Magnus was bubbling with anger.
That damned prince! How dare he ambush him like that?! Of course if Lucian hadn't used his pheromones inside the room, Magnus would never lie with him... is all the fault of pheromones and omega instinct that craves for an alpha.
That's right... Imagine if he would be attracted by those clear and shiny eyes made of diamonds or would feel ticklish with the tips of those long platinum hair touching his face. Or even worse, if he were to feel shivering when those long and thin fingers slid between his thighs.
In no way would Magnus like that and fall into that trap purposely... hah.
After ensuring that his clothes were covering every hickey mark on his body and that his black hair was combed back without leaving any clue of what happened, Magnus left the room a few minutes after Lucian.
Just to see the eighth prince accompanying his sister with that masked smile and face of good boy already irritated Magnus.
What the hell was he thinking?!
What? Had he really gone to bed with the eighth prince? The mouse that hides in the imperial palace?
He, the Grand Duke of that empire, groaned for more?!
"Drink, sir?"
Magnus grabbed a glass of lemonade and turned the contents into his mouth. His throat was dry and he still felt the effects of the prince's pheromones. That woody smell was like an expensive and unique perfume that Magnus had never felt in his life. Although he has already been involved with some alphas, he has never felt so attracted to someone's pheromone.
Actually, Lucian's pheromones looked weak compared to other alphas, but still had a big effect on Magnus. Probably because of the drug that the bastard dared to take. By the way, how could that mouse stand at that party? The drug should cause other effects on it.
Shit!
Also, his body seemed exhausted, heavy in need of rest. Of course, he went from zero to one hundred very fast thanks to the pheromones of that damn prince, it is natural that his body could adapt so quickly and still maintain appearances at that party. However, it was still a nuisance.
It was as if he had also been drugged.
"Your Grace, are you enjoying the party?"
Turning back, Magnus kept his composure when Countess Baragnon approached him. Although he still has some curses saved for the damn prince, he had to swallow his frustration to keep good looks in front of the hostess.
"Yes, I am, I am grateful for having been invited."
"You look a little pale, take the opportunity to eat some of the desserts. Chocolate bombs can help bring back color to your face."
"Thank you, I will."
A low scoff caught the two's attention. The Countess smiled slightly as she looked delicately over her shoulder.
"Ah, some knights seemed eager to meet you, Your Grace. I hope that doesn't bother you."
It bothered, and very much. The smell of those alphas came before their feet. Bunch of exhibitionists who loved to spread their fetid pheromones to attract omegas. Although the alphas were only good at that and in battles, otherwise could not expect much from them.
On second thought... he only felt the pheromones of Lucian in the room. Even when they were in public talking, the eighth prince did not let out his own smell. Is he a recessive alpha?
Not that it made any difference, but maybe it was thanks to the difference of a sweaty alpha fighting on the battlefield for an alpha with a crown on his head. Royal blood must have an extra "what".
"Sure, it won't be a problem."
The Countess made the introductions and Magnus did not bother to memorize the names of the knights. The medal they sported on their chests signaled that they were soldiers of the imperial army, but this would not impress a Grand Duke who fought in the front line leading those men.
In addition, it needed a force over human not to roll his eyes to the smell of their pheromones.
"Are you wearing a new perfume, Your Grace?"
"What?"
"I heard that the woody aroma has been a great trend among men. Unfortunately, the perfumeries I have visited are never in stock."
Magnus slightly frowned at the Countess' comment, and only then did he notice that the two alphas were further apart and unconsciously reacted to the Countess's comment.
So he noticed a merely amusing detail.
"Is it really? I would say that I was lucky to get a dose of this perfume, but it was just a sample."
"Howlucky, Your Grace. I must say it's a good aroma."
Drinking a sip of the lemonade, Magnus had at least something to be grateful for.
It was not a perfume, but the pheromone of the eighth imperial prince that covered him completely. Only the smell of an alpha to keep other alphas away, and for your luck it seems that none of those knights would have noticed what it was about.
After all, who would know what is the smell of pheromone eighth prince, which is almost never seen socially?
Magnus was grateful for the stupidity of those alphas.
"By the way, Your Grace, when will we hear the good news? Many ladies are eager to introduce their children to you."
"I'm busy taking care of my territory and my brother's marriage."
"Oh yes, I think your brother must be very happy that he will soon get married. Your parents would also be very anxious if they were still among us."
The brief comment about his parents made Magnus return to reality in an instant. His expression was neutral again and his crimson eyes fell on the empty cup in his hands.
"Yes, I'm glad they have joined together naturally. As an older brother I wouldn't wish for anything better for my younger brothers."
Yes, it was much better to talk about his brothers than himself. Especially because he made the mistake of drugging the eighth prince. In no way should he talk about his private life.
The crimson eyes of Magnus searched the hall, and he noticed Lucian dancing with Raven. The presence of those two really made the atmosphere different, giving importance to Count Baragnon, maybe that was why the Countess also tried to approach Magnus and introduce him to someone.
However, the Grand Duke did not really want to participate in that plan of the matchmakers.
Not after he did it a few minutes ago. Damn, he was still sweating a lot from the effects of those pheromones.
"Well, Your Grace, even though you are busy you will attend the hunting festival organized by the Emperor, right?"
Turning his attention to the alphas, Magnus agreed with the head.
"Yes, I always participate although hunting is not my favorite hobby."
"You say that, but always comes second with a good catch."
"Perhaps His Grace has no interest in the first place prize?"
"Considering that the prize is focused on the omega to present its alpha..."
"Yes, I'm a single man and so I have no interest in the prize", Magnus replied staring at the alpha.
"You should take the chance and meet someone. Everyone knows that the hunting festival used to be a feast of the first emperor to impress his empress and since then it has become a habit to be an event for couples and also to prevent wild animals from coming down to the village."
His personal life was certainly the subject of gossip, as Magnus was hardly seen accompanied by an alpha. This irritated him slightly to the point of not even trying to hide the coldness in his countenance when he bowed his head.
"It's just a silly tale for those who have a ring on their finger. This is not my case, so I consider it only a noble duty to ensure the safety of the village."
"And we just gave him an excuse not to make good use of the festival."
Magnus just smiled, it's really a nice excuse.
The problem was...
A certain prince with whom he had just had sex.
Swallowing dry, Magnus sighed already imagining that perhaps he would be one of the Omegas men committed to participate in the event. And that his partner would be the person he least expected.
If Magnus had not followed Lucian to that room, or rather, if Lucian had not drunk from that cup, Magnus would not be struggling with his own morality. It was like having toyed with a small bee that seemed harmless, but that this bee had the most deadly sting to use against him.
Shit... if it wasn't for the pheromones, if it weren't for the prying prince... if he had not felt good with your touch...
When it became unbearable to endure that environment, Magnus said goodbye to the Count and Countess Baragnon and left. Wanted to avoid bumping into the eighth prince or anyone else.
Being inside the carriage, he loosened his tie and let out a heavy sigh.
"But what the hell... what do I do?" Staring at the glass of the carriage, he saw the hickey marks on his neck. "That damn rat, he wouldn't have the courage to tell anyone about the drug, would he?"
As the carriage followed the path to the Grimwood mansion, Magnus could only think of some way out of that mess he had created. The plan was too perfect, just did not count with a variable with a crown on the head.
Now that variable was his biggest headache.