OPDSP 55

It was during a short break when they stopped by a stream to water the horses. Mason spotted Aeryl alone—a rare sight—and thought it was the perfect chance.

Until now, Aeryl had always been surrounded by people, making it hard to approach, or Mason had been too busy with his duties. The last time they’d had a proper conversation was back in the village before the Derbas incident.

‘Just approach naturally and start with a greeting.’

Straightening his clothes, Mason walked over to Aeryl, who was gently stroking the back of his horse’s neck. The tenderness in his gaze made Mason smile without realizing it. Though Aeryl wore plain travel clothes, it only made his pure, beautiful face stand out more.

‘He’s beautiful…’

Sensing someone’s gaze, Aeryl looked up. Upon recognizing Mason, he gave a light smile. It was as if the space around him was the only place that glowed.

“Mason. Feels like it’s been a while. What are you doing over there?”

“Ah, yes. It has been a while, sir.”

Mason quickly reined in his facial expression as he replied.

“I came to check if your horse’s saddle was alright. Long travels always cause problems eventually.”

It was an excuse he’d come up with on the spot, but it sounded convincing. Not bad. Pleased with himself, Mason looked at Aeryl.

“That’s kind of you.”

“Haha, not at all. It’s the least I can do for someone who saved my life.”

As he inspected the horse’s tack, Mason kept the conversation going.

“How’s the journey treating you? Nothing too difficult, I hope?”

“Hmm, it’s fine. This much is manageable.”

“If anything ever troubles you, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll help with anything.”

“I appreciate the thought.”

“I mean it. And, since you’ll be staying at the Grand Duke’s estate now… I’d like to treat you to a meal.”

“A meal?”

“Yes. You’ve helped me so much—I want to repay the favor.”

Mason spoke calmly, but inside he was a mess. The part about repaying Aeryl for tending his wounds was just a pretense—his true intention was to ask him out. He envisioned the two of them having dinner together, spending time alone, naturally growing closer and deepening their relationship.

“I only did what I was supposed to do as a doctor.”

“No, sir. You’re the one who saved my life as a knight.”

Mason pressed forward more boldly. Aeryl was not only beautiful but also kind and capable. Anyone would fall for him. Mason felt a sense of urgency; he needed to secure a promise before they reached the Grand Duke’s estate, or he wouldn’t be able to rest easy.

“Hmm…”

Aeryl looked a bit troubled, though not entirely opposed, and hesitated with a vague expression. Mason waited anxiously for his answer.

Then, Grand Duke Asirion approached the two of them.

“Aeryl. Come with me for a moment.”

He called Aeryl over.

“Your Grace!”

Mason called out before he realized it, a note of protest in his voice. Why now, of all times? Can’t he read the room? That thought slipped out unintentionally.

But the Grand Duke wasn’t unaware—on the contrary, that was the problem.

He had been watching Aeryl, as usual, and immediately noticed Mason approaching him. He could tell right away that Mason harbored improper intentions. While he could tolerate the general camaraderie the other members showed Aeryl, Mason was another story entirely.

In short, the Grand Duke had approached specifically to interfere.

“Did you need something?”

The Grand Duke turned his head toward Mason. Their eyes met, and Mason quickly bowed his head. It was a reflex born from years of training.

“…No, Your Grace.”

Mason respected and feared the Grand Duke. His cold gaze alone was enough to silence him.

“Aeryl. Come.”

“Yes. Mason, I’ll see you later.”

Aeryl offered a polite farewell and followed the Grand Duke. The two of them gradually moved away. Only then did Mason raise his head and watch Aeryl walk off with a bitter expression.

“That was a perfect chance…”

Mason muttered in frustration.

“What do you mean perfect chance! You almost died, you idiot!”

A nosy soldier shouted at him.

“Huh?”

Mason made a dumbfounded sound as a few of the purge unit members quietly gathered around. They had all been pretending not to watch, but the moment Mason approached Aeryl, they had been observing everything.

“Didn’t you see it, Sir Mason? The day the doctor was kidnapped, after the Derbas was caught?”

