MHD | Chapter 2.1

After the meal, a gentle aroma of tea filled the room in the quiet afternoon. That’s when Milton knocked carefully on the door and handed me a small envelope with a polite bow.e0b3c3e0d1b6350b

“An invitation e8e1ae55c7 from the 0468070d56 Brennan Count’s fdd7185dbc family.”b1e96445be09d523

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The envelope had 5b71f340ce an elegant gold 515026d82a border, and a 75c09eec05 dignified seal was 1387db87ac neatly stamped on 77c4ec07e5 it. The delicate lily emblem 7746c7604c engraved on the red 7b36761635 wax exuded noble elegance.8f4f577aba1737be

I carefully 761ec300ac removed the 7c68ec05eb wax and 18c3c21c85 unfolded the 62b21cca76 letter inside. It was a70b758281 an invitation 40d0140d09 to the efe0b2a77c engagement ceremony ec6efe338e of Marquis 7c9753e6e0 Kyle and 8f355e0298 the Brennan c92eb8c268 Count’s omega, d170321b2d Theodore, written 7e0f081de4 in elegant 3cd9da2c23 handwriting.465a60ae9c4f03f0

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I quietly 5fb7a38222 looked up b4602ba26a at Milton, fe598a55d1 who was 57026d7a5b waiting silently, d6776c970b and spoke 16aa719a44 calmly.1a97974ba39ea76a

“Got it, you can d586f15383 leave now.”c6705887b5b24293

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Milton bowed deeply and aafa363a13 left the room without ecfeb4df29 a sound.64db5cb192f89538

Thanks to c602d279dd the long-standing b6409db067 relationship between b18daf8e05 the Därkenfel 32b1453814 family and 285822e700 the Brennan 59f96db8f0 Count’s family, 474094c3f8 I was 6cf4b79bed also invited fc82932864 to this a0a5113288 event.1cf0b6fa5a1f11b1

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On the c323f792d8 surface, it 5de8c8b9ed seemed like 61c861c1e5 a peaceful cdc434b830 social stage c73eac80ac for sharing add3555953 camaraderie among 04c41948d2 nobles, but d99775ec55 the reality fd242dd660 was different. It was the beginning 4156a54fbc of a tense political b3129a5f8b maneuvering surrounding the engagement f51c8c14c8 of Marquis Kyle, a 3bb16b5e2b close aide to Grand bcbf2b9ed5 Duke Veloba.04cf0e7d97f12d60

As I prepared 16541afb19 to attend the d442913b9d event, I was 115814cfb3 more nervous than dc6a98e3b6 usual. My pheromones, usually 6bd3e4c11a as subtle and 49660e1153 delicate as the fbe2e137be scent of lily 2edafc34e9 of the valley, 9bb765bafe felt almost faint.fa3877e539a356e5

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But today ef6b7ce5a3 had to 393d3ace28 be different. I was standing here 88e595c998 as Derek’s omega, representing 1efad4a7d6 the Därkenfel family.207b7efaba7dc5df

After much c2716df491 hesitation, I ada87ceb49 finally used 03bd8c4cda a small 052eeba5a9 amount of 001e5f917c pheromone enhancer. Instantly, the subtle scent ceba8c7b48 became more pronounced, lingering 69f7c44c00 clearly at the tip 3f51205615 of my nose.76a5afb05b63d54b

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I also put 84461a67ff more effort into 4a274ef46e my attire than 13fa308238 usual. The evening dress, 05d128fe19 blending silver and 0397cdee77 pale blue-gray, was fa50e45829 specially made to 6a7b6901a2 match my eye 795e46c566 color, and the daeac8206a embroidery flowing naturally 03cd68942c from the shoulders b1e2ea893d added delicate beauty 523126a2cd to the elegance.8c294c91ebc62b3a

