Chapter 62: I really can’t take anymore.

Oisín had received special training in detecting and avoiding surveillance. He glanced at the camera for only a second before looking away, making it seem like he hadn’t noticed it at all.

He lowered his head, allowing his chin to rest against Lorcan’s neck. A few strands of silver hair slipped loose around his temples, hiding his face from the camera.

From the camera’s position, he looked as though he was struggling to kneel. His clothes were slightly disordered, his breathing was uneven, and he clung tightly to Lorcan as if desperately seeking comfort from his pheromones. His back trembled now and then.

Anyone watching would believe he had taken a pheromone-dependency drug.

However, hidden from the camera, Oisín narrowed his eyes.

Someone had actually installed a camera inside the Third Prince’s private residence?

Who would dare?

After considering the invitation from the First Prince earlier, he quickly worked out who was responsible.

Oisín allowed his body to go completely limp in Lorcan’s arms and carefully wrapped his own arms around him. His expression, however, remained cold. He even gave a quiet scoff in his heart.

*What a coward.*

The First Prince had already gone to such lengths, yet he still wasn’t satisfied. Now he wanted to use a dependency drug as an extra precaution?

Oisín curled his lip.

*Tadhg, are you really so afraid of me?*

He had expected most of this to happen. Still, one thing continued to puzzle him.

What was his Third Prince actually planning?

Lorcan held him close, one hand moving gently down his back. Even through their uniforms, Oisín could feel the warmth of his fingers.

It was comforting.

Lorcan’s embrace was surprisingly warm. Every so often, he ran his fingers softly through Oisín’s hair. Once he felt the person in his arms had settled down, he shifted to remain outside the camera’s view.

He picked up a pale-yellow bottle from the supplies the servants had brought earlier. After opening it, he pretended to knock it over. The liquid spilled across the floor, and a strong, unpleasant smell immediately filled the room.

It was a prank drink that had recently become popular in the capital. It looked and smelled almost exactly like vomit.

Lorcan then released a small amount of pheromones. A fresh citrus fragrance spread through the room and surrounded Oisín.

Oisín gave a quiet groan. His body relaxed, and his cheeks turned an unnatural shade of red. His blue eyes remained fixed on Lorcan as he whispered, "Third Prince..."

Lorcan gently stroked his silver hair.

"Oisín, be good, all right?"

Those words were part of the script.

After saying them, Lorcan stood and left the room to instruct the servants to prepare another one. As soon as his support disappeared, Oisín’s legs gave way. He made no attempt to stand. Instead, he fell awkwardly and struggled to arrange himself into a kneeling position, looking as though he barely had enough strength to breathe.

The camera captured everything.

Lorcan left the room and headed downstairs toward the master bedroom.

There was still another part of the performance he needed to complete.

A scandal like this couldn’t end with someone simply taking a drug. The next part was supposed to involve an intimate encounter. However, Lorcan was a prince. He certainly wouldn’t spend the night in a room that smelled like vomit.

He called the servants over and instructed them to clean the room, prepare another one, and carry the helpless general there so he could continue entertaining himself.

The servants bowed and obeyed. Although they looked at Oisín with a little sympathy, they didn’t dare question their master’s orders. They carefully cleaned the room before four of them lifted the general.

Lorcan then headed downstairs.

The First Prince was waiting near the top of the staircase.

A strange glimmer passed through his eyes before his usual warm expression returned. He smiled at Lorcan, sounding slightly surprised.

"Already?"

Lorcan maintained his cold expression, perfectly playing the role of a spoiled and temperamental prince. He kicked a small stone near his feet.

"Oisín threw up. The entire room stinks, and it completely ruined my mood."

The First Prince smiled faintly. He stepped closer and straightened Lorcan’s collar.

"There’s no need to hurry. Once he drinks that wine, he’ll belong to you completely. A little delay won’t make any difference."

Lorcan secretly sneered.

*Using pheromones to control someone and pretending it’s genuine affection. How ridiculous.*

Still, he nodded and acted as though he couldn’t wait.

