# Chapter 15
As soon as Asher left the corridor, he sought out the training grounds. He knew Shaki would be training there, having not gone to the merchant guild today. But Shaki was so focused on his training that he didn’t notice Asher’s arrival. A servant nearby asked, “Shall I announce you?” but Asher declined with a gesture and sat in a place where he wouldn’t disturb Shaki’s training.
Innate physique and nimble movements. Shaki was skilled with the sword. He also had a brilliant mind, making him more than qualified to take over the merchant guild.
If someday Braden returned and Asher had to leave this house, Asher thought he would feel most sorry toward Shaki. Of course, that would change later, but for now, no one was as kind to him as Shaki.
Asher quietly watched him train.
“Asher?”
Belatedly noticing Asher’s presence, Shaki called his name as he put down his sword. Wiping his face with a towel offered by his servant, he approached Asher and smiled brightly.
“What brings you here?”
Sweat droplets that hadn’t been wiped away yet ran down the contours of his face and gathered at the edge of his chin. Asher took out a handkerchief from his inner pocket, wiped away the sweat, and smiled softly with his eyes.
“I just wanted to see you, hyung.”
The words “wanted to see you” flowed naturally from Asher’s lips. Pleased by those words, Shaki chuckled and picked up a water bottle, emptying half of it.
“So what’s troubling you?”
Still with a hint of laughter in his voice, he wiped his wet lips with the back of his hand. As if telling Asher to speak his mind, he handed the water bottle to his servant and plopped down next to Asher’s seat.
“This time I really came just because I was bored.”
“Do you think I don’t know you? Just tell me. I’ll listen.”
At Shaki’s words, Asher hesitated, his lips quivering slightly. Seeing Asher’s reluctance to speak, Shaki started the conversation.
“Why, did you get into some trouble?”
“It’s not that. I met Baron Varhan on my way here. He said he’s going to inherit the title of Count… Is Count Christo stepping down?”
“Yes, that’s what they say. As you know, they get along well. So apparently he’s planning to pass the title to Baron Varhan and go on a vacation as a form of rest.”
Asher had thought Baron Varhan was inheriting the title at a relatively young age, but that was the reason. He responded like a soulless person, only making an “Ah…” sound.
“That’s why Ember hyung has been looking for Baron Varhan a lot these days. And Baron Varhan is also treating hyung well.”
“But hyung… Baron Varhan follows the Crown Prince closely. If he inherits the title of Count…”
“Asher.”
Noticing Asher’s anxious expression, Shaki took his hands. At the same time, a warm energy that suppressed anxiety was transmitted through his skin.
“Are you worried? Afraid that our family might betray His Grace the Duke?”
“Rather than betrayal, I’m just anxious.”
One corner of his heart grew heavy, as if a storm was about to break. It felt like this too was a result of his deviation from the original work. In the original work, Baron Varhan existed to make life difficult for Luke and himself. Now that he wasn’t cursed, it was uncertain how he would act.
“As long as you are with His Grace the Duke, our family will continue to support you. That means we support the Blake family.”
“…”
“That probably goes for Ember hyung too. No matter how close he is with Baron Varhan, blood is thicker than water.”
He comforted Asher with a tone full of kindness. Thanks to that, Asher felt his anxious emotions subsiding.
“Thank you, hyung.”
“Was that all you were so anxious about? By the way, Asher.”
“Yes?”
“I think you need to trust His Highness a bit more.”
Asher tilted his head slightly and blinked. Shaki gently patted the back of Asher’s hands and smiled warmly.
“What I mean is, he’s not as weak as you’re worried about. The title of Duke isn’t just for show, is it? It’s a position responsible for many people.”
“…”
“Probably everything will be settled before you even start worrying. Unless there’s a special exception.”
Perhaps, as Shaki said, it was just an unnecessary worry. Worrying about something that hadn’t even happened yet…
Seeing Asher’s foolish look, Shaki chuckled and ruffled his hair.
