Blue Morning Series by Shoko Hidaka

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for mature audiences.

“I will serve you my entire life. In exchange, you bring the Kuze family the rank of count or higher.” The young viscount Akihito agrees to this condition laid out by his butler Katsuragi, who is thus forced into his arms. But no matter how deep their affair goes, Katsuragi’s attitude towards him remains cold. Akihito is plunged into a turmoil of fierce emotions, as frustrated by this unyielding distance as he is driven to violent passion by his butler’s cleverness and beauty... more“I will serve you my entire life. In exchange, you bring the Kuze family the rank of count or higher.” The young viscount Akihito agrees to this condition laid out by his butler Katsuragi, who is thus forced into his arms. But no matter how deep their affair goes, Katsuragi’s attitude towards him remains cold. Akihito is plunged into a turmoil of fierce emotions, as frustrated by this unyielding distance as he is driven to violent passion by his butler’s cleverness and beauty. The situation reaches a breaking point when master and servant are invited to a party at the Marquise Moriyama’s. less

Clinging to his fierce, unwavering love for Katsuragi, Akihito moves ever closer to an engagement to the daughter of Duke Sajo. Firmly focused on his future, Akihito asks his friend Ishizaki’s father to be his go-between in the marriage talks, but Ishizaki insists that in exchange he wants Tomoyuki Katsuragi! Around the same time, former houseboy Amamiya discovers mysterious documents relating to Katsuragi’s lineage.

Katsuragi’s lineage is finally revealed. Once the truth is discovered, he leaves the Kuze household for the Ishizaki home in an attempt to support Akihito from the outside. However, when rumors of Akihito’s impropriety reach his ears, he rushes back to see his young master. Akihito then makes the dramatic confession that not only has he broken off the engagement crucial to the rank Katsuragi is so proud of, but he has also made threats against Marquise Moriyama!