OPDPS 152

Aeryl felt himself being carried by the attendants and laid back down on the same bed as before.

In truth, he hadn’t fainted—he had merely pretended to, aiming to draw the Emperor’s attention to his health.

The attendants removed all his accessories and outer robe. Then, taking hold of his arm, they fastened iron restraints on both wrists.

Once they were done, they exited the room and locked it from the outside.

Opening his eyes, Aeryl glanced at both arms.

The manacles on his wrists were secured by short chains to the bedposts. He couldn’t even sit up, let alone move freely.

“This brings back memories.”

Back when his resistance had been at its peak and he’d trashed the room, they had restrained him just like this.

Being left in this state wasn’t just painful—it could break a person’s spirit. Especially when he couldn’t even relieve himself.

The only small mercy was that no maid had been left to watch over him.

It would’ve been far more humiliating if someone had been watching. That’s why he’d promised himself never to show overt resistance again.

How long would he have to endure this time?

The memories weighed down on him, making his chest ache.

His mood spiraled downward. Slowly, everything began to feel hopeless.

‘Is this really right? Can I really escape from here?’

Dark thoughts crept steadily into his mind.

Knock knock.

Someone tapped on the door.

“Who is it?”

He called out, but the person said nothing. Instead, the lock clicked open, and the door swung inward.

A hunched, middle-aged man in a dark brown hooded cloak entered.

“A physician.”

Not just any physician—the one personally responsible for the Emperor and Empress’s health.

Though hard of hearing and mute, his medical skill had earned their deep trust.

He was also somewhat knowledgeable about dynamics.

Back when Aeryl had first presented and been brought to the palace, it had been this man who confirmed his second gender.

He had also recommended a teacher to guide Aeryl through life as an omega and care for his health.

Seeing Aeryl collapse, the Emperor had likely sent him—trying to handle the matter quietly.

That meant the Emperor was worried about appearances, which was an advantage for Aeryl.

‘But… isn’t this physician a bit too loyal?’

The Grand Duke had told him there were allies within the palace, and that all Aeryl needed to do was remain still and let things unfold.

But the world rarely went according to plan.

Even if he trusted the Grand Duke, unease gnawed at him.

The physician hesitated at the sight of him, then stepped closer.

“The Emperor sent you because I fainted, didn’t he?”

Aeryl asked loudly. The physician nodded in reply.

“It was the first time I passed out, but I’ve been feeling dizzy often lately. I’m constantly tired, even with rest, and my body feels heavy. I figured it might be from the cold, since I’d been in a chilly place recently…”

He recited the symptoms he’d prepared in advance.

The physician nodded, checked his complexion and pulse, and performed a basic examination.

Then he took out two small bottles and a syringe.

“Urine and blood, huh? I get the blood sample part… but for the urine, you’d need to remove these restraints. Are you going to collect it yourself?”

“You want me to pull down the Prince’s trousers? If His Majesty finds out, he’ll have my head.”

The physician quipped, surprisingly flippant. Surely not…

“…You—”

As Aeryl began to speak, the physician pressed a finger to his lips and winked with one eye.

The expression—mischievous and completely at odds with his grim face—immediately reminded Aeryl of someone.

“Sigh… Derbas…”

He never saw that coming.

So one the allies they’d mentioned was…Derbas.

It was astonishing not just that Derbas had gotten into the palace, but that he was posing as the Emperor and Empress’s personal doctor.

Whoever helped him on the inside had to be someone with immense status.

‘At the very least, royalty. And not just someone on the fringes like me—someone far above.’

He couldn’t help but marvel at the Grand Duke’s skill.

There hadn’t been much time—but somehow, he’d extended his reach this far.

Or maybe… those allies had been planted in the palace long ago, just lying dormant until the time was right.

“Who would’ve thought I’d be glad to see you one day?”

“Life’s strange, isn’t it? But no matter how I think about it, there’s no way I can collect either urine or blood. I don’t even know how to draw blood without cutting your wrists off…”

“Just… leave a needle mark or two.”

“Aha, sure.”

Derbas jabbed the inside of Aeryl’s forearm lightly with a syringe, then withdrew it. He pressed down firmly with a cloth, leaving a small puncture mark.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

He looked at Aeryl’s bound wrists with a faint expression of pity.

‘First time seeing a prince in chains, huh?’

“Take care of yourself.”

A day had come when he was the one telling Derbas to be careful.

It felt surreal—but he meant it.

After all, the man had infiltrated the heart of the imperial palace just to help him.

Derbas turned, formed a V with his fingers, and left the room.

That ever-playful attitude of his… it was starting to become oddly admirable.

Thanks to him, Aeryl felt a great deal better.

I have Hiello.

Unlike his childhood, when he had no one and was tied down like this, now there was someone who would help him.

He could endure it.

***

About half a day later, the Emperor and Empress gathered in the secret chamber they used to exchange confidential discussions.

Though they sat at the same table, neither looked at nor spoke to the other.

They had lived as husband and wife for many years and had borne many children, but their relationship was no longer good.

A physician in a brown robe, who had arrived in advance, stood and bowed respectfully.

“Well then. What’s wrong with Aeryl that you had to call us so cautiously?”

The physician placed two sheets of paper on the table.

They contained Aeryl’s diagnosis, along with the results of his blood and urine tests.

The Emperor merely glanced at them, uninterested, but the Empress read carefully—then her eyes widened in shock.

“Is this true? That child… is pregnant?”

“What?”

The Emperor barked as he snatched the paper from her hand.

“Where? Where does it say that?”

“Right there.”

The Empress pointed.

The Emperor squinted, straining to read through his worsening eyesight.

“…Thus… a diagnosis… of pregnancy…? Is this real? Aeryl is with child?”

The physician nodded.

“What utter nonsense! Are you sure your tests are accurate?”

Enraged, the Emperor shouted. The physician dropped to his knees and bowed his head.

“You insolent wretch!”

The Emperor leapt to his feet, unable to contain his fury, and hurled the nearest porcelain vase.

Crash!

The loud shatter made the Empress place a hand to her chest and close her eyes.

But the Emperor wasn’t satisfied—he threw whatever was within reach, only stopping when he ran out of breath, gasping and seething.

“Get rid of it! Terminate it at once!”

The physician scribbled quickly on a sheet of paper and held it up:

[With male omegas, outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Fertility issues may arise afterward.]

“Who would marry an omega who can’t bear children? His only worth is to give birth to an alpha heir!”

The Emperor kicked the physician.

The Empress cautiously asked:

“Could it be… the Grand Duke’s child?”

The Emperor turned sharply to her, his eyes gleaming.

“Could it? It must be, right? Dervan did say the two of them were involved. He also said the Grand Duke broke things off… but if there’s a child, he might reconsider!”

A flush of excitement spread over the Emperor’s face.

If Aeryl was carrying the Grand Duke’s child, wouldn’t that be ideal?

No need for a dowry, and the Grand Duke could become his son-in-law!

“I must send word to him immediately. No—through Viscount Karoki. That’ll be quicker.”

The Emperor looked around, grabbed a pen and paper, and began writing a letter.

Though wrapped in flowery words, the message was simple:

Aeryl is pregnant. It’s your child, isn’t it? Take responsibility.

He sealed the letter and left the room to hand it to a waiting attendant.

Under the Emperor’s orders, the servant dashed off to find Viscount Karoki.

“Ugh, that brat is driving me mad.”

The Emperor slumped into a chair, which creaked ominously under his weight.

The Empress looked at him with thinly veiled disdain.

“What if… the Grand Duke refuses to take Aeryl?”