TPWTM 9

The reason Countess Windsor chose him. To soften her upright, rigid son’s temperament, she paired him with a gentle omega. Of course, it didn’t work on Yurik Windsor, but Ariannen had stayed with the Windsor family for a long time regardless. As Yurik’s unofficial omega, that is.

Everyone would laugh mercilessly if they knew he thought this way, but Ariannen was serious.

“How should I explain? That it was Sir Karon who egged me on, that Sir Karon deliberately provoked me…”

Wasn’t that the truth? If Karon Chevinelle, the young duke, hadn’t seduced him, Ariannen wouldn’t have said anything there. It was Karon who tempted him first.

Ariannen’s face twisted with indignation. Even though he was a mere commoner omega, he should’ve said something to those who looked at him like he was vermin…! But did Karon even look at him? Ariannen bit his lip hard.

Lost in self-pity and thoughts, the reception room door suddenly opened, and Yurik entered. Ariannen’s face lit up as he sprang from the sofa.

“Young Earl…!”

Yurik looked at Ariannen with a blank expression and sat heavily across from him. As a maid moved to prepare a teacup, Yurik waved her off.

“No need. I won’t be here long.”

Ariannen flinched, staring at Yurik. Yurik gestured with his chin toward the seat.

“Sit.”

“Y-Yes…”

Yurik quietly observed Ariannen for a moment. His gaunt face suggested he’d been through emotional turmoil. But why should he be the one suffering? It was Yurik who’d had everything exposed there.

Yurik let out a small sigh. Ariannen, startled by the sigh, shifted in his seat and gave an awkward smile before speaking.

“Young… Young Earl, it feels like it’s been a while since I greeted you. Actually, because of that incident last time…”

As Ariannen hesitated to continue, Yurik raised a hand to silence him and spoke.

“Let’s cut to the chase, Ariannen. You don’t need to come to the estate anymore.”

“Young Earl…!”

Ariannen cried out as if screaming. Yurik frowned and continued.

“Is there a problem with what I said? Shouting like that.”

“N-No, I’m sorry. But to tell me not to come to the estate…!”

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. If you had any sense, you wouldn’t be sitting here facing me, but since you didn’t, I came to tell you directly.”

Ariannen, stunned, stared at Yurik, unable to close his mouth. He’d expected to be cast out or scolded harshly, but he thought their long history would earn him some leniency.

“All those years… after all that time, I…”

“You served me for years, and I’m casting you out so easily? Ha, Ariannen. What help have you actually been to me at this estate?”

“Young Earl…! I, I…!”

I shared my pheromones with you. During your rut, I shared my pheromones, I…

Ariannen’s face hardened rapidly. That was all. And even then, Yurik hadn’t fully needed his pheromones. Most of the time, Ariannen had just stood outside his room during ruts, fidgeting and staring at him.

Ariannen, overwhelmed, began to cry. Like a betrayed, delicate omega, he glared at Yurik.

“How could you do this to me? The Countess cherished me and assigned me to you, but you treat me so cruelly, I…!”

“You’ve been living in a delusion. Ariannen, cherished? My mother had no interest in you.”

“Young Earl!”

“And neither do I. So, Ariannen.”

Yurik stood. His cold, stern face looked down at Ariannen. Ariannen, tears in his eyes, bit his lip tightly. When Yurik looked so authoritative, it was terrifying. Like a noble he could never approach.

“Acknowledge your wrongs, apologize, and leave the estate quietly. My final word is this: since you served me for so long, I won’t hold you accountable beyond this.”

Yurik showed what he considered mercy. With that, he turned coldly and left the reception room.

“Young Earl! Young Earl! Wait! Just a moment!”

Ariannen called out desperately, chasing after him, but the butler and a servant blocked his path, preventing him from following further. The butler looked at Ariannen with a stern face and shook his head.

“Ariannen, it’s time to settle things and leave the estate.”

Ariannen collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably. It couldn’t end like this. He’d clung to a noble everyone admired, and yet he’d achieved nothing! It couldn’t end this way. Ariannen wailed. The butler patted his shoulder and said, “If you go spreading unnecessary talk about the Windsor family elsewhere, Ariannen, don’t. You never hesitate to invite trouble with your mouth…”

Clicking his tongue, the butler stood and left Ariannen to the servant, following his master. Ariannen cried even harder. The servant, looking bored, urged him, “When are you leaving? We need to lock the back gate. If you’re going, go now.”

“Sob…”

Ariannen hung his head. He was completely cut off from Yurik. He didn’t want to believe it, but it was reality.

