OPDSP 28

Innis flinched slightly, but she didn’t stop talking.

“I like white bread. The honey soaks right into the cut sides.”

“Wow. Then thick slices would be best.”

As her words grew a little slower, Aeryl checked the wound at the same time.

‘It’s opened up. Doesn’t look like it needs stitches, though.’

Luckily, the chilly weather had kept it from getting infected. Disinfection and some ointment would be enough. Aeryl quickly disinfected the area, applied the medicine, and wrapped it in fresh bandages. It was a simple task, but not an easy one while monitoring Innis’s condition, keeping the conversation going, and consciously releasing pheromones all at once.

‘Still, I did it.’

Aeryl let go of Innis’s hand.

“It’s done. You did great.”

“Ah…”

Innis stared at her hand. The neatly wrapped bandages were almost unbelievable. When she did it herself, she always ran out of hands and ended up doing a messy job.

“It really worked…”

Her voice trembled. Just showing her wound and having medicine applied—that was all. Such a simple act, yet she hadn’t been able to do it before. And now she had. She had done something that once terrified her.

“It wasn’t scary at all. I was tense, but my head stayed clear. I didn’t want to run away. Somehow, it just felt okay!”

Innis cried out, clearly elated.

“That was amazing. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Are you sure you used omega pheromones?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“My goodness. I never thought it would work. This is the first time I’ve had a wound treated since summer.”

Hope flooded Innis’s expression. The problem that had plagued her for months now felt like it had been resolved in an instant.

“So… how do you feel about getting treatment without me next time?”

“…That… I might be able to… endure it, maybe.”

She immediately imagined it and shrank back. She still felt uneasy, but unlike before, it didn’t feel entirely impossible. Perhaps because she’d felt at ease showing her wound to Aeryl. It was a change that surprised even herself.

“Don’t rush it. Take your time. I’ll be staying in the infirmary for a while anyway.”

“Yes.”

“How do you feel about healing magic?”

“Well… it’s a little scary… but if it’s with you, I’d like to try it!”

Innis declared energetically. As the pheromones dissipated, her speech returned to its usual stiffness.

So, pheromones really do work on grown, strong-willed people too. Aeryl smiled and mentally recorded the details of Innis’s condition.

“Great. Let’s take it one step at a time every day.”

“Yes! Then… do you think I could return to my post as a soldier?”

“Hmm. I wouldn’t know—that’s outside my area.”

Commanders usually stayed in the rear, so it was unlikely she’d be injured badly enough to need healing magic. And since she had a strong sense of pride, returning to duty would probably be good for her mental health.

“As your physician, I’d support it, but…”

Aeryl paused, remembering how highly the Grand Duke had spoken of Innis.

‘Should I tell her that?’

“Why don’t you ask His Grace the Grand Duke?”

“His Grace?”

Innis flinched in dismay.

“Why?”

“He’s difficult and intimidating.”

“Is he?”

Come to think of it, Aeryl had felt the same way at first. But now it didn’t bother him at all. Just yesterday, the Grand Duke had glared at him all through a sex-ed lecture, and he hadn’t felt scared at all. In fact, it was kind of funny by the end.

“He’s the one who told me about you.”

“Really? His Grace said something about me, a mere centurion?”

“Yes. So go ask him what he thinks you should do.”

“I wonder if I really can…”

Innis hesitated but couldn’t hide the quiet joy in her voice. Grand Duke Asirion was scary and difficult, but she respected him deeply as both her lord and a warrior. As a subject and a subordinate, she trusted him.

The fact that someone like him had shown concern for her was moving. It felt like her efforts as a soldier had finally been recognized.

“I think it’ll be fine. Just be honest about your current condition.”

“…Yes! I’ll do as you advised.”

“Don’t push yourself. And if there’s anything you’re unsure about, talk to me. If anything’s difficult, you’re always welcome to come find me.”

“Thank you so much for helping me.”

“No need. I gained something from this too. Let’s keep doing our best together.”

“Yes! I’ll trust you, doctor!”

Innis grabbed Aeryl’s hand tightly. Her smile was bright and full of hope. Her firm grip carried a sense of unwavering trust.

