Chapter 7
With the sound of trumpets, the competitors mounted their horses and gathered one by one in the center. Asher couldn’t hide his excitement at seeing Luke among them.
“Then let the competition begin.”
As soon as the Crown Prince’s words fell, a gunshot announcing the start of the game rang out. As if they had been waiting, the competitors quickly galloped toward the western forest and disappeared from view. Asher clasped his hands together under the table, praying that Luke would return safely without injury.
“Well, shall we play a game of chess while we wait?”
“Your Highness, how about playing a game of chess with me?”
At Roxina’s words, Shaki intervened in the conversation, noticing Asher’s discomfort. Roxina responded with an eye smile, indicating she wasn’t displeased by Shaki’s natural interjection.
“Good. But since a game is a game, how about making a small wager?”
“What kind of wager do you mean?”
“If I win, please allow me to tour the Anest trading company. Conversely, if I lose, I’ll grant one wish of yours, Baron. Of course, within reasonable limits.”
Roxina raised her red lips with a face full of confidence.
“Are you sure? I’m quite skilled at chess myself.”
“We’ll have to see who’s better, won’t we? Let’s begin then.”
At Shaki’s provocation, Roxina countered as if unwilling to lose and signaled to her lady-in-waiting. The maid quickly unfolded the chess set she was holding and stepped back slightly.
So began an implicit match between the two, and as Asher quietly observed, he stood up from his seat.
“Where are you going?”
As if he had been waiting for Asher to stand, Nerfa followed and addressed him. Surprised by Nerfa’s unexpected appearance, Asher bowed his head respectfully.
“There’s still plenty of time before the hunt ends. Are you going back home?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“I just… felt a bit stuffy and came out for some fresh air.”
Though unsure why Nerfa was curious about his destination, Asher felt uncomfortable being with him. He kept wanting to avoid the situation, but Nerfa wouldn’t give him the opportunity.
“In that case, I’ll join you. I was also feeling stuffy just now.”
“…”
“What? Don’t you like that?”
“…N-no, that’s not it.”
Despite his words, emotions were clearly visible on Asher’s face. Seeing this, Nerfa gave a hollow laugh and walked ahead, strolling around the surroundings.
“I heard you lost your memory due to an accident.”
“…Yes.”
“That certainly doesn’t seem to be a lie. Seeing how drastically your personality has changed.”
At Nerfa’s words, Asher smiled awkwardly and followed behind him. Then, as Nerfa’s steps halted, so did Asher’s.
“I despise arrogant people the most. I also hate those who talk too much.”
“…”
“So it would be better for you to live quietly without showing off, as you are now. Even though I dislike Luke, he’s still my brother with the same blood flowing through him.”
In an instant, he released his pheromones. Asher’s entire body trembled as if facing terror from the pheromones released as a warning.
“Even if your memory returns, you should never forget this sensation. I’m not even fully releasing my pheromones right now.”
Experiencing an alpha’s pheromones for the first time, Asher felt his vision darkening. As if someone was pressing down on his lungs, his breath became stifled, and he felt dizzy enough that it wouldn’t be strange if he collapsed right there. Asher’s face turned pale at the warning, and his lips trembled.
“They said you were a heat-based omega, but to tremble this much at just this… Tsk. I wonder how you managed to act so recklessly until now.”
“Hng…”
“If it were me, I would have prevented you from climbing up, regardless of whether you’re the son of a Duke.”
Unable to bear the continuous pain and injustice, Asher’s eyes welled up with tears. He thought it unfortunate to be possessed in such a role and subjected to this treatment, but thinking of his connection with Luke that resulted from it, he slowly nodded.
“I… I won’t… hng.”
Asher forced down his groans as he answered. Only then did Nerfa gather his pheromones, as if having received the answer he wanted.
“I don’t trust your family. Though we’re maintaining a relationship out of necessity now, I know your family will turn their backs on us someday. That’s why I don’t want your family to be connected with Luke.”
“…”
“So live quietly until then. Asher Anest.”
Nerfa lightly patted Asher’s shoulder with a sinister smile, as if feeling satisfied. Simultaneously, Nerfa’s emotions flowed into Asher, causing him to stagger.
Among the many emotions, a particularly strong killing intent stood out. He wanted to kill Asher more than he hated him. Though unsure of the reason, Asher exhaled his held breath as he watched Nerfa gradually move away.
“Haa… huk.”
As soon as he exhaled his rough breath, Toms, who had been waiting from a distance, came running.