“Why do you think we returned safely when we visited the Duke’s residence? It’s because we are your family. Even if he doesn’t have feelings for you, to him, you’re the partner he’ll spend his life with.”
“…”
“So give it a try. It doesn’t seem like he has no feelings at all. If there’s even a one percent chance, isn’t it better to take the risk?”
As if he already knew Asher’s heart, Shaki gently patted his shoulder. At the same time, seeing Asher’s blushing face, Shaki’s expression turned mischievous.
“But from what I’ve seen, it seems like it’ll be a bit difficult. He’s definitely dominant.”
Before Asher could say anything, Shaki added words of encouragement and got up from his seat.
*
As if to prove that what Shaki had said wasn’t a lie, Asher received a letter from Luke asking to meet. And it was to be at the village of Serhin, famous for its beautiful lake. Since this was the first time they were meeting privately outdoors, Asher couldn’t stop smiling.
“Jan! Does this outfit look good? Or this one?”
Wanting to show his best appearance, Asher stood in front of the mirror, selecting one outfit from several. With his distinctively vibrant pink hair, Asher set aside all the flashy clothes and picked up a neat and clean beige-toned outfit.
“Young Master, which type of watch would you like?”
As soon as Asher got dressed, Jan eagerly presented a cushion with watches on it. Most of them were vibrant colors, but Asher picked up a watch with a deep brown tone.
“I’ll go with this one.”
At Asher’s words, Jan wrapped the watch around his wrist. Asher stared at Jan, reminiscing about the past.
At first, having someone serve him was unfamiliar. Having not just one but several people following him daily and attending to him until the moment he fell asleep was quite uncomfortable for Asher. That’s why Asher reduced his servants to just one, and that person was Jan.
Jan had a youthful appearance but was older than he looked. Unlike Asher who had just turned twenty, Jan was twenty-seven, well past the prime age for marriage.
“Jan, are you seeing anyone?”
“No.”
“Why? Too busy?”
“No, Young Master. I have no intention of marrying anyone in the future.”
Asher blinked rapidly at the unexpected statement about having no thoughts of marriage. At first, he had assumed it was because Jan was busy staying with him, but that didn’t seem to be the case. Seeing an expression that suggested there was a story behind it, Asher cautiously broached the subject.
“…Can I ask why?”
“It’s nothing special. The person I loved passed away.”
Asher’s lips pressed tightly shut at Jan’s unexpected words. He had thought it might be a simple choice to remain single or for some other special reason, but upon hearing the unexpectedly sad story, Asher quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s alright. It’s already in the past, and I’m fine.”
For a brief moment, Jan’s lips seemed to tense slightly. But soon he tied a ribbon beautifully around Asher’s neck and smiled as usual.
“You look handsome today as well.”
“…Thank you.”
Somehow, Asher couldn’t smile at Jan’s words. He just created a calm smile on his lips and quietly adjusted his attire.
The sky was clear, befitting the end of June as summer approached. It was so pristine, as if a heavy rain might pour down at any moment, that Asher briefly stopped walking and looked up at the sky.
Sometimes when looking at the sky like this, he recalled the world before his possession. Back then, he would also look up at the sky whenever he got tired of writing… People are creatures of adaptation, and he was beginning to fear how he was gradually adapting to this body.
At first, he couldn’t believe that he had possessed the body of an omega. Having lived his entire life as a man, to become a body capable of getting pregnant and having children—it wasn’t a situation anyone could easily accept.
But he had never experienced a heat cycle yet, and being from a noble family, no one had tried to harm him. Except for that time when he faced the Crown Prince…
Thus, Asher lived normally as he always had. Though he was an omega, there was nothing special he needed to be careful about in his daily life where nothing had particularly changed.
“You’re going to wear a hole through it.”
Startled by the sudden voice, Asher flinched. But soon realizing it was Luke, he hurriedly stood up and greeted him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
