OPDPS 93

After the inventor’s fate was decided, the Grand Duke’s party packed up and began the journey home. Though night had fallen and darkness covered the land, it was a busy season in preparation for winter, so there was no room for delay.

Among the group were the inventor and his son. They had packed only what was absolutely necessary and boarded a carriage they’d procured from a nearby village. Traveling by carriage meant they couldn’t move quickly, but it was a necessary compromise to block Raeler’s pheromones.

Thanks to their efficient travel, they arrived at the Grand Castle before dawn. The group quietly dispersed and returned to their respective posts.

The Grand Duke, without pause, made his way to the outer castle’s office. Even after he stepped inside, he heard no sound of the door closing.

“Rynello.”

He turned as he called the man’s name. As expected, Rynello was standing at the door, holding it open without stepping in.

“May I come in?”

Rynello asked.

“You may.”

With the Grand Duke’s permission, Rynello entered and closed the door behind him. The Grand Duke sat down on the sofa.

“Sit.”

Rynello obeyed and took a seat as well. Watching him, the Grand Duke remarked,

“You’re moving well. I heard you’d injured your back.”

“Haha. It’s thanks to the doctor’s excellent care.”

“You rode quite well too.”

“Ahem…”

Rynello cleared his throat, embarrassed. The Grand Duke stared at him with his usual cold expression, and eventually Rynello raised both hands in surrender.

“Yes, fine. I faked it. I just wanted a way to speak with the doctor.”

“With Aeryl? You really must be getting old—showing interest in a doctor.”

“Would I do this just because he’s a doctor?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

The Grand Duke replied as if he truly had no idea.

“That’s just like you, Your Grace. Even I nearly fell for it. But this Rynello knows the truth. The rumors among the purge unit—you’re aware of them too, aren’t you? And you’ve left them be.”

Rynello smiled as he spoke, certain he was right. The Grand Duke simply stared at him for a moment before letting out a faint sigh. A silent affirmation.

He had, in fact, known about the rumors concerning him and Aeryl for some time. That people mistakenly believed they were lovers was laughable—but he’d let the rumor go uncorrected. It made it easier to hide the fact of his manifestation and the health issues that came with it.

And the rumor hadn’t spread as widely as expected, so he’d paid it little mind. He hadn’t imagined Rynello would take action because of it.

“So what is it you want to say?”

The Grand Duke neither confirmed nor denied the rumor. There was no need to explain himself in detail to a retainer—especially when he himself was still confused about Aeryl.

“I sincerely wish Your Grace happiness with someone good. Truly. However…”

Rynello hesitated. He knew what he was about to say would stir painful memories. The Grand Duke might even punish him in anger. But after a moment, he steeled himself and continued.

“Doctor Aeryl is an Omega, is he not?”

“And?”

“Your Grace is a Beta.”

“…That’s enough.”

The Grand Duke furrowed his brow in warning. Rynello flinched. From a certain point on, his legs had started to tremble, and it felt like a blade was pressed to his throat—making even one word hard to utter.

It was the same now. The Grand Duke’s quiet gaze was terrifying.

Still, Rynello did not stop.

“You know what tragedy awaits the union of a Beta and an Omega.”

“Rynello!”

“I know. You told me to forget. But I couldn’t help remembering. You and Doctor Aeryl… I can’t just stand by and watch a tragedy unfold.”

Rynello bowed deeply.

“An old servant begs you with all his loyalty—end the relationship and send the doctor away.”

He spoke with complete sincerity. Even if the furious Grand Duke were to take his head now, it didn’t matter. He could clearly see the future of regret and despair that awaited—and if he could stop that, he’d do anything.

“…And if I say no?”

At the Grand Duke’s quiet question, Rynello straightened his back and met his gaze.

“Then I’ll do whatever it takes to separate you. Even if it means turning against Your Highness.”

There was no wavering in his eyes. His face, deeply lined with age, carried a determination just as deep—one that would not bend.

