# Chapter 20
Of course, Asher knew how contradictory these words would sound considering the past Asher’s conduct. Nevertheless, he unhesitatingly expressed the thoughts he had been pondering over.
In the quiet that settled, only the sound of wheels rolling filled the carriage. He wished Luke would say something, but he didn’t know if his lips would part. Growing anxious, Asher silently fidgeted with his fingertips.
“Did I say anything? Your emotions are completely visible on your face.”
“…”
“That’s why you’re… easier to understand.”
Asher’s eyes softened slightly. It seemed that both before and after his possession, he still couldn’t hide his emotions in his expressions.
“That’s a relief then… It means you know that my feelings for Your Grace are not false.”
Asher turned his head from looking forward to gaze at Luke. Luke’s red eyes beneath his eyelids were taking him in. Asher smiled brightly with what might be the most beautiful smile in the world.
“That’s all I need. Truly…”
At Asher’s gaze that seemed to expect nothing, Luke’s expression changed in an instant. It looked somewhat empty and incredulous.
“Are you confident those feelings won’t change?”
“I would be fine even if Your Grace became engaged to someone other than me. If that’s the path that makes Your Grace happy.”
“…Why is that?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking why you would be fine with me getting engaged to someone else.”
Thinking the atmosphere had improved somewhat, Asher merely blinked silently at the changed flow of air.
“Asher.”
Following his lowered mood, a low voice escaped from his lips. With an inexplicable uneasiness, Asher slightly backed away and awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth.
“I don’t understand why Your Grace is upset. From the beginning, our meeting was arranged by our families… Someone better could come along later.”
The future was already determined anyway. There was no guarantee that Braden wouldn’t appear even if he twisted the original plot. He was certain he would be rejected by the ducal family that valued bloodlines. Thinking there was no need to stress about it now, he spoke those words, but Luke’s expression hardened.
“I didn’t know you would say such things directly to the person involved. To someone you’re about to be engaged to.”
“…Engaged?”
At the word “engaged,” Asher’s head tilted slightly. According to the original plot, the engagement discussion was only supposed to happen after Braden’s return. But why was the topic of engagement coming up at this point? With the progression accelerating compared to the original work, Asher fell into thought with a puzzled expression.
After Braden’s appearance, the Duke proceeded with the engagement to the Duke of Blake. The Emperor had no reason to oppose their engagement under the trait of dominance, and the two quickly became engaged. But there was something else to note here. Surprisingly, the one who had been delaying the engagement until then was the Duke. It made him wonder if perhaps the Duke had been suspecting that Asher wasn’t his real child.
“Why that expression? As if you didn’t know you would be engaged to me.”
Seeing Luke accepting it so gladly, Asher couldn’t hide his bewilderment. So he swallowed his words for a moment and slowly parted his lips.
“Because our relationship isn’t deep enough yet to discuss engagement…”
“Not deep enough… Then what kind of relationship would you consider deep?”
“Pardon?”
Though the question must have been asked with pure intent, it sounded strangely suggestive. At Luke’s blunt question, Asher’s face turned bright red.
“W-well…”
At the sight of Asher stammering, he smiled lightly. With a hint of languidness in his eyes, he said to Asher:
“If that’s your concern, then there’s no problem if we become a deeper relationship.”
“What?!”
Luke’s hand touched the tip of Asher’s reddened ear. Though his body heat couldn’t be felt through the glove, somehow his ear felt hot as if it had been scalded.
“Y-Your Grace?”
“Do you remember? I said I would increase skinship by one each time we meet outdoors.”
He whispered softly in a voice as small as a sigh. With each whisper, his gentle breath touched Asher’s cheek and then fell away. At the fluffy sensation that was almost ticklish, Asher felt strength entering his toes.
“C-could you… move away a little?”
His heart was beating erratically. His mind had long been bleached white, and his breathing had been quickened for some time. Unaware of these feelings, Luke lightly tapped Asher’s earlobe with the tip of his finger.
