Ash remained where he was, watching the departing carriage until it disappeared beyond the palace gates.

The cool night breeze brushed against his face.

“…What a strange man.”

The words escaped him almost absentmindedly.

Most people would have panicked after nearly having their throat slit.

That man…

Argued with him.

Mocked his methods of interrogation.

Then had the audacity to imply that he was the fool.

A faint scoff escaped his lips.

“…Interesting.”

“You’ve been staring at that carriage for quite a while.”

Kai’s voice broke the silence.

Ash blinked before glancing sideways.

“…Have I?”

Kai merely smiled.

He neither confirmed nor denied it.

Ash clicked his tongue and turned back toward the palace.

“…You’re smiling.”

“Am I?”

“You are.”

Kai chuckled quietly.

“I was simply thinking.”

“About?”

“Nothing important.”

Ash narrowed his eyes.

“Liar.”

Kai only laughed, refusing to elaborate.

The two continued walking side by side through the moonlit garden.

The banquet was still in full swing beyond the palace walls. Music drifted faintly through the night air, accompanied by the distant chatter of nobles enjoying the festivities.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Ash wasn’t usually one to dwell on people.

Once a mission ended, so did his interest.

Yet tonight…

His thoughts stubbornly returned to the same person.

A young noble who remained composed with a dagger pressed against his throat.

Someone who had examined the weapon instead of panicking.

Someone who spoke as though they were discussing the weather rather than standing inches away from death.

“…He’s odd.”

Kai glanced at him.

“So you’ve noticed.”

Ash frowned.

“You say that as though you expected this.”

“I expected the two of you to misunderstand each other.”

“And?”

“I didn’t expect either of you to keep arguing afterward.”

Ash gave a quiet snort.

“He started it.”

Kai looked at him.

“Did he?”

“…”

Ash remained silent.

Thinking back…

It had been he who accused Aries of being a spy.

He had been the one to attack first.

He had also been the one who nearly slit the other’s throat.

“…”

“…Don’t say it.”

Kai smiled knowingly.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were about to.”

“I wasn’t.”

“You were.”

Kai laughed softly.

For some reason, Ash found that laugh rather irritating.

His thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Healing magic.

His expression gradually turned serious.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

Kai spoke before Ash could ask.

“The healing magic.”

Kai nodded.

Ash looked ahead.

“I’ve never seen a wound close that quickly.”

“Neither have I.”

“And House Lelouche…”

Kai’s smile disappeared.

“…Shouldn’t possess an affinity for healing magic.”

“Exactly.”

Neither of them spoke for several moments.

The impossible scene replayed itself in Ash’s mind.

The blood.

The warmth gathering beneath Aries’ hand.

The wound disappearing as though it had never existed.

No scar.

No trace.

Almost…

As if time itself had reversed.

“…He looked just as surprised as we were.”

Ash finally said.

Kai nodded.

“He did.”

“You don’t think he was pretending?”

“I don’t.”

Kai answered without hesitation.

“I’ve known my brother his entire life.”

“If he truly knew healing magic, he wouldn’t have looked that confused.”

Ash quietly considered those words.

“…Then what happened?”

Kai slowly shook his head.

“I don’t know.”

It was the first time Ash had ever heard uncertainty in Kai’s voice.

Somehow…

That answer bothered him even more.

They eventually reached the palace corridor where servants hurried about, carrying trays of food and wine for the remaining guests.

Ash stopped walking.

“I’ll head back.”

Kai nodded once.

“There are still people looking for you.”

“I figured.”

Ash adjusted his gloves.

Just before leaving, he glanced once toward the palace gates.

Only darkness greeted him.

The carriage carrying House Lelouche had long since vanished.

“…What a troublesome noble.”

He muttered before disappearing into the brightly lit halls of the imperial palace.

...

The following morning arrived peacefully.

Golden rays of sunlight slipped through the tall windows of the ducal residence, bathing the corridors in a warm glow.

Unlike the lively atmosphere of the imperial banquet the previous evening, the mansion had returned to its usual tranquility.

Aries had always appreciated quiet mornings.

They reminded him of the hospital before dawn.

The brief moments of peace before another hectic day began.

His routine had changed very little despite finding himself in another world.

He woke early.

Bathed.

Changed into fresh clothes.

Shared a simple breakfast with little conversation.

