IRTRHP 12

Episode 12. Understanding

Eileen was so shocked by Lloyd’s words that the fork slipped from her hand and clattered against the plate.

“The Day of Henas… that’s the day Ethan got married.”

It was a coincidence — but everything else, except for Ethan himself, was unfolding exactly the same way as it had back then. The memory hit her like a wave, and her heart pounded hard in her chest. She tried to compose herself, to hide her sudden agitation, but the air around the table had already grown awkward.

“I’m sorry. My hand slipped.”

Trying to recover the situation, Eileen spoke quickly. She wished she could bend down and pick up the fork herself, but instead she forced a smile — though the corners of her lips trembled.

Everyone had noticed her unease. Count Claudia rose and gently placed a hand on Eileen’s shoulder.

“You must be nervous.”

“…I think so.”

Eileen nodded belatedly. The Countess reached over, clasping her daughter’s hand as if she understood.

“I was the same way, you know. Even after I met your father, I didn’t feel nervous until we actually set a date. Then my heart started racing.”

“Really?”

Eileen looked up at her mother. Though she had lied to hide her real feelings, the warmth in her mother’s touch slowly began to calm her.

“I’m fine now,” she murmured.

Only after studying her daughter’s face did the Countess finally let go. Eileen turned to Lloyd and dipped her head apologetically.

“Have you thought about the date?” Lloyd asked.

Eileen shook her head slightly. Changing the date wouldn’t change the fate that awaited her. In fact, knowing what had happened that day might help her prevent it — like her brother’s heat, for instance.

Lloyd slid a glass of water toward her.

“Drink.”

“Thank you.”

As she accepted it, Eileen glanced down. The water was lukewarm.

“I mixed in warm water,” Lloyd said flatly. “Too much cold water isn’t good for you.”

He had immediately understood what she was thinking the moment she looked down at the glass. Eileen took a sip, her emotions in turmoil — though now for a different reason. Every time she glimpsed this considerate side of him, it felt strangely unfamiliar.

“Then we’ll proceed as planned — the wedding will take place on the Day of Henas,” Lloyd concluded.

Count Claudia nodded in agreement.

“And one more thing…”

Signaling the servant that the meal was finished, Lloyd handed over his napkin. Once the servant retreated, he turned to the Count.

“I’d like Eileen to stay here.”

The Count blinked, a little taken aback, then exchanged a look with his wife. They had clearly anticipated this possibility since Eileen had already been staying here. Both remained calm.

“If Eileen is comfortable with it, we have no objections,” the Count said.

Lloyd’s gaze shifted to Eileen. You wanted to go home, didn’t you? But your parents say it’s fine for you to stay… so what will you do now?

“But… it’s not like I have to stay here,” Eileen protested softly, glancing at her parents — her way of saying she’d rather go home.

“How much time is left until the Day of Henas?” Lloyd countered calmly. “It’s hardly worth the trouble of moving back and forth. And if you’re to stay here, there’ll be new preparations. We can’t have everyone running between estates.”

“Well, I…”

Eileen opened her mouth but couldn’t find a proper rebuttal.

“If we’re done with dinner, let’s move to the guest room I’ve prepared. There’s something I’d like to discuss separately.”

Lloyd rose first, and the Count and Countess followed. As they exited the dining room, they smiled politely at Eileen in passing.

“Eileen, we’ll talk later, yes?”

Hearing Ethan’s voice, Eileen turned slowly from the doorway her parents had just passed through.

“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.”

Eileen led Ethan straight to her room and blurted out an apology before anything else.

Ethan studied her face and nodded. “Sorry for what? For sending me up to the attic without a word? Or for running off to the Grand Duke’s estate without telling me?”

“…Both.”

“Then can you tell me why?”

His tone was gentle, but it weighed heavily on her. Eileen nodded.

“I heard the Grand Duke was coming. Since he’s a dominant Alpha and you’re a dominant Omega, I didn’t want you two to meet.”

