Chapter 12…
Understanding
Aileen was so shocked by Lloyd’s words that she dropped the fork she was holding.
“The Day of Henas… that’s the day Brother Ethan got married.”
It was just a coincidence, but everything was unfolding exactly the same as back then—except for Ethan. The memory of that shock resurfaced, and her heart pounded furiously. Aileen tried to hide her belated agitation, but the atmosphere had already turned awkward.
“I’m sorry, my hand slipped.”
Trying to smooth over the situation, Aileen changed the subject. If she could, she wanted to pick up the fallen fork herself. She tried to force a smile, but the corners of her lips trembled.
Everyone noticed her unease. Count Claudia rose and placed a hand on Aileen’s shoulder.
“You must be nervous.”
“…I suppose so.”
Aileen nodded a beat late. The countess, as if she understood her daughter’s feelings, took Aileen’s hand.
“I was the same. Even after meeting your father, I always thought someday we’d marry, but when the date was actually set, suddenly my heart began to race.”
“Really?”
Aileen looked up at her mother. Though she had lied to hide her true feelings, the warmth of her mother’s hand calmed her down.
“I’m fine now.”
Only after confirming her daughter’s complexion did the countess release her hand. Aileen bowed her head apologetically toward Lloyd as well.
“Do you have a date in mind?”
At Lloyd’s question, Aileen shook her head slightly. Changing the date wouldn’t change the fate that awaited her. In fact, since she already knew what happened on that day, she could prepare in advance to prevent certain events. Like… Ethan’s Heat.
Lloyd slid a glass of water toward her.
“Drink.”
“Thank you.”
As Aileen took the glass, she glanced down. The water was lukewarm.
“I mixed in warm water. Drinking too much cold water isn’t good for you.”
Lloyd said in his flat tone. He had noticed the moment she glanced down at the water and immediately understood what she was thinking. Lifting the glass to her lips, Aileen felt complicated emotions—not like before, but because of the unfamiliar warmth of his thoughtful gestures.
“Then, I’ll consider the wedding on the Day of Henas as fixed.”
When Lloyd concluded, Count Claudia nodded in agreement.
“And one more thing…”
Lloyd gestured to a servant that the meal was over and handed over his napkin. Once the servant retreated, he turned to the count.
“I’d like Aileen to stay here.”
Count Claudia was briefly taken aback, then turned to his wife. It seemed they had already anticipated this possibility since Aileen had been staying here. The couple calmly exchanged a look.
“As long as Aileen doesn’t mind, we have no objections.”
At those words, Lloyd turned to Aileen. You said you wanted to go home. What now? Even your parents say it’s fine for you to stay here.
“But… it’s not as if I absolutely have to stay here, right?”
Aileen tried to protest indirectly, glancing at her parents. It was her way of saying she wanted to go home.
“There’s not much time left until the Day of Henas. Why bother going back and forth? Besides, if you stay here, everything that needs preparing will be done here. You wouldn’t expect people to travel back and forth to the count’s estate, would you?”
“That’s…”
Aileen tried to argue but couldn’t come up with a good counter.
“If the meal is over, let’s move to the guest room. There’s something I wish to discuss in private.”
Lloyd rose first, and the Claudia couple followed. As they left the dining room with Lloyd, they glanced back at Aileen with polite farewells.
“Aileen, we’ll have plenty to talk about too, won’t we?”
At Ethan’s words, Aileen—who had been staring at the door her parents had just passed through—slowly turned her head.
“Sorry I didn’t tell you in advance.”
Better to face the scolding sooner than later—so the moment Aileen brought Ethan into her room, she began with an apology. Ethan mulled over her words, then nodded.
“Sorry about what? Sending me up to the attic without a word? Or going to the duke’s estate without telling me?”
“…Both.”
“Then will you tell me why?”
At his gentle tone, Aileen nodded heavily.
“I knew the duke was coming. He’s a dominant Alpha, and you’re a dominant Omega. I wanted to keep you from meeting him.”
“How did you know that?”
