WMPW chapter 9

Etienne’s green eyes widened in an instant. Despite his lack of worldly knowledge, he knew that a Duke was a significant figure and that the Duke’s residence was not a place just anyone could enter.

“The Duke’s residence?”

“Yes. As I mentioned last night, I plan to be your patron.”

Etienne’s face lit up brightly. The enthusiasm that couldn’t be hidden was evident on the Omega’s radiant face.

“And there is a laboratory at the Leondine Duke’s residence.”

‘A laboratory! A laboratory!’

With access to prior research materials, tremendous funding, and a laboratory already set up in the comfortable environment of the Duke’s residence, there was hope even in this damn modern age where science was neglected!

“Really, really? No take-backs?”

Etienne shouted cheerfully, clutching the cloak tightly, his green eyes sparkling with intelligence or perhaps madness. Lucian looked at him with great satisfaction.

“And you.”

The corners of the Alpha’s mouth, notorious for being cold and indifferent, curved into a genuine smile.

The Director, who had been watching this unbelievable sight, cautiously spoke up.

“Your Grace, are you really serious? Maybe you should reconsider…”

“I don’t know how many times you’ve asked that question.”

“But you know what it means. There are many people in this orphanage, and the rumors will spread.”

Kionel’s concern was understandable.

If the rumor that the Duke of Leondine took a young Omega from his sponsored orphanage to his residence spread, it was obvious what people would say.

They would gossip that the noble Duke, who pretended to be different, eventually took an Omega as his lover.

They would say that he invited the young Omega to his bedroom every night. It wouldn’t take long for such nonsense to spread in society.

However, Lucian, well aware of this, merely scoffed.

“Let them gossip. What does that have to do with me?”

“What do you mean, what does it have to do with you? Your reputation… And Harrington’s conduct is far from decent. Taking him with you is…”

“It doesn’t matter.”

At another derogatory remark about Etienne, Lucian’s eyes turned fierce. His gaze was chillingly cold.

“No matter what others gossip about with their filthy imaginations, that’s none of my concern.”

After saying that, Lucian seemed to contemplate something for a moment, then turned to Etienne.

“What do you think?”

“Oh, of course, I think every word is absolutely right!”

Etienne wagged his tail and answered coyly.

What is the most crucial quality of a researcher? It is the ability to make sponsors open their wallets!

Without funding to run a laboratory, no amount of talent would be useful.

Moreover, Etienne didn’t entirely disagree with Lucian. If his only supporter said even the most nonsensical thing, Etienne would have nodded eagerly.

“People here call Omegas vulgar, but the truth is, the real vulgarity lies in their own minds. Seriously, is that the only kind of imagination they have?”

Omega’s face crumpled automatically as they recalled the tiresome superstitions they had heard since arriving here. With a voice full of indignation, the pretty Omega with sparkling green eyes shouted out.

“They even called me lewd! I can’t believe it!”

“Pfft….”

At that outburst, Lucian couldn’t hold back his laughter. A cheerful smile spread across his face, considering he himself had felt a sudden wave of embarrassment just a few minutes ago.

On the other hand, Director Kionel wore a strange expression as if questioning why such a topic was being brought up.

Understandably so, given that Etienne, who hadn’t even buttoned up his shirt, was now burying his face in an Alpha’s cloak.

It wasn’t surprising that Director Kionel looked at them with an expression that suggested he couldn’t believe he was hearing such nonsense.

Even though Etienne was genuinely upset and completely unaware of how he looked.

Lucian kept laughing at Etienne and then reached out to gently stroke the squirrel-like brown hair.

“You really are easy to talk to.”

It was a touch that could be seen as either affectionate or endearing, hard for an observer to distinguish. Lucian patted Etienne’s shoulder a couple more times and said,

“Go and get your research journal. We’re leaving immediately.”

“What, now? Right now?”

“Do we have any reason to stay here longer?”