‘Good. Very good.’

Aeryl was deeply satisfied too.

***

Since it was midnight, Aeryl took the newly prepared medicine and headed to the Grand Duke’s tent. Entering cautiously while on alert, he found the Grand Duke—predictably—still working.

“I’ve never seen you rest.”

He told him to take breaks, but the man never listened. With a light scolding, Aeryl brought over a chair and sat down beside the bed.

“Your condition’s good. Like it was before the manifestation.”

The Grand Duke rose from his desk and sat on the edge of the bed. As always, he half-listened to Aeryl’s advice.

“That’s a relief, at least.”

Aeryl examined him with practiced ease. Just as the Grand Duke had said, all the signs were positive. The medicine had worked even better than expected.

“Just keep taking the medicine as you are.”

“Understood.”

“Then, continuing from yesterday…”

“Innis came to see me, by the way,” the Grand Duke interjected, slyly changing the subject. He must really hate the sex education lessons. Aeryl wasn’t a fan either, so he played along.

“Has she decided to return to duty?”

“For now. It’s too soon to send her into battle, so she’ll be guarding the main base.”

“I see.”

“She had a good look in her eyes. That’s your doing—prepare to be rewarded.”

“Your Grace’s debt to me just keeps growing, doesn’t it?”

“As if that means anything,” the Grand Duke said, with a scoff.

‘Would he hide me from the Emperor if I asked?’

Even for the Grand Duke, that might be asking too much.

“You’re making that face again.”

“Me? What face?”

“That blank one. Like I’m not even capable of granting a single request from you.”

Maybe he’d wounded the Grand Duke’s pride. Aeryl quickly offered an excuse.

“I just want to live a simple life. Whatever Your Grace gives me, I’m not sure it aligns with that goal.”

“What do you mean by simple?”

“Well, continuing my research, treating people… And if possible, meeting a decent alpha and settling down would be nice too.”

It wasn’t that he disliked the idea of marriage—he just didn’t want to be sold off as a political pawn. Vague as it was, the thought of spending life with someone sounded pleasant.

“A decent alpha. That’s not bad.”

“Are you going to arrange a match for me?”

“If you want.”

“Haha…”

A matchmaking set up by the Grand Duke? That would be so intimidating he’d never actually meet the person.

“I prefer a natural meeting.”

“Got it. Something like that, then.”

With him, it was all too easy to imagine a “coincidental” meeting that was actually carefully orchestrated. He didn’t sound like he was joking either.

“I’m really fine, thank you. But actually, Your Grace is the one who’s in more of a rush. I explained the physical traits of alphas and omegas yesterday…”

Aeryl smoothly steered the conversation back to the sex education topic. The Grand Duke looked displeased, but he didn’t interrupt.

“An alpha’s nature is to seek dominance. Their pheromones are oriented toward conquest and control. They’re highly territorial and tend to be aggressive.”

Normally, these traits naturally became personality traits during adolescence. But the Grand Duke had manifested at an age where his values were already established, so it was hard to predict how things would change.

“Don’t reject the changes in yourself. It can be confusing, I know.”

“Understood.”

“Because of these traits, alphas train themselves rigorously to control their pheromones. They make sure they never lose their reason.”

“What happens if they do?”

“They say everything around them falls apart.”

“Vague.”

“Exactly.”

Perhaps because he was so often praised as a hero, the downsides of being an alpha didn’t seem to get much attention.

“So what about an omega’s nature?”

“Omegas typically seek stability. They value harmony over conflict and prioritize forming close, intimate bonds. If alphas are territorial, omegas tend to fixate more on individuals.”

“Individuals?”

“Yes. They often form strong attachments to those they care about. Like… how a parent might fixate on their own child, for instance.”

The moment Aeryl finished speaking, the Grand Duke’s pheromones surged. The sharp scent shifted violently, like a snowstorm suddenly raging through the tent. Aeryl flinched, his shoulders trembling.

“That’s supposed to be instinct? What are they, animals?”

The Grand Duke curled his lips into a smile. It was the first time any smile had graced his icy face—but it was cold, dripping with scorn.