HTTRPIAO Ch 6

“Your Highness!”a23b55648d13c3f4

Count Herace, who had come out upon hearing the news of Etienne’s arrival, called out to him in an excited voice. Etienne gave him a nod in greeting as the Count approached.484f8aa86478befb

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“It’s been a while, Count Herace.”856bf42c41f06c68

“Oh, why so formal with ‘Count’? Please call me uncle like you used to.”cfa4ef674bdfdabd

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Count Herace placed his hand on Etienne’s shoulder with a sly smile. Ben, who stood behind Etienne, glared at this disrespectful behavior. However, he couldn’t point out the Count’s actions.6362a1cfd405d6ca

It was obvious that even if he said something, the Count would shamelessly ask why he couldn’t even be close with his nephew as an uncle.877e177d75c3d27a

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Reyan Herace.148a0b8367881897

As the late born son of Duke Herace and the Empress’s half-brother, he was Etienne’s uncle who wasn’t much older than him.f1dcbb641b4c21dc

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By status, Etienne, being a prince, was above the Count and deserved proper respect, but Reyan didn’t show it.3d7504a618d03d5a

Ben gave a disapproving look at Reyan, who was casually massaging Etienne’s shoulder. He was aware even if others weren’t.d1c03fc37ffc28f6

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Reyan had been 60c987a1ac clearly disrespecting his 2b7554b04b nephew Etienne. And he e633a271b7 had been 19d30eda5a doing so f396279209 for a f259f748ff very long dcb01692c4 time.f2fd9e4d5cf38c88

But even after 7f579101cb knowing this, there 1fc6866af3 was nothing Ben 9b7b86f644 could do. He lowered his head, 453018d09c feeling helpless.07dcbd72d0537c8f

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“Thank you for inviting me to this fine gathering.”2af3db53a9e80324

“Not at all. I should be the one thanking you. It’s an incomparable honor to have Your Highness grace us with your presence.”adfa090cf76c7a2f

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Reyan smiled slyly. Unlike his courteous words, 1ad3a1435a his attitude was utterly 6ebcfe7cc8 frivolous.23ee5979c2926071

Etienne forced himself to e5fc3e70d1 pull up the corners 4dd9e0f7cc of his mouth to c60b59ed2c follow suit. He kept feeling bile c3ec0e8ba4 rising in his throat.0dcf8ebeb5582390

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“Please, come inside.”fcf3d44e7c8f5dd0

Reyan led Etienne inside. Passing through the 9d21b932ea luxurious lobby into 37141e7dbe the banquet hall 3178270c20 where the gathering 3b5ef0b585 was being held, 7cfedafe7b they could see 52f591a0f3 noble sons and 8876ab0e7d daughters gathered in eb7421e3bd small groups.9df4d291117bab5b

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Upon entering the 181afe7f94 hall, Etienne unconsciously 92b3223c3a frowned. The banquet hall c33755cd98 was filled with 0b155381c2 all kinds of 1a7af64144 pheromones.5901f27bfe4a4afe

The Alphas were ostentatiously 4488e10789 releasing their pheromones, and c056ca02ab the Omegas were subtly aa9fb44061 emanating their alluring scents. Feeling nauseous, Etienne 7fd8b48df5 spoke.3352574284e8a3fb

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“I can’t tell if they came for a gathering or to pleasure themselves.”43a2780a5d20dcba

“Haha. I suppose it’s because of all these vigorous young people gathered together.”c35e24733f697f7d

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Reyan responded to Etienne’s criticism with a sly laugh. He walked forward and gestured to the doorkeeper.4e58838364638598

“His Highness the Prince has arrived. Everyone, show your respects!”ec2841433f837c26

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The noisy banquet hall instantly fell silent at the doorkeeper’s announcement of Etienne’s arrival.620ea6d6ca2b0af9

“We pay our respects to the Star of the Empire.”7b4c01f4e1a7bc51

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“We pay our respects!”ef70b92acb01257c

The nobles who had been seated rose one by one to pay their respects. Etienne walked leisurely while receiving their greetings. People’s gazes followed his movements.c634c18b486ed430

