IRTRHP 13

Episode 13: A Sensitive Form of Address

No one knew when he’d arrived or how much he’d heard, but when Aileen looked up in shock, Lloyd quietly lowered his hand. She could’ve sworn she’d heard him laugh — yet his expression was as calm and composed as ever. His unreadable gaze swept through the room, and when his eyes met hers, he smiled faintly — fleetingly.

“How could you say your brother embarrasses you?”

“What—! I never said that!”

“I heard it all.”

Lloyd didn’t even try to hide it. Shouldn’t people at least pretend they hadn’t heard? Instead, his shamelessness left Aileen speechless.

Right — she should’ve known by now just how brazen he was.
…Or maybe not.

Aileen’s face began to stiffen.

[You looked like you were sulking.]
[Isn’t that man a bit too self-centered?]
[Well, he does think the world revolves around him — humility probably isn’t his strength.]

“…”

She had been talking about the Grand Duke… right?

“From where did you start listening?”

“Your little conversation?”

“Yes.”

“Almost all of it.”

Almost all of it? Or almost none? She wasn’t sure, and decided it was better not to scratch an itch that might fester. She was about to change the subject when—

“What brings you here?”

It was Ethan, stepping in smoothly.

Ah, right. If she just got to the point, maybe she could send the Grand Duke away quickly. Smiling brightly, Aileen turned to him, desperate to see him off.

“Count Claudia is leaving,” Lloyd said simply.

“Ah…”

No one said it out loud, but the unspoken question — Shouldn’t Ethan go too? — hung in the air. Aileen’s face fell.

“Brother…”

“We’ll meet again at the wedding.”

“Mm.”

“You’re not embarrassed of me, right?”

Ethan teased gently, trying to cheer her up. Aileen’s face flushed crimson.

“Of course not! You’re just so handsome — I worry people will stare. I can’t even protect you properly!”

“You’re going to protect me?”

“Of course. I don’t want to lose you.”

Her voice trembled with sincerity. The image of Ethan lying in a coffin, pale and lifeless, still haunted her. She couldn’t — wouldn’t — lose him again. Even if it meant wagering her one and only marriage.

“Anyone listening would think I’m off to war,” Lloyd remarked dryly.

Startled, Aileen drew back — realizing how close they’d become, their shoulders almost brushing. His warmth radiated through her back, impossible to ignore.

“It’s just… a big event. I’m a little worried, that’s all.”

“Sure. Let’s say that’s it.”

“It is it!”

Annoyed at his teasing, Aileen glared and turned to Ethan.

“Ethan, brother—”

She froze. His face looked strange — conflicted, perhaps.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

He seemed to be swallowing back words he wouldn’t say, and though Aileen pressed, he offered no more.

“Brother.”

“You’ll be fine. I was worrying for nothing.”

He smiled faintly. “See you soon, Aileen.”

He gave Lloyd a polite nod and walked down the corridor.

“Next time will be at the wedding,” Aileen thought. “Please, let nothing happen to him.”

When he disappeared, she immediately became aware of the man still behind her. Maybe if she just ignored him, he’d go away? She shut her eyes tightly.

If I pretend not to notice, maybe he’ll leave on his own…

No such luck.

She peeked one eye open — and flinched. A hand was reaching toward her, filling her vision. Lloyd’s hand came to rest atop her head.

What on earth was he doing?

Before she could react, he smiled lazily.

“You’re not angry just because I patted your head, are you?”

“…”

“What can I say — I’m selfish. Grew up thinking the world revolves around me. So I just do whatever I want. You have a problem with that?”

Aileen’s lips parted, but no sound came out. He’d heard everything — her complaints, her teasing remarks — and now he was clearly letting her know. His version of playful revenge.

She slowly reached up, took his hand from her head, and lowered it. There was no point scolding him for touching her without permission when he was already acknowledging the reason.

“I’m sorry.”

Her voice was small. If she had rabbit ears, they would’ve drooped miserably.

“I might’ve… complained about you a little.”

“A little?” he echoed, amused.

“It’s just that my brother worries about you. Your reputation isn’t exactly stellar, and meeting you in person didn’t help much…”

At least she was honest. Lloyd couldn’t help but chuckle.

He raised a hand to cover his mouth — an effort to hide the smile tugging at his lips. Aileen mistook it for offense and rushed to add:

“But it’s not like I go around judging people! I don’t live in jealousy or bitterness — just… occasionally comment on certain individuals.”

“Excuses noted.”

Since he’d called it an excuse, she shut her mouth.

“About the wedding,” he began.

“You’re not canceling it, are you? You can’t — not with my brother!”

Her alarmed tone made him pause, reconsider, and then continue more slowly.

“I’ll make sure your brother is safe during the ceremony.”

Aileen blinked. That was… not what she expected.

“Really?”

“Of course. Who would dare touch the Grand Duke’s in-law? But I’ll assign extra knights — no Alpha will get near him.”

Her face lit up, then froze again.

“Wait… what if one of his guards falls for him?”

Lloyd’s brow twitched. He gave her a look — half disbelief, half resignation — as if thinking, She really does dote on him.

“Then I’ll staff them all with Betas. And if it’s near his heat cycle, let me know. I’ll provide a cycle stabilizer.”

“A stabilizer? Not a suppressant?”

“Right. A stabilizer.”

Aileen’s hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide.

He’s offering a stabilizer? That can’t be real…

Ordinary suppressants only dulled pheromones — they couldn’t stop a heat once it began. But stabilizers were different. They could halt a cycle entirely. They were nearly impossible to obtain, produced in secret, and worth a fortune even if you could find one.

And he was offering one freely? Aileen’s joy quickly turned to guilt.

“It’s too rare… are you sure you want to give it to my brother?”

“I wouldn’t know it was rare if you hadn’t told me,” he replied dryly. “So yes, I’ll give it to him.”

There was no real choice to be made, so she nodded — then hesitated.

“But… why are you being so nice to me?”

A trace of amusement flickered in his eyes. She’d fallen for it, only to realize it too late. He remembered when she had once asked him the same question, suspicious of his generosity.

Now that the roles were reversed, it was oddly satisfying. Watching her worry over her brother made him feel that, perhaps, it wasn’t such a bad bargain after all.

“Do you… want something in return?” she asked carefully.

“Want something? Protecting you and your brother was the deal to begin with.”

“Ah…”

Aileen remembered — she had asked him to ensure their safety when they first made their contract.

“But that was supposed to be after we divorce.”

“Then think of this as an appetizer. Or stop calling me ‘brother.’ I’ve heard that word far too many times today.”

He grimaced.

“If you’d just stop saying it, I’d consider it payment enough.”

“Brother.”

“I said—”

“Lloyd, brother!”

Lloyd fell silent. For once, he had no comeback.