Mihail and Chaika were no exception. The sight of the two of them together was, quite simply, perfect.
The Duke of Castiya, a Dominant Alpha, possessed a kind of beauty utterly different from the Emperor’s. His flawless, almost divine facial features radiated a cold, aloof air, and his black hair paired with gray eyes beneath it exuded overwhelming charisma. His tall frame—clearly distinct from that of an ordinary beta—was lean yet powerfully built, and even the smallest movement revealed the beauty and strength inherent in his body.
Even now, though things had quieted down, recalling the Duke of Castiya’s past fame—when he led private troops as a mercenary through conflict zones across countless nations, waging brutal battles—made it impossible to see his appearance as anything but formidable.
Chaika was no different when it came to having an extraordinary appearance. At a glance, he looked no more than a small body clinging close to Mihail’s side, but a closer look revealed something entirely different.
His face possessed a flawless beauty rivaling that of the Dominant Omega Empress herself, and his violet eyes in particular reflected light in varied, mysterious hues that hardly seemed human. His hair was a complete mess—soft and fluffy beyond help—but the blond strands growing in from the roots scattered radiant light like pure threads of gold when touched by the sun.
The same was true of his body, which at first glance appeared small and fragile. When he stood or walked, however, it became unmistakably clear just how beautiful and perfectly proportioned that slight, slender frame truly was. His arms and legs were long, supple, and elegant, his head perfectly balanced atop a long neck. His waist, always held straight, never lost its line whether he was standing or sitting.
And then there were moments—rare and fleeting—when the pure, shy expression he always wore vanished, replaced by something entirely different. That expression, which appeared for only the briefest instant, suited Chaika’s features perfectly.
Because the two of them together were perfection itself, it was impossible for a painter to leave either one out. For a time, the painter forgot the mission entrusted to him and spent night after night sketching countless scenes of the two together. Beyond merely sketching them, he became consumed by an intense desire to paint a proper portrait of them as a pair. But knowing the temperament of Duke Castiya, he also knew that such a thing would be nearly impossible.
As time passed, an urgent message finally arrived from the Emperor. The painter had no choice but to set aside his desires and return to his original task.
Thanks to the countless nights spent drawing and redrawing, even without Chaika before his eyes, he could see him as vividly as if he were present. Pouring every ounce of his talent into it, the painter began working on Chaika’s portrait. He imagined the scruffy hair fully grown into its natural blond and painted it as such, and then devoted three entire days solely to perfectly recreating those violet eyes.
After nearly a full month locked away in his room, the painter finally completed Chaika’s portrait. He collapsed weakly in front of it, staring up at the painting in a daze. In the portrait, Chaika gazed straight ahead with a blank, expressionless face instead of the shy, gentle smile he usually wore. Even the painter himself couldn’t say for certain why he’d chosen to depict that expression rather than the familiar one. It was simply the essence of Chaika that his instincts had compelled him to capture.
For an omega, the standard portrait was one featuring a compliant, obedient smile. Yet the painter couldn’t bring himself to alter this flawless work. After all, the Emperor only wished to see Chaika’s appearance—surely he wouldn’t concern himself too much with the expression. Convincing himself of that, the painter lay down where he was.
When he finally emerged from his room over a month later, the painter looked dreadful. In the meantime, the season had shifted from winter to spring. After summoning a servant to wash himself, changing out of his foul-smelling clothes, and grooming his hair and beard, he at least resembled a human being again. Having filled his stomach with warm soup and bread, the painter spent several days outside the castle to keep his promise to Count Ilya Vasari while the painting dried. Then he returned, carefully wrapped the nearly dry portrait, and prepared to depart. The imperial command had been fulfilled—now it was time to go back.
As he sat watching servants pack his belongings, the painter’s gaze drifted to the piles of sketches covering his desk. Dozens upon dozens of them captured the daily life of Mihail and Chaika exactly as it was. Unaware they were being drawn, the two had been rendered in their rawest, most unguarded forms.
Flipping through the sketches one by one, the painter gathered them neatly together and slipped them into a wide leather bag used for carrying drawings. After a brief moment of hesitation, he shoved the bag deep atop the tall wardrobe he’d been using. If fate willed it, someone would one day see these drawings.
***
The cold winter passed, and spring arrived in full bloom. The snow that had blanketed the garden in white vanished, replaced by lush greenery brimming with life. Gardeners bustled about, busy coaxing spring flowers into beautiful bloom.
Though there was still a lingering chill in the air, many days were warm enough under the sun to rival early summer. Chaika, who had once waddled along wrapped in layer upon layer of winter clothing, now dressed far more lightly and could walk about with ease like anyone else.
