Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 318: Fearing for his life

Chapter 318: Fearing for his life

Maurice nodded, his eyes wide with surprise and gratitude. The truth was that being completely marked by an alpha typically signified a deep bond, often involving a strong emotional and physical connection. When an alpha deserted an omega after marking them, it could have devastating consequences.

The emotional impact included intense feelings of abandonment, betrayal, and distress. Social stigma, pheromone imbalance, and physiological effects were also common. The worst, however, were the physical effects.

The omega might suffer from a weakened immune system, loss of appetite, and general malaise due to the broken bond. The omega’s body could react negatively to the absence of the alpha’s pheromones.

This was exactly what Maurice’s mother was enduring. Worse still, they weren’t even in a relationship or knew each other. Maurice’s father was notorious for his frivolous behaviour. To avoid trouble and illegitimate children, the family had chosen Omegas for him to frolic with who couldn’t be marked or get pregnant.

But he had dragged a service staff member into his mess, and that was Maurice’s mother. She ended up pregnant and completely marked. The family, viewing her as a lowly woman, refused to accept her. They forced Maurice’s father to marry someone else immediately to avoid future complications.

Maurice’s mother was treated like dirt, working as a housekeeper in their mansion despite having given birth to the first heir. They used her mark against her, which was why she wanted the procedure to be completely free of that family.

However, washing away a mark was excruciating, especially when it had to be done multiple times. This painful journey was what led Maurice to Xiang Yu’s doorstep.

Maurice was so overwhelmed with gratitude that he impulsively hugged Xiang Yu, his excitement bubbling over. "Thank you, thank you! I can’t thank you enough," he repeated, sniffling as tears streamed down his face.

Xiang Yu was startled at first, but he quickly patted Maurice’s back. "Alright, alright, you are getting tears all over me," he said with a gentle smile.

Realizing his mistake, Maurice stepped back, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I am so, so sorry, Your Highness," he stammered, pulling out a clean handkerchief to wipe away the tears he had left on Xiang Yu’s skin.

Xiang Yu waved it off. "It’s fine," he said, his tone reassuring. He had no idea that someone was watching this scene unfold.

Han Xin walked in just as they separated, a cold aura emanating from him. "Carry on," he said curtly, opening his locker to retrieve a pendant he had accidentally left behind.

Xiang Yu felt a pang of unease but knew he had nothing to feel guilty about. Han Xin’s hatred was justified, given their complicated past. Ignoring or at least pretending to ignore the sounds coming from the other side of the room, Xiang Yu continued speaking to Maurice. "It’s no problem," he said, zipping up his jacket. "Now, what did you bring for me?"

Maurice lowered his head, casting a nervous glance at Han Xin. Xiang Yu immediately understood that it had something to do with Han Xin. He nodded in understanding, and Maurice pointed to his communicator.

In a low voice, Xiang Yu said, "Just send it to me, okay?"

Maurice nodded and quickly sent the information. Han Xin slammed his locker shut with a bang, startling Maurice, who felt like a thief caught in the act.

"Thank you. You may go," Xiang Yu said, sensing the suffocating atmosphere.

Maurice seized the opportunity to leave, nearly tripping as he passed Han Xin, who was also heading out. Maurice steadied himself and ran out of the room as if chased by ghosts and demons. Han Xin sneered, following behind with a cold, calculating look.

***

Xiang Yu finished up and left the locker room, his eyes glued to his communicator as he watched the video Maurice had sent. The footage showed Fang Aungier harassing Han Xin, a sight that made Xiang Yu’s blood boil.

Meanwhile, in the training room, Han Xin spotted Maurice in an inconspicuous corner, wrapping tape around his hands. Without warning, Han Xin sat down beside him. Maurice, startled, tried to stand and flee, but Han Xin grabbed the back of his collar and forced him to sit back down.

The class president’s intimidating presence made Maurice fear for his life. He had never imagined Han Xin could be this terrifying. Han Xin always seemed so gentle and kind.

"Sit. Don’t be afraid," Han Xin whispered, his voice low and commanding. "I just want to ask you what you and the prince talked about."

From a distance, the two of them appeared to be having a friendly conversation, but Maurice was nearly scared half to death. Loyal to Xiang Yu, Maurice shook his head and tightly pursed his lips, determined not to betray him.

Han Xin expected this reaction. "If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine," he said, standing up. Maurice heaved a sigh of relief, but it was short-lived.

Han Xin leaned in closer, his voice a menacing whisper. "Just like I won’t tell you about your half-brother’s plot against your mother."

Maurice’s eyes widened in shock. Han Xin wasn’t lying. In his past life, he had paid close attention to anyone near Xiang Yu, and Maurice was one of them. Maurice’s mother had been found dead in her old house, her death presumed to be self-inflicted. But in truth, she had been murdered.

The Raunet family couldn’t let the shame of her existence run free, especially when they discovered she was trying to wash off her temporary mark. They had told her that if she wanted freedom, they would give it to her in the most brutal way possible.

Maurice’s fate had been a mystery to many, but Han Xin knew the truth. Years later, Maurice had joined his mother’s estranged brother and became a notorious space pirate, wanted for the murder of the Raunet family members, whom he killed one by one, each death more gruesome than the last.