Chapter 74: The Man in the Dream.

I remembered the eyes of the person who glared at me in my dream. The only emotions in those eyes looking at me were disgust and despair. Not a shred of affection could be found.

Lux Splend. Could he be the young master the hunter searched for so desperately?

Whoever I was born to, I had no intention of resenting or missing him. Still, I couldn’t stop the wish that he had been a decent person. I also wished that after giving birth to me, unwanted as I was, and parting ways, the disgust and despair he harbored had subsided.

So I wanted him to be someone with no connection to the current me.

I felt his fingers gently stroking the back of my hand, which had turned pale from gripping too tightly. Only then could I relax my hand. The lilac scent also began to subside slowly. I felt I could understand a little that pheromones are also a part of me that I can control.

“Were you hurt?”

“Not at all.”

I couldn’t see the back of his hand crushed by me. He kissed my fingertips lightly again.

Although my always short-trimmed nails wouldn’t have caused a big wound, there must have been marks of pressure even for a moment. He hid the back of his hand from me long enough for those red marks to disappear.

“I’m sure you’ll say no again.”

Only after a quite long time did the Duke remove his lips from my hand and give an unnaturally bright smile. Behind that expression, there was definitely regret. Still, he said firmly again.

“You must sleep again right now.”

“No.”

It was a reflexive answer. But my denial couldn’t stop his firmness.

“Believe me on this at least. It’s advice from someone with experience. Don’t try to rely on coffee either.”

It was irrefutable. Seeing me unable to answer this time, he let go of my hand he was holding until then.

“Let’s go, I’ll show you your room.”

But the Duke, who got up and approached my side, soon held my hand again. I left his room side by side with him.

The steps that seemed to head toward the stairs stopped soon. Right in front of the room next to his.

“I intend to make this your workshop.”

“Here, you mean?”

“Unfortunately, Jay, the manager of Palmer Jewelry, lost his job. Because a thief entered as he forgot to activate the barrier on the front glass window while emptying the shop.”

“…That’s a reason deserving to be fired.”

An alibi for me to vacate my position was created. It was news that Rubrum’s manager, who disapproved of the front glass window, would be very happy about.

“He will now only play the role of a jeweler.”

“Thank you for continuing to employ me.”

“Because it’s hard to find a jeweler as capable as that again. It’s my loss if he goes somewhere else.”

“Certainly, as a jeweler, he is quite capable.”

“You probably want to display that ability a bit faster, but please wait a little longer. The installation of the magic circle to absorb noise and vibration is finished, but not all your tools have been moved yet.”

Briefly explaining why he could install a workshop right next to his bedroom, the Duke changed direction again without opening the door and started walking.

“…Is this my bedroom?”

“Yes.”

The steps passing his bedroom again had to stop soon. The room located at the very end of the corridor, opposite to the workshop and right next to the Duke’s bedroom, was where I would stay.

I, who was his servant, know with what intention the places he explained as my workshop and bedroom were originally created. Although he was using the space one floor below, next to the banquet hall meant to be used as a waiting room, as a study and office for the convenience of people coming and going, originally, the room next to his should have played that role. That very place which has now become my workshop.

And this room called my bedroom was a place designed for the spouse of the mansion owner. Made exactly the same as his bedroom but in opposite direction like a decalcomania, with a structure allowing movement without passing through the corridor via an internal door.

I know I can’t return to my house or shop. There will be no occasion to return to my desolate house in the Beta residential area again. Although it’s also clear that staying in this mansion is the safest.

“May I use this room?”

“You can’t go to the annex anymore, Jay. This room is also equipped with safety devices to absorb your pheromones if released excessively.”

At the calm explanation, I realized again that my body had changed.

Since I woke up until now, no one has come up to this floor. Neither Butler Philip, Housekeeper Anna, nor Ian who once guarded me. Nor the employees newly entered into this mansion.

Will I, an Omega who can’t control pheromones properly, also look like a monster to them?

It doesn’t matter anyway. I nodded to the Duke.