Winter and snow.
They said time healed all wounds. As the season in which he’d nearly been violated was forced to retreat, Chaika’s heart seemed to settle as well. He no longer fled behind Mihail at the mere sight of knights, and even when separated from Mihail for a while, he didn’t grow severely anxious. While it was fortunate that his condition had improved, Mihail looked faintly disappointed.
As spring truly took hold, Castiya Castle began to stir quietly, secretly. Chaika’s heat cycle was approaching. Given how tenderly—no, how reverently—Mihail treated him, it was clear that he intended to produce an heir with Chaika. And considering the Emperor’s command to see an heir within a year, this heat cycle was the ideal opportunity.
The whispers circulating in secret were not mere speculation. In truth, Mihail intended to impregnate Chaika during this heat cycle. With the omega he already fully recognized as his before him, there was no need to waste time. He wanted Chaika to bear a child as soon as possible and then complete the imprinting, making him perfectly and irrevocably his. The only question was whether Chaika’s body could endure it.
“How does it look?”
The omega specialist physician borrowed from Marquis Lucius was still residing at Castiya Castle. After having Chaika undergo a thorough examination, Mihail summoned the physician separately to his office.
“He’s recovering extremely well. Now that a certain amount of the poison has been purged, an omega’s natural, exceptional healing ability has manifested. His health improves day by day.”
The physician, who had managed Chaika’s health for months, reported with a bright expression. Mihail, seated with one leg crossed over the other, studied him for a moment before beckoning him closer with a finger. Once the physician stood right before him, Mihail asked in a low, confidential voice.
“Has he recovered enough to conceive during this heat cycle?”
“…This cycle? You mean pregnancy… now?”
The physician looked slightly startled, then frowned as he considered it.
“If it’s this heat cycle… there are less than ten days left….”
“That’s why I’m asking. Whether it’ll be fine or not.”
The physician let out a deep sigh and remained silent for a moment before speaking carefully.
“We’ve focused so heavily on recovery that, physically speaking, pregnancy itself shouldn’t pose a problem. However…”
He paused, glancing at Mihail’s expression before continuing.
“Whether Lord Chaika would want that is another matter. He lived as a beta for a long time and has only known he was an omega for a few months. If he were to become pregnant so suddenly, I’m concerned about whether he could accept it mentally….”
“If his body can handle it, I’ll take care of the rest.”
Mihail cut off the physician’s concern without hesitation.
“There isn’t much time left before the heat cycle. Until then, focus on nutrition and his health as much as possible.”
Mihail’s order was absolute, leaving no room for persuasion. The physician could only nod and begin planning how best to care for Chaika’s body.
After issuing his orders, Mihail headed to where Chaika was. Having finished his examination, Chaika had received permission from Mihail and run off excitedly to the library. Unlike other areas, only the beta caretaker was allowed entry there, so Chaika didn’t fear being alone in that space.
Moving quietly through the library, Mihail’s keen sense of smell caught Chaika’s dense pheromones. From the moment he stepped inside, the pheromones washed over him, guiding him unerringly to Chaika’s location. With the heat cycle approaching, Chaika’s pheromones were intensely potent—strong enough to ensnare even Mihail in an overwhelming, bottomless desire.
Passing a bookshelf, Mihail spotted him. Chaika was crouched just as he had been when Mihail first saw him, reading a book. Mihail compared that image to the stray-dog-on-the-street he’d first encountered and the Chaika before him now. They were so different it was hard to believe they were the same person—yet the presence he exuded felt strangely similar.
As the distance closed, the pheromones grew even denser. Their concentrated sweetness was irresistible to any alpha. Mihail was no exception—his lower abdomen throbbed, his groin hardening fully. A feral urge surged up inside him: to push Chaika down, tear his clothes apart, and thrust himself deep inside him without restraint.
“Chaika.”
Mihail called out in a slightly hoarse voice. Chaika, his face buried in his book, lifted his head to look at him. The corners of Chaika’s eyes were flushed red from the effects of the approaching heat.
“…Lord Mihail….”
Chaika called his name in an excited voice. As he looked at Mihail, his cheeks flushed faintly, the redness around his eyes deepening. Licking his dry lips, Chaika already looked heavily aroused—simply seeing Mihail was enough to stir his instincts.
“…Ah….”
A small sound slipped from Chaika as his gaze dropped to Mihail’s prominently hardened lower body. He swallowed hard. Having confirmed each other’s arousal, neither of them held back any longer. Chaika stretched both hands toward Mihail, and Mihail scooped him up in one swift motion, heading for the large, plush sofa set against one side of the library.
