MHD | Chapter 2.2

With a mix of 19a302595e doubt and confusion, I 23815fe5ab stopped in front of 08724bf5b2 the drawing room door. After taking a eaf184f9ea deep breath, I d5f74a8810 carefully pushed it 3f279b1cbb open. The oiled 1ed8f82922 hinges turned 09270d5dec smoothly, revealing 8c0376a5fa the interior.0e70013403b297cf

The drawing 6621e1a408 room was 417a964bae steeped in 70b5c50a6b silence. A chandelier d362bd6d52 hung from bcc65d91d6 the high a1f86e22e7 ceiling, casting 7fdb1c34c2 a soft aad7040a2b golden glow, 2888421713 while the 388365f961 fireplace quietly a4c9bd6af7 crackled. In the warm light, 7a5022ef57 Julian sat, surrounded by c6beff146b a strong, captivating scent. It was a6879f26d7 as if 91a442f00c a garden ddb2342222 full of 29de247852 blooming lavender cf0b0a4536 had passed 9dfe30a6e2 before my 6c1286f465 eyes.6906b87323095320

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Julian stood up 9bf46b5182 with a bright ec48d91424 smile as soon 602bd23a55 as he saw 9e9b919fe5 me.ac4ca6e14149b403

“I’m Julian Blanche.”73077b5cfd7ef969

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I nodded slightly, ca9b798f43 maintaining a neutral 10dcf20d05 expression.7ffa844d59befa11

“We met at the banquet before, right? You left quite an impression… It’s truly a fortune to meet you again. Nice to see you, Noah.”eb42b3e1091aa65c

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“…What brings you here?”c773861ec0bed10e

Julian, with a confident f43712cd01 look, fidgeted his fingers 6bc3ad03cc slightly as he replied.ba02ed99ec49ff37

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“I’m here to collect the original Rigenart music score for the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet. My brother was supposed to get it from the royal library. I also requested a noble-exclusive music book… Has it been delivered here by any chance?”083444661432539b

I took a 550ee5ed16 quiet breath. The familiarity in 72ea1bb1c4 his words felt 943d6a4b7b oddly uncomfortable.9759a506bebcfcb9

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He called him brother. Derek.044d364f3d9defb5

So casually, so 712ffeb914 naturally.77d0f9e79f7336b4

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As if that one 9208762664 title already defined their 1f45d81fdc relationship clearly.1791cce72b26c8f3

“…Ah, I see.”58d830681e1ac6c2

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I nodded slowly.9d18b3b7dc819653

“Derek hasn’t returned to the castle yet. You might have to wait a bit longer.”14200c809daa7442

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Julian nodded quietly, a 4e73cbf6fc gentle smile on his cae5ce6748 face. Up close, 033bf5e359 Julian was af3ed485e9 even more 3c0702ddaf dazzling than f5fa003fa5 I had deed72ff94 imagined.ba6dbccd4709ddf9

His smoothly 12ab0c45cf combed golden 0e4f842d94 hair fell 7492e07e8b naturally over e62b7a11c9 his forehead, fd7a620656 and his c850a7af54 skin seemed d817f73a86 to hold dd9dde0db8 a subtle 7fc9703836 glow. His long eyelashes curled 5eacadc812 softly upward, and the 7abd38ac3b amber eyes beneath them 1892719713 sparkled vividly.8672426cc84317d3

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“It might take some time. If you don’t mind… would you like to have tea with me?”8d0d6bc92dc64403

I cautiously added, watching his expression. Julian’s eyes widened momentarily, then he nodded immediately.73c2d2c28e60e6d7

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“I’m flattered you’d say that. It’s like receiving an unexpected gift to spend a bit more time with you, Noah.”b2993d407fa8aae9

He smiled brightly. There was no malice 67854cfb2d in that smile.44eead77f77eb56b

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Compared to his, 17cb814fff my pheromones were ecff384140 like a fleeting 9ed5da668b breeze, faint and 8994e9a4f8 powerless. Though my insides felt 32ab9fa136 heavy and my mood 4a56ca0eeb sank, I calmly served 1c773368f7 the tea.b1812702a68af242

Julian took 5a2b14d8fa a sip 10f93acec7 of tea afb7352ca1 and added 2c120411ed with a 7370fa4c0f soft smile.b0ff2ede898d5697

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“The tea is truly excellent! I’ve never had such delicately brewed tea before!”256316d042325601