“Where are you feeling unwell, young master?”
Toms was a beta. Naturally, he couldn’t sense Nerfa’s pheromones and didn’t understand why Asher was in such pain. But Asher faintly smiled as if everything was fine and then collapsed on the spot.
“Just a moment… let me stay like this for a moment.”
“Young master.”
“I guess my legs gave out because I was tense.”
Though that wasn’t the case, Asher took a deep breath, burying his face between his knees.
For some reason, he felt like crying from the sadness. He thought he had been enduring well until now, but it seemed that wasn’t the case. Asher remained there for a while, as if being comforted by the wind.
“Asher.”
While focusing on the sound of the wind to compose himself, Asher felt someone stroking his head. Then, sensing the subtle scent of roses, he realized it was Shaki.
“…Hyung.”
Composing his expression, Asher lifted his head. With innocence in his eyes, he smiled with a “heh,” causing Shaki’s gaze to deepen.
“…Why are you like this?”
“Just because. The weather is nice, but other places are crowded… I wanted to be somewhere quiet… But what about you? You were playing chess.”
“Yes, I was.”
“So why?”
“I asked for a brief understanding when I noticed you were gone. I told you, didn’t I? It’s dangerous here with so many alphas around.”
The fact that someone came looking for him out of concern was so comforting that Asher smiled like a fool.
“What’s so funny? Do you know how worried I was?”
“With Hyung being so reliable, who would dare bother me?”
“You sure have a way with words.”
Shaki laughed along, seemingly relieved at Asher’s brightened demeanor.
“Can you stand? Your legs seem weak. Should I carry you?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Then at least hold my hand.”
Using Shaki’s extended hand as support, Asher stood up. Simultaneously, Shaki tightly grasped Asher’s hand and asked.
“Who is it? This unpleasant pheromone.”
“…Huh?”
“I’m asking who poured such emotions onto you.”
Asher couldn’t bring himself to speak. If he mentioned it was Crown Prince Nerfa, Shaki would likely chase after him immediately.
“I-I don’t know?”
“Don’t stutter.”
“Really… Maybe it’s because I’m a heat-based omega? I really don’t know…?”
Shaki narrowed his brows as Asher continued to feign ignorance. Then, after running his hand through his own hair, he tousled Asher’s.
“I won’t ask further since you seem troubled, but don’t forget: you’re a precious person of the Anest family.”
“…”
“So from now on, don’t just take it, fight back. Our family isn’t too weak to protect you.”
“Okay, I will, Hyung.”
Asher smiled brightly in response.
*
Upon returning to his seat, Asher observed the chess match between Shaki and Roxina. Then, spotting Luke, who was the first to finish the hunt, he couldn’t hide his delight.
“Your Highness…”
In Luke’s hand was the head of a massive monster. Roxina raised the corner of her mouth with an intrigued look, seeing Luke standing covered in sticky green blood.
“How unfortunate, it seems I’ve won this time? Isn’t that right, Nerfa?”
Despite Roxina’s provocative words, Nerfa’s expression remained unchanged. He simply looked at Luke once and then replied indifferently.
“…The Grand Duke of the Empire would have to retire if he couldn’t manage this much.”
“Is that so? For such words, you don’t look pleased. Anyway, a bet is a bet, so I’ll be counting on you.”
Roxina smiled cheerfully and gave Nerfa an eye smile. But that smile didn’t last long. The atmosphere grew heavy with Shaki’s voice from behind.
“Checkmate.”
“…”
“Unfortunately, it seems I’ve won this bet, Princess.”
At Shaki’s exclamation, taking advantage of a moment of carelessness, Roxina’s expression was half-dazed. Then, laughing out loud, she covered her mouth with the fan she was holding.
“I let my guard down. In a game, one shouldn’t take their eyes off even for a moment.”
Roxina narrowed her eyes regretfully and shifted her gaze. But soon, she put away her fan and gave a soft smile.
“Alright. A bet is a bet. Feel free to come to me whenever you have a wish. However, I’d like to play chess again then. In a quiet place without distractions.”
“That sounds good.”
“You’ll need to prepare thoroughly then. I won’t let my guard down like this time.”
Roxina’s eyes flashed fiercely, as if determined to win the tour rights to the Anest trading company. Asher quietly observed them and then headed toward the tent where Luke had disappeared.
Entering the tent, he saw Luke sitting in a chair. Perhaps because he had just returned from the hunt, Luke’s expression appeared stiff, unlike earlier.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
