Into The Rose Garden

Vol. 3 Chapter 8.5 - Uncovering secret blossoms in the dawn

Like a curse cast upon a devil, the accusation flew with a cold stare, but at that moment, all that filled Kloff’s mind was what had he accomplished to hear such flattering words of joy. Whether he had originally been an alpha and changed or had been an omega from the beginning didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Aeroc said like his body had magically changed for him.

Kloff couldn’t hold back and grabbed Aeroc’s arms, pulling him towards himself and making him sit on his lap. Aeroc asked what he was doing in anger, but Kloff silenced him with a kiss.

One of Kloff’s hands grabbed Aeroc’s hand, which was pushing his shoulder away, and his other hand wrapped around the back of his neck, continuing to kiss him. At first, Aeroc tried to avoid it, but when Kloff kissed him until he was going to melt, he didn’t resist. Aeroc loved kissing. He always embraced it eagerly, wrapping his arms around Kloff’s neck and gently brushing his lips against his cheeks and chin, exhaling warm breath between their lips. Sitting on Kloff’s lap with his arms encircling Kloff’s neck, Kloff gave him another light peck on the lips. Kloff whispered, his gaze drifting to those addictively sweet lips.

“Are you not happy that you changed because of me?”

“……”

Aeroc didn’t say a word. He looked a little taken aback. That was understandable if he had really changed from an alpha to an omega. Kloff was extremely happy, but he could tell that Aeroc’s puzzling issue was not a normal issue.

If Kloff had met Aeroc and changed into an omega, he would have undoubtedly gone half-crazy. It would be a life-altering event and a big blow to his self-esteem. It would have been difficult to accept that and he wouldn’t have wanted anyone to find out. Maybe that was why, over the past two months, Aeroc had rejected the approaching alphas, wandered in the bottom place and even bought suppressants.

Still, Aeroc didn’t outright refuse sex for two days. Although he wasn’t prepared at all and it caused him anguish, he eventually accepted Kloff. That alone was enough to make Kloff unable to resist how adorable Aeroc was. Even when the carriage stopped at the estate entrance, he couldn’t let him go. He held him tightly and buried his face in Aeroc’s chest.

“…Kloff.”

“I’m so terribly happy. I even want to give my thanks to the gods.”

As Kloff held him, Aeroc, who had a sweet scent mixed with a musky scent and also his own scent, stiffened slightly. Even if Aeroc didn’t like any of this, it couldn’t be helped. He had already changed into an omega for Kloff, and he had confirmed it countless times over the past two days. He had no intention of letting Aeroc go. Kloff raised his head. Staring into the blue eyes of the man in his arms, he stole another breath. Once again, Aeroc didn’t refuse.

While they were passionately kissing, there was a sudden knock on the door. Startled, Aeroc broke the kiss and looked outside. The inside of the carriage was dark, so it wouldn’t be visible from outside, but realizing what they had been doing without drawing the curtains, Aeroc abruptly pulled away from Kloff’s embrace. Kloff didn’t want to let him go, but he couldn’t keep up with how quickly Aeroc slipped away. Not even having time to regret the emptiness in his arms, Aeroc wiped his lips with the back of his hand and stepped out of the carriage.

As the Count stepped out of the Kloff’s carriage, the footman, who had been smiling politely, was startled. And one maid who was standing next to him quickly went inside the house.

“Welcome back, Count.”

“Was everything all right?”

“Yes.”

With a brief exchange, Aeroc walked into the estate. Of course, Kloff followed behind him. The footman looked at him somewhat puzzled, but as a servant who had served in the Count’s household for a long time, he did not ask unnecessary questions. As they passed through the entrance and entered the hall, the butler appeared from the other side, walking hurriedly.

“Young Master, you’ve returned. I was worried because I couldn’t reach you.”

“Sorry, Hugo. Some stuff unexpectedly came up.”

The butler courteously accepted the cloak handed to him and also greeted Kloff politely. However, Kloff didn’t miss the glint in his eyes hidden behind his monocle, sharp like a blade. The cunning old fox had sensed that the “unexpected stuff” was somehow related to Kloff. Although Kloff didn’t know the exact reason for him being like that, it was clear that the butler had firmly set his mind on criticizing him strongly. The butler was indeed a formidable figure, but he would have to change as well in the future.

“Was everything outside resolved?”

“Well, something came up. I’ll talk about it later. Right now I’m tired and need to get some rest.”

“What about your meal?”

“I don’t need it. I’ll get some sleep first.”

The butler escorted Aeroc to his bedroom, and Kloff followed silently. It was natural. While his recently in-heat Omega was resting, an alpha would want to protect him by his side. Although Aeroc had taken suppressants and wouldn’t get pregnant, his instinct would still be difficult to resist. But when Kloff followed him all the way to the bedroom, the butler stared at him intently before opening the door, even throwing a glance at Aeroc.

“How far are you going to follow me?”

Kloff was rather surprised by the count’s composed question.

“Surely…”

“I’ve already told you. No one knows.”

“But-!”

“You better leave for today. I’ll contact you next time.”