"I’m going to the master bedroom to continue."

This was Lorcan’s own estate, but the First Prince had managed to install cameras for two reasons. The first was that the room was a guest room, where security had been relaxed because of the banquet. The second was that he had deliberately taken Lorcan there to collect the wine. Lorcan had then conveniently chosen the nearest room, making it easy for the First Prince to arrange the surveillance.

However, the master bedroom was beyond his reach.

By then, the servants had already carried Oisín out.

The Iris Major General looked completely exhausted. His body hung limply between the servants, and he could barely support himself. His brows were tightly knitted, and sweat rolled down his face. His upper lip had turned pale, while his lower lip was swollen and bright red from being bitten.

Even his silver hair had lost its usual shine.

As the servants carried him past the two princes, Oisín slowly turned his head. His blue eyes were wet, and beneath his exhausted expression was something that looked very much like burning hatred.

The First Prince watched him leave with a smile.

Lorcan glanced at Oisín, and a trace of worry appeared in his heart.

He had used his pheromones to influence Oisín and make him appear as though he had taken an addictive drug. To make the performance convincing, he had released quite a large amount.

But the effect now seemed almost too realistic.

*Did I use too much?*

Oisín was particularly sensitive to his pheromones. Lorcan couldn’t help wondering whether he had pushed things too far.

At that moment, the First Prince gave him a gentle push and winked.

"Go ahead, Fionn. Your big brother won’t disturb your little meeting."

Lorcan forced a smile.

"Then I’ll be going."

He hurried toward the master bedroom. However, as soon as his back was turned to the First Prince, his expression became completely blank.

He contacted the System.

"66?"

System 66 immediately understood what he wanted.

"There’s a bug hidden in the third stitch on the right side of your collar. He planted it when he adjusted your collar."

Lorcan nodded.

He glanced down and spotted the tiny black device. It was barely larger than a pinhead, but he didn’t stop to examine it. He simply continued toward the master bedroom.

Inside was a massive bed, about two metres wide, with curtains hanging around it. Someone was curled up on the bed, breathing heavily. His silver hair flowed over the edge like silk.

Lorcan looked at the servant and raised his chin.

"Has he been behaving?"

The servant lowered his eyes.

"The Major General is on the bed. He hasn’t resisted."

Lorcan nodded and walked over. He pulled Oisín out from beneath the blanket.

Oisín seemed about to say something, but Lorcan immediately released another wave of pheromones. The citrus scent spread throughout the bedroom, and Oisín let out a muffled groan before falling back onto the bed.

Lorcan apologised silently.

*I’m sorry, Major General. I can’t let you say anything right now.*

If Oisín accidentally said something that the First Prince wasn’t supposed to hear, the situation would become difficult to explain.

On the bed, Oisín squeezed his eyes shut.

*This is getting ridiculous.*

When he opened his eyes again, his expression was dazed, as though he had drunk some cheap, fake alcohol. But the moment Lorcan entered, he had already noticed the tiny device attached to his collar.

It was a standard military listening device, the Star M79. It had a transmission range of seven kilometres and a battery life of fifty minutes.

Unfortunately, before Oisín could think about it further, the pheromones began overwhelming his senses.

The small bedroom was filled with an almost unbearable amount of citrus fragrance. Oisín no longer needed to pretend to tremble. His body was already shaking.

He raised one arm and wrapped it around Lorcan’s neck.

"Your Highness..." he said in a strained voice.

*Please stop. I really can’t take any more.*

Lorcan didn’t understand what he was trying to communicate. Instead, he carefully lifted Oisín’s chin.

Then he kissed him.

The kiss was slow and deep.

Lorcan covered Oisín’s lips with his own, while the citrus scent filled the space around them. Oisín made a small, broken sound as their lips met. Lorcan continued the kiss, taking his time until Oisín’s fingers tightened around his shoulders and his body trembled against him.

When Oisín’s breathing became uneven, Lorcan finally pulled back enough to deliver the next part of his scripted dialogue.