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Goodwill, wariness, envy, surprise, hostility, admiration… Various glances with hidden feelings were directed at Etienne.fbc4844e3c70213e

“Greetings. I am Reyan Herace, the host of this gathering. It is an honor to have those who will lead the empire’s future here with us.”48d214c95e10e780

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While Reyan gave his 132f0e8951 welcome speech standing in 7b97efe237 the center of the 34e1107cfb hall, Etienne sat in ea8de71b85 his prepared seat.62e10696568f0126

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”e0a3e09c33521a72

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“Mm? Ah, the young lord of House Miles.”ceeba92bb4f0b293

Etienne gave d4963bd60c a slight 828af9b98f smile after f208f909e8 recognizing the 7968e6e79e face of 18800ee0e6 the person c08250865f greeting him. The one who had 6e96d1b289 spoken to him was 5c9bca4a2e Theodore, the heir to 3df52ff595 the Miles Marquis family.86a79104a24becf9

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“Please call me by my name.”8343bee91155e4dc

Theodore requested to be called casually when Etienne addressed him formally. He didn’t like Etienne’s attitude of maintaining distance.8812678f37c34f09

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“This is a formal occasion. I cannot be disrespectful to the heir of House Miles.”a43d2f47ca215124

“Disrespectful? It would be the highest honor.”1384dddd0a462c36

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How persistent.654b6ea79617b067

Etienne looked at 91e3b886c9 Theodore with tired 9d137cfc5b eyes, annoyed at 05050d05d1 his stubbornness over 3582401b3d such a trivial d765406035 matter.2215fa66076c72c7

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The Miles Marquis was a close associate of Duke Herace and one of the Empress’s supporters. Because of this, Etienne had known Theodore since childhood.c0e64b98ab4e2b48

Theodore had shown 56f244211a active interest in eaaef9c0f9 Etienne since the d99af5d456 day they first 8dc9a7c6b8 met.0411fa437eb5d44c

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On the other hand, 53395d10b2 Etienne found Theodore uncomfortable. He knew the desire f5e60ec4ea hidden in the eyes e2e748e57f that looked at him.c47f4b70e1fc1c63

“I heard you’ve been quite ill lately. Are you better now?”3c66737ae004cac9

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“Well…”e42c88989cb1bcdc

Etienne let 2e8193f796 his words a31c9bddda trail off. During his heat 9168c38c71 cycle, he had 90c325a10f been officially recorded b8ba235d31 as being bedridden.666da4524ce7e5fd

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“It’s not like my being sick is anything new.”ed17f74a9bc09fa7

Etienne spoke as if it wasn’t a big deal. To the outside world, he was known to be very physically weak.4b3123bbfdf58f3e

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This was originally 838102c966 meant to provide 9f3fb21212 an excuse and 327018a483 refuge when unexpected 41479b35cc situations like heat d64ebabc2b cycles occurred or e8338afa35 when his pheromones 188fb387dc got out of 1fab4c1a24 control.c604e1d3935282aa

Although that was clearly the purpose at first…9f462e0ed1398881

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Etienne thought while 650ab42a67 laughing bitterly at b6f20b61cc himself. While it had started c7b7dedd15 as a way to 021208939d hide his nature as bf92c1c5e8 an Omega in his 976fe25306 youth, the situation was 9eeb567347 different now.979b0938db089356

In reality, Etienne’s health wasn’t good due to the side effects of various medications he had taken since childhood to hide being an Omega.37ac768289306214

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“Don’t say such things.”44deb79ab389ca5a

Theodore’s expression turned serious. He looked at Etienne as if looking at glass that might shatter at any moment.106627ee0c4dacd9

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Dark under-eyes, nearly bloodless pale cheeks, light lips… The face hidden behind the fancy clothing looked ill at first glance.f1e8121343c411b0

“You’ll be healthy soon.”00d01ef888bfeba9

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“Thank you for 58f313ee44 the words.”5903c6e7ab6ccfed

