* * *
“Training with the knights is just too much fun.”
“Hah, is it really that great?”
“Of course! Sir Zeroth is incredible.”
His eyes sparkled whenever he mentioned Duke Graham, which was disappointing, but Yuri had no choice but to pull out his trump card.
He knew exactly how to win favor with Sylvian, who deeply admired knights.
“R-really?”
It was amazing how his face flushed so quickly!
“The training is grueling, but it definitely makes you stronger.”
“I’ve been training hard too!”
Sylvian waved his slender arms. His arms were still thin like twigs, but he was at least healthier now.
He could still only run twenty laps around the training ground, but at least he no longer gasped for air as badly as before.
“Did my breathing technique help?”
“Yeah, I realized how important proper breathing is.”
“Right? I’m glad I could help. My mother sent some medicinal herbs that might be useful for the Duchess.”
“Again?!”
Yuri’s bright smile was so full of energy that it made me want to ruffle his hair.
Sylvian knew he was looking at him with that utterly smitten expression, as if Yuri found him unbearably cute, but to Sylvian, it was Yuri who was the cute one.
Even now, he was smiling at me like an excited retriever wagging its tail.
Seeing Yuri clinging to Sylvian was both unsettling and reassuring.
Unlike Karl, who was always unreadable, Yuri’s face openly displayed his emotions, making it easy to guess what he was thinking.
“Sylvian, you’ll get as healthy as me soon.”
“You think I can be like you?”
No response. Again.
Yuri’s expressions shifted rapidly depending on his mood.
He usually had such a bright, refreshing smile that just looking at him felt invigorating, but even when he pouted or sulked, he was still endearing.
It was enough to make Sylvian nod and think, ‘Ah, so this is the main uke.’
But seriously—how does someone that massive end up under Zeroth?
No matter how much Sylvian thought about it, he couldn’t understand.
Just how well did the Countess feed him for him to grow strong enough to take down most Alphas?
Sylvian decided to completely abandon the original story.
In the original, Yuri was a tall and slender beauty—not this hulking musclehead.
And yet, his face was still so stunning that his smile alone made his heart flutter.
“Do you know Marquis Karl?”
“Marquis Rooster? I’ve only heard the name.”
“Then Lady Nefer must be a first for you too.”
At the mention of two famous names, Yuri tilted his head in curiosity.
That, too, was adorable, making Sylvian impulsively reach out and ruffle Yuri’s hair.
“Gasp! Sorry, I’m sorry!”
“…….”
Sylvian only thought he was like a big dog, but he hadn’t actually planned to treat him like one.
Seeing Yuri freeze under my touch, he quickly apologized.
Sylvian knew the original story was a mess, but it was still scary.
He needed insurance—insurance everywhere.
Holding his breath, Sylvian watched Yuri, who had stiffened like a statue.
“I-I’m fine. It’s okay. It just surprised me since it’s been a while.”
“I won’t—”
“I like it! I like having my hair petted!”
Then why is your face so red?
Sylvian gaped at Yuri, who cut him off just to shout his approval.
From the side, Whisen, who had been standing guard, rubbed his temple.
You think this is a disaster too, don’t you?
“I still shouldn’t act rudely.”
“Even if I say I like it?”
Yuri tilted his face into his palm, his eyes curving in delight.
“No, I still can’t. I can’t just ruffle a grown nobleman’s hair so carelessly.”
Sylvian almost wavered.
Those bright, sparkling eyes nearly made him falter.
But no.
Maybe it was because he was so gorgeous, but Yuri knew exactly how to use his face to his advantage.
Sylvian only wanted a friendly relationship with Yuri—nothing more.
What really mattered was Zeroth.
Sylvian needed to shake up that masked face of his properly.
Yuri getting involved was unacceptable.
If Zeroth fell for Yuri again, Sylvian wouldn’t have the strength to go through it all over again.
“Where’s Sylvian?”
“Young Master Holt is with him in the drawing room.”
At the butler Kelvin’s report, Zeroth’s brow furrowed.
He tolerated Yuri Holt’s visits only because Sylvian liked him, but that man was coming to the Duke’s estate far too often.
Even though both of them were Omegas, preventing any scandalous rumors, it wouldn’t take long for people to start looking at them with suspicion.
Bang!
“Zeroth?!”
The first thing he saw when he opened the door was Sylvian, practically nestled against Yuri, reading a book.
Sylvian immediately sprang up and ran toward him, throwing himself into his arms.
But instead of the familiar weight in his embrace, Zeroth’s gaze remained fixed on Yuri.
And that guy is supposed to be completely clueless?
“Enjoying yourselves, I see?”
“Yes! The book Yuri studied was also in the Duke’s collection!”
Sylvian’s cheerful chatter in his ear was pleasant, but keeping an eye on Yuri was more important.
That brat didn’t look the least bit regretful about stealing something right out of his grasp.
Zeroth chuckled at the disgruntled expression on Yuri’s face.
“You seem to have a lot of free time.”
“I’m a student. Of course, I have free time.”
“Ah, right. You are still a student.”
At the deliberate emphasis on student, Yuri’s eyes narrowed.
“I suppose I should be heading back for today.”
“But I haven’t finished—”
Yuri lifted his book as if to protest but then glanced at the Duke’s spouse in Zeroth’s arms and stood up.
He knew he couldn’t stay.
No matter how beautiful Sylvian was, he couldn’t afford to covet him.
Pouting slightly, Yuri bowed deeply.
“I’ll visit again soon.”
Then—
Meh-rong.
He stuck out his tongue.
His bratty defiance was plain as day.
“Yuri, see you next time. I’ll visit the knights’ division soon.”
Feeling ignored in favor of the Duke, Sylvian patted Yuri’s arm in consolation.
“Yes! I’ll be waiting!”
The warm touch on his arm quickly soothed Yuri’s sulk, making him grin before he exited the room.
“Yuri is always so full of energy.”
“Sylvian, you mustn’t learn from that wild colt.”
“A colt?!”
Sylvian giggled at Zeroth’s words.
Whisen quietly slipped out, leaving the couple to their conversation.
“He’s more like a puppy than a colt, though.”
“A puppy? Don’t insult such a lovable creature by comparing it to that obnoxious noble.”
Zeroth grimaced in disgust, making Sylvian laugh as he nestled into his arms.
“Welcome home.”
Chu.
“I’m home. How was training today?”
“I did one more push-up.”
Zeroth sat down on the sofa, settling Sylvian onto his lap.
The familiar weight pressing against his thigh was comforting.
The sweet sound of Sylvian recounting his day, listing every little thing he did, felt like a song he never wanted to stop hearing.
“Can I really visit the knights’ division?”
“Of course.”
Zeroth didn’t care about Yuri—only that, no matter how much time Sylvian spent with him, the moment he arrived, Sylvian always came straight to him.
And every time Yuri’s face fell in frustration, something inside him thrilled.
He chuckled at himself.
Acting so childish, squabbling with a brat fifteen years younger than him—it was ridiculous.
But in this fight, he had no intention of losing.
He’d caught Sylvian’s gaze lingering on Yuri more than once.
‘Why the hell are you even looking at him?’
He already knew the answer.
It was the muscles.
That damn muscle.
* * *
