It was a sunny afternoon.
Perched on the window ledge, watching the cool streams cascading from the fountain, brought a small joy in the midst of daily life.
“Lord Banteon, preparations are complete.”
When he turned his head, Delroz was already standing there, having followed behind the attendant unnoticed. He was dressed in clothing starkly different from the loungewear he usually wore around the mansion.
A dark suit hugged his firm waist tightly. The top button of his shirt was undone, revealing a glimpse of his neckline and collarbones through the parted fabric—as if intentionally styled. It suited Delroz’s atmosphere perfectly.
“You look good.”
Even when Banteon rarely gave compliments, Delroz simply stared at him in silence. Caught in that entranced gaze, Banteon chuckled and waved his hand.
Delroz’s eyes followed the motion, and then his lips parted slightly.
“You, more so.”
In contrast to Delroz, Banteon had buttoned his collar neatly up to the top and adorned his neck with golden embroidery. He wore a dazzling white formal suit that gleamed beneath the lights—as if it would blind the eyes. The outfit not only complemented his striking features but also gracefully concealed the slight weight loss from his recent illness.
Delroz, who often found himself unable to look away from Banteon even on an ordinary day, now stared openly and unblinkingly at the sight of him dressed up again after such a long time.
“Just looking at you never gets old.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
Banteon had heard all sorts of flowery praise before—beautiful, enchanting, breathtaking—but that single, matter-of-fact statement struck him more than any other.
“So where exactly are we going, all dressed up like this?”
“The Genetic Engineering Preservation Facility.”
“What kind of place is that? More important than a banquet?”
“Far more important.”
He didn’t need to dress up extravagantly for some party to shine—there were always more than enough people ready to admire and praise him as he was. But the place they were heading to now would become a long-lasting record for both of them. So more care than usual was warranted.
Delroz, unaware of the exact reason behind his ornate attire, lowered his head and leaned against Banteon’s shoulder.
“Do we really have to go? I want to stay like this, just the two of us. I don’t want anyone else to see you.”
At Delroz’s offhand comment, the tailor adjusting their clothes nearby briefly glanced over. To say something that would make anyone’s face flush without batting an eye… perhaps it was simply innate.
“It won’t take that long.”
Today was more of a preliminary visit. They planned to take some photos, draft the contract, set the schedule for what’s ahead, and return.
“Now that’s what I like to hear.”
Delroz grinned and brushed back his styled bangs.
Banteon, in truth, couldn’t agree more with what Delroz had said earlier.
It had been a while—or perhaps it was the first time—Delroz had ever worn formal attire like this, and he looked too mesmerizing to show off to others.
From his radiant face to the gleaming shoes, every detail was perfect like a marble statue.
Banteon silently shortened their already minimal plans even further in his head as he stood up.
***
“We’ve been expecting you.”
They arrived at a clearing about an hour outside the capital. In the middle of the otherwise empty space stood a massive facility bearing the Center’s logo.
Delroz looked around the unfamiliar building, trying to guess its purpose.
“I was so worried when I heard about your poor health. Seeing you here now, it’s a relief—you seem to be doing better.”
“My condition still isn’t fully recovered, but I applied in advance to get an early check-up.”
“Check-up?”
Delroz, who had been quiet until then, stepped forward with a questioning tone.
The administrator, who had been bowing obsequiously before Banteon’s imposing presence, quickly took a step back.
“It’s nothing serious. We just want to examine his current health in advance and determine whether the procedure can go ahead.”
“Procedure? What kind of—”
“Let’s discuss this inside.”
Banteon cut off the conversation and strode past them confidently, as if he owned the place.
The administrator quickly followed beside him, offering explanations.
“As you may know, this facility represents the pinnacle of the Center’s scientific advancements. With the support of the previous Esrante family head, it’s now truly the best of its kind. We’re honored to be of service to his son.”
“I see.”
“We’ve cleared the schedule so the procedure can be performed whenever Lord Banteon wishes. You only need to set a date.”
“Can we take the photos today in advance?”
“Of course.”
Today’s visit was mainly to take the official photos that would be archived in the facility’s records.
As they approached a room that appeared to be the photography studio, several staff members were already waiting.
They split up quickly, dividing between Banteon and Delroz in a well-practiced manner. While being prepped, their clothes and hair were re-tidied.
“You’re both so handsome. We’re really looking forward to the photos.”
