* * *
He felt the air grow icy, and goosebumps rose along his forearms.
Regret pricked at him—but so did a twisted satisfaction.
The faces in front of him were contorted to a frightening degree.
“…What did you say?”
Chester’s gaze sharpened, no longer calm.
“F–figure it out yourself. Do I have to spell it out for you?”
“I think you do.”
Before the last word was even gone, Chester lunged.
Jacob, trying to rise, was kicked back down.
“Ghhk!”
The choking sound scraped against the tense silence.
Chester yanked a fistful of his hair, forcing his head up.
“Ahhh! Is anyone there?! Help!”
Pain ripped at his scalp, drawing an involuntary scream.
In that instant, Isaac—silent until now—reached forward.
His hand rummaged inside Jacob’s jacket and pulled something out.
“Shut it.”
“…!”
Fear shot up Jacob’s spine.
He froze.
A sharp blade was pressing against his throat—a dagger he always kept hidden on him.
‘He knew? He actually knew I carried this?’
He thought the man, who usually looked at others like insects, wouldn’t care enough to notice.
The shock lasted only a moment before his fingers began trembling.
Isaac was pressing harder with the blade, making his head spin with panic.
“Only answer what’s asked.”
“Y–you’re threatening—”
Before he could finish, Chester grabbed his jaw and forced it open with a crushing grip.
The dagger’s tip slid inside his mouth.
“Ughh—ghh!”
“I said—only answer the questions.”
The whisper was calm, yet laced with ice.
Chester tapped the back of his head as if to say, ‘Do as you’re told while I’m still being nice.’
‘These bastards are insane!’
Shock and fear swallowed him whole.
He worried they’d cut his tongue out.
‘This is the Imperial Palace. They can’t do anything to me here—unless they’ve completely lost it.’
The dagger withdrew—but not cleanly.
Isaac scraped the tip across Jacob’s lips, leaving small cuts that dripped blood down his chin.
The injured man couldn’t even scream, too crushed by terror.
‘They really have lost it.’
Jacob suddenly realized—they might actually kill him.
“Lord Fetchwig.”
Isaac spoke slowly.
“What did you do to Adam?”
His voice was heavy with murderous intent.
Jacob’s body shook uncontrollably.
“What do you mean, both of them?!”
The nobles opposing the land tax hike could not hide their shock.
They mulled over the words they’d just heard.
“You’re saying… neither of the dukes are here? Both of them?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
The one answering was a young earl—the first to notice the situation.
Remembering what he’d heard from a friend serving as an imperial attendant, he continued,
“I’m told they rushed straight out of the palace. Tried to stop them, but it was useless. They even rode out on horseback…”
“Hmph… and I was hoping to have Lord Chester front our cause. I wonder what happened.”
“I doubt it’s anything serious. We’re already winning. I’m just curious—this is the first time they’ve moved with such urgency.”
“Does His Majesty know?”
“By now, I imagine the news has reached him.”
A low murmur spread among the group.
Some with cooler heads began considering a new representative.
Others were simply curious about what had happened to the Carlisle brothers.
They weren’t the only ones intrigued.
The pro–land tax faction was equally rattled by the dukes’ absence.
Some, seeing an advantage, couldn’t hide their delight.
“This is perfect! They must’ve angered His Majesty. Leaving without informing him? Unthinkable.”
Among those pleased was the second son of Fetchwig—Bellick.
But Gordon, the family patriarch, didn’t share in the joy.
His brow furrowed deeper.
“You two.”
Bellick tilted his head innocently.
“Yes?”
Jacob, however, avoided his father’s gaze.
Gordon stepped closer to his eldest son and spotted a strange cut at the corner of his mouth.
“Ugh!”
Gordon pressed his thumb against it hard.
The searing pain stole Jacob’s breath.
“Look at me.”
“Ugh…”
“I said—look at me.”
“W–why are you doing this…”
A dangerous glint flashed in Gordon’s eyes.
“No one knows about that except our family. You didn’t blab, did you?”
“B–blab? No—”
“They stormed out of here. Why would they do that? Bored because the fight was already won? Those men are arrogant, not stupid. They wouldn’t pull a stunt like that in the Imperial Palace without reason.”
Gordon lowered his voice so only his sons could hear.
“For men that cunning and shrewd to act this rashly… why? What was so urgent?”
“Father, I didn’t say a thing. And even if I did, so what?”
“…What?”
“The leader of the opposition is gone. That makes things much easier for us, doesn’t it?”
“You idiot!”
Rage flushed Gordon’s face. He wanted to wring the boy’s neck.
“This petty bill doesn’t matter! Even if we lose, we can fight again next time. But what we’ve done—there is no next time…!”
The second son cleared his throat politely.
“Surely my brother wouldn’t spill something so important. What fool would do that? Brother, tell Father it’s not true.”
‘You little bastard.’
Jacob quickly realized Bellick was stoking the fire on purpose.
He glared daggers at his brother, who only hid his smirk.
‘So he knows.’
Gordon’s eyes wavered.
‘He definitely knows we touched that omega. But how much?’
Schemes are meant to unfold in silence.
Yet something had driven the dukes to bolt from the palace. Gordon scowled.
“Bellick.”
The second son brightened at his name and hurried to his father’s side.
“Send someone immediately. I want to know the current situation.”
Leaning close, Gordon whispered in his ear,
“Find out if that one has been caught. That comes first. Understand?”
“Yes, Father. I’ll see to it.”
‘That one’ referred to Adam Ross—the omega loved by both Carlisle brothers.
From a loyal informant, Gordon had learned that not only did the man hold their deepest affections, he was also pregnant.
‘If such a person were to suddenly vanish… both their lover and unborn child gone… could they recover from that blow? No. The more capable they are, the further they’ll fall. That’s why I set this in motion… and yet… they’ve already caught on?’
A curse rose in his throat.
Gordon exhaled heavily and took his seat, hoping the plan was already in motion.
That plan was simple—to abduct Adam Ross, the pregnant omega.
Adam sat in the armchair.
He had been reading a book when he happened to glance down.
There was the faintest hint of a curve to his stomach beneath his clothes.
With a strange feeling, he smoothed a hand over his body.
Of course, he was still far from being truly full-bellied. When standing, it was hardly noticeable at all.
But even the slightest change was still a change—and to Adam, the owner of this body, that fact felt unfamiliar.
“How’s your body feeling, Adam?”
David came over and asked warmly.
Then, catching sight of Adam’s slightly rounded belly, his eyes widened.
“Oh—maybe it’s time to think about moving your room to the first floor. You’ll probably find it harder to get around soon.”
“Is that so? I’m still fine for now. Besides, I really like this room. From the second floor, you can see so much farther.”
Adam gestured toward the window.
Beyond it lay a breathtaking view: towering mountains, a waterfall, and emerald fields.
There wasn’t a single thing that wasn’t beautiful.
“I understand. Nowhere else has a view like this. I’ll make a note to arrange the room change for later, then.”
“Thank you. But… what brings you here today? The Dukes aren’t home…”
“That’s exactly why. Since they’re away, I came to check on you in their place.”
“Did the Dukes ask you to?”
David nodded with a smile.
A ticklish warmth spread in Adam’s chest. Even in their busy schedules, they’d thought of him.
“I’ve caused you trouble, then.”
“Not at all. It’s nice—I get to spend time with you. I like you, Adam. You’re always kind and gentle.”
Then David added playfully,
“Of course, I can’t compare to the Dukes’ affection. Both of them like you veeeery much.”
* * *
All hell gonna break lose.