Bondage and Marriage - 45

“Hmm…”

Noah was so deeply asleep that even when Ian sat right next to him on the edge of the bed, he didn’t stir at all. His flushed cheeks clearly showed how high his fever was. He had mentioned earlier that he wasn’t feeling well, and it seemed he really wasn’t.

Ian, who had been staring intently at Noah’s reddened cheeks, removed one of his gloves and placed his hand on Noah’s cheek. Since he had been outside, his hand was cool, and when it touched Noah’s heated skin, the frown on his furrowed brow began to relax little by little. Noah mumbled something unintelligible and turned his head slightly, pressing his forehead against Ian’s hand, like a small animal seeking affection.

Without much thought, Ian began to absentmindedly play with Noah’s disheveled hair, frowning slightly. Was what he did yesterday enough to cause Noah to be bedridden like this? Well, it had gone on a bit longer than usual… Thinking back, Ian admitted to himself reluctantly that perhaps he had been just a little too rough.

In hindsight, Ian realized he had been acting strangely yesterday. Usually, Ian’s purpose in being with Noah was to torment him. Ultimately, his goal was to infuriate Tanner. However, yesterday, it felt more like the roles had reversed—rather than tormenting Noah as a pretext to act, he had acted simply for the sake of tormenting him. Ian slowly withdrew his hand and glared at Noah, his gaze settling on Noah’s slightly parted, dry lips, which were releasing heated breaths.

Putting everything else aside, why had he kissed this omega? Of course, compared to everything else Ian had done to Noah, a kiss was nothing. Yet Ian didn’t normally kiss someone just to torment them. Kissing was not about inflicting pain; it was more about…

As Ian’s thoughts wandered, Noah let out a faint groan and shifted slightly, breaking Ian’s train of thought. Ian lightly patted Noah’s cheek to clear his mind.

“What are you going to do about this? Do you know how much Joseph is going to nag?”

Even when Ian spoke spitefully, Noah only furrowed his brow slightly, showing no other reaction. Losing interest due to the lack of response, Ian pinched Noah’s cheek absentmindedly. Because Noah’s body temperature was higher than usual, the warm and soft texture felt pleasant. Ian kneaded Noah’s cheek playfully, causing him to let out a low groan and furrow his brow further, but Noah still didn’t open his eyes.

“What are you doing right now, Ian?”

Just as Ian was beginning to enjoy teasing the deeply asleep Noah, a familiar voice interrupted him. Ian withdrew his hand and greeted the newcomer casually.

“Joseph, it’s been a while.”

“Half a year, to be exact.”

Joseph, visibly displeased by Ian tormenting a sick person, greeted him curtly. Joseph was Ian’s personal physician, someone he saw maybe once or twice a year for check-ups. He was also a distant relative through Ian’s maternal side. However, their familial connection was so remote that they were practically strangers.

Joseph glanced at Noah, Ian, and the room around them. While the room wasn’t unsuitable for someone to stay in, it didn’t seem appropriate for Noah Frost, if the man lying in bed was indeed Ian’s omega spouse. What had Noah done on their first day of marriage to earn such hostility? Joseph clicked his tongue inwardly and commented indirectly.

“I didn’t know you were someone who discriminates against omegas.”

“Oh, it’s not discrimination. It’s just… harassment.”

Joseph, who had known Ian since childhood, simply stared at him for a moment. As a child, Ian’s angelic appearance used to charm everyone around him, but his personality was nothing like his looks; he was more like a small devil. Ian had been so cunning that adults couldn’t understand why other children were terrified of him. As he grew older, his personality seemed to improve slightly, but after that incident, he had turned into someone with this charming personality.

Still, at least Ian had the decency to call a doctor when Noah was ill, which suggested he didn’t harbor outright malice toward Noah Frost. Joseph, knowing full well what Ian was capable of when he wanted to hurt someone, sighed inwardly.

“Hmm…”

Joseph approached Noah with his medical equipment, glancing briefly at Ian before returning his attention to Noah. From the pheromones lingering in the room, it was clear that they hadn’t knotted too long ago. Not today—likely yesterday?

As Joseph examined Noah, he noticed the faint bite marks and scars on his neck through the open collar of his shirt. Pretending to listen to Noah’s chest with his stethoscope, Joseph discreetly pulled the collar aside. The marks were so numerous and severe they almost seemed like those left by a wild animal. Knowing that alphas often acted on possessiveness and dominance, sometimes to the point of violence, Joseph checked Noah’s arms for defensive wounds but found none.

That was odd. Joseph thought back to how Ian had sat by Noah’s side earlier, teasing him relentlessly. Since when had Ian ever acted like this toward someone? Ian was usually indifferent to anything that didn’t directly benefit or harm him. Although Joseph didn’t know the exact circumstances, something about the situation made him suspicious. He found himself staring at Ian.

“Why do you keep looking at me?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Ian, irritated by Joseph’s glances, frowned deeply. Joseph dismissed his suspicions and focused back on Noah, but he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. Was it just his imagination?