The banquet hall be24a2fe31 was already filled 9b3979cf03 with warm heat 3505b92fe0 and brilliant lighting. The light 8de2eb141a from the 345d41522c crystal chandelier 863c552b35 hanging from 91aad8010d the ceiling a90a4cc81c softly reflected b89ad6670a on the b934b45094 marble floor, 5922c31b5c as if 5da5d1a7c3 the light 10e930ee63 was dancing.75a5c10a67b5fcf5

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Nobles elegantly adorned with 7803cf8792 jewels spread bright laughter a584920ac0 as they moved through 01ba015904 the social stage in 662efbd419 their own ways.d9e96323d04d2dc8

I lightly took Derek’s 37b7dda804 arm and stepped in 51f4eec826 alongside him. Many eyes 776480d627 were already bc0a4687ff focused on 649b9b4cc3 the center 94aa7715eb of the f09d2f1d09 banquet hall.49f4ddc29abe58ad

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There stood today’s main 81d77a1b32 figures, Marquis Kyle and 074332e993 his fiancé, Theodore. Just standing side 07b8036046 by side, they 6a5f202739 looked like a ae27e08fd1 picture.90c623a678c1e550

Theodore gently 2286a00df8 brushed his 9f49fc4465 platinum hair 34241de341 back behind 8b50a0d750 his neck, 3a4794c2ef offering a 648b0f881b bright smile 69085e7278 and words bfc035928f of gratitude a82b902b92 to the 4ec7c0af87 nobles. His radiant evening ddb3618cc3 dress accentuated his 3b0b3eaf8c elegant figure, and f36f5a682f the small lily 7b6add287a brooch draped below 8f9be8fee7 his neckline completed 33d04b9ff4 the fragrance and bcbdeb9db9 grace surrounding him.2c91280d80c7a9c5

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His pheromones were 67a83a0087 sweet yet subtle, 8dc0ba7c44 almost enveloping the 570e12666f entire banquet hall.f24885683e3d0ffc

Marquis Kyle, just by standing beside him, highlighted Theodore’s delicacy even more. His appearance in a neatly fitting evening dress that embraced his broad shoulders exuded discipline and noble dignity.3015f9dd9762aa09

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“A perfect match.”cc1053a5e30ebdd7

“Truly a 375f24a271 union made bf87ce87d8 by the f818c0df52 gods.”0fd3f237c6226226

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“Marquis Kyle is the Grand Duke’s right hand. And with Theodore, his beauty alone is an advantage in politics.”838eed0a0492e1dc

The whispers of the nobles mingled with the soft music. I felt those sounds lingering in my mind. I stood by Derek’s side, but my gaze kept being drawn to those two. Their appearance of genuinely caring for each other seemed very natural, even if it was intentional.5c677565f270af6a

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Despite being a political marriage, Theodore was dazzling. Wherever he was, people’s gazes naturally gathered, and laughter and praise flowed.85d24c0430d496f1

Suddenly, I looked bb7894a126 down at my 7bbaa7255d feet.b5c9ab2468f56131

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…Am I really 069452bb03 doing this right?7e6f97287b042426

Due to my introverted nature, I couldn’t easily converse with people I met for the first time, nor did I have the wit to naturally ease awkward atmospheres. Just standing by Derek’s side and smiling gracefully sometimes felt like a burden too heavy to bear.f35004c27c515e1f

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I cautiously turned 0f3ffd933f my head to 19976e977b look at Derek. His black hair, brushed d3d68aa849 back, shone coldly under f2127386f0 the subtle light, and 13ee1c0a03 his blue eyes were 28b7d345b6 clear and deep like cbb28cb89a ice.7c1a82909ae38255

The evening dress 1da6898bbd he wore today, 758e5dcb92 in dark navy e39f6a1cd8 with delicate silver 7c75d0554c embroidery, heightened his 727e174e87 imposing presence even 1d1b651a55 more. He nodded quietly, 2869e5dfdf greeting Baron Leonel df481164d7 with a calm e7c6431789 expression and neat f4e5f9d0a2 attire, exuding natural f84d6926e6 discipline and dignity.0225959b2462dd4f