Afterward, as he had done almost every morning since arriving at the capital, he made his way toward the mansion’s library.

Compared to the drawing rooms and reception halls, this was by far his favorite place within the residence.

Towering shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, each filled with books collected over generations by House Lelouche.

History.

Politics.

Magic.

Medicine.

Geography.

Even novels and poetry occupied several shelves.

Aries had already spent countless hours exploring their contents.

There was something oddly comforting about books.

Regardless of the world…

Knowledge remained knowledge.

This morning, however, a particular section caught his attention once again.

Books concerning second genders.

He had already skimmed several volumes over the past few days, but there were still countless questions left unanswered.

His hand settled upon a thick leather-bound volume.

An Introduction to Secondary Dynamics and Physiology.

“…This should be useful.”

Taking the book from its shelf, he settled into a chair beside the window.

Sunlight spilled across the pages as he began reading.

According to the text, Alphas and Omegas possessed complementary biological instincts that influenced reproduction, pair bonding, and social interactions.

During specific periods known as ruts and heats, these instincts intensified considerably.

Aries turned another page.

Ruts occurred approximately once every two months and generally lasted close to a week. During that time, an Alpha’s instincts became significantly stronger, often accompanied by heightened aggression and an overwhelming desire to seek a compatible mate.

He paused.

“…That sounds inconvenient.”

The next section described Omegas.

Their heat cycle occurred more frequently, usually once a month, lasting anywhere from three days to a full week depending on the individual.

During that period, pheromones played a vital role in attracting a compatible Alpha.

Successful pairings could eventually lead to a bond, a connection recognized both biologically and socially throughout the continent.

Aries quietly absorbed each piece of information.

This world’s biology differed greatly from anything he had studied in his previous life.

Yet…

It still followed its own internal logic.

Which made it fascinating.

Turning another page, his eyes settled upon the final section.

Betas.

Unlike Alphas and Omegas, Betas experienced neither ruts nor heats and produced no detectable pheromones. They lived ordinary lives unaffected by those biological cycles.

The author also noted that some scholars considered Betas to be individuals whose secondary traits remained dormant or undeveloped, though the matter continued to be debated among physicians and magical researchers alike.

“…Interesting.”

Aries murmured thoughtfully.

“So even within this world…”

“…There are still theories rather than absolute answers.”

A series of gentle knocks echoed through the quiet library.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Come in.”

The door opened slowly, revealing Charlotte balancing a silver tray in her hands. Resting upon it was a porcelain teapot, a steaming cup of tea, and an assortment of neatly arranged pastries.

“My Lord,” she greeted with a cheerful smile.

“I brought your afternoon tea.”

Aries looked up from the book before shifting his gaze to the tray.

His eyes lingered on the colorful assortment of sweets.

“…”

Charlotte blinked.

“My Lord?”

“I appreciate it.”

He closed the book and accepted the teacup.

“This is enough.”

Charlotte tilted her head.

“…Aren’t you going to eat the pastries?”

Aries calmly took a sip of tea.

“No.”

Charlotte looked genuinely puzzled.

“But…”

She hesitated.

“You always asked for sweets whenever you stayed in the library.”

Aries lowered his cup.

“Did I?”

She nodded.

“You said reading became much more enjoyable with something sweet.”

“…I see.”

That was probably the original Aries’ preference.

Unfortunately…

He wasn’t the original owner of this body.

“I suppose a person’s preferences can change over time.”

Charlotte remained silent.

Aries offered her a reassuring smile.

“It’s not that I dislike them.”

“I simply don’t feel like eating sweets today.”

“Oh…”

She seemed to relax a little.

“I was worried you still weren’t feeling well.”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“Then…”

Charlotte smiled shyly.

“What would you prefer from now on, My Lord?”

Aries thought for a moment.

“…Freshly baked bread.”

She blinked.

“Bread?”

“Soft bread.”

“Preferably not too sweet.”

“And if possible…”

“…still warm.”

Charlotte’s eyes brightened.

“I understand!”

“I’ll remember that.”

Aries smiled faintly.

“I’d appreciate it.”

Charlotte carefully removed the untouched pastries from the tray before replacing them with a small basket containing freshly baked bread that had been prepared earlier that morning.

“I’ll bring this instead.”

“…Efficient.”

She giggled.

“I happened to prepare some just in case.”

Aries tore off a small piece before taking a bite.

The bread was warm.