Just then, Noah stirred, groaning softly as he opened his eyes. Despite Ian pinching and teasing him earlier without waking him, the conversation between Ian and Joseph, coupled with the bright lights Joseph had turned on, had roused him. Ian glanced at Noah immediately. Noah’s feverish eyes blinked slowly, clearly struggling to focus.

“Oh, Mr. Frost.”

Joseph greeted Noah softly. His tone was as polite as usual.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Joseph Fisher, the family doctor of the Millers. Please feel free to call me whatever you like.”

“…Hello, Doctor.”

Noah’s voice, cracked and worn out, made Ian feel a slight pang of guilt. After all, Noah had cried and begged so desperately yesterday… Ah, it was so satisfying. The momentary guilt was soon replaced by Ian savoring the memory of the previous day. He licked his lips subtly. Noah glanced at Ian weakly before flinching as Joseph approached. It was a typical reaction for an omega experiencing their first knotting, heightened sensitivity to pheromones making them uneasy, especially when an alpha got close. Well, of course, Ian thought smugly. I was probably his first for everything.

Joseph finished examining Noah, though not without scolding Ian a bit. To help Noah rest, Joseph applied a sleep-inducing patch to his skin, and Noah soon drifted off. Ian, watching Noah’s drowsy blue eyes close, turned to Joseph when his name was called.

“Ian, just a personal question… How many times a week do you and Mr. Frost engage in relations?”

“Hmm… I haven’t really counted, but at least seven times?”

Ian made it a point to visit Noah at least once a day, sometimes twice, morning and night. On particularly active weeks, it could be eight or nine times. Joseph frowned at Ian’s response, his expression quickly shifting to one of disapproval.

“Alright, then… Please step out for a moment.”

“…Step out?”

“Ah… No, on second thought, it’s probably better if you stay here.”

Without waiting for a reply, Joseph approached Noah and pulled back the blanket covering him. As he reached for the waistband of Noah’s comfortable pajama pants, Ian immediately grabbed his wrist, glaring openly.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m performing an examination and administering treatment. Considering how often you’ve been doing that, his condition below can’t possibly be fine.”

Joseph’s tone was full of reproach, making Ian’s frown deepen. Most people would have been silenced by Ian’s expression alone, but Joseph wasn’t just anybody—he had been Ian’s doctor for years for good reason.

“I’m not here to meddle in your marital relationship, but don’t you think you’re overdoing it? It’s ridiculous to have someone end up bedridden due to exhaustion from overindulgence. Honestly, it’s embarrassing…”

Ugh, here we go again, Ian thought bitterly. A few years ago, when Ian had collapsed from overworking himself to pursue revenge, Joseph had scolded him incessantly. Still, Ian felt a bit guilty hearing the word “exhaustion.” It seemed absurd—and maybe unfair—to blame overindulgence. He was mindful enough to take Noah’s condition into account, wasn’t he? Besides, Noah seemed fine overall. He even maintained himself well enough to endure more… But, of course, Joseph didn’t know all that.

“Even if you’re in your prime, some self-restraint would be good,” Joseph chided, tucking the blanket back over Noah with care. Ian grumbled inwardly about why he disliked calling Joseph in the first place.

Since Noah’s fever was quite high, Joseph decided to stay at the mansion until the next day. Ian arranged a guest room for Joseph and returned to his study, where unfinished work from the earlier party awaited him. It was around 2 a.m. when a knock sounded at the door. Joseph entered.

“Mr. Frost’s fever hasn’t gone down, so I’m planning to prescribe an antipyretic. Just letting you know.”

Ian glanced at the clock. It had been hours since Miriam had called him earlier in the evening. The fever must have started long before that. Ian sighed and rubbed his temples.

“Speaking of which, didn’t Wise Biotech recently release a new antipyretic?”

“Ah… Yes, that one. It’s effective, with minimal side effects and good analgesic properties, but…”

Ian was always briefed on promising new products, which was why he knew about this one. The release had caused a significant stock surge, and Ian had profited nicely from it. As Joseph trailed off, Ian raised an eyebrow, unfamiliar with the details.

“Adults aren’t too fond of the new drug, so we only use it in emergencies. In this case, an injection might be better.”

“If it’s the most effective, we should use it.”

Ian, ever pragmatic and efficiency-driven, stated firmly. His commitment to practicality extended to his hiring practices, making his company known for employing people of all backgrounds. Joseph’s next words, however, made Ian pause.

“It’s a suppository. Are you alright with that?”

Ah, a suppository… Ian hadn’t considered that. He had assumed it would be a pill or injection. Changing his mind, Ian decided there was no reason to avoid the most effective option.

“I’ll handle it. Just give it to me.”

Ian spoke casually. Joseph reasoned that it would indeed be better for Ian to do it rather than a third party. After stepping out momentarily, Joseph returned with a small pouch, though he still looked doubtful. Surely, they wouldn’t… No, surely not again. Ian cheerfully took the pouch and headed to Noah’s room, convincing himself that this was entirely an act of goodwill.