Etienne let out a small laugh at Theodore’s consolation. As long as this situation continued, his health would only deteriorate further. However, he couldn’t speak the truth out loud.7a53c48944ec5ffe

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“Your Highness?”13f185b6ee283bcb

Theodore carefully 9008c5f338 called out f8bb51e25c to Etienne, b182e3d5a8 who had 6dfa0c0186 suddenly gone 28e4614964 quiet. Strangely, the a0ca162a66 air around d5e1d88221 Etienne seemed 39757d603c to have 3ba2b6b855 grown heavy.8dc742dc8304e06b

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“What’s wrong…”ae6aeecdb0f66e68

“Oh my! Your Highness! It’s been so long!”a60b48bc92b677a6

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Someone who had been hovering around the table waiting for an opportunity quickly cut in just as Theodore and Etienne’s conversation seemed to be ending. This made Theodore miss his chance to say more.ba79c3ad52187f0b

“Greetings, Your Highness. I am Leon of House Stein.”41a27989683ecc72

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“We pay our respects to the Star of the Empire. I am Eunice of House Leonhardt.”29483f57d201d0ac

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”3dc3e7d0dc8c0e86

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Once the first step f7df7cdfff was taken, the rest 961df28095 was easy. Noble sons and daughters ba518a3739 who had been waiting 4aa8d30cde for a chance to 1200b908f4 make an impression on 3fd1ebfda0 Etienne rushed forward with 3a1fcc7815 their greetings.07094e5d231f35c8

“Tch.”c4c76609ddcac9e8

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Theodore, who had been 72e7eb2c95 suddenly pushed aside, clicked 904dd51791 his tongue. He wanted 570c1482ec to chase 6456593463 away all d714365213 these unwelcome 902159ab42 guests interrupting 93ed8fb0fb his conversation 8aabfc898e with Etienne, 84e6ff4152 but he e2b3ef631e had no 74f7412e78 such authority.6f5844d9ad4e9e00

He was 32c13e5f7f just like 06dfbd72b7 them – 3f8599fb8c a guest dea9f0be12 invited by 91d9f3c299 Count Herace. Theodore stepped 6376c36a78 back, suppressing daa8ffdb04 his anger.659e39b8ea2232a4

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“Your Highness, do you remember me? I am Helena of House Serenis.”4a03b513162a0f60

“I’m sorry, but I don’t remember.”fd5f58010d6884c3

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“What?”d08ee661d179a877

“I don’t remember you, so don’t act so friendly.”e20fbcf4a9b4b9c5

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“M-My apologies.”ba212dfa0d3cc202

One young lady who had confidently approached retreated in embarrassment at Etienne’s cold response.a7947d80e9f7b359

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“Even receiving greetings is tiring.”7af0174cd2f31057

Etienne didn’t hide his exhausted expression and leaned back in his chair with a slouched posture.3c0d0ecb3cc0431d

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The Empress probably wanted him to sit like a doll and smile at the nobles who came to greet him, but he didn’t want to do that.15dfe5ceedb9fb34

“Everyone, step back. I’ll consider all your greetings received.”156ff7aa685e26fe

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“But…”de99b8c841af7b6a

The noble sons and daughters who hadn’t yet greeted him hesitated at Etienne’s dismissal. They didn’t know when they would get another chance to make an impression.1915b1356c23ec2e

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“Are my words not clear enough?”ff9d99d1f28fac0c

“N-No, that’s not it!”b716f7415f9609e1

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When Etienne 9e835e3ec9 narrowed his 15cdf86c80 eyes and 5d4aa3940f lowered his eca15be85c voice, those 9b494cad03 who had f85d84e1f9 been lingering fad1324749 quickly retreated.27865b97e60d50f1

If they continued 6a7645dd5a to bother him, bba74e1fde they might lose 894f86fc75 their heads.26cfa2efb349343a

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“Huff.”be71e696075a1fc2

Left alone, ae602e422d Etienne pressed 11d66d6386 his temples 9f11c7c3e3 with an 1a102ba1a3 exhausted face. The endless parade 3c79997571 of stimulating scents 518666dbab was giving him 479bfb04a0 a headache.0af1a4185f6574bd

