* * *

Treason?

At that terrifying word, Etienne gaped for a moment, blinking his eyes before quickly regaining his composure and speaking up.

“T-treason? Treason?”

Etienne, a young man living in the 21st century, knew the gravity of treason.

In historical dramas, treason always led to the annihilation of three generations and death through gruesome torture.

The thought that he and Lucian might face such torture made Etienne shudder, and he hastily began asking questions.

“Wait, so the Duke committed treason that day? Because of me?”

“Strictly speaking, that’s not the case. It’s not explicitly stated in the law. It’s more like an old custom. But still…”

Facing the pale and naive young man, Ferden continued to speak cautiously.

“It’s best to avoid unnecessary rumors.”

“No… uh…”

Etienne was still reeling from the shock, muttering incoherently.

He never imagined there would be such a backstory to that ball.

Lucian’s complete nonchalance and usual demeanor made the impact even more significant.

“But why is it considered treason? Isn’t Alpha Hieron said to be blessed by God, something everyone worships?”

“That’s precisely the problem, Mr. Harrington.”

“Excuse me?”

“Branch royalty possessing that sanctity can threaten the direct royal line.”

In the distant past, Alpha Hieron was merely revered and worshipped.

However, over time, the meaning of Alpha Hieron subtly changed.

Throughout the empire’s history, it wasn’t rare for an heir to manifest as a regular Alpha.

When that happened, branch royalty who manifested as Alpha Hieron often used their sanctity as justification for rebellion.

After several such rebellions, the royal family became very wary of branch royalty manifesting as Alpha Hieron.

The pressure on branch royalty manifesting as Alpha Hieron and the reduced reverence for the trait were all for these reasons.

“Do you know why most Alpha Hieron appear among the direct royal family, Mr. Harrington? It’s because when Alpha Hieron appeared in branch royalty or high-ranking noble families, they were quietly eliminated.”

“That’s…”

“To survive, they had to damage their pheromone glands at a young age, create other disabilities to escape being targeted, or live their entire lives hiding their trait as a regular Alpha.”

In the past, it was not uncommon for branch royal children born as Alpha Hieron to have parts of their bodies mutilated or be castrated.

Though such practices have ceased, Alpha Hieron is still not a trait that can be freely revealed unless one is of the direct royal line.

Until the incident at the ball, Lucian had never publicly displayed his trait even once.

Hearing this explanation, Etienne was on the verge of fainting from shock and managed to speak.

“Then the Duke is really okay, right? He won’t be beheaded or branded with a hot iron, right?”

“Yes, there’s no need to worry about that.”

Of course, Lucian had carefully assessed the situation.

The current emperor had three grown sons.

All of them were outstanding in character and ability, with a close bond.

Among them, two, including the crown prince, had manifested as Alpha Hieron.

This meant that Lucian manifesting as Alpha Hieron did not pose a significant threat to the emperor or the crown prince.

“His Majesty’s favor towards the master is absolute.”

Moreover, Lucian’s father was twenty years younger than the emperor, being a much younger sibling.

The emperor cherished Lucian’s father like a son rather than viewing him as a rival.

As his beloved younger brother gradually lost his mind and eventually took his own life, Lucian, his surviving bloodline, naturally became the emperor’s precious concern.

Pouring all the love he would have given his lost brother into Lucian, the emperor cherished him dearly, making the fear of treason and execution unnecessary for Lucian.

“And my master is an extraordinary person.”

Above all, Lucian’s exceptional abilities were noteworthy.

Ferden vividly remembered the day when people were astounded by Lucian’s invention of the transistor at a young age.

In developing war weapons, Lucian showed genius.

Bombs and gunpowder, under his hands, exhibited several times more power.

Who would dare to antagonize the empire’s greatest talent and treasure?

Lucian’s confidence was well-founded.

“I think I scared you too much. I merely wanted to occasionally have you dissuade the master.”

But still, there’s a limit to how wild one can be.

Before meeting Etienne, Lucian was manageable.

After meeting him, he became uncontrollably reckless.

So Ferden’s true feelings were closer to “I don’t expect you to stop him, just please don’t encourage him more.”

Realizing the gravity of what Lucian had done for him, Etienne nodded blankly, still in shock.

“Yes, I’ll do that…”

He always knew Lucian was mad, but now he realized he was far madder than he thought, on this momentous day of revelation.

“You don’t have to worry too much, Mr. Harrington. I was just meddling. You can ignore it if you wish.”

“No, thank you for telling me. I really had no idea.”

Absorbed in this new truth, Etienne’s shock turned to anger, raising his voice.

“Why didn’t the Duke tell me any of this?”

Why would it be?

It’s because of you… because I thought you’d like it.

Etienne swallowed the answer that only he didn’t know, while Ferden shook his head.

Seeing such a clueless expression made his master seem a bit, really just a tiny bit, pitiful.

Overall, though, it was more amusing.

Anyway, having said everything he needed to, Ferden slightly bowed and spoke politely.

“Shall I prepare the meal?”

“Oh, yes. I’d appreciate that.”

“Please wait a moment, I will bring food that is easy on the stomach.”

After Ferden left with a courteous bow, Etienne grumbled, venting his frustration at the blankets and pillows.

‘Why! Why didn’t he tell me about such an important matter?’

‘If being charged with treason is a possibility, shouldn’t I be informed? ‘

‘I almost asked to see it again without knowing anything!’

And the imprint, the imprint too!

No matter how great and wonderful a patron he is, this goes too far.

‘Just wait until he comes, I will give him a piece of my mind.’

Muttering complaints internally, Etienne finished his meal and then secluded himself in the lab.

Lucian had told him to rest, but Etienne wasn’t one to listen.

A few hours passed, and Etienne was peering through the microscope, ignoring his mounting back pain and headache.

A familiar voice came from the lab door.

“I’m pretty sure I told you to rest.”

Etienne quickly lifted his head and looked toward the lab door.

There stood the handsome, well-built Alpha, dressed in his uniform for the first time in a while.

At the moment their eyes met, joy, pleasure, and satisfaction were evident in Lucian’s violet eyes, but Etienne’s green eyes did not mirror those feelings.

Etienne slapped the table and stood up, striding angrily toward Lucian.

“Duke… Ugh!”

But then he grimaced in pain, his back seizing up, and he staggered.

“Ow…”

“Oh dear, Etienne.”

Luckily, Lucian ruhed over and caught him just in time, preventing him from falling to the floor.

As Etienne clung to his waist, a refreshing and clear scent brushed past his nose.

It felt somehow even more comforting and pleasant than usual.

Momentarily entranced by the Alpha’s pheromones, which felt more sweet than usual, an equally sweet voice whispered in his ear.

“You need to be careful.”

* * *