AHEIAID Chapter 41: Don’t Come Any Closer!
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October. The scorching summer gradually gave way to a cooler season, and soft, drizzling rain quietly fell like strands of ox hair.
Crown Prince Joseph had come to the upper levels of the signal tower to bid farewell, bringing his friend Kent along.
"Thank you for your help, Lord Heine. My friend’s health has been steadily recovering, so after some discussion, we’ve decided to leave District 13 and return to our own territory."
The Crown Prince still maintained his usual handsome but intimidating presence—his sharp gaze alone was enough to instill fear.
Seated behind his desk, the strikingly beautiful yet expressionless man remained indifferent. But when Joseph’s gaze met the pair of large, black, round eyes peeking curiously out from the man’s arms, a faint smile flickered across his lips—though it disappeared just as quickly.
"The conflict between my brother Harry and me has reached its peak. Even my father and I can’t fully grasp his intentions. I know you’ve always remained neutral, and at a time like this, I wouldn’t want to drag District into our mess."
Beside him, Kent nodded in agreement.
Kent had indeed considered staying in District 13 a little longer, seeking continued protection. After all, as long as Garius Heine, the so-called Wall of Sighs, remained standing, Harry wouldn’t dare make any moves.
But unfortunately… Joseph was too upright for that. He was afraid of causing trouble for others.
Sigh…
Kent internally lamented but quickly adjusted his mindset.
This is just like Joseph, he thought. Besides, it was about time they regrouped with their other allies and planned their next move.
"Understood."
Garius' icy gaze swept over the two men below him, his expression unsurprised. He spoke calmly:
"I’ll have my subordinates prepare a small aircraft for you. I’ll also send a squad to guard you in the shadows until you’ve reached a safe zone."
Joseph and Kent both expressed their gratitude once more.
As they were about to leave, they dared not waste any more of the man’s time. But just as they reached the door—
"See you next time, Joseph! Kent!"
A cheerful voice cut in, accompanied by an energetic wave.
It was Joey, who had been secretly watching them for quite a while and finally found the chance to speak up.
Joseph and Kent both turned around, smiling as they waved back before swiftly departing, heading straight for the docking bay.
Watching them disappear into the distance, Joey turned to the rain-speckled glass, staring at the blurry scenery outside. He couldn’t help but feel a little reluctant.
"I finally made some friends… I really hope they can handle that yandere freak Harry…"
Joseph might look fierce, but in reality, he was just a big, naive fool—he didn’t seem like he could outmaneuver his twisted little brother at all!
【If you’re so worried, why don’t you whisper a little pillow talk to Garius and have him help them out?】 The system, aware of his thoughts, teased.
"Of course not! Think about it—"
Joey spun around, tilting his head back to look up at his man.
Because of the rainy weather, a soft light was turned on indoors to adjust the brightness. The gentle glow highlighted the sharp lines of the man’s face, making the shadows in his features—his Adam’s apple, lips, nose, and eye sockets—even deeper and more defined.
Small patches of shadow pooled around his throat, half-covering the ends of his brows and eyes, where his golden hair curled ever so slightly.
Even from this unfortunate angle—looking up from a literal death position—this man was so damn good-looking!
He exuded an aura of aloof strength at all times, a charm that was both distant and overpowering.
Joey, mid-sentence, suddenly licked his lips. His gaze was locked onto Garius’ Adam’s apple, and his teeth itched with the urge to take a bite.
It wasn’t until the system, deeply curious, asked why he couldn’t just ask Garius for help that Joey muttered:
"Are you dumb? We just did it, and his affection rating is only at 80."
"For a man like him, the ideals he wants to protect, his unwavering will, and his unshakable moral bottom line come first. Even his own life—and his family—take a backseat to that."
Heroes who shine brilliantly and save the world… aren’t always the best husbands or fathers.
When faced with a choice between their loved ones and a greater cause, they often have no choice but to sacrifice themselves.
This was a bitter truth countless heroic films had already taught humanity.
Joey sighed.