Soft.

Simple.

Exactly to his liking.

“…Thank you.”

Charlotte’s smile widened.

“I’m glad.”

Satisfied, she quietly began tidying the table while Aries returned his attention to the book.

Several pages later…

One particular passage caught his eye.

Secondary traits are often influenced by bloodline. While exceptions have occasionally been documented throughout history, children commonly inherit the dominant traits found within their family lineage.

Aries paused.

“…Family lineage…”

His gaze slowly drifted toward Charlotte.

“Lotte.”

She immediately stopped what she was doing.

“Yes, My Lord?”

“My memories are still… fragmented.”

His excuse had become almost routine by now.

“Would you mind telling me about my family?”

Charlotte’s hands froze.

For the first time that morning, uncertainty appeared on her face.

“My Lord…”

“I don’t know if I should.”

“As a servant…”

“…I’m not really in a position to speak about the Duke’s family.”

“I understand.”

Aries closed the book.

“I’m not asking you to tell me private matters.”

“I simply wish to avoid embarrassing myself.”

Charlotte looked relieved.

“…I suppose that’s alright.”

She carefully placed the tray aside before speaking.

“The head of House Lelouche is His Grace, Duke Eleazar Truyde de Lelouche.”

Aries silently repeated the name in his mind.

Eleazar Truyde de Lelouche.

“The current Duchess is Lady Luciana de Lelouche.”

“She became the Duchess after marrying His Grace.”

Aries gave a small nod.

“My elder brother…”

Charlotte smiled.

“Lord Kaius Aegis de Lelouche.”

“You’ve always admired him.”

Aries merely listened.

“And your younger half-brother is Lord Lucien de Lelouche.”

“I see.”

Charlotte hesitated.

“There used to be another topic people often whispered about…”

“…your birth mother.”

Her expression quickly became troubled.

“But…”

“We servants were strictly forbidden from discussing it.”

“So…”

“I’m sorry, My Lord.”

Aries gently shook his head.

“There’s no need to apologize.”

“You’ve already helped me more than enough.”

Charlotte visibly relaxed.

“I’m glad.”

Aries leaned back slightly in his chair.

Now he had names.

That alone was enough.

His goal had never been to uncover every secret surrounding House Lelouche.

He simply wanted to avoid the embarrassment of failing to recognize members of his own family.

That would have been difficult to explain.

A comfortable silence settled between them.

Only the faint rustling of pages disturbed the peaceful atmosphere of the library.

Then—

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

A different rhythm.

More measured.

More formal.

Charlotte immediately recognized it.

“The butler…”

Aries closed the book with a quiet sigh.

“…Come in.”

The door opened.

The elderly butler bowed respectfully.

“My Lord.”

“His Grace requests your presence.”

Aries closed his eyes for a brief moment.

Of course.

He had only just begun enjoying the peace.

“…Did His Grace mention the reason?”

“I’m afraid not, My Lord.”

“I see.”

Aries looked toward Charlotte.

“He truly won’t allow me a day of rest, will he?”

Charlotte gave an awkward laugh.

“W-Well…”

“We are staying at the Imperial Capital.”

“His Grace has many responsibilities here.”

“And…”

“…you’re probably included in some of them.”

“I had a feeling that would be your answer.”

Charlotte smiled apologetically.

“My apologies.”

“It’s hardly your fault.”

Aries stood from his chair before placing a bookmark between the pages of the book.

He returned it carefully to the table.

“I suppose knowledge can wait.”

He adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves.

“Responsibilities, unfortunately, cannot.”

Charlotte picked up the now-empty teacup.

“I’ll tidy everything up, My Lord.”

“Thank you.”

She gave a polite curtsy.

“I’ll have fresh bread prepared for your return.”

Aries paused near the doorway.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Charlotte beamed.

“I’ll make sure it doesn’t disappoint.”

Aries nodded once before following the butler into the corridor.

The heavy library doors closed quietly behind him.

The peaceful morning had officially come to an end.

As he walked through the silent halls of the ducal residence, only one thought crossed his mind.

What could the Duke possibly want this time?

Knowing the head of House Lelouche…

It was unlikely to be something simple.

Aries let out a quiet, almost defeated sigh.

Being a noble truly is troublesome.

With that thought lingering in his mind, he continued down the corridor toward the Duke’s study.

TO BE CONTINUED…