DSB 117

“Young Madam, I shall call Young Master Yutis.”

When Lebel remained still, Mahan spoke up, he was ready to step forward the moment an order was given. However, Lebel did not move as Mahan expected.

“Mahan, what is the relationship between those two?”

Mahan did not answer. At that moment, Yutis, who seemed to have a supernatural ability to detect Lebel’s presence, quickly turned his head with a brightened expression.

Lebel stayed in place and waited for him to approach. Yutis started walking toward him, but then paused for a moment.

Just as Lebel began to frown, he realized why he had stopped and smiled even more radiantly. Drawn in as if he were possessed, Yutis came forward and took Lebel’s hand.

“Wife… have you come to fetch me?”

“We have to enter together.”

Yutis needed Lebel by his side when he entered to announce the start of the New Year’s festival. That was why Lebel had endured the tedious hours of grooming since morning.

“You are beautiful,” Yutis said, his voice trembling. Lebel could see the rims of his ears slowly turning red.

Looking at this, I seem much more important to him, yet he was playing around with some strange fellow instead of coming to me. Well, I suppose it is fine since there are no demons nearby.

Lebel stared at the man who let out a sigh-like lament once Yutis left his side.

“Who is that human?”

“Ah, he is an old friend of mine.”

As Yutis spoke, Lebel sensed an omega’s pheromone from him. He pulled Yutis toward him, and the surprise caused Yutis to freeze.

Lebel buried his face against Yutis’s chest and searched tenaciously for the pheromone. As he slowly investigated him, he found a subtle scent of pheromone on his shoulder. It seemed the scent rubbed off when the man patted his shoulder earlier.

It was not a pheromone filled with affection or seduction, but just feeling someone else’s scent on Yutis made his mood turn foul.

The owner of this pheromone was the man hesitating behind them.

“Is that… an omega?”

“….!”

Yutis flinched. Lebel looked back and forth between the two with a furrowed brow. Yutis quickly opened his mouth.

“There was a small scuffle just now.”

“Is that so?”

Lebel erased the trace with his own pheromone. His own scent now remained instead of that unpleasant pheromone, but his mood did not improve. He found it distasteful that Yutis had carried someone else’s scent even for a moment.

Because there were no other omegas around Yutis, who was sensitive to pheromones, Lebel had never considered the possibility of another person’s scent rubbing off on him.

Only now did he understand why Yutis always scented him so heavily with his own pheromones.

To think such traces could be left behind so casually. Demons and angels were problems, but humans were the greatest issue of all. Especially since he could not simply get rid of humans at will.

Lebel wanted to tell the human in front of him to immediately get lost, but he held back. For now, the man was a friend.

At that moment, the man who had been watching the situation from behind approached.

“I am sorry. I have no special relationship with Yutis, so you do not need to be on guard.”

It seemed the man understood the situation from Lebel’s displeased gaze and the atmosphere, even though Lebel had not said a word.

“My father is likely looking for me, so I shall take my leave first. Yutis, I am sorry if I caused you trouble.”

He left without looking back. Lebel stared at his departing figure.

Does he not know that saying they are nothing to each other after I heard everything only raises more suspicion?

However, one thing was certain. Lebel felt no affection or attraction in the man’s gaze toward Yutis.

Rather….

Yutis, noticing Lebel’s discomfort, gave a small smile.

It was irritating that he was acting so restless as if he had a guilty conscience.

“Wife, please cheer up. I will be careful. Today, I will not let any other omega leave their pheromones on me… no, I will not even let them approach.”

“I know it was an accident. Besides, you are the protagonist today. Can you even stop people from approaching you?”

Among the nobles Damian told him to memorize, there were quite a few omegas.

“Is there anything I would not do for you, my wife?”

The corners of Lebel’s mouth slightly relaxed.

“Alright. I saw the head of the Teruo family on my way here. He mentioned you would be with his son. Is that him?”

“Yes, that is correct. Jorsen and I have been close since we were young. This is our first time meeting since the war, so the conversation grew long. We were in the same unit during the war, but we could not talk much given the circumstances.”

“I suppose there was something important to discuss?”

Yutis flinched noticeably. There was definitely a reason why he was watching Lebel’s reactions so uncharacteristically.

He said the man is an omega, so perhaps they aren’t just normal friends. For example, maybe they were fiances.

Since their parents were close from a young age, it was possible the sons were promised to each other in marriage.