“Thank you for providing a place to stay.”

I placed one empty hand on the doorknob. The smoothly turning doorknob opened the door soundlessly.

The Duke, who took a step closer to me, let go of my hand. And he slightly bowed his head toward me.

“…Rest well.”

Leaving a light kiss on my forehead, the Duke stepped back again.

“Then I will go in first.”

I entered inside and closed the door.

Unlike the Duke’s bedroom composed entirely of heavy colors, the place I would stay was matched with white and bright wood tones. The same color scheme as my workshop. Although it was an interior to see the brilliance of gems clearly rather than my taste, it was enough to feel that the Duke recognized my usual space and cared for it.

Left alone, my body felt like it would collapse again like a lie. I laid my body on the bed just like that.

Now that I can’t face customers directly, should I write a questionnaire to find out their tastes? And produce some samples as examples.

I chuckled. Actually, the thoughts filling my head right now weren’t about how to carry out the jeweler’s work in the future. Nor about the person who gave birth to me, nor about the King’s persistence wanting a dominant Omega.

When he bowed his head toward me, I thought he would kiss my lips.

At that moment, I was hoping for his kiss.

That thought occupied the biggest place rather than numerous other facts learned all at once.

Is this room given to me really because only this place is safe?

Is it because, as he said, I am still swayed by pheromones? As if answering, the scent of lilacs rose again.

I closed my eyes in the still bright light.

When I opened my eyes again, the room was still bright. The illusion that I just took a nap for a very short moment was brief. I felt tremendous hunger. And a terribly thick scent of flowers too.

Whatever I think or worry about, the body just reacts honestly.

I got up and opened the door leading to the balcony wide. Humid and hot air rushed in as if waiting.

The tall tree situated in front of the balcony blocked the stinging sunlight. My gaze was stolen by the thick bark, long-stretching branches, and countless leaves sprouting on them.

The balcony, as if situated inside a forest, was blocked from external gaze. It was a shade I had never seen when I was a servant.

Knock knock. What caught my nerves staring blankly at the tree was the knocking sound on the door. I hurriedly tidied my possibly messy hair. Crossing the room with somewhat quick steps, I opened the door.

“Did you sleep well?”

As expected, the person standing in front of the door was the Duke.

“I almost mistook it for a short nap. I spent a day sleeping.”

“Since you tried not to sleep too much all this while, it was just right.”

At his words, I inadvertently groaned.

“Why?”

“Even if others say it, it lacks persuasiveness for the Duke to say such things.”

Holding my hand, he naturally led me out of the room.

“These days, I sleep quite well though.”

“Really?”

“Really. Because I always have pleasant dreams, I feel good when I wake up too.”

“It’s hard to believe since I can’t verify it.”

At my words, he let out a short laugh. The place we arrived soon was his room, only a few steps away. Easy-to-digest foods were placed on the tea table.

“You woke up just in time.”

Weak steam was rising from the cream soup without a film formed, freshly scooped. I couldn’t tell if I woke up on time or if it was prepared matching the time I would likely wake up.

Just as I was about to lift the spoon, I saw the drooping sleeve. Only then did I realize. That I was still in pajamas. exactly as he dressed me the day before.

“…I ended up having a meal without even changing clothes.”

Still, seeing me not getting up from the seat, the Duke smiled with his eyes.

“There’s no need to dress up.”

“Even if not dressing up…, the Duke is dressed up.”

He, who said no need to dress up, was in an attire ready to go out immediately if he just put on a jacket.

“Because I have someone I want to look good to.”

He said looking straight at me.

“Me too…”

“Hmm?”

“I also have, at least someone I want to look good to.”

As soon as I finished speaking, I spooned the soup just like that. Even this much expression made me very shy. My face felt like heating up. Being honest was not an easy task.

Stealing a glance, he was looking at me with wide eyes. When a smile started to fill his mouth, I lowered my head again. I lifted the spoon to my mouth. It was also true that I was hungry. Really.