“I noticed you haven’t been wearing earrings for some time.”
“…Th-that’s… ah…!”
Whether that spot was an erogenous zone or whether it was due to his touch, Asher felt goosebumps rising on his skin. Unable to endure any longer, he grabbed Luke’s arm and exhaled a rapid breath.
“P-please stop.”
A heated breath flowed from Asher’s lips as he looked up pleadingly. Despite only touching his earlobe, seeing Asher respond so sensitively, Luke’s red eyes momentarily burned hot. But soon, hiding that trace, his eyes curved gently.
“Your ears are quite pretty.”
“…Y-Your Grace.”
Looking at Asher, who couldn’t even make eye contact out of embarrassment, Luke smiled faintly. With a slight smile that Asher couldn’t see, he murmured softly like someone whispering a secret.
“There’s something I want to tell you.”
“…”
“When I consider someone as my own, I trust them until the end. Even if it’s an unreasonable condition.”
“…”
“So you should remember this. That you are included in that word.”
Asher recalled how a few days ago, he had referred to him as “my omega.” While that made him feel good in one way, it also felt chilling in another. It was a feeling where possessiveness was heavily implied. Somehow, those mixed sensations made him feel as if they were binding him. Luke stared intently at Asher and then gently curved his lips.
“I told you, didn’t I? That your emotions tend to show on your face.”
“…Ah.”
“It would be better not to stimulate the emotions inside me. I may be smiling now, but who knows when I might change?”
“But you won’t do that.”
“…”
“Because Your Grace is different from those alphas.”
Asher released his arm and smiled brightly. His gaze was as straight as could be. Luke smiled lightly and pulled something from his inner pocket.
“…What is this?”
“A gift.”
Asher’s eyes widened at the unexpected gift box. It wasn’t his birthday, nor was there any special occasion. Asher, quite surprised, stared blankly at the small box for a moment before carefully picking it up.
“It’s a return gift for the handkerchief.”
“I didn’t give it expecting something in return…”
Asher trailed off and bit his lip. The small pink box was beautifully tied with a cute yellow ribbon. Asher slowly untied the knot and opened the box.
On a soft cotton cushion lay a red earring. The small, dainty ruby somehow resembled his eyes greatly.
“It’s so beautiful…”
Asher’s lips wouldn’t close after the small exclamation of admiration. Receiving his first gift from Luke, Asher felt his heart swell.
“Thank you so much.”
Asher picked up the earring and held it to his ear. But perhaps because it was his first time putting it on, it didn’t go in easily. As he struggled, Luke grasped the earring in Asher’s hand and said:
“Let me help you.”
“It’s fine…”
Luke leaned forward and fastened the earring to Asher’s ear. The distance was so close that Asher held his breath for a long time, faintly detecting his scent.
“It’s done.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Asher exhaled the breath he had been holding. If there had been a mirror, it would have been nice, but unable to see how he looked, Asher touched the tip of his ear with a face full of regret.
“It suits you well, just as I thought.”
His pulse quickened at Luke’s compliment, which was almost ticklishly sweet. Blushing like a shy flower from the warmth enveloping his body temperature, Asher smiled brightly.
*
Pisolt, the capital representing the Empire. Asher and Luke alighted there. Along with lively music, there were crowds of people watching circus performances everywhere, and lines of people using street vendors. Asher smiled freshly at the festive scene where laughter never ceased.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes. Very much.”
It was the first festival he had experienced since his possession. Naturally, Asher couldn’t help but feel good, looking around with eyes full of curiosity. The empire’s representative flag was hung largely on top of the cathedral said to be the largest in Pisolt. Imperial family members were also expected to attend the opening ceremony to be held for praying for the empire’s safety. Because of this, imperial knights were standing in formation one by one.
“Aren’t you going, Your Grace?”
Asher asked, looking toward the cathedral. Luke placed his hand on Asher’s shoulder, bent down, and whispered in his ear.
“You come first for me.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
