A good long minute.

For most people, recovery took about that much time. And honestly, it didn’t sound so bad—provided no one accounted for the blood pressure meds, frantic back pats, and a few desperate Heimlich maneuvers happening around the same time.

But for some...

Like a newly married adjutant, for example...

Recovery wasn’t even on the table.

Kyle Nox simply stood there and allowed anemia to claim him.

Because this?

This was going to be his life now.

Frankly, this had been his life for a while now, but back then, there were still illusions of a probable escape. Not that he had intentions of doing just that... But now, in his future was just a whole lot of sunshine and rainbows, with a side of this.

So maybe—just maybe—he should start training his ears to handle hearing responses like—

"What?! I don’t think so, brother! If anything, Kyle smells like ME!"

Ollie, the proud blonde menace that he was, declared this with full confidence. He stood there like a general issuing a verdict, pointing at Kyle, then at himself, with a smug, childish grin.

He looked like a triumphant toddler.

A very loud, very proud, completely unaware toddler.

The dining hall... stopped.

Not metaphorically, but mechanically.

Necks turned toward Kyle and Ollie in stiff, delayed motions, like rusted machines struggling to function. Anyone with even a shred of experience was currently rebooting their brain, trying—failing—to reconcile the image of the Prince’s adjutant Kyle, being at the receiving end of Ollie Mylor’s efforts of all people.

But as Young Lord Luca’s closest brother, clearly handpicked for his excellence, it shouldn’t be impossible, especially when it was well known that despite Lord Luca’s delicate features, he was different when it came to his husband.

Then this...

"...!!!"

It was definitely possible.

Duke Leander, who had earlier been ready to rush to his son, gasped like a seasoned neighborhood gossiper finally fed premium content.

The maids froze mid-step, trays hovering in the air like time itself had paused.

The guests—several parents of DG’s members who had been scheduled to return to Planet Nova—malfunctioned outright, forks clattering against fine china as they stared in various states of emotional collapse.

Heck, Marquis Mylor and the Minister actually flickered in and out for a moment.

But just when Kyle sighed so deeply it felt like he might dig a trench through the floor—

A calm voice spoke.

"Well, that’s not surprising. Kyle’s always done what the mop wanted. Even the dorm smells like him!"

Jax.

Of course it had to be Jax.

The redhead shrugged naturally, already stuffing his face with another mountain of food like he hadn’t just detonated the situation with his honest-to-goodness fact.

The entire hall vibrated.

Scandalized.

Because now—now—it sounded like corroborated evidence from someone deep in the know.

Even the dorm?!

Gasp!

And to make matters worse?

The blonde in question nodded.

Smugly.

Like a scholar being cited in a peer-reviewed journal.

But all of that?

All of it paled in comparison to the true disaster.

Because somewhere in the middle of this chaos, one golden-eyed culprit reached enlightenment.

Luca Soren Kyros.

The good brother—often times the solution, but really, mostly the problem.

His mind moved at terrifying speed, like he was witnessing the birth of a new universe in real time. His memory unraveled everything at once—every "exercise" his brother had endured, despite all those tears, every time the blonde proudly showed off his "progress" by flexing his allegedly bigger muscles, and even those moments Luca had sincerely clapped despite seeing absolutely no difference.

Because if his brother said it was there... it must be true.

And then—

Click.

A conclusion formed.

Clear.

Solid.

Dangerous.

Most of all, definitely transparent on his face.

Xavier, who had watched everything unfold but unfortunately had no real power to stop it, saw the exact moment his little wife’s face lit up.

Pride.

Pure, unfiltered pride.

And for some reason—

It made him flinch. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

No.

Tremble.

The Imperial Crown Prince couldn’t help but tremble at the trajectory of this conversation.

Because he knew. He could foresee it coming.

And sure enough, just as Luca’s golden eyes widened and his hands clasped against his chest—

"Brother!" Luca burst out, voice filled with awe. "You’re so cool! All your hard work finally paid off!"

"..."

There it was.

Then again, in Luca’s mind, the logic was simple.

His own husband wasn’t one to teach him things that weren’t true. Moreover, his own brother also confirmed it.

And if he took into account Ollie’s training that he still ended up finishing despite claiming multiple deaths in the same day, it was clear that his brother had taken all the necessary steps to develop his stamina.

It was making sense now. It was all for Kyle!

Just like how he made sure to rank for the test, his brother had once again made a show of great love for his partner!

Wow! He was truly admirable!

At this, Luca figured that he too should go for some sort of self-improvement! Not to carry the burden of the relationship, but so he could show his eternal gratitude and appreciation!

If so, he must ask his knowledgeable brother for tips!

"Hah! Of course!" Ollie beamed, tapping his nose proudly. "It’s the least I can contribute, brother!"

Meanwhile, Kyle...

Kyle began to wither.

Visibly.

Cracking at the edges as the people around them slowly turned blue from holding their breath.

"You know, he already did all the preparation, way in advance even!" Ollie continued, shrugging like he was being modest. "So all I had to do was come and agree, so of course that was the least I could do!"

His hair antenna practically swayed in satisfaction, a clear contrast to those people who heard a rather scandalous word and felt their hearts momentarily stop.

"I was even extra generous and volunteered to do so twice!" Ollie added, holding up two fingers with pride. "It had been a challenge at first, but well, it couldn’t be helped. It was a special occasion after all."

With a conversation and an atmosphere like this, even Tortie was watching now.

And Luca?

Luca was clapping.

Deeply moved.

"TWICE?!" The young heir gasped, completely awestruck.

"!!!"

And somewhere nearby—

An amused Marquise thought she had really supported the right in-law!