* * *
“Ha.”
Meanwhile, Chester stood by the window.
On the table beside him lay a list of noble families.
He had been reviewing who to invite to the ball—at least, until his gaze happened to drift outside the window.
“David, come take a look at this.”
David, who had been standing behind him, wore a puzzled expression.
Chester, arms crossed, gestured with his chin.
“Oh?”
David approached and widened his eyes.
Outside, in a clearing of the garden, stood none other than Isaac and Adam.
The two were dancing, holding each other closely.
Even from a distance, it was obvious Adam was flustered and awkward.
“He’s terrible at dancing.”
“He said he wasn’t confident in it.”
“Adam did?”
Chester tilted his head.
“Well, I can understand Adam, but what’s he doing? Don’t tell me he’s actually giving a dance lesson.”
“That… seems to be the case.”
“Is Isaac really the type to teach anyone?”
“……”
David remained silent.
‘The type to teach? Absolutely not.’
Isaac was a man of many talents—swordsmanship, military strategy, philosophy, even the arts.
But because he was so brilliant, he had no understanding of ordinary people.
His only response to incompetence was a cold, disdainful glare.
“They say affection can sneak up on you… Still, I never thought he’d grow attached.”
“Aren’t you the same, sir?”
“Me?”
“You care deeply for Lord Ross.”
Chester lifted his hand to stroke his chin.
After a brief silence, he spoke in his usual light tone.
“Of course I care. He’s going to bear my child, isn’t he?”
He said it in a joking tone.
But David, who had served Chester for a long time, sensed something different.
‘There was a pause, wasn’t there? Normally, he’d respond right away.’
Chester’s gaze remained fixed out the window.
The two dancing close together looked unusually intimate.
To a stranger, they could easily be mistaken for lovers.
As he continued to watch, a conversation from some time ago came back to him—a game of chess and an exchange of words with Isaac.
“It’s not that I haven’t thought about it.”
At the cryptic remark, Chester blinked.
Isaac wasn’t looking at the chessboard anymore but at his younger brother.
“Presenting Adam at the ball—do we really need to? It may be unnecessary.”
Isaac’s voice was calm, as always.
“Everyone already knows the extent of our power. It might just be overkill.”
“Hmm.”
Chester leaned slightly toward him.
“You’re right, brother. Everyone knows we hold exceptional power. But still, there are those who don’t see it as absolute. Fools who believe they can drag us down and shatter us.”
Isaac gave a small nod. Chester continued.
“Sometimes, a show of strength is necessary. We need to make sure they don’t even think of trying. Show them clearly that it’s out of their league.”
“I get what you’re saying.”
“But your face says you still have doubts.”
“I just wonder if there’s a need to put Adam in front of them. What if it exposes him to danger?”
Chester almost laughed. He hadn’t expected his brother to say something so… soft.
“He’s not even pregnant yet. If something goes wrong, we can just replace him.”
The moment he said it, Isaac’s eyes flashed.
His gaze sharpened like a blade, and Chester frowned.
‘Was that… anger? Just from imagining it?’
That reaction was unexpected.
“I’m just speaking in hypotheticals. Nothing will happen to Adam. Who would dare touch him—especially at our own ball?”’
“He’s the one I chose.”
“……”
“I put effort into selecting him. I won’t be replacing him.”
‘Won’t be replacing him, huh.’
Chester realized then—his brother cared for Adam far more than he let on.
He ran a hand slowly down his neck.
Strangely, he didn’t feel too great.
“You’re not… falling for him or anything, are you?”
“Pardon?”
“No, it’s nothing. Brother just seemed very… happy.”
David glanced between Chester and the window.
Chester’s expression was unreadable.
He kept staring at the two dancing.
If David didn’t know better… he’d almost say Chester looked jealous.
Jealous, huh.
If Chester ever found out what he was thinking, he’d never hear the end of it.
Not wanting to provoke his master, David kept his mouth shut.
Time passed quickly.
The three men’s shared nights had temporarily come to a halt to prepare for the upcoming ball.
Not that there was time anyway—after a lesson, Adam could barely manage to lie down in bed the next day.
Adam wasn’t sure whether he should be glad that they weren’t having sex for a while.
In its place came various lessons.
The most shocking, by far, was dance instruction—because Isaac insisted on being his personal teacher.
Adam was so startled he jumped. Isaac frowned at his reaction.
“Do you not want me to?”
‘Who do you think you’re saying that to?’
The pressure in his tone made Adam shake his head quickly.
“I know you’re busy… It’s fine if the dance teacher teaches me.”
“It’s fine by me. Just think of it as dancing instead of sex—for both of us.”
“……”
“What? Disappointed?”
Adam felt his heart drop like a stone.
He couldn’t say no.
Lately, every night, his body heated up without permission.
His omega scent would waft out, desperate for sex.
He wanted to be ravished—wanted strong arms to hold him tightly.
Amid those surging urges, his lower entrance would twitch involuntarily.
Adam buried his face in a pillow and groaned, trying to sleep, but the itch deep inside wouldn’t let him.
In the end, last night… he’d ended up pleasuring himself.
Grinding against the sheets, then sliding a hand down.
His hesitant fingers eventually explored inside.
The soft, wet folds parted and sucked his fingers in.
He gasped, pressing into the hot, tender flesh.
Only then did he finally feel relief.
“…No, sir.”
His voice cracked from the lie.
Anyone could tell he was shaken.
Adam squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again.
Isaac stared at him silently, lips twitching as if amused.
“I’ll hold you once the ball is over. Until your body breaks.”
Isaac murmured as he took Adam’s hand.
His low whisper sent a chill down Adam’s spine.
He wasn’t sure whether it was anticipation or fear.
In the end, Adam began learning to dance with a mix of feelings he couldn’t quite name.
“I almost wish it would just end quickly…”
Muttering to himself, Adam thought of his dance teacher.
Hearing this, Lily gave him a worried look.
“It must be exhausting, isn’t it? There’s so much to learn.”
“Haha… Yeah, I guess there’s no helping it.”
“But tomorrow’s the ball at last. Just hang in there a little longer.”
Adam nodded and looked ahead.
On the table were countless boxes, each filled with neatly folded clothes.
They all looked expensive.
“I don’t have to try on all of these, do I?”
Adam was dismayed—and Lily answered with a sympathetic smile.
“All of them?”
“We have to find the one that suits you best. Just a bit more effort, Adam.”
“Oh, good grief…”
Leaving the despairing Adam behind, Lily began sorting through the clothes.
Her eyes sparkled with sharp focus as she quickly selected a few outfits.
“How about we try these combinations first?”
“Do whatever you want, Lily…”
* * *
