For the past few days, Zayden couldn’t help but notice Enzo’s distant demeanour. Before, he would always start the conversation first; however, lately, whenever Zayden visited him alone, Enzo remained quiet, barely answering.

His replies were short, his eyes lowering immediately, as if avoiding any direct interaction.

Whenever he was asked about it, Enzo dismissed it, saying he was feeling unwell.

But Zayden wasn’t blind.

The way Enzo’s shoulders tensed whenever he stepped into the room, the way he shifted slightly back if Zayden stood too close, spoke louder than his excuses.

Sometimes, Zayden noticed the brief hitch in his breathing when his alpha scent grew stronger in the confined space—an automatic reaction, not a conscious one.

Yet when Soren or Ren was with him, he was fine. He would sit closer to them, talk normally, even argue lightly with Soren.

His posture relaxed, movements natural, his guard lowered. He only spoke to those two, though, and always kept physical distance from Zayden, choosing a seat where an alpha wouldn’t be within arm’s reach.

It was clear that something had shifted. The fear he had managed to suppress was creeping back, hunting him when he was alone with an alpha—any alpha. And Zayden happened to be the one closest at hand.

Sitting at the dining table, Zayden looked at Soren, who was eating a little too quickly.

"Brother," Zayden started, breaking the silence. It was another family dinner.

But this time, he hadn’t brought Ren, who wanted to stay with his friends—Yusha and Enzo.

Eiran also wanted to have dinner with Leon—his most favourite person after his parents, as he often said, who didn’t like the crowded atmosphere of the Emperor’s palace.

"Yes?" Soren asked without glancing at the young man. Time pressed, and soon, Rihaan’s family would be here for the engagement.

"I think we need to look out for Enzo."

Soren frowned, finally looking at his brother.

"What are you on about now?"

"I mean... it seems like he has developed some... fear toward me," Zayden tried to explain, although the thought alone sounded ridiculous to him. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

And of course, Soren thought the same. He laughed, shaking his head.

"Maybe he is just keeping some distance from you because he doesn’t want Ren to misunderstand."

"Alright... but this—"

"Zayden," Selena interrupted. "Why don’t you help your brother instead of making things difficult for him?"

Zayden bit his lip, lowering his head. It wasn’t like they ever paid attention to his words—thinking he was just an irresponsible person who threw away his title of Duke for a position like Imperial General.

But a Duke was also bound to duties more than a General, having to meet up with nobles—clueless ones.

Inhaling deeply, he remained quiet for the rest of the dinner. Soren and Zaphyr left shortly after, too occupied with the arrangements for the banquet that would take place in a week.

Selena finished her meal and left the hall before Zayden even realized, leaving him completely alone.

"Why call me if they’re too busy to even talk?" Rising from his seat, he mumbled under his breath.

He turned toward the row of servants and told them to clean up.

They bowed, acting upon his instructions immediately.

"And what is Liam doing?" Zayden slammed his palm onto his forehead.

Although their situation with a servant was similar, Zayden knew exactly what he wanted. Liam, however, seemed completely lost whenever he spoke about the servant he had impregnated.

"Even if it was unintentional, I hope he doesn’t force that omega to abort," he sighed.

***

The tray slipped from Yusha’s fingers before he even realized it. A loud crash followed, but he couldn’t catch it no matter how much he tried.

A sharp pain shot through his abdomen, followed by a wave of dizziness that made the room blur. He grabbed the edge of the table, breathing heavily.

"Yusha?" one of the servants whispered, rushing forward.

"I’m fine," he muttered, forcing himself upright. However, his vision blurred further, and darkness slowly spread in front of his eyes.

He wasn’t fine at all.

His knees buckled. Gasps erupted as he collapsed to the floor.

Servants hurried around him, panic rising.

"Call the physician!"

"He’s burning up—!"

"No, no, don’t make it big," Yusha quickly stopped them, trying to sit up. "Please... I just need a moment."

He hated causing trouble. He hated how weak he looked.

Just then, the door opened.

Liam stepped in, a stack of papers in hand, expression bored—until he saw the servants huddled around someone on the floor.

His eyes narrowed, landing on the omega in the group.

"Yusha?"

For a heartbeat, genuine worry flashed across his face. He moved forward, nearly dropping the papers.

Then he noticed the watching eyes.

The whispers.

"The lord cares for a servant?"

Another murmured, "Isn’t that the one who stays in his quarters?"

Liam’s steps faltered. His posture straightened, expression turning cold and controlled.

"What happened?" he asked, voice sharp.

"He collapsed," a servant replied. "He was fine just a moment ago—"

Liam raised a hand, silencing him.

"Then take care of him."

Yusha barely managed to keep his eyes open. Still, he forced a weak smile.

"I’m fine, my lord. I can still—"

Liam didn’t look at him, clenching his jaw.

"You always cause trouble," he muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

The servants froze. His breath caught in his throat.

He always caused trouble?... All these years, he had done nothing but pay close attention to all of Liam’s preferences, and this was what he said?

"Don’t make a scene." Having said so, Liam turned on his heels, exiting the room as if he were leaving Yusha’s life.

Yusha stared at the doorway long after Liam disappeared. His chest tightened painfully—not from the dizziness, which had vanished as soon as a whiff of Liam’s pheromones drifted through his nostrils.

Of course, he left.

Why would he stay? Why would he risk anything for someone like me?

He swallowed hard and forced a laugh.

"Sorry," he said, looking at the servants.