OPDPS 96

While Aeryl was sunk in despair, the carriage descended the hill and entered the outskirts of the town.

Though it was called a town, its size and population rivaled that of most cities. It looked somewhat like what they had seen from the Grand Duke’s castle, yet different. Unlike the capital, it wasn’t messy but designed efficiently—something Aeryl appreciated.

Their first stop was the eastern wall of the castle. They stopped there because Raeler said he had something to deliver to the inventor.

“I’ll go deliver this quickly and be right back!”

Raeler grabbed a leather bag and hurried off the carriage. But just as he was about to head off, he abruptly turned back.

“What is it?”

“You should come out. His Grace is here.”

The Grand Duke?

Aeryl quickly stepped down from the carriage. Following the direction Raeler pointed in, he saw the Grand Duke standing a little ways off. The inventor was nowhere to be seen, hidden in the crowd, but the Grand Duke stood out easily due to his height.

‘Feels like it’s been a while.’

A smile formed on Aeryl’s lips at the pleasant surprise. At the same time, his pheromones spilled out in a sudden burst. The wind happened to be blowing, and the Grand Duke noticed. He turned his head toward Aeryl, their eyes meeting for a brief moment.

‘We’ll get to talk for a bit, right?’

Aeryl fully expected the Grand Duke to come to him. He always had. But this time, the Grand Duke casually turned his head away and, following the inventor’s direction, began moving with the crowd.

‘Huh? He’s leaving? Did he not see me?’

As Aeryl stood frozen in confusion, Raeler stepped forward.

“Maybe His Grace didn’t see you. I’ll go let Father know you’re here!”

Raeler quickly ran toward the Grand Duke. He squeezed through the crowd and disappeared for a moment, then came back out. This time, his expression was awkward.

“What did he say? Did you tell His Grace the doctor was here?”

Connie asked upon seeing Raeler return alone.

“Yes, I told him… but he said that was enough of a greeting.”

Raeler glanced at Aeryl’s expression.

“And did you deliver what you needed to?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go.”

Aeryl replied calmly. They had come because Raeler had something to deliver to the inventor. That goal was achieved. He had also tried to greet the Grand Duke, so he had fulfilled his duty as a subordinate.

“Shall we? Connie, lead the way. Where should we go next?”

“We could go to the market—or better yet, there’s a great shopping street. Let’s start there.”

As Aeryl listened to Connie and Raeler talk, he got back into the carriage. Outwardly, he wore a composed expression, but inside, his thoughts were a storm.

‘Why is he acting like that?’

They had made eye contact, yet he turned away first. He didn’t even approach after seeing him.

That had never happened before.

Suddenly, he remembered how the Grand Duke hadn’t returned to the inner quarters for several days and had refused a check-up.

‘Is he avoiding me?’

Even just thinking that left Aeryl shocked. He was even more shaken by how deeply it affected him.

Come to think of it, he had assumed the Grand Duke would naturally drop everything and come to him. When he didn’t, Aeryl had figured the man simply hadn’t seen him.

‘Why did I think that was obvious?’

The Grand Duke wasn’t some affectionate dog! He had only acted like he usually did with others.

‘But he wasn’t like that with me before. We used to be close!’

The sudden change in behavior left Aeryl disoriented.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

Was it because he had been too pushy or rude in the office that day?

Or was it the strange new symptoms? He had said he’d investigate further before reporting—did that make him seem incompetent? His cautious approach might’ve come across as hesitation due to lack of skill.

‘Well… there hasn’t been any progress in the treatment yet. It’s only natural that trust would start to waver.’

A sense of crisis came over Aeryl.

‘He’s starting to doubt me as a physician. And here I am, out shopping. How awful must I look in his eyes?’

The bond of trust they had carefully built was clearly beginning to crack.

“This isn’t the time for this.”

Aeryl muttered.

“Connie, Raeler. I’m going back to the castle.”

He had to restore the broken trust immediately!

“Right. You’re not in the mood to enjoy yourself anyway.”

“His Grace is being unreasonable. What could possibly be keeping him so busy? I can shop later. Let’s go back.”

Connie and Raeler sided with Aeryl. How terrible it must feel to be coldly ignored by someone your lover, especially in front of people who cared about you.

They exchanged a quiet glance and turned the carriage around. Though their understanding of the situation differed greatly from Aeryl’s, their support led them to return to the inner quarters.