“And how did you find that out?”

“Uh… from Mr. Cage,” she said quickly, seizing on the first excuse that came to mind. It would make no sense to say she’d somehow just known he was coming.

“And then?”

“You manifested as an Omega, so of course you could have been the Grand Duke’s intended match. But somehow… he proposed to me instead.”

Everything had lined up too perfectly. Their families had an old betrothal agreement, a dominant Alpha and a dominant Omega — a rare pairing. It made perfect sense for Lloyd’s partner to have been Ethan. Somehow, Eileen had slipped into his place.

Ethan hadn’t blamed her, but she still felt guilty — sure that he must have been disappointed, even if he was too kind to show it. She couldn’t meet his eyes.

“Eileen,” Ethan said softly, taking a seat across from her. Like before, he reached out and patted her head.

“Look at me.”

Eileen lifted her head, though her eyes still stayed downcast — until Ethan leaned forward to catch her gaze.

“If you had manifested as an Omega and I were a Beta, I probably would’ve done the same thing,” he said.

“Really?” she asked in surprise.

“You and I are alike. I’d be afraid of being swept away by pheromones too.”

“Huh?”

“Pheromones are tricky things,” he said with a wry grin. “You can fall for someone without even knowing who they really are. And when you finally do, it’s too late — you’re already bound to them. But a Beta wouldn’t be affected like that. He’d be able to think clearly.”

Eileen clutched her chest. Exactly! That’s what I’ve been trying to say all along.

“Especially since the Grand Duke’s a dominant Alpha. His pheromones must be… overwhelming. Anyone could lose themselves. And you’ve heard the rumors about him, right?”

Ethan lowered his voice playfully.

“That he’s ill-tempered and arrogant.”

“Ah…”

She had heard that — and having met him, she understood why.

“Isn’t he the type who always does whatever he wants?”

“A little,” Eileen admitted.

“Well, he’s the kind who thinks the whole world revolves around him. Humility isn’t exactly his strong suit.”

“You’re right.”

Ethan had grasped Lloyd’s nature perfectly, even after only a short encounter.

“And you’re really okay marrying someone like that?” he asked, genuine concern softening his tone.

Eileen smiled. “It’s fine.”

Just for one year — that was the deal. She was a Beta, unaffected by pheromones, and soon Lloyd would leave for the battlefield anyway. She couldn’t say all that aloud, but she smiled reassuringly, hoping it would put him at ease.

Feeling the misunderstanding between them finally clear up, Eileen studied her brother’s face carefully. When Lloyd had mentioned marrying on the Day of Henas, her first thought had been of Ethan’s heat. Her wedding mattered less than preventing the disaster she remembered.

“Ethan,” she asked cautiously, “you don’t have any plans that day, right?”

“That day? Just your wedding.”

“Right. My wedding… But do you have to be there?”

She tried to phrase it as casually as possible, though her tone betrayed her anxiety. The thought of all eyes turning toward Ethan — unattached, vulnerable — made her chest tighten. If his heat struck then, she wouldn’t be able to protect him. It would be safer if he didn’t come at all.

If his heat comes that day, it’ll be dangerous.

No matter how she looked at it, the safest choice was for him not to attend — though saying so pained her deeply.

“Would it be… okay if you didn’t come?” she blurted, half pleading.

Her fingers fidgeted nervously in her lap. If nothing happened that day, she would feel relieved — and yet strangely guilty too.

No. It’s better if nothing happens at all.

Ethan watched her expression and the subtle twitch of her fingers, reading the conflicted emotions there.

“Are you… embarrassed by me?” he asked quietly.

“What? Of course not!” Eileen looked up, flustered — but before she could say more,

“Pfft.”

A low chuckle sounded from somewhere nearby.

“…No way.”

Eileen froze, then shot to her feet. She strode to the door and threw it open — only to find another door beyond it.

When she looked up, Lloyd was standing there, a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter.