OPDPS side story 14

Aeryl’s face flushed bright red in an instant. Though Hiello’s expression didn’t change, his pheromones stirred.

He couldn’t even offer a perfunctory denial. The chances of pregnancy during heat were exponentially higher.

Could it already be at the fertilization stage?

Aeryl absentmindedly began counting the weeks on his fingers to see when it would be possible to confirm a pregnancy. Hieloh watched him intently.

“Ahem. So, what do you think?”

Lady Merel brought the two drifting minds back to reality.

“We need to hire a tutor. It’ll cost a bit to bring in a musician… but the instruments are already in place, so that helps.”

“We’ll need books and sheet music too, and since we’re doing this anyway, wouldn’t it be best to try out different instruments to see which suits him most?”

“Of course—it’d be absolutely wonderful!”

Lady Merel clapped her hands. Just as Aeryl had predicted, what she really wanted was to give Sorel full support in his music education.

She wouldn’t come all the way here just to talk to Hieloh about hiring a tutor.

Using his pheromones to keep Hiello from stepping in, Aeryl took the lead himself.

“A musician, huh. A few names come to mind—famous for their teaching. They’re students of the master who taught me. Or, we could use this chance to send Sorel to the capital, let him gain some firsthand experience.”

“To the capital!”

“I’d be worried about sending the child alone, so you’d need to accompany him, my lady. You could take the opportunity to learn a bit as well. Ah, but… sending the only heir and the former Grand Duchess to the imperial capital… There’s the matter of security, and many other complications.”

“True.”

Hiello went along with Aeryl’s suggestion. Lady Merel took a sip of tea with composure, but her unease was plain to see. What Aeryl had brought up wasn’t just about Sorel—it was also her own long-held dream.

“And besides, there’s the wedding this spring… Haah. Honestly, acting as the master of the Grand Duchy all on my own is… unsettling. Frightening, even…”

As Aeryl feigned concern, Lady Merel narrowed her eyes. Only then did she realize he was up to something. She paused to think, then saw right through the reason he was dragging the conversation out.

“You need my help with running the household, don’t you? Because you’re planning to continue your medical work!”

“I’d like to lean on your help, both as my mother-in-law and as a senior.”

“Once the wedding is done, you’ll be the Grand Duchess. I’ll be stepping away from it all.”

Lady Merel let out a smug chuckle, but by now, she was already firmly within Aeryl’s grasp.

“Let’s not do that. Let’s help each other. I’ll handle Sorel’s music education as well. And I’ll send you somewhere warm for a winter retreat. In return, I’d like you to assist with the Grand Duchess’s duties during the other seasons. Doesn’t that work out well for both of us?”

Unfortunately, neither the Asirion family nor Lady Merel’s family had any real connection to music. Though she loved it, she’d never had the chance to study properly, nor had she even been to the South.

In such a situation, even with the Grand Duchy’s name behind her, inviting a teacher was likely to be rejected. Good teachers were always in high demand and hard to come by without the right introductions or connections. Worse still, many in the South had an unspoken fear of the North.

But Aeryl was different. He had lived in the imperial palace and was well-versed in the latest musical trends. He’d received a formal education—even if he hadn’t liked it.

With his name, and through the connections of the master who had taught him, it would be possible to find a good teacher.

“By the time spring comes, no one will be watching the emperor’s reactions anymore. That means, Aeryl, you’ll be able to invite anyone in your name. You could even use your old network.”

Hiello touched on the most sensitive point and reinforced it. At this, Lady Merel came to a conclusion: since she was already involved, it was better to help Aeryl and benefit in the process.

“…You’re right. It’s good for both of us.”

She just didn’t like the feeling of losing. After so many years of being at odds, it was only natural to feel some resistance. But that was something time would fix.

Or perhaps, as Aeryl had suggested, working together might mend things even faster.

“Alright. I’ll help with the Grand Duchess’s duties.”

“Yes!”

Aeryl beamed. Now he could trust Lady Merel and take on even greater plans! Seeing that, Hiello gave a faint smile as well.

