OPDPS side story 10

He dealt with the tasks he had put off, personally attended the winter military training, and even went out of his way to visit every knight order to help with their drills. Unlike Aeryl, who was busy with the new role of Grand Duchess, Hiello had no particular reason to be busy—he had been repeating these same duties for over a decade. Since he usually spent this season focusing on his own training, he returned to it once Aeryl became occupied.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

Training his body and burning through his stamina felt good at first. But now that Aeryl was so busy he would fall asleep the moment hid head hit the pillow, Hiello hadn’t been able to lay a single finger on him. In that case, he figured he might as well exhaust himself completely too. With that in mind, he intensified his training so much that he had no room for stray thoughts and simply collapsed into sleep.

But the problem was that humans are creatures of adaptation—and Hiello’s alpha-physique only grew stronger with no sign of limits. Eventually, no matter how much he trained, he no longer felt tired. His stamina had increased dramatically, and with that came a new issue.

‘I didn’t know building stamina would increase my sex drive too.’

It was becoming dangerous—just seeing Aeryl’s back, or his hair fluttering in the breeze, made tension surge below his waist.

He wanted to cling to him all day and feel him, but after bragging that he should go and do everything he wanted, he couldn’t give in to his desire and put a burden on him.

As a result, every night he stared at the sleeping Aeryl, tormented by the urge to just become a beast and take him. In the end, he had to run around outside in the snow like a mad dog just to cool off.

‘Still, it won’t be long now.’

Aeryl had ordered the gathering of frost sickness patients for experimentation. He had refined a treatment method based on the hypothesis he championed and even came up with a prevention strategy. While the physicians conducted thorough trials, Aeryl went a step further and recruited an apothecary, commanding them to develop a drug optimized for frost sickness rather than simply combining fever reducers and digestive aids.

Thus, the “Frost Sickness Prevention and Modern Treatment Plan” was completed.

It was a traditional pre-marriage campaign undertaken by the Grand Duchess-to-be, so the knights delivered it across the Grand Duchy, braving blizzards to spread the word.

A day had passed since that campaign wrapped up, and tomorrow was finally Lady Merel’s birthday party.

Even today, Aeryl was busy guiding Sorel’s piano practice, making final preparations for the party, and handling guest reception.

‘Just one more day… if I can make it through today…’

With a pale face, Hiello lowered his gaze. His eyes, which usually gave away his emotions, now looked blank—he resembled a sculpture of ice. But in truth, he was just a man fighting a raging desire, afraid he might do something Aeryl would hate, waiting desperately for time to pass out in the snow.

***

Lady Merel’s birthday party began around noon.

The inner quarters, usually shut tight, was opened, and the entire central hall was transformed into a banquet venue.

The antique air of the hall was overlaid with lavish decorations made of fabric and paper flowers. Though artificial, they had been sprayed with perfume that made them smell like real blossoms, as if spring had come in the heart of winter—it was the height of extravagance.

On top of that, paintings Lady Merel loved were hung on the walls, and music was carefully selected to match her taste. The string quartet had been personally recruited by Aeryl, no easy feat.

“This is the most joyful birthday I’ve ever had.”

Lady Merel was so delighted she spoke her feelings aloud without restraint. Determined to go all out, Aeryl had even brought in Merel’s dearest sister and childhood friends who lived too far to visit often. The knights had suffered for it, but it was worth it.

This birthday marked the first time Lady Merel celebrated without clinging to political ambition. The goal had been to pack the party with everything she loved and give her a peaceful, joyful time. And the effort paid off—Merel was genuinely happy.

“I’ve never been able to enjoy a party so freely before.”

Today, she wore a bright yellow dress she had bought long ago but never dared wear, fearing it was too lively. Styled age-appropriately, surrounded by her favorite music, she roamed the hall.

She chatted comfortably and laughed with people she liked, without any calculations. She even indulged in champagne and food she had usually avoided out of caution.

Especially her childhood friend, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, noticed the change in her right away and accepted it with warmth. That made her happier than anything.

“I thought if such a day ever came, it would be the worst birthday of my life.”

To outsiders, it looked like Lady Merel had failed to make her son the heir, and now that a new Grand Duchess had arrived, she’d soon be driven out or locked away to live in isolation.

People who had always disliked her or those eager to curry favor with the new Grand Duchess had likely planned to tear her down and disregard her—that was how this place worked.

But because both the Grand Duke and Aeryl participated in the party, personally brought gifts, stayed through the event, and helped with preparations, no one dared to slight Lady Merel. Even though Aeryl looked tired and leaned against the Grand Duke the whole time, he still stayed with her, and that meant the world.

“Are you alright?”

Hiello whispered to Aeryl.

“Mm, for now.”

Aeryl answered softly. People mistook the way Hiello held Aeryl tightly around the waist and stayed close as a sign of exceptional affection between the Grand Duke and Duchess. In truth, Aeryl had been feeling unwell since morning.

“Don’t push yourself.”

He had wanted to make him rest from the morning, but Aeryl insisted on attending, saying it would spark strange rumors otherwise.

“I still want to hear Sorel play.”

Once Aeryl stood his ground, Hiello had no choice but to relent. In return, Aeryl placed his hand on his forearm and leaned into him a little more.

‘Even in a moment like this, I…’

As his scent—the sweet aroma of his pheromones—wafted toward him, a fierce desire flared up inside Hiello. The scent clung to him like temptation. He thought maybe it was just his own lust clouding his senses.

After all, the birthday party was at its climax—there was no way Aeryl would be trying to seduce him now.

“Mother!”

Sorel suddenly shouted loudly enough for everyone to hear.

“Sorel?”

When Lady Merel called back in surprise, Sorel, looking a little nervous but also confident, responded.

“I’ve prepared a special gift for you. Will you accept it?”

A wide smile bloomed across Lady Merel’s face.

“Of course.”

Sorel bowed politely to her, then walked over to the four musicians. They stepped aside and pulled off the cloth that had been covering something the whole time. A sleek black grand piano appeared—just as fine an instrument as the antique in the family parlor or the one Lady Merel herself owned.

“No… it couldn’t be…”

Lady Merel covered her mouth in astonishment. Sorel sat at the piano, lifted the lid, and glanced back at the crowd.

“The first song is one everyone knows. Please sing along!”

He began to play the first tune he had ever learned: the birthday song. It was a cheerful melody everyone recognized, so people laughed and sang along without thinking much of it. They simply thought Sorel played well.

But for Lady Merel, it was different. Until just three weeks ago, Sorel had never even touched a piano key.

She couldn’t take her eyes off him as the birthday song came to an end. While applause erupted around her, she quickly turned to look at Aeryl. Aeryl nodded and raised his index and middle fingers.

Surprise gift, success. But it’s still too early to be amazed.

Aeryl grinned triumphantly, his fatigue momentarily forgotten.

Sorel gave a small bow and began the second piece. This one was a well-known song, often played due to its straightforward progression, but it was deceptively difficult to execute well. It was the kind of piece where a performer’s true talent—or lack thereof—was immediately evident. That’s why it had been chosen.

Let’ them see what Sorel can do.’

Aeryl smiled as he absently toyed with the hand supporting him. Of course, none of it reached Hiello’s ears—he was never one to care much for music anyway.

Even so, Sorel’s performance continued.

Those with a discerning ear quickly realized the child’s talent was no ordinary thing. The one most surprised was his mother, Lady Merel. So focused was she on Sorel that she didn’t even realize the astonishment showing plainly on her face.

When the piece ended, a wave of applause broke out.