BSWRCPO Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Edith buttoned her blouse up to her collarbone, donning her usual attendant’s attire—a tailored coat and skirt, complemented by low-heeled shoes. She struggled to lift her head and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her nape was flushed with a faint, uneven glow, and she found it difficult to stand straight, her legs wobbling beneath her.

“Don’t be so stubborn, Edith,” Clyde said softly, his expression darkening with concern. He looked as though he might issue a firm command to get her into bed by force if necessary.

“I can’t receive treatment in the prince’s bed, can I?” she responded, brushing aside his offer.

“It’s fine. I’ll allow it,” Clyde insisted.

“I don’t want that. I’m not dying of some deadly illness.”

“Edith!”

“I’ll take sick leave after the treatment. I’ll return home and rest for a while,” she said, her voice firm.

Clyde hesitated, reaching out to assist her but stopping short when he understood what she truly meant. Edith had made her decision long ago to resign from her position. After taking a temporary leave, she intended to submit her resignation and not return to the palace.

“You’ve been working hard. The doctor is already here, waiting,” Clyde said, his voice calm but authoritative.

Avoiding his gaze, Edith changed the subject, but Clyde’s jaw clenched tightly. After a moment, he reached out again, gently taking her heated hand in his, interlocking their fingers loosely.

“If you plan to go home,” he began, his grip firm yet tender, “I’ll go with you.”

“No, Clyde, you have too much to do,” she replied, though her voice held a hint of warmth.

“You’ve always been there for me during the heat cycles. If it’s your turn, I want to be there with you.”

“But it might not be the heat.”

“Even if it’s just a severe bout of exhaustion, I’ll take care of you.”

Before she could argue further, Clyde pulled her gently toward him. She didn’t respond, only allowing him to walk with her, their hands firmly clasped.

He looked like he was fuming on the inside but held his emotions in check. His expression remained cold, as if carved from marble, his gaze straight ahead.

In the sitting room, they met with the royal physician. Clyde calmly recounted the change in Edith’s condition from the night before. His tone was clinical, devoid of emotion, speaking with the precision of a machine.

“Edith’s fever began last night, and it has since worsened. Her Omega pheromones are radiating strongly, much like when they’re at their peak to attract an Alpha. Her exhaustion is severe as well. Considering she exerted herself heavily during yesterday’s match, we should keep that in mind.”

The doctor sensed something unusual and began the examination carefully. Using his diagnostic kit, he analyzed the levels of pheromones and their condition. The results matched Clyde’s observations exactly.

“Congratulations, Count Ketzmoris. It seems she is ready for her first heat.”

“First heat…?” Edith echoed, her brow furrowing.

“May I attempt a small experiment?” the doctor asked cautiously.

“What kind of experiment?”

“The scent becomes more noticeable even when neither an Alpha nor Omega actively emits pheromones. It’s similar to how perfume leaves a lingering scent long after it’s applied,” the doctor explained.

Edith felt a wave of discomfort. It was one thing to stand near Clyde while he was brooding, but having to lean in close to smell him was a different matter entirely.

“Getting close isn’t—”

But Clyde didn’t wait for her to finish. He moved quickly, pulling an empty chair closer to her and settling beside her, nearly touching. His actions were bold and decisive, even in the presence of the physician.

“Stay still, Edith. I’ll handle it,” Clyde said firmly.

He unbuttoned his coat, revealing the shirt beneath, quickly undoing the buttons until his collar and shirt were open. He leaned forward slightly, offering his neck to her.

“Is this enough?” he asked, his voice calm yet intense.

The doctor’s eyes flickered briefly to Clyde’s exposed skin. The muscle beneath his jawline shifted slightly, protruding momentarily before smoothing out again. Edith’s gaze was drawn to his defined shoulder blades and the smooth line of his clavicle, which were presented so intimately close to her.

“Go ahead,” Clyde encouraged, tilting his head slightly to the side, inviting her to get closer.

Edith hesitated, then slowly brought her nose near. Clyde’s intense gaze locked onto her face, making her already flushed cheeks heat further.

A sharp breath passed through her as she tried to discern the scent.

“I don’t know… it’s hard to tell,” she murmured, shaking her head slightly.

Clyde exhaled slowly through his shirt, the sound brushing past her ears, warming her skin in the process. The doctor gave a thoughtful nod, his gaze fixed on the results.

“Count Ketzmoris, have you been taking your medication regularly?”

“Of course. Every day at the same time,” Clyde responded with certainty.

“Even so, the effects seem minimal. However, it’s still better to continue. Hopefully, during this surge of Omega pheromones, you’ll fully come into your own.”

The doctor paused, considering the next step carefully.

“Your Highness, may I suggest releasing Alpha pheromones gradually?”

“Here?” Clyde raised a brow.

“It would be inappropriate for me to witness it directly. I’ll step outside for a moment.”

Despite his status, even the doctor understood the delicacy of witnessing an Alpha releasing pheromones in such a personal setting. Aware of this, the doctor gathered his things and exited the room.

“Start slowly, gradually increasing the release. We can assess the effects as you go,” the doctor instructed before leaving.