Yutis had been concerned about the state of his healed arm, and he had mentioned there was someone who would accept him. Seeing this made Lebel certain.

There was a story that people were injured while approaching Yutis during his rut. Was that man perhaps one of them?

It was a past connection, and he knew in his heart that Yutis belonged to him now. But he couldn’t help being irritated.

[Oh, Lord Lebel?]

A rustling sound came from the nearby bushes, and Karon suddenly popped out.

“Karon, why are you….”

It was a foolish question. Karon had mentioned he would track the scent of a demon.

[Did you catch a demon’s scent nearby?]

Lebel transmitted the question to Karon alone. Realizing the need for discretion, Karon answered quickly.

[Yes! I followed it, but the trail ended here. It feels like an old scent. It seems the source is already gone.]

Of all places, it had to vanish right here.

“Wife, is something the matter?”

“It is nothing.”

Lebel showed no outward sign of his thoughts and pulled Yutis by the hand.

“The New Year’s festival begins soon. Let’s go and prepare.”

“Yes.”

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While the servants fussed over Yutis to get him ready, Lebel turned to Mahan, who was waiting nearby.

“So, what exactly is the relationship between those two? I should know about the past to avoid misunderstandings. Were they former lovers?”

Mahan looked terrified at the mention of the word ‘lovers’ and finally spoke.

“It was not the kind of relationship you suspect, Young Madam! It was merely a marriage arrangement made between the families.”

“But since I came here as the bride, he had no fiancé, did he?”

“That is… it fell through because of a small accident.”

“What kind of accident?”

Mahan lowered his head, he could not bring himself to say it.

“Well, I can guess well enough.”

An accident involving an omega was usually predictable. It seemed his assumption was correct. This was likely the reason Yutis had failed to find a proper partner until now.

“Are you… alright? It is a fact that they had a connection in the past.”

“He is mine now, so it does not matter.”

“Of course. Young Master Yutis is entirely devoted to you, Young Madam.”

As if to prove those words, Yutis appeared after finishing his preparations, scratching his cheek awkwardly.

“How do I look…?”

The outfit was well worth the effort Lebel spent choosing it. Yutis wore a suit that was as pure and white as his own silver hair.

I will make sure no one calls him a monster or a demon’s bloodline ever again.

“Yes. it suits you well. Did you take the holy sword?”

“Yes. It is right here.”

“I shall guide you to the carriage. The Lord of the and the Madam are already waiting.”

Relieved to be free from the interrogation, Mahan brightly led the two toward the carriage.

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The New Year’s festival took place inside the temple. The atmosphere was noisier than usual, as many nobles had arrived ahead of them.

When the Hestro carriage arrived, priests rushed out as if they had been waiting. They checked the holy sword in Yutis’s possession first.

This was natural, as the sword was the most important element to conclude the festival. While another priest verified the blade, Illa stepped forward to lead the way.

“I trust the preparations are complete?”

“Everything is perfect. We must take extra care, as Lord Michael himself looks forward to this festival.”

The New Year’s festival… I suppose it is a celebration for Michael, whom they call a god. In a way, the whole event is an act of gratitude toward him.

The nobles were already seated inside the temple. Although the commoners could not enter, crystal balls were placed throughout the area to record and broadcast the event for them.

The temple’s goal was to announce the appearance of the holy sword to as many people as possible.

“You may sit at the very front.”

Illa pointed to seats at the head of the hall where everyone would recognize them as the protagonists. The nobles whispered among themselves as they stared at Yutis.

“Has the young master truly been chosen as the master of the holy sword? Was he not called the blood of a demon?”

“Perhaps he was actually of divine blood all along?”

“Nonsense. That appearance is certainly not a blessing from God! My grandfather saw him, and he said the boy looked like a terrifying monster. There is a reason he earned that nickname.”

“It is surprising that an oracle was even delivered. They say a priest’s holy power comes from God, but God has never directly intervened in the human world before.”

“True. Many nations believe in God, but almost no one has confirmed his existence or heard his voice.”

“In truth, I am still doubtful. Only one person claimed to hear the voice of God.”

“Surely they would not speak a lie?”

“Exactly. They say the holy sword has appeared. They wouldn’t gather us all here just to claim a man-made blade is a holy relic.”

“There are experts here who understand swords. They will recognize the truth.”

The voices filled the hall, some doubted the existence of God, while others wondered how Yutis could be chosen as the master of the holy sword.