be an actor’s lounge, Asil slammed the door. The two stood face-to-face in the cramped room, catching their heated breaths. Coleman swung a fist at Asil again. Taking the weak punch to the cheek, Asil slapped Coleman’s face.

“Ugh!”

With a single cry, Coleman collapsed to the lounge floor, frantically clutching his bleeding nose.

“Are you crazy?”

“How long do I have to put up with you?”

Out of guilt for shoving Coleman into Valery’s dorm room, Asil had never raised a hand despite Coleman’s infuriating behavior. But letting him act unchecked had limits. He could no longer tolerate the guy picking fights. Beating him until he cried seemed preferable. Imagining Coleman fleeing like a scared dog at every encounter already felt relieving.

“Hah! Put up with me? I got expelled because of you! What did you put up with?”

Screaming to shake the room, Coleman staggered to his feet. Still holding his unstopping nosebleed, he pointed accusingly at Asil.

“Don’t play dumb. You kicked away every chance! You sided with Valery, didn’t you? Acting all high and mighty, saying no, but damn, you love his cock that much? Saranda gave me drugs to kill the Colonel. I didn’t want to, but I had to take them. And when I whined, what did that bastard say?”

“…”

“If you had just taken care of Valery properly, I would not have been expelled. You would have escaped unscathed.”

“Hey.”

“I bet you didn’t even want to kill him, did you? You…”

“Shut up.”

“Like him, don’t you?”

Thwack! A brutal sound accompanied Coleman’s cheek snapping to the side. Bloodied not just at the nose but the mouth, Coleman’s spirit remained unbroken, even more inflamed. Seeing Asil, dressed finely and enjoying an opera, he could not contain his rage.

The plan to eliminate Valery had failed miserably, and the Saranda family was swiftly abandoned by the Third Prince. Claiming it was the Saranda Count’s independent act, the Third Prince’s faction distanced itself, and the cornered Count branded his son a drug addict. Insisting Coleman’s actions were due to intoxication, the Count did everything to protect the family, and Coleman, for the sake of his father, could not deny it. Even as rumors of his drug use spread and people whispered about his disgrace, Coleman could not reveal the truth and only fled.

A military academy would not tolerate a supposed drug-addled loafer. Soon after, Coleman was expelled. Barely returning home from the dorm, he was dragged to a psychiatric ward by his father, mindful of appearances, and discharged just a week ago. Since then, he had been drinking like a true wastrel, only to run into Asil.

“What’s that look? Pfft, for real?”

Wiping blood, Coleman laughed hysterically at Asil’s pale face. Asil, swinging a fist at the taunt to get angry, neither denied nor confirmed, staring silently at Coleman. About to snap, asking if he was crazy or spewing nonsense, Asil suddenly clenched his fist tightly.

“Fine.”

“Pfft… hah… What, what?”

“I fell for Lord Valery. He says he likes me too. He grants every request I make, and it is almost troubling.”

“…”

“Actually… your expulsion? I asked for that too. I am considering other punishments. Oh, how about spreading a fun rumor? Like you did?”

Coleman’s face, laughing heartily, rapidly paled. With drug addict rumors already rife in noble society, another rumor could get him disowned. His dark face stammered like a broken radio, then he switched tactics. Kneeling before Asil, Coleman desperately shook his head, blood droplets flying.

“S-sorry. I drank a bit…”

“Keep acting like that if you want to be famous for shitty rumors.”

Coleman groveled, chest flat to the floor. Asil knew he was not genuinely apologizing but faking to escape the moment, yet he left the lounge. Looking at his burning fist, he saw a slight scrape on the knuckle. Wiping Coleman’s blood on his navy pants, Asil realized he was more worked up than expected. The first punch was controlled, but the second was thrown with unintended abandon. When he came to, Coleman’s mouth was torn.

“Sigh…”

As always, it was low-grade provocation he could have ignored. Why did he play along?

“You like him, don’t you?”

The mocking voice echoed endlessly in his ears. Clenching and unclenching his fist while crossing the corridor, Asil soon locked eyes with Valery, questioning a staff member at the liquor display. Taking the glasses Asil entrusted, Valery strode toward him.

“Where did you go?”

“The opera… it is boring.”

“Do not dodge. I asked where you went.”

“Let us just go back. I am tired.”

Everything suddenly felt bothersome. Asil snatched the glasses from Valery, handed them to the staff, and turned toward the theater entrance. Valery, standing still momentarily, followed and got into the driver’s seat. Asil sat beside him, staring silently out the window. The outing was short. The car was far quieter than before, so silent that they were acutely aware of each other.

Valery spoke first.

“Why are you suddenly angry? You were not in a bad mood.”

“I am not angry. Just…”

“Then why are you acting like this?”

“…”

“What did I do wrong?”

“Look, why did you do that back then? At the academy…”

Asil spoke purely out of curiosity, but Valery gripped the steering wheel tightly, silent as if accused of a crime.

“Don’t tell me you bullied me and then fell for me? That would be too perverse.”

“From the start…”

“What?”

The car jolted, muffling the response. Asil asked again, but all he got was the familiar apology.

“I did not know better and wronged you… If I had realized sooner, I would not have treated you that way…”

“That is not what I meant… Fine, forget it.”

Spotting Valery’s ashen face, Asil waved to stop him. Until recently, Asil had thrown barbed words to see that expression, but this time, it was not intentional. It stemmed from a shared emotion found in Coleman’s question and his own response, sparking self-doubt. Reflecting on the retort he threw at Coleman’s question about liking Valery, Asil realized something.

Valery had never directly confessed liking or loving Asil. Asil had assumed and concluded based on Valery’s expressions, gestures, and tone.

“He must be acting this way because he likes me.”

Asil gestured for Valery, barely glancing ahead while checking his mood, to watch the road. Valery’s gaze reluctantly shifted forward.

“What does liking mean?”

Looking back on Valery’s actions, they were hardly those of someone who liked another. Yet, he liked Asil. It was baffling.

Feeling increasingly wronged by this incomprehensible emotion, Asil regretted not knocking Coleman out. How dare he say such nonsense? That Asil did not kill Valery because he liked him? Insane. He did not kill Valery because he did not want to dirty his hands. Hating him and killing him were separate matters. It was not about sadness over his death. Asil was confident he would not be deeply affected if Valery died naturally or by another’s hand. The death of someone close might unsettle him for a few days, but he would move on quickly. He was certain.

“Utter nonsense…”

He opened the window, letting the hot summer breeze hit his face. He felt Valery’s gaze on his nape again. The back of his neck felt hotter than the wind on his face.

“Feeling carsick?”

The concerned voice made his stomach churn suddenly. Yes, it was carsickness. The inexplicable anger surging and stirring his insides, the hot flush on his nape, the incessant recall of Coleman’s taunts—all due to carsickness. Instead of answering, Asil pressed his forehead to the window frame and closed his eyes. Valery stopped talking and drove very carefully.