* * *
“The new restaurant is supposed to be really nice.”
Lately, Sylvian had been attending various gatherings, and his list of things he wanted to do had grown.
Zeroth sat beside him, watching the small lips that chattered away without hesitation, sharing stories he had heard from others.
Those red lips never seemed to rest.
If only they would open solely for him, if only they would speak only to him.
Smooch.
“Mm—Zeroth, people are watching.”
Sylvian glanced sideways and caught sight of the knights who had let out hushed exclamations.
“They won’t have the luxury to keep looking.”
Smooch.
After scanning their surroundings, Sylvian pressed his lips to Zeroth’s and then pretended as if nothing had happened, continuing his conversation.
“I’ll be home all day tomorrow.”
“Didn’t you plan to visit the general store with Countess Holt?”
That’s canceled.
He had heard that his mother would be going to Madame Viola’s boutique to get fitted for new clothes.
He still wanted to avoid meeting his mother outside.
He needed the rumors to swell a little more before they met under more dramatic circumstances.
For today, Sylvian decided that he should spend some time nestled in Zeroth’s arms.
Knowing his nature, Zeroth had probably already gathered all the information about whom the duchess was meeting and what they were discussing.
On the surface, it seemed like Sylvian was merely picking places a young lady newly stepping into social circles might frequent.
After all, there was no real place for someone like him, neither man nor woman, to fit in.
Moreover, Sylvian hadn’t even made a proper debut in society, so he didn’t truly know anyone.
He had simply been moving day by day, innocently going along with whatever the noblewomen he had met suggested.
However, he was being very selective about the people he met.
On days when he suddenly canceled plans due to fatigue, it just so happened that a baroness would appear at the gathering.
Or the gathering would be attended by someone eager to slander the duchess.
“More than all that, I just like being with you, Zeroth.”
His gesture, as if he were already tired of social outings, pressing against Zeroth, made the latter’s smile deepen.
“You’re finally saying something pretty. Let’s visit that new restaurant. And how about a boat ride at night?”
“Really?”
That was something trendy these days.
It had to be enjoyed before winter set in, but he had been too busy to even bring it up to Zeroth.
“Of course. I already bought a boat.”
Zeroth kissed Sylvian’s cheek as his excitement bubbled over.
A few days ago, he had received a report that Sylvian had shown interest when someone mentioned boating at a gathering.
Yet, instead of pleading for it, he had kept his mouth shut.
Other noblewomen frequently changed their dresses and jewelry, yet Sylvian never once asked for new clothes.
He always thought he was receiving more than he deserved, so Zeroth had no choice but to take the initiative.
It annoyed him that Karl Luster kept showing up at Sylvian’s gatherings, but since those invitations were unplanned, there was no way to prevent it.
“B-but, I heard it’s expensive.”
When Sylvian tugged at his sleeve, Zeroth kissed his cheek again.
“In exchange, my lady will have to entertain me.”
So he wasn’t going to let the night pass peacefully.
As Zeroth whispered that they should sleep on the boat, Sylvian’s flushed face gave a small nod.
“Next time, we should have a meal on the deck.”
Hearing Zeroth say that he’d take the boat out often once the weather warmed up made Sylvian’s face brighten.
If they followed the river downstream from the capital, they could quickly reach other territories.
‘I should get used to traveling by boat.’
Among his escape routes, a boat was also an option.
He had to familiarize himself with anything he might need to use.
Beaming, Sylvian shook his head when Zeroth asked if he wanted to watch the crown prince’s training.
“I’ll stay home and get ready.”
He needed to wear something nice.
What he was wearing now wasn’t bad, but since he’d be appearing in public with Zeroth for the first time in a while, he had to dress more properly.
At every gathering, there were people who flirted with him.
Some were noblewomen, others were Alphas, Betas, and even Omegas.
Even knowing he was an Omega, some noblewomen still sent him secretive glances and suggestive gestures just because he was male.
“Come with me. I’ll make it quick.”
Zeroth didn’t want to leave Sylvian alone, not when he had come to find him for the first time.
He rubbed their noses together lightly before standing up.
“My lady, you’ll behave and wait for me, won’t you?”
“Yes.”
Zeroth pressed another kiss to Sylvian’s flushed cheek before stepping out into the open.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
“Today, we’re finishing early. Everyone, dodge my blade. If you get caught, you’re dead.”
The moment he stepped into the training grounds, Zeroth hurled his sword at the crown prince and grinned ominously.
“W-wait, we were actually training properly!”
“Is that good enough? My lady is waiting, so let’s get this over with. And whoever gets hit first—no, whoever drops out first—will have their training extended.”
Tyrant. That bastard was a tyrant.
Aihin clenched his teeth, recalling the forced training they had been subjected to.
Zeroth’s training sessions were only three hours a day, but for two months, his knights had been put through an intensive regime.
They had to wake before dawn and train until the next dawn.
“D-duke, please, have mercy!”
“Seems like you all thought my warning about using proper aura reinforcement was a joke.”
Who in their right mind would dare attack the crown prince with aura reinforcement?
That was a crime punishable by beheading.
They had no choice but to use it, but the knights moved as carefully as possible to ensure the prince wasn’t harmed.
“Oh? Do you all have multiple lives to spare?”
The casual tone of his question felt eerily like the voice of the Grim Reaper.
Trembling, the knights and Aihin bolted to escape Zeroth’s wrath.
“If you don’t block properly, no sleep for a week.”
Zeroth effortlessly caught up to them and swung his sword.
For a long while, the training grounds of the Second Knights Division were filled with screams.
“They all looked so cool.”
Sitting inside the carriage, Sylvian murmured as he recalled the knights.
If he had learned swordsmanship from a young age, maybe things would have turned out differently. Regretting the past wasn’t usually in his nature.
But being born as Sylvian was a never-ending cycle of regret.
Hearing the wistfulness in his voice, Zeroth wrapped an arm tightly around his waist.
“Did the other knights look cooler than me?”
“Uh-uh. N-no, Zeroth is the coolest.”
A beast, through and through.
Sylvian silently paid respects to the knights who had been thoroughly beaten.
Then, long fingers slipped inside his thick coat, toying with his chest.
They only pressed and tugged at his nipples, but heat flared deep in his belly.
“Mm…”
“My lady’s chest seems to be getting bigger lately.”
A teasing voice murmured behind him. Sylvian twisted his body with a soft cry at the sensation.
“Such pretty nipples.”
Though his thick clothing hid it, the sensitive buds, swollen from Zeroth’s touch, had stiffened visibly.
If he wore thinner garments, they might protrude just like a woman’s.
If they kept growing, would he need undergarments for his upper body as well?
Lost in the thought, Zeroth pressed his fingers down harder.
“Ah! Hngh! Z-Zeroth!”
“If you spill here, the servants will notice.”
“Hngh. Th-then, how…?”
* * *
