“…!”

Valentin’s mouth fell open.

He finally understood why the alpha was so forcefully rushing things. The mystery of why the alpha was artificially creating situations that forced him to accept the proposal while pretending to respect his wishes was solved.

This alpha had no intention of letting him go from the very beginning.

The only being who could accept and share his pheromones….

As Valentin realized everything, he felt his blood run cold. It was a sweet but perfect trap, a flawless cage.

“So I’ll make sure you really don’t regret it. I’ll make you the most precious omega in the world.”

The confidence that he could do so as if it were only natural.

And the conviction that this would be the entire reward for this marriage.

Seeing that intense gaze, Valentin nodded faintly. He had already made up his mind to marry this person. He no longer had the passion to openly teach this possessive alpha that the life he wanted was not like this.

He had already buried all those things deep in his heart on the day he wrote the letter accepting the proposal.

It was no different than holding a funeral for his freedom.

“Yes…”

So he could only show a misty smile and give an affirmative answer while looking at Reynard’s expression that was seeking a response.

He had already decided to give up his freedom for the child and live the life of a grand duchess.

He couldn’t go back on it, and he had crossed a path that couldn’t be reversed.

Suddenly, the chest containing his heart felt empty. The inside of his ribcage felt poor and depleted, as if there was nothing to fill it, dried up and rattling noisily.

The wheels of the carriage, which had just turned onto the fan-shaped stone path that was the symbol of Queen’s Road, also rolled along noisily. All the irregular, bouncing noises seemed to match Valentin’s heart.

Reynard silently put his arm around Valentin’s shaking shoulders. His gentleness in holding the omega as still as possible, knowing he felt nauseous and unwell, was evident.

‘And he’s not a bad person…. He likes me this much, and I like him too….’

The rest he would have to endure by gathering his courage and strength.

*

“We’ve arrived.”

Reynard said as the commotion outside grew louder and the carriage began to slow down.

A hand extended into the carriage, hoping to be held for a safe descent.

“Be careful.”

He had always been attentive in escorting, but after learning about the pregnancy, he was visibly more careful. Even though it was just a few steps from the carriage to Madame Delacroix’s dress shop, Reynard asked with a worried face:

“Shall I carry you?”

“I have my own legs.”

Suppressing his gloomy feelings, Valentin deliberately stuck out his tongue playfully. It was a defiant attitude, as if to say he’d act like a child if they kept treating him like one. And he wanted to distract his mind this way. After all, wasn’t this someone who cared for him and liked him? He didn’t want to think in a more negative direction unnecessarily.

Valentin naturally intertwined his hand with the arm offering escort. It was now a comfortable posture, as if the initial awkwardness and shyness had never existed.

Queen’s Road, which seemed to gather all the wealth of Eldon.

This was not a street where people with just a few jingling gold coins in their pockets could wander around, like the common bustling areas near the clock tower.

The long street centered around the Opera House was formed during Queen Montgomery’s era when Renaissance culture was reviving, and it was a symbol of the prosperity of the great nobility era.

It was lined with high-end galleries dealing with all sorts of rare artworks, dress shops that only received great nobles as customers, and jewelers who passed down their craftsmanship through generations. Also, there were traditional general stores that seemed to sell just fancy quill pens or paperweights when you looked at the window displays, but had been passed down from grandfather to father to grandson. All these were housed in ornate buildings with elaborate carvings. The high-end shops lined up in a row, filling the street.

You couldn’t even see the flower-selling girls or newspaper-selling boys commonly found near squares and bridges. It was an extremely elegant and quiet street. Valentin looked around, scanning the view visible under his hat. Although he had originally been part of this world, he would have to become even more accustomed to it in the future.

Today was like taking the first step towards that.

Valentin tightly held Reynard’s hand supporting his arm as they headed towards Madame Delacroix’s dress shop.

Ding-a-ling.

Along with the tinkling bell sound, Madame’s voice greeted them.

“Oh my! You’re here!”

The Madame, true to her Blanche origin, boasted a nasal accent and strong perfume scent. Various flashy accessories and her outfit also shone together. Valentin responded to the Madame’s greeting with a big smile, in place of Reynard who just nodded his head expressionlessly.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you at the shop, Madame.”

“Recently, I’ve always met you at the mansion when called by the Viscountess!”

