* * *
Spring deepened quickly.
The wind had grown noticeably warmer, and pale green leaves had sprouted fresh and lively.
The Carlisle estate garden was filled with the scent of blossoms, lifting everyone’s spirits.
On a dazzling spring day, bright as a jewel, Adam was sitting in his room.
Lily stood in front of him, wearing a shy expression.
Her green dress was stunningly beautiful.
The outfit suited her cute appearance so well that Adam clapped his hands together.
“You look lovely.”
He spoke softly, like an older brother doting on his little sister—then suddenly burst into laughter.
It was because Dean, standing nearby, couldn’t keep his mouth shut at the sight of Lily.
The moment Adam’s clear laughter rang out, Dean coughed awkwardly.
“You l-look great.”
His stammered words left his face red as a beet.
He realized too late just how openly he’d admired her. Embarrassed, Lily shook her head.
“Thank you again. If it weren’t for you, Adam, I never would’ve worn something like this in my life.”
“It wasn’t my money, you know. You should be thanking the two dukes.”
“But you were the one who chose to use it. I’m just so happy to receive such a gift. Really, I’m… so happy.”
Tears welled in Lily’s eyes as she spoke.
Surprised, Adam quickly offered her his handkerchief.
But instead of taking it, Lily threw her arms around him in a tight hug.
Adam’s eyes widened at the girl suddenly pressing against him.
But only for a moment—an odd warmth stirred in his chest.
‘Emily would love this too.’
Without meaning to, he thought of his younger sister Emily, who was about Lily’s age.
How amazed would she be to see such beautiful dresses?
He could clearly picture her troubled face as she tried to choose what to wear.
Adam gently patted Lily’s back and let out a quiet sigh.
‘Emily… I miss you.’
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Lily startled and pulled away, quickly wiping her eyes.
“I’ll go change now.”
“No, stay. You can change later.”
As the two exchanged words, Dean opened the door.
Standing there were David and a young servant.
David stepped inside and greeted Adam cheerfully.
“What a lovely day. Isn’t the weather glorious?”
As he spoke, David noticed Lily in her new dress.
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
He’d already known Adam had been giving gifts to those around him, so rather than being surprised, David simply offered an easy compliment.
“You look beautiful, Lily. Did you thank him properly?”
“Yes, sir.”
“It’s a fine dress. Take good care of it.”
Unlike David, who spoke casually, the young servant couldn’t hide his surprise.
Seeing a lowly maid in such an expensive gown was shocking, to say the least.
His eyes darted toward Adam, wide with disbelief.
“A thank-you gift? That Omega gave her the dress?”
He’d looked down on Adam, assuming he was just a breeding tool—an Omega brought in solely to bear children.
He thought Adam was a base, shameless creature, but it seemed he was receiving more affection than expected.
Enough to be giving out expensive dresses to maids?
“Still just a whore who came here to sell his body.”
He tried to scoff, but it rang hollow even to him.
While the servant seethed quietly with envy, Adam took a seat beside David.
David pulled something out from inside his coat.
“What is this?”
“An invitation. We’re sending them out to the noble families soon.”
Adam blinked as he took it.
“It’s for a spring ball. You’ve noticed how the flowers are all in bloom lately, haven’t you? We’re holding a grand ball in the garden so everyone can enjoy the season.”
“Oh… Is that why you came?”
“Exactly.”
David nodded.
“Lord Ross, you’ll be playing a very important role at this ball.”
“Me? What do you mean?”
Adam looked puzzled. An important role?
He couldn’t even begin to guess what that might be.
David gave him a small, knowing smile.
Before coming to see Adam, he had stood in a room with the two dukes.
They were seated across from each other, playing chess.
“You mean Lord Ross?”
“Yes.”
The one who answered was Chester.
He sat with his legs crossed and an air of calm confidence, clearly thinking the chessboard favored him.
“We’ll introduce Adam at this ball. This is the Omega who will bear our child.”
“May I ask why?”
“Why?”
Chester’s violet eyes curved into crescent moons.
“Adam represents our power. No other family would even dream of producing an heir without marriage. Why is that? Because in noble society, marriage means alliances between families. But we don’t need arranged marriages. The reason is simple—we’re powerful.”
David had heard this reasoning before.
Still, he hadn’t thought they’d actually present Adam in front of the other nobles.
Some of them were surely itching to take the Carlisle family down.
Why parade such a kind, gentle soul in front of people like that?
It was only then that David realized how fond he’d grown of Adam.
‘Poor thing. No matter how kind the dukes are, in the end he’s just a tool to them.’
Just as sympathy stirred in his heart, Isaac made a move on the chessboard.
Chester’s easy smile faltered for the first time.
“Tch.”
Chester grimaced with a smile, turning his focus back to the game.
Meanwhile, Isaac glanced toward David.
“So train him. Turn him into someone suitable to be shown off.”
Recallingthe two masters’ command in his head, David looked at Adam, who blinked back at him in confusion.
“Ahem, in any case, you must attend this ball. The two lords insist on it. You’ll soon begin training in preparation—dancing, card games, etiquette… everything needed for polite society.”
“Dancing?”
Adam’s cheeks flushed red.
“Yes, is that a problem?”
“I… I can’t dance. I’m so bad I can’t even do it in front of people… Is that okay?”
“We’ll bring in an excellent instructor. Don’t worry.”
Even with David’s gentle reassurance, Adam’s face remained pale.
Dancing, of all things. Anything but that.
‘This is bad…’
Could he really manage it?
The thought alone made his mind go blank.
* * *
