Episode 33
Adrian was busy exchanging glances with her, worried about her changing complexion.
“As His Highness’s omega lover, my stepping forward isn’t just for Edith’s sake. It will also be a significant help to me.”
“But it might be too much for you to step forward.”
“No, really… In the future, I can receive full support from the royal family in business matters. And I won’t be pushed aside in the aristocratic social circle anymore.”
Due to his mixed heritage, he couldn’t fit in with the pure-blooded nobles. He was in a somewhat awkward position, despite holding the title of a viscount.
“Adrian, you might end up suffering a lot.”
“I’m used to suffering from others. You know that too. There’s always someone buzzing around me.”
“Your followers and those who would tear you down, they’re the same?”
“There are as many flaws as there are people. Maybe you didn’t notice, Edith.”
“I saw everyone admiring you.”
“Not at all. I’m used to receiving criticism and getting hurt. It wouldn’t be unfair to suffer while making money in business.”
Edith couldn’t refute Adrian’s strong determination. Even though his proposal to become the prince’s partner for the sake of his business sounded like an excuse, she couldn’t do anything about it.
Adrian, who had always tried to keep his distance, seemed to be gradually seeping into her life.
—
Rumors began to spread that Adrian was forming a special bond with the prince.
They chose a sunny day to sit on the terrace, which was spacious and easily visible to others. It was a prominent spot. The prince sat proudly, and Adrian adorned himself as splendidly as possible.
They had a private conversation while enjoying tea.
Every time the servants brought refreshments, Adrian subtly emitted omega pheromones towards Clyde. It seemed as if he had been seducing him all along. In response, Clyde emitted sharp alpha pheromones, as if to repel him.
The prince’s scent was animalistic, irresistibly commanding.
“Your scent is too strong, Your Highness. It’s hard for me to bear.”
“You’re not so easy to deal with either. You would have attracted alphas.”
The servant, pushing the serving cart, witnessed Clyde’s knees trembling as he moved away. He seemed like a weak alpha.
“Not at all, Your Highness. I pride myself on being a quiet omega.”
Adrian inadvertently cleared his throat, seemingly thoughtful.
Although he had resolved to use me, the title of the prince’s lover was still a heavy burden for me. It would surely become an obstacle when establishing a family with someone else in the future.
He hoped his pre-admonition to Edith would have some effect. Hopefully, she wouldn’t misunderstand.
Adrian smiled brightly all the while. But the conversation they shared with their exhibition smiles was painfully dull. After repeating discussions about the weather, the topics dwindled. The prince, too, seemed reluctant to bring up sensitive matters.
“Shall we go now?”
Ending the very long teatime felt relieving.
“Shall I come again tomorrow?”
“That would be nice.”
“I’ll make sure to clear my schedule as generously as I did today.”
“Oh, and if you need anything else, just tell the chamberlain.”
Adrian lowered his eyes without saying anything more. Any requests for assistance would be handled through the chamberlain’s office, without the need for direct demands.
He was aware. The prince wasn’t just manipulating Edith to indulge his personal desires.
The current discord between the royal family and the former nobility was significant. There was a clear intention to favor emerging forces. Adrian and other businessmen were trying hard to intervene somehow. Edith, who didn’t fit in well with the aristocratic circles, naturally caught the prince’s eye.
Moreover, she had to be somewhat intelligent. He could somewhat understand her situation, being attached to the prince.
“Your Highness, allow me to escort you.”
The two men met Edith as they exited the terrace. She was approaching from the opposite side of the corridor with another chamberlain.
“Ah…”
Adrian sighed dumbfoundedly, unable to react quickly. Despite knowing that this attitude wouldn’t help him conquer her, he couldn’t seem to change his habits.
He had to show some presence to Edith. Otherwise, he wouldn’t leave a good impression on her. If she didn’t hate me already, she’d be uncomfortable, to say the least.
So it hurt.
It was difficult to challenge her rashly.
As Clyde confidently approached her, taking what she was holding, Adrian watched her with a slight lag.
Edith, who looked busy as usual, was carrying a few things. A small book with loose sheets of paper stuck between the pages was open wide. Some of the sheets seemed like they might fall at any moment.
“Edith, you’re still here.”
She had been called at just the right time.
