OPDPS 104

Who in the world would enjoy having their emotions laid bare for others to see? Everyone had things they wanted to keep hidden. Even Aeryl felt a chill whenever he thought someone might have discovered his secret. Just imagining someone knowing was terrifying.

He hadn’t fully bought into the Grand Duke’s excuse—he’d expected something more serious—but at the same time, he saw no reason the Grand Duke would lie to him.

“So that was it. That’s why you avoided me.”

Aeryl nodded. Just the fact that it wasn’t because the Grand Duke disliked him or was disappointed in him was enough to ease his mind.

Now that he understood the reason, the resentment he’d been holding onto melted away. The Grand Duke was usually good at managing his emotions—being exposed through pheromones must have felt awkward for him.

“You should’ve just told me earlier. I would’ve worn a mask.”

“You mean that strange thing I saw before?”

“Yes! It’s great at blocking pheromones. I’ll make sure to carry one from now on. Ah! Then this must be uncomfortable for you right now, too! That’s why you were trying to leave so quickly!”

As Aeryl accepted the reason without hesitation and even offered a solution, the Grand Duke’s pheromones shifted subtly.

“…Your mood really changes fast, doesn’t it?”

Aeryl didn’t even respond—he jumped to his feet.

“For now, let’s do this!”

He tugged the Grand Duke by the arm and nodded for him to follow. The Grand Duke obediently got up and walked after him. Then Aeryl led him out of the bedroom and shut the door behind him.

“Aeryl?”

Was he… being kicked out?

The Grand Duke called after him in confusion.

“Isn’t this a bit much?”

“Yes!”

His expression darkened quickly, just as he was about to say he understood and would head back—but Aeryl beat him to it.

“This way, you won’t have to worry about your emotions being exposed through your pheromones.”

“Ah…”

The Grand Duke responded, unusually dazed.

“It’s been a while, so I’m a little sad. I wanted to talk more…”

The voice that followed was quieter, almost shy. Normally, if Aeryl had told him stay still, he would’ve obeyed. But this—this was something he couldn’t resist.

‘He’s adorable. So lovable.’

The Grand Duke was helplessly ensnared once more.

“I haven’t done a proper check-up in a while. I can’t just let you go like this!”

“…Check-up.”

So he was just trying to fulfill his duties as a physician? The Grand Duke felt a twinge of disappointment—but then Aeryl muttered again, more softly.

“…It’s also reassuring when you’re nearby.”

He still hadn’t shaken off the fear from the ghost story.

“I’ll stay.”

The Grand Duke hid his joy as he replied. Since he was always the one relying on Aeryl, it felt good to have Aeryl rely on him for once. Thank goodness there was a door between them—it was the only thing stopping him from pulling Aeryl into a tight hug right now.

“Should we sit and talk?”

“Alright.”

Aeryl sat down, leaning against the door. The Grand Duke sat on the other side. Even with the door between them, their presence was enough.

“How have you been lately? You’ve been taking your medicine, right?”

“I’m fine. Same as before.”

“You know, if you take that medicine too long, there can be side effects… Oh, could you send me a blood sample?”

“You’re not doing it yourself?”

“In that case, I’ll always carry a mask. Come see me anytime. If you ever feel off, don’t just push through it. Don’t overdo it, make sure you get rest.”

Aeryl began his usual string of nagging.

“You too. You said you’ve been all over the place lately.”

“Well, that’s…”

All because of you. Aeryl had thought the Grand Duke was disappointed in him—and that misunderstanding had messed him up. He quickly changed the subject.

“How’s work? I heard you’re almost done preparing for winter.”

“Yeah. Good thing the first snow hasn’t come yet. Just one minor issue left—once that’s resolved, we’re set.”

“What kind of issue?”

“Seems like interference from the emperor. The movements of the knights under him have been suspicious.”

The emperor? Aeryl sucked in a breath. No way… it couldn’t be about me, could it?

“W-what kind of suspicious?”

He asked as calmly as he could, trying not to sound nervous.

“According to reports, they’ve been looking for a blonde beauty. Imagine—at his age, ordering knights to search for a pretty face.”

It IS about me! Aeryl groaned softly. Can he just stop already? That wretched man.

“You’re beautiful, so I suppose hearing things like that must make you anxious. But don’t worry. I’m here. Whether it’s the emperor’s knights or the emperor himself, no one will lay a hand on you.”

The Grand Duke spoke gently to reassure him. His words were based on misunderstandings—thinking Aeryl was scared because he was a beauty, and that the emperor was only interested in his looks—but they were sweet all the same.

