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Chapter 28
My father was surprised by my suggestion, but he was also very pleased. Thanks to his enthusiastic support, I was able to step forward and take charge of the crystal glass industry.
First, we decided to open a crystal glass showroom under the name of Winyates. We purchased a small mansion in the center of the imperial capital, installed a dazzling crystal chandelier on the ceiling, and decorated the interior with various crafted pieces, creating a modern-style showroom.
Anyone could visit the showroom by reservation and take their time looking around. If they wrote down the items they wanted on an order form, the products would be delivered directly from Susan’s workshop.
Perhaps because word about the crystal chandeliers had already spread among the high-ranking nobles, the showroom was fully booked for several months almost instantly. Even after hiring dozens of new workers and greatly expanding the workshop, we still couldn’t keep up with the flood of orders. Susan looked completely absorbed in her work day and night, but every time I saw her, she was full of energy.
“Young master, thanks to you, I recently bought my first home.”
“It’s not thanks to me. You bought it with the royalties from the crystal products you invented, didn’t you?”
“I would never have even imagined glass crafting if it weren’t for you. And you’ve been so generous with the royalties…”
I had only given her hints for products she was destined to come up with anyway. The royalties rightfully belonged to her, so there was nothing for her to thank me for. I shook my head.
“No. More importantly, we’re about to open a second crystal showroom.”
“Oh my, already?”
“The reservations for the first showroom are too backed up. Once we open the second, orders will increase even more, so we’ll need to hire additional staff and expand the workshop again. If you need anything, contact the count’s estate anytime. And…”
I hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly showed Susan an apologetic expression.
“I heard our Calisto kept coming by and causing trouble. He must have gotten in the way while you were busy. I’m sorry.”
“What? Oh, no, not at all. Lord Calisto was so adorable—everyone loved him.”
Susan waved her hands and laughed. It was true that Calisto was adorable… just looking at him was a delight. Still, having a child wandering around a dangerous workshop must have been nerve-wracking for her.
I had heard that whenever hazardous processes were involved, Susan handled them herself, and even when Calisto tried doing some crafting, she stayed by his side the entire time. Fortunately, this was before the showroom opened, when her workshop was still relatively quiet. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I added:
“He’s still very young, so he doesn’t know much. Thank you for understanding.”
“Oh my. Young master, you’re still young yourself—… I mean, thank you.”
Susan looked like she was holding back laughter.
I shrugged and took another look around the workshop. It seemed like it would need to be at least three times larger to handle the demand for the second showroom. After saying goodbye to Susan, I got into the carriage.
If I didn’t return before Calisto’s riding lesson ended, the child would surely pout again. I urged the coachman to hurry back to the estate.
When I arrived at the count’s estate, I noticed a luxurious carriage parked in front of the mansion.
I wondered if a guest had arrived, but without even checking the insignia, I hurried inside. It was already past the time when Calisto would have finished his riding lesson, and I was anxious.
However, Calisto—who should have run out to greet me and cling to my waist—was nowhere to be seen. Not only that, but the entire mansion was eerily silent. I had a bad feeling.
“You’ve returned, young master.”
Cliff greeted me politely, but his face was pale. I frowned and asked:
“What’s going on, Cliff? Where’s Calisto?”
“The young master is in his room. But more importantly—”
“Is Father in his study? I’ll greet him first, then go to Calisto.”
“It would be better to greet him later. Please, go to your room first—”
Just as Cliff tried to stop me with an uneasy expression, a languid, relaxed voice came from behind me.
“Lord Winyates? I thought you’d leave without seeing me, but here we are.”
“….”
My expression stiffened as I slowly turned around. Standing beside my grim-faced father was a blond boy I had never seen before.
He was tall and slender, appearing three or four years older than me. His features were striking and radiant, but the smile on his lips felt unsettling. His piercing blue eyes gleamed sharply as he looked at me.
Seeing the splendid crown prince’s attire he wore, I immediately recognized his identity. He was Loen Green, the First Prince—and Calisto’s half-brother.
I bent one knee and bowed.
“…Etienne of House Winyates greets Your Highness.”
“Haha. Rise, Etienne. We’ll be seeing each other often, so there’s no need to be so formal.”
