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Chapter 6
Caron strode across the drawing room. Ash, the Chevinel family’s butler, hurried after him in flustered steps.
“Young Master, perhaps you should greet the Duchess first—”
“Be quiet, Ash. Who knows when Mother will return from her party? Where is Father?”
He skipped the drawing room and went straight into the study, but his father wasn’t there either. The four-story mansion was absurdly large. Caron went back downstairs.
“Oh, my son.”
Right on cue, Duke Chevinel was entering through the front doors.
Caron descended the steps at once. Kanes Chevinel smiled gracefully, the corners of his wrinkled eyes curving as he pulled Caron into a light embrace.
“I heard you greeted His Majesty first at the palace? Once your duties were done, you should have come to see your parents.”
“I only just arrived in the capital.”
Kanes patted his shoulder proudly. Caron pulled back and asked directly,
“What’s this about marriage?”
“You’ve already heard? I meant to tell you over dinner with Mune. Rumors travel fast.”
Kanes waved a hand casually and began walking, handing his cane and hat to the butler. Caron followed with a frown.
“Where did this marriage talk suddenly come from? You were the one who let me roam freely and told me to live as I pleased.”
“Roam freely? Your mother and I have always put you first. It’s about time you found a partner.”
“I just graduated from the academy. Father, explain properly. What marriage?”
Kanes glanced at his son as they climbed the stairs.
“You ignore me when I lecture you, but now you rush home at the word ‘marriage’?”
“Because it makes no sense. I’m barely getting started in life.”
They entered Kanes’s private sitting room. The Duke signaled for the door to be closed.
“Prince Razphel recommended a match.”
“…What?”
Prince Razphel.
The Empire’s First Prince. Caron’s superior. The man who had led the knights to victory in the southern front.
And Caron’s closest friend.
Though politically complicated.
Kanes clicked his tongue.
“His Highness said your reputation as a rake has reached its peak. Before the Empire’s Omegas lose their senses chasing you, it’s best to settle the matter with a marriage.”
Caron laughed in disbelief.
“How thoughtful of His Highness to worry about the future of the Empire’s nobility.”
They had just survived war together, and this was the gift he gave him? Marriage?
Caron hated the very idea. The thought of being tied down made his skin itch.
He had barely escaped the hell of the academy. He had planned to enjoy life. Instead, he was dragged into war. Now, suddenly—marriage.
And it was recommended personally by his closest friend.
“I’m going to see Prince Razphel.”
“Aren’t you even curious about the match? Caron!”
But Caron had already left.
He needed to look his friend in the eye and ask what madness had possessed him.
Marriage?
If anyone should do that, it’s you, Your Highness.
***
Yuric cut the tip of his cigar and lit it. The scent of dried almonds rose bitter and smooth as he inhaled.
He sat by a wide window, frowning.
Inside the mansion, chandeliers glittered. Nobles dressed in jewels and fine gowns filled the hall.
After finishing work at the palace, Yuric had arrived late to the evening party hosted by Countess Lusterien.
Many nobles had gathered. Likely because it was the final party before the grand victory banquet scheduled a week later.
The victory banquet, celebrating the First Prince and his knights, was being prepared in haste. It would be the highlight of the social season.
Every prominent noble was searching urgently for a partner before the banquet, and so they had flocked to Count Lusterien’s estate.
Yuric tapped ash into the tray.
“…Sigh.”
He couldn’t avoid attending. His family had long-standing ties with the Lusteriens.
And of course, he had to attend the victory banquet. Which meant finding a partner.
But his thoughts were consumed by debt.
It was difficult to mingle and laugh as though nothing was wrong.
Yet if he withdrew from society now, rumors might spread.
Especially since Countess Lusterien was sharp. One look at his face, and she would sense something amiss.
He inhaled again.
“Sir Yuric. Why are you brooding alone?”
Yuric narrowed his eyes slightly.
A sweet scent cut through the cigar smoke.
An Omega.
He turned.
A beautiful man with gently curved eyes smiled at him.
Yuric calmly flicked ash from his cigar.
“It’s been a while, Sir Leslie.”
Leslie Ardemond smiled, dressed in an ivory suit with a red adornment pinned at the chest.
The second son of a baron. An Omega known in society for his lively nature.
He was rumored to have a fiery temperament.
Yuric felt faint irritation at the pheromones he was releasing so openly.
This was blatant seduction.
It was uncomfortable.
“The night air is lovely. The scent of grass is refreshing. You truly enjoy refined solitude, Sir Yuric.”
Leslie seated himself across from him.
Yuric smiled faintly but said nothing.
The intent in Leslie’s gaze was unmistakable.
“Do you have something to say?” Yuric asked.
“Everyone is busy finding partners for the victory banquet. You seem so at ease. Have you chosen yours?”
“I’ve been too busy at the office.”
“I see.”
Leslie’s lips curved.
His eyes gleamed like a hunter spotting prey.
Yuric suppressed a sigh.
He didn’t want to encourage this, but he couldn’t be openly rude either.
“I heard you attended the academy?” Leslie asked.
“Yes.”
“My friend Tessi just graduated as well. When I mentioned your name, he was amazed. You were quite renowned there, weren’t you?”
Yuric regarded him quietly and took another slow draw of his cigar.
Leslie’s scent was sweet—too sweet. Almost artificial.
House Windsor was one of the Empire’s most respected noble families.
Meritorious lineage. Wealth passed down generations. Vast lands.
But that alone wasn’t enough to dominate society.
Their silver-blond hair and winter-sea blue eyes had long elevated their reputation.
The Windsors were known for their refined beauty—like carved glass.
And Yuric was the perfect embodiment of the Northern noble.
An Alpha.
Alongside Caron Chevinel, he was one of the most sought-after bachelors in the Empire.
Yuric knew his value very well.
He knew exactly why Leslie was releasing pheromones.
But—
If people learned the Windsor family was drowning in debt, everything would collapse.
Wealth and honor often walked hand in hand.
Lose one, and society would tear you apart.
House Windsor could not afford to lose either.
Not after generations had preserved it.
Even if his parents and sibling had already destroyed half of it.
