It was truly a forced situation. Honestly, it was common in noble families to adopt a collateral branch with distinct characteristics of the main family, whether it was because there was no Dominant Alpha to carry on the lineage, to replace a deceased child, or even to provide companionship to an elderly ancestor. Of course, it was rare for someone like me, whose original identity was completely disregarded and forcibly implanted with someone else’s name and age.
Anyway, even if I was born into a collateral branch, I was a member of the Hamilton main family once the adoption procedure was completed. What right did he have to object to something the Emperor had approved? No matter how much Andrew resisted, I was already his brother. It was an undeniable fact.
“Do you know what kind of place that farm is? Father personally chose it, and my mother and I broke ground together that year. With the earnest hope that my precious brother would grow up healthy and happy. And yet, who are you to dare, not even the real ‘Noah,’ who are you to dare!”
“Ugh…”
His anger was completely misdirected. Even though he had a terrible temper, he wasn’t stupid, so he probably knew that too. Andrew’s hand, which had been gripping my collar, trembled so violently that it seemed impossible for him to exert any more force, and then, at some point, he threw me to the floor almost as if he were discarding me.
Wow, including what happened earlier today, that was the second time I’d been thrown in one day. I was about to grind my teeth, but I barely managed to hold back when I remembered that the Crown Prince was present.
“This is my last warning. You can squander those jewels and possessions as you please. But don’t you dare covet what was reserved for the real ‘Noah.’ Because I will find him again, no matter what. I will definitely find that child, who is incomparably kinder and more lovable than someone like you.”
The back of the firstborn, as he turned away, was particularly cold. I was still slumped on the cold floor. If I could shed some tears here, it would be even more effective, but tears wouldn’t come. I heard the sound of the Crown Prince getting up.
“Are you alright?”
At the calm voice from above, I quickly lowered my head further, wiped my dry cheeks a few times, and rubbed my tearless eyes hard. Well, would this be enough to make it look like I was barely holding back my tears?
“Thank you. If you don’t mind, could you stay with me for a moment? It’s a little, hard to be alone…”
Favorability: 5%
Thank you, firstborn. It seems this is the right direction.
As I took the Crown Prince’s hand and stood up, I smiled inwardly with satisfaction.
Adrian Pearson, the 14th descendant of the Pearson Dynasty, which bore the succession of great glory, was the eldest son and only child of the King, and the sole heir whose qualifications no one dared to question. The future throne had been as good as confirmed to be Adrian’s from the moment he was born and uttered his first cry in this world, because the old King was well over sixty when Adrian was born.
The only flaw was that he was not born from the Empress’s womb.
His biological mother was a lowly servant who didn’t even have a proper surname, and to make matters worse, she had never received any particular favor before or after conceiving the King’s child, so she couldn’t even dream of becoming a support for her precious child.
As the only Dominant Omega of that generation, the Empress, who had been chosen early on and entered the Imperial Palace, had unparalleled pride in her superior traits and Pheromone, so the sudden appearance of the King’s son was close to humiliation. She had been protecting her own honor by blaming the King for her failure to conceive an heir, but now she couldn’t even make that excuse.
So, from probably the earliest moment he could remember, Adrian had endured harsh treatment, both tangible and intangible, from the Empress and her power base.
But he didn’t waste time lamenting his fate in tears. It was thanks to his conviction that the petty venting of those unqualified would not leave the slightest blemish on his destined glory.
Instead of becoming a weak prince who cowered in the palace, trembling in fear of his mother, Adrian decided to focus on personally drawing the power of his nominal mother and his old father, who was as good as dead, to his side.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”
“Spare me the pleasantries. Now, what amazing news do you have to please me this month?”
Carefully selecting those who harbored great resentment towards the Grachio Dukedom, the Empress’s family, and pushing them up to the position of High Priest, and secretly examining and memorizing the various dirty secrets of the nobles that were collected from the temple once a month, was also part of that focus.
