OPDPS 62

The day after returning to the East Wing from the main residence, Lady Merel immediately ordered an investigation into Aeryl. Thanks to the many connections she had in place, she received astonishing news by the next morning—from someone who had taken part in the Great Purge.

It was that Aeryl was the Grand Duke’s lover.

“The Grand Duke? A lover? That can’t be.”

Until now, countless people with exceptional beauty, lineage, and physique had tried to win the Grand Duke’s favor, but he hadn’t batted an eye. He was at an age when his blood should run hot, yet he coldly pushed everyone away.

“He’s never shown emotion since he was a child.”

The Grand Duke never acted on feelings. He always handled matters with calm, calculated rationality. That was the reason people called him “the Ice Duke” or even “Ice Monster.”

But no matter how many others she questioned, they all said the same thing—so she had no choice but to believe it. She had already been suspicious when the Grand Duke suddenly decided to hire a physician inside the inner quarters.

Was he plotting something? The worry had kept her awake. But now it turned out he’d just brought a lover close. And a man, at that!

Thinking back, she remembered how the Grand Duke had stepped forward to shield Aeryl.

“That really was unlike him. Maybe they are lovers… I need to confirm it.”

That’s why she’d invited Aeryl to dinner—to see what kind of person he was, and to test whether their relationship truly was romantic. Intimidating him a little had just been a bonus.

“He was surprisingly handsome.”

“Wasn’t he? A bit of grooming today and I can see why he caught the Grand Duke’s eye. That rustic pair of glasses hid a real beauty.”

“Exactly. I thought, Ah, His Grace has a good eye after all.”

Lady Merel burst into laughter at her lady-in-waiting’s teasing. The idea of that ice man lighting up over someone—it was almost ridiculous.

“He was incredibly smooth with his words, too. He’s used to this kind of conversation. Definitely not your average doctor.”

“He didn’t show the slightest tension in front of you, Madam. Makes you wonder what he did before this.”

Aeryl’s composed demeanor only raised further suspicion. He seemed far too familiar with noble conversation, as if he’d spent time among them.

“Maybe he was someone’s kept man? I mean, isn’t it a little too convenient that he just happened to be working as a doctor in the very village His Grace passed through?”

The maid suggested that Aeryl had deliberately positioned himself to meet and seduce the Grand Duke. If that were the case, then the Grand Duke had fallen for his calculated charms, brought him in as a male lover, and made him the castle’s physician to cover it up.

“If His Grace really is inclined toward men, then the succession issue would turn in our favor. Should we let a rumor slip?”

“No. That would be the worst move. We need to make it bigger.”

“How so?”

“First, we need to provoke the Grand Duke.”

Lady Merel’s eyes gleamed with ambition. A golden opportunity had presented itself—and if she used it well, she just might fulfill her long-held dream.

“I’m so excited to see Young Master Sorel as the next Grand Duke.”

The maid said this excitedly, her tone thick with flattery. But Lady Merel smiled with satisfaction. She hadn’t felt this pleased in a long time.

***

Night fell. The Grand Duke’s estate had a rule that everyone must return to their rooms by ten, so most of the servants headed back to the West Wing by nine.

The Grand Duke, sat in his bedchamber, sensing the presence of people gradually fading away. With his heightened senses, he would normally block out such distractions—but tonight was different. Instead, he tuned in even more.

‘He’s moving.’

He could feel someone carefully climbing the stairs. Aeryl.

He had made it to the second floor, paused to check his surroundings, then rushed up to the third floor in one breath. The Grand Duke immediately stood and approached the door.

But he couldn’t bring himself to open it right away. It dawned on him—this was the first time he and Aeryl would be alone since their secret rendezvous in that village, on the way to the castle.

This space belonged solely to the Grand Duke. Now, it would contain only the two of them. Nothing would interfere.

I can’t lose control again… But as much as he worried, he also felt a strange flutter of anticipation.

