When Rory heard that the substance could harm her, she imdiately withdrew her hand.
She and Vincent both turned to Yuel.
Yuel explained calmly, "Aren said this is a charm toxin unique to the Succubus Clan. If a female inhales it for even a short ti, she’ll lose control and feel an overwhelming urge to bond."
"Succubi can produce toxins?" Rory asked, surprised. "How do they release it? Like Jasper does?"
Yuel and Vincent both twitched at the corners of their mouths.
"Not exactly."
Yuel shook his head. "Rory, charm toxin isn’t venom. It’s a scent. Succubi conceal their natural fragrance within their bodies. They only release it in danger—or when they intend to charm soone."
"Those with exceptional talent can condense that scent into an essence. That essence becos charm toxin."
"I see..." Rory nodded slowly.
Then she looked at Yuel. "Why would Aren give this to you?"
Yuel smiled faintly. "He tried to provoke into using it on you. His plan was for you to bond with under its influence—then he’d swoop in and reap the benefits."
He gave a soft, disdainful laugh.
He’d known the mont Aren opened his mouth what ga he was playing.
Vincent’s gaze darkened as he stared at the small green bottle on the desk. Under the light, the liquid inside shimred faintly.
Competing for affection was normal among males. He and Yuel, and even the others, sotis engaged in subtle rivalry in front of Rory.
As long as it stayed harmless, none of them would make an issue of it.
"But if Aren’s thods go this far..." Vincent’s voice turned cold.
That crossed a line.
He and Yuel both looked at Rory.
***
anwhile, far beyond the Empire’s borders, Aren—the real Aren—had just reentered Astrium’s space after racing back without rest.
The mont he crossed into imperial territory, he activated his communicator.
He hadn’t returned in over a year.
There were more than a hundred thousand unread ssages waiting.
After scrolling for over ten minutes, he finally found the one sent by the Beast God System.
Male ability user Aren of the Succubus Clan, the Beast God System has matched you with a female.
Her information and address have been sent to your communicator.
You must report to her side within three months.
Failure to do so will result in a fine of five million star coins and suspension of matching privileges for one hundred years.
(If the male voluntarily applies to terminate the match, the sa penalty applies.)
The mont he saw Rory’s contact information, Aren hurriedly sent her a ssage.
Aren:Female Master, hello. I am your matched partner, Aren.
Upstairs in the study, Rory was still staring at the green vial when her communicator chid.
She glanced down.
Aren: Female Master, hello. I am your matched partner, Aren.
Rory blinked.
Wasn’t Aren downstairs? Why was he suddenly ssaging her?
A second ssage appeared.
Aren:Female Master, I have been in the outer territories and only just received the matching notice. I sincerely apologize for contacting you so late.
Rory’s brows furrowed so tightly they nearly ford a knot.
From last night until now, Aren hadn’t sent her a single ssage.
Why send these now?
And judging by the wording, these ssages seed like they were written before he ever t her.
Was there a delay in delivery?
Impossible. Her communicator had been functioning perfectly.
She imdiately showed the ssages to Yuel and Vincent.
"What do you think he’s doing? Why suddenly send this?"
Yuel’s expression shifted subtly.
"What if... Aren made preparations on three fronts?"
"How so?" Vincent and Rory asked at the sa ti.
Yuel folded his arms. "He seed desperate to bond with you quickly. So he tried to fra and create an opportunity. But what if that failed? He likely anticipated that acting too hastily could expose him. So he prepared a second identity."
Yuel looked at Vincent. "Do you rember that case from two years ago? A male angered his female so badly she wanted to terminate the match. He claid the one who offended her was his ’twin brother.’"
Vincent nodded slowly.
"I rember. She believed him at first. Later, her other partner investigated and discovered there was no twin at all. He fabricated everything."
Rory’s eyes widened. "So you think Aren is trying to pull the sa trick?" she asked.
Yuel didn’t answer with certainty. "We can test him."
"How?"
"Simple," Yuel said with a smile. "Ask him directly if he has a brother."
Vincent nodded. "Yes. Let’s see how he answers."
Rory quickly typed a ssage.
Rory:Aren, do you have a twin brother?
On the starship speeding toward the Central District, Aren had been staring anxiously at his communicator, waiting for a reply.
He was nervous.
Over a month had passed since the match, and he hadn’t contacted his Female Master even once. He feared she might already be angry.
When the notification chid, he nearly jumped.
He opened the ssage—and froze.
His brows drew together sharply.
How did she know about Aris? Had that troubleso younger brother done sothing reckless in his absence?
Aren replied without delay.
Aren:Female Master, I do have a twin brother nad Aris. We are twins, but he is younger than I by several minutes. In the Succubus Clan, twins are considered inauspicious. Because of that, his existence was concealed from the outside world.
It was a deeply guarded secret.
In the Succubus Clan, when twins were born, the younger was labeled ill-oned. They wouldn’t be killed—but they would never be acknowledged. They were raised in the shadows.
Aren had known about Aris since childhood.
When he learned Aris was destined to live as his shadow, he felt guilty.
Aris had worked tirelessly for the clan all these years, trying to replace him as clan leader.
Aren had no desire to compete. That was why he’d remained in the outer territories, rarely returning.
He knew his brother too well.
Dark. Selfish. Ruthless. Possessive.
Afraid Aris might have done sothing to anger Rory, he quickly sent another ssage.
Aren:Female Master, if Aris has done anything to upset you, please punish him as you see fit. I am your matched partner. I will not plead on his behalf.
Upstairs in the study, the atmosphere turned very, very quiet.
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