“You’re being absurd!”

Despite his strong protest, Aeroc didn’t even flinch. With a smile close to being expressionless, he gestured to the butler. The butler called the footmen again. Two sturdy alphas approached Kloff and presented him with a polite smile, offering to escort him. Exasperated, Kloff tried to grab Aeroc’s arm, but the butler quickly blocked him.

“Please leave now, the Count needs to rest.”

“Aeroc!”

Aeroc turned and glanced at Kloff before entering the room.

“I won’t be running away, so just be obedient and go back. I’m also behind on my work.”

“I can’t just leave my O……”

Kloff closed his mouth, not continuing his sentence. He didn’t want to reveal Aeroc’s status as an omega in front of the Butler, who was almost like Aeroc’s parent, and the other footmen. It was a mix of possessiveness and wariness. Unable to say anything further, Aeroc smiled and entered the room, and the butler followed him, closing the door firmly. And failing to grab his omega before his eyes, the alpha was kicked from the estate.

It had already been a week. Kloff was once again fuming under severe mental pressure. He couldn’t focus on the documents or anything else. Forgetting his pride, he had visited the estate several times, but each time the butler said Aeroc was tired and currently sleeping. The butler’s attitude was even colder and more stern than before. He always had a retinue of footmen and tended to Kloff, making it clear that regardless of Aeroc’s intentions, Kloff’s freedom of action within the estate would not be tolerated.

“The Count needs to rest. Please come back later.”

“What kind of rest lasts for six days?”

“Aristocracies normally take that much rest. Though I don’t know if Lord Bendyke would understand.”

There was a strong hint of disregard in the subtle attitude. Kloff had known all along that the butler didn’t like him, but now he was openly showing his disdain. He especially emphasized on Kloff’s relatively low social status. He was giving him an unspoken warning not to act like he matched the Count’s social status.

He would rather let him know that Aeroc was an omega, but that would have been a blow to his pride. Knowing the butler’s attitude, he wouldn’t believe him. And even if he would believe him, he would likely treat him as nothing more than a sex slave for the Count. It was a very unpleasant situation.

“We’re just the same as before like this!”

He threw his filing cabinet in a fit of rage, and the secretary, who had been calmly filling out documents, glanced at him briefly before lowering his gaze and focusing on his work again. He was no longer fazed at the sudden outburst from his boss.

Kloff scowled and drummed his fingers on the window sill behind his desk in irritation. He didn’t think Aeroc would unknowingly do something dangerous. If he had a brain, he wouldn’t even consider going to such a dangerous place again after experiencing that. The butler was undoubtedly worried when he lost contact with Aeroc, so he certainly wouldn’t leave Aeroc to wander alone. But even so, Aeroc’s words kept haunting his mind.

I’ll just buy them again myself.

Kloff had no way of knowing how Aeroc had discovered the existence of a drug that he didn’t even know about, considering his vast knowledge. But Kloff knew well how desperately Aeroc wanted to get those, even if it meant risking his life going alone to the bottom place. Kloff was extremely anxious and restless. Just the thought of Aeroc falling into danger again was terrifying, and Kloff felt a hint of anger, feeling as if the omega was rejecting the idea of having his child. Although he hadn’t heard it directly, he couldn’t help but think that the butler’s attitude was Aeroc’s response toward him.

“This is driving me crazy.”

If Aeroc were just a common omega, there would be no need for Kloff to rack his brain and worry like this. Unfortunately, he was a high-ranking noble known throughout the realm as an alpha, and Kloff didn’t possess the power to control him as he pleased. He had never been so regretful about his social status until now. This was different. If he had at least been the eldest Bendyke and inherited the title, he wouldn’t have been easily overshadowed like this. Why is he a Count? Kloff agonized over how he could completely grasp that detestable omega. At that time, his secretary spoke up.

“Sir Bendyke, I’m writing a rejection letter for the high-ranking position offered by the Finance Minister, as you have asked me to do. If you could review the wording for this section…”

“Wait. That document. Bring it back here.”

“Do you mean the letter or the reply to it?”

“Both.”

The secretary handed him both letters. The Finance Minister had recently written to him regarding an official position related to the investment of the ‘national funds’. He’d been tempted to decline, as it was supposed to be a ’service’ to the state, with no specifics, a paltry salary, and a lot of responsibility. Even without such endeavors, he could make enough money dealing with aristocrats. That offer would be nothing more than an honorary position.

But things were different now. He needed all kinds of power to grasp that Count. Kloff personally composed a polite acceptance letter and instructed the secretary to send it through official channels. He watched from the window as the secretary left the building.

“If my status is lacking, I’ll make up for it with power.”

Kloff was confident. He decided to manipulate the national fund and become an economic bureaucrat at the most core of the power. After receiving an honorary title, he vowed to boldly make Aeroc Teiwind his spouse, whether officially or unofficially.

As he set goals, made plans, and steadily progressed, his boiling anger and anxiety subsided. They hadn’t completely disappeared, but they simmered below the surface, like lava flowing downward. At least outwardly, Kloff appeared to have returned to normal.

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