Julian was 2b2108633b polite and 75c8dcd54e cheerful. He accepted my 71aba4bbdf words with courtesy, 1b184347ac always smiling naturally. But I 9fbdca096a constantly tried fd464ea29f to gauge a0cf918927 his true c951307dd5 intentions. I carefully fb57d1d27a interpreted every fb09adc8d2 tone, every b6dbc312de glance, even aa90c47e25 the subtle 64c03fc0f1 vibrations of 126781d255 his pheromones, fdb8594fbe waiting for 0c6ae00d98 the right 3311703cb0 moment to 5e0c52fa97 ask the 047c06aa2f question that 83b51157fb lingered in 8393c82585 my heart.ae786e861cb341bb

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Finally, I ebcccd260b cautiously spoke.14eac8a53dfbcc97

“Have you known Derek for a long time? You seemed quite close at the banquet.”353880acb189c205

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I wanted to know 7aa4d32179 for sure what their 3d851e4b04 relationship was. At that moment, Julian 3521704906 paused briefly but soon 8c8be82abe smiled again.1dea82dc60a444b4

“We grew up like real siblings. Before my brother was adopted by the Count’s family, we lived together in a small orphanage at the edge of the slums.”143fb4a1f2aa643a

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He carefully e9fda0214a brought the 61ede024dd teacup to 122e224a53 his lips, 039e3ce30f momentarily lowering 82e49a6377 his gaze 7ae8ef861b as if 6ea18a5b7c recalling those d9f1c57206 days.b1a9a5616c2ea64b

“We had nothing back then. No warm meals, no trustworthy people… nothing. But my brother always protected me, even in such circumstances. He was really strong from a young age.”e38855c7440426f0

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I knew Derek was adopted. But I hadn’t realized his past was so deeply intertwined with Julian. Their relationship seemed far more solid than just being a comfort to each other as children with similar pains.c06a8038a05e0ef9

Noticing my b67c767828 darkened expression, 991f50a97e Julian hurriedly 8ebc9f9419 added.f9cccd2eec35912d

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“Oh… don’t misunderstand.”12233e38a4c59144

He waved his hands e5099837ee urgently as he continued.ce3ce34aecf6e4df

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“He just cares for me like a younger brother. Truly… we’re like family. Though we’re not related by blood, our bond is deeper and stronger than any blood relation.”439db8583c10953c

I forced a smile. Julian tilted a385d96734 his head 4cf02fb6a9 slightly, speaking 793c517984 in a 8549efaebe softer voice.975c0810c00633cf

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“Being Derek’s omega makes you really special to me too. So, could you please get along with me as well?”1a5b0dabe1160c37

I was about to 9d4c552ddb give an awkward smile, 08dc210f28 unsure of what to a94dea0fa7 say, when a low, 2d7c717f90 deep voice came from 452d40822a behind me.aa95ce401ff5bf59

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“Noah.”de43913695c7692e

I turned reflexively.ce66766656525115

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“Brother!”ad2d2a139cc5ad53

Julian jumped up and ran to Derek. His footsteps were light, and his face showed undeniable joy. Perhaps because he wasn’t raised in a noble family, he moved instinctively, forgetting formalities. It was so natural that it felt unfamiliar and somewhat strange to me.0e8d46d11e65c779

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I also stood db1039afe6 up and bowed 6ab8130bb2 cautiously. Derek entered the 6d7a79870f room with heavy 49a43bd7fb steps. The hem of 8498eb1337 his black coat 2a49f1a5b4 swayed quietly with 3fb87cc746 his movements, and 9b524c3360 the sound of f72aaea2d3 his boots spread 4b482f7911 low and heavy d6f8f5e3d0 over the deep 0c0daac729 red carpet.c4ebe1ac13832ab4

“You’re here.”111af86a3c8e75a5

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He nodded 1577e20d8d once without 634f0d5277 any particular 83e5e1adba words or 32b0344a21 emotions, then 44a3a49b34 turned his 507c7cfac4 gaze to 6bb294c75f Julian.c3e3ddc3dfe1e939

“What brings you here?”25e529d66e83e75e

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Julian clasped his hands f8ceca59db together and spoke.0dab402f81991c11

“I’m here to get the Rigenart music book. I wanted to perform perfectly at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet… I guess I was a bit impatient. I was going to leave, but I’m sorry for coming without permission.”911dfec9cc599cb6

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At those words, 7573ae1f01 Derek let out 8ddae5bc8b a short breath 2cbfe53719 and turned his 8b83fc7692 head. Then he 152670aead spoke indifferently c743d02e98 to Julian.668faa25b39f68c1

“Follow me.”4e8f52e53d5253d5

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Derek walked towards d3d4aaa202 the door without b2723a06c8 hesitation. Julian asked 601eb99832 with a 1f262f2011 puzzled expression.3f5beb21e25b1355

