âwhat does everyone have to say about this?â
calrad asked while seira was lost in her thoughts for a moment.
âall right. it will do.â
baron nodded once.
âiâm fine, too.â
louis was also convinced. next, it was none other than seira that calardâs eyes were on.
âwhat question did he ask?â
although she was embarrassed for a while, she could easily predict that it wouldnât be a big deal considering the mood.
âi will obey his majestyâs wishes.â
as she answered with a smile, calradâs expression softened as well.
âyes,â he continued, âthen after the meeting, go to the emperorâs palace. we can relax and talk over dinner.â
it seemed to be a conversation between the heads of the four major families about having a meal and talking separately. thinking that aven, who became the crown prince, would also attend, seiraâs heart suddenly became troubled.
at the same time, she wanted to spend a little more time with aven, who she wouldnât be able to meet as leisurely anymore. then again, she was worried whether she could act calmly without making a single mistake.
ââ¦whatâs the point of being a little awkward? aven isnât even a helpless vassal to askan anymore.â
fortunately, aven would no longer be in danger because of her. when she thought about it, she felt a little relieved.
everything went smoothly since calradâs joining was confirmed. a few more nobles applied, perhaps because they wanted to look good in the eyes of the emperor. some families, like cyril glad, expressed their intention to participate, while others decided to send one of their children.
using the countess of osron, which was closest to the ardennes islands, as a defensive line, the reserve forces under the command of the crown prince aven decided to prepare in case of an emergency.
the detailed strategy wasnât a matter to be discussed at the meeting, so it ended with the final decision of the families whoâd be in charge of the defense of the imperial capital, and the person in charge while the emperor was away from the palace.
as calrad first rose from the throne, all the nobles immediately followed.
âyou come with me.â
seira glanced at calradâs hand, which was extended toward her. she didnât want to hold it, but she couldnât commit such disrespect to the emperor of the empire in everyoneâs presence.
âyes, your majesty.â
he lightly took her hand and placed it on his arm.
although their close proximity was uncomfortable, calrad was seemingly satisfied to say the least. his forehead, which cracked like habit, straightened for a long time, and the corners of his mouth her raised.
when the distance between them and the nobles was quite considerable, she spoke with a small voice.
âyou donât seem to be disgusted. i smell like another alpha.â
even looking straight ahead, seira could feel his gaze touching her cheek.
âi just acknowledged it.â
ââ¦what?â
âthat you had no choice but to bring another alpha to replace me.â
at that moment, seira blinked because she didnât know what to answer. what kind of weird was this?
as if understanding her silence, he added, âunlike alphaâs inhibitors, i heard that omega inhibitors are terrible. it must have been unbearably painful for you, who are a pure blood, but how could i blame you for not being by my side?â
calrad seemed to think she wouldâve had a heat cycle with him if they had been together.
âof course, i thought of it when i first developed into an omegaâ¦â
at that moment when she felt like she was about to die, seira instinctively couldnât help but think of having sex with any alpha. it was only natural that she had never kissed an alpha other than calrad in her dreams.
âcal⦠ughâ¦â
calling his name, she carelessly caressed her breasts and rubbed herself below to relieve the pain. but somehow her thirst wasnât quenched, and with her fingers she couldnât imitate a fraction of the pleasure that calrad gave her then.
by the time she thought sheâd rather lose her consciousness, aven found her.
she was in such distress that she couldnât even recall what his expression was like when he saw her. except that he, who took her to bed, made her know very faithfully what it meant to unite with her alpha as an omega.
in fact, seira didnât even know who she was involved with until the next day. she thought she had been distracted by the sweet alphaâs pheromone, but when she came to her senses, she was holding avenâs finger in her mouth.
at that time, she was mortified and sorry, so she thought it was a good thing that she couldnât remember anything, but not that she thought about it, she felt sorry.
the first night she spent with aven⦠no, how she wished she could remember the second, third, and all the nights since. she couldâve recalled and reminisced from time to time.
âwhat are you thinking about?â
seira woke up from her light daydream at the low voice that came from beside her.
âi suddenly remembered the day it first happened.â
âwith whom⦠no, i said i shouldnât ask you this.â
nervously sweeping his hair, calrad added after a short sigh.
âanyway, there will be a chance to resolve the misunderstandings between us. from now on, i will be by your side.â