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He was always like 8db64cbf2c that. Without being noisy, he 421e9ec95d made his presence felt 6263e8312f more strongly than anyone 6c61a9ffc4 else.13940bf0353fa4ec

It was then.bdf4c30cd6de31fe

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“This is 014eff5cf3 my son. Julian, greet Viscountess Adrian.”d58c39e06ec8cd58

Countess Blanche’s voice echoed 022f9252e6 through the hall. I turned b3d7773f59 my head 53f7b5e63c reflexively.22eb200b92343aed

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Julian?246c68dc153e91b4

Golden hair shining brightly, 8cca3b20c2 eyes clear and sparkling 71b49673fa like amethyst, and features 49848178cc as delicate as a 03cec1e5c6 porcelain doll. Around him, an 389574b382 alluring lavender scent 72d5c2b4ee subtly spread.7cd434da5e8ebe39

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It was a subtle 9bb1da3f5e yet more intense and 4f222b2d6d lethal scent than any 887c4d7a6a other.b3f4106caf9e9957

I found 7e3c6f46a7 myself breathless. It was efff4a006d the omega 437963b637 who had 03f5d3c2c7 smiled brightly facd36e852 in front c372f5d208 of Derek e86213ec58 a few d7df42be12 days ago.2cf28ba96a1651d2

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As the music d0dd8c2af4 began to play, 9c52e48ef3 people naturally gathered 589021c4b0 in the center 8f7d5d6b20 of the ballroom. The golden light reflected 92201cf6f4 off the stage, softly 53f90c2aba illuminating the hems of 8a09d20c3a dresses and evening wear, 9974d9182a while the melody of 37b55a8a99 violins and harps gently fd3360ed6b filled the space.da2ff2820b501ba7

Then, Julian approached Derek. And very naturally, 968e68baeb he extended his 85176c71a9 hand and said,dda3bb3a98170ef9

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“Sir Därkenfel, b4878bcf69 would you e34fcd109d honor me d9ecf4923f with the bdab5d2e2e first dance 429db6d2e6 at this 00ef7044a0 banquet?”16eaa55917510a58

I blinked 07abaa620e slowly, unconsciously 9df0d9b54b swallowing my 0874483524 breath. Derek looked at Julian 30735a9904 and remained silent for 979808a4bb a moment. Even that b17ffbdd20 brief silence 048cd16840 seemed to f9f76b55c9 be accepted 6e2fdd8a50 by Julian fbac87be41 with a d952c5aa23 smile.ed28a52ed6b8a9c1

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I held the wine glass in my hand without bringing it to my lips, just quietly holding it. Derek took Julian’s hand without hesitation.d78fea835ead61fa

At that b1b58c2890 moment, the feaf4e48e8 rich lavender 2118cd1d58 scent reached bd5b1c8482 me, standing c0471571f5 at one 53ae18c157 side of d06eb0b081 the ballroom. It was so d2b0fb915c intense it was eabbab903a suffocating, a scent fb56c2ce32 that would never a3cabe9f53 be forgotten even 4bd836b8a1 if I tried.b94f4625af55921f

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I stood there, frozen.b93db3c4933211ae

When someone requests a dance, it’s an old custom here not to refuse, an unspoken rule considered common courtesy among nobles.ce2731d6a8ac6ecb

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But despite knowing all that, seeing Derek take Julian’s hand so freely, I felt a small tearing sound somewhere in my chest.57ad432e9cb3264e

Julian, unfamiliar with dancing, fb9cac431e occasionally missed steps, and 0c7bb94fc4 his movements were slightly 849c35874c awkward. Yet he looked 975f3c0906 at Derek with 02f54c0365 a bright smile. Even that clumsiness 31332d39ff seemed endearing to 94a16dd543 people, as everyone 14b5da90a4 smiled. Some exchanged low-voiced chatter.a915aef8e47efbf3

