But what if Etienne truly fell in love with Dasse? Such a thought was both thrilling and terrifying. The young man was afraid to allow himself hope, afraid to believe it. After all, they had lived under the same roof for nearly a decade, and for Etienne, Dasse was no more interesting than the schedule of cleaning rooms.

Dasse wiped the fogged-up mirror with his hand and began to examine himself. How could he attract an alpha? Sex? He was barely more active than a log. Scent? Etienne had known him since childhood. The omega touched the red marks near his neck that had appeared on his chest and near his groin. Could it be hickeys? He looked at himself in a new light. Scenes of their painfully pleasant shared time flashed before his eyes again.

— Passionate! — Dasse muttered, drying himself with a large fluffy towel, unsure whether to be pleased or distressed, — Damn, I should have given you more hickeys so you couldn't walk around in open clothes!

— I frightened him, — concluded Etienne, pacing agitatedly back and forth in his study, — I must be more cautious. You will assist me.

The gloomy Runour sat in an armchair, observing Etienne's circular pacing around the desk. At least he had donned trousers. Yet, if the second son of the Rutias family were to clothe himself in all the finery of the house at once, it would do little to elevate Runour's mood. He attempted to imagine what his cousin might be feeling, but it proved elusive. As far back as Runour could recall, Dasse had always been enamored with Etienne, but why had this featherbrain only now been struck with reciprocal affection?!

— If you merely toy with him, I will personally stand behind the curtain in your room with a knife, — Runour threatened.

— You would only be a hindrance, — Etienne retorted, thoughtfully stroking his chin. — No, Runour, I am serious. I wish to take Dasse as my husband.

Fully aware that he had no right to raise his voice, Runour could not suppress a vehement exclamation:

— But you already chose someone there yesterday!

Feeling that the initial wave of excitement had subsided and he was slowly recovering, Etienne sank into an armchair. He could also understand Runour's concerns - for him, these feelings were also a shocking revelation, but he couldn't help but accept them. He belongs to Dasse, all of it, utterly and completely.

And he already considered Runour almost his close relative, so he did not pay any attention to the loud voice with claims. But it would not hurt to attract a future relative to your side.

— Yes, one must sometimes acknowledge their mistakes. Yesterday, I erred, Runour. That incident with Ovgust… — pausing, alpha waved his hand dismissively, — in any case, do not worry, I will rectify everything.

Runour grimaced. But then Etienne, with a spirited lean over the table, spoke with a completely boyish, fiery gaze:

— You understand me! You understand that this is it — once and for all! — he grinned, — I've already heard about your sudden love… for biscuits.

Runour blushed with embarrassment. Mumbled:

— It's not that…

Etienne briskly interjected:

— Precisely. Does it blow your mind? It does. So, I'm driven mad by Dasse's scent. He always uses suppressors for his odors, which is why I couldn't understand.

Runour was struck with contemplation. Indeed, Dasse preferred to suffer quietly instead of resolving his misfortunes. And he even indulged him! After all, pairs choose each other by scent. Dasse deliberately sacrificed this for the sake of work. He deliberately fled.

— My cousin is a masochist, if anything, — Runour warned, — if you are not serious…

— One could hold more than one wedding in the mansion, — Etienne casually remarked, gently interrupting Runour, — And it would be so pleasant to do something nice, asking nothing in return!

And Runour realized that he was ready to become an accomplice of Mr. Rutias at this very moment.