Two guards passed by with wide-eyed gazes fixed on the hairy thighs of the second son of the Rutias family, but the alpha didn't even notice them. His thoughts were entirely occupied by Dasse. And there he was, loudly threatening to brutally break down the door, when Runour appeared in the corridor, equally shocked as the other residents of the house.

— What are you waving your nonsense around here for?! And right next to Dasse's room?!

— Runour! — Etienne pounced on him like a drowning man clutching at a lifeline — the sweet one doesn't want to talk to me!

Runour was utterly bewildered:

— What sweet one?!

Etienne impatiently stomped his foot.

— Dasse! He's avoiding me! He's locked himself in!

— I'd run away too, damn it! — exclaimed Runour indignantly, — Have you seen yourself at all?! Like an exhibitionist from the madhouse!

— What nonsense is this?! I'm not…

Etienne fell silent at last, finally realizing the spectacle he had made of himself by running around the house with shouts. And this in front of distinguished guests! Indeed, these guests already considered Etienne a rather eccentric young man. However, the thought that Dasse might now fear to marry him due to this incident was deeply unsettling.

Listening to the furious pounding on the door and Etienne's demanding voice, Dasse trembled, unsure of what to think. He breathed heavily, leaning against the wall, trying to steady his breathing after the sprint through the corridors. He was utterly bewildered and frightened. Everything was happening too suddenly! Why was Etienne suddenly so interested in him? Was it a joke? A painful knot formed in his chest. His eyes were blurred by uncontrollable tears. When Etienne began to frantically justify himself, all Dasse could manage was a desperate "Stop!" before fleeing to the bathroom and slamming the door loudly behind him.

Dasse took a deep breath, leaning on his hands against the glossy sink. No, there must be a logical explanation for all this. Yesterday it was that omega in a robe, today it's him, and tomorrow, who knows who else will fall into the category of the chosen? Dasse recalled that the second son of the Rutias family wasn't particularly keen on marriage, more so following the centuries-old traditions of their family. Dasse shook his head. His mind boiled, his hands trembled, and his backside felt like it was on fire. The omega turned on the tap, hoping that warm water might help him regain his composure and gather his thoughts. As the healing liquid filled the bathtub, Dasse carefully removed his clothing. He shuddered, feeling something trickle down his thighs, wetting his already damp pants on his backside. It took him a few seconds to realize, staring blankly at the murky white liquid on his fingers, pungent with the scent of Etienne.

— Without protection. Inside me. All night! You brute!

Dasse groaned, collapsing weakly against the bathtub. His thoughts immediately turned to the possibility of impregnation by an alpha. If carrying the alpha's child in his womb seemed like a very right decision then, now the prospect terrified him to his core. He could actually become pregnant. Considering his heat was soon... and it was too late to take pills. The omega quickly climbed into the bathtub, trying not to think about anything. He quickly washed himself, focusing intensely on intimate areas, and poured half a pack of soothing herbs into the warm water before stretching out in the tub. The water pleasantly enveloped his body, relaxing him. And Dasse decided he was panicking too soon. Perhaps the second son of the Rutias family had already come to his senses and regretted his words. And his heat wasn't here yet—getting pregnant was also problematic. And even if Dasse did become pregnant—there was nothing wrong with that. After all, it was his nature. And to bear a child from a loved one—that was double happiness. Besides, he had money. Not much, but enough for the time being. Dasse still saw no point in abandoning his original plan: to resign and vanish into the sunset.

Assuming even that Etienne had suddenly fallen out of love with his chosen one—the handsome man in a robe, he had publicly announced their engagement to the entire beau monde. How could such a matter be easily and simply hushed up? Although he was already known to be a very eccentric and amorous person. Dasse emitted a nervous chuckle, recalling the recent sprints through the corridors and staircases. He remembered and felt ashamed. He had behaved like a child! Frightened and fled! Ultimately, Dasse was to blame himself: it was he who had fallen in love with him, it was he who had come to him at night and climbed on him, caressing. And there was no one to blame here.