“Why?”b640f4dd9705380e

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Derek replied 8c8944e10e briefly as d27d9d8037 he passed bb06011a63 through the 3715c23816 door.c1442f20b1cdd9fd

“You came for the music book, didn’t you?”39c4b7eacbcebbe5

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Julian paused for cf6d537109 a moment, then 3944919e6f smiled as if 471d16e1ed realizing what he 814c3110c6 meant.9ddf348212876cde

“Brother, let’s go together!”e480fda4de9f0d08

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He hurried bcbfeb8edd his steps 57b4e8612e but then ad6f62dabb turned to 22322be634 me and 5372caafc8 spoke politely.4308f106282a145c

“Sorry for the trouble. I’ll see you next time.”d5383ebb59dd3b64

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With those 6dc5aaedfe words, Julian 960bc63e2b bowed deeply f0a3af2a08 to me. As the 23a897a4bf door closed, 202f6602b2 silence settled 2fb5a83587 back into eb0ebb734b the drawing fa766dfe80 room. I tidied 5fa0a4ca5c up and 6859178921 slowly headed f95104b7aa to my 7a1469540d bedroom.47e3471ba04e940f

The warm de6e7ea611 scent of ec7f1808a2 wood lingered 0e211f1388 in the 6fe430d902 room. Fatigue washed e56fa5b467 over me 571d541cd6 all at e7eadc051a once. I collapsed 95b1ba93ad onto the 14f64ed56e bed, the 84ff8ec15c sound of a84e678a9a the fire 9742a8dae9 dying in edf6d8e8c7 the fireplace 2c4d3d89b8 gently filling bb6e028803 my ears.3eefa2a4848faeb9

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I fidgeted with the edge of the blanket and turned over. Even with my eyes closed, Julian’s image lingered in my mind. His bright smile, the subtle lavender scent, and the familiar tone he shared with Derek…5c1fb8dd0428edd3

Eventually, I 0a4b8750a3 pushed the c26c9cb83b blanket away 12cb6cd560 and sat f6582e8a8c up. It seemed better to 7cc0563b63 calm my mind by 15282a1d3a reading a book.5e57928f4bc97aef

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The evening bell bb189348c8 had long since 45bbb16e37 rung, and the 4c5537445d entire castle was 4d0cdc16b3 steeped in deep 90ee797fce silence. Only the lanterns bbb28a7be1 placed here and fd4c639700 there in the 1185591209 corridors flickered faintly 5ed2dbd985 in the darkness. I quietly 92db99a4b8 made my 3fbd9916a0 way towards 423db1f18c the study.ae4c617a3e27027d

Then, from somewhere at 5eba064cde the end of the 038cac6995 corridor, a very low, 5aad427f14 quiet melody reached my 007a5a3c12 ears. At first, I thought 4c83385cab it was my imagination. But the sound grew 8231f653d3 clearer, and I realized 3a46d49b2e it was the sound 0748b897ef of a Rigenart.05586f1c1709d891

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Rigenart was d826955bba a noble 494d0304f2 instrument, played 0c1e36788b only by d4ee78c889 those with 72e45ab050 exceptional musical a38921c3f4 sense and 2763e012dd delicate touch eb4eebe066 among the ae21d265fd nobility. I had never 36dbc766c9 properly handled it. I always listened 5331fa7c19 from afar at 5a41e758a4 banquets, admiring it e987f29ddf only in my 5ac91489c7 heart.77548c23f8af10be

The melody gently b890727a3c touched the center b7232ea3aa of my heart 4efb62c372 like a calm 7484628e9f wave. My body f290632010 moved on a0d193b875 its own, c2d71e913b as if c90374baa1 enchanted, towards 34c16036f5 the source 1e19d99990 of the 342addc599 sound.334ee5f0c78acb4a

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At the end a13a8fdb1b of the corridor, 6fb39675a5 the study door e3f69b125e was slightly ajar. I held my c4bcb923c2 breath and cautiously 9f44053f74 peeked through the a3e00e2e7b crack.908879028a6b1c55

Julian’s golden hair, reflecting the candlelight, shone softly as he sat in front of the Rigenart. He pressed the keys with a light yet precise touch, his expression peaceful as if dreaming.a24ca34ab2479421

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Derek sat quietly on a vintage leather sofa, arms folded. His gaze was fixed on Julian’s fingertips flowing over the piano keys.69f2563548661b58

When Julian’s hand trembled delicately, reaching a high note, Derek’s eyes followed the subtle movement as if not to miss a single nuance.186f6732036058a6

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Though no clear emotion f9cf341ce9 showed in his eyes, d36e21ef1c there was a faint 1e763e8eef softness in his calm 721c7b27d3 gaze, neither sharp nor 88497b2de6 indifferent.084be5846e91cf9f

