* * *
The hand that struck fear into many was endlessly gentle when it came to Etienne.
Like a puppy, Etienne enjoyed the affectionate touch for a moment before speaking.
“Anyway, it’s a relief. I was going to ask if we could go out for a bit this afternoon.”
“Suddenly?”
“Yes. Ah, if you’re not free, we can go another time.”
This was the first time Etienne had asked to go out since arriving at the mansion, and Lucian asked curiously.
“I’m free. Is there something you need to do outside?”
“Yesterday, I heard from the workers here that you can observe surgeries at the hospital. They say surgeries are open to the public.”
“…You want to observe a surgery, Etienne?”
Lucian’s expression showed slight disapproval.
Whether he noticed or not, Etienne continued excitedly.
“Yes. I’ve been curious about it for a while, but with everything we had to do together, I kept postponing it and eventually forgot. I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go see it now that I’ve remembered.”
Checking the level of surgical procedures here was one of the tasks Etienne needed to complete.
Though it had been puhed aside due to more urgent matters, the idea had resurfaced now.
For proper research, genetic analysis technology was essential, but this place didn’t even have the concept of genes.
So, they had to start from introducing the concept of genes, among other foundational tasks, which had puhed aside the matter of surgeries for a while.
“It’s better to see something once than hear about it a hundred times, right? I heard that the Duke checked all the samples yesterday, so if you have time, let’s go out today.”
However, unlike the excited chattering of Etienne, Lucian’s expression was far from pleased.
His furrowed eyebrows clearly showed his reluctance.
Lucian would usually grant Etienne’s wihes, whatever they might be, but he didn’t particularly want to show him a surgical scene.
Hence, he subtly voiced his refusal in a disapproving tone.
“Etienne, surgeries aren’t exactly a pleasant sight.”
“Huh? Well, of course not. What surgery is pleasant to watch?”
But Etienne didn’t understand Lucian’s refusal and asked again, widening his eyes as if questioning the obvious.
“Are you really okay with it?”
“Of course. I mean, we did dissections together, so do you think I can’t handle a surgery scene?”
Etienne’s reaction stemmed from a fundamental difference in understanding between the surgeries he knew and those Lucian referred to.
Even if not expecting 21st-century technology, Etienne perceived surgery as a life-saving act based on his experiences.
And this led to a significant communication error between Etienne and Lucian.
“You’re right, but you said it yourself: watching a dead person is different from watching someone die. Are you really okay with seeing a living person having their body cut open with knives and saws, bleeding profusely?”
“Why are you describing surgery like a horror movie? And surgery isn’t comparable to murder. Surgery is meant to save lives, not take them.”
Etienne had no idea that the “knives and saws” Lucian mentioned were vastly different from what he had imagined.
“…If you insist.”
“Yay!”
Little did he know how intense the price of his ignorance would be.
Etienne and Lucian stepped out, both dressed to the nines.
It was their first proper outing together since Etienne had come to the Duke’s residence.
Etienne, dressed impeccably after a long time, looked radiantly beautiful.
The emerald green vest embroidered with silver thread, cream-colored coat, and cravat pin adorned with a large emerald made the already lovely omega shine even brighter.
On the other hand, Lucian, in a black shirt and deep burgundy vest, exuded an overwhelming masculinity befitting an alpha.
His imposing physique was striking, but Etienne seemed unfazed, casually leaning on his broad shoulder.
An omega reminiscent of the vibrant greenery of early summer and an alpha with the cold, overwhelming presence of midwinter frost.
Though they had nothing in common, they somehow made a fitting pair.
“Hey, Duke… can’t we just walk from here?”
In the rattling carriage, Etienne, who had been leaning on Lucian, grabbed his collar and pleaded as the carriage entered the bustling city.
He seemed to be getting motion sickness again.
Seeing the slight pallor of the omega resting on his shoulder, Lucian immediately halted the carriage.
“Of course. Let’s get off right away.”
“Ugh…”
As the carriage stopped, Etienne stumbled to his feet.
Naturally, there was an alpha’s hand around his slender waist to keep him from falling.
Lucian, who got off the carriage first, extended his hand to help Etienne down.
Though it wasn’t really necessary since Etienne wasn’t wearing a long skirt, the two naturally performed the escort and reception smoothly.
From the outside, they looked like a harmonious couple.
“Shall we go, Etienne?”
When Lucian started walking, Etienne naturally followed closely behind, looking around in wonder.
‘Wow, it feels just like Europe…’
Etienne, who spent every day cooped up in the mansion’s laboratory, was seeing the bustling city for the first time.
His eyes sparkled as he took in the urban scenery for the first time, feeling like he was on a European tour.
Without realizing it, Etienne’s pace slowed down.
Lucian, noticing this instantly, matched his stride to the small omega’s pace, thinking how much he resembled a curious squirrel.
“Do you like the city? You can’t seem to take your eyes off it.”
“It’s fascinating. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“If you want, we can come out like this more often.”
“No, there’s no need. Things like this are only special when seen occasionally. And I prefer being in the lab doing experiments with you, Duke.”
Etienne shook his head at Lucian’s suggestion, replying without realizing how much his words captivated.
“Don’t you feel the same, Duke?”
“…Yes, I do.”
Completely unaware of how his casual words quickened someone’s heartbeat, Etienne eagerly followed Lucian through the crowded capital streets.
How long had they been walking side by side like that?
Humming csheerfully, Etienne suddenly made an unexpected reImprint.
“But Duke, you must be quite popular.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, everyone here is staring at you.”
Etienne pointed to the people around them.
As he said, the street had been buzzing with people’s stares since a while ago.
A pair of elegantly dressed individuals adorned with noble jewelry and expensive silk naturally drew attention wherever they went.
Their appearances were so striking and beautiful that anyone passing by would have to look twice.
Moreover, Lucian wasn’t just any ordinary person.
He was a renowned figure who had appeared in the newspapers multiple times as an idol of the empire.
It was only natural for passersby to glance and gossip about the two.
Considering the widespread rumor that Lucian had taken in an omega, the next day’s newspapers would likely carry an article about their outing.
“Being a war hero and a genius of the century, it seems even ordinary folks recognize you. You’re like a celebrity.”
Feeling like the friend of a popular idol, Etienne made a lighthearted comment.
“Or maybe it’s just that you’re so handsome, Duke, that you stand out.”
“Who knows.”
Etienne’s compliment was nothing more than a straightforward observation, devoid of flattery or flirtation.
It wasn’t driven by any attraction or deep emotion, just a passing words with little significance.
For that reason, Lucian didn’t appreciate it much.
He stopped abruptly in the middle of the path. Etienne, who had also stopped, looked up in confusion.
In the next instant, the innocent omega found his cheeks seized by the alpha’s hands.
“Being noticeable is…”
Lucian leaned in, cupping Etienne’s cheeks as if he was about to kiss him.
Etienne’s eyes widened as their foreheads nearly touched.
Watching Etienne’s bewildered expression, Lucian chuckled softly.
“…not unique to me.”
* * *
