By Zephyria 
“Ha.”
It was a dry laugh that burst out almost reflexively. Whether the emotion contained in that dry breath was absurdity or ridicule didn’t matter. At least, it didn’t matter to me right now. Because nothing felt important except for clearly identifying the source of the pheromones left on his body.
“Haha. Ha, hahaha…”
I wanted to scold him for not answering quickly and doing what he was doing, but even that wasn’t easy because I still had lingering sobs. I just shook Andrew’s clothes like a crazy person, laughing hysterically. He hugged me tightly as he was, only moving his head to bury his forehead in my neck. It hurt where it was bruised, but I didn’t show it. Rather, I hugged him back even tighter.
“Oh, my God.”
“……”
“Did you hold another Omega besides me? Is that what you’re asking now?”
It wasn’t an tone asking for an answer. Andrew kept laughing like a madman. The reason why I was in this pitiful state and even shed tears that made my heart ache was really because of that? The voice, which was murmured as if to himself, sounded like admiration. The shaking movement spread well from his shoulders to his entire body.
“Is this a dream? You’re not someone else, but you’re acting like you’re worried about me. If it’s reality, there’s no way.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
Stop it and answer… The last words were almost mumbled, but he understood them without difficulty. And then he shook his head from the start.
“Leave you behind? Me?”
“Then what about these pheromones…”
“Ah. Is it still there? Because there are quite a few times when I have to clash with the Crown Prince because of the State Funeral schedule, just in case.”
Andrew added that it wasn’t that difficult to find an Omega who would provide only pheromones for money, as not all nobles who received the Blessing were in a financially comfortable situation.
“Were you anxious? Because of me?”
“……”
It was still a playful voice. If it were normal, I would have been secretly kicking myself for being embarrassed by my own delusion, but I wasn’t embarrassed now. Rather, I was very honestly relieved.
I didn’t bother to hide my feelings and hugged his waist tightly, nodding my head greatly.
“Ah, damn it… I really have to go now…”
Was it because of my honest behavior for once? He lost his previous composure and kissed me urgently. The lukewarm lips and cool fingertips were burning hot only for me, and I was simply thrilled. My head was bent to the point where it should have hurt, but I didn’t even feel it and clung to Andrew. The neat Little Count’s suit jacket was crumpled messily in my hands, and his hair, which had been neatly styled with pomade, was disheveled. I like that this man, who acts so aloof and arrogant as if he wouldn’t bleed a drop of blood even if someone stabbed him, loses his composure only in front of me. I’m satisfied with this eagerness that mindlessly, greedily steals my breath.
While we were kissing, forgetting the passage of time, I heard several hasty knocks from outside, calling for him, but we both pretended not to hear. Finally, the reason why he and I distanced ourselves was when the voice of the secretary, who was quite familiar to my ears, was begging, “Little Count, Little Count.”
“…Go now.”
“Noah.”
“I’m going to sleep tonight without locking the door.”
The Little Count’s eyes, who had cleverly understood the meaning hidden in my words, sparked again. The sight of his jaw moving strongly made me swallow hard as well.
He bit my earlobe hard one last time and reluctantly let go. Along with the words that the Potion was in the desk drawer in the drawing room. I looked up at him as if possessed as his white fingers smoothed his disheveled Cravat and swept back his bangs.
“Yes. Wait obediently. I won’t be late.”
……. It was strange. My heart was beating too fast. It wasn’t because of embarrassment or shame.
* * *
The Potion that the family’s heir had prepared for emergencies was indeed effective. From the time I emptied about half of the not-so-big bottle, the bruises that remained on my body disappeared completely, and when I emptied the whole bottle, even the fatigue that had been weighing me down flew away. When I returned to the room, fluttering without gloves or a scarf, the room was clean. Nicole, who had brought something simple to eat and was waiting for me, opened her mouth slightly.
“Wow, so that’s why expensive things are worth it. How can it disappear so completely? I should buy some separately for Master as well.”
“Hmm… It would definitely be better to do that. Take care of it.”
If I became the Empress and entered the Imperial Palace, there would definitely be something prepared for me as well, but I couldn’t use it as I pleased. I had to write down the details of why I used it every time.
“Yes, leave it to me. By the way, you’re later than I thought? Did you happen to run into the Eldest Master?”
“Ah, no. It’s just… The Potion was in a harder place to find than I thought.”
