OPDPS 85

He held a deep affection for Hiello Asirion.

When Rynello first met the Grand Duke, he had still been a teenager—merely the heir to the title. Back then, everything was in disarray. The Great Purge had ended in failure, and there had been no preparations for winter. With the previous ruler dead, they had to arrange the funeral, prepare for the succession, and get ready for the harsh season—all at once.

Chaos reigned both inside and outside the Grand Duke’s estate, and everyone braced themselves for the worst winter imaginable.

But Hiello Asirion quickly adapted to his role. With his natural charisma and ability, he took command of his vassals and led them through the turbulent time. Overcoming countless hardships, he had, before anyone realized it, become a flawless Grand Duke.

Watching that process unfold, Rynello couldn’t help but develop not only loyalty but also a strong attachment to him.

Every time he looked at the Grand Duke, it was with a mix of admiration befitting a loyal subject and the fond pride one might have for a grown child. He couldn’t show it outwardly for fear of being called a sentimental old fool, but it was there nonetheless.

‘If only His Grace had a suitable match now, there’d be nothing more to wish for…’

The only thing the perfect Grand Duke lacked was a touch of human emotion.

‘But at last, he’s found a partner!’

Since the Grand Duke did not give his heart easily, Rynello assumed the relationship must be serious—likely heading toward marriage. Just what kind of person had managed to melt that cold heart? He imagined a lady as perfect as the Grand Duke himself.

She must be a Northern noblewoman—beautiful, graceful, intelligent, kind yet charismatic, and someone raised with love and care.

But the reality was the exact opposite.

‘Not a lady? A man? A man? From an unremarkable family, no money, an unknown physician? And not even from the North?’

The Knights Commander had added that Aeryl was an omega, so there was no need to worry about heirs—but that only troubled Rynello more.

‘Of all things, an omega! What cruel twist of fate is this!’

Rynello let out a heavy sigh and came to a decision.

‘I must meet this man myself.’

The Knights Commander had told him to stop acting like an overbearing mother-in-law, but Rynello would not be deterred. He immediately sent people to investigate Aeryl and waited for a chance to meet him.

‘It wasn’t easy. What kind of young man shuts himself in his room all day? Tsk tsk.’

Then, the opportunity came. He set the bait by telling the Grand Duke that the inventor might be ill, and suggested that Aeryl be sent to the outer castle’s physician as an assistant.

‘I didn’t lie!’

It was a fact that the inventor had visited multiple physicians before disappearing. And the outer castle doctor had been desperate to meet Aeryl anyway.

Which brought things to this point. The Grand Duke had been displeased to see him—but that was a small price to pay. A true vassal must sometimes act against his lord’s wishes.

‘All of this is done out of my unwavering loyalty to His Grace!’

He was determined to see with his own eyes whether Aeryl was a worthy match. If not, he would personally see to it.

As Aeryl examined him, Rynello studied the young man. And from the start, he disliked everything he saw.

‘Desk-bound or not, this is unacceptable.’

For someone working in the Grand Duke’s household, his hair looked like a broom and his glasses were so outdated even Rynello wouldn’t wear them. People said he was beautiful underneath it all, but even a jewel rusts if left unpolished.

And to be seen like that alongside His Grace? It was disgraceful. Rynello clicked his tongue internally.

‘Still… he is diligent.’

Even if his backache was fake, at his age everything hurt for no reason anyway. Oftentimes, the process of getting examined felt worse than the pain itself, but now, strangely enough, it didn’t feel burdensome at all. Aeryl handled him gently and with care.

“Judging by the pain and absence of discomfort elsewhere, and since your range of motion is still intact, I suspect a muscle strain in your lower back. But my skills are limited, so I can’t say for sure.”

“Hm…”

Rynello nodded. Of course. It was fake, after all.

“I’ll bring another doctor.”

“No—just stay with me a little while. I feel uneasy being alone.”

“Understood.”

Aeryl agreed. It felt wrong to leave an ailing elder alone in the forest, even for a moment. As he stood beside Rynello, he noticed how hunched the old man was.

“You often sit at your desk for long hours, don’t you? And when you do, you get dizzy.”

“Hm? That’s right. It’s chronic. How did you know?”

“You also get headaches, don’t you? Especially at night.”

“Did you look into me?!”