At Lucian’s raised-eyebrow question, Etienne shook his head vigorously.

“No, of course not!”

“Good. Then go get it quickly.”

“Yes! I’ll get it right away!”

Etienne jumped up but paused momentarily, looking back at Lucian.

“Uh, should I only bring the research journal? What about clothes or…?”

“What do you need those for?”

Lucian asked incredulously at Etienne’s question. Then, with a confident and trustworthy smile, he said,

“I told you, I’ll spare no support for you.”

It was as if a radiant halo shone behind Lucian as he spoke, and a sacred sound of money fluttering could almost be heard in the background.

“If you want, I’ll call the best tailor in the empire to make custom clothes for you. Just bring your research journal without worry.”

How could this not be a dream?

Etienne felt so overwhelmed that he almost cried.

All the hardships he had endured until now seemed to be trials meant for this very day.

Suddenly, Lucian seemed even more handsome. That well-built Alpha appeared utterly lovable.

Looking at the legendary golden lifeline pouring unlimited research funds, Etienne smiled as brightly as ever.

“Yes! Thank you, Duke!”

* * *

Lucian’s declaration that they would leave immediately was no exaggeration.

As soon as Etienne brought his research journal downstairs, Lucian first made sure he ate, then promptly put him in the carriage.

Riding a carriage for the first time in his life, Etienne stared out the window with his mouth agape in wonder.

Despite his shabby clothes, the carriage’s interior was incredibly luxurious.

The shiny decorations seemed to be made of gold or silver, and the seats were velvet and silk.

The elegant carriage was being pulled by two beautiful white horses.

In short, Etienne felt like the star of a parade at an amusement park.

“Is it that amazing?”

“Of course! When would I ever have had the chance to ride a carriage? It’s absolutely fascinating!”

Etienne exclaimed cheerfully in response to Lucian’s question.

The Alpha chuckled at the Omega’s innocent excitement.

While the excited Etienne couldn’t take his eyes off the window, Lucian casually flipped through the pages of Etienne’s research journal resting on his lap.

“You’ll get to ride it so often you’ll grow tired of it. If you want, I can gift you your own carriage.”

“Wow, really? Seriously?”

Riding a carriage pulled by white horses—was he joining the ranks of princesses from fairy tales like Cinderella, Snow White, or Rapunzel?

As Etienne got lost in such daydreams, Lucian warned in a seemingly indifferent tone,

“And if you don’t want to get motion sickness, you’d better sit still.”

“Oh, come on, motion sickness? I’ve never had motion sickness in my life!”

Etienne bravely dismissed the warning, but in hindsight, it was a foolish thing to say.

This body isn’t the same as the original.

“Ugh…”

“Told you so.”

After traveling over bumpy roads in a horse-drawn carriage, his weak body finally gave up, and Etienne’s face grew paler by the minute, proving Lucian’s warning right.

Before long, Etienne, now completely pale, began to groan. The sound of someone on the verge of death filled the carriage.

“Duke… I think I’m going to die…”

“I told you to stay still.”

“Ugh…”

Shaking his head, Lucian closed the research journal. Meanwhile, Etienne, sitting opposite him, collapsed onto the seat.

After a moment, the pitiful Omega reached out desperately toward the Alpha.

“Duke… could you help me…?”

With each labored breath, a sweet scent filled the air. The paleness of his face, the distorted expression, and the disheveled hair were enough to stir desire.

Especially the sweat droplets forming on his forehead and his slightly parted red lips, which were maddening.

Does he really not know what he’s doing? Lucian felt a headache coming on and rubbed his forehead.

He struggled to calm the heat rising within him as he spoke.

“Do you need a break?”

But despite his heartfelt restraint, Etienne’s response only further tested Lucian’s patience.

“No, I don’t need a break. I just need you, Duke…”

Ah, poor Duke Leondine.

His patience, which kept his overwhelming and embarrassing emotions in check, deserved high praise.