OPDPS 89

‘It’s an unfamiliar concept, but mental factors can have a huge effect on the body.’

Aeryl believed that the mind and body were more closely connected. The fact that emotional states were reflected so clearly in pheromones supported that idea—it wasn’t baseless speculation.

‘Could the irregular pheromone production and inability to recognize his own scent be tied to the Grand Duke’s psychological state?’

If so, it was a difficult problem. Who would willingly accept being told there was something wrong with their mind? Even if Aeryl managed to persuade him, the method of treatment was unclear.

Psychological research had only just begun. He knew more than most thanks to what he’d seen and heard at the Imperial Medical Academy, but it wasn’t his area of expertise.

“Then I’m not normal, am I.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“No. That’s not something you should apologize for.”

The Grand Duke paused for a moment before continuing.

“I am the strange one.”

He lowered his gaze. His eyes no longer met Aeryl’s. His long lashes cast a shadow, darkening his pupils. He looked as gloomy as a sky heavy with storm clouds.

“So in the end, it was a failure.”

He muttered the words, and the depth of sorrow in them was so strong that Aeryl couldn’t bring himself to ask what he meant. Even so, the sight of him stirred pity, and his hand moved toward him, unbidden, without any real intent.

But Aeryl never managed to touch him.

“Tch.”

Sensing Aeryl’s gaze, the Grand Duke raised his eyes. With that short sound, everything changed.

The gloom that had seemed impossible to shake disappeared, and the pheromones settled down. He returned to being the calm, composed Grand Duke—so composed it was almost cold.

“They’re probably waiting. Let’s go back.”

“…Yes.”

Aeryl followed, dazed, stealing glances at the Grand Duke. His face was composed, showing no trace of the sorrow from before. The same went for his pheromones. Aeryl knew the Grand Duke was skilled at emotional control, but this was beyond mere self-discipline.

‘It’s like he cut emotions right out of himself.’

And yet what he’d said earlier—that it had all been a failure—wasn’t a light feeling at all.

‘Something’s wrong. There’s something… something…!’

He felt close to grasping a clue but couldn’t quite get there. With a mind full of tangled thoughts, Aeryl followed after the Grand Duke.

When the two returned, everyone was still waiting in the same place. Aeryl explained who he had met and what kind of proposal had been made.

“I’d like to go with Mr. Raeler and meet Mr. Vale.”

He stated his final decision.

“I’m against it. You’re basically giving a criminal a second chance.”

The envoy objected, clearly agitated, likely still holding a grudge against the inventor.

“Well, we do need the inventor’s skills. Cooperation will come more easily if it’s voluntary rather than forced.”

The bell tower repair lead offered a different opinion.

“It’s better if it looks like the inventor himself opens the door and welcomes His Grace.”

Rynello added his voice. If it looked like the Grand Duke was pressuring unwilling subordinates, it could damage his image. If the inventor yielded first and the Grand Duke granted forgiveness, it would make him appear gracious—an advantage.

“And we’ll reduce the risk of traps. I say it’s worth trying.”

The knights chimed in too. The Grand Duke gave a slight nod.

“Permission granted.”

It was clearly the logical choice. His rational mind had made its calculation, but his instincts screamed in protest.

“However, it might be dangerous for Aeryl…”

“I’ll act as escort!”

Mason stepped forward with enthusiasm. The Grand Duke found it irritating, but nodded. Mason was the one he had planned to choose anyway. Since he had strong feelings for Aeryl, he would protect him with his life—an ideal escort.

Aeryl had spoken up in favor of the idea, so it was only right that he take responsibility and go. Meanwhile, the Grand Duke, being an alpha, would stay outside the lake to avoid provoking anyone further.

“We’ll also need someone persuasive. If everyone’s a stranger, the inventor might be more on guard.”

“Then Rynello. You go too.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Rynello stepped forward, as if he already understood what the Grand Duke was worried about. The meeting wrapped up quickly.

Aeryl, Mason, and Rynello would go to the inventor’s house. The rest would remain nearby.

If there was any sign of danger or delay—or if Aeryl seemed to be in harm’s way—they would immediately break in. The Grand Duke had taken a step back.