The Madame replied with a big laugh and clapping her hands. It had been about 5 years since the last visit. As several years had passed, the dress shop had become even more splendid and sophisticated to match recent trends. Valentin was amazed looking at the latest lace samples decorating an entire wall.

“We’ve been waiting. This way, please!”

The Madame, as always, led them to a large and splendid toilette room, dramatically waving her arms like an actor.

“To be in charge of the wedding of the two hottest people in Eldon’s social circles…! It’s truly an infinite honor. As you’re our most important guests, we’ve prepared our largest private room.”

At the Madame’s words, Reynard just slightly nodded his head arrogantly, with an expression that said it should be obvious. How very noble-like… Seeing this completely different attitude towards a third party was quite striking. This must be his usual demeanor, and his kindness towards me must be special. Valentin thought, recalling Reynard’s cold appearance surrounded by officers at the ballroom where they first met.

“The Duke…”

The Madame continued, sniffling with a sound that seemed to say she was absolutely delighted.

“He told us in advance that he would be fitting his wedding attire, so we’ve prepared a few things accordingly.”

Somehow, it seemed that officially hearing about their marriage from the parties involved was a great joy and pleasure for the Madame, as she couldn’t stop smiling between her words. Valentin had never seen Madame grinning and being so happy like this before.

“Choose what you like.”

The official wedding preparations had begun.

Uninvited Guest

After seating the two on a luxurious velvet sofa that ladies would love, the Madame said in a voice full of emotion:

“To think that you’ve chosen our dress shop to fit your wedding attire. Now all the omegas in high society will come this way!”

Yes… Signs of booming business always bring smiles… Valentin recognized the expression he often saw on his father’s face on the Madame’s face as well, as he took the design book she handed over.

The Madame sat on the opposite side and began explaining, pointing at the design book Valentin was flipping through. Her finger moved gracefully as she pointed out the drawings.

“From here to here are the designs I recommend for Viscount Wiche. They’re similar to your usual style but a bit more formal. What do you think? Suitable for a groom at a bright summer wedding, right?”

“It’s certainly more elaborate.”

“You’re the main character of the wedding, so you should have this level of splendor. Plus, with the veil you’ll be wearing, this level of detail will suit you well.”

The Madame pointed to the embroidery and lace parts in the drawing as she spoke. She added that the outfit should look like a pair with the omega groom’s veil so that the two wouldn’t seem mismatched.

Then, saying that seeing it in person would give a better feel, she brought various fabric samples and embroidery samples to show Valentin.

“This one looks good.”

When he chose the design he liked best among them, the Madame clapped her hands while waving her arms widely and said:

“Oh my, oh my! I had a feeling you might choose between this and this, so I’ve already done the cutting and basting according to your measurements!”

“No, such unnecessary trouble…”

To think she had already cut and basted several to fit his size… Such an unnecessary and wasteful act…! As Valentin was flustered, the Madame quickly added:

“The Duke ordered it in advance.”

It seems the excessive smiles and kindness stemmed from the advance payment received.

When Valentin looked at Reynard with a shocked expression, he shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth nonchalantly.

“Time is more precious than gold.”

“That’s right, that’s right! Thanks to that, we can shorten the time until the wedding, how wonderful?!”

How can the chemistry between a blunt person and an overly excited person be this good…? Valentin stuck out his tongue as he looked at the pair of combinations created by capitalism. These two, who seemed to have urgently formed a team for a quick wedding, were perfectly in sync.

“Then shall we go this way and try on the basted outfit? If your size hasn’t changed much, it should fit perfectly.”

The Madame pointed to a two-step high platform that could be covered with curtains. It seemed they were supposed to change clothes there and then show the dressed-up appearance to Reynard with a ta-da.

“Excuse me.”

A visitor with a stiff voice came to the room that had become busy preparing to try on clothes. The salute with a straight palm placed at the exact angle to the end of the eyebrow was noticeable. He was clearly a soldier looking for someone with business.

“Colonel.”

“Come in.”

He must have had quite an urgent matter, as he walked straight towards them as soon as he was told to come in. Reynard introduced him to Valentin:

“This is my aide.”

“Hello, I’m Major Shane Willgrave.”

He was a tall, lean man in an impeccable uniform, with brown hair perfectly slicked back without a single strand out of place, and impressive glasses. Valentin greeted him in return:

“I’m Valentin Wiche. Nice to meet you.”