March 23, 1096
The creaking door caused River to quickly snap up, swiftly grabbing the knife under his pillow. His breathing lay non-existent as his sharp eyes faced the door, waiting for the intruder to enter.
But tiny fingers gripped the door as a child, no older than three, slowly entered the room. “Papa, I hungry.” The child greeted River.
Bringing his breath back to normal, River quickly put his knife away as he opened his arms for his son, “Kiyt (pronounced kite), come here.”
Kiyt eagerly ran over, climbing on the bed as he entered his father’s arms. River wrapped his arms around Kiyt, pulling him close as he rested his face in his son’s curly hair. He deeply inhaled, taking in his son’s scent before glancing out his window.
He did not need to check the time to know it was the middle of the night. “Honey, it is the middle of the night.” River reasoned. He would have to leave in two hours; Prince Cyn’s orders wait for no one.
Kiyt relaxed in his father’s embrace, his eyes barely staying awake even though his stomach called for food. The boy did not eat much yesterday since he waited for his father to come home. Even at the age of three, Kiyt had grown used to the smell of blood lingering on his father every time he returned home.
“But, I hungry.” Kiyt pressed again as a yawn followed his words.
River sighed, picking his head up as he ran his hand through his short, dark blue locks. He wanted more sleep, barely getting three hours of it, but he could not deny his son.
So, he picked the boy up, taking him off the bed with him while walking to the kitchen. When he entered the kitchen, River set him on one of the chairs before making Kiyt a sandwich.
Kiyt rested his head on the table, swinging his hanging legs as he waited for his food with another yawn. River quickly made the sandwich, not wanting to waste any time. Once he finished, he put everything away before setting the plate in front of his dozing son.
When the sound of the plate hitting the table happened, Kiyt woke back up, noticing the food. He happily grabbed the sandwich with a bright smile, showing off his missing bottom tooth, “Thank you, papa!”
River softly smiled, running his hand through his son’s hair before sitting down. He tenderly watched his son eat with a warmth that didn’t show signs of ever dying.
Things were not supposed to be this way.
River is a hidden assassin who is supposed to be nothing but the wind. He kills people, gathers the intel, and takes on different personas each time he goes out. And through all this, he was supposed to leave no strings attached to anything.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
But, three years ago, he made a mistake that should have never happened. He slept with someone and surprisingly ended up pregnant even though he is a beta.
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His loving smile did not drop as he watched his son devour his sandwich until his eyes fell on his son’s hair color. Kiyt has black hair, darker than the night.
Many people have black hair, but only a particular family has black hair darker than the night—the royal family of Espal.
And that was his second mistake: sleeping with the enemy.
River sighed. One day his mistakes will catch up with him, but for now, he will do anything to keep his son safe.
Kiyt wiped his face once he finished his food, picking up the plate to show his father how empty it was. “Look, I finished!”
“You did,” River chuckled, “now, let’s get you back to bed.”
Ghost left Prince Cyn’s house, making his way to the red district. He stuck to the shadows, making himself invisible to everyone he passed by.
As Ghost entered the red district, someone grabbed his hand and pulled him into the empty dark alley. A short blade instantly slipped into his hand as he thrust it against the person’s neck.
“Wait, River!” The person called out, causing Ghost to pause as he heard his real name leaving the person’s lips.
Only a few people knew his real name: his master, Prince Cyn, his son, and the other father to his son. And he knew it couldn’t be Prince Cyn, his master, nor his son; so, it left one option: the father.
Ghost slipped the short blade back into his sleeve as he set his arm down. He pulled down the cover hiding the lower half of his face as he glared at the person before him. “Are you an idiot? Do not call my name when I am working, nor speak to me either.”
The person kept their hood on as they apologized while still holding Ghost’s hand, “I apologize; I saw you and wanted to hear your voice. It has been a few days since I last saw you or Kiyt.”
Ghost stepped back, taking his hand away as he looked to the side before putting the cover back over his face. “Don’t do this. There is no you and me, okay? I have work, so don’t interrupt me.” Ghost got ready to step away, ignoring his beating heart.
He is not supposed to feel emotions. He already let his son be the exception to every rule; he doesn’t need this man to be the same.
But, his body has been betraying him since the night he lied in the man’s bed. “Ri—Ghost, wait.”
Ghost paused with gritted teeth.
“Can I go see my son?”
“I never stopped you before, so don’t ask. You know where Kiyt is.”
Ghost quickly disappeared before his body wanted to give another excuse to stay. He gave himself a few deep breaths before going back to his original destination.
Stopping in front of the brothel, Ghost opened the door, entering. It was colorful and bright inside as a few male and female omegas stood near the entrance, talking and laughing with a few alphas.
The omegas are beautiful. More lovely than the gorgeous and high-class decorations inside. And the smell, mixed with different pheromones, were like siren calls to alphas.
None of it affected Ghost as he made his way towards Madam Cini (pronounced cee•nee). He was not only the top omega at the brothel—more beautiful than the Queen, but also the owner of the place.
Madam Cini spoke with another omega until he saw Ghost. He whispered something to the omega while staring at Ghost, causing them to walk away with a bow.
“Madam Cini,” Ghost greeted.
Coyly smiling, Madam Cini waved his hand, “Ghost, it is so good to see you. The last time you were here, two of my best people disappeared; did Prince Cyn enjoy them?”
Ghost took out ten gold coins (equivalent to about $2,000), tossing them to Madam Cini. Madam Cini quickly caught them, surveying the coins before pocketing them away.
“You do know how to keep someone happy.” Madam Cini joked as his coy smile did not drop.
“I need another one of your best omegas.” Ghost got to the point.
“If you keep taking more, what will I have left to offer the alphas? I do need to eat and feed my lovely people too.” Madam Cini sighed, dropping his smile. He crossed his arms with a frown prominent on his face.
“There are still more in the market, ready for purchase. I have paid you enough to buy a few more.”
Madam Cini leaned forward, causing Ghost’s fingers to twitch as he felt the pressure of his hidden knife on his skin. “Sometimes money isn’t enough.” Madam Cini looked Ghost up and down with a challenging smirk. “I always wanted to see what was underneath all those clothes.
“Come to my room, and I will let you have one of my top omegas.”
Gritting his teeth, Ghost dug his fingers into the palm of his hand. “The money is more than enough.”
“Then, there is no sale.”
“I can go to another brothel.”
“Others do not compare to mine. I acquired every exotic beauty there is; who can compete with what I have?”
Ghost continued to grit his teeth. He did not want to do this. But if he could not succeed with what Prince Cyn wanted, he was as good as dead. And he would never want to leave behind his son.
See, this is the main reason why attachments are best left empty.
“Fine.” He spoke out, swallowing his anger away.
Madam Cini triumphantly smiled, “Then, we have a sale, Ghost.” He stuck out his hand, waiting for Ghost to shake it.
Ghost grabbed his hand, shaking it before letting go as he spoke, “Hurry and take me to your room. I have other things to do.”
Laughing, Madam Cini faced the stairs, walking towards them, “Follow me, then.”
Must protect the baby 🥺🥺🥺