* * *

“Is there no way to resolve this? I can’t stick by his side all the time. Isn’t there a medicine to suppress it or a way to break the imprint?”

Tacey thought for a moment before raising three fingers.

“There are three methods. First, you could imprint on him in return, creating a mutual bond.”

Lowell’s initial hope at hearing there were three options quickly deflated.

“Mutual imprinting can ease the anxiety and stabilize the situation. But imprinting requires intense desire and a strong pheromone reaction. It’s not something easily achieved.”

Lowell’s confidence sank even further.

He didn’t think he could bring himself to imprint on Felix.

“In stories, imprinting is often romanticized as proof of love or its ultimate expression. But in reality, it binds you to each other, often creating discomfort. Only hopeless romantics or those utterly consumed by love actively desire imprinting.”

Though Tacey’s tone remained calm, Lowell couldn’t help but feel agitated.

“What’s the second method?”

“Time. The symptoms are most severe immediately after imprinting. Typically, after two months, the anxiety diminishes—provided you don’t stay apart for extended periods during that time.”

This wasn’t a true solution either.

It meant Lowell would have to keep Felix close for at least two months.

“And the last one?”

“You break the imprint. While some may experience significant grief from the loss, it will eliminate the pain caused by the imprint.”

Finally, a somewhat practical solution.

Lowell leaned in, intrigued. “How do you break an imprint?”

“The mate must either die or lose their pheromone functionality.”

Lowell’s shoulders slumped. Tacey shook his head sympathetically.

“Waiting for two months seems like the best option. It might be inconvenient, but there’s little harm in it. You weren’t forced into this arrangement, were you?”

Tacey lowered his voice, ensuring the guards outside couldn’t overhear.

“No, of course not. I came here willingly,” Lowell quickly refuted.

“Then there’s nothing to worry about. Just think of it as guaranteed protection until the child is born.” Tacey rose, giving Lowell a reassuring pat. His nonchalant demeanor left Lowell wondering, ‘Is it really that simple?’

“What other imprinting symptoms should I expect?”

“For now, he may start building a ‘nest’ for his mate, become excessively jealous, or try to stay physically close to you to absorb your pheromones. I’ll bring you a book that explains imprinting in detail. It might help.”

“Thank you.”

“But remember, you mustn’t stay apart for too long. That’s the most important thing.”

In summary, all Lowell could do for now was tolerate Felix’s clinginess until the initial imprinting symptoms subsided.

‘If I let this go on, Felix won’t be able to focus on his work. I’ll need to cooperate to some extent.’

For the next few days, Lowell spent most of his time in Felix’s study. It was the only way Felix would sit down and handle his paperwork.

The study had gradually turned into Lowell’s space, complete with books he was reading and his apple tea on the table, along with a blanket and pillow haphazardly thrown on the couch.

Felix didn’t mind—if anything, he seemed pleased.

“Do you need anything else?” Felix even encouraged him to bring more items, as though he saw Lowell settling in as a form of nesting.

He appeared far less tense than when the imprint first occurred.

“This is enough,” Lowell replied, sipping his tea while flipping through the book Tacey had given him.

Although it was written in a language resembling English, it was slower going compared to reading Korean.

“If you plan to leave, let me know,” Felix said, signing a document.

But even if Lowell merely stood up, Felix would rush over as if drawn by instinct.

Lowell shut the book with a soft thud, gazing at Felix as sunlight highlighted his features.

Felix looked much calmer and happier compared to when they first met.

‘I hope he can stay like this even without me.’

But Lowell knew Felix’s current state of peace depended on his presence.

‘Becoming this attached to someone isn’t healthy.’

Still, voicing such concerns would undoubtedly upset Felix, so Lowell decided to postpone the conversation.

He didn’t want to disrupt their progress.

“Would it be okay if we toured the estate tomorrow?” Lowell asked.

Felix hadn’t left the castle since they returned.

While lords weren’t required to inspect their lands constantly, border territories like this often demanded more attention.

Felix paused mid-signature, his gaze shifting to Lowell. “Do you feel confined? Is the castle stifling you?”

It was a desperate voice, as if admitting it would cause the world to crumble.

“I asked you before to take me with you. I thought it would be nice to walk around warmly dressed. Plus, I think it’d be good to introduce the territory to the little one, too.”

Lowell agreed that stability was important, but he also thought staying cooped up like this wasn’t good either.

While inside the castle, he barely had any reason to set foot on the ground, which made his body itch for activity.

“Right. We’ll be living together from now on, so it wouldn’t hurt to take a look around.”

Felix emphasized the words “from now on” and “together” with a peculiar accent.

“Take a couple of days to look around. And make sure to bring some honey, just in case.”

At the playful comment, Felix frowned.

His morning sickness was still persistent, but he was relatively tolerant of foods containing honey.

Lowell even overheard the head chef muttering quietly, “They say couples start to resemble each other.”

Though the two weren’t yet married, Lowell had no excuse to refute.

”Eating food that smells like each other’s pheromones… even I think that’s a bit… excessive. We’re not some legendary couple, after all.”

Lowell sighed deeply to himself.

“All right. I’ll tell them to prepare for departure tomorrow.”

“None of those fancy carriages like last time. Let’s keep it low-profile, like when Your Grace visits the villages.”

“…Of course.”

Hearing Felix’s slightly delayed response, Lowell thought it was wise to have brought it up in advance.

”‘Otherwise, rumors of the Grand Duke visiting the territory in an excessively ornate carriage might have spread.’”

He was already anxious about what might happen.

---

The territory tour ended up taking a day longer than expected.

With Lowell accompanying, the number of escorts increased, and new accommodations had to be arranged.

Yet none of the knights or servants showed any signs of displeasure.

However, whispers like “They say late bloomers are the scariest, and the Grand Duke’s first love is no joke,” circulated.

“Still, who would’ve thought ‘he’ would actually fall in love?”

“Exactly. At first, I thought he’d just lock him up in a room and forget about him.”

Felix reportedly insisted three times to prepare a warm blanket for Lowell in case he got cold.

The butler, with an exasperated expression, ensured it was of the finest quality, while the servants quietly packed the best blankets, murmuring among themselves.

“At least the lack of curtains improves the atmosphere. At first, I wondered why they’d order such a thing.”

“Getting rid of all those lazy ones was a plus, too. There are still a few more who need to go. Why are all the newcomers under His Grace’s rule so incompetent?”

“My point exactly. And those who badmouth him behind his back were unbearable.”

The two servants placed their items inside the carriage and stepped out.

The long-unused carriage, polished to a shine, was ready for departure, leaving them astonished.

“Such meticulous care,” one sighed.

Seeing Lowell and Felix approaching from afar, the two exchanged glances and shook their heads again.

Felix, practically glued to Lowell, looked like a lovesick youth desperate not to let his first love slip away. And in truth, he wasn’t much different.

“Well, I guess it’s because he’s beautiful.”

It was a sentiment that naturally came to mind.

Lowell, with hair like it had been soaked in honey and a face that could bewitch even a fairy, had a striking appearance.

Despite his impressive height, he matched Felix perfectly, making them an enviable pair.

* * *