Adrian looked pitifully at her. The prince was also too much. Instead of giving Edith a break, he called her so soon.
As Clyde approached her, he deftly took what she was holding. Then he pulled out the messy papers from the book and neatly organized them. He tapped the edges to make them square before putting them back in the book, which he then handed to her.
Adrian’s intentions were taken over by Clyde’s actions once again.
Clyde nodded at her.
“Edith, let’s go.”
“Yes…”
“Make sure Adrian safely returns with the guidance of this chamberlain.”
The chamberlain who came along was well acquainted with Adrian. As a fellow classmate who was inaugurated with Edith this time, he was also Adrian’s long-time friend.
Watching the prince and Edith move away together, Adrian felt a pang of frustration.
Even though he didn’t want to see her with another man, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
The chamberlain muttered something to Adrian for a long time, leaning close to his ear. At first, he didn’t listen, but after a few repetitions, he understood the meaning: it was time to leave.
“Just a moment. Let’s escort them a bit longer.”
In the eyes of the passing servants, Adrian might seem to be glancing at Clyde, his lover.
The chamberlain, who had been Adrian’s close friend since their school days, knew his unspoken thoughts well. His close friends had all witnessed the years Adrian spent hovering around Edith.
“Adrian, isn’t it time to stop?”
He gestured with his clenched fist, silently urging Adrian to let go of his futile feelings.
“Stop? We’ve only just begun.”
“Have you really started? Isn’t it still one-sided?”
“A while ago, Edith contacted me directly and came to meet me. Maybe she was trying to approach the prince… But that doesn’t matter. The fact that Edith thought of me means something.”
He remembered the day he had exerted all his efforts to seduce her. He had deliberately removed his clothes and sat close to her, tempting her.
That moment seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So he went as far as to make inappropriate remarks, saying she could visit him anytime. He actively showed that he welcomed her day and night.
Edith wouldn’t know. She wouldn’t know how awkward I felt, saying and doing those things.
The chamberlain watched Adrian, who showed no intention of leaving, with an annoyed expression.
“What’s so good about her?”
“What’s good? Well…”
Adrian, lost in thought for a moment, eventually continued.
“I don’t know. It’s been so long that I can’t remember. I just naturally glanced at her.”
Was it because he was alone among those who clung to him? Was it because he was impressed by her figure descending the grand library stairs? Or was it because he found it fascinating that despite constantly confusing the location of the lecture hall, she always managed to receive a scholarship?
Then suddenly, he remembered. How Edith saw him.
She had mentioned it several times. She said there were many people around him. She even called him a follower.
These words first came from those who were against Adrian. They became so common that even his friends joked about it, calling him a follower without hesitation.
Of course, there were also people who approached him with romantic intentions. No matter how he tried to cut them off, they kept coming, so he was used to avoiding confessions.
“Does Edith see me as a follower?”
The chamberlain casually brushed off his murmuring.
“Of course.”
“Of course?”
“Even you think so, right? Who would see an omega who is always surrounded by alphas as pure?”
Ironically, even the chamberlain, who shared Adrian’s gloomy mood, was an alpha. Therefore, he had nothing to say even if Edith saw him that way.
“But she doesn’t.”
“She doesn’t, but only you know that. Edith wouldn’t.”
“I’m really not a follower.”
A surge of emotion welled up.
The suppressed agony boiled inside, bursting into fiery anger.
In an instant, an uncontrollable passion surged forth.
Edith had just turned the corner at the end of the corridor. She seemed tired of daily life, dragging her feet, and soon she was out of Adrian’s sight.
It was unbearable.
The emotions that had been held back were about to burst out. His body was telling him that he couldn’t contain them anymore.
The waterfall of uncontrollable rage poured out, and Adrian’s wandering legs moved on their own. Without a dignified stride, he ran after her through the solemn corridors of the palace.
In fact, he didn’t want to make excuses about not being a follower. There were words overflowing even if he tried to suppress them.
There was something he wanted to say.
“I’m tired of hovering around her. Please don’t avoid me anymore if you want to get closer.”
A gust of wind cooled his heated eyes as he ran. He consciously smoothed out his furrowed brows.
Even in the moment of mixed anger and passion, he couldn’t afford to appear hostile to her.
“Excuse me…”
Leaning against the pillar of the corner, Edith turned in the direction she was heading.
