The Married Alpha Who Refuses to Be a Heartthrob (A/B/O · Alpha POV) - Chapter 19

himself like this. Kaes had the maid bring the food to Abe’s room, then led Abe away.

Abe trailed behind, tears streaming down his face. He felt he’d done something incredibly foolish, bringing shame upon both himself and Kaes.

Back in the room, the maid placed the food and left, closing the door behind her.

“Are you hungry? Let’s talk properly after you finish eating.” Kaes sat across the table, watching Abe. “How old are you?”

“Nineteen.” Abe stopped crying, his eyes still red. He sat down, lacking any appetite. “I don’t want to eat. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

He was still a teenager, after all. Abe had only wanted to win Kaes’s favor, never expecting to cause embarrassment.

Kaes still felt nothing for Abe. He just wanted to talk. Since Abe wasn’t eating, he cut straight to the point: “I won’t let you become the governor’s spouse.”

“Why? I admit I was wrong. Can’t you forgive me?” Abe stared at him with wide, hurt eyes, looking pitifully on the verge of tears.

“Could it be…” Abe recalled the scene when Kaes had bid farewell to Keith that day. He dreaded hearing this answer.

After all, it was a marriage decreed by the Queen.

Kaes didn’t want to beat around the bush with Abe, nor had he any patience left for Abe’s attempts to win his favor. His lips parted, delivering the heartbreaking answer: “I already have someone in mind.”

“We can’t defy the Queen’s decree,” Abe murmured blankly, a single tear slipping from the corner of his eye. “I want to live a quiet, peaceful life with you, raise a child or two.”

Why did he have to be so blunt? His heart felt like it was being torn apart. The man he admired was so cold and ruthless.

Kaes looked at Abe strangely. Why on earth did Abe think he wanted a quiet life?

Kaes: “I won’t live that kind of life with you.”

“I’ll figure something out. If the Queen blames me, it’s my fault. Don’t waste your time and energy on me. You have a wonderful life ahead.” Kaes pushed the food toward Abe. “Eat quickly. If you want to dance later, you can go out and dance with them.”

As the saying goes, happiness must be pursued. Though hope seemed faint now, Kaes didn’t want the life Abe described—his mission wouldn’t allow it anyway.

Kaes stood up. Abe hurriedly grabbed his hand: “You really want to do this? But I like you.”

Kaes couldn’t understand what Abe liked about him. He’d barely paid Abe any attention. They were from two different worlds. He brushed Abe aside and left the room.

Listening to the door open and close, Abe mechanically chewed his food, tasting nothing. He saw the confusion on Kaes’s face, but he didn’t know why he liked Kaes either.

Perhaps it was because he’d been starved of affection. Sold at fifteen, Kaes had been the best thing that ever happened to him. He could have been the governor’s spouse…

Leaving here wouldn’t bring him a better life. Going home meant beatings, being traded like merchandise to be toyed with by old, ugly nobles.

“Cough! Cough!” Abe started crying again while eating, choking on his food.

…

Kaes returned to the banquet. Everyone seemed to have been waiting for him. He took his seat.

Erlan spoke first: “How is Abe?”

“He’s fine now, eating.” Kaes motioned for everyone to continue. The banquet proceeded as before.

After dinner came the nobles’ favorite part—dancing. Without Abe present, everyone’s enthusiasm waned considerably.

Among the nobles were many attractive Omegas. While dancing with Erlan, Shu’s eyes kept drifting toward the Omegas nearby. This infuriated Erlan. He knew Shu didn’t like them; he just hadn’t given up on finding an Omega to have children with.

“I’m done dancing.” Erlan marched out with a cold expression. He’d truly had enough of Shu’s stubborn notions.

“Are you angry?” Shu followed behind, reaching to grab Erlan’s arm.

Erlan sidestepped him. “Don’t follow me.”

Erlan strode out quickly. To his surprise, Shu didn’t pursue him.

Kaes, who didn’t want to dance with the others, stayed in the hallway. Seeing Erlan emerge with a sour expression, he approached and asked, “What’s wrong, Inspector? Isn’t Shu coming with you?”

The night breeze in the hallway ruffled Erlan’s long hair. “I don’t want to talk about him. I want to go back.”

Kaes could guess why he was upset. Standing before Erlan, he spoke before Erlan could sidestep him: “Shall we go set off fireworks?”

The fireworks were prepared for the banquet, and quite a lot had been bought. Not setting them off would be a waste.

“The Governor and me?” Erlan was a bit uncertain. But he didn’t want to see Shu right now, so this was actually a good suggestion. He gave a slight smile. “Then let’s go.”

…

The servants brought out the fireworks, earlier than originally planned.

