* * *
“Phew…”
After the doctor left, Adam let out a soft sigh.
Isaac tilted his head.
“What’s got you so restless? It hasn’t even been that long since we signed the contract.”
“I just worry, you know. What if…”
“What if?”
“…What if I’m infertile or something.”
Even saying the word infertile felt foreign on his tongue.
He never imagined a day would come when he’d be so concerned about whether or not he could get pregnant.
“Ahahaha.”
Chester burst out laughing.
Unlike Adam, he showed no anxiety.
On the contrary, he seemed amused by Adam’s nervousness.
“Then we’ll just have to do it more often. That should help the odds, right?”
“…”
“Why so tight-lipped? You look like you’re not thrilled with the idea.”
Chester’s lazy eyes curved with a smirk.
“You enjoy it too. Why pretend otherwise?”
“I’m not pretending…”
Adam mumbled, fiddling with his fingers.
He couldn’t lie and say he didn’t like it.
Every time their bodies came together, he reacted far too sensitively—and he knew it.
And so did they.
There was no point in denying it to someone who knew him that well.
His head felt like it was bubbling.
“I just get embarrassed, that’s all.”
“When will that shyness finally disappear?”
Chester reached out and grabbed Adam’s hand tightly, then let go.
Adam took a deep breath.
The sensation of his hand—hot and firm—lingered vividly.
“I’ll try… to work on it.”
“Haha, let’s see if that day ever comes.”
While they spoke, Isaac rose and walked to the window.
The flowers in the garden were releasing their fragrant breath.
Folding his arms, Isaac took in the scent.
“A calm mind and body, huh.”
A moment later, he spoke again. His gaze was fixed on the swaying branches outside, then he turned.
His ruby-red eyes locked onto Adam.
“Well? Anything troubling you lately? Or anything you’ve been craving? Food? Something you want to do?”
The unexpected kindness caught Adam off guard.
He stood up suddenly, stepping onto the golden silk carpet.
“There’s nothing at all. I have no complaints or desires. You both treat me better than I deserve.”
“Don’t deny it. Think carefully.”
Isaac’s voice was blunt, yet warm—meant only for Adam.
Hearing it, Adam fell into thought.
He furrowed his brow in concentration.
“I…”
He started, but quickly shook his head.
“No, never mind.”
“Say it.”
“It’s selfish, but… there is one thing.”
His voice was careful, almost shy.
Chester leaned in, curious now too.
With both their gazes on him, Adam looked down at the floor.
“I want to see my younger brother’s face.”
A dull ache spread through his chest.
Adam couldn’t help but feel like he was being presumptuous.
‘Wanting to see his brother’s face?’
They exchanged letters regularly.
And Emily’s condition had been improving, too—all thanks to the dukes’ kindness.
He knew that.
And yet he still dared to want more.
Adam quickly tried to play it off.
“Please ignore that. Really.”
“Don’t say unnecessary things.”
Adam looked up at the emotionless voice.
Isaac was standing straight, watching him.
Adam caught a fleeting smile in Isaac’s eyes—there one moment, gone the next.
“You should go meet her.”
“Pardon?”
“Your sister. Didn’t you say you wanted to see her?”
Adam blinked. What he just heard felt so unreal, like a dream.
“It’s quite a trip, isn’t it?”
“Perfect for a spring outing. Wasn’t it the hospital in Maynard?”
“That’s right, Maynard.”
It was Chester, not Adam, who replied.
He stretched out his long legs and yawned.
“A beautiful city, with rose gardens and lapis-blue rivers. Home to many distinguished scholars. Oh—and Dr. Myers, the one who got along so well with you, Adam. He lives there too.”
Chester smiled brightly.
“Let’s go together, Adam. I’d love to see your sister. And like my brother said, it’ll be a lovely spring trip.”
“Why…?”
The curiosity swelling inside him couldn’t be ignored.
“Why are you being so kind to me?”
Surprisingly, neither brother answered right away.
As if on cue, they looked at each other—like the answer might be written on the other’s face.
“Because you’re going to become the heir of House Carlisle. This much is the least we can do.”
It was Chester who answered first. His smile curled a little more than usual—maybe even awkwardly.
“And we said you should rest your mind and body.”
Isaac replied as well, then reached out to ruffle Adam’s hair.
His once-neatly combed hair was instantly a mess.
Looking like a bird’s nest, Adam stared blankly, unsure what just happened.
He couldn’t help but wonder if the two dukes seemed slightly flustered—or if it was just his imagination.
✧ ✧ ✧
When they said they’d go see Emily, it wasn’t just talk.
Multiple carriages, black horses, and royal guards were actually prepared.
Practically forced into one of the carriages, Adam couldn’t hide his dazed expression.
‘What is even happening right now?’
By the time he came to his senses, the carriage wheels were already rolling.
Lifting the velvet curtain slightly, Adam peeked out the window.
Soldiers in full armor were riding close by, guarding them.
“You should smile, Adam.”
A gentle voice tickled his ear. Adam turned toward the voice.
“You’re going to see the person you love most in the world, aren’t you? Aren’t you happy?”
It was Chester, sitting across from him beside Isaac.
The spring sunlight played through the windows, and the rocking motion of the carriage caused their golden hair to ripple lightly.
Admiring the shine, Adam swallowed dryly.
‘This really isn’t a dream…’
“You could’ve just sent me alone, honestly…”
“Didn’t my brother say this was a spring outing too?”
“I didn’t expect both of you to come…”
“Why?”
Chester let out a dramatic “Ah!” and teased:
“Was there someone else you wanted to come with? One of us, maybe?”
“Wha—?! N-No! Not at all! I never even dreamed of such a thing!”
“Ah, so there’s no one you wanted to come with?”
“T-That’s not what I meant…”
A cold sweat broke out.
Chester was sweet and kind, but also loved to tease.
Even knowing he didn’t mean anything by it, Adam always found himself getting caught in it.
Whether it was due to their contractual relationship or the effortlessly intimidating aura Chester gave off—he didn’t know.
Pressing the back of his hand to his flushed cheeks, Adam tried to cool down.
“Haha.”
Chester laughed aloud, his voice ringing like a clear bell.
He pulled open the curtain and nodded toward the small window.
“Live in the moment. Look outside—it’s a beautiful spring.”
He was right.
The fields outside were a mix of clover and wildflowers.
A fragrant breeze drifted by. In the distance were a few farmhouses, each adorned with blooming trees.
‘It’s strange, isn’t it?’ Adam thought, feeling the wind brush his nose.
‘Going on a spring outing with dukes… and I’m on my way to see Emily.’
Only then did his heart thud violently.
‘Emily… I’m finally going to see you.’
* * *
That exchange of look. They knew why they were kind to him.