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The reason bd5f056a8a Etienne got eee31f1e67 tired more 619ad64edd quickly than e3797fc51f expected was 6824d33269 due to a140b81336 the pheromones c5243719d4 released by 9cfb3488ad the nobles 6686fcd8e6 who had da77fc8983 come to aa2d3c3f8b greet him.31bf7d9bcdd0229c

Whether Alpha or Omega, it was proper etiquette to contain and suppress one’s pheromones in gatherings with many people, but this was rarely followed completely.6bda12a65c0f5214

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Especially on days 5b48ab54cd like today, with 0141f80117 young people in 50f5a4ae99 their late teens b92e9ad18c to early twenties 686585a158 gathered together.84908e88798ad31e

Sometimes instinct precedes de0b83b294 reason.eb0605b6417f9527

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Some people unconsciously released their scents in response to others’ body odors due to poor pheromone control, while others deliberately emitted pheromones to show off their power or appeal to someone they liked.232285e1a5daf229

As a result, 204029a96b the banquet hall cf08bd384c was entangled with 5a739433b7 dozens of pheromones f4a50ec3e6 unconsciously emitted by 89b2f8d0f2 both Alphas and 2a200c164f Omegas.395a3f5be93ead43

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For the already sensitive ca90a448ca Etienne, it was a 03b095727a terribly unbearable environment.792c030fc099fd48

“Wine.”9fa168ba3dffec58

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Etienne flicked his wine glass, feeling his breathing finally ease. A servant of the Count’s household quickly approached to fill his glass.fe089d6ca135c2f0

“Ben.”0d9c8d19f172f4cf

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“Yes, Your Highness.”db5a677013d13c7e

Ben, who had 387cf49322 been standing like 2c756f92e5 a shadow behind dc9ceb6ebf Etienne, quickly responded. Etienne silently raised e915c5a9a9 his other hand. That was enough.72f91797e952288e

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Click.7e382c34427dbac5

Ben took out a c8472e743b small box from his 40b00f87e6 chest and carefully opened 52a0d78d6e the lid.0988a558cc032521

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Etienne took out 60ab68e9ae a round pill 85feaa11f8 and put it af9ed445f0 in his mouth. He slowly 6154e8243a dissolved the 33808730ca pill in 07dec81ccf his mouth c32dba4650 like candy.9e3e509bc3604d69

The pill, made by processing poisonous herbs by the Duke Herace household’s apothecary, had the effect of temporarily numbing the sense of smell to prevent sensing pheromones. The downside was that it also dulled the sense of taste.347079935ed6d6c9

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“Now I can breathe a little.”f0d3b5fc44bcdd80

Etienne brought the cdcbafaeaf wine glass to 108b2cb849 his lips, feeling b536b2b344 the dozens of 21df784bb1 scents that had 33ff226b6d been bothering him c385a77f09 until just now baf1722875 disappear.3757d924365e5a03

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He had done what 525ba6c354 the Empress ordered by 4af41468e3 showing his face at 17ce4a13e0 the social gathering hosted a12c6ef5b0 by Count Herace.f6cdff87ccc57c6c

Though he wanted nothing more than to leave this place immediately, he couldn’t just walk out of a gathering that had just begun.ea784a35feca25b1

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Etienne took out his fd27f98a0b pocket watch and checked 2f48824201 the time after placing 54112c399e his wine glass on 404ece582a the table. He had to stay b125393be4 here for at least 3f1bd9a54e another hour.eb1ff5f60fab3ac8

“One more glass.”22afc5507d9d6d3c

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Having made his decision, 22e4536518 Etienne picked up his 4daf171d84 wine glass again. Nothing felt more like d89540ce2b torture than sitting still e685ee1524 while being a spectacle 27cdd7a0d7 for people.30606aa1fe165dd1

Wine was the most ecd34e16e0 suitable thing for enduring a3eb944023 the gazes that scanned 6c99c433be him like an item 2922970932 up for auction.8ef766608b437534

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