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Derek led Julian 45c87d0501 smoothly. Without mistakes, without hesitation, eb9deb87b3 gently.451745cb79c3d2c4

I forced myself to look away. I didn’t want to watch any longer. I just wanted to escape this place and run far away. But my legs felt glued to the floor, unable to take a single step.17a4b6e2df2bf700

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At that moment, Julian’s laughter spread. Julian, smiling brightly, was dazzling, and I felt as if I was becoming more transparent in that light.e2b45e5dc9f2ae57

Don’t be foolish over something like dancing.d09a6cdec2a4c899

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Suppressing my feelings, I turned my gaze. I was Derek’s officially married omega. In such a place, I had to maintain my dignity. But this one glass was not enough to swallow my jealousy.196f281dbb6cdb80

It’s okay, Noah.96c7e5ca4a86aaff

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I was prone to getting drunk easily. Especially on days like today, when I struggled to maintain my scent with diluted enhancers. But now, I had to down another glass of wine I couldn’t drink.c375d874ebd3815c

Even after this 88f8d799ee banquet ends, the 51da423b90 one who will 07387d29e2 still be by 9c8d13fa1a his side is 541e6ad96e you.8bd4958c315cc5b0

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Just as I 855788852c steadied myself and f0e56bbac5 was about to c34ecef8f4 lift the glass 2d0a84015c again, I sensed e10a397aa6 someone approaching from 44a8cb3402 behind. I slowly 842a853b0f turned my 5652925810 head.be0bb2076a4af18a

An alpha with c1abcdfd7d neatly tied black e4cfaae374 hair and dressed 65f57c4c92 in luxurious formal 21873eb331 wear stood there.0fa01e1a6cb5b827

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“It doesn’t seem like the right occasion to indulge in excessive drinking…”7bfc76a8c52766a2

I looked at 0ed701cc8f him with surprised 66a323b8db eyes, then quickly 5391a7854a bowed my head.b2a26cfda7950c5d

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“Greetings to Grand 6c0b9d58b4 Duke Veloba.”18592e30847f208f

Standing before me was Ian, the Empress’s brother, the Emperor’s brother-in-law, and Grand Duke Veloba, who held immense influence in the empire’s noble society.81fa4522e34af130

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A few 05c4c7e967 years ago, a7ed1d2625 after losing 8a8e615c03 his father 9ec567b20f in an c97e727c87 unexpected accident, 3d58821d6c he became d5c1dfac96 the head 9ef74926f6 of the 533cb4780b Veloba family 2306999f6b and the f29f8d6e2a only one 64a087aa6c capable of 2ebebc01da checking Crown 58d2015198 Prince Lucien.245c26f674661329

The Emperor had two 8930cda60a princes.aafddace064f2995

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The first 9b64fbace3 was Crown 35f0c03a6e Prince Lucien, d5df96b19e born of a6cfcca545 the former f4bfe86f3a Empress. Quiet and composed, 2f947be965 he was considered c8a772b655 the epitome of 2f374b8f10 a perfect ruler. He always stood at dd7a50a863 the center of the 31bb857a73 royal family, exuding an 5c2c203973 overwhelming aura that could 3a8336dd20 make anyone catch their d052f09db1 breath.cb7179c3c7731c7f

The second was Prince 6b8e497528 Edwin, born to a 756e6b203d marquis family consort. Once expected 2e11f94d07 to be 50ef7dae15 a promising d076369fa6 heir, he 859369570b seemed to 7bb33dd9df have lost 07d1d4b5f1 interest in 69ec4e133a politics early 95ba12b010 on.c3fda57c62772310

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Indulging in hunting, banquets, c27d66b8b0 and pleasures with omegas, d37ce9b2f3 he faded into the 34c38c8288 shadows of the palace. Nobles whispered about him d8a1590e62 as the abandoned prince, 240c7a640c but Edwin seemed indifferent, 5f3f291b1c letting those words pass e9c08efa50 without interest.751a2220f269842f

