* * *
The question, laced with a hint of disappointment, was met with a sullen response.
With a troubled expression, he awkwardly explained that he was trying to adjust the volume of letters he exchanged with others as well.
“I haven’t been bothering you too much, have I, Karl?”
It seemed someone had warned him that too many letters from the duchy might cause misunderstandings.
Seeing the worry in his eyes, Karl smiled gently and shook his head.
“How could your letters ever be a bother to me?”
…He’s as unreadable as ever.
Sylvian let out a small sigh of relief at his words and turned his gaze to the paintings in the hallway.
When he had shown interest in the charity bazaar, one of the ladies hosting the event had personally secured an invitation for him.
Zeroth had wanted to come along as well, but he had a prior engagement with the Crown Prince and couldn’t make it.
He had looked quite disappointed but eventually sent Sylvian off alone, saying he trusted him to handle things well.
Already aware that Karl would be attending the charity event through another source, Sylvian had sought him out as soon as he arrived.
“That’s a relief, then. I met Lady Nefer recently, and I heard that you two are close.”
“…You mean Charlian?”
The fact that he spoke her name so naturally suggested they weren’t on bad terms.
Seeing Karl’s expression subtly shift with displeasure, Sylvian smiled brightly.
“Yes. I’d like to invite her to the next gathering. Would you care to join us, Marquis Karl?”
“If you invite me, I’d be happy to attend. Also, please, just call me Karl.”
He looked slightly sulky, as if the formal title “Marquis” was too stiff for his liking.
“But wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to call you by your name in public…?”
Even with Zeroth, Sylvian was careful about using his name outside.
He always tried to address him as “Duke Graham” or simply “Your Grace.”
Calling Karl by name could easily lead to misunderstandings.
…Is this his way of making me do just that?
As Sylvian hesitated, Karl reassured him that he only meant for his name to be used when they were alone.
“We’re alone right now, aren’t we? And didn’t you already grant me permission to use your name?”
Sylvian subtly checked his surroundings.
If a Master-level knight were nearby, they would still be able to hear their conversation from this distance.
But since it wasn’t Whisen Tarcan, the infamous “hound” of Duke Graham, it should be fine.
Judging from the lack of reaction to the pheromones Karl had been subtly releasing since meeting Sylvian, the knight appeared to be a Beta.
“Sylvian, are you feeling warm? Your face looks a little flushed.”
“I do feel a bit hot.”
Sylvian wasn’t reacting to his pheromones.
Was he unable to sense them at all?
“May I take off my coat?”
Before Karl could answer, Sylvian had already unbuttoned and slipped off his coat.
At the same moment, a sweet fragrance brushed past Karl’s nose.
The coat must have had some sort of warming enchantment.
Underneath, Sylvian was only wearing a thin jacket, prompting Karl to drape the coat back over his shoulders.
“You might catch a cold. It’s best to keep your coat on.”
Sylvian’s fingers idly played with the edge of the coat.
A thin bracelet around his wrist caught the light.
…The same one as before.
Karl’s eyes lingered on the familiar accessory.
“Was that a gift? You seem to always wear the same bracelet.”
“Zeroth—ah, no. His Grace gifted it to me.”
The Duchess’s cheeks flushed as if they had been dipped in red dye.
Karl pretended to focus on a painting while deliberately releasing a bit more of his pheromones.
‘The Duke’s been meddling unnecessarily.’
But since there was no reaction, the bracelet likely had the ability to block other Alphas’ pheromones.
On top of that, Sylvian now seemed capable of controlling his own pheromones perfectly.
…That leaves me with no openings.
“I’ve never seen a painting like this before. Is this the sea?”
As Karl mulled over the bracelet’s function, Sylvian remained captivated by the artwork before him.
It was a depiction of a wild sea, waves crashing violently under the scorching sun.
Staring at the vivid blue swirls, Sylvian mumbled absentmindedly.
“I want to see the ocean.”
Being in the heart of the continent, reaching the sea required the use of multiple teleportation circles.
…Maybe I should escape to the coast.
The painter’s depiction of endless blue stirred something in Sylvian’s heart.
“Do you like the ocean?” Karl asked.
“I’ve never seen it before, so I’m curious.”
“…Not even once?”
“…No.”
Karl chuckled softly as he watched Sylvian’s gaze remain fixed on the painting.
“Then perhaps we should hold the next gathering at the ocean.”
“At… the ocean?”
“Yes. I’m sure Duke Graham has a large ship. You could invite everyone to a nearby estate.”
It was a common way for nobles to flaunt their wealth and power.
Every summer, the aristocracy flocked to their seaside or riverside villas to escape the heat.
Surely, the duke’s household would plan a getaway for their new duchess as well.
“I hear His Grace owns quite a few villas. You should suggest taking a vacation near the coast sometime.”
If they went around the same time, it would make whisking the duchess away all the easier.
Karl maintained a gentle smile as he imagined Sylvian in complete ruin.
It would be delightful to see Duke Graham fall into despair, watching his beloved duchess defiled by another Alpha’s pheromones and seed.
He had already carefully selected a few scumbags suitable for the task.
“Karl, do you like the ocean?”
“No. I hate it.”
Sylvian tilted his head at Karl’s firm response.
“Why?”
“I dislike saltwater.”
…Ah, that kind of thing?
Yet, the look in Karl’s eyes as he gazed at the painting was tinged with something deeper—pain.
…Does he have bad memories of the ocean?
“I think it would have been fun to go with you. That’s a shame.”
At Sylvian’s murmur, Karl turned to face him.
“Are you saying you wouldn’t invite me?”
“Well, you don’t like the ocean, so I can’t exactly force you.”
There was no point in dragging someone along against their will.
Mentioning Lady Nefer’s name had only been a means of gauging Karl’s reaction.
Love wasn’t something that could be forced.
Once Sylvian confirmed Karl’s intentions, he planned to drop all interest in both him and the lady in question.
“…Still, that’s disappointing.”
“I’ll invite you somewhere else instead.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Karl’s green eyes were endlessly tender.
When Sylvian once said he wanted to climb a mountain for his sake, Karl had laughed.
Did the Duke know his wife was leaning so intimately against another Alpha?
It was part of an escort, but even so, Sylvian was standing closer than proper etiquette dictated.
Most likely, he was just accustomed to standing this way with the Duke.
But the way their thighs brushed with every step left Karl feeling oddly amused.
Friendly gestures often left room for misinterpretation.
‘…Should I pretend to fall for it?’
Karl glanced down at the slender figure practically nestled against him.
“Duchess, you’re standing too close.”
“…Huh?”
At his whispered words, Sylvian halted.
His blinking eyes showed he had no idea what the problem was.
“When receiving an escort, you should maintain a proper distance.”
“…Oh. I’m sorry.”
The faint warmth withdrew.
Sylvian’s head dropped slightly, a habit whenever he felt embarrassed or made a mistake.
The tips of his ears were flushed red.
“I… I didn’t know.”
“I’m glad I was the one escorting you.”
“Thank you for telling me. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
* * *
