* * *
“They couldn’t have chosen just anyone. Have you heard anything about him?”
“I know something.”
At the clear voice, the nobles turned.
A young man wearing glasses stood there.
He was the second son of the Sloane family and a graduate of Charlotte Academy, an elite institution.
Despite his prestigious schooling, the nobles’ eyes were indifferent.
The Sloanes were far from being a powerful noble house, and the man himself was unremarkable apart from his education.
“He went to school with me. In fact, we were classmates.”
“Classmates?”
Only then did the nobles show interest.
“So he’s from Charlotte Academy as well?”
“Yes, though that’s pretty much all he has going for him.”
The nobles began gathering around Sloane.
His face lit up ever so slightly, clearly enjoying the sudden attention.
“He was from a fallen noble family—barely scraping by. Even attending Charlotte Academy was…”
Just as he was about to launch into his story, Sloane stopped and flinched as he caught sight of someone.
His voice faltered in surprise.
“Adam Ross…?”
His jaw dropped, prompting confused looks from the nobles.
What could he be seeing to shock him so?
Their eyes followed his gaze—and soon, they too spotted the unfamiliar young man.
The youth stood before a group of servants, awkwardly staring at a tree.
He looked tense, but there was nothing unrefined about him.
If anything, he was more captivating than anyone else present.
His neatly swept-back hair glowed like crimson roses, and his green eyes sparkled brightly.
His clean, delicate features and upright posture radiated the elegance of any noble.
“What a handsome young man.”
Someone whispered in awe.
As soon as the nobles laid eyes on the red-haired youth, they instinctively recognized him as the omega.
He looked nothing like the stunning beauty or seductress they’d imagined.
The nobles instantly realized he wasn’t merely some tool for breeding.
“This is unexpected.”
“Indeed, quite the surprise. Someone so upright-looking… how did he end up in such a role?”
“But then again, we’re talking about the Dukes of Carlisle. Those two wouldn’t have chosen just anyone.”
The most shocked of all was Sloane.
He only remembered the Adam from their academy days.
Yes, even then
Adam was good-looking and had a quiet allure.
Especially his pheromones—they’d stirred something in Sloane, an alpha, in a strange way.
But that was it. Adam had always worn shabby clothes, with bluish shadows hanging under his eyes.
Though tidy, he carried an inescapable gloom.
Sloane had always looked down on him—a poor student who happened to be smart.
That’s how he’d seen Adam.
‘And yet now… he’s like a completely different person.’
This Adam was dazzling. His skin was paler and smoother, like a perfectly peeled, soft-boiled egg.
His red hair gleamed with luster, and most notably, the shadows under his eyes were gone.
He even radiated a brightness Sloane had never seen before.
‘He must be getting spoiled with affection.’
Sloane examined Adam’s outfit.
Stylish clothes, a brooch embedded with rubies.
And that wasn’t all—his bracelet caught the light as he walked, sparkling with every step.
Sloane touched his chin and swallowed hard.
The newly bloomed rose before him stirred his lust.
“I want to take him to a room.”
Unaware of all this, Adam mumbled just loud enough for those behind him to hear.
Lily and Dean, standing just behind him, nodded in understanding.
“Shall I bring you something to eat, Adam? Or maybe some champagne?”
“No, I’m okay. I feel like I’d get indigestion if I ate anything right now.”
Every single person was staring at Adam.
Countless eyes scanned him from head to toe.
He swallowed dryly.
‘They all know I’m the omega.’
How absurd this must look to them.
Why would someone like him attend a ball meant only for the noblest of nobles?
Surely some of them were already scorning him like he was filth.
Adam fidgeted with his fingers and took a deep breath.
The trembling at the end of it betrayed his anxiety.
“…Haah.”
Just then, he felt someone’s presence, and a strong arm wrapped around his waist.
Adam’s eyes widened at the firm, root-like grip.
A gentle voice whispered into his ear.
“Why are you so nervous?”
Lifting his head, Adam met Chester’s gaze. Chester’s languid eyes curved in a soft smile.
“You’re beautiful, Adam.”
It was a tender, affectionate compliment—one that carried a resonance difficult to resist.
Slowly, it seeped into Adam’s chest.
At the word beautiful, he could hear his heart pounding violently.
Thump, thump, thump.
A reaction he couldn’t understand.
Why was his heart trembling like this?
‘I’m just embarrassed by the compliment. That must be it. That’s all it is.’
Adam glanced at the person standing beside him.
Chester, impeccably dressed, looked dazzlingly beautiful.
He smiled softly and raised one hand, a platinum bracelet glinting on his wrist.
“You wore it.”
“Of course. It’s a gift, after all.”
“I was afraid it might be too plain…”
Adam spoke cautiously, and Chester’s smile deepened.
Still keeping an arm wrapped around Adam’s waist, Chester bent down.
With a mwah, Adam flinched in shock.
The cheek where the lips had touched burned.
“Gasp—”
“What’s so surprising? It’s just a kiss on the cheek.”
Chester asked casually, seemingly oblivious to the wide-eyed gazes of the surrounding nobles.
They all looked stunned, murmuring among themselves.
A chill ran down Adam’s spine.
Being the center of attention like this was far from pleasant.
“Want me to do it again?”
“No, no, no.”
“The more you dislike it, the more I want to.”
Chester’s whisper held a playful tone.
He was clearly enjoying Adam’s flustered reaction.
Adam’s heart, already beating fast, quickened even more.
“There you are.”
A low voice rang out from somewhere.
Adam instinctively turned his head to look behind him.
Chester followed Adam’s gaze without letting go of his waist.
Isaac was walking toward them at a measured pace.
With the appearance of the two dukes, the nobles’ murmurs ceased.
Whatever they did, the young dukes exuded an air of elegance, confidence, and power.
As everyone naturally held their breath, the atmosphere grew solemn.
“You’ve arrived, Brother.”
It was Chester who greeted him.
“Doesn’t Adam look lovely today?”
The word lovely made Adam uncomfortable—like he was forcing himself into clothes that didn’t quite fit.
Unlike Adam, Isaac nodded without any hint of displeasure.
“You’ve put effort into this.”
“I did.”
“You did?”
“Yes, I dressed him myself. Picked out each accessory, too.”
Chester added softly.
“You taught him to dance, didn’t you? I wanted to do something for him too.”
Isaac tilted his head slightly and looked directly at Adam.
Adam could feel his gaze sweeping over him.
“Do you like it?”
“I-I do. I’m just grateful to Lord Chester.”
Isaac’s crimson eyes fixed on something—Adam’s wrist.
The bracelet glinting in the sunlight made Isaac’s eyes narrow.
“Shall we go? I’d like to introduce Adam to some others.”
Chester gave a slight squeeze around Adam’s waist as he spoke.
Caught off guard, Adam found himself pulled entirely into Chester’s arms.
He stumbled slightly, fingers scratching at the air—and then someone caught his hand.
“Ah—”
A small gasp escaped Adam’s lips.
* * *
