* * *
Overcome by uncontrollable joy, Adam smiled brightly, his expression more radiant and full of life than the sunlight itself.
The Carlisle brothers watched his glowing face for a long moment.
The carriage procession didn’t arrive in Maynard until deep into the night.
As they entered the city, a young man in uniform approached with sharp, practiced movements and greeted them.
He was the son of a viscount and mentioned he’d heard the dukes were coming.
“You’re quick with the news. We intentionally told no one,” Chester remarked.
“Indeed. I even thought we might end up staying at an inn if things didn’t work out,” Isaac added casually.
The young man looked flustered at their exchange.
“An inn? Please, there’s no need for that. Stay at our manor. We’ll serve you with the utmost care.”
His eager face said it all.
He’d clearly caught wind of their visit and had been anxiously awaiting their arrival.
The dukes exchanged subtle nods as they observed the young man—future viscount, no doubt.
He beamed as he personally led the way.
“We’ll meet my sister tomorrow. It’s late,” Chester whispered softly as they stepped down from the carriage.
“Thank you for considering me,” Adam quickly added.
“Truly, thank you very much.”
“Hmph.”
Chester let out a short, deflated sigh as he studied Adam’s face.
“You look so much brighter now. It was worth coming all this way.”
“Adam, come here.”
Isaac extended a gloved hand toward him.
“People are waiting.”
“Ah, yes!”
Adam hurried his steps and looked up as they approached the manor.
It was stunning—its walls, a blend of marble and clay, shone faintly even in the darkness.
Balconies and terrace doors adorned with ironwork added elegance, but what truly captured the eye were the wisteria vines hanging from the walls.
The lush, purple flowers stood out beautifully against the pale exterior.
“It’s breathtaking even at night… It must be incredible during the day.”
The words slipped from Adam’s lips as he addressed Isaac, unable to keep silent about the manor’s beauty.
Though Isaac didn’t respond, the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
“It’s an honor to have you here.”
Inside the drawing room, several people stood respectfully.
A distinguished middle-aged man was first to greet them.
Adam could tell at a glance—this was the lord of the manor, the viscount himself.
“We’ve come to see the roses of Maynard,” Chester said cheerfully.
“Nowhere else grows roses as beautiful as here, after all.”
The viscount’s face lit up with pride.
“Of course. Especially our famous Maynard Rose Garden. You’ll lose track of time admiring the flowers near the lion statue. But first, how about a meal?”
“No need, we’ve eaten plenty during the journey,” Chester replied, waving the offer off.
Adam didn’t show it, but he silently exhaled in relief.
The carriage had been packed with meats, desserts, fruit—anything imaginable.
And if even a short time passed, Chester would inevitably ask if Adam was hungry and press food into his hand.
But Chester wasn’t the only one who fussed over him.
Every time Adam ate, Isaac’s sharp eyes would fixate on him, unwavering.
Adam practically froze under that intense gaze, which only drove him to eat as much as possible to satisfy them both.
“Well then, allow me to guide you to your rooms,” the viscount offered.
“After some rest, perhaps a bath? We’ve also prepared some entertainment for your enjoyment—drinks too, of course. There’s beer, strawberry wine, lemon liqueur—what would you prefer…”
“That won’t be necessary,” Isaac interrupted in a calm, low voice, stopping the viscount mid-sentence.
A subtle frown crossed his face as if remembering something.
“Rooms? Separate ones?”
“Yes, Your Grace. Naturally, our manor can’t compare to the grandeur of your estates, but I assure you, we’ll do everything to make your stay comfortable.”
“I already said, no need to go to such lengths. Your consideration is appreciated.”
Until then, Adam had remained quiet, knowing full well he didn’t have a place in this exchange.
But suddenly, he felt a firm grip tightening around his hand.
At some point, Isaac had taken his hand and was now holding it more securely than ever.
“Adam will share a room with me.”
Adam’s eyes widened.
‘Share a room? With who?’
But it wasn’t just Adam who looked puzzled.
“Oh? Brother, did I hear that right? You plan to sleep with Adam tonight?” Chester asked, clearly entertained, rubbing his chin as his eyes drifted toward Adam.
“And what if I don’t approve?” Chester added teasingly, his hand casually resting around Adam’s waist.
Adam inhaled sharply at the unexpected touch.
“I…”
Isaac spoke slowly, his tone flat and unreadable.
“Since when… do I need anyone’s approval?”
The lack of emotion in his voice made the room feel heavier.
Yet Chester’s expression remained just as composed.
“At the very least, you need mine,” Chester replied smoothly.
“After all, you’re not the only duke of House Carlisle.”
“…”
“Adam belongs to both of us. You know better than anyone—neither of us gets to keep him to ourselves.”
The air in the drawing room turned icy.
No one, not even Adam, dared to breathe.
But the two dukes remained perfectly calm.
Isaac appeared deep in thought before finally speaking again.
“Then… grant me permission.”
“You’re shameless,” Chester retorted with a soft laugh.
“Not happening.”
“Why? Are you trying to get under my skin?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it. Why stir up family drama on a trip?”
Chester smiled sweetly.
“I want to sleep with Adam too. That’s reason enough, isn’t it?”
Isaac’s brow furrowed at last, displeasure evident in his expression.
His brother’s imitations clearly irritated him.
Chester, for his part, feigned ignorance with a picture-perfect innocent face.
‘What… is happening?’
Caught between the two, Adam swallowed nervously.
He had known for some time that the two dukes’ attachment to him had deepened after the garden ball.
But he hadn’t expected their possessiveness to escalate to the point of sparring over him in someone else’s manor.
“Ahem.”
Adam, feeling things were getting out of hand, cleared his throat.
The eyes of the Carlisle brothers—and others—turned toward him.
His cheeks prickled for no reason.
“How about both of you sleep separately? Resting alone would be more comfortable for everyone.”
But neither Isaac nor Chester seemed to agree.
They simply raised an eyebrow, silently staring at him.
Their meaning was clear: ‘We don’t want to.’
‘Seeing them like this… they really do look alike. Brothers, without a doubt…’
Adam sighed inwardly and shook his head.
He tried to make a face that said ‘Don’t do this’, but got no response.
The increasingly heavy atmosphere made him feel awkward.
“I’ll prepare the largest room for you all.”
Surprisingly, it was the Viscount who solved the situation.
He had returned to the role of a smooth, capable host, as if he’d never been flustered.
“It’s spacious enough for all three of you to rest comfortably. The bed is large as well. Even with three people, there won’t be a problem. But just to be safe, I’ll have another bed brought in and placed next to it.”
Only after hearing those words did Isaac and Chester nod.
Chester, while thanking the Viscount, suddenly stifled a laugh.
His violet eyes sparkled as he looked at Isaac.
Isaac pretended not to notice the sly glint in Chester’s eyes.
* * *
Them bickering over Adam is so cute. 🤣