Charlian, holding a bouquet and smiling radiantly, looked like the very definition of a joyful bride.
As Sylvian admired how beautiful he was, curiosity flickered—what did he look like in his natural state?
“That’s all that matters. Be happy with Karl.”
“Oh my, but he shouldn’t be happy.”
His narrowed eyes sparkled mischievously.
“That’s oddly reassuring. Give him a hard time.”
“Don’t worry.”
Charlian winked playfully, confidence oozing from him.
“I have over a thousand ways to make that man suffer.”
“…”
It’s love, alright.
Sylvian burst out laughing at his proud, boastful stance.
“Charlian, you’re amazing.”
“Are you falling for me?”
Before Sylvian could nod, Zeroth cupped his face possessively.
“You’re not allowed to fall for anyone else.”
“You’re so greedy.”
Charlian’s melodious laughter made everyone smile.
Karl was both pitiful and infuriating.
No one could just stand by with such a lovable person before them.
If Charlian fought for his love, it would be his victory.
Karl would end up his prisoner, a defeated man.
That would be torment enough.
“Thank you both so much. In the name of Nefer, and Rooster as well, if you ever need help, come to us.”
Charlian straightened his posture and gracefully bent one knee in a formal bow.
“We’ll take you up on that. Congratulations on your marriage.”
After the greetings, they were seated at the front of the venue.
Karl’s godparents, the Emperor and Empress, sat beside them, as Karl’s parents had passed away.
“The Duchess looks well.”
“I apologize for not visiting sooner.”
They had intended to greet the Imperial Family after Sylvian’s recovery, but Zeroth hadn’t let them leave the estate.
On top of that, with the rut overlapping, Sylvian had barely gotten out of bed before Karl’s wedding.
“We understand your situation well. Once you’re healthier, we’ll meet often.”
The Empress smiled kindly at Sylvian.
Seeing him still nervous, clinging to his husband, Sylvian wondered when they’d ever truly grow close.
She promised to send a letter soon and ended the conversation.
Sylvian also exchanged polite greetings with Crown Prince Aihin and Elizabeth.
Guests filled the seats on either side.
It hadn’t been long since Sylvian entered society, yet he already recognized over half the people here—it felt strange.
‘I’m glad I didn’t run away.’
If Zeroth had followed the original story, who knew where they’d be now?
Maybe Sylvian would’ve met another Alpha and remarried as originally planned.
The officiant stepped out to begin the ceremony.
‘So this is how weddings are supposed to be…’
Sylvian’s mouth fell open as he watched the lavish wedding.
No wonder he had only thought of running away—it had been such a mess.
Back then, their own ceremony had been rushed in the annex of the Duke’s estate, with no guests, no grandeur.
They’d mumbled their vows, received the priest’s blessing, and that was it.
“You two really look good together,” someone commented, voice filled with excitement.
Zeroth’s gaze shifted to Sylvian.
“Should we have a proper wedding too?” he asked.
“No.”
What a waste of money.
That money would be better spent on investments.
Lately, Sylvian had found great amusement in growing the personal fortune that Karl had handed over to him.
“Zeroth’s aides are incredibly competent,” Sylvian remarked.
“I never imagined you’d be so interested in investing,” Zeroth replied, hiding a wry smile as he realized what Sylvian truly wanted.
Zeroth understood it couldn’t be helped, but thinking back to their shabby wedding left him conflicted.
He never expected things to turn out this way.
He wanted to excuse himself, but the way Sylvian’s eyes sparkled while looking at Charlian made it impossible to just let it go.
Once the weather improved and Sylvian’s health did too, they would have a grand wedding.
Zeroth watched Sylvian clapping with a radiant smile.
‘How should I convince him?’
Sylvian had already made up his mind, so if Zeroth carelessly pushed for a wedding now, it would only make him uncomfortable.
Perhaps it was because Sylvian had grown up frugally as part of the Viscount’s family, but he never spent recklessly.
Even the money from Karl—Sylvian managed it meticulously, carefully planning investments.
“Sylvian.”
“Yes?”
“Aren’t you looking forward to Martius’s wedding?”
At those words, Sylvian’s face brightened.
Zeroth smirked as he thought of the two sitting somewhere in the back rows.
‘You wouldn’t refuse a joint wedding with your younger sibling, would you?’
If they were going to do it, they might as well outshine Yuria’s wedding too.
Without telling Sylvian, Zeroth vowed to hold a ceremony even more splendid and extravagant than the Marquis’s family wedding.