Seeing each other often? Why would I have anything to do with the First Prince?
As I looked at him in confusion, Loen smiled brightly and continued:
“You’re just as beautiful as I’ve heard. My uncle couldn’t stop praising you. Especially your eye color—it’s truly lovely. You’d look perfect wearing a platinum crown adorned with violet diamonds.”
“…A crown?”
That sounded like something I shouldn’t be hearing. A chill ran down my spine. My father, his face darkening, cut in:
“Nothing has been decided yet, Your Highness. As I told Duke Harrington, Etienne has been diagnosed as likely to manifest as an alpha. Wouldn’t the First Prince’s consort need to be an omega?”
‘Was that serious?’
When Harrington mentioned making me the First Prince’s consort before, I hadn’t taken it seriously. But now Loen himself had appeared and brought it up. Just thinking about it gave me chills.
In the original story, First Prince Loen is sent to the guillotine by Calisto and beheaded. Becoming his consort was essentially a fast track to a gruesome death. But beyond that fate, Loen himself had a fatal flaw as a marriage partner.
He didn’t appear much in the original, only showing up later after Etienne’s death, but those few appearances were enough to reveal his character.
From his striking looks to his cruel and terrifying personality, he was the spitting image of the Empress. There were also hints scattered throughout the story that palace maids had been abused by him—mentally and even sexually. The author clearly didn’t hold back in those aspects. I really should have stopped reading back then…
But Loen merely shrugged at my father’s words.
“Couldn’t the diagnosis be wrong? He looks far more likely to manifest as an omega. Where would you find such a beautiful alpha?”
“Your Highness—”
“In any case, since he hasn’t manifested yet, there are other options. We can use an omega manifestation stimulant. I heard he just turned thirteen, so if we don’t hurry, he might manifest naturally. I’ll speak to my father soon and get permission to send the stimulant, so don’t worry.”
“…Your Highness, using a stimulant before manifestation to forcibly alter one’s trait puts a great strain on the body.”
“Oh? Count, you’re not thinking of refusing a marriage personally arranged by the Empress, are you? Are you planning to force her to issue a formal betrothal decree?”
“….”
The atmosphere grew heavy in an instant. Only Loen looked amused.
I was familiar with omega manifestation stimulants—they appeared in the original story.
The current version only worked on those who hadn’t manifested yet, but years later, an improved version was created that could affect even those who had already manifested, particularly betas or recessives. However, its effectiveness was weaker, and there were cases where the transformation failed or reverted after a few years.
In the original story, Lawrence—who was a beta—used this drug to become an omega in order to marry Calisto. Misunderstanding Lawrence’s feelings, Calisto drove everything into tragedy.
‘I didn’t know it put that much strain on the body… To go through that just to marry Calisto—Lawrence is something else.’
In reality, Lawrence wasn’t as fragile and gentle as I had thought. The story was told from Calisto’s perspective, so it seemed that way, but clearly, there was more to it.
But I had no intention of using such a stimulant. I planned to live a long, healthy life with my natural trait, enjoy a wealthy retirement, and occasionally help take care of Calisto and Lawrence’s future children. And now they wanted me to become the consort of a twisted prince using a dangerous drug…?
“…It’s getting late, Your Highness. You should return to the palace soon.”
“Very well. Etienne, I’ll come see you again.”
“…Yes.”
As if I wanted that.
After Loen left, my father looked suffocated, but he tried to reassure me.
“No matter how strong the Empress’s influence is, they cannot force such a drug on the son of a count. I’ll go to the palace tomorrow and speak with His Majesty.”
“But… will His Majesty really stop Prince Loen? If the Empress and Duke Harrington push for it…”
“At the very least, we can buy time. You’ll manifest soon—if we can hold out until then, we’ll be fine.”
He spoke firmly, as if convincing himself.
After finishing my conversation with my father, I hurried to Calisto’s room, worried about him. The son of the man who killed his mother had come to the estate—he must have been terrified.
When I opened the bedroom door, Calisto, who had been curled up on the bed, jumped down and rushed toward me, clinging tightly to my waist. His cheeks were swollen, soaked with tears.
“Hyung… are you going to get married?”
Calisto cried out in a trembling voice.
