* * *

What had started as a way to cheer Felix up gave Lowell a strange sense of liberation.

Felix, captivated by Lowell’s smile, found himself unable to look away, as though he were a devout worshipper who had glimpsed a god. It was beyond his control.

Lowell’s sparkling blue eyes, the elegant bridge of his nose, and the dimples that deepened as he smiled while holding hands others called monstrous—all of it entranced Felix.

He didn’t even realize his own lips had curled upward.

Lowell’s laughter seemed to echo inside him, tickling his ears and resonating through his entire being.

He had an inexplicable urge to laugh along.

“Duke Felix.”

The rain that had served as their music faded with the retreating clouds, and sunlight broke through, casting its glow on Lowell.

“What is it?”

Beneath Lowell’s wet white shirt, his pale skin was starkly visible, from his collarbone down to his navel.

Felix’s gaze, unable to hide its heat, lingered.

The hand clasping Lowell’s burned hot and thudded with his racing heartbeat, sending shockwaves through his entire body.

Overwhelmed by the heat emanating from Felix, Lowell faltered, his steps tangling.

Felix caught him as he stumbled.

Still, their balance gave way, and they fell with Lowell landing atop Felix.

“Are you okay?”

Lowell, worried about Felix who had cushioned his fall, immediately tried to get up.

But Felix held him tightly, paying no heed to Lowell’s wriggling attempts.

As Lowell moved, they ended up pressed even closer together.

“Duke… Your Grace?”

Felix reached out, cupping Lowell’s cheek.

Before Lowell could make sense of what was happening, Felix’s lips descended on his with the desperation of a wanderer discovering an oasis in the desert.

Lowell’s eyes widened as Felix’s tongue swept across the roof of his mouth.

Even while kissing, Felix stared at Lowell with an intensity that seemed to devour him.

It was clear he had no concept of closing his eyes during a kiss.

The sheer heat of his gaze felt scorching, and Lowell found it overwhelming.

It’s not like this is my first time being on the receiving end of such a bold look.

Maybe it was because Felix had treated him like a child earlier, but now Lowell found himself blushing under Felix’s fiery attention.

Though he’d handled similar situations with composure before, this felt entirely different.

Something about this feels off.

A torrent of thoughts rushed through Lowell’s mind.

He had intended to build a familial relationship with Felix, not one steeped in physical desire.

Felix had shown no such inclination before, so Lowell had dismissed that fateful night as a fluke caused by pheromones.

Lowell had never had good luck with relationships.

He had always started dating because his partners insisted, only for them to cheat or break up with him not long after.

His last relationship ended with a betrayal so severe it resulted in him being outed and losing his job.

Romance was something he no longer sought.

Was it because our relationship started with physical contact?

Maybe I should have clarified that we’d only be partners in name.

Lowell was lost in thought, pondering how to reconcile his intentions with the current situation, when Felix gently nipped his tongue.

It wasn’t so much a bite as a soft graze, but it was enough to jolt Lowell out of his reverie.

With a furrowed brow, Felix intensified the kiss as if to demand Lowell’s attention.

His tongue probed deeper, as though desperate to explore every corner of Lowell’s mouth.

How did he get so good at kissing? Wasn’t I his first?

Despite his thoughts, Lowell’s body betrayed him, growing increasingly warm.

Realizing things were escalating too quickly, Lowell lightly patted Felix’s shoulder.

Reluctantly, Felix pulled away, his expression one of frustration.

“Do you… not like kissing me?”

Felix’s vulnerable tone, so at odds with his usual imposing demeanor, tugged at Lowell’s heart.

“Of course not. You just caught me off guard.”

Lowell reassured Felix with a gentle smile, though inwardly he grappled with whether Felix’s actions were driven by genuine affection or the Alpha instinct to pursue an Omega.

“I’ll take you home.”

Felix, his face flushed, stood up, resisting the urge to steal another kiss.

His expression suggested even he didn’t fully understand why he had acted so impulsively.

“Thank you.”

Lowell maintained the same distance as before.

He feared that pulling away might make Felix think he was being rejected, so he accepted Felix’s offer to escort him home.

If this caused a stir in the Count’s household, Lowell was prepared to deal with the consequences.

✨✨✨

The aftermath was unexpectedly mild—or rather, Lowell was too unwell to notice.

“Are you sure you’re alright, young master?”

Tanya, Lowell’s maid, asked worriedly as she helped him get dressed.

Her concern was warranted; Lowell had been feverish ever since returning from the rain.

Although a priest’s visit brought temporary relief, his fever returned each night.

It’s been years since I last caught a cold.

Who knew a little rain on a mild day could bring on such a fever?

Determined to take better care of himself, Lowell continued writing letters to Felix, fearing that suddenly stopping would worry him.

Not once did Lowell mention his illness, worried Felix might read between the lines and demand a meeting.

Though Felix neither visited nor replied, Lowell felt oddly reassured rather than hurt by his absence.

“I’m fine now. The fever’s mostly gone, and I can’t ignore the Earl’s orders.”

Despite his words, the weight of his embellished attire bore down on Lowell’s still-weak body.

Consoling himself, he decided he would simply cling to Felix like a cicada on an old tree if his strength failed during the ball.

‘If anyone comments on my poor dancing, I’ll just blame it on being unwell.’

Since it wasn’t entirely a lie, Lowell maintained his composure.

“Y-Young Master!”

Lowell’s door swung open with a jolt.

Tanya shot a sharp glare, as if questioning who had the audacity to enter without permission.

“T-The Grand Duke Felix has come to escort you.”

At those words, even Tanya couldn’t help but soften her stance.

While it was only natural for a partner to come and fetch their companion, no one had expected that Felix to do so.

“We can’t keep the Grand Duke waiting. Let’s finish up.”

Lowell was just relieved there wouldn’t be any more accessories added to his attire.

Tanya hurriedly adjusted Lowell’s appearance and pushed him toward the door.

“I’ll be back.”

Expecting a modest carriage, Lowell stepped outside and gaped.

A carriage so lavish it was almost absurd—something Felix would never ordinarily ride in—stood waiting at the entrance.

In front of it, Felix, dressed impeccably for the banquet, looked like he’d stepped out of a painting.

Lowell steadied his staggering steps and managed to approach him.

“Thank you for coming to escort me, Your Grace.”

“Since we’re under contract, I thought I should fulfill my obligations.”

Lowell nearly teased Felix, asking if such an extravagant carriage was also part of his “obligations,” but held back.

He was increasingly tempted to provoke Felix, which was becoming a problem.

“Then I’ll be in your care for the day.”

Lowell naturally took Felix’s outstretched hand.

Felix, awkward with such gestures, was a bit stiff but clearly trying his best.

Lowell adjusted seamlessly to Felix’s movements as they entered the carriage together.

‘The interior’s just as extravagant.’

The intricate craftsmanship made Lowell wonder how such a masterpiece had been secured in such a short time.

The interior was spacious, secure, and decorated so lavishly it almost hurt to look at.

“This is a fine carriage.”

“I just found something random.”

Lowell couldn’t help but admire Felix’s attempt to appear nonchalant.

* * *