"Garius is someone I both love and hate for this. I mean, who doesn’t love a hero? His face alone is attractive, but what draws me in even more is his glowing soul. So it’s fine if I’m not his number one—I’ve already prepared myself for the reality of being a hero’s family."
The system was stunned. It had never expected this little fool, whose only known priority was eating, to suddenly reach such a deep realization.
【My son… you’ve finally grown up.】
Joey puffed up his chest in pride. "Of course!"
He didn’t eat all that food for nothing.
Then the system jokingly asked:
【So, let’s say one day someone kidnaps you and tells Garius to choose between you and the people. If he chooses the people, will you be mad?】
"Pfft! Don’t jinx it, you damn crow-mouthed system!" Joey scowled. "Can’t you wish me well for once?"
【Just answer.】
"Uh… well, rationally, I’d understand. But would I be sad? Of course, I’m not a saint…"
Joey frowned, imagining the scenario, then continued, "But I wouldn’t resent Garius for it."
【Didn’t you just say you weren’t a saint?】 The system rolled its eyes.
"Uh…"
Joey scratched his head, struggling to explain the complicated mess of emotions inside him.
He treasured every relationship in his life, especially those who chose to stay by his side and treated him kindly.
Like a dog who only remembers kindness and not the times it gets kicked, he never forgot the people who carried his luggage or took the initiative to chat with him. He had suffered countless losses for this tendency—his pockets emptied, his heart ignored—but he still couldn’t help but wag his tail and keep trusting.
"Anyway, I just wouldn’t hate him."
Because he’s always been so good to me…
A warmth spread through Joey’s chest as he whispered to himself.
No one else noticed, but the moment Joey’s gaze drifted away from Garius, leaning absentmindedly against the man’s chest, Garius—who had just been working diligently—suddenly paused.
Lowering his head slightly, his Adam’s apple moved.
His striking, iridescent eyes flickered in the dim light, gazing softly at the dark-haired head resting against him. The faint curve of a small bone peeked out from Joey’s nape, where a delicate golden necklace shimmered against his pale skin.
It matched the one around Garius’ own neck.
A silent declaration of their marriage, worn as both protection and promise.
Garius stared at his little human, a ripple of emotion stirring in his heart.
"I walk the path of a man facing the light… yet I can only keep you hidden in my shadow. Other than my personal love and protection, I have nothing else I can promise you…"
"Joey, do you really not resent me?"
The words remained trapped in Garius’ throat—he feared the answer. Instead, he reached out and gently brushed a curl of Joey’s hair, twisting it between his fingers.
"Garius?" Joey tilted his head up, blinking.
A long silence stretched between them before Garius finally spoke.
"Tonight… I’m free."
"…………"
No. No. NO.
Joey’s butt had just finished healing. Abort! ABORT!!!
As the realization struck, Joey’s eyes went wide with terror.
"YOU STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!"
Like a startled rabbit, he clutched his backside and bolted off Garius’ lap, sprinting for the door at full speed.
Watching the little ball of fluff flee in panic, curls bouncing with every step, Garius' lips quirked. He rested his hand against his mouth and let out a low chuckle.
Meanwhile, the system—having just suffered through an entire sequence of you stare at me, I stare at you, and the love between us is too much to bear—felt its circuits short-circuit from sheer secondhand embarrassment.
It promptly shut down in self-defense.
Joey might have run—but did he really think he could escape?
When he got home later, it took only a single hand to pin him down.
A small, struggling creature… held captive by a much larger one.
And in the end, no matter how much he cried and begged, his poor backside was once again subjected to the drilling of the century.
Thus, life continued in a honey-drenched haze of passion, tears, and wet pillows.
Until winter arrived in Ottoman, blanketing the world in snow.
And then—
A devastating piece of news reached District 13.
——The Emperor of Ottoman was ambushed during an inspection. His whereabouts were unknown.
With no warning, the struggle between Crown Prince Joseph and Third Prince Harry—and the two political factions backing them—erupted into an all-out, kill-or-be-killed war.
And at that exact moment—
Joey received a medical report.
T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi page, thank you🍊🍊🍊
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