Silence fell over the office.

“When you’re serious… you never back down.”

The Grand Duke thought of the years he’d spent with Rynello. A loyal servant—yet once he made up his mind, never one to yield. That was why he’d been the Grand Duke’s greatest ally—and his most difficult opponent.

Would he make Rynello an ally once more—or a foe?

It wasn’t even a choice worth debating. Confused as he was about everything regarding Aeryl, one thing was certain: he wanted to keep him close.

At last, the Grand Duke spoke.

“I’m an Alpha.”

“What?”

“I manifested the day we arrived in the Edge of the World Village.”

It was the first time he’d told anyone directly, but thankfully, he felt calm as he said it.

Rynello was appalled.

“Your Grace is an Alpha…!”

Why now, at this age? Why just as the Great Purge began? Why had he kept it hidden all this time?

A thousand questions sprang up in Rynello’s mind, but what he said instead was—

“Congratulations! If the late Grand Duke had known, he would have been overjoyed…!”

At those words, the Grand Duke’s expression shifted into something strange. His furrowed brow looked almost angry, his narrowed eyes as though staring at something repulsive, and his lips curled into a crooked line, like a sneer. It was only a fleeting expression, so the excited Rynello failed to notice.

“Then it’s settled. An Alpha and an Omega! There’s no reason to object, is there?”

It wasn’t as if Rynello took pleasure in obstructing young love. Relieved, he grew increasingly enthusiastic.

“To be honest, I rather liked Doctor Aeryl too. Smart enough to be a doctor, probably diligent as well, and most of all, his character is upright. When we went to the inventor’s house earlier, I saw that he’s bold and decisive too.”

Then, abruptly, he remembered a few practical concerns.

“His background may be humble and he likely brings no dowry… but Your Highness has everything, so it won’t be a problem! A bit rustic, sure… but he carries himself with dignity! It’s a shame he’s not from the North, but with a good aide, that’s easily solved!”

Once he decided to view Aeryl favorably, even his shortcomings no longer seemed like flaws.

Above all, the match between the Grand Duke and Aeryl seemed promising. Today’s events alone were proof enough. Aeryl might be just the person to balance the Grand Duke’s overly calculating, cold nature.

“I support Doctor Aeryl becoming the Grand Duchess.”

“…No.”

“Then shall we begin marriage arrangements at once?”

“No!”

The Grand Duke hurriedly stopped him. As if there weren’t problems. There was one very critical problem.

“The doctor and I aren’t in that kind of relationship.”

Talk of Grand Duchesses and marriages was all getting way ahead of things. They weren’t even dating!

“Pardon? Then what kind of relationship is it?”

“He’s my attending physician. As a doctor and an omega, he’s looking after me.”

“But…”

‘Didn’t Aeryl already say they were lovers?’

And it certainly seemed like His Grace held him in special regard too. Still, Rynello swallowed his next words. Young love was always tangled and delicate—one careless comment could have lasting consequences.

‘I suppose they haven’t defined things yet. It’s been quite some time since they met and still nothing… Then again, this must be His Grace’s first love.’

Rynello was struck anew by how young the Grand Duke truly was. If he’d succeeded with his own first love, his grandchild would be around this age now. The Grand Duke, who always seemed distant, suddenly felt familiar.

“What’s with that look?”

The Grand Duke asked irritably. Rynello quickly schooled his softening expression.

“I understand your circumstances. An old man like me has no business meddling in young people’s love affairs. I’ll step back.”

“…”

The Grand Duke was at a loss for words. He should have said it wasn’t love—but a voice inside whispered at his ear:

Is it really not love?

“It seems winter preparations are proving difficult. I’d like to lend a hand.”

“Please do.”

The Grand Duke agreed immediately, eager to move on from the topic. He was sure Rynello still had ulterior motives, but his mind was too entangled now—he wanted to be alone.

But then, from beyond the door, came a voice he could never ignore.