"How about the legendary treasures hidden within Veydith? Any pns to cim them? History says there's an undiscovered fortune beneath its nds that could elevate your status even higher."

  I shook my head with a smile. "The treasures of Veydith belong to Veydith. I have no intention of digging them up. I'm content with the life I have now. All I want is to live normally."

  Jiggs, as expected: "You're a living legend, Champ."

  But then, something changed. I noticed the reporters exchanging gnces as if they had been saving something juicier. I braced myself.

  One of them finally spoke up.

  "Champ, how do you expin the fact that you defeated not just one, but two of the strongest Alphas—Deux and Silver? You're new to the scene, not as well-known as them. Everyone expected them to csh in the finals, yet you defied all expectations. How did you do it?"

  Champ, stay calm.

  The air had shifted. The light-hearted atmosphere was gone, repced by something heavier. This was where a single wrong word could spark unnecessary conflict.

  I took a steady breath before answering.

  "Deux and Silver were formidable opponents, no doubt about it," I said carefully. "But just because I'm a rookie Alpha doesn't mean I'd roll over and lose. My team and I pnned, strategized, and used more than just brute strength. We had to be smart about our approach, and that's how we won."

  I made sure my answer was neutral—something that wouldn't ignite any unnecessary drama.

  But the reporters weren't done yet.

  "We've noticed that Alpha Prince Deux seems to be growing closer to you. Among all the Alphas, he seems to be the only one who willingly approaches you. Any thoughts on that?"

  Before I could even blink, another one shot their question.

  "Your mannerisms, speech, and way of thinking don't align with the usual aggressive nature of Alphas. Why is that?"

  And another.

  "Physically speaking, you look different from most Alphas. Your face is softer, your skin is fairer, and your build is leaner. What do you have to say about that?"

  And another.

  "We saw you with Alpha Prince Deux earlier in the open field. Your neck is visibly red—did he mark you?"

  At that, my brain short-circuited.

  The words hit me like a barrage of arrows, and my thoughts scrambled in panic. Who do I answer first? How do I answer? WHAT do I even say?

  I was so overwhelmed that my vision blurred.

  And then—

  "I believe this interview is over."

  A deep, commanding voice sliced through the chaos, making my heart jump into my throat.

  Standing between me and the reporters, tall and unwavering, was Deux.

  The crowd went silent.

  "Deux?" I whispered.

  He stood there, exuding an aura so intense it was practically tangible. There was something in his posture—straight-backed, confident, unyielding—that made it clear he was here to take control.

  "The reason I approach Champ," Deux said coolly, "is because I find him to be a worthy challenge. I want to match him in everything, whether it's in combat or elsewhere."

  The reporters gawked, but Deux wasn't done.

  "As for his speech, mannerisms, and way of thinking—where, exactly, in any Alpha history book does it state we must act a certain way? If he differs from the norm, so what?"

  Then came the final blow.

  "The redness on his neck is my doing," Deux admitted, making my eyes widen in horror. "We were training. I accidentally hit him. That's all."

  Silence.

  I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

  Deux turned back to the reporters. "Anymore questions?"

  None of them dared to speak.

  "Good," Deux said, satisfied.

  Jiggs, bless his chaotic soul, stepped forward. "Alright, that's enough! Master Champ and I have important matters to attend to—like registering his ownership of Veydith! Shoo, shoo!"

  Like swarming insects finally being swatted away, the reporters dispersed.

  The moment they were gone, I exhaled heavily. "Thanks, Deux. You didn't tell me you'd be here."

  Deux simply shrugged. "I was actually going to wait for you at your house."

  "Deux!" I shot him an annoyed gre.

  "But then I saw you being harassed by those insects, so I decided to step in."

  Jiggs, ever the opportunist, cpped Deux on the shoulder. "Master Deux, you're a lifesaver!"

  Deux shot him a look—one that sent Jiggs scrambling behind me like a scared puppy.

  "I thought we were friends," Jiggs muttered. "Guess not."

  I sighed. "Alright, since we're already talking about it, let's go get my registration done."

  Deux shook his head. "I'm not going with you."

  "Huh? What? Why not?!"

  "If I go with you, the rumors will only get worse."

  I blinked. "Oh... yeah. That's actually a good point."

  "I will wait for you inside your house." Deux smirked. "Instead, I'll send this insect to go with you."

  "I am not an insect!" Jiggs protested.

  Deux's gre sharpened.

  Jiggs immediately folded. "I am an insect. I have accepted my fate."

  I groaned. "Fine. Jiggs, let's go."

