* * *
Sylvian’s Domain
“Madam, another letter has arrived from the Viscount’s household.”
Elgana handed the letter to the Duchess, carefully concealing her displeasure.
From the beginning, the Duke had never blocked letters from reaching the Duchess.
Yet, the Viscount’s household had never once sent a letter to her before.
For that reason, Elgana had thought they had completely abandoned her.
But ever since the party, letters had been arriving every single day without fail.
“It seems my parents are very worried about me,” the Duchess murmured, absentmindedly touching the edge of the letter.
Elgana burned with frustration.
Worried?
Every single letter was just them asking for favors—there was nothing remotely concerning themselves with the Duchess’s well-being!
She held back a sigh as she watched the Duchess brighten at receiving yet another one of their letters.
She was someone who would be grateful even for such a letter.
And so, every time a new one arrived, Elgana found it impossible to forgive the Viscount’s household.
Unable to bear watching this any longer, she decided to bring up someone who might shake Sylvian’s heart.
“It’s almost tea time. Should I inform the Duke?”
At those words, Sylvian’s lips twitched ever so slightly.
No, no, no!
Feeling heat rush to his face, he began fanning himself.
“I have so many letters to go through, I should probably start writing my replies,” he said.
A blush bloomed on his pale face, making Elgana’s eyes gleam.
The two had been getting along so well lately that even the mere mention of the other’s name created a soft atmosphere between them.
“Understood. I’ll prepare some warm tea for you,” Elgana said with a knowing smile, then gestured to another maid.
“You can leave me alone in the drawing room. I’ll call if I need anything.”
Realizing that Sylvian wanted to hide his embarrassment, Elgana nodded and quietly stepped away.
“Haa…”
Lately, the household staff had been pressing him even more.
Sylvian rubbed his cheeks with his palms in frustration.
Then, he glanced down at his lower abdomen.
“…I’m not actually pregnant, right?”
A book he’d read recently had mentioned that an Alpha’s knotting carried a high chance of conception.
The moment Zeroth, of all people, had done something he’d never thought he would—knotting him—Sylvian had nearly blacked out.
It had hurt like hell, but even more terrifying was the idea of an unwanted pregnancy.
Pregnant?
Even though he was gay, the thought of giving birth had never once crossed his mind.
He had at least been controlling his pheromones.
According to the book, Omegas could prevent pregnancy through pheromone suppression if they didn’t want children.
There were also contraceptives, but the book mentioned that, in rare cases, pheromone suppression alone could be enough.
Even if Zeroth had wanted a child, Sylvian had rejected the idea outright.
He prayed that everything would pass without issue.
And since he had flushed everything out the next day, he should be fine.
The memory of those endless, thick fluids resurfaced in his mind, and his face heated up all over again.
“More importantly… how is he planning to handle this?”
There was no way Zeroth would just sit still.
He had to know that letters were pouring in from the Viscount’s household, yet he hadn’t said a word about it.
Not only that, but the Viscount himself had been going around meeting people and using Sylvian’s name to his advantage.
“He’s not the kind of man to let things slide so easily.”
Zeroth was not the type to tolerate anything that displeased him.
Even during… intimate moments, if Sylvian made a move he didn’t like, Zeroth would immediately take control.
He had been born above others, and it was obvious that he was working behind the scenes to crush the Viscount’s household.
“Hmm… I should start moving, too.”
Sylvian tore open one of the letters the maids had gathered.
Karl had been quiet lately, probably busy since their first meeting.
Sylvian wanted to send him a message first, but if he did, he felt like Zeroth would scold him for it.
“To the esteemed Duchess Graham,”
This excessive politeness was making his skin crawl.
Sylvian skimmed through the letter.
“Perfect.”
It was an invitation from the Crown Prince’s fiancée for a tea party.
Ever since the party, invitations and letters had been flooding in every day.
He had been carefully picking which gatherings to attend, always keeping an eye on Zeroth’s reactions.
The Countess had recommended some decent gatherings, but aside from a select few, he had declined most invitations, citing poor health.
“This way, I maintain my social presence while keeping them at a distance. Not a bad balance.”
The Crown Prince’s fiancée, whom he had met at the party, had left a good impression.
She was intelligent enough that it was clear why she had been chosen.
She also looked good alongside the Crown Prince.
And yet, despite having such an excellent fiancée, the Crown Prince was obsessed with Yuri.
Sylvian clicked his tongue in disapproval before starting his reply to the invitation.
“You really came! Thank you so much for accepting my invitation.”
“The pleasure is mine. Thank you for inviting me.”
Sylvian extended his hand to the Crown Prince’s fiancée, who was dressed in a pale yellow gown.
She took his hand and dipped into a graceful curtsy.
“Please, call me Elizabeth.”
She led him to the prepared tea room, her tone warm and welcoming.
Once she officially became the Crown Princess, she would be one of the most important people for him to befriend.
“Are you sure that’s alright?”
Sylvian’s eyes widened as if genuinely surprised.
Elizabeth, seeing that they were the same age, found him strangely… endearing.
“I’d really like you to.”
“Then… please call me Sylvian as well.”
Sylvian smiled shyly as he granted permission to use his name.
At that moment, Elizabeth became convinced that what had happened at the party had been a complete misunderstanding.
“If anyone makes you uncomfortable today, please let me know.”
She had carefully selected the attendees, but it never hurt to be cautious.
The Crown Prince often complained about Zeroth Graham, calling him insufferable, yet he also admired him deeply.
“If anything, I’ll be the one lacking in etiquette. I’m counting on you, Elizabeth.”
His voice was laced with both sincerity and nervousness, his eyes filled with goodwill and consideration.
Elizabeth felt reassured.
As they entered the room, the gathered ladies all rose to greet Sylvian.
“Excuse me, but is the outfit you’re wearing today a piece by Madame Viola?”
One of the noblewomen couldn’t contain her curiosity and asked.
Sylvian glanced down at his attire and nodded.
Zeroth had given him this outfit after permitting him to attend Elizabeth’s tea party.
He already had more clothes than he needed, but Zeroth seemed to dislike seeing him in the same outfit twice, always bringing him new ones.
“Both the Duke and I have our wardrobes handled exclusively by Viola.”
“I knew it!”
The lady marveled as she examined his outfit with admiration.
If Sylvian had been born a woman, he surely would have been dressed in the most extravagant gowns.
Even now, dressed in a well-tailored suit, he was so stunning that the seated ladies couldn’t help but steal glances at his face.
“Are those all real gemstones on the buttons?”
“Oh my, so the rumors were true—apparently, the Duke has been buying up every jewel in the capital!”
The women, who had been hesitant at first, suddenly became lively.
“N-no way!”
As the Duchess’s cheeks flushed, their conversation only grew more animated.
“When the two of you entered the ballroom together, it was breathtaking. You looked like the perfect pair!”
“I’ve never seen the Duke so smitten before.”
With each passing compliment, Sylvian’s face burned hotter.
His fingers fidgeted against his teacup, and the noblewomen exchanged knowing smiles.
It was as if they were having a competition over who could praise Zeroth the most.
* * *