Since Carlisle had already been caught, it didn’t make much of a difference if Andrew was added, but for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to tell Nicole. I mumbled vaguely and sat down at the table with a fuss, saying that it was a good thing since I was already hungry, and started eating the tomato stew.
“Oh, and Allen Master seems to be sick again.”
“…Again?”
Nicole’s tone was strange. Ever since he had thrown off his frail appearance that resembled me so much, he had only shown a appearance that was far from the word “sick,” hadn’t he?
“Does he get sick often?”
When I asked in bewilderment, Nicole avoided my eyes slightly as if she was in trouble and answered in a small voice. Yes.
“Oh, I was trying not to tell Master as much as possible… I was afraid you would feel sorry for him again…”
“What is it?”
“I don’t know exactly what kind of illness it is, but it seems like he faints or throws up blood every now and then. But the Count doesn’t care whether he does or not… Um, Madam too…”
She trailed off, but it wasn’t that difficult to guess the content hidden behind the ellipsis. After she lost her mind and Allen’s appearance also changed significantly, the Countess couldn’t even recognize Allen as her own child even when he was right in front of her.
“Is Andrew preventing him from calling a doctor?”
“No, there’s no way. The Eldest Master, um, actually… He wasn’t particularly interested in Allen Master from the beginning, so he probably doesn’t even know he’s sick. The people who work there say that he doesn’t even call the mansion’s doctor. It feels like it doesn’t matter when he dies, so sometimes he doesn’t seem like a living person.”
“Hmm…”
In the long repetition that I don’t know how many times, he had been manipulating a body that was already dead like a living person, so it was only a matter of time before that body was strained. He tries to show off in front of me, but every time he uses his abilities, big and small, it will become more and more difficult to maintain his form.
It was welcome news that I was hearing. Even though it was Allen, it seemed too mean to laugh in front of someone who was sick, so I forcibly controlled the corners of my mouth and groaned.
Nicole, who had somehow accepted that reaction, suddenly slammed the table and shouted.
“Master! You can’t weaken your heart! To be honest, it’s sad that he’s sick… But! Still! Think about when you first came back. How much heartache did you have because of Allen Master! And, huh? He even tried to steal Grand Duke Graham by lying…!”
“I know. It won’t happen, so sit down. Sit down and eat something too. I can’t eat it all by myself.”
“Yes.”
Whether she was satisfied with my firm answer, Nicole quickly lowered her tail obediently.
It must have been because my day started so late, but after finishing my meal and taking a breather, it was already late afternoon. As dusk began to settle, a familiar carriage arrived at the mansion. It was sent from the Crown Prince Palace.
“It’s been a while, Vice-Prince.”
“…Yes, it has. Quite a while. But what brings you here today without any notice?”
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has summoned you. He wishes to see your face, even if only for a moment. If you have no urgent matters, would you please board the carriage?”
It had been quite some time since I had seen Adrian, but I expected him to come to me, not send a carriage like this… He must be too busy to spare the time to come all the way here.
“I understand. However, since you came without prior notice, you will have to wait a moment. My brother has not yet returned home, so I must leave a message that His Royal Highness has summoned me.”
“Yes, of course.”
The Chamberlain of the Crown Prince Palace gave me a businesslike smile as always and bowed politely. Andrew told me to wait obediently… Well, it seems difficult for tonight. I left a short note, handed it to a servant, and boarded the carriage with Nicole. Sir Kyle, who naturally tried to follow, was refused entry on the grounds that knights not affiliated with the Imperial Knights were not allowed to enter the Imperial Palace during the State Funeral.
“Then, even if I cannot enter the Imperial Palace, I will accompany you at least part of the way.”
“Tsk, there are already sufficient personnel waiting to protect the Vice-Prince. Do you not trust the skills of the Crown Prince’s direct guard?”
I was somewhat surprised by the resolute side he showed to those he considered subordinates, when he had only shown me a respectful demeanor from the beginning, but I didn’t bother to show it. Indeed, the Chamberlain’s meticulousness and inflexibility, which had tightly guarded Adrian, who became Emperor in the first life, were well-known throughout the Imperial Palace. Thinking of it that way, I wasn’t particularly displeased. It was because he was so stubborn that he could become the closest aide to the suspicious Crown Prince.
“It’s alright, stand back, Sir Kyle.”
“Young master…!”
“Instead, make sure you come to pick me up at the Imperial Palace gate tomorrow on my way back. Chamberlain, that much should be alright, yes?”
“Of course.”
And slowly, the carriage departed. Into the dark night where even the moon did not rise.