* * *
“Sylvian, it’s okay.”
Zeroth smirked as he watched Sylvian clutching his hand tightly, unable to let go.
He seemed unwilling to separate from him.
He had been fine when they left the ducal estate, but the moment they boarded the carriage, his face had started growing paler and paler.
Now, he was on the verge of tears, unsure of what to do.
“What if I make a mistake?”
Hearing his trembling voice, Zeroth pulled Sylvian onto his lap.
“It’s fine. You are the duchess. No one can find fault with you.”
The gentle voice soothed the tension in those green eyes.
Zeroth was growing more and more fond of his wife, who trusted his every word as if it were absolute.
“Shall I help you stop trembling?”
“How?”
Sylvian’s eyes widened at the question, and Zeroth kissed him.
Smooch.
“If you move, your outfit will get ruined.”
At those words, Sylvian’s entire body stiffened.
Zeroth, holding the back of his head to keep his carefully styled hair from getting messed up, pressed their lips together again.
“Hm! Ngh!”
When Zeroth playfully teased the roof of his mouth, Sylvian shuddered, his body rigid with nervousness.
The way his backside twitched on Zeroth’ lap in response to the kiss made Zeroth want to strip him right there in the carriage.
“You need to stay still. No one should know how desperately your body is begging for your husband.”
At the deep chuckle and teasing words, Sylvian’s face turned bright red.
As if he had never done anything embarrassing, he pressed his lips together and focused on cooling his flushed face.
Seeing that he was too embarrassed to even ask to be let go, only fidgeting with his clothes, Zeroth had no choice but to kiss him again.
“Mm.”
“If you’re scared, just say my name. No fool will dare act out.”
As the kiss deepened, Sylvian pouted at the thought of his outfit getting wrinkled.
Zeroth, seeing no other choice, reluctantly pulled back and wiped his damp lips with a handkerchief.
“Alright. That’s enough.”
As Sylvian pushed him away with a whine, Zeroth tilted his head.
“I only want to help my nervous wife. Do you dislike it?”
His shameless words left Sylvian speechless, but he quickly shook his head.
“…I like it. But the servants worked so hard to make me look good.”
Mumbling softly, he looked down at his clothes.
Zeroth, chuckling, promised to behave and carefully wiped Sylvian’s lips clean.
‘I need some nobles to approach me and ignore Zeroth.’
Stepping out of the carriage, Sylvian stood before the ballroom doors, clenching his fists.
One arm was held out for Zeroth to escort him inside.
Zeroth firmly grasped Sylvian’s now cold hand.
“Just trust me.”
“…Alright.”
Seeing the sincerity in Zeroth’ face, Sylvian felt a twinge of guilt.
Forcing a smile, he looked up at him.
He wasn’t actually nervous.
But having to act tense every time was exhausting.
When would he finally be able to act like his real self?
Sighing to himself, he swallowed his frustration.
“Duke Zeroth Graham and Duchess Sylvian Graham, entering!”
At the steward’s announcement, the grand doors swung open.
The sudden flood of bright light made Sylvian flinch, halting his steps.
The ballroom was packed with nobles.
Sylvian’s sharp gaze quickly scanned the room.
Mistaking his hesitation for fear, Zeroth strode forward without hesitation, pulling him along.
As Sylvian was led forward, he spotted a group of nobles approaching to greet the duke.
His eyes gleamed.
There had to be at least one useful alpha in there.
Feeling a thrill of anticipation, Sylvian’s body trembled slightly.
Zeroth, however, had already decided—if any fool dared touch his wife, he would personally separate their head from their body.
‘Zeroth told me to behave…’
But so many people were approaching him.
The imperial banquet was dull.
Having experienced it in his past life, Sylvian adapted quickly.
“Duchess, I am the Count you greeted earlier.”
A count extended his hand politely.
Useless.
Sylvian placed his hand in his, watching as the count bent down to kiss it before straightening.
Zeroth had barely disappeared, and all sorts of people were already swarming him.
“Where has the Duke gone?”
He was mocking why the Alpha had left the Omega alone, but Sylvian, feigning ignorance, proudly stated the truth.
“His Majesty said he had something important to discuss in private.”
“Well, Duke Graham is someone His Majesty trusts.”
“Right?!”
As Sylvian, who had been wary of strangers, beamed at the praise directed at Zeroth, the people who had been watching the duchess exchanged glances.
The moment the duke disappeared, his face crumbled as if he were about to cry—it was adorable.
The Alphas had been circling the duchess since earlier, drawn by the faint pheromones leaking from him, engaging him in conversation.
Even when they pressed deep kisses to his hand, he remained oblivious, responding to greetings with a polite, unknowing smile.
This only encouraged more of them to gather.
“Duchess, would you be so kind as to accept my greetings as well?”
Seeing the duchess pressed against the wall by the wave of Alphas, a noble finally stepped forward.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Count Raven Holt. This is my wife, Marlene Holt.”
The woman beside him gave a small curtsy.
“H-Hello. I’m Sylvian Graham.”
It was the protagonist’s parents!
Sylvian’s eyes widened.
To think he would meet them so easily without even trying!
As the older woman spoke to him, the nobles around Sylvian, reassured by her presence, inched closer.
The count and countess were far better company than that arrogant count from earlier.
“Are you enjoying the party?”
“Yes. I think so.”
Countess Holt let out a small sigh at the duchess, who nodded awkwardly, looking completely at a loss.
If he showed his nervousness so openly, he would become an easy target.
No matter how urgent things were, the duke should have considered this.
Moving to stand beside the duchess, who was practically pressed against the wall, the countess whispered quietly.
“Duchess, your pheromones.”
At her words, Sylvian’s eyes widened in panic.
She was reminded of her own son.
Oh dear, he better not be like this when he grows up.
It was only natural for a parent to be concerned when faced with such innocent, wide eyes.
“Thank you.”
Soon, the duchess’s pheromones vanished.
With the scent that had stirred up the party now gone, the Alphas reluctantly dispersed.
“If you don’t mind, may I introduce you to some of the other ladies?”
“I’d like that.”
The count, who had been the first to speak to Sylvian, shot a glare at his wife, but he backed down when she silently mouthed “Zeroth Graham.”
He had no choice but to withdraw.
“That one doesn’t have the best reputation. It would be wise to be cautious.”
She spoke briefly as they moved.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, it’s only natural. You’re new to society, after all. Besides, my son is around your age, so I can’t help but be a little more attentive.”
“A grown son? I thought you might have a younger child.”
Sylvian’s eyes widened in disbelief, making Countess Holt chuckle behind her hand.
She dismissed it as mere flattery, but the duchess’s expression was sweet enough to lift her mood.
“My child is also a male Omega, just like you.”
She said this with a small smile, piquing Sylvian’s curiosity.
“Oh! The Holt family!”
Recognition dawned late on Sylvian’s face, and the countess patted his hand reassuringly.
Of course, Sylvian would know her son.
Even if he never left the house, he must have heard about him countless times.
* * *