• ~ *

The social gathering at Countess Offenia’s estate was a refined affair, unlike the wild masquerade at Zendakan where noble heirs and daughters frolicked like untamed colts.

For high-ranking noble alphas, it was a time to smoke cigars, discuss golf, horse riding, and politics. Omegas, meanwhile, gathered to talk about poetry, tea, and light chatter (or rather, gossip, rumors, or marriage talk).

As was the custom of the times, marriage was the paramount concern for omegas, even male ones, so they inevitably focused on that topic.

And the hottest topic lately was none other than the two alphas, Yurik Windsor and Karon Chevinelle.

Luces Graham, attending Countess Offenia’s gathering for the first time, bit his lip as he watched others casually join the conversation.

“Sigh, I’d have no regrets if I could sleep with Sir Windsor just once. But heavens, how did things turn out like this?”

“Have you forgotten? The impenetrable Sir Windsor? He’s on a different level from Sir Chevinelle. No matter how much you try, he’s never been swayed.”

“I bet I could make a difference.”

“Even Leslie tried and failed.”

Another person glanced at Leslie, chuckling. Everyone turned to look at Leslie, who shrugged and shook his head.

“Target Sir Karon Chevinelle instead. I gave up on Sir Windsor. I’d rather catch the runaway Sehil Windsor and pair up with him.”

“Oh, omega with omega? That’d be fun.”

Giggling and whispering crude remarks without care, their conversation left Luces unable to join in. He stood a step back, biting his lip tightly.

“Yurik Windsor, that stone of a man. Will he really go through with it? Marrying Karon Chevinelle? Seems he prefers whining like us.”

“Haha! Leslie! That’s too much! What if someone hears?”

“Who’s listening? It’s just us, right? Hmph…!”

“You’re really hurt, aren’t you?”

“It’s understandable. Yurik Windsor. Who’d have thought? An alpha marrying an alpha… But seriously, which one of them… you know, does what? Anyone know?”

“Wanna bet?”

“I’m betting on Sir Karon Chevinelle.”

“I’m betting on Sir Yurik Windsor.”

Their conversation grew increasingly risqué. Luces, unable to hold back, stood abruptly from the group. All eyes turned to him. Leslie, laughing, asked, “Well, Young Master Graham? What’s the matter?”

“Oh… nothing. Just a moment.”

“Very well.”

Backed by the Graham marquisate’s prestige, Luces had become the empress’s attendant, but Leslie looked at him with disdain. Luces Graham had avoided social activities, citing frail health.

When Leslie nodded as if granting permission, Luces fled to the terrace and leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.

“Sir Yurik… isn’t that kind of person…”

The man he’d met wasn’t like that. Not someone for such vulgar talk! Luces wanted to be angry but could do nothing.

“Weak. I’m too… weak.”

Luces bit his lip, swallowing his sorrow. That such a beautiful, noble person had to endure such crude remarks. It made him angry and sad. Why couldn’t he say anything? Why!

As Luces lamented inwardly, head bowed, the hall grew noisy. Whispers reached his ears.

“Yurik…”

“Sir Windsor…”

Yurik? Luces looked up quickly. Sir Yurik Windsor was entering the banquet hall, looking even more beautiful than before.

• ~ *

Yurik, accustomed to the focused gazes, scanned the nobles. But Karon was nowhere to be seen. He frowned slightly.

“He said to meet, and he’s not even here?”

Making someone wait after setting a meeting was bad manners. He knew Karon was reckless and rude, but this was absurd. Swallowing a hollow laugh, Yurik moved to greet Countess Offenia, the host.

“Isn’t that Young Earl Windsor!”

“Sir Windsor, it’s been a while.”

“Oh, yes. Have you been well?”

Yurik smiled and greeted the nobles blocking his path. The closer he got, the more people approached.

Responding appropriately, he searched for Countess Offenia. Then, someone tapped his arm from behind. Touching a noble’s body was highly rude.

Frowning, Yurik turned to see Countess Lusterien, her hair elaborately styled, covering her mouth with a fan and smiling at him. Yurik gave an awkward smile.

“Damn it, of all people.”

Of course, Countess Lusterien had to spot him.

She clearly wanted to talk but, knowing he wouldn’t acknowledge her, touched him despite the rudeness. Unable to ignore her now, Yurik greeted her lightly.

“Have you been well, Countess Lusterien…!”

“Oh, Yuri~!”

Before Yurik could finish, Countess Lusterien pushed through the nobles beside him and stood in front of him. Her sparkling eyes terrified him.

