After Kazien's departure, Hudeon stared at the bottle of deep red liquid with an intense gaze. His mind raced. Brother Kazien's blood... a part of him.
Even if the two of us cannot be united in the bonds of love... Hudeon thought sorrowfully yet with resolve. At least my blood and his will be united within my body forever!
Without a second thought, Hudeon grabbed one of the bottles and downed it in one go.
"Hudeon! Wait!" Duke Hubert was too late to stop him.
The bottle was empty. And in the next second, a terrifying reaction occurred.
Thump!
Hudeon's heart beat violently, as if it were about to explode. A burning heat surged through his entire bloodstream.
"It hurts! IT HURTS... AAARRGGHHHH....!!!!" Hudeon screamed hysterically.
Thud!
His body collapsed and he fell to his knees on the floor. He clutched his chest, his face turning a deep crimson as he endured unimaginable agony.
"Hudeon!" Duke Hubert panicked. He immediately knelt and embraced his son, who was writhing in pain. "Hold on, son! Stay strong!"
Duke Hubert did not dare to do anything reckless, as he did not know how the body would react to Kazien's blood. He could only hold his son tightly, whispering words of encouragement while cold sweat poured from Hudeon's body.
Three minutes passed. Three minutes that felt like hours to the terrified father.
Slowly, Hudeon's screams subsided. His ragged breathing began to steady. His body was drenched in sweat, but he remained conscious.
"Hudeon..." Duke Hubert called out, full of worry. "Is the pain gone?"
Hudeon raised his face. His eyes appeared clearer and sharper than before. He took a deep breath, feeling a strange yet powerful flow of energy surging through every muscle.
"It's gone, Father!" Hudeon answered, his voice sounding more powerful. He clenched his fists. "It hurt so much! But now, I feel power overflowing within my body! I feel much stronger and refreshed after drinking Brother Kazien's blood!"
"Truly?" Duke Hubert looked at his son in disbelief.
Duke Hubert's gaze shifted to the remaining bottle on the table. If my son can gain strength after drinking his blood, then what he said was no boast.
"Hudeon, sit here for a moment!" Duke Hubert commanded. He patted the side of the sofa next to him. "I also wish to drink the blood in that bottle."
Hudeon rose nimbly and sat beside his father. With slightly trembling hands, Duke Hubert took the bottle, stared at the red liquid inside for a moment, and then drank it until it was gone.
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
A moment later—
"ARGH!"
The same pain struck Duke Hubert. It felt as if his entire bone structure was being crushed and reconstructed, his muscles pulled and tightened by force. For three minutes, he had to endure an earthly hell in silence, with only muffled groans escaping his lips as he tried to remain strong in front of his son.
When the pain finally vanished, Duke Hubert panted for breath. However, the sensation that followed was miraculous. The ache in his back was gone, his eyes, which had begun to blur, could now see the smallest speck of dust, and his body felt as light as cotton yet as strong as steel.
Hudeon stared at his father, his mouth agape.
"F-Father... your face!" Hudeon exclaimed, his index finger trembling as he pointed at Duke Hubert's face. "Your face has become so young!"
"What?" Duke Hubert cried out, shocked by his son's words.
Duke Hubert immediately stood up and walked quickly toward the large mirror in the corner of the room. He froze. The reflection in the mirror was not a weary middle-aged man, but the gallant young man he had known decades ago. The wrinkles on his face were gone, his skin was firm, and his aura radiated the vitality of youth. He looked like a man of 25 years in his prime.
He pulled at his own cheeks, then pinched them quite hard.
"Ouch!" he winced. "So this isn't a dream! I never thought my face could become young again like this."
Kazien's blood... Duke Hubert thought in horror. This is truly something incredibly dangerous if the truth were revealed to the public.
Duke Hubert turned, looking at Hudeon with an extremely serious expression. "Hudeon, listen to me carefully. Never say a word about Kazien's blood to anyone! Do you understand? If the world finds out about this, Kazien will be hunted by everyone who desires eternal youth and a long life!"
"Yes, Father, I understand!" Hudeon answered firmly. "I don't want Brother Kazien to be in trouble because of his blood either. I will take this secret to my grave!"
"Good!" Duke Hubert said proudly, patting the shoulder of his son, which now felt sturdier. "You are my pride, Hudeon!"
Hudeon smiled broadly, showing his even teeth. A warm atmosphere enveloped them both. Duke Hubert felt relieved seeing the cheerful Hudeon, as if the trauma of the defilement was slowly being eroded by his new strength.
However, as he watched Hudeon's innocent laughter, Duke Hubert's mind drifted to a name that made his young blood boil. And that person was Haverd.
He remembered his conversation with Elgard long ago. Elgard had told him how much Kazien respected Alvin. Kazien, with all his power and status as a fiancé, never touched Alvin recklessly. He guarded his fiancé's honor with all his heart.
Kazien, who has every right, never did anything to Alvin. Duke Hubert thought furiously. He protects the honor and purity of his partner.
His jaw tightened as the image of Haverd flashed through his mind, contrasted with the innocence of his youngest son.
But here... my own son, my own flesh and blood, was defiled by his own biological brother. An older brother who should have protected him!
An overwhelming sense of disgust surged in Duke Hubert's chest. Haverd's deed was not just a disgrace. It was an unforgivable crime. The fact that Haverd was currently in Larkvood Kingdom for his education was the only reason he was still breathing freely.
Just you wait until you come home, Haverd... Duke Hubert swore in his heart, his eyes glinting sharply with a killing intent that felt far more oppressive now, thanks to the new power from Kazien's blood.
I will punish you severely after you return from Larkvood Kingdom! You will regret ever being born if you think I will let this go!
Duke Hubert's decision was final, as hard as a diamond. He refused to have a barbaric and cruel child in his lineage, and this time, there would be no mercy for the sinner who had defiled his youngest son and nearly destroyed the boy's future.
Thank goodness it was Kazien and from the Altavis family. Duke Hubert muttered with slight relief. If he had come from any other noble family, Hudeon would surely have been rejected, and his disgrace might have been broadcast to the public.
Duke Hubert looked toward his youngest son. I never dare to imagine what would have happened if my son's shame became the mockery of the people.