  "Alright! But, hey, why is Deux going to your house ter?" Jiggs asked with a sly grin. "You throwing a party? Can I come?"

  "No!" Deux and I both shouted in unison.

  "Stingy! What are you two doing, wrestling?!"

  "Jiggs, you know Deux does whatever he wants, right? You can't stop him." I groaned, dragging him along. "Let's just go register my nd before I regret everything."

  As we walked off, Jiggs suddenly burst out ughing.

  "By the way, don't forget to pee on a hundred spots to cim Veydith."

  I lunged at him. "COME HERE, YOU LITTLE—!"

  ...

  ...

  ...

  After that agonizingly boring registration process, I finally arrived at my house. Specifically, right at my doorstep.

  But before I could even step inside, my senses were assaulted by a strong, familiar scent—Vanil.

  Deux.

  That Alpha really treats my house like it's his own.

  And the question is—how the hell did he even get in?!

  He doesn't have a key!

  Alpha privileges. That's how.

  With a resigned sigh, I pushed open the door and stepped into the living room. And there he was.

  Deux.

  Sprawled out on my couch, asleep, with the TV still on.

  I swear, the audacity.

  But something was off.

  The guy wasn't just sleeping.

  He was half-naked.

  Deux, the Alpha Prince, the epitome of cool, serious, and intimidating... was lounging on my couch wearing nothing but boxers.

  And the problem?

  Oh, let's just say his 'package' inside that boxers was putting up more of a show than the TV ever could.

  Even asleep, the damn thing looked wide awake.

  I swallowed hard.

  Was it just me, or was it... huge?

  I blinked.

  Then blinked again.

  And then—curiosity hit me like a freight train.

  How big is it?

  It's not like I wanted to know.

  I just... scientifically needed to compare.

  For research purposes.

  Just a little peek. Three seconds, tops.

  That should be fine, right?

  So, with ninja-like precision, I slowly crouched down beside him. My heart was pounding so loud I was worried he could hear it.

  Okay. Step one: check if he's still asleep.

  I gnced up at Deux.

  Deep breathing. Unmoving. Completely out.

  Perfect.

  Back to business.

  Step two: Operation Boxer Reveal.

  I carefully—carefully—reached out, pinching the waistband of his boxers between my fingers.

  Slowly...

  Gently...

  Almost there...

  Just a tiny peek...

  And then—

  "What exactly are you looking for, Champ?"

  (SNAP!)

  I yelped as I instantly let go of the waistband, causing it to snap back into pce.

  I froze.

  My wide eyes met his. Deux was awake, staring right at me with his signature cool and unreadable expression.

  He arched a brow—once, twice—like he was genuinely curious about what the hell I was doing.

  "If you really want to see, you only have to ask," he murmured, his voice dripping with amusement.

  I choked on my own breath.

  "Y-YOU'RE INSANE! WHO SAID I WANTED TO SEE ANYTHING?! I—I HAVE ONE TOO, YOU KNOW!" I practically shouted as I scrambled away from him. "Not as big anymore, but still—I used to be proud of it! Damn it!"

  "Can I see it?"

  "NO!" I shouted while covering my small pride.

  Deux smirked zily. "No need to be shy, Champ. I'll give you a chance to show mine."

  And then—

  He reached for his waistband.

  I gulped.

  My eyes were glued to his hands as he began slowly pulling his boxers down, revealing—

  (NEWS REPORT SOUND EFFECT!)

  "This just in! An exclusive interview with Champ Aurelian, the Alpha who emerged victorious in the Alpha Territory Treasure Hunt Competition—"

  Both of us snapped our heads toward the TV.

  For a second, neither of us moved.

  Then, Deux exhaled through his nose, sitting up properly.

  He patted his p.

  "Come sit."

  I blinked. "...Huh?"

  He patted it again, eyes on me.

  "The couch is huge! Why would I sit on your p?!" I snapped, crossing my arms.

  "Hm." Deux simply shrugged before—

  He grabbed me.

  "DEUX—!"

  Next thing I knew, I was forcibly pulled onto his p, straddling his thighs like some kind of human stuffed toy.

  I squirmed. "Deux! I'm trying to watch my interview!"

  I tried to move. I really did. But his arms were firm around me, keeping me trapped exactly where he wanted me.

  I gave up with an exasperated sigh, facing the TV and pretending I was totally fine.

  And then—

  (Twoop!)

  (Twitch!)

  "...Deux."

  "Hm?"

  "Tell your manhood to behave."

  "Hm."

  "Deux, I swear to the gods, I felt that move."

  Silence.

  I inhaled.

  Exhaled.

  I was not going to acknowledge that the 'thing' pressed against my butt had a mind of its own.