“Yuri, heavens, heavens! Not a word to your aunt!”

“Um… what do you mean?”

One day she’s his aunt, today his great-aunt? Yurik sighed inwardly but smiled brightly outwardly.

Seeing his handsome face smile at her, Lusterien beamed, fanning herself and covering her mouth. She stepped closer. Yurik bent slightly to let her speak comfortably.

“Yuri, how could you not tell your aunt? I’m hurt.”

“Uh…”

“That matter. The most important matter to you.”

Yurik wanted to stop her before she said “marriage.” Trying to change the subject to her hair accessory, she was faster.

Countess Lusterien whispered, secretly but loud enough for nearby nobles to hear, “Another gift chest came, didn’t it? Oh, heavens, yes. This time I know exactly who sent it. An alpha-alpha union!”

“Countess.”

Yurik’s stomach churned. He knew what was coming. Surely it’s doomed. How could this be, alphas should marry omegas, defying the gods’ order, and so on…

“How utterly romantic!”

Yurik’s eyes widened. He’d expected a rigid, old-fashioned remark, but Lusterien’s words were the opposite.

Blushing shyly, she waved her fan. Her flushed cheeks showed she truly meant it.

Yurik, flustered, could only blink.

“Oh… uh.”

“Heavens, an alpha-alpha love! We’re rooting for you, Yuri. The world has all kinds of love. Did the gods dictate one form of love? Oh, it’s so beautiful. Truly, Yuri.”

“Ha… haha, thanks to you, Countess, it feels like I’m pursuing something noble. It’s not that grand.”

“Yuri, Yuri. That’s not what I mean. It’s splendid! I’m so sorry for misunderstanding at first! So, Yuri, have you hired a wedding planner? Where’s the ceremony? At the Windsor estate…!”

“Well, nothing’s decided yet…”

Relieved, Yurik responded without noticing the surrounding gazes. Not everyone saw it negatively, it seemed.

Still, he wanted to escape. As Countess Lusterien kept talking, others started asking Yurik questions.

“Sir Windsor, when did you first meet Sir Chevinelle?”

“Oh, I was curious too. I heard you were academy mates…”

“Young Earl Windsor! The Chevinelle family sent gifts, didn’t they? When’s the courtesy gift? As a notary, I’d love to witness you two…”

It was chaotic. Yurik smiled awkwardly, ignoring some questions (especially about the courtesy kiss) and answering others.

How far had the rumors spread? They even knew about their academy days, digging into their school life. Their information network was impressive.

Yurik wished Karon would show up. The man was still nowhere to be seen. Where was he? Yurik wanted to yell for him to take half these stares, forcing a smile, when—

A teacup shattered loudly behind him.

Yurik and everyone turned. Luces, who’d dropped the cup, stood pale, fists clenched, shoulders trembling.

Yurik recognized him, but others, unfamiliar with the newly social Luces Graham, began whispering.

Luces couldn’t lift his head. Yurik thought he was in a tough spot and moved to help with a handkerchief. But then, Luces spoke, voice trembling.

“This… this isn’t right. You’re not even really getting married, so why are you making Sir Yurik uncomfortable?”

His words silenced the whispers, and the room went quiet.

Yurik stopped, stunned. Luces lifted his head, red-eyed, scanning the room. Whether drunk or excited, his cheeks were flushed.

“W-What… what did he say?”

A shocked noble whispered to another, the sound booming in the silence. Luces clenched his fists tighter.

Amid the commotion, the young Marquis Graham, talking with Countess Offenia, stared at his brother with wide eyes.

His usually timid, unconfident brother acting out was new. He pushed through the crowd, grabbed Luces’s arm, and pulled him.

“Luces, what are you doing? Why are you acting like this?”

Luces, now teary, looked up at his brother. The young marquis grew more flustered.

“They’re all pretending to know, talking nonsense…!”

“Luces!”

“He’s a kind person, and… and such ridiculous talk…”

“Luces, calm down.”

The young marquis didn’t understand what Luces was saying but held his shoulders, trying to calm him.

He wasn’t usually this emotional. Looking around, he saw Yurik holding a handkerchief, frozen. Meeting his eyes, Yurik handed it over. The young marquis nodded thanks, took it, and wiped Luces’s tears.

“Luces, let’s go. Do you know what you’re saying? You’re making the kind person you mentioned uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s… they’re all misunderstanding…! Sir Yurik isn’t like that…! Why link him with Sir Karon again…!”

“Luces, you’re making it worse. Shh, be quiet.”