Several servants lit the fireworks simultaneously. Clusters of pyrotechnics soared into the sky, exploding in dazzling colors that instantly illuminated the heavens.

Kaes and Erlan watched from the corridor. Kaes motioned for a servant to bring a candle. “Would the Inspector like to light it himself?”

“I’ve never lit one myself.” Erlan found the suggestion rather amusing. He took the candle and walked toward the lawn.

Kaes followed beside Erlan. Erlan bent down to light the fuse, and both stepped back a few paces. After a moment, the firework still hadn’t ignited. Erlan remarked, “Maybe it didn’t catch.”

They leaned in to inspect it, relighting it once more. This time, it finally rose into the air.

Though the fireworks displayed beautiful colors, their shapes were all rather similar. Kaes remarked, “They all look pretty much the same. Have you ever seen any interesting fireworks, Inspector?”

Fireworks exploded with loud bangs in the sky.

Erlan looked up at the fireworks, feeling quite content. He thought for a moment and said, “Now that you mention it, I have seen some interesting fireworks… A few years ago in Lamavang Bay. The people there were celebrating a festival, and their fireworks were shaped like animals. They looked like they were moving.”

The name Lamavang Bay sounded vaguely familiar.

Kaes remembered—it was where Keith had been struck by two curses. His gaze fixed on Erlan: “Fireworks like that? What was the Inspector doing over there?”

“I can simulate it for you.” Erlan wore a flaming bracelet on his wrist. He cast a slight spell, and a purple flame rose into the sky like fireworks.

It exploded in the sky, transforming into a galloping blue-purple elk.

“I accompanied my mother’s mage regiment on their campaign to assist.” Erlan lowered his hand, the flame bracelet still emitting wisps of fire.

It sounded perfectly normal.

“Your magic can even set off fireworks… That’s pretty cool.” Kaes gave a casual smile. He didn’t know if Erlan practiced witchcraft. But if Erlan did, he’d be a prime suspect for cursing Keith, with ample motive.

Erlan lit a few more fireworks to play with, his mood still fairly good.

Shu watched them laughing and chatting while setting off fireworks from the second-floor balcony. A wave of jealousy washed over him, and he dashed downstairs.

Erlan’s smile vanished instantly at the sight of him. Shu yanked him close, demanding, “You told me not to follow you just so you could be alone with the Governor?”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Erlan shoved Shu away. Seeing him now only annoyed him. “I’m going back to the mansion. Don’t follow me.”

Kaes had his servants prepare Erlan’s carriage. Watching them fight was its own kind of entertainment.

“I won’t let you go!” Shu suddenly raised his voice. He ripped off his pheromone blocker, releasing his Alpha scent to its fullest extent, then lunged forward and clung tightly to Erlan.

The scent of fresh grass instantly filled the garden.

The medication Kaes had administered only prevented Omega heat induction. He hadn’t anticipated an Alpha’s pheromones attacking him.

His own pheromones involuntarily surged forth, clashing with the foreign scent. He frowned, his body instinctively rejecting the Alpha’s pheromones, sensing only a challenge.

Erlan’s pheromones, however, remained firmly contained. Who knew what methods he’d employed to be with an Alpha?

“Do you believe me when I say I’ll break up with you right now?” Erlan pushed back for a while. Most close combat specialists were physically strong, and Alpha close combat specialists were especially tall and imposing.

Holding him felt like holding a little bird.

“No, I can’t live without you.” ” Shu clung tightly, refusing to let go. He caught another scent and lifted his head, glaring at Kaes with hostility.

Kaes felt that if he intervened, he might end up fighting Shu.

Erlan looked impatient. He grabbed Shu by the back of the neck, murmuring something under his breath. A cloud of black mist appeared in his hand, and Shu immediately passed out.

“I’m returning to the manor. Dispose of this one as you see fit.” Erlan set Shu on the ground and prepared to leave.

“I’ll escort you out.” Kaes glanced at Shu lying on the ground. Erlan truly possessed witchcraft—even unconscious, the man radiated a potent pheromone scent.

Kaes escorted Erlan out in the carriage. He didn’t inquire about the witchcraft—it was common for some mages to dabble in various arts, especially minor tricks like inducing unconsciousness.

…

Watching Erlan’s carriage depart from the governor’s residence gate, Kaes was about to return when a maid rushed toward him, shouting, “Governor, it’s terrible! I saw Young Master Abe and Mr. Shu lying together!“

”What happened? Wasn’t Abe in his room?“

The maid gasped, her expression strange and grave. ”I don’t know. I went to run a bath for the young master and fetch his change of clothes. When I returned, he wasn’t there. I found them both lying together.”