Chapter 6: The One-Month Game

Duchess Bety chanted a low incantation, casting a tracking spell to communicate with her confidant. Within seconds, a disembodied, airy voice vibrated through the magical array.

"Hello? Hello... is that you, Bety?"

"Yes, Riely, it's me," Bety replied urgently.

"Bety, why did you cast the communication spell at this hour?" Riely questioned.

Bety gripped the parchment tightly, a triumphant smirk on her face. "Riely, I found it. I found the secret papers the Duke has been hiding all this time. Now tell me, when can the process officially start?"

A brief pause echoed from the other side. "Bety, for the process to begin, you absolutely need the Duke's official royal stamp. Without that seal, they will never approve the documentation."

Bety snapped her fingers, severing the magical connection. She let out a heavy, furious sigh, clenching her fists. "Whenever I think victory is within my grasp, everything fades away... But it doesn't matter. Whatever happens this time, I will take you down, Duke."

---

Meanwhile, Ethan was quietly walking through the estate's sprawling gardens, trying to clear his head. Who was that thing inside my mind...? he pondered. It called me a hybrid...

As he walked, a luxurious carriage clattered to a halt near the entrance. A boy exactly Ethan's age stepped down from the vehicle, followed closely by a young girl of the same age.

Ethan muttered under his breath, "Who are these people?"

Watching them head toward the doors, Ethan decided to step forward. "Excuse me. Who are you, people?"

The boy whipped around, his face instantly twisting into an arrogant scowl. "Hey! Servants should know their place and stay within their limits! Who do you think you are to question me?"

Ethan's eyes narrowed. He didn't back down. "Watch your tone. And who exactly are you calling a servant?"

The boy let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "Are you deaf? Do you not understand plain words?" He stepped closer, his chin held high with excessive pride. "I am the young master of this mansion. The son of the Grand Duke."

Ethan stared at him with a deadpan, freezing expression. "And how would I know that, you fool?"

"You—!" The boy's face flushed with explosive rage at the insult. He stepped forward aggressively, yelling at the top of his lungs. "I am Maxilian, the true son of the Duke! And this girl beside me is Princess Cecelia, the King's daughter! She is my fiancée!"

Princess Cecelia offered a polite, graceful bow. "Greetings. I am Cecelia, from the royal palace."

Maxilian glared directly into Ethan's eyes, raising his hand menacingly. "A royal princess can have a commoner like you executed for your deceit. You piece of trash—"

Maxilian swung his hand down to deliver a brutal slap across Ethan's face. Ethan flinched, bracing for the impact.

But the blow never landed.

From right behind Ethan, a powerful hand reached out and caught Maxilian's wrist mid-air. Maxilian gasped, looking up into the Grand Duke's cold face. "Dad?! Why are you stopping me?!"

"Because you are both my sons, Maxilian," the Duke stated in a calm, chilling tone.

The Duke released Maxilian's wrist with a rough shove. Maxilian stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock and fury. "What do you mean, Dad?!"

The Duke stared his biological son down, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I am only going to say this once. I have officially adopted Ethan as my son, Maxilian."

Maxilian slammed his foot against the ground, pushing past his father's personal space in raw anger. "Dad! What kind of trait was I lacking that you had to go and adopt a useless jerk like this?!"

Instead of answering, the Duke bent down, picking Ethan up into his arms. "Dear, go inside the mansion quickly."

The Duke put him down, and Ethan ran toward the doors. He looked back with a slightly sad expression, but deep down, a spark of happiness warmed his chest.

He ran all the way to his quarters, slamming the heavy wooden door shut and locking it tight. He collapsed against it, panting heavily to catch his breath. He actually stood up for me... Ethan thought, closing his eyes. I don't know who is right or wrong anymore, but... he actually gave me a place beside him.

Suddenly, Ethan's jaw tensed. His mouth began to move completely against his will. A deep, haunting voice echoed out from his lips, and his left eye flashed a fierce, predatory crimson.

"Ha! Brother, wasn't that arrogant little brat bragging way too much?"

Ethan's natural voice broke through, his expression filled with terror. "Who are you?! Don't go... tell me who you are!"

The left side of his mouth curved into a wicked smirk. "Who am I? Forget about that. Didn't that boy's blood look absolutely sweet out there? Don't you want to taste it? He's standing right outside..."

"You're the one!" Ethan shouted back, fighting for control of his own vocal cords. "You're the monster trying to influence me to drink that disgusting fluid! Did... did you absorb Iris's blood earlier?!"

"No, little hybrid. That was all you, my young friend," the voice purred smoothly. "You are the one who created me. I'm leaving for now... but only for now."

"Wait! Answer my questions first!" Ethan yelled.

But with a sudden gasp, the crimson light faded entirely. Ethan's left eye reverted to its natural yellow, and he was left trembling alone in the quiet room.

---

The Grand Duke's Office

A short while later, the Duke sat behind his mahogany desk. Maxilian stood before him, his arms crossed angrily. Princess Cecelia had already been escorted away, leaving the father and son entirely alone.

Outside the room, Iris was walking down the hallway when she caught the sound of their muffled voices. Recognizing the danger, she froze and slipped silently behind a nearby pillar, pressing her ear against the wall to listen.

"Listen to me carefully, Maxilian," the Duke's deep voice echoed from inside the room. "I did not bring Ethan into this house to truly be my son."

Iris gasped quietly, covering her mouth as she listened more closely.

Inside, Maxilian blinked in confusion. "Then what did you bring him here for, Dad?"

The Duke let out a cold, chilling chuckle. "He is nothing more than an experiment, my boy. I plucked that child from the orphanage for a specific test. Once the experiment concludes at the end of the month... the kid will die. No one is ever going to take your place as my true heir."

Maxilian's scowl instantly vanished, replaced by a dark, satisfied smile. "Oh... I understand now, Father."

The Duke nodded in approval. "That's my boy. Now, treat him well for the time being. We need to fully gain his trust to ensure the experiment succeeds. It is only a one-month game."

Maxilian smiled widely. "Understood, Father. I will play my part perfectly."

On the other side of the door, Iris's eyes flooded with tears of pure horror. She clamped both hands over her mouth to stifle a sob. Instantly, a flash of memories flooded her mind—the secret underground library, the sound of their shared laughter, and the way Ethan had selflessly taken her burning fever away.

I can't let them do this, she thought frantically. I won't let it happen!

Turning on her heel, Iris bolted down the grand hallway, her heart pounding against her ribs as she whispered a desperate vow into the shadows.

I have to tell Ethan the truth... I have to help him escape! He is going to live. I want to stay by your side, Ethan!

---

[Chapter 6 Ended - To Be Continued]