Julian carefully placed 222d3e572b his white fingers 88a78c33e5 on the keys d194299db4 and continued to a80df48c58 the next passage. His eyes were half-closed, 494cc5ae86 but occasionally he glanced e093b3b98b at Derek. Finally, at the end 9a3884f233 of a passage, their c4e9a65ffc eyes met.a37057da2249ef93

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At that moment, Julian d0366b50f3 smiled quietly.b80dbf73f580ad93

“This is a piece called ‘The Birth of Love.’ It’s famous for being dedicated to a loved one.”96d9bf9498a60fd2

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I watched 9d73c769ae them from 63a285b2e9 the crack 73511afb34 in the b556244c29 door, unable e7e3d2d09f to breathe. Derek merely shrugged without f64170628e any particular expression. But Julian asked with 6aaa561273 a playful smile.0acc95cc1f447876

“You’re already married, but let me ask you one thing. What kind of person are you drawn to?”836603df0f6a8b99

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It was a 45c7d138ec question I had 85eadd460b never heard before. Only Julian d8b718d9c1 could ask fc035db485 such a 495d9ba002 question so b2c6c8291d casually.92279d0cacb70eae

After a long silence, 1d1972727b Derek answered briefly.4701b859246c6b16

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“Someone with a nice scent.”6b3863172b709c93

“…What?”29d6d44478a7ea6c

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Julian burst into laughter.0aaf79c0e1d50b3f

“That’s too vague! What kind of scent exactly?”d3ca6a3cbef01b95

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“Just keep playing.”370518aa99233ba3

Derek cut him off firmly, turning his gaze away. Julian’s fingers trembled slightly at the words, causing a note to slip and momentarily disrupt the melody. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.ffa7ece9b7617648

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“With mistakes like this… can I really do it…?”0ca7487ae3e275a9

At that moment, Derek silently stood up and gently placed a hand on Julian’s shoulder. He looked down at Julian with warm eyes and spoke briefly.3a5f9a0a1d7c60ed

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“You can do it.”97ea00fcf5933c0d

With those words, Julian slowly nodded and resumed playing. Even when the notes wavered slightly, he didn’t stop this time. It was as if Derek’s belief quietly seeped into his heart.f3aa11bb6487217e

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I had never even touched that person’s fingertips…70bcfcab56f25cd6

I had 494ce67fcf never told 666f9cc6b8 him he a5e2281319 was wrong a665e291cb or comforted 9d84b135c2 him by 0390e01471 saying it 7bd62f378e was okay.af31e7da8a1a06f5

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He had 7308c0e7d5 never even 2eb6388338 been curious d2a64eb63f about what cb6ec1008e scent I 36fb5049cf carried.5b88362a01488f4d

I quietly turned 97f688128d away from the ec11d9204a door and walked ffa20917db back to the b72720743c bedroom. Sitting at the d5c0ff8a44 edge of the 783af07c60 bed, my feet e9c5ccdcef touched the floor, d1f7f1b4bd but my heart d2336e4651 felt like it 0c78f4c69e was sinking into 72f4de0c56 deep darkness.c6880ac9f92f5a4b

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It hurt as if my heart was burning. The affection in Derek’s gaze at Julian, the care in his casual words, was so clear that watching it made me feel miserable and small.e1c499cb81d806fc

Uncontrollable jealousy surged from 283115fff5 deep within my chest.a66af6b457c7b2bc

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I once believed that I would bond with him and become each other’s only partner.6f8e8251ecf65eb9

The names on the ad4884861c marriage certificate, the ring af1c6975f7 on my finger, the 38ca04630e days spent together at a1095a933e Greymore Castle, handling big 2ce358dc83 and small matters.229f6c2fb79f2df9

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All of it made me Derek’s omega, but it couldn’t make his heart mine.1c4edfeb51d77fd3

In the darkness, I bae69229b1 reached for the side 2df0efd992 table. I fumbled through f448698679 the drawer and 734be49856 pulled out a 89e38b7baa familiar glass bottle. The small, solid cbb103f2e8 bottle fit into 35e542963d my hand. It was 7d8a091e42 an enhancer 46dbdaa50f that amplified d039dbd06f pheromone effects.81a073853a7cdc76

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“Someone with a nice scent.”6f2eca0f72b720fd

Those words 5a5d90c772 etched into d0d69a72b5 my heart, d9257e3743 painfully.08281d6674caaf4b

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My pheromone scent was clear and delicate. It easily faded, easily forgotten, leaving no trace in anyone’s mind. To hide my identity as a recessive omega, I had to rely on this substance. Every time I stood before people, and especially when I was with Derek.07b2798a636349d2