Rynello glared at him.

“No. I only met you today. I guessed based on your posture and overall condition.”

“My condition?”

“Yes. Your body is extremely stiff—especially around your neck and shoulders. That puts pressure on your neck, which causes headaches. And I’m guessing your arms hurt, too.”

“They do! Sometimes they hurt so much I can’t even sleep.”

“That’s because your shoulders are misaligned. A hunched posture restricts arm movement and…”

“So… can it be fixed?”

“Yes. Would you like me to take a look?”

Aeryl offered casually, but to Rynello, it sounded weighty. Let’s see what this one is really capable of.

“I’d appreciate it.”

“Excuse me. Please exhale slowly.”

Aeryl moved behind Rynello and stood, gently placing his hands on his back after giving him prior instructions. He touched him from the back of his head to his waist, slowly loosening the tense muscles.

“Ugh, it just hurts, and it feels… well…”

“It can’t be helped at first.”

Aeryl gently accepted his grumbling. His voice, filled with warmth, was soothing to the ears.

“Hah…”

As Aeryl had said, Rynello endured the pain for a while, and slowly his body began to relax, feeling a sense of pleasant drowsiness, like when he was about to take a nap after lunch.

‘It’s surprisingly comforting.’

Rynello closed his eyes without realizing it and savored the massage. At first, it only hurt, but now it felt cool and pleasant.

After some time, Aeryl’s hands eventually left. Rynello opened his eyes with a deep sense of longing, and Aeryl was looking down at him with a gentle expression.

“How does it feel?”

“Hm…”

Rynello moved his neck and arms, trying them out. His arms, which he usually couldn’t raise because of pain, went up a little higher, and his neck moved more easily. What felt the best, though, was the lightness in his body, as if the heavy burden that had been pressing down on him had been lifted.

“Very good. My head feels clearer, too.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Actually, posture is related to the rotation of the head. A slouched posture puts pressure on the neck… causing stiffness and affecting blood flow…”

Aeryl spoke as if he had been swimming in the ocean of medical knowledge. Naturally, Rynello didn’t understand a word of it. Still, he let Aeryl talk on without interruption.

‘Hm… I see…’

It wasn’t about his outward beauty.

What he meant was the earnestness that Aeryl showed. Even in this weather, beads of sweat had appeared on his forehead, evidence of how hard he’d worked on the massage. And yet, Aeryl spoke as if he hadn’t been tired, his eyes shining with excitement, talking about things he loved. Aeryl was the very embodiment of youth.

Rynello found that the passion and sincerity Aeryl carried were more precious than anything else in the world.

“You’re a good doctor, my friend.”

“Hehe.”

Aeryl smiled shyly.

“I’m not just saying that.”

Aeryl’s skill was evident from the way he deduced symptoms and causes just by looking at Rynello’s current condition. He had a genuine passion for medicine and was humble enough to admit his shortcomings, willing to seek help when needed. He was someone who truly put patients first and showed care and consideration.

He was straightforward, passionate, and humble—everything Rynello admired in a young person. This type of person was bound to succeed no matter what they did.

‘I like him as a doctor…’

But the problem was that he was the Grand Duke’s lover. Even if Rynello liked him, that was a separate matter.

‘I hope His Highness finds a suitable partner and has a happy family.’

Rynello remembered the late Duke and the first Grand Duchess, and the tragedy that had happened between them. That’s why he hoped Hiello’s future family would be warm and full of happiness, offering solace to him.

“I wish you weren’t an omega.”

Rynello muttered. It was an unintentional remark born from his regret, but the problem was that Aeryl heard it.

“What’s wrong with being an omega?”

It wasn’t a secret that Aeryl was an omega, so didn’t surprise him. But after giving him a massage, Rynello said what? That he would’ve been better if he weren’t an omega?

“Ah, that’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean? No matter how I try to take it positively, what you said sounds like you’re saying it’s a problem that I’m an omega.”

What could an omega do? Omegas were only useful for producing alpha heirs. The familiar words of disdain returned to Rynello’s mind.

“If being an omega helps my medical work, then it’s only a benefit, not an obstacle. Omegas can achieve many things too.”

Aeryl spoke, holding back his frustration, his voice calm but firm.

“Oh…”

Rynello suddenly realized that his words had been misunderstood, and he was flustered.