* * *
“We don’t know what’s in their hearts. Just stay quiet.”
“Ugh, I’m just so curious!”
“Shh! They’ll hear us.”
As the father and son spoke, the room was filled with music.
Musicians played their instruments while a renowned female singer sang opera.
Standing at the front was the composer, confidently conducting the ensemble.
He was under the patronage of the Carlisle family and was personally presenting a piece he had written for the two dukes.
The opera was splendid.
True to its title, ‘Spirit of Spring’, it was warm and bright.
And yet, for some reason, the expressions of the two brothers seated on the long sofa were blank and indifferent.
“Brother,”
Chester whispered with a smile.
“You’re wearing the brooch. It suits you well.”
“……”
“Did you have a good conversation with Adam?”
At that, Isaac recalled the events of the previous night.
Adam had turned out to be a far more well-read young man than expected.
He shared insights from a broad range of studies without pause.
His calm voice was pleasant to listen to, and the stories he told were genuinely interesting.
Still, Isaac didn’t say that Adam was a cultured gentleman.
Chester’s expression, as he peeked sideways pretending to listen to the music, was too bright.
One wrong word, and Chester would surely pounce, eager to tease.
“Focus on the music, Chester. This whole setup wasn’t for nothing.”
“But hasn’t it already lost its meaning? Neither of us can focus, really. Our minds, or rather…”
Chester’s casual murmuring trailed off.
For a split second, an inscrutable light flashed through his violet eyes.
But just as quickly, he regained his composure, as if nothing had happened.
“Our thoughts are elsewhere.”
“……”
“Most likely… thinking of the same person. Perhaps… an Omega with red hair and green eyes.”
“Let’s save the opera for another time.”
Isaac signaled to Mrs. Byrne, the housekeeper standing nearby.
Without a change in expression, she clapped her hands twice.
The music stopped instantly, and the composer looked around, confused.
She leaned in and whispered something to him.
“But to stop the opera like this—if the piece didn’t please you, you could’ve just said so…”
Just as the composer was about to protest, she handed over the agreed payment.
The moment he received the pouch, his expression lit up.
Despite being a brilliant artist, the composer had a notorious spending habit and was always in need of money.
For the right price, he was willing to do anything—and so, he bowed deeply without complaint.
“Well then, why don’t we try something a little more entertaining?”
Watching the guests leave, Chester smiled.
“Something more entertaining?”
“Like you said, we went to great lengths to prepare this place. We’ve brought in beautiful spring flowers, even lit up Elendelle incense. It would be a waste not to enjoy the space.”
“And what are we supposed to do in here without music?”
“I’ve got something in mind.”
His low murmur carried a peculiar weight.
Isaac’s previously indifferent expression shifted slightly.
He had a feeling his brother was about to do something… unusual.
“Let’s call Adam.”
Their eyes met midair, a sharp clash between them.
Chester raised one corner of his mouth.
“I’ve got something fun to show you.”
With that, Chester rose from his seat.
His expression was calm, but inside, he was anything but.
Even while the music had played, all he could think about was Adam.
He wanted to see his face, his body.
The kind eyes, the bashful mouth, and especially those smooth, elegant fingers.
He couldn’t understand this overwhelming urge.
‘Why am I like this?’
‘It’s not like I have to see him… so why do I want to so badly?’
Chester glanced down at the bracelet on his wrist.
A thin gold band glimmered softly.
Adam’s face, from the moment he’d given the gift, shimmered in his mind.
The stirring impulse in his chest grew stronger.
“What do you think?”
Chester asked calmly, feigning indifference.
Isaac leaned back against the sofa and looked up at his brother.
In his narrowed eyes was an eerily sharp glint.
After a moment, he nodded silently.
Chester’s smile deepened.
Summoned, Adam entered the room.
The first thing to greet him was the sound of a piano.
Drawn in by the gentle melody, he took a few steps forward before realizing it.
“Welcome.”
Chester greeted brightly, playing the piano himself.
Adam was surprised to find that Chester played remarkably well.
He hadn’t expected someone skilled in swordsmanship to also be talented in music.
As he bowed politely, Adam noticed someone else sitting on the sofa.
A man who didn’t so much as glance up when he entered—Isaac.
Hesitating, Adam slowly approached and stood near him.
“Good morni—”
Before he could finish, his wrist was seized.
Isaac still stared straight ahead.
Holding his breath, Adam looked down at the man’s chiseled side profile.
Then, he noticed the brooch glittering on Isaac’s chest.
‘He’s wearing it again today.’
Did he really like it?
The tension in Adam’s chest softened, a warm relief blooming like a flower.
Just as his stiff mouth began to ease, Isaac yanked him forward.
Adam lost his balance and fell—right onto Isaac’s lap.
“Ah!”
Adam gasped.
Beneath him, he could feel Isaac’s firm thigh.
He tried to get up quickly, but Isaac wouldn’t let him.
Wrapping an arm around Adam’s waist, he pulled him in tighter.
“Who are you sitting on right now?”
“S-Sorry.”
“That wasn’t a question to apologize for. I asked for an answer.”
“I-It’s… you, Lord Isaac.”
The moment Adam said Isaac’s name, the man’s expression changed.
Where his eyes and lips had been void of emotion, something vivid stirred.
Adam didn’t know why—but swallowed hard.
“What are you two doing?”
The piano music stopped.
Chester walked over to the sofa, his tone playful.
“You’re clinging to each other like lovers.”
Adam’s face flushed red with embarrassment.
“N-No! I tripped. I’m sorry if I caused Lord Isaac discomfort—”
“No need to explain, Adam. I was just teasing.”
“Eh? Mmph—”
Chester kissed him.
His lips covered Adam’s, tongue softly coaxing the rigid one within.
Adam’s eyelids trembled at the pressure that gently enveloped his tongue.
Chester cupped both his cheeks, stealing his breath away, then nibbled his lips lightly.
“Haah… ha…”
As Chester pulled away, Adam panted heavily.
His own breathing sounded absurdly loud in his ears.
Grimacing in embarrassment, he felt Chester’s fingers trace his lips.
They lightly touched the spot he had bitten.
Clink.
The bracelet on Chester’s wrist shifted slightly.
Adam easily spotted the platinum band glinting softly.
‘Ah… so he really is wearing it.’
Even while catching his breath from the kiss, a surge of happiness rose in his chest.
“Why, Adam? Happy I wore your bracelet?”
Chester asked gently, quick to catch on.
Adam nodded with a whispered “Yes,” lips still tingling from the touch.
His breath brushed against Chester’s fingertips.
Chester’s eyes curved playfully as he tilted Adam’s chin upward.
“Ah!”
Isaac, who had been watching, suddenly bit Adam’s ear.
The moment his earlobe was caught between teeth, Adam let out a high-pitched sound before he even realized.
It felt like his hair was standing on end.
Without a word, Isaac caressed his ear with his lips.
He licked the spot he’d bitten, then blew gently against Adam’s earlobe.
Every time he did, Adam’s hips—perched on Isaac’s lap—twitched.
“Nngh… Ah, stop…”
* * *
