Etienne's head spun from the overwhelming surge of emotions. He felt like a puppy finally receiving the coveted bone. And tonight, he would receive even more...

— Yes... — he managed to utter, inhaling the scent emanating from Auguste with his nose. When his beloved disappeared through the doors, he sighed brokenheartedly. And incidentally, he could use a wardrobe change himself.

Instead of heading upstairs, Etienne went to the ground floor wardrobe. Stylish trousers and a white shirt were the perfect ensemble for any significant occasion.

The second appearance of the Rutias family's son was met with more benevolence by the audience. Young, handsome boys looked at him with resentment for making his choice so early and not getting acquainted with them. And now, seeing Etienne unaccompanied by his potential fiancé, they realized that there might still be a chance. The alpha charmingly conversed with the guests but clearly and distinctly made it known that he had no intention of openly flirting. The desire to savor that exquisite scent he had so nobly temporarily relinquished lingered in his nose. Suddenly, a strange thought flashed through his mind that he was thinking about the smell rather than the bearer of that very scent. True, the thought flashed by at the speed of light, and Etienne failed to grasp it, distracted by a conversation with another potential admirer. He was already engaged in a discussion with a plump omega in glasses about the problems of philosophical teachings in the post-evolutionary era when another young man called out to him, smirking somewhat snidely.

— Mr. Etienne, your omega has been here for half an hour, and you are still having conversations with Mr. Manny.

Mr. Manny's face flushed with embarrassment. Etienne, however, had no reason to feel ashamed—the subject of discussion was genuinely intriguing to him, but the distressing fact that he had not yet caught a whiff of his omega was deeply unsettling. As he distanced himself from the young crowd, the alpha turned his head, searching for his chosen one. The beloved scent was absent. Had he even arrived? Etienne passed by the guests, impatiently sniffing the air. It took him a moment to realize someone was calling his name.

— Etienne... Etienne, — Ovgust gave Etienne one of his most charming smiles. His attire—a silk shirt and form-fitting trousers—accentuating the allure of his well-formed physique.

— What has you lost in thought? I'm calling you...

Etienne stared at Ovgust. The omega's scent was pleasant, reminiscent of exotic, expensive flowers, yet it was... not the right one. To be honest, Etienne barely recognized Ovgust at first. Thankfully, he had the presence of mind not to ask, "Who are you?" and risk a slap in front of the esteemed citizens of the kingdom. What was happening? What was going on? His nose had never failed him before!

— Ah, no, it's nothing, — he finally replied cautiously, wiping his brow, — I apologize, I got carried away with the guests. You... smell slightly different.

— Indeed, I have thoroughly bathed and perfumed myself, — Ovgust responded, deploying his second charmingly lavish smile, — and I've sweetly scented my attire. That robe...

Something clicked in Etienne's mind. The robe.

— Where did you get that robe?

Ovgust was visibly flustered by his fiancé's tense and demanding tone. His mind raced through the most shameful moments of his disgraceful escapade at the mansion, and he blurted out the first thing that came to mind:

— It was in the guest room... I don't know anything. What's wrong?

Etienne bit his lip. The robe. His beloved had worn that robe. He had been deceived by the scent, assuming August was the wearer. Idiot! But why would Ovgust lie? What cleaner would leave used robes in a room for distinguished guests? Etienne was confident in his alpha instincts. The guests watched the couple, who had been the talk of the evening, with interest.

Etienne found himself in a delicate situation, unable to ask directly. If he were to leave now with Omega to a secluded spot, everyone would surely jump to all sorts of conclusions! And what about his beloved, who was somewhere nearby—what would he think of Etienne then? Alpha clenched his teeth. Etienne had no doubt that his beloved was somewhere in the mansion or, at the very least, had been there a couple of hours ago. Had he really shouted about marrying this Ovgust just two hours ago?

— I need a drink, — the alpha muttered, and he downed a glass of whiskey in one go, the trays of which were being circulated among the guests by waiters. The room was filled with distinguished guests. And leaving now was not an option—he had already behaved like a complete fool! Damn it!

Ovgust, intoxicated by his initial success, did not notice any changes in his fiancé. In his mind, he was already flying to his new home abroad near the warm sea, while glancing at the clock hands: it was just past ten. It was time to show his future husband a black silk negligee he had promised.

Etienne flinched when he felt Ovgust's fingers on his wrist. Omega tossed back his light hair and coyly grinned, whispering:

— It's already night... I promised to show you something interesting.