Chapter 54: You only love yourself

Lucian’s eyes roamed hungrily over Ethan’s flawless, ivory skin, flushed with an enticing hue that only fueled his desire to conquer. "Look at this… seems like Prince Ethan of Aria is craving me as much as I want him…" Lucian murmured, pressing his lips to Ethan’s collarbone, tracing down to his chest. "Little beauty… I’ll make you feel so good…"

“No!... Let me go…” Ethan cried out, trembling.

“Let you go? It’s an honor for you to be used by the Four Dragons,” sneered the crimson-moled man. “We don’t often share, you know. You should be grateful we're making an exception for you.”

The group of men closed in, circling Ethan. "Aaa… get away! Don’t... don’t touch me…” Ethan struggled, his cries growing desperate.

"Ethan!... Ethan!... wake up!” A familiar voice cut through his torment, yanking him back to reality from his horrifying nightmare.

Ethan’s eyes shot open, his whole body shaking. Terror lingered in his gaze as cold sweat trickled down his face, soaking his clothes. The terrifying visions faded, but the agony remained etched deep within his soul.

“Ethan! Are you alright?” Valerius Evander whispered, gently holding him.

Ethan stared in shock at Valerius, struggling to believe he was safe. His voice trembled, “Save me… please save me…”

“Ethan, it was just a nightmare, wasn’t it?” Valerius murmured, tenderly wrapping Ethan in his arms.

Gripping Valerius’ arm, Ethan pleaded, “Was it really only a dream?” His voice shook, haunted by the pain that clung to him.

“I’m here. Don’t be afraid,” Valerius soothed, stroking Ethan’s hair, comforting him.

“They wanted to hurt me,” Ethan looked at Valerius with tear-streaked eyes, his hatred spilling over, “Let… let me go…all of you are the same”

Valerius froze, taken aback by Ethan’s rejection.

“You once called me depraved, said I was just a plaything for men. That any man would want to fuck me, didn’t you?” his gaze piercing like a knife.

Valerius shook his head, his voice pained with regret: “Don’t believe what I said in anger… it wasn’t true, not like you think.”

“Then why did you do that to me? Why did you humiliate me?” Ethan screamed.

“Ethan, I was wrong. I never should have forced you,” Valerius confessed, his voice heavy with remorse.

Ethan bit his lip, choking back tears: “Why? Why would all of you treat me this way? Is it because I’m depraved, as you said?”

“No! Ethan, you’re not depraved. You’re pure… your body is precious,” Valerius protested, his voice breaking.

“Pure, precious…” Ethan mocked. “Then why does everyone want to defile me?” His voice trembled with anguish.

Valerius tried to calm him: “You’re not yourself right now. Just rest…”

“Get out… get out!” Ethan screamed, shoving Valerius away, his heart burning with fury and pain.

“Why are you suddenly like this? You just held me,” Valerius asked, stunned by Ethan’s sudden change.

“I don’t want to see any of you Helios men. You’re all monsters. Leave… just leave!” Ethan’s anguished cry tore through the room, each word cutting Valerius to the core. His concern for Ethan overshadowed his hurt, and he silently absorbed Ethan’s wrath.

“Get away from me! Don’t touch me!” Ethan Caelan struggled with all his might to push Valerius Evander away, but his efforts only made Valerius tighten his grip around him.

“Ethan, I know you hate me, but please believe me... everything I’ve done... it’s all because I love you...”

“Love...?” Ethan scoffed, tears falling uncontrollably. “You call that love? Forcing me, humiliating me, and you say it’s because you love me?”

“I don’t need that kind of love from you. Let go of me!” Ethan shouted in rage.

“I know... I was wrong...” Valerius whispered into Ethan’s ear, his warm breath caressing Ethan’s flushed cheek. “It was my jealousy... I was truly blinded…”

“Seeing you so close with Cassian, with Harrison... it tore me apart that I couldn’t take their place, that I couldn’t be the one beside you, caring for you, protecting you...”

“When I saw you with them… going to those brothels, letting those women touch you, seduce you... it drove me mad with rage.”

Valerius pressed his lips close to Ethan’s ear, his breath brushing against the strands of hair near his temple. “I saw... Lyria Hawke... that woman... she is indeed beautiful... and you spent a fortune to free her from that brothel... It made me even more insane.”

“Ethan… at that moment, I lost control of myself. All I wanted was for you to belong to me alone.”

Valerius gently lifted Ethan’s tear-streaked face, looking deep into his eyes with an intense gaze. “Ethan, believe me... if you stay by my side, I will make it up to you, I will love you, cherish you…”

“Enough. I’m tired; I don’t want to hear any more,” Ethan shook his head, his voice weary.

Valerius knew that words were useless now. He slowly laid Ethan down on the bed, carefully tucking the blanket around him.

“Then rest, Ethan...” Valerius murmured as he lay beside him, gently wrapping his arms around Ethan’s body.

The two lay in silence, the seconds ticking by slowly. The darkness of the night gradually gave way to the soft light of dawn.

“Knock... knock...” A gentle knock came at the door. “Your Majesty, it’s time for the morning assembly,” Cyril Stone’s voice echoed from outside.

Valerius stirred. He glanced at Ethan, who was sleeping soundly, and hesitated to wake him. Instead, he quietly adjusted the blanket over Ethan and cautiously sat up.

Before leaving, Valerius lingered, gazing at Ethan for a long moment. He leaned down to place a soft kiss on Ethan’s forehead. “I will return soon…”

As the door gently closed, Ethan Caelan slowly opened his eyes. He hadn’t slept at all. Every word, every gesture of Valerius Evander still lingered, echoing in his ears.

“All lies,” Ethan forced himself to sit up, his body still aching and exhausted. He looked down at his arm; the bruises were still fresh, marking his skin.

“He says he loves me? What does he know about me? We’ve only met a handful of times, yet he wants to possess me, without ever considering how I feel,” Ethan muttered under his breath, bitterness in his voice.

He let out a long sigh. “Valerius Evander, you only love yourself.”