“No, hyung. Karon…”

Luces, trying to say something, turned to Yurik, mentioning Karon’s name.

But he couldn’t finish. Someone appeared behind Yurik. The banquet hall stirred, and Luces, seeing him, widened his eyes and clamped his mouth shut.

“What about me?”

Yurik, startled by the voice behind him, turned. Karon’s hand rested on his shoulder. Karon glanced at Yurik’s face, then looked at Luces.

“Gasp…!”

Karon, hair swept back, in a uniform, exuded a proper officer’s aura, unlike his usual reckless, carefree demeanor.

Intimidated by his commanding presence, Luces, pale and breathless, stepped back. The young marquis pulled Luces behind him, sighing, and said, “It’s nothing, Young Duke.”

“Hmm.”

Karon tilted his head, looking at the young marquis and Luces hiding behind him. Yurik sighed. Perfect timing, as always.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”

Yurik decided to give Luces an out. He held no ill will, and it seemed Luces was just confused.

But Karon had other ideas. He grabbed Yurik’s arm as he turned, making him face him again. Yurik frowned slightly, questioning. Karon, looking at the young marquis, said, “Right, a misunderstanding. And misunderstandings need clearing.”

Karon smiled faintly. The young marquis, troubled, glanced around. Despite the many eyes, Karon seemed unfazed.

Luces, hiding behind his brother, gripped Yurik’s handkerchief tightly and stepped forward. The young marquis, startled, grabbed him, but couldn’t stop his words.

“Young Duke, h-hello. It’s nice to see you again. I’m Luces Graham.”

“Yes, Young Master Luces Graham.”

The fact that they knew each other caused a slight stir among the other nobles. Yurik, slightly surprised, looked back and forth between Karon and Luces.

Luces swallowed hard, mustering courage as if to speak, closed his eyes tightly, and shouted.

“Then, as you said, it would be good to clear up the misunderstanding here.”

“Alright, what misunderstanding?”

Karon, hands behind his back, looked at Luces with a relaxed expression. Yurik wanted to escape this situation.

Nobles, drawn by the rumors, had gathered from the terrace and garden, all watching the scene intently.

But Karon held onto his arm, not letting go.

Luces, visibly embarrassed by the attention, lifted his head with a look of grave determination. Glancing at Karon and then lowering his gaze, he said, “Sir Yurik… is being plagued by ridiculous rumors.”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

“That an alpha… is marrying an alpha… that absurd talk, with you, Sir Karon.”

“Oh…”

Karon nodded slowly, turning to look at Yurik. His response, neither confirming nor denying, caused the nobles to whisper. Yurik, feeling his face flush with embarrassment, clenched his teeth.

Ever since meeting this man, he kept experiencing this humiliating feeling. Yurik tried to shake off Karon’s grip and leave. But he couldn’t move. Instead, Karon pulled him closer, wrapping an arm around his waist, bringing them face-to-face. Yurik, flustered, called out to Karon.

“Sir Chevinelle, what are you doing…!”

“We’re getting married.”

Gasp!

Everyone covered their mouths, staring at Karon and Yurik. Karon looked at Luces with a casual expression. Luces stared at Karon, stunned.

“Pardon?”

“It’s not a rumor; it’s true. The misunderstanding is yours, Young Master Luces. Yuri and I are indeed promised to marry.”

Karon looked at Yurik with a mischievous smile.

“Ha…”

Yurik gaped, shocked, while Karon smiled as if nothing was wrong. The sudden announcement of their marriage drew gasps and exclamations from the crowd. The room grew noisy in an instant.

Luces looked at Karon with trembling eyes. Clutching his shaking hands, he asked Karon, “Is… is it true?”

“It’s true. We’re doing it.”

Karon smirked.

“I fell for him at first sight.”

As he spoke, Karon took a ring from his finger and slipped it onto Yurik’s, holding his hand.

“We’ll announce the engagement soon.”

Then he smiled at Yurik. It was a smile so sweet it could rot the teeth of anyone watching. Yurik, alternating between looking at the ring on his finger and Karon, let out a hollow laugh, dumbfounded.

“Heavens…! So romantic!”

Countess Lusterien shouted loudly, shifting the mood. Along with her, the nobles who had been watching quietly began offering congratulations, exclaiming, and talking about Karon and Yurik. Luces was pushed to the background.

Luces gripped Yurik’s handkerchief tightly. Unable to control his trembling body, he staggered, then turned and fled the room. The young marquis, frowning heavily and clicking his tongue, followed his brother out.