* * *
“So, where do you want to go today?”
“There’s a lockdown because of the resistance—wait, why are you even here?!”
Martius suddenly snapped out of it, remembering he was supposed to be organizing tasks assigned by his brother.
“Are you suicidal? You’re not even a full knight yet!”
“Wow. You do know I’m older than you, right?”
Instead of getting angry, Yuri just looked dumbfounded.
He chuckled and placed his hands on his hips.
“You don’t seriously expect me to respect someone who was bawling like a baby because he lost my brother, do you?”
“That’s—what if it wasn’t your brother?”
“Don’t fall for my brother.”
‘Why now?’
Yuri tried to argue back but couldn’t find the words.
His mouth opened and closed without sound.
“I just want him to be happy.”
“You mean… with the Duke?”
“That’s right. The Duke is the biggest luck my brother’s ever had.”
Martius could see it in the Duke’s eyes.
He was sure—this man would never abandon his brother.
“I’m sorry, but that person isn’t you.”
There was nothing two Omegas could do together.
It was a cruel truth, but Yuri and his brother had no future. No happiness.
Martius was ready to remove anything that threatened his brother’s happiness.
He couldn’t bear the thought of his finally-happy brother becoming miserable again.
“That’s not for you to—”
Yuri was about to argue, but his head dropped.
He mouthed silent words before finally speaking.
“I know. That’s why I’m trying not to.”
His deep voice was like a rusted blade sliding from its sheath.
“It’s dangerous because of the resistance, so I’ll go back. You won’t hear anything like this again.”
“…”
“You’re right—it’s not something that should happen.”
To desire someone he couldn’t even protect… it wasn’t right.
If the Duke had been in his place, he wouldn’t have lost the duchess so helplessly.
Carrying a regret he had buried, Yuri offered Martius a blank-faced farewell for the first time.
“I’ll just… be like before. Like a friend. Please let me.”
Yeah. That was enough.
With a bitter heart soothed, Yuri left, saying he would come again when the resistance settled down.
“…Haa.”
He shouldn’t have said it.
But it was something he had to say.
Martius rubbed his forehead, thinking this wasn’t the right time to say such things.
‘I’ll apologize later.’
What mattered now was that it was something his brother had ordered.
“How should I go about capturing the independence fighters?”
It seemed the rumor that Viscount Karl was funding the independence army wasn’t just a baseless one.
Some of the independence fighters vehemently denied ever taking money from an imperial dog, while others loudly accused the Viscount of receiving large sums and betraying the nation.
“Why are you the one thinking about that?”
…
Zeroth had entered through the same door Yuri had exited, now looking down at him.
When had he come in?
“I was hoping to earn some merit, if I could.”
“If you find the duchess, I’ll credit that merit to you.”
“That wouldn’t really be mine, would it?”
The Nertian viscount family had essentially crumbled.
If anyone started to suspect his actions, he needed a reason.
He had a ready-made excuse: ‘I just wanted to find my brother and proudly show what I’d done.’
“When my brother returns, I’ll offer him our family name with pride.”
“I doubt your brother will have any use for that name.”
“Still…”
After roaming around with that dejected little foal and Sylvian, he’d started wandering off alone more frequently.
Zeroth, who’d been watching people’s movements while searching for Sylvian, had finally caught on to Martius.
“It’s hard to find him because of the independence fighters. I was trying to think of a way to capture even a few and weaken their power.”
Martius swallowed hard.
The duke’s gaze, fixed on him, seemed to urge him to speak the truth.
If the duke found out, he’d be dead. If his brother found out, he’d also be dead.
His kidnapped brother’s personality had changed.
The timid and cautious tone he once used was gone.
He seemed like someone who no longer knew fear.
Martius felt uneasy, wondering if his brother was just forcing himself to act strong due to the trauma of being kidnapped.
“I can understand that. I’ll help you.”
Zeroth smiled darkly at Martius.
Having stayed awake for nearly a month, Paul had eventually forced him to take sleeping pills.
After a deep sleep, his mind felt sharper again.
‘There’s something here.’
This damn brat was clearly hiding something, his eyes darting around like he had something to conceal right in front of him.
Zeroth didn’t know what it was, but he had no intention of letting go of this spark of renewed hope.
“Just say the word. Whatever you want, I’ll make it happen.”
“Even help me gain a title?”
His face was different from Sylvian’s when asking how far the duke was willing to go.
Zeroth didn’t miss the slight twitch of Martius’ raised lips.
“If it helps in finding my wife, I’ll do whatever’s needed.”
In truth, he was so occupied dealing with the independence army that he could barely think straight.
Those caught were executed on the spot.
Every last one was killed immediately.
The emperor had ordered the purge of any remnants who had not been absorbed into the empire.
“Then please help me. I need the independence fighters.”
“How many?”
“About five high-ranking officers should be enough.”
Following his brother’s orders would be easier with the duke’s help rather than acting alone.
As long as the notes weren’t discovered, he’d be fine.
Whoever the bastard was, he too wanted revenge on the man who kidnapped his brother.
Martius curved his lips into a smirk, the expression of a villain trying to take full advantage of his brother’s misfortune.
“I’ll be counting on you.”
“Of course. It’s for my wife.”
After the duke gave him a long look and left the room, Martius collapsed into a chair.
[Duke Graham has started helping with the task my brother gave me. I probably won’t be able to send you notes as often.]
[Captured three independence army officers.]
[Still haven’t found a connection to Marquis Rooster.]
[Wait… Is that pink-haired guy really my brother?!]
After reading Martius’ note, Sylvian threw it into the fireplace.
A knock soon followed, and a maid came in saying the count’s daughter was asking for him.
“Roze, want to try this on?”
“…Isn’t this a skirt?”
“I found it because I thought it’d suit you!”
She hadn’t forgotten he was a man, had she? Sometimes, the maids used him as their dress-up doll.
“The lady will like it too. What do you think?”
“…Haah.”
Seeing the skirt, he blushed with embarrassment.
The maids insisted he’d look lovely, and he had no choice but to change into the dress they handed him.
“Pfft.”
“Please don’t laugh.”
Dressed in a light one-piece and even with makeup on his face, Sylvian looked so charming that Elizabeth couldn’t suppress her laughter.
“I was in a bad mood today, but it looks like the girls moved for my sake.”
Feeling awkward with the lower half so exposed, he pressed his legs together.
Elizabeth, sitting across from him, eventually let out a quiet chuckle.
“I’ll tell them to hold back. Lately, Duke Graham’s been capturing independence fighters like a madman.”
She watched him carefully.
The duke, who used to execute any discovered independence fighter immediately, had changed his methods.
She was convinced Sylvian had something to do with it.
She didn’t know what kind of information was being exchanged between the brothers, but the capital was now like a glass on the verge of shattering.
The cold was one thing—but Zeroth Graham was the real terror.
* * *