***

Back at the infirmary, Aeryl immediately began poring over medical texts, searching for any clues that might help him treat the Grand Duke.

‘If I want to see him again, I need something to say. Even if I’m called in today.’

But once again, the Grand Duke did not return to the inner quarters that day.

From that point on, Aeryl became completely immersed in finding a way to treat the Grand Duke.

He reread his teacher’s letters, studied the recommended medical texts, formulated hypotheses, and even experimented on Raeler. He slept less and worked more. Connie voiced her disapproval openly, but there was no stopping him.

‘I have to show results. Anything.’

Only then would the Grand Duke come to him again.

Beneath Aeryl’s actions lay something deeper than concern for a mere patient, but he had no capacity to recognize that yet.

“Have some tea while you work.”

Raeler spoke with concern. Aeryl replied vaguely with a muttered “Mm,” and continued reading.

‘He must be really heartbroken…’

Raeler felt sorry for Aeryl. Not knowing the full story, he assumed Aeryl was using studying as a way to escape reality after being snubbed by the Grand Duke.

‘Why did His Grace act like that?’

Raeler recalled the moment he had informed the Grand Duke of Aeryl’s presence. As always, the Grand Duke wore a cold expression. When Raeler approached, the man released a wave of irritable pheromones. He asked why Aeryl was there, said the escort was too small, asked whether he had brought enough money—things like that.

If he was so concerned, why didn’t he just talk to Aeryl directly? Raeler had wondered, but since the Grand Duke insisted he wouldn’t meet him, there had been no choice but to leave.

Though Aeryl looked calm, it had only made him seem more pitiful. He’d looked so happy, unable to control his pheromones. Raeler had never seen Aeryl that open before. Though Aeryl was always kind and easy to speak to, there was something meticulous about him, even a subtle distance at times.

‘Why go through all that trouble and still not meet him?’

Raeler had wanted to help somehow, but that night, his father had warned him seriously: never get involved in someone else’s love life. Raeler hadn’t fully understood, but being the obedient son he was, he’d listened.

So now, several days had passed with him doing nothing but watch. Neither he nor Connie had been able to approach Aeryl—until an unexpected person appeared.

“Aeryl! Let’s play!”

The Grand Duke’s younger brother, Young Master Sorel, burst into the infirmary and shouted. Before Raeler or Connie could stop him with a look, Sorel snatched the book out of Aeryl’s hands.

“What are you reading? ‘A hypothesis on how psychological tension affects the body’… Ugh, you’re reading medical texts again?”

“I need to read that, Young Master.”

“Forget this stuff and come out! I’ve got something to show you! Hurry!”

Sorel stubbornly tugged on Aeryl’s arm. With no choice, Aeryl gave up on the book and stood up. He knew full well that in this vast castle, he was the only one Sorel could really call a friend.

“What is it?”

“You’ll see when we get there!”

Aeryl allowed himself to be dragged along. Raeler and Connie quickly followed behind—and they soon found themselves in an unexpected situation.

“You’re here?”

“Yes, Mother!”

Lady Merel welcomed Sorel. Aeryl stopped in his tracks, surprised.

‘What’s this combination?’

His eyes darted around in confusion.

The open courtyard between the central and western wings—where he had previously bumped into Lady Merel—had been transformed. Once neglected, it now had tasteful decorations and a tea table set up, creating an elegant atmosphere.

Dark blue fabric fluttered in the breeze. Seated around the table were several children, all about Sorel’s age.

“It’s been a while, doctor,” Lady Merel said, gazing at Aeryl. Her beautiful face remained unreadable.

It was the first time Aeryl had seen her since that incident. She should have held more resentment, yet she hadn’t stopped Sorel from visiting the infirmary, which Aeryl had always found puzzling.

“It’s an honor to see you again, my lady,” Aeryl said politely. Judging by her reaction, she must have known Sorel would bring him here.

“Come on, Aeryl!” Sorel grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the table. Aeryl blinked in confusion—why was he going over there? Lady Merel followed after them.

“I’m going to choose one of those children to be Sorel’s friend. I’d like your help.”

“Me?”

“You’re good with children, aren’t you? They say Omegas make excellent mothers—perhaps that’s why?”

Lady Merel smiled gently. Aeryl froze for a moment.