Aeryl gave a shy laugh and fiddled with his fingers. So the Grand Duke thinks I’m pretty, too. He’d heard compliments about his looks before, but they never meant much—they were just stating the obvious. But hearing it from him… that felt different.

‘I wish the Grand Duke would truly protect me.’

If it was the Grand Duke, he felt like he could protect him no matter what the Emperor said. He had the power to defy the Emperor.

‘But if he finds out I’m a prince, he won’t protect me.’

Why would anyone help someone who deceived them? The weight in his chest began to grow, so Aeryl hurried to change the subject. The Grand Duke was sharp, so he had to be careful.

“I heard there’s a festival after the winter preparations are complete? Everyone’s already looking forward to it.”

“No one dislikes the Winter Festival. You’ll like it too once you see it. But with the influx of outsiders, it’s best to be cautious. Make sure you always bring Connie and a knight with you.”

“Derbas?”

Come to think of it, he hadn’t heard anything about that guy since the Great Purge.

“He’s a slippery one, but he’s definitely headed for the capital. Says he’s looking into something.”

Aeryl suddenly recalled the time he thought he made eye contact with Derbas. When he looked again, the man’s eyes were closed, so he thought it was just his imagination—but why was that moment coming to mind now?

“His goal is revenge. Depending on the situation, I’m thinking of throwing his boss out as bait. He’ll bite for sure.”

“His boss? He’s still alive?”

Wasn’t the entire Valbean crew wiped out?

“He still has some use left. The Black Knights order is taking good care of him.”

“I see. Then I guess going out to see the festival might be difficult.”

“…You could just go with me.”

“With Your Grace? Wow. Then that’d be fine! Tell me more about the festival. I’ve never been to one before.”

Aeryl and the Grand Duke chatted about the Winter Festival. Lost in conversation, they didn’t realize how much time had passed. Eventually, Aeryl’s eyelids began to droop. He tried to stay awake, blinking wide and shaking his head, but it didn’t help at all.

“You should rest now.”

The Grand Duke said.

“Aw, I’m fine.”

“You think I’ll believe that with a voice like that?”

“…Then will you go back?”

“You don’t want me to?”

“Mm. A little?”

“Then I’ll stay. Sleep if you’re sleepy.”

Aeryl giggled. I like it when he listens! But he was getting sleepier and the world in front of him blurred. He thought about just falling asleep, but there was still one thing bothering him.

“…But, the ghost story.”

“Yeah.”

“Is it real?”

“Of course not.”

“But I’m sure I heard a woman crying…”

“It’s an old castle—probably the wind.”

“Is that so?”

“There’s no basement in the castle. So it’s a completely groundless rumor.”

“I see…”

Aeryl mumbled.

“No monsters, no ghosts. There’s nothing left here to fear, so you can sleep peacefully.”

“Mmh…”

If the Grand Duke said so, it must be true. Aeryl leaned his head softly against the door. With that last burden lifted, it was impossible to hold out any longer. The moment his head touched the door, he slipped into sleep.

The Grand Duke waited for Aeryl to fall deeply asleep, then stood. Instead of leaving, he quietly opened the bedroom door and stepped inside. Aeryl was curled up against the door, sleeping uncomfortably.

‘I knew it.’

He gently lifted Aeryl and laid him on the bed. After tucking him in carefully, he removed his glasses and placed them on the stand beside the bed.

With the glasses off, Aeryl’s striking features stood out even more. The Grand Duke stood still, captivated, just staring. He felt the urge to trace the shape of Aeryl’s face with his fingertips, to cradle his cheek. The warm, sweet scent coming from Aeryl stirred him further.

‘I shouldn’t be doing this.’

But still, he reached out and cupped Aeryl’s cheek. Just as expected, the soft skin sent a dizzying jolt through him. If his cheek was this soft, how much softer would his lips be? His gaze sank slowly to Aeryl’s mouth.

“Aeryl.”

He called gently, but Aeryl didn’t respond at all. Thinking that no one would know if he did it now, desire flared. The Grand Duke slowly leaned down. There was nothing left to stop him.

But then—he froze.

‘A sinner like me…’

The thought flashed in his mind and stopped him. He had no right to touch Aeryl—whether it be his lips or his heart.

‘What the hell am I doing again…’

He snapped back to himself and quickly pulled away from the bed. His eyes trembled with confusion. He had to admit it now—reason and resolve meant nothing in front of Aeryl.

But he had to erase this feeling. He had to stay away from him.

He had no idea how to do that. Helplessness weighed down on him like a crushing stone.

***

Bang bang bang!

“Doctor! Doctor!”

The sound of pounding on the door and a frantic voice woke Aeryl from sleep. He quickly reached for his glasses on the stand and put them on.