* * *
This was my plan…
As time passed, Sylvian’s voice grew quieter.
“Are you tired?”
“A little.”
His body, not fully recovered, became fatigued easily.
Feeling the heat rising in him, it seemed he might collapse soon.
“Sylvian.”
Two voices called him at the same time.
The bright and cheerful one belonged to Yuri.
The low and gentle one was Karl’s.
Sylvian looked between the two.
“Yuri. Marquis Rooster.”
Both were making their way over after being held up by others.
Yuri had been speaking seriously with nobles of his age while holding his younger sibling.
The sight suited him so well that Sylvian couldn’t help but glance over every so often, even while attending to Zeroth and the other noblewomen.
“You look worn out.”
“I’m a little tired.”
“Oh dear, are you heading home?”
When Karl asked, Sylvian replied, and Karl turned to Zeroth.
Zeroth stared at Sylvian.
“Do you want to go back?”
“They say the opera singer is coming out soon.”
“Then let’s stay until then and leave after.”
Zeroth easily agreed, apparently wanting to see the famous singer.
They hadn’t reported going to the theater during other gatherings, so he probably really wanted to catch the show today.
“Or perhaps, next time we could invite the troupe to the house.”
He didn’t want Sylvian to be made into a spectacle at a crowded theater.
Seeing Sylvian’s face light up, Zeroth decided then and there to invite a famous troupe to the house.
“If you’d like, I can reserve a time with the troupe I’ve contracted.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
The Marquis Rooster family owned the largest theater troupe in the capital.
“You own a troupe?!”
“It’s not exactly a point of pride, but we do have a number of famous actors.”
At Karl’s response, Sylvian’s eyes widened.
“How about going with Martius to see a show?”
Yuri, unable to spend extravagantly like the others, suggested the quickest solution he could.
“Marti’s never been to a theater either.”
“Well, he’s staying with the ducal family, so you can go together.”
When Sylvian hesitated, Zeroth naturally included Martius as if it were obvious.
At that, Yuri’s expression slightly tensed.
“Better yet, why not come with us? You can use a private box, can’t you?”
Karl also offered with a smile, promising to secure the best seats his theater had.
‘Seriously, calm down.’
Sylvian laughed softly at the trio’s not-so-subtle efforts and their glances.
“Then how about we all go to the theater together? It might be better than inviting the troupe.”
They all quieted at his gentle smile, as if to say, ‘I wouldn’t want to trouble you.’
Zeroth, as if left with no choice, promised to make time.
“Please be sure to invite me too.”
Yuri’s eyes sparkled.
While not allowed to go alone, the thought of being part of the duchess’s first theater visit filled him with joy.
“Let’s try to pick the earliest date. Maybe even next week…”
“I have a riding meeting next week. I’ll be learning how to ride.”
As Sylvian gently declined the eager suggestion, he made it clear he intended to attend Countess Diacy’s gathering no matter what.
“You need to learn horseback riding too. I could introduce a great instructor—”
“I can! I can teach him!”
Yuri’s voice rang loudly.
Nearby nobles turned, startled, then chuckled at the sight.
‘The youngest of Countess Holt sure is spirited.’
‘He’s trying to earn a knighthood, despite being an omega. Impressive, isn’t it?’
They murmured among themselves, noting Yuri’s charm as a male omega—distinct from an alpha’s—and sneaking in slight mockery by comparing him to the duchess.
“S-sorry.”
“Lord Holt, I’ll handle the riding lessons.”
Hearing Zeroth’s calm reply, Yuri looked up in despair.
“I can do it well…”
“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”
“…Yes.”
Yuri had no choice but to give up on teaching Sylvian.
He knew he couldn’t keep visiting the duchal household just because they were close.
At first, he’d simply wanted to become friends with the duchess, who was in a similar position.
Or rather, his mother had said the duchess was incredibly beautiful, so he had wanted to see her face for himself.
But as he got to know the duchess—who, though inexperienced, gave his all in everything—he found himself more and more drawn to him.
He knew he shouldn’t feel this way, but he kept wanting to see that face again.
A single smile was enough to make his heart flutter.
“Sylvian, once I’m good at riding, let’s go to the riding grounds with Marti.”
Understanding his feelings, Sylvian gave a small, warm smile.
Yuri nodded helplessly.
The duchess already had feelings for the duke.
A kid like him wouldn’t even register.
‘It’s way too hot.’
Was it because of the crowd?
The heat wasn’t subsiding.
Sylvian fanned himself while waiting for the opera singer.
It was crowded, but not to this extent.
Now he understood why Elgana wore light clothes even in winter.
“I’ll step out for a moment.”
“I’ll prepare your coat.”
Seeing Sylvian’s flushed face, Zeroth led him to the terrace.
Karl called for a passing servant, but Zeroth waved him off and escorted Sylvian himself.
Sylvian gave a regretful wave to the two who had come to speak with him.
“The duchess’s health is concerning.”
“He’ll get better with continued training.”
“But you don’t join him in all his training, do you?”
The marquis’s eyes curved unpleasantly.
Yuri stared right back, lifting the corners of his lips into a smile that others often said was irresistible.
“We meet almost every day except weekends. I suppose you wouldn’t know, since you only visit once in a while.”
Several young ladies glanced Yuri’s way at his smiling response. Karl clenched his fists at the sight of that smile.
Why did it look so much like his?
Hair and eye color could match.
Even his refined looks and delicate build were similar.
There are lookalikes everywhere.
Just like how Zeroth Graham stayed unshaken, he too thought he was unaffected—
Yet even that crooked smile made him nearly reach out and touch his face.
“He’s still young. Maybe he doesn’t realize he’s being treated differently. Anyway, I’m busy. Excuse me.”
Feigning composure, Karl left like he was running away.
“There’s only a twelve-year gap.”
Yuri bit his lip hard. Karl Rooster was just twelve years older than him.
Now that he was an adult, that gap could be closed quickly enough.
He glared toward Karl, who was now chatting with other nobles again, tall and poised.
Thud.
“Ack!”
“What are you moping about? Where’s your ‘duke’?”
“He went outside with Sylvian because it was too hot.”
Still fuming, Yuri twisted in pain from the blow to his side.
Apparently, being a knight made a difference—Martius’s hit left his ribs sore.
He clenched his teeth. No way he was losing to this scrawny guy.
His mother once said: ‘Your first love never works out.’
But love? He could win that with grit.
“Don’t you like anyone?”
After groaning for a while, Yuri casually asked Martius, trying to hide his flustered heart.
“…”
Martius just looked at him with a pitying gaze, and Yuri’s mouth moved silently in frustration.
* * *