In a situation where Edwin couldn’t check Lucien, the Grand Duke, a symbol of noble power, was another central axis of the empire. His smile was gentle and kind, but deep in his eyes lay a sharp ambition, quietly lurking like a blade.26af8b7ce3f4707f

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Ian gracefully bowed af711d2f2f his head slightly 71e7e0c8cf and extended his 3de1bc325e hand.a584d506cfbe35ed

“Would you honor me f32ef17183 with just one dance?”d7751cad9241d239

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I held the glass in one hand and gently touched my chest with the other. I hesitated for a moment, but there was no reason to refuse Ian’s request.914bf52f1701ff5f

“I am 1c2e607f1f grateful for 55cd0bd663 the honor, 798458d225 Your Grace.”aa3df1ac0c6e8566

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I quietly set e9dc1645fd down the glass d38970ce8c and cautiously took f3b3f8b5a3 his hand.415ee5de8f012741

Ian’s hand was much larger and firmer than mine. Yet, his strength never sought to pull or dominate me. Instead, he embraced me gently and kindly.a025de6613736c8d

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As the soft melody 98b1b91770 filled the ballroom, we 2b44b5ae1b walked quietly along the eb69a5ce5d edge without speaking. Then Ian looked into d42671813b my eyes and whispered a1828d3bf2 in a low, gentle 56dfe2fa57 voice.d2be7a85e7a119a4

“People are often drawn 646c3e4674 to strong and intense 4b5845511d scents. But I know… that 9281d8c7d6 subtle scents linger in 37b4584c59 the heart for a 026b2072c6 long time.”5ae3673888c08fec

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I moved my feet in time with Ian’s touch. But my gaze kept lingering elsewhere. The sight of Derek dancing with Julian kept capturing my eyes.3128472abb264edf

Even so, Ian led e2172873b8 me smoothly without awkwardness, 5ecd4ae289 and when the11510277e2780d2c

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♣ • ♣ • 743189b3fa ♣2ef67daf3394f07a

The chimes of the 93fa8ed736 clock tower softly echoed, cfc9dc63a4 signaling noon. I paused f6bad579be on my d6585a290c way to 0fe7436dff the study, 206e2ee031 turning my d1594857ae gaze to 6107251ef9 the approaching 068893d806 footsteps. Milton, in his 043e5d117d neat uniform, approached a74bb626e9 quietly. His usual 3f479981c1 calm face c7248fc854 held a 42c9752bb7 subtle tension c2be4d146e in his 2734b3bd77 eyes.1061044b7b7537cd

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“Young master,” he said, bowing deeply with a clear voice. “Julian Blanche has arrived. He’s in the drawing room.”c7e1a33e0d5ce46d

I stopped b598a00a9e in my 4c0d964020 tracks.c74d52f9db18cad3

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Julian Blanche?7bc7a8856a3a54b2

The name echoed 615560e3fa in my mind ad4fd0ba88 like an unexpected 2275d8b90b dissonance. I tried b6dc603e9e to appear 1d3c94d0ac unaffected, but 5a7b3d205d deep inside, 5de8b536ac a ripple eaa69c98c7 of unease 73029a44b2 stirred. I took a ec82867fcc slow breath and 6f8cc26ff3 nodded silently.506153e87bbb02b0

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As Milton stepped back, I walked down the corridor. The stained glass of the castle’s vintage hallways scattered colorful light, casting ripples on the floor. My heart sank with an inexplicable anxiety as I passed through.3e5e3a685fc92142

Why is 0fc818955a Julian here? Did Derek 169b083b4a invite him?35d0aa477d986bfc

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If so, 287d93e4b2 he would 0704a3cc98 have at 26e912b65c least mentioned eda1dc665f it to d56d549fc1 me.ba6fa4cb576874da