OPDPS 98

The madam was reluctant.

‘Murder, really? But he helped with Sorel…’

That was why she’d planned to win Aeryl over and have him leave on his own. Or send him far away, at least.

‘But to think he was planning to leave on his own! And the Grand Duke is thinking about marriage!’

When Aeryl said it, he hadn’t even hesitated. It made it look like the Grand Duke was the only one desperate and clinging to the relationship.

Pfft. Lady Merel burst out laughing.

‘I never thought I’d live to see that man squirm from love!’

Ahahaha! So even that man couldn’t have everything his way!

It was even a little exhilarating. Aeryl and the children looked at her strangely, but she didn’t care. It wasn’t every day you got the chance to laugh at the Grand Duke.

After a good laugh, Lady Merel calmed herself and asked her maid to bring a handkerchief. She wiped away the tears that had welled up from laughing too hard and continued her thoughts.

‘Still, I can’t just sit on my hands until spring.’

There was nothing more unreliable than a young man’s love life. If things suddenly sparked over the winter and he decided to marry, that would be a problem.

‘Their relationship isn’t solid. That’s where I’ll strike.’

If she guided things well enough, she could drive them into the worst possible outcome. It would leave the Grand Duke with a wound that could never heal.

The image of a heartbroken Grand Duke, crushed by love, suddenly became very appealing. If she pushed things even further, she might even be able to break his power.

Her heart fluttered at the unexpected opportunity. Lady Merel looked around for Sorel. He waved at her before going back to chasing his ball.

‘For that child’s sake, I can do anything.’

She stood and watched Sorel for a long while.

***

“Owwww…”

Aeryl groaned as he collapsed onto the sofa. It was still daytime, but he was so exhausted he had no choice but to return to his room.

‘Children really are bursting with energy…’

There was no way an adult could keep up. He’d played with them without thinking, using his whole body, and now he was completely drained. He was pretty sure he’d be sore all over by tomorrow.

‘Maybe I should call it a day…’

Aeryl stared blankly up at the ceiling. As he lay there, his conversation with Lady Merel came flooding back.

The entire discussion had been shocking.

Murder…

Killing an innocent attendant was a crime that deserved punishment. Normally, the family would have protected the heir, but with Lady Merel and Sorel on the late Grand Duke’s side, they may have decided this was their chance to cut ties.

‘If what she said is true…’

The Grand Duke had been in his mid-teens at the time—right around when secondary gender characteristics begin to manifest. In such a sensitive period, to go through murder, disinheritance, the death of his father, and then ascend to Grand Duke all at once… His mind must have shattered multiple times over.

‘Maybe that’s why his presentation was delayed…’

Still, that didn’t seem enough to explain the unusual symptoms he’d had since. Aeryl suspected there was deeper emotional trauma tied to his disposition.

If he could hear more about what had happened back then, he might be able to confirm it.

‘But there’s also the chance the madam was lying.’

He needed to hear the Grand Duke’s side too. Until then, it would be best to stay neutral. He’d mention his suspicion that psychological factors might be involved, then watch his reaction and try to bring the conversation around gradually. Maybe he’d find a clue that way.

‘But that means I have to meet him…’

Maybe it was because he was thinking while already exhausted—his consciousness began to fade fast.

‘No… I can’t… sleep…’

He knew he should get up, but he couldn’t fight the heaviness in his eyelids.

***

Who knows how much time passed?

“…Gwah!!”

Aeryl suddenly sat up. The strange shriek he’d just heard came from his own mouth, and he flushed in embarrassment.

‘Ahh, I really dozed off.’

He had thought “I shouldn’t fall asleep”—but still had nodded off. Even though it was only for a short while, he felt a bit more refreshed. That meant rest time was over. Time to head to the infirmary.

Fixing his clothes, Aeryl left the room. The infirmary wasn’t far—it was just down the hall, past the stairs.

As he hurried along the hallway and stepped onto the staircase, a sound brushed his ear.

…Uhh…

Did he mishear something?

Aeryl stopped and listened closely.

Uhh… uhh… uhh… huu…

A soft weeping sound—like a woman sobbing—scraped against hid ears.

‘Who’s crying in the Central Wing? And in the dark, no less.’