“Papa! You’re back!”
As soon as he stepped down from the carriage, a small body ran toward him, and Zeroth scooped him up.
Smack, smack.
“Elliot,” Zeroth chuckled as kisses rained down on his face.
“Today I trained with Whisen! With swords! And—and I ran too!”
“Again? What else did you do?”
“I did this with my fists, like this, and I chopped down a hundred times!”
“Wow, that’s impressive.” Zeroth’s large hand ruffled the boy’s hair.
“Papa! Pa! Pick me up too!”
As Zeroth walked toward the mansion, a little child, carried down the stairs by a servant, toddled over with outstretched arms, demanding to be held.
“Shall I pick up your little brother too?”
“Yes!”
At Elliot’s permission, Zeroth knelt, and Grace clung onto him.
“Kyah!”
“Where’s your other Papa?” Zeroth asked.
“He’s napping. I think the baby in his belly is making him tired.”
Because Sylvian had firmly refused to be called “Mother,” both children called them “Papa.”
Big Papa, Little Papa.
“Papa! Pa! Papa! Kiss!”
“So Little Papa gets kisses too?”
Zeroth rubbed his cheek against Grace’s.
The child burst into giggles.
The servants following behind them smiled warmly at the scene.
“Kelvin! Kelvin!”
“Yes, that’s Kelvin.”
“I know everyone’s names too!”
“Yes, yes.”
As Grace called out the servants’ names one by one, Elliot shouted in Zeroth’s ear that he knew them all too.
Zeroth gently gathered the pheromones radiating off the excited child.
“Papa’s going to check on Little Papa real quick, will you wait in the next room?”
“But Mama’s always napping.”
Though it was a secret from Sylvian, the children called him “Mama” when they were alone.
“I’ll say hello to Mama since I’m back, and then I’ll come out.”
Zeroth suppressed his laughter at Grace’s innocent words.
If he laughed now, Sylvian would get sulky.
It was a secret among the children, after all.
He had to keep their promise.
Click.
The bedroom, its curtains drawn, was dark.
Without hesitation, Zeroth walked to the bed.
A faint light from somewhere outlined Sylvian’s form.
“I’m home.”
Zeroth whispered softly as he placed a gentle kiss on Sylvian’s forehead.
He touched Sylvian’s hand, relieved to feel no chill, then cupped his cheek.
‘Feels like there’s a slight fever.’
The room was quiet, the only sound being Sylvian’s breathing.
Zeroth sat on the bed, watching Sylvian’s sleeping face.
He was still beautiful.
The moments they thought would last forever felt distant now, like dots fading on a canvas.
Rustle.
Zeroth carefully brushed back soft, golden hair.
He knew the children were waiting for him in the next room, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave so easily.
Since Sylvian became pregnant with their third child, he’d been sleeping much more, and they barely saw each other awake.
Smack.
‘This will be the last time.’
Zeroth vowed silently.
Each time Sylvian gave birth, he suffered greatly—yet with just a bit of coaxing, Zeroth would find himself giving in again.
Of all times, their heat and rut had overlapped, leading to yet another adorable child on the way.
“Zeroth?”
Smack.
Smack.
At the drowsy voice, Zeroth pressed kisses to Sylvian’s eyelids.
“You can sleep more.”
“I want to get up.”
Groan.
When Sylvian tried to rise, Zeroth turned on the light and supported his back.
“Welcome home.”
Sylvian, still groggy, wrapped his arms around Zeroth.
“Mhm.”
With thick pheromones in the air, Sylvian naturally accepted Zeroth’s kiss.
“Where are the kids?” Sylvian asked, not seeing them nearby.
“In the next room.”
“I’ll check on them. You should rest more.”
Sylvian shook his head and buried himself in Zeroth’s arms.
When he first heard he was pregnant, it had felt like his world collapsed.
But after giving birth, he realized… it was scary, but the children were undeniably lovable.
One by one, they’d kept arriving—now, they were about to have three.
“I’m really glad I met you,” Zeroth said suddenly.
Sylvian let out a soft laugh.
‘I’m the lucky one. If everything had gone differently from the original story, I might never have met you.’
Things had wavered for a while, but in the end, it was worth it.
He never imagined this new life could be so full of happiness.
“Me too,” Sylvian whispered back.
Zeroth’s kiss descended softly again, as gentle as spring sunlight.
From the crack in the door, two pairs of eyes peeked in, giggling at their parents’ sweet moment.