“Well… I heard it from Uncle Cage.”
Aileen faltered, then hastily came up with an excuse. She couldn’t tell him she had simply known.
“And?”
“Since you’ve manifested as an Omega, I know it would make sense for you to marry the duke. But somehow, I ended up being the one proposed to.”
In truth, everything had fallen into place almost too perfectly. Their families already had a betrothal arrangement, and a dominant Alpha deserved a dominant Omega. Considering how rare they were, it seemed obvious that Ethan should have been Lloyd’s partner. But Aileen had gotten in between.
Though Ethan never blamed her, she thought he must feel regret. He was too kind to say it, but surely he was disappointed. Feeling guilty, she couldn’t lift her head.
“Aileen.”
Ethan sat across from her and, just like before, reached out to pat her head.
“Will you look up?”
She raised her head, though her eyes still dropped down. So Ethan bent forward until their eyes met.
“If you had manifested as an Omega and I as a Beta, I would’ve done the same.”
“Really?”
Aileen’s eyes widened. She only tried to stop him because she knew he would die—yet he was saying he would have done the same for her?
“It’s the same for me. I’d worry about being swept away by pheromones.”
“Huh?”
“You know how dangerous pheromones are. You don’t really know the person, but because they smell good to you, you could be swept away before you realize it. Even if later you find out things that disappoint you, it’s already too late. But as a Beta, even if the duke released his pheromones, I wouldn’t be affected—I’d still have my reason intact.”
Aileen pressed her hand against her chest.
That’s exactly what I wanted to say. That’s why I kept circling around instead of saying it outright.
“Especially since he’s a dominant Alpha, his pheromones must be strong. Easy to fall for. But everyone knows what his personality is like.”
Ethan lowered his voice mischievously, shrugging.
“Bad-tempered and mean.”
“Ah…”
She had heard those rumors before. And after meeting him, she quickly understood.
“Isn’t he a bit overbearing?”
“A little.”
“Well, he’s someone who thinks the world revolves around him. How much humility do you expect?”
“You’re right.”
Despite the short time, Ethan had grasped the duke’s nature accurately.
“But can you really marry someone like that?”
In the end, all his words circled back to concern for her. Aileen couldn’t help but smile at their familiar conversation.
“That’s fine.”
It’s only for a year. I’m a Beta, so I won’t be swayed by pheromones. And besides, he’ll be off at war most of the time. We won’t even see each other.
She couldn’t explain, but she smiled brighter to reassure Ethan.
Thinking the misunderstanding was cleared up, Aileen cautiously studied her brother. When Lloyd mentioned the Day of Henas earlier, all she could think of was Ethan’s Heat. More than her own wedding, she wanted to prevent the misfortune that would befall him.
“Brother… you don’t happen to have plans on the Day of Henas, do you?”
“That day? Other than your wedding, no.”
“Right, my wedding… But, do you have to attend it?”
She phrased it as indirectly as possible. The thought of all the eyes turning to Ethan that day already made her anxious. Now that she was marrying the duke, Ethan would appear alone, without a partner, at an official event. That worried her. And on her wedding day, she would be too distracted to keep an eye on him. It would be safer if he didn’t come at all.
And if a Heat strikes that day, it’ll be even more dangerous.
The reasons kept piling up for Ethan not to attend. Still, telling her only brother to skip her wedding was difficult.
“If it’s okay… could you not come that day?”
The words burst out almost like a shout.
Aileen twisted her fingers nervously under her skirt. What if nothing happened to Ethan that day? Would she regret asking him not to come?
No. The best outcome is that nothing happens.
Seeing her expression and her restless fingers, Ethan understood her hesitation.
“Are you ashamed of me?” he asked quietly.
Aileen was struck speechless at the unexpected question.
“Pfft.”
A laugh came from somewhere.
“…No way.”
Aileen shot up from her chair. Striding to the door, she flung it open—only to find another door waiting beyond. Raising her eyes, she saw Lloyd standing there, hand over his mouth, suppressing his laughter.
