* * *
Adam hadn’t expected Chester to be this happy.
He stared, almost dazed, until Chester spoke playfully.
“What? First time seeing someone so happy to get a gift?”
“N-no. It’s just… you’re so pleased, I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“Did you get a gift for my brother too?”
Adam nodded.
Of course, he had prepared something for Isaac too.
A brooch adorned with gold and rubies—another carefully chosen item.
Chester’s smile deepened.
“Now I’m curious. Wonder how my brother will react. Can you tell me afterward?”
“Ah, yes. I’ll do that.”
“Good.”
With that, Chester lowered his head.
His soft lips touched Adam’s.
But he didn’t stop there—he kissed his cheek, and then his forehead.
The sudden string of kisses made Adam go stiff.
“You should go now.”
Chuu.
Chester kissed him on the cheek again.
It was a sweet peck, like one you’d give to a child.
Adam instinctively glanced around.
David had his mouth wide open, like he’d just seen something indecent.
The other people were all staring at the floor, clearly trying to hide their embarrassment.
“I—I’ll be going now!”
Overwhelmed by shame, Adam quickly left.
Chester’s bright, smiling face as he looked at the bracelet lingered in his mind.
For some reason, his heart pounded fiercely.
Isaac quietly looked down at the brooch.
His face showed no surprise or joy.
The lukewarm reaction made Adam freeze up.
‘Did I offend him?’
He knew it probably wasn’t the kind of accessory that would meet the Duke’s standards.
Still, he hadn’t expected such prolonged silence to mean outright dislike.
“That money was given to you to spend on yourself.”
At last, Isaac broke the silence.
His eyes shifted to Adam, who stood awkwardly before him.
“You should’ve bought something for yourself.”
“I just… really wanted to give you something. That feeling was too strong.”
“……”
“And, um, I did buy some things for myself too.”
“Not satisfying.”
Isaac let out a long sigh.
“Even when given money, you don’t know how to use it properly. Should I send you out again tomorrow?”
“N-no! That’s not necessary!”
Startled, Adam even waved his hands.
Money is best spent by those used to it.
For someone like Adam, who’d always lived frugally, the ordeal of spending a heap of gold coins in a single day was overwhelming.
Just that one day had been more than enough.
“Please use the rest for something else, Isaac. I’m begging you.”
“Now you’re begging, I feel even more tempted to make you spend more.”
“Ah, uh…”
Adam’s hastily waving hand flinched.
He couldn’t figure out what to say, his eyes darting around helplessly.
Seeing his clear distress, Isaac sighed again.
The once-strict eyes softened, if only a little.
“Put it on me.”
“…Pardon?”
“The brooch you bought. Pin it on me.”
Isaac placed the brooch into Adam’s palm, then bent forward, leaning in.
At the close distance, Adam flinched but reached out his hand.
Rustle.
The sound of fabric seemed louder than usual.
Adam looked down at the hand fastening the brooch.
His movements were slow from the tension.
“You said you bought something for yourself too?”
The question came from dangerously close.
Adam hated how his shoulders instinctively shrank at the sound.
“Yes, I bought some books.”
“What kind?”
“Um… books related to Eliadel. Folklore, history, things like that.”
Finishing with the brooch, Adam stepped back.
“Do you… like it at all?”
“No.”
Isaac answered without a moment’s hesitation.
Adam gave an awkward smile.
“Sh-should I take it off then?”
“Why?”
“Because you said you didn’t like it…”
Isaac shook his head.
“It’s fine. I know enough to appreciate the thought behind a gift.”
Then he gently brushed his fingers over the brooch.
Adam, who’d been watching blankly, finally focused on Isaac’s face.
Somehow, Isaac was smiling faintly.
It was the gentlest expression Adam had ever seen on him.
Just that small smile melted the coldness from his face like thawing ice.
‘Ah…’
Adam held his breath in silent awe.
A tingling warmth tickled down to his tailbone.
Maybe it was because he was used to that perpetually stoic face.
Relief flooded him, and his heart pounded fast.
Thump, thump, thump!
“Next time, I’ll buy it with my own money.”
Adam murmured, picking at the skin beneath his nails.
“I’ll find something you’ll really like.”
At that, Isaac tilted his head slightly.
The look that surfaced on his handsome face was… curiosity.
“What kind of thing?”
“I haven’t thought that far yet…”
Isaac lowered the hand that had been touching the brooch.
His gaze, now running over Adam, grew heavier.
The unreadable look in his eyes made Adam’s mouth clamp shut like a clam.
After a short pause, Isaac turned and sat down in his chair.
It felt like a signal to leave, so Adam bowed.
Just as he was about to turn and take a few steps back, Isaac opened his mouth.
“Sit.”
Tap, tap.
Isaac casually tapped the armrest of the chair.
“Let’s talk.”
“…Talk?”
“You went to Charlotte Academy, didn’t you? Not just anyone gets into that place.”
Adam shook his head to indicate that wasn’t quite true.
But Isaac didn’t seem to care.
“I want to hear what you studied.”
“I’m… not impressive. I probably won’t meet your expectations.”
“Doesn’t matter. No one meets my expectations anyway.”
“….”
Why does he want to hear about me?
Adam felt confused by Isaac’s sudden interest.
He’d never once shown curiosity before—so why now?
“…All right.”
For now, Adam just did as he was told.
He sat in the chair across from Isaac and took a deep breath.
“I studied a variety of subjects. The one I liked the most was…”
His calm voice filled the room.
Isaac listened quietly, occasionally touching the brooch on his chest.
Two butlers stood in front of the door.
Both men, father and son, bore a striking resemblance in appearance and posture.
From behind them, faint music drifted into the hallway.
“Father.”
Listening to the soft music, David spoke up.
“About Lord Chester… He was wearing the bracelet.”
Harry stared straight ahead, pretending not to hear.
“You know what that bracelet means, right?”
“I do.”
“…Lord Isaac was wearing a brooch. Aren’t you surprised?”
“Shh. Don’t say unnecessary things.”
Though he said that, Harry understood his son’s surprise.
He had been just as shocked when Isaac wore the brooch.
‘Of course I was surprised.’
Harry recalled the events of the morning.
When the servants opened the jewelry box, Isaac hadn’t even looked before saying, “Use that brooch.” Knowing what it was, Harry had been unable to hide his confusion.
It was a valuable piece of jewelry, sure—but hardly worthy of the Duke of Carlisle’s standards.
It was the kind of accessory you wouldn’t be shocked to find donated or discarded.
Completely average.
‘For him to choose that one himself…’
Every time he saw that brooch gleaming on Isaac’s chest, it felt like a dream.
Was he wearing it out of respect for the giver’s feelings?
But didn’t Isaac see Adam as nothing more than a breeding omega?
Harry swallowed a sigh and lowered his voice as much as possible.
“He’s thinking of the giver’s feelings.”
He tried to sound composed, but the tone that came out was hesitant, lacking confidence.
David stepped closer to his father.
“You know that’s not how they are.”
“….”
“Do you know how shocked I was? Lord Chester picked the bracelet himself and put it on.”
David wanted to tell him.
That Chester had smiled softly as he wore the bracelet.
That he held it up to the sunlight and said, “It’s plain,” like an honest critique—but made no move to take it off, despite that.
* * *
