chapter 5

Chapter 5:pink

The tension in the room was suffocating as the physician arrived, an elderly man with years of experience in treating noble families. Without hesitation, he directed Nori behind a silk screen, where attendants helped him undress.

Nori's face burned with humiliation as he was told to bend forward, his hands gripping the fabric of the cushion beneath him. The physician worked swiftly, his touch clinical and impersonal, but it did little to ease the shame pooling in Nori's chest.

"Remain still," the doctor instructed, examining him carefully. The silence stretched unbearably before the physician finally spoke.

"He is still pink."

The words rang through the room like a bell.

Lord Yuki exhaled sharply, his body sagging with visible relief. Nori, too, felt his knees weaken as the weight of fear lifted slightly from his shoulders. He was still pure. His honor remained intact.

But just as the tension began to ease, a deep voice shattered the moment.

"Then I will take responsibility."

The air went still.

Lord Yuki's head snapped up. Nori stiffened, his breath catching in his throat.

General Ryusoke sat calmly, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of his chair. His expression was unreadable, but his next words made the blood in Nori's veins turn cold.

"The boy was touched by me," Ryusoke said smoothly. "It is only proper that I take him as my male wife."

Lord Yuki went rigid.

Nori's heart slammed against his ribs. No— this couldn't be happening. He hadn't been touched, not in the way that mattered. But tradition dictated he remain silent unless spoken to.

He could do nothing but sit there, trembling, as his fate hung in the balance.

His only hope now was that his father—out of fear for his family's reputation—would refuse.

But as he stole a glance at Lord Yuki's pale, stricken face, a new terror gripped him.

Would his father dare defy the General?

A Deal Sealed in Gold and Fear

Lord Yuki's fingers trembled slightly as he reached for his tea, though he did not drink. His mind raced, but his face remained carefully composed as he processed the General's bold words.

Marriage.

The sheer weight of the proposal pressed down on him, and he could feel Nori beside him, frozen like a delicate sculpture, his head slightly lowered to hide his expression. But Yuki knew his son well—knew that beneath that calm mask, his heart must be pounding in terror.

The General was not a man one refused lightly.

Still, Lord Yuki was no fool. He could not simply agree outright—not when there were obligations already in place. Clearing his throat, he carefully chose his words.

"I must think about it, General," he said, keeping his tone respectful but measured. "My son is already betrothed to a Marquis. The dowry has been paid. It would be… disrespectful to dissolve such an arrangement without great consideration."

There. He had said it. A polite refusal, wrapped in duty and tradition. He only hoped it would be enough.

But Ryusoke merely smiled.

"A Marquis?" The General's voice was laced with amusement, as though he found the idea laughable. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Then allow me to compensate you. I will pay twenty times the agreed dowry."

The room went silent.

Lord Yuki's breath caught in his throat.

Twenty times.

It was an absurd amount of wealth—more than his family had seen in generations. He knew Ryusoke was rich, but this? This was enough to restore their estate, to ensure his family's prosperity for decades. Enough to provide the finest care for his ailing mother, whose medicine grew more expensive by the day.

It was tempting. Too tempting.

His grip tightened on his robe, conflicting emotions warring inside him. As a father, the thought of giving his son to this man made his stomach twist. But as the head of his household, he had responsibilities. This wasn't just about Nori's fate—this was about the entire Yuki family's survival.

Lord Yuki stole a glance at his son, his heart clenching.

Nori still had not spoken, his hands clasped tightly in his lap, his shoulders drawn in as if trying to make himself smaller. He had been raised gently, sheltered from the cruel realities of the world. Did he even realize the position they were in?

Did he understand that his father could not afford to refuse?

Ryusoke, sensing Lord Yuki's hesitation, pressed forward.

"I will also handle the matter with the Marquis personally," he added smoothly. "You will not need to concern yourself with it."

Lord Yuki inhaled sharply. That was the final piece—the safety net.

No backlash, no feud. Just a simple transfer of ownership.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, his decision settling like a stone in his gut. When he spoke again, his voice was softer, resigned.

"Then… I ask that you personally inform the Marquis' family that you will be taking my son instead."

There. The words were said. The matter was settled.

Nori's fate was sealed.

A Silent Despair

Nori's heart sank.

It was over.

Just like that, with a few exchanged words, his life had been sold off.

He had known—somewhere deep down—that his father's refusal would not last. But hearing it spoken so plainly, so final, made his stomach twist painfully.

He wasn't foolish. He understood why his father had done it. Their family's wealth was dwindling. His grandmother was sick. Twenty times the dowry was an unthinkable amount, enough to secure their future.

But that didn't stop the fear clawing at his throat.

Because now… he belonged to General Ryusoke.

His fingers dug into the silk of his robes, his mind spinning. This was worse than marriage to the Marquis. That arrangement had been decided years ago—he had known what to expect. The Marquis was older, but he was kind.

Ryusoke, however…

Nori lifted his gaze hesitantly, peering at the General from beneath his lashes.

The man was watching him, his dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable, something almost satisfied. He had wanted this outcome. He had pursued it without hesitation, as if it had already been decided before the conversation even began.

A slow, creeping realization settled over Nori.

Had this been his plan all along?

Had he saved him from the brothel… only to trap him in an entirely different cage?

His stomach churned at the thought, but he could do nothing. Tradition bound his tongue. He had not been asked for his opinion, and even if he had been, it would not have mattered.

All he could do was lower his gaze once more, his hands trembling in his lap as the final arrangements were made.

A Deal Struck

Lord Yuki sighed, as though releasing the last of his doubts. "Then it is settled," he murmured, casting one last glance at his son. "My son will be wed to you, General Ryusoke."

The General's lips curved into something akin to a smile—but there was nothing gentle about it.

"Good," he said, pleased. "Then preparations will begin immediately."

Nori felt his chest tighten.

Immediately.

There would be no time to process, no time to grieve the life he was about to lose.

He had been claimed.

As the conversation shifted to logistics—the exchange of dowries, the wedding arrangements, the official announcement—Nori felt his breath grow shallow.

He was to be married to a man who looked at him like prey.

And worst of all…

There was no escape.