He looked around in search of the source and only then realized his surroundings. Still half-asleep earlier, he hadn’t noticed how dark it was. Everything around him was pitch black. There wasn’t a soul in sight. The window far down the corridor showed a view as dark as night.

‘What time is it? That wasn’t just a quick nap…’

There was a rule in the inner quarters: no one was allowed to leave their room after ten o’clock. Aeryl had always thought it was strange from the start. Could it be that the reason was… ghosts!?

Aeryl trembled. Though he wasn’t afraid of emperors, he was terrified of ghosts. The ghost stories he’d heard as a child had been so horrific that he’d never gotten over them—even with age. In fact, learning medicine had only made him believe in ghosts more.

Just then, the chilling sound came again.

Hhh… hhheh… hehehehe…

‘Aagh!!’

Aeryl screamed inwardly and bolted back into his room, slamming the door shut. He sank to the floor, clutching the doorknob.

“Uuuugh… What is this, seriously…”

He let out a groan, almost on the verge of tears. He’d caught a glimpse of the clock as he entered—the hands were nearing midnight.

‘It’s past ten. So that rule really was…’

Thud.

Something hit the door.

He flinched hard.

There was something outside!

‘What do I do? What do I do?’

Ignoring it was terrifying. Reacting to it was even worse!

Aeryl shook violently, still gripping the doorknob. Just then, a familiar pheromone seeped through the crack in the door.

He was reminded of a snowy field. It was the Grand Duke’s scent. As if entranced, Aeryl opened the door.

The Grand Duke stood right in front of his room.

“Your Grace?”

Aeryl looked up at him. His pale face was frozen, like a wax figure.

The warm pheromone he’d felt just moments ago tensed up in an instant.

Something had happened.

“Come in.”

He pulled him by the arm and brought him into the room. He was about to head for the sofa when the Grand Duke suddenly turned him around.

“I heard you met Lady Merel.”

“How did you know? We just parted—”

Ah, no, it wasn’t just now. It was after ten.

“Are you all right? She didn’t hurt you?”

The Grand Duke turned him this way and that, inspecting him. What exactly did he think of Lady Merel?

“I’m not the type to let myself get beat up, you know. We just talked and played with the kids. That’s all.”

“Talked? About what? She didn’t say anything strange?”

Aeryl hesitated. If he said something now, would it sound like tattling? Besides, the Grand Duke’s energy was intense. He looked like he might storm over and grab Lady Merel by the collar any second.

“Aeryl!”

He stepped in close. His large figure filled his vision and cast a shadow over him. He couldn’t move under his gaze.

“Answer me!”

The Grand Duke ordered sharply. Aeryl, unable to withstand the pressure, finally spoke.

“…She just asked for my help.”

That much wouldn’t agitate him too badly, right? He studied his face and pheromones carefully.

“She’s been quiet all this time—what is she scheming now? Whatever she said, don’t believe it.”

When Aeryl didn’t answer, the Grand Duke bent down to meet his eyes. His pheromones flared up violently.

“You didn’t say you’d help her… did you?”

“No! Of course not! I’m on your side, Your Grace! I turned her down properly!”

Aeryl denied it in a rush. He didn’t want him to misunderstand. The Grand Duke paused for a moment. His once-feral pheromones softened instantly, like fluff floating gently in the air.

“…You’re on my side. That’s right.”

His voice was noticeably more relaxed. It sounded more like he was reassuring himself than giving him a reply.

Aeryl stared at him blankly. He was smiling—just faintly.

He looked so gentle and at ease, so different from the Grand Duke he knew. Even the dull, emotionless eyes that always seemed lifeless were now gleaming with happiness. The Grand Duke kept his eyes on him, and Aeryl couldn’t move.

“Aeryl.”

His hand brushed back his hair. The tousled strands at his temple were tucked behind his ear, revealing the smooth line of his face. He traced it slowly with his fingertips, then cupped the nape of his neck and pulled him into his embrace. Aeryl didn’t resist.

‘Ah… the pheromones…’

His pheromones engulfed him. As every one of his senses filled with him, Aeryl felt a dizzy rush. He instinctively grabbed his arm, and the Grand Duke tightened his hold around him.

‘This wasn’t what I meant to do.’

And yet, Aeryl couldn’t push him away. Instead, the urge to get closer, to touch him more deeply and completely, rose within him.