“The baby that’s going to be born is incredibly lucky.”
“Baby…?”
Delroz’s head whipped sharply to the side.
His sudden turn to stare directly at Banteon startled the stylist touching up his hair into a short scream.
“What the hell are they talking about?”
“Why are you so surprised? I told you we were coming here.”
“You didn’t say it was this kind of place.”
The Genetic Engineering Preservation Facility was a place designed to assist same-sex partners in having children.
It was a standard part of the Center’s basic education curriculum, so Banteon had assumed Delroz would naturally be aware of it. But seeing the way Delroz furrowed his brow, Banteon pressed a hand to his forehead. He had momentarily forgotten just how inattentive Delroz had been as a student during his time at the Center.
“This is a place we’ll have to come to eventually. It’s better to get the tests done early.”
“Why didn’t you discuss having a child with me first?”
“Because I’m the one who’ll be carrying the child. You just need to stay by my side.”
“What if I say no?”
The sharp tone was completely unexpected.
“I’ve never even considered having a child—and you carrying it? That’s the most horrifying thing I’ve heard in a while.”
“What are you talking about?”
No children? Banteon could hardly believe his ears. This wasn’t a commoner—it was Delroz, from Esrante, a noble house unrivaled in its prestige. The idea of not leaving behind an heir was something he’d never even imagined.
And it wasn’t just Banteon who was shocked. The attendants nearby and even the administrator who had been smiling so brightly moments ago all froze in place.
“Wh-what do you mean by that…?”
“I heard male pregnancy puts a strain on the body.”
“I’m not saying I’ll give birth right now. We’re just starting the evaluations—after treatment ends, we’ll consider it.”
“It’s not even worth considering.”
Delroz had no intention of accepting even the slightest risk.
“If you’re worried about your family line, then take one of your brother’s kids. Or if you want me to have the child, fine—I will. But not you. I absolutely won’t let you put your body through that.”
“Delroz…”
Banteon didn’t plan to have a child immediately. He knew better than anyone that now wasn’t the right time. But once things had stabilized—once their hearts had fully settled—he had intended to someday have a child. It was the natural path for a noble.
“E-either the Esper or the Guide can undergo the procedure, but… there are no recorded cases involving an SS-Rank Esper, so…”
The technology of artificial insemination and childbirth was one of the most advanced fields in modern science. It was directly tied to the noble families with great influence, and as such, there were countless case studies and precedents.
But among all those records, not one involved an SS-Rank Esper.
They didn’t know what dosage of medication to use, what kind of side effects might appear—there were too many variables to count on one hand.
And that wasn’t the only issue. Knowing what Delroz really was meant it could be a biologically impossible procedure from the start.
To choose between giving up on having a child or having Delroz carry it—those were options Banteon had never even entertained.
“Plenty of people do this.”
“Yeah. Like your mother, who died doing it.”
“That… was different.”
He had heard that his mother was already in poor health before marriage. She hadn’t received proper treatment like Banteon had, and having two children had pushed her body past its limits.
“It’s no different. Not to me. I’ve heard the surgery to implant an artificial womb places a heavy burden on the abdomen.”
It was surprising that Delroz remembered such details, especially given how little attention he paid during Center education. Banteon opened his mouth to argue against this rejection of their future—but Delroz beat him to it.
“I know how much your family means to you. So many people are already gone. And now, your brother too is set to leave. So of course you’d want to be the one to carry on the line.”
“It’s not about sacrifice.”
“No. It is a sacrifice. Just look at your body.”
Delroz grabbed Banteon’s arm. Even with a light tug, Banteon’s whole body swayed.
Delroz led him to the glass wall along the corridor.
Reflected in it was a face as pale as the white suit he wore.
Delroz wasn’t wrong. Compared to before—when Banteon had never once fallen ill—his stamina and strength had deteriorated beyond belief.
Still, Banteon had always been robust by nature. If he continued his treatment diligently, he would surely recover with time.
Yes, childbirth would inevitably damage the body, but that was a hardship any same-sex couple choosing this path would face.
“I won’t compromise when it comes to your health. Even if you end up resenting me, I won’t back down on this.”
Delroz’s reflection in the glass twisted in pain.
His large, warm hand gently touched Banteon’s cheek, warming the skin chilled by the evening breeze—then slowly fell away.
NOOOOOOO! Give me babies!!!