“I was on the other side at the time, so I didn’t see it. What happened?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, that’s just how it is.”

“What do you mean? Please speak clearly.”

Mason urged, confused.

“It was after the kidnapper collapsed. The Grand Duke rushed in and hugged the doctor tightly.”

“And the doctor… hugged the Grand Duke back. The two of them were holding each other like that… it looked like they were lovers.”

“Definitely. That wasn’t a normal relationship. It was so touching.”

“That’s right. Right.”

The purge unit members nodded, adding their agreement.

“No way. The doctor is beautiful, capable, and kind, but there’s no way the Grand Duke would like someone.”

Mason couldn’t believe it. Grand Duke Asirion was known as the Ice Duke or Ice Monster. Those were the insults people used, but the Grand Duke’s vassals had always believed there was some truth to those titles.

It was easy to see why—everything about the Grand Duke was thoroughly rational, optimized for ruling his dominion efficiently. He never showed his emotions and didn’t indulge in leisure. He had no lovers, nor friends.

He was only His Grace, the Grand Duke of Asirion. But now, he had fallen in love with Aeryl? Could someone like him even have human feelings?

“Why? Like you said, the doctor is charming. I heard during the purge, the doctor secretly tended to the Grand Duke. It’s no wonder someone would fall for him.”

“Ugh, if he only took care of me with that face, I’d fall for him too.”

“Yeah. But! The Grand Duke is… the Grand Duke, you know?”

“Exactly. The Grand Duke isn’t just anyone! He’s cold and distant!”

The group split into two sides during the conversation.

The Grand Duke is human. Love? Possible!

The Grand Duke is the Grand Duke. Love? Impossible!

“And what do you think?”

The two factions continued debating, but no conclusion was reached. When you really thought about it, the Grand Duke was a young man, and it was natural for him to love someone. But his usual demeanor was so intense that it made accepting that possibility difficult.

“Anyway, I think the Grand Duke does consider the doctor special. For whatever reason.”

Someone took a more moderate stance. Both factions reluctantly nodded at that statement.

“It’s clear that the way the Grand Duke treats the doctor is different from how he treats others.”

It was hard to pinpoint exactly how it was different, but most agreed.

“Ugh…”

Mason groaned. Of all things, his rival in love was the Grand Duke? To fall for someone who was likely the lord he swore allegiance to lover—was this some kind of romance novel?

“…Stay strong.”

“Yeah. There are other people besides the doctor. It’s hard to find anyone as beautiful as him…”

The members of the purge unit looked at Mason sympathetically. Some patted his back, trying to cheer him up.

“Why is no one supporting me…?”

Mason muttered gloomily. The things that people didn’t know about him.

“Well… the doctor doesn’t seem to care about you at all.”

“He didn’t even respond to your invitation to dinner.”

“That’s harsh, you guys…”

Mason slumped his shoulders. It stung, but it was true.

***

While the argument about the Grand Duke was ongoing, the Grand Duke had taken Aeryl to a small clearing deep in the forest.

There was a rock large enough for three or four people to sit on. It was a quiet spot, perfect for conversation. Even though they were far from the group, Aeryl didn’t feel anxious since he was with the Grand Duke.

“What’s going on?”

Aeryl looked at the Grand Duke with concern.

‘He’s being careful not to reveal that he’s manifested, but…’

He thought the Grand Duke was keeping his distance to conceal the fact that he had manifested as an Alpha. Given that the Grand Duke had called him over, he assumed that something was wrong and his condition wasn’t good.

“Sit down first.”

After sitting the Grand Duke on the rock, Aeryl carefully released his pheromones to check his condition. The Grand Duke looked up at him. His stomach still churned whenever he looked at him, but he couldn’t look away either.

“Are you feeling unwell right now?”

“…I think I might be.”

The Grand Duke gave a vague answer, unlike his usual self. Then, he reflexively leaned into Aeryl’s pheromones. Aeryl, accustomed to this, embraced the Grand Duke and gently soothed his pheromones, making them soft and rounded.