Hiding That The Damn Prince Is An Omega

Vol-1: Chapter 3.3

Étienne unknowingly flinched at the words the empress had uttered. He stiffened his shoulders. It was clear that the person whom the empress referred to as 'that bastard' was Archduke Eckhart.

"Why? Are you happy to hear that he is returning?”

The empress, alertly perceiving Étienne's agitation, narrowed her eyes.

"No."
Étienne replied calmly, careful not to disturb her expression. Fortunately, her voice did not quiver. He quickly added her words so that the empress would not suspect.

“Would it be nice to see him?”
"Okay. It shouldn't be.”
Only then did the empress smile with satisfaction. Her lips, reminiscent of red rose petals, drew a fine arc.

“When that bastard returns, there will be a full-fledged fight over the position of crown prince.”
The empress' voice lowered. The more she thought about it, the more angry she gnashed her teeth.

“The emperor intends to seal him as the crown prince.”

Is that so?

Étienne nodded his head without a hint of surprise. It was no secret that the emperor had a special regard for his distant nephew, Richard.

In the past, the emperor assumed the guardianship of Archduke Eckhart, who lost his parents at a young age, and protected him in the imperial palace until he entered the imperial military academy. And he took care of it himself from one to ten.

The Emperor, who was blowing a cold wind to his own son Etienne, was warm like a spring breeze to Archduke Eckhart, so naturally, such and such words came out.

The pompous people who liked to talk about the emperor's attitude joked that their son had changed. Some nobles even said that it was because Etienne was a beta and Archduke Eckhart was a dominant alpha.

Since the emperor was born as an alpha and ascended to the throne by trampling on his brothers, the claim was accepted as somewhat credible.

The emperor did not deny the rumors surrounding Etienne and Archduke Eckhart. Imperial aristocrats also supported Archduke Eckhart as the next emperor.

Archduke Eckhart had the right to succeed to the throne, and the justification was sufficient as he was one of the few dominant alphas.

As the situation progressed, the aristocratic faction that supported Étienne strongly protested. The imperial faction and the aristocratic faction were in sharp confrontation over the next imperial power. And Etienne was more tired than before.

'Older brother.'

The last time I saw him was 3 years ago. Étienne remembered Archduke Eckhart, who had come to visit him and bid him farewell before leaving for an expedition.

The last time I met Archduke Eckhart, or Richard, was one particularly hot summer night.

‘……Who's there?'

A night where I couldn't fall asleep easily and tossed and turned for a while in the tropical night that lasted for several days.

Étienne, who had been forcing himself to sleep, stiffened at the presence he felt from the balcony and became alert. Then a small voice came through the curtains blowing in the hot wind.

'It's me, older brother.'
‘……Richard?'
Étienne recognized at once who the owner of the voice was calling him. He couldn't not know. There is only one thing in this world that the prince calls himself big brother. There was only one name.

'Why do you...….’
Étienne, who had stiffened his body, rose from his seat with a puzzled look on his face. As he hurried to the balcony, he saw a familiar face through the curtains.

'What's going on at this hour?'
Etienne asked in the calmest voice possible. It was a shame because he knew that he was staying overnight at the imperial palace for the ceremony to be held tomorrow, otherwise he would have screamed unsightly.

'I want to see my older brother before I leave.'
Richard frowned, gently folding his sad eyes. For a moment, Étienne's heart beat erratically.
'Me?'
‘…… yes. But I didn't mean to disturb brother's sleep. It was just a little impulsive move...….’
Richard smiled shyly as he trailed off his words. Étienne crossed his arms, feeling his sigh rise.
‘Really, you…….’
'Are you mad, brother?'
‘…… I told you not to call me brother.'
Étienne deliberately snapped at him harshly. After Étienne became the grand duke, he drew a line between him and Richard and persistently demanded that he change his title to himself.

But Richard was still friendly with Etienne, calling him his brother.

‘Why are you…….’
The words that came out like a sigh were scattered without being completed.

Étienne shut his mouth, feeling something hot welling up in his chest and stroking him.

He is 18 years old this year, and has officially succeeded to the Grand Duke. Richard was right on the border between a boy and a young man. Étienne, who looked at Richard for a moment, gave a long sigh. He turned around with cold words.

'I'll go back if I see your face.'
'Wait.'
Richard called out to Etienne in an urgent voice and reached out his hand. His large, brawny hand grasped Etienne's arm.

'You really…....’
Etienne, irritated for a moment, frowned at him. He was about to say something about how rude this is, but he hesitated at Richard's words.

'Just a little bit. I don't know when I'll be back.....Can you stay with me a little longer?'

Hearing that he didn't know when he would return, his heart thumped and jumped once. Étienne could not shake off Richard's hand. Like he said, he didn't know when we would be able to meet again.

Richard, who became Archduke Eckhart earlier this year, is the youngest general in the empire and a knight who has sworn allegiance to the emperor.

The first mission he received was to organize a large-scale monster wave that occurred in 10 years.

It was different from the normal monster wave, so it'll take a few months if it was short, or several years if it was long. It is a dangerous mission that can seriously injure or die if things go wrong.

When I thought about that, I couldn't resist Richard any longer. Étienne let out a long sigh and relaxed his body. Then Richard's face brightened.

'Older brother.'
'What?'
Richard called to Etienne in a low voiceÉtienne replied bluntly.
'Can I write a letter?'
Richard, who had noticed Etienne, opened his mouth hesitantly. In the darkness, the eyes that seemed to have moved the night sky as it were were twinkling.

Étienne stared at the gentle eyes that did not match his size. His heart was tighter than before.

‘…...If I don't have to reply.'
He barely raised his voice to answer, and Richard's face turned red. He was in good shape even though he said he wouldn't reply if he sent a letter.

Look at him, still a kid.

Étienne thought as he looked at Richard, who smiled brightly. Strangely, the tightness in his chest seemed to have gone away.

'I have to go now.'
Ding, the midnight bell rang in the distance. Richard, who glanced in the direction of the sound, muttered regretfully.
‘…...Bye.'

Would this be okay?

Etienne hesitated for a moment before saying goodbye to Richard. Then, the blue eyes shone as if they were holding stars.

'I'll be back.'
Richard greeted him with a smile. Then
he carefully raised his hand. For a moment, a soft warmth touched Etienne's cheek and then fell. Richard, who took his hand away, frowned as if he was laughing or crying.

'Take care of yourself.'
After giving his final greeting, Richard turned around with a clear expression of regret. Etienne stood on the balcony until he was completely out of sight.

That night, Étienne could not sleep a wink.