* * *
“He’s not here today?”
“He’s currently studying abroad at the academy.”
“Oh… I made a mistake. Do you think I’ll ever get to meet him?”
“Of course. He’ll return to the Empire after graduation.”
Hearing that, Sylvian’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Graduation was in the spring next year, so he only had to wait a little longer.
The countess thought of what Viscountess Nertian had said about her eldest.
She suspected the delicate-looking duchess before her was the very Omega they had been talking about.
Seeing Sylvian’s thin frame, she felt a pang of pity.
She hoped he and her son could become friends.
“Well, he still has two more years until graduation, but perhaps during the holidays—”
“What?!”
Two more years until graduation?!
Sylvian stared at the countess in disbelief.
“Oh-hoho, the academy isn’t a place you can graduate from so quickly.”
No, this wasn’t right.
In the original story, a year after Sylvian married Zeroth, the Holt heir appeared in the capital.
Zeroth fell in love with him at first sight, and Sylvian, driven to despair, caused havoc until his eventual downfall.
“Are you sure it’s two more years until he graduates?”
“Yes. You must be eager to meet him.”
The countess misinterpreted Sylvian’s reaction, thinking Viscountess Nertian had often spoken of her son.
The viscountess had a son who was also a male Omega and frequently shared her struggles.
She often consulted the countess, lamenting how frail Sylvian was and asking about her own child.
It made sense that Sylvian would be happy to hear about someone in a similar situation.
“Yes. There aren’t many noble male Omegas in the Empire.”
“Indeed. My son was curious about you as well. Perhaps he’ll return home this holiday.”
In truth, her son had no interest in Sylvian whatsoever.
But seeing the hopeful look on the duchess’s face, she felt guilty telling him the truth.
Instead, she smiled warmly, assuring him they would meet soon.
Led by the countess, Sylvian was introduced to the noble ladies, drawing many curious gazes.
Among them, one was particularly persistent.
A man with violet eyes kept throwing glances at Sylvian’s round head as he moved through conversations.
“Marquis, what has caught your attention?”
“I was merely observing how delighted the ladies seem in their conversation.”
His companion, who had been discussing the upcoming council meeting, noticed his distraction and asked.
The marquis chuckled, watching the group of ladies burst into laughter.
“The new duchess has made his debut. I was quite surprised earlier.”
He laughed heartily.
When the duke left, the duchess had looked on the verge of tears and unconsciously released his pheromones.
The Alphas had coughed awkwardly and turned away, while the Omegas had frowned and fanned themselves.
“It’s fortunate the Holt couple stepped in.”
“Well, they have a son in the same situation, so it’s only natural.”
His companion lowered his voice.
“If things had played out differently, the Holt heir might have been the duchess instead.”
At those words, the marquis chuckled softly and shook his head.
Duke Graham would never have chosen such a difficult path.
The bride the Imperial family had intended was neither the Holt heir nor that Omega.
The marquis turned his gaze away from the duchess, who was blushing among the noblewomen.
“He smiles without even knowing his own predicament.”
Marrying someone who couldn’t even control his pheromones?
Zeroth Graham must have lost his mind.
Karl Rooster, having briefly been distracted, turned his attention elsewhere.
“How adorable. I wonder if the rumors about the Duke doting on his young Omega spouse are really true.”
No matter which group one joined, the conversations about the Duke and Duchess of Graham never ceased.
‘Tsk.’
Once again, the center of attention at this party was Zeroth Graham.
Karl Rooster’s gaze grew increasingly cold.
He was already furious that the imperial family had failed to push the Omega he had offered into the duchy.
But the fact that such a foolish Omega had taken that place instead made him even more displeased.
Marquis Rooster greeted the nobles who came to pay their respects with an easy smile.
“If the Duke has truly found a suitable match, then it’s a fortunate thing for the empire.”
Karl’s gaze shifted back to Sylvian, who was smiling radiantly.
Was it really love?
What expression would the Duke make if his precious spouse was broken?
For the first time in a long while, Karl’s heart began to race.
The Marquis secretly observed the Duchess, who remained blissfully unaware.
He wasn’t the only one watching Sylvian intently.
“Viscount Nertian? It is you! Hahaha, it’s been a while!”
“Earl. Have you been well?”
Viscount Nertian, who had frowned at the sight of his son disappearing into the crowd, forced a smile as a noble suddenly struck up a conversation.
“You’ve done quite well, haven’t you?”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, don’t pretend you don’t know! I mean the Duchess of Graham.”
Lowering his voice significantly, the Earl clapped Viscount Nertian on the shoulder.
The Viscount let out an awkward laugh.
His family was on the brink of ruin.
Then, at just the right moment, an invitation from the imperial family had arrived.
His household had fallen so low that they no longer even received invitations to imperial events.
Viscount Nertian believed that the heavens had given him one last chance.
His wife’s blunder had cost them their place at the Duke’s side, but if he managed to stir up enough sympathy, perhaps the punishment imposed on her might be lessened.
Hadn’t everyone seen how the Duke had paid special attention to Sylvian upon entering the party?
“Ahem. It is all thanks to the Duke’s love for my child.”
Feigning modesty, the Viscount smiled sheepishly.
Yes. A little bit of risk was acceptable.
After all, wasn’t this proof that people were finally recognizing the value of his family?
“Hmph, and yet, here you are acting like this when you’ve become the Duke’s father-in-law.”
“I must remain humble. I can’t afford to be reckless, can I?”
At his words, the Earl chuckled and praised him, saying, “There aren’t many like you.”
Straightening his back under the gazes directed at him, Viscount Nertian reminded himself that, no matter what, he was still the father of the Duchess.
With an affable smile, he looked once more at his son, who was among a group of noblewomen.
“I should have introduced my son sooner, but the Duchess has been frail since childhood, you see.”
Lies flowed effortlessly from his lips.
He had to win people over before the Duke arrived.
“Well, male Omegas aren’t exactly known for their robust health, are they? It’s unnatural for them to even exist.”
“Hmph. Still, what can you do? He’s my child.”
Even at such a blatantly malicious remark, the Viscount merely nodded calmly.
“Has the Duke not provided you with support? Given your newfound connection to his house?”
“How could I possibly say such a thing? He has been most generous. Hahaha. You have no idea how much he cherishes my child.”
Laughing heartily, the Viscount gestured toward the elegantly adorned Duchess with his eyes.
Clink!
While Viscount Nertian was busy entertaining nobles eager to curry favor with the Duke’s family, Sylvian did not refuse the wine offered to him.
The smooth liquid slid down his throat.
‘It tastes even better because it’s imperial wine.’
Even without a mirror, he knew how flushed his face must be.
He had told himself to drink only a little, but upon hearing that the main character, ‘Yuri’, wouldn’t return to the capital for another two years, his frustration flared, and he couldn’t sit still.
‘What the hell did I do wrong?!’
* * *