It seemed Aeryl felt the same. Though he’d already reached the door, he hesitated. The tension between them, with only a door in the way, was electric.

Knock knock.

Aeryl gathered his courage and knocked on the door.

“Your Grace, it’s me. Aeryl.”

Aeryl whispered. The Grand Duke started to open the door immediately, then paused and adjusted his clothes. He had deliberately come back earlier than usual, bathed, and changed into his loungewear.

He wondered if he was dressed too casually—but then again, maybe this was just right. Still, another thought crossed his mind.

“Does it even matter how I look? He’s just here to check on my condition.”

He stopped himself from fussing with his hair and opened the door.

At last.

Aeryl stepped into the room as if he’d been waiting for this very moment. The instant the Grand Duke saw him, he froze with his hand still on the doorknob.

Aeryl was wearing a beaked leather mask like the ones plague doctors used. The Grand Duke remembered—it was the same mask Aeryl had worn during the heat-triggering incident.

“Aeryl…”

“I wasn’t sure what might happen, so I came fully prepared! Don’t worry!”

Aeryl thumped his chest confidently, as if to say he had everything under control. His readiness, learned from past mistakes, was admirable—but for some reason, the Grand Duke just felt deflated.

“Let’s sit down, first.”

Aeryl looked around the room, then headed for a small wooden table in the corner—ignoring the sofa and even the bed.

“Thorough, aren’t you.”

“Of course! I really do apologize again for last time.”

“That’s enough now.”

Seeing Aeryl ready to bow, the Grand Duke raised a hand to stop him.

“Here, please take this.”

Aeryl opened his bag and pulled out a vial. The Grand Duke stared at it—it was a potion meant to increase pheromone production. Aeryl had spent all morning making it, thinking he’d feel better handing it over.

“It’s the same one from the Great Purge, but I adjusted the dosage. Now that you’re back to daily life, it needs to be balanced accordingly. You’re not in constant battle anymore, so you’re probably less excited or tense.”

He then took out more potions from his bag—pheromone neutralizers, rut suppressants—all medicines useful for someone with a dominant scent.

“You made all this already? You could’ve taken a few more days to rest and recover.”

“It’s fine. I’ve got a lot to do anyway!”

“You’re remarkably diligent…”

Learning from mistakes, preparing ahead, doing even unassigned work—he was the ideal subordinate, yet the Grand Duke didn’t feel particularly pleased.

“I wanted to see more of it.”

“See more of what?”

“You trying to seduce me.”

“!”

Aeryl froze, then let out an awkward “Ha. Ha. Ha.” The Grand Duke couldn’t see his expression—damned mask. It was irritating.

“Why don’t you take off the mask?”

“If you drink the potion.”

“……”

Reluctantly, the Grand Duke drank the potion. Satisfied, Aeryl nodded and removed the mask. He lowered his head, pushed up his glasses, and smoothed out his tousled hair with his fingers.

At that moment, the Grand Duke unconsciously held his breath as he watched him.

“I wasn’t expecting this.”

Aeryl looked different than usual. His normally messy hair was sleek and glossy, and his face seemed brighter, even prettier. And now that he was wearing a properly fitted suit, his tall, slender frame and long legs were fully on display. The Grand Duke’s eyes didn’t know where to look—his face, his figure.

“Ha ha… It’s embarrassing when you stare like that.”

Aeryl waved his hands bashfully. The way he looked flustered was adorable.

“…You look different than usual.”

Aeryl touched his hair shyly. The Grand Duke’s eyes fixated on the strands gliding over his fingers. Unconsciously, his own hand twitched before he forced himself to speak, trying to ignore it.

“Was it because of Lady Merel’s invitation?”

The Grand Duke already knew about the invitation—of course he did. Aeryl had asked the butler about it, just to be cautious.

“Yes. Connie made such a fuss about how I couldn’t just go without proper preparation.”

“I’ll have to thank Connie later.”

“…Excuse me?”

Aeryl blinked and looked at the Grand Duke, uncertain if he’d heard correctly.