* * *
Rather than answering, Chester began to walk.
His strides were long, and his voice hummed with interest.
A young man was pacing nervously in front of a fountain in the garden.
Even from behind, it was obvious that he was flustered.
Chester could tell at a glance the man wasn’t employed by the estate.
‘A stranger at this hour…’
He walked a few steps closer—and his lips twitched slightly.
A delicate scent touched his nose. It was unmistakably omega pheromones.
Even though it was faint, it was intoxicating enough to send a shiver down his spine.
‘Omega.’
There was a reason Chester picked up on it so quickly.
As an alpha, he was particularly sensitive to omega pheromones.
A smile curled on his lips.
Just the scent alone sent a sharp thrill rushing through his arms.
He was intrigued. He’d never had such a visceral reaction to a scent before.
Chester glanced back at David and gave him a subtle nod to stay put.
David, though puzzled, obeyed.
Without losing the lazy droop of his eyelids, Chester made his way toward the stranger.
“Looking for something?”
Startled, the omega whipped around with wide eyes.
Up close, he was even more striking—a young man with a rare, elegant beauty that exuded a noble air, even though he hadn’t done anything in particular.
‘Well-mannered. Looks like he comes from a good family,’ Chester thought, observing him silently.
The omega quickly composed himself and replied politely.
“Embarrassing as it is, I seem to have lost my way.”
“Lost?”
“I got distracted by the garden and lost sight of the person guiding me…”
A faint blush colored the omega’s cheeks, perhaps from embarrassment.
Chester narrowed his eyes slightly, admiring the rose-colored hair and flushed face, though his smile remained warm and kind, careful not to spook the other man.
“Your guide, huh… So, you’re one of the omega candidates?”
The omega was silent for a moment, then answered obediently.
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
“Please follow me. I’ll escort you.”
The omega blinked slowly.
It would’ve been understandable for him to be suspicious—a stranger suddenly offering to guide him.
Chester, thinking of David watching from a distance, spoke kindly.
“I work here. I know the layout of this castle like the back of my hand.”
“Ah.”
The omega let out a small sound of surprise and cleared his throat once.
A flash of something unreadable crossed his handsome face.
But only for a moment. He then bowed politely to show his gratitude.
Chester, appreciating the graceful and respectful posture, began walking first.
“You must really like gardens.”
His tone was gentle, though there was a faint tease hidden in it—as if to say, ‘how lost in thought were you to miss your guide?’
The omega, seemingly unaware of the subtext, responded with courtesy.
“Yes, I do. By looking at a garden, you can often guess the kind of person who owns it.”
“Guess, you say?”
“A garden is nature reshaped by human hands. From the way it’s crafted, you can see what kind of thoughts and values shaped it.”
The unexpected answer piqued Chester’s interest.
“Is that so? Fascinating. What kinds of gardens have you seen?”
“Hmm… Some imitate nature itself. Others deliberately contrast with nature using artificial structures. And then there are gardens where even the smallest details hold symbolic meaning. The plants, the sculptures, even a single stone can be symbolic.”
His explanation was calm and measured.
Chester thought his voice was pleasant to listen to.
“And what did you feel from this garden?”
“This one?”
“It’s the newly renovated garden of the Dukes. The construction alone took five years. I’d like to hear what caught your eye. The more I hear from you, the more curious I become.”
Chester leaned in slightly.
Their elbows brushed, then parted.
A fleeting, teasing contact. The omega hesitated.
“I haven’t seen the whole garden… so I don’t know much in detail.”
“Just tell me what you felt.”
“Hm.”
Walking down the corridor, the omega wore a thoughtful expression.
Bathed in the soft orange glow, his profile gave off the air of a young scholar.
Chester tilted his head, curiosity growing rapidly.
He found himself wondering—where had this composed young man come from, and what path led him here?
‘I hadn’t planned to care about who got selected…’
He hadn’t expected someone so interesting to show up.
Chester raised a hand to thoughtfully stroke his sharp jawline.
‘He’s really my type. Hm.’
“The statue in the fountain was of a man in armor leading a lion. It must represent a god of strength. Lions have long been symbols of power. Beside it, there were spirits related to the god, arranged as ornaments.”
Chester continued to stroke his jaw.
He’d never paid close attention to the fountain before, but it came faintly to mind now.
“The spirits were kneeling, holding up the god. It was a display of the great power of the Carlisle family—a message to the garden’s guests that they, too, are expected to uphold the family.”
“Oh?”
“The trees behind the fountain were meaningful as well. They’re the same type used in ancient rites before great warriors went to battle. Likely planted to honor the heroic legacy of the Dukes of Carlisle.”
The omega smiled faintly.
“I’ve never seen a garden so overflowing with power. I was so awed I lost track of my companions. A bit shameful, really.”
Chester gathered that the man had a decent grasp of art and culture.
Studying the side of his face, Chester finally spoke again.
“The Dukes would be very pleased to hear that. You might just be selected.”
The omega’s expression shifted—relieved, maybe, or perhaps troubled.
It was hard to tell.
“What is it? You don’t want to be chosen?”
“No, that’s not it at all. It’s something I desperately want.”
‘Desperately, huh.’
Chester’s gaze slid downward.
A long neck like a deer’s, a slender waist, legs that tapered elegantly.
His mouth watered like he’d just been served a delicious dish. He’d pictured this composed man sprawled across a bed.
‘He came all this way to bear a child. Maybe he’s not as reserved about sex as he seems.’
That red hair would become tousled, those bright green eyes would glaze over, and those neat lips would twist in a whimper… Chester realized his lower body had already begun reacting and let out a dry laugh.
He wasn’t a hormonal teenager anymore—what was he doing?
Getting aroused just by looking at someone?
“I hear voices ahead. Should we go that way?”
The unsuspecting omega asked politely.
Chester nodded, hiding his arousal.
“Turn the corner and head to the end of the corridor. Someone else will explain the rest.”
A soft scent brushed Chester’s nose.
Pheromones.
So faint that even an alpha wouldn’t notice without focusing, and yet it was more than enough to excite him.
Feeling his body react with a tingling heat, Chester parted his lips.
“This meeting must be fate. Let me give you one helpful piece of advice.”
The omega’s eyes widened at the cryptic whisper.
“They’ll likely tell you to enter a room. If you go in, you’ll meet him.”
“Meet who…?”
“Isaac Carlisle. One of the two Dukes. A great conqueror, no less.”
The omega’s throat bobbed.
His eyes sharpened, something unreadable flashing in them.
Chester guessed it was tension.
“He’s rather… cold. So be prepared for a harsh order or two. But don’t let it bother you. He just wants to see if you’re fit to bear his child.”
The omega, who had been silently listening, finally spoke.
“Only one of the Dukes will be present?”
“Yes. Which means you only need to win over one person. I’ll leave you here. Do your best. This was a short but enjoyable conversation.”
Chester gave a cheerful wave, then stepped back and turned to go—but paused when an unexpected voice reached his ear.
“Thank you, Lord Chester.”
Chester turned back, his face lighting with interest.
His lips curved higher, and his violet eyes sparkled.
The omega bowed deeply in a polite farewell.
* * *
Nice