  Nope.

  Not today.

  So, I did the only thing I could do—

  I sat there.

  On his p.

  Forced to endure.

  And watched my own interview... while it is moving non-stop!

  ...

  ...

  ...

  Third Person POV

  In the grand halls of the Alpha King's estate, the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy. The very air seemed to tremble in submission as the Alpha King himself sat upon his favorite chair—no, his throne—watching the television before him with cold, calcuting eyes.

  A crystal-clear gss of rich, red wine rested in his grip, the liquid swirling zily as he listened intently to the interview pying on the screen.

  "The experience of joining that competition was something else. At first, I was nervous since it was my first time participating... and my first time going up against different Alpha cns."

  The Alpha King took a slow sip, his lips curling into a sneer.

  "Champ Aurelian... so that's the name of the Alpha who defeated Deux."

  His voice was calm, almost a whisper—but beneath that calmness brewed a storm, a barely restrained rage lurking in the depths of his being.

  His sharp gaze remained locked on the screen as the interview continued.

  "I want to turn Veydith into a peaceful, war-free zone. A pce where Betas and Omegas can live normally, safely, without fear..."

  The Alpha King's grip on his gss tightened.

  Then, he ughed—a deep, humorless chuckle.

  "Foolish. Absolutely foolish." His voice was venomous, low and filled with disdain. "Betas and Omegas, living peacefully? Hah! Does he seek to start a rebellion? To use Veydith as the foundation for his own rule?"

  His amusement faded as quickly as it came.

  And then he saw it.

  Deux.

  Stepping into the interview.

  Defending Champ.

  The Alpha King's expression darkened.

  "You're being far too obvious, Deux," he muttered, his voice ced with disappointment. "You're protecting him."

  His eyes burned as he observed the interaction, his mind calcuting every detail, every nuance.

  Then, he exhaled deeply—his lips curling once more, but this time, into something far more sinister.

  "But I cannot bme you."

  His gaze dragged over Champ's image on the screen.

  "Because this Alpha... is different. He looks actually mesmerising for such."

  Leaning back into his chair, he crossed one leg over the other, eyes gleaming with dangerous amusement.

  "It's not just protection, is it, Deux?" His voice was dripping with malice. "I see it now. You desire him. You want him."

  His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest of his chair.

  "And if that's the case, then this so-called Champ must know exactly what he's doing." His sneer deepened. "He's seducing you, maniputing you like a blind fool. You, the future Alpha King, reduced to nothing but a puppet. How shameful."

  A sharp crack echoed through the dimly lit room.

  The gss in his hand had shattered.

  Scarlet liquid seeped between his fingers, dripping down like blood.

  Yet, the Alpha King's face remained eerily calm.

  He lifted his gaze back to the screen, his eyes filled with something inhuman.

  "If Deux refuses to see through this deception... if he allows himself to be led astray—then I will handle it myself."

  With deliberate movements, he reached into his pocket, retrieving his phone.

  The line rang once.

  Then twice.

  A deep voice answered. "Alpha King, to what do I owe this call?"

  "I want you to arrange a victory party."

  There was a brief pause. "A victory party? Have you won something, my King?"

  "Not for me." The Alpha King smirked, his tone ced with malice. "For the Alpha who recently cimed victory in the competition."

  "Ah... the new champion."

  "Precisely. I want to honor him. To welcome him properly. Ensure his attendance."

  "Understood. When would you like this event to take pce?"

  "As soon as possible. And don't him that I hosted this event. I want it to be a surprise."

  "It will be done."

  With that, the call ended.

  Slowly, the Alpha King turned his gaze back to the screen—back to the Alpha who had somehow managed to disrupt the bance he had so carefully maintained.

  His fingers brushed against the red-stained remains of his wine gss, his smirk turning into something more... dangerous.

  "Deux won't be able to kill you, Champ." His voice was barely a whisper, but it carried a weight that could crush a kingdom. "So I will do it myself. Right in front of him and everybody who dares to defy me."

  The dimly lit room was silent save for the faint sound of the television. Shadows clung to every corner, stretching and twisting like sinister figures lurking in the dark.

  And in the center of it all sat the Alpha King, his eyes glowing like a beast that had found its prey.

  "You will not succeed, Champ. I will not allow someone like you to take what I have built."

  His lips curled back, revealing the sharp glint of his fangs.

  "I will find out everything about you... uncover your past, your weaknesses. I will ensure that everyone you love dies with you. And with this so-called victory party, this will be an invitation to your death."

  His ughter was the only sound in the darkness—low, menacing, and deadly.

  End of Chapter 21