Chapter 35
In the afternoon, Asher went to the dining room at Shaki and Ember’s summons. It seemed they had something urgent to discuss about him sending Jan away.
“They say you dismissed the attendant you kept by your side and had several others instead. Did your memory return or something?”
“No. It’s just too hot these days, so I sent him on leave.”
Asher answered Shaki’s question and took his seat. But Ember eyed him suspiciously, narrowing his gaze as he stared intently at Asher.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Am I not allowed to have multiple attendants?”
“That’s your choice to make, not mine. But if you’re planning to stir up trouble with attendants and maids like you used to, you should stop.”
“Did I really do that?”
Asher asked Ember in a calmer tone than usual. Ember’s eyes widened slightly at Asher’s unusually indifferent reaction to his sarcasm.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Can’t I have days like this once in a while?”
“Don’t tell me you hit your head again?”
Ember’s remark made Asher smirk playfully. The sudden change in Asher’s demeanor seemed to catch Ember off guard.
“Like you said, I’m trying to change little by little. I can’t stay locked up in this house forever, can I?”
Of course, part of it was to find allies and information about the Blade Empire, but Asher also knew he couldn’t just sit idly by if he wanted to protect himself in the future.
“So I have a favor to ask. Take me to the trading company once in a while. Even if I’m an omega, I’m still a son of the Anest Ducal Family.”
Even though discrimination between alphas and omegas had officially ended, Asher knew it still existed subtly. And he knew this wouldn’t change anytime soon. But he emphasized this point and smiled at the two of them—specifically at Ember.
“Not that I’m trying to interfere with your work. I know Father would never allow it.”
“Then what? Suddenly interested in the trading company?”
“As if. I’m just bored. Honestly, I was envious of you two talking without me.”
“…….”
“It’s late, but I want to get closer to you both.”
Asher smiled brightly, hiding his true intentions. The truth was, he needed to find out what the Duke was planning and where he had hidden the alphas. To do that, he needed access to the trading company without raising suspicion. Even if it took time, Asher still had six months left.
“Asher, we’ve never thought of you as anything but our brother.”
Shaki, who had been silently listening, finally joined the conversation. Though he used the word “we,” Asher knew it didn’t include Ember.
“Yeah. I know you both care about me and look out for me. I’m always grateful. But sometimes, I feel lonely.”
Of course, Asher had never felt that way before, but he exaggerated his words to appeal to Ember.
“I won’t be greedy. Once I marry, I won’t even be an Anest anymore.”
Asher’s voice softened, and the corners of his eyes drooped slightly, as if he were deep in thought before his marriage. He stirred their sympathy.
“I don’t think you’re being greedy.”
“Ember…”
“If you want to come to the trading company, you can anytime. I’ll talk to Father. But there’s one thing I need to correct.”
Asher tilted his head slightly at Ember’s words.
“It’s true you’ll leave once you marry His Highness, but you’re still an Anest. You share the same blood as us.”
“…….”
“That’s all I have to say. I’ll leave first.”
Asher’s face blanked for a moment at Ember’s words. Even as Ember left, Asher remained silent, unable to respond. Shaki lightly tapped the table.
“Are you upset with me too? I thought I was doing right by you.”
“……Brother.”
Shaki stood up at Asher’s words and walked over to him, pulling out a chair and sitting down beside him, gripping his hand tightly.
“The reason I told you not to come to the trading company was because I didn’t want you to suffer. You used to love playing around before you lost your memory.”
“…….”
“I just want you to be happy. That’s why I took on all the hardships. I didn’t want you to struggle under Father’s rule. I’m sorry if you felt left out.”
Shaki’s fingers conveyed his regret, affection, and warmth. Asher’s eyes reddened at the sincerity of his emotions.
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“I know what you meant. But I wanted to clear up any misunderstandings before they grew. I don’t want to be at odds with you.”
“……Brother.”
“Like I said, you’re an Anest. No one will say anything if you want to come to the trading company to learn, and you can come anytime you want.”
Shaki’s considerate words pricked Asher’s conscience. His real reason for wanting to enter the trading company was to uncover the Duke’s plans and the hidden evidence of his crimes. But if he did, the Anest family would suffer, and Shaki and Ember would be hurt—all because of him. Asher hesitated. Ignoring the Duke’s actions would make him no better than the Duke himself, like Nerfa and Roxina, who had turned a blind eye. Asher shook his head, slipping his hand out of Shaki’s grip.
“I must be a terrible person.”
Jan’s betrayal had made him see the world as hostile. He had assumed he would be abandoned and live a harsh life in the end. But Ember and Shaki’s unexpected kindness overwhelmed him. Unable to hold back any longer, Asher stood up.
“I’ll go first.”
“Alright. Go rest.”
“Yeah.”
Asher glanced down at Shaki before quietly leaving the room.
***
After meeting Shaki and Ember, the Duke allowed Asher to enter the trading company. Like a tiger hiding its claws, the Duke seemed to have already noticed Asher’s intentions. He was probably watching to see how Asher would act.
“Should I just pretend I don’t know anything…?”
Asher didn’t know what the Duke was thinking, but he had no power to act. However, if the real Braden ever appeared, he might be able to resolve this. Asher wondered if he should dig deeper and cause everyone trouble. He wasn’t a hero from a story. Above all, he didn’t want Shaki, who cared for him, to suffer. Revealing the truth wouldn’t just hurt the Duke—it would hurt everyone. Asher groaned, clutching his head.
“I really don’t know….”
His mind was overwhelmed, and his body was exhausted. Jan’s betrayal, the Duke’s warnings, and the uncertainties of his future—all of it tangled together, tormenting him. If only there were a clear answer. Asher sat down in his chair as a knock sounded at the door.
“Here’s the information you asked for.”
Asher took the documents from Toms and slowly read through them.
“A maid named Mari had only recently joined the Anest family. She was killed by poison in her food, but that’s just the rumor among the attendants. The truth is, it wasn’t poison—it was suicide.”
“…….”
“Fortunately, Ember’s personal attendant discovered her and kept it quiet, so the rumors spread differently.”
Asher’s hand trembled slightly at the word “suicide.” He gestured for Toms to continue and set the document down.
“The reason for the suicide…?”
Toms hesitated, glancing at Asher nervously. That alone made it clear Asher was involved. Asher clenched his fists tightly.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