The nobles, who thought that the temple had completely turned its back on secular power and turned a blind eye, often came with mountains of sins and offerings, and after only a few minutes of confession, they casually left behind the two things they had brought, and left with light steps.
As always, the Crown Prince’s visit to the temple, which was kept secret, took place in a private space that the High Priest had set up separately, away from the eyes of the other priests.
The High Priest’s voice, which delivered the report calmly as if reading a scripture in a plain tone, and the surroundings, which were neatly organized without a speck of dust, were the same as usual.
The only difference was the faint lingering scent of roses. To think that even such a faint afterglow could leave such a rich trace that was so enchanting. It was not a level that could be imitated with simple fragrances or perfumes. It was definitely an Omega’s Pheromone.
Had the High Priest, who had been single-mindedly enduring for decades with the sole intention of plunging a knife into the heart of Duke Grachio, finally succumbed to the path of corruption like other powerful figures? But as far as he knew, the High Priest had long been sexually incapacitated… Adrian carefully observed the High Priest, who was continuing his report as usual.
“And there are also some families who are colluding with some priests to manipulate the size of donations… Hmm? Why are you looking at this old man like that, Your Highness?”
“No. I was just wondering. I was wondering if the esteemed High Priest is finding some new fun in his old age.”
It was an open sarcasm. But the High Priest, who had seen the Crown Prince since he was very young, frowned sternly as if scolding a child in puberty.
“I have repeatedly told you to correct that bad habit of yours that makes the listener’s heart pound. There was someone who took a break earlier because their physical condition was not good after the manifestation. It seems you sensed the remaining Pheromone. Oh, by the way, a report will be sent to the Imperial Palace as well.”
“About what?”
“The third son of Count Hamilton, Noah Hamilton, manifested as a Dominant Omega this morning on the day of blessing. This old man has confirmed it himself, so there will be no mistake. Congratulations, Your Highness. Personally, I think he is better than Princess Beatrice.”
Since Princess Beatrice was Duke Grachio’s precious only daughter and the Empress’s niece, the High Priest said nonchalantly that he would consider anyone in the world to be better than the princess.
“If it’s the Hamilton family, are they moderate centrists? Yes, I agree with your opinion. If we can definitely incorporate them into the Emperor’s faction through marriage, he wouldn’t be bad. They have a firm grip on the central granary.”
The fresh smell of grass, like crushed wild roses, and the persistent rose scent were quite impressive, but even then, Adrian had almost no impression of ‘Noah Hamilton’ personally. If he had to prioritize, the emphasis was more on the Hamilton family than on Noah.
In any case, if it was reported to the Imperial Palace that he was a Dominant Omega, he would automatically be nominated as a candidate for Crown Princess, so he intended to check his face if he had the opportunity to see him later. The Crown Prince hurried back to the palace as soon as the High Priest’s remaining report was finished.
Back at the Imperial Palace, everyone was already eager to add a word about the newly emerged Dominant Omega. How exciting it was that two Dominant Omegas had appeared in this generation, when usually only one person would appear in a generation.
Even the Crown Prince’s aides were in an uproar. No, they seemed to be the most excited.
The Crown Prince, who was practically running the state on behalf of the King, who had been bedridden since he was over eighty and was just waiting for his death, didn’t even notice that he was frowning at the mountain of documents, and his subordinates were just excited and chattering.
“Your Highness, why don’t you go to the birthday party today and see his face? Actually, one of my knighthood initiation classmates is the second young master of that family, and that guy says his brother is no different from an angel sent from heaven! Don’t even mention it. He was so proud, so proud, it was so annoying to watch. I, God, must see what that beautiful brother, no, no, our future Crown Princess, looks like!”
Originally, according to Adrian’s innate nature, he should have scolded them to be quiet and do their work, and then buried himself in the pile of documents. That was definitely the right thing to do.
Suddenly, the faint afterglow of the Pheromone he had smelled earlier seemed to tickle the tip of his nose. Adrian entrusted himself to an unprecedented impulse.
“Hmm… Well, if you all want it that much, I’ll go.”