* * *
The two men pressed their lips together tightly, trying to suppress their reactions as they watched Sylvian’s eyes dart back and forth and his ears twitch at their conversation.
“A first-time party, huh. I’ll make sure to send a suitable gift.”
“You don’t need to go that far to show goodwill… but I’ll look forward to it. I trust you’ll send something appropriate.”
As Sylvian subtly moved his lips, eager to join the conversation while sipping his tea, Aihin smirked.
Zeroth, too, must have found that reaction cute, which was why he deliberately responded.
“Duchess.”
“Yes!”
“Would it be alright if I sent you a gift as well?”
Sylvian glanced at Zeroth for approval, and when he saw the duke giving a subtle nod, he almost nodded immediately in response.
“Th-Thank you for Your Highness’s generosity?”
“A brooch, cufflinks, or shoes—what would you prefer?”
“…A brooch.”
Preferably one with a large gemstone.
Sylvian recalled the accessories he had bought recently.
The maids had gasped at the sight of them, assuming they must have been exorbitantly expensive.
“Alright. I’ll have it sent to the duchy before the party.”
“Thank you!”
Watching Aihin speak, Sylvian decided that although the crown prince might soon turn into a fool in love, he was still a good person.
As long as he didn’t cause trouble for Sylvian, that was all that mattered!
Sylvian couldn’t stop the corners of his lips from curling up.
“If we’re done with tea, shall we take a short walk in the garden?”
With nothing more to say to Zeroth, Aihin suggested a stroll.
“It’s beautiful,” Sylvian murmured, taking in the sight of the crown prince’s garden. He had only just stepped through the entrance, yet the elegance and grandeur left him speechless.
“Ahem. The gardeners did an excellent job,” Aihin remarked.
He struggled to suppress his laughter as he watched Sylvian marvel and gasp at every sight.
The duke hardly seemed like the type to fall for such pure-hearted charm.
Out of curiosity, Aihin glanced at Zeroth, who was watching his wife with a soft, gentle smile.
Such a peaceful expression…
It was the first time he had ever seen Zeroth look like this.
Was this truly love?
Aihin found it fascinating that Sylvian, who had spent his life in a viscount’s household, unable to even stand up for himself, had somehow captured the heart of the empire’s coldest man.
What was his secret?
Aihin couldn’t tear his gaze away from Sylvian’s bright, clear eyes.
“Let’s go inside,” Zeroth said, taking Sylvian’s hand and leading him into the garden.
Their gazes met for a brief moment, and within Zeroth’s eyes was a silent warning.
Aihin nearly scoffed.
Did he seriously think Aihin had any interest in his duchess?
He already had a high-status omega fiancée.
Their wedding was approaching soon, and he wouldn’t take an underdeveloped omega like that even if someone handed him over.
‘How greedy,’ Aihin thought.
Possessiveness was natural for an alpha, but the way the duke glared at him with such blatant hostility was almost laughable.
Yet, Aihin didn’t bother protesting against Zeroth’s insolent gaze.
After all, even as the empire’s second prince, he was still only the third most influential.
‘Damn these genetic rankings.’
“Sylvian, what’s the name of this flower?”
As Sylvian walked alongside the duke, he noticed Aihin trailing behind at a sluggish pace.
What’s wrong with him now?
The prince’s lifeless steps were strange.
The garden was beautiful, but after seeing all the breathtaking sights in the duchy’s gardens, it didn’t particularly move him.
He pointed at a random flower just to break the silence.
“…”
Zeroth was at a loss for words.
Of course, he had no interest in flowers.
Even as a dominant alpha, he couldn’t possibly know everything about the world.
The moment Sylvian saw his blank expression, he burst into bright laughter.
“Sylvian, don’t laugh like that,” Aihin muttered, stopping in his tracks.
Zeroth also spoke in a low voice.
Standing amidst the lush blooms, Sylvian’s clear, joyful laughter made him look almost like a flower blooming for the first time—or even a fairy straight out of legend.
“I never thought there was something Zeroth didn’t know.”
“I’m only human.”
“What about you, Your Highness?”
Aihin scoffed.
He had no interest either.
Flowers were for old aristocrats to admire, weren’t they?
Even though they were dominant alphas, they were still just in their thirties—mere infants compared to long-lived genetic elites who lived for nearly 200 years.
The two exchanged sour glances, feeling equally insulted by Sylvian’s comparison.
“We’ll ask the gardener after our walk,” Aihin said, clearing his throat.
Sylvian merely chuckled and walked ahead.
Yet the crown prince couldn’t stop himself from watching Sylvian.
An omega barely past his youth.
Aihin had a good relationship with his own omega fiancée.
He respected his omega, and he wasn’t pathetic enough to be swayed by someone else’s spouse.
‘It’s just that beautiful things naturally catch the eye.’
People, objects, and works of art—one’s gaze would always be drawn to what was beautiful and extraordinary.
For someone who had spent his life in the imperial palace, Sylvian was a kind of purity he had never seen before, radiating an untamed beauty.
It was only natural that he would be drawn to him.
Aihin ran a hand roughly through his hair and followed Zeroth’s lead.
This was enough goodwill.
He shouldn’t create any more tension with Zeroth.
Who knew how much longer the duke would tolerate the imperial family’s overreach?
“Will you invite me again?”
Tea time had ended quickly. Aihin gave a nonchalant “Sure” in response, and Sylvian, satisfied with the answer, tightened his grip on Zeroth’s hand.
“I had so much fun today. Next time, I’ll invite you to the duchy.”
“I look forward to it. You’ve done well, Duke.”
It had been a successful visit.
After their walk, they had even summoned the gardener to ask about the name of the flower.
Sylvian had familiarized himself with the crown prince’s gardener, his knights, and even his aide, Alec.
At one point, Alec had sent a desperate look toward the prince, silently begging him to get back to work, which had set off another round of laughter.
“How was today?”
As soon as they got into the carriage, Zeroth asked, watching how Sylvian’s lips refused to stop smiling.
What had made him so happy?
His wife had been fascinated by everything in the crown prince’s palace.
Since he rarely left the duchy, it made sense that even a small outing would delight him.
Maybe he needed to take him out more often.
Next week, they had a party to attend. After that, perhaps a picnic would be nice.
“It was fun. The imperial palace is incredible. Of course, the duchy is wonderful too, but, hmm…”
Not wanting to sound like he was making a direct comparison, Sylvian chose his words carefully.
“The duchy is calm and elegant, while the palace is grand and magnificent.”
Even the flowers were so large and luscious that he could tell at a glance they were expensive.
And yet, despite living in such splendor with a beautiful omega fiancée, why was the crown prince so captivated by the main lead?
It seemed Sylvian would have to step in and help keep the prince’s household in order.
The main lead belonged to Zeroth.
No one else could have him, and in the end, that was how it would be.
Bringing a few wandering sub love interests back to their rightful places while receiving a little assistance in return—wasn’t that the best strategy?
“If Sylvie feels that way, then that’s how it is.”
“But… why do you keep calling me Sylvie?”
* * *
