Chapter 54: The Devilish Urien Doesn’t Have Any Scents

“Regardless…” Siana continued.

“About those rumors, you’re aware of them, aren’t you, Lord Urien?”

“I… am, to some extent.”

“Rodrick also rarely appears to socialize with the nobles, doesn’t he? So he’s probably the same as you, Lord Urien. It’d be nice if you both attended one or two soirées or parties in the future.”

She said wistfully. It seemed like she wanted Rodrick to show himself sometimes.

“Anyway, it was during a tea party that I heard rumors about ‘Lord Urien Martritz’ running around.”

“I see.”

“Would you like to attend one, Lord Urien?”

“Aren’t they for ladies…?”

“That isn’t an issue. The ladies brought their partners at times. You can bring Rodrick with you.”

What Siana was trying to do here was offering him a chance to clear the bad rumors about him. That much he could tell.

After all, if the ‘Devilish Urien’ was still being gossiped about, it could harm Rodrick’s own reputation, and it was clear that she couldn’t tolerate that.

But Urien would leave this place in a year.

If he were to make a public appearance, it’d likely complicate their divorce, if anything.

Stay hidden in the estate, unnoticed by the other nobles when he left, would be the best move for him to make. As the guardian of the border, the Edel Family could afford having a reclusive spouse. Even if Urien stayed out of sight, people would just assume that the duke’s family was trying to keep him safe until the treaty with Barca was settled.

Still, not everyone was clever, and some people were still gossiping about him.

“You two are such a close couple. If people were to see you together, those foolish rumors would vanish without a trace.”

Despite her likely mixed feelings, Siana made this earnest suggestion, and Urien felt grateful about it.

But, he just let out a vague smile and said, “I’ll consider it,” keeping his response noncommittal. Unfortunately for Siana, he would never do that. After all, in a year, he’d be gone from this place.

Leaving Rodrick by himself.

The thought made his heart waver and unsteady, almost tearful.

He’d grown too accustomed to the estate. After all, it was rare for him to have someone like Rodrick, someone who genuinely cared for him.

But he was set to leave this place.

So that he could go to a warm city, together with Marx.

And fulfill the only dream he had.

To do that, he had to leave this place before anyone noticed, before he disappointed the kind people who lived in this utopia-like place.

“I see. If you feel like it, you can contact me, Lord Urien, I will help you out.”

Unaware of what he was thinking, Siana, maybe thinking that his hesitant attitude stemmed from guilt, let out a bright smile to help ease his feelings.

She then continued,

“But, less people believe those rumors now.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I mean, it makes sense. You’ve married into the duke’s family, Lord Urien, there’s no way they’d let you appear by yourself in random parties. And yet, the you depicted in those rumors still did. Anyone with a brain could tell that gaudy person isn’t you, Lord Urien.”

Urien tightened his lips and quietly swallowed.

Siana turned her gaze towards the training grounds before continuing calmly.

“Also, I once met him at a party. Back then, I found it odd, but now I’m certain. That man wasn’t an Omega. He wasn’t you, Lord Urien.”

“You could tell?”

“Like I said, Omegas can sense other Omegas’ scents.”

Siana didn’t wear a choker. Commoner Omegas, especially those who were born in slums, almost always wore chokers. But as nobles, Siana and Urien didn’t.

As for why, it was because they were protected. This was something that Urien learned after arriving at the duke’s estate. Alphas around high-ranking Omegas would show them significantly more consideration. Edel Family’s Alphas for example, would take suppressants to prevent accidents with the Omegas.

Urien’s lack of heats likely made it easier for them. As Siana said, his scent was more faint than the average Omegas.

But, even though it was faint, it was still there. Siana didn’t notice any scent from that ‘Devilish Urien’ she met at the party.

This begged the question, did Rodrick notice Urien’s scent too? So far, he had never touched on his status as an Omega. The only time he did was when they went to the physician.

It wasn’t just in words either, he physically kept his distance. He might hold Urien’s shoulder or care for him, but his touches were always gentle and caring, never off-putting.

His hands always carried a tender kindness in them.

“That man at the party was probably Martritz Barony’s Lord Arnault, right?”

“H-huh?”

Caught off guard by that direct hit, Urien let out a deflated sound.

Siana looked at him with a serious gaze, her brows slightly lowered.

“It’s obvious that he’s from the Martritz Barony. So, the likely candidate is your brother, Lord Arnault. Am I right?”

“…”

Urien couldn’t confirm nor deny. He had no right to speak about him.

Taking his silence as affirmation, Siana let out a soft sigh.

“Calling himself ‘Urien’ and spreading shameless rumors about himself… Why would he do that, Lord Urien?”

“…I can’t answer that.”

“Don’t you feel angry?”

That was something he wondered about too. Why wasn’t he angry at him?

Why didn’t he feel rage toward his family? What happened that uprooted his drive to fight back against them?

Whenever he tried to think about it, that pitch-black tower came to mind.

Instantly, his mind was consumed by that night’s darkness. His thoughts stopped, he couldn’t move, even his breathing became loud.

At that point, he felt all strength left his body, and he became unable to be angry or raise his voice. There was only one thing that he could do, or even think of.

Go with Marx to a warm city. Live peacefully together by the bright sea.

That thought cleared the darkness in his heart

“It seems I’ve asked a difficult topic. But, you don’t need to worry, Lord Urien.”

Siana said, the concern in her voice was genuine.

“Those who demean others will face divine punishment. God will surely punish them.”

Her tone was gentle but firm, as if she fully believed her words.

Karma would catch up to the evildoers eventually.

Urien knew that too.

So, until that day arrived for him, he wanted to live peacefully.