Clyde shifted closer to Edith again, their thighs nearly touching. He pulled her slightly into his embrace, resting his arm gently around her waist, holding her half in his grasp.

“It’s uncomfortable,” Edith muttered, shifting slightly in his hold.

“Just a moment,” Clyde responded softly.

He gently cupped her chin, raising her gaze to meet his. Her eyes, already downcast, couldn’t avoid his intense stare. His features, still handsome but with a hint of sadness, were etched in her mind—a face she had come to both cherish and struggle to part from.

“Look at me, Edith,” Clyde said firmly.

“I can’t,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

“I’ll never let you go.”

“…”

“No matter how much you don’t feel the same, no matter how many times you push me away… don’t leave me.”

“Clyde.”

“Please, don’t go. No matter what I have to do, I’ll keep you by my side.”

A sudden dizziness overtook her.

Her head spun, feeling like it might tip over completely. It seemed Clyde was slowly releasing his pheromones, and the effect was overwhelming.

“Haa… Clyde…”

She clutched the edge of his coat tightly, as though it was the only thing keeping her from falling off her chair. The sensation was intense, as if her very core was being pulled toward him. Her head pressed against his broad shoulder, the warmth radiating from him calming yet intoxicating.

“Are you okay?”

Clyde’s gentle hand brushed through her hair, soothing her.

“Mm, I’m fine.”

“Do you want to stop the pheromone experiment here? I don’t want to push you too hard.”

“Just a moment.”

She needed a moment to regain her composure. Edith took a deep breath, resting her forehead against his thick neck, inhaling deeply.

Suddenly, a crisp, refreshing scent tickled her senses—a mix of forest freshness and sweetness, with a hint of something distinctly different. Her mind wandered, the sensation unfamiliar yet enticing. Her body felt both relaxed and electrified at the same time, the sharp contrast making it hard to focus.

“This feels… strange.”

She murmured, swaying slightly, her head tilting. Unintentionally, her forehead pressed against the area where Clyde’s pheromones were strongest, rubbing against him unconsciously.

“Strange how?”

“Mmm… like walking through a forest, searching for honey. The sweetness… it’s overwhelming.”

“What’s the smell like?”

“I want to taste it first.”

Slowly, as if waking from a dream, Edith raised her head. Her flushed cheeks glowed a deep red, and her eyes, once clear, were now a soft shade of red with subtle veins showing.

Her gaze landed on Clyde, but it lacked focus. Her hand reached out, almost aimlessly, as if trying to grasp the scent itself. She leaned forward toward him, unstable and unbalanced.

Clyde swiftly caught her, wrapping her securely in his arms as she struggled to maintain her footing.

“That’s my Alpha scent,” Clyde murmured softly, confirming her discovery.

“Alpha scent?”

“You only realize it when you release a large amount, but I’m relieved you can sense it now.”

“The smell… it makes my body… tingle.”

“It’s because your heat cycle is beginning.”

“Is it happening now?”

“Yes, it is.”

Clyde opened his shirt slightly, resting his neck against her, slowly releasing more pheromones.

“Will you let me stay with you, Edith?”

His soft voice, full of sincerity and longing, brushed against her ear, the weight of his words carrying deep emotions.

In her hazy state, as her thoughts blurred, she could still grasp the meaning of his request. It meant experiencing the heat cycle together.

“Clyde, that’s a bit—”

“I’ll just stay with you. Like this, letting you scent my Alpha pheromones.”

“Just stay?”

“Yes, just stay. I promise nothing else.”

His figure blurred in her vision. The heat continued to rise from her body, making her eyelids heavy and warm. She had heard that during the heat cycle, the fever could become intense, and it seemed this was exactly what she was experiencing—the onset of the heat.

Even in her dazed state, she pondered it. She didn’t want this cycle to be filled with chaos. But just staying together didn’t seem so bad. With the help of Alpha pheromones, she might be able to navigate the cycle more easily.

While she hesitated, he gently added, “Edith, like how you’ve cared for me, I just want to care for you now.”

“…”

“Rather than relying on others, wouldn’t it be better if I were the one to support you? I won’t force myself on you.”

The pull of his pheromones was powerful. The intensity of the heat cycle combined with the overwhelming strength of his Alpha pheromones was tugging at her resolve.

Yet, there was something deeper anchoring her decision—a gentle, unwavering voice through his touch. The careful, tender way he brushed her hair and checked her forehead was soothing. His actions weren’t merely physical—they were thoughtful and tender.

“Yes, okay…”

Before she could fully process her words, her body collapsed into his embrace. She let go of her defenses, leaning into him completely. His arms enveloped her warmly, just as the heat radiated intensely through her.

Edith decided to stop fighting. Her mind gave in, allowing her instincts to guide her. The comforting embrace, the soothing presence, and his tender voice—all of it was too comforting to resist.

The warmth of his touch and the sincerity of his plea were reassuring. Though she had stubbornly clung to her resolve, the moment she allowed herself to be cared for, a deep sense of peace washed over her.

Her body relaxed entirely, melting into his embrace.