“…You two will do just fine. I doubt this was planned in advance, yet you’re completely in sync.”

“Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Hiello smiled with satisfaction. Lady Merel let out a sigh, as if to express her disbelief.

It was impossible for the sharp-eyed Hiello not to notice her teasing, and, no matter the intent, hearing that they were doing well was something she appreciated. It made Aeryl wonder just how much of a fool Hiello was. After all, he had been watching him for over a decade.

“Well, the conversation is over, so I’ll stop bothering you and take my leave.”

“Bothering? What do you mean?”

“It’s the truth, isn’t it? Don’t worry. I’ve already told Sorel to avoid the Central Wing from the day of the party.”

“Ah…”

“I’m thinking of rummaging through the costume storage. I’m sure we’ll need a newborn’s clothes soon.”

“My lady…!”

Aeryl pouted and objected. Lady Merel’s insistence on trying to tease him just once more was so very typical of her.

“A newborn’s clothes, huh? Would you prefer new ones, or old ones?”

Hiello, completely unperturbed, subtly caressed Aeryl’s lower abdomen. Seeing this, Lady Merel left the room first, as if completely fed up.

They really don’t get along.

Hiello would never give in, and Lady Merel, even in jest, always wanted to win at least once. If only Aeryl would play along with a bit of a whine, they’d likely get along much better, but their personalities just didn’t match. Still, the constant bickering had faded, and now discussing the child’s future felt rather familial.

Alright, alright. If we slowly get used to this, it’ll feel even more like a family.

Aeryl thought positively but was suddenly struck by a question.

“Hiello, you haven’t gone into rut yet, right?”

“Only when I first manifested.”

“Hmm, I guess we still don’t know the cycle yet…”

They say that an alpha’s rut cycle is on a completely different level compared to an omega’s. Aeryl wondered what it would be like when it actually came. His curiosity grew—he was even interested in what it might feel like when taking an alpha knot.

“Ugh!”

Suddenly, Hiello bit Aeryl’s ear and licked it.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re tempting me.”

Aeryl must have released some pheromones, subconsciously imagining things.

“I was just calculating when your rut would start… It’ll be your first time, so I’ll make sure to take care of you and teach you.”

“Looking forward to it, huh?”

Hiello smiled and kissed Aeryl. The two exchanged a leisurely kiss. Later, when Aeryl learned that the Grand Duke’s rut cycle occurred once a month and that it was so intense there was no energy left to care for anyone else, he would deeply regret this moment. But that was still a concern for the future.

***

After that, Sorel began his formal piano lessons with Aeryl and Lady Merel, and a new routine was established in the Grand Duchy: once a month, the entire family would gather in the family lounge to listen to Sorel play. This tradition continued even after Sorel became famous and went on a concert tour, passed down to Aeryl’s children.

When spring came, Sorel finally met a true teacher. With newfound wings, he soared and, before long, became a renowned musician who traveled across the country for performances.

Lady Merel accompanied Sorel on his tour, traveling to various places, but she always returned to the Grand Duchy at certain times to help Aeryl with his work.

Meanwhile, as winter came to an end, the results of Aeryl’s “Frost Sickness Prevention” became clear. The preventive measures and treatments devised by Aeryl and his research team had significantly reduced the number of deaths and patients due to frost sickness in the regions where they were implemented. Riding on this momentum, with the arrival of spring and the melting of snow, Aeryl ramped up efforts to promote the campaign.”

Having successfully debuted, Aeryl was married amidst the warm welcome of the residents of his fief and became the true Grand Duchess. Even after becoming Grand Duchess, he continued his medical work.

To change the perception of omegas, he wrote books that were distributed to the churches in the Grand Duchy and published a paper on the effects of omega pheromones, which revolutionized the public’s understanding of omegas.

He also focused on various diseases, treatment methods, and medical system improvements, accomplishing much in his field.

In the future, many would recognize Aeryl as the person who had the greatest influence as Grand Duchess Asirion, but that was a story for later. For now, he was simply starting to freely pursue the things he wanted to do.

End of the side story.