The three of them set out at once to meet Raeler. As they moved away from the rest, Rynello spoke up.

“Don’t act like you did earlier.”

“…Pardon?”

“Stop drawing attention to yourself! You acting weird—and His Grace chasing after you!”

“Ah. I’m sorry.”

It had only happened because of Raeler’s pheromones, but to outsiders who didn’t know, it must have looked strange. ‘How am I going to explain this?’

“I made it look like you’d already discussed it with His Highness before the meeting.”

Rynello spoke with clear disapproval.

“Thank you, sir.”

Rynello shot Aeryl a sharp look, scolding him silently with his eyes.

‘Get a hold of yourself! Flirting out in the open like that—how shameless can you be!’

But Aeryl misunderstood the meaning in his eyes.

‘No one else can find out His Grace is unwell! I’ll be careful!’

He nodded seriously. Rynello turned his head away, clearly displeased. It was a misunderstanding, but at least the intention had been communicated.

By the time they arrived at the agreed location, the sunset was already casting long rays. But Raeler was nowhere to be seen.

Where did he go? Aeryl looked around, scanning the area.

“Are you sure this is the place?”

Rynello asked with a trace of annoyance. Aeryl nodded.

“Yes, this is it. Where could he have gone?”

“Sir. You need to see this.”

Mason, who had been inspecting the area, called out urgently. Aeryl and Rynello hurried over to him. When Aeryl saw where Mason was pointing, he gasped.

There was a dark red liquid smeared on a broken branch—unnaturally bent.

“This is blood, right?”

“Yes. Judging by how it’s coagulated, it looks fresh. If it’s this much, it must have bled quite a bit… Here—I found something.”

Mason looked around the area near the blood-stained tree and discovered drops of blood on the ground.

“From the signs, it looks like two people passed through here. Both appear to be male.”

Raeler had been alone. So who was the second person?

A missing person, a trail of blood, a third party—an ominous feeling crept in.

“Can we track them?”

“Yes.”

Mason took the lead, following the traces. Aeryl and Rynello followed close behind. They moved slowly, carefully, until they reached the lake’s edge.

“This is where the trail ends. From the signs, it looks like a boat was here. I believe they crossed the lake.”

At Mason’s assessment, Aeryl let out a soft groan. It seemed Raeler had been captured and taken back to the inventor’s home.

“What now?”

Rynello asked. Mason also looked to Aeryl, awaiting instructions. Since it had been Aeryl’s suggestion, the decision was his to make.

Aeryl stared out across the lake. Not far away, an isolated island came into view. A tall wall enclosed a house there, thick enough to feel suffocating. Under the deepening red sky, everything looked bathed in blood.

***

Right after Aeryl left, Raeler had intended to wait exactly where he was. But he was so overwhelmed with emotion that he couldn’t stay still. He kept walking a few steps and then returning, trying to calm his excitement.

‘No one’s ever said that to me before.’

Raeler kept replaying the conversation he’d had with Aeryl.

You can do anything. You can live like any ordinary person.

He had never heard such words before.

When he first presented, Raeler had no memory of that day. But the next morning, his father arrived without explanation—bringing several doctors. A priest also visited. They all said the same thing:

“It must be hard, having a son who turned out to be an omega. Just be obedient and do as your father says.”

At the time, Raeler hadn’t even known what an omega was. But from the way everyone reacted, he realized he had become a burden to his father.

Not long after, his father abandoned everything, moved them here, and built a fortress-like house to lock Raeler inside. He rarely left the house—only going out for essentials—and spent his life keeping watch over Raeler.

It had been a life full of pain. Being forbidden from leaving, forced to submit to his father’s control—it was suffocating.

During heat, he had often felt like dying. But he endured.

Because it was his fault for becoming an omega. Because it was his fault that his father had to give up everything at the height of his success.

Even though he’d successfully disabled the traps and could have run away at any time, he stayed. Fear of whether he could survive alone—and guilt toward his father—chained him in place.

But Aeryl had said something completely different from everyone else he’d ever met.

An omega is just a normal person. It’s not something to be ashamed of.

Since becoming an omega, no one had ever offered him a hand to stand on his own—until now. He wanted to go with him.