My Perfect Omega - Chapter 26
“Late forties? Isn’t his heir older than Miss Leila? Regardless of her not being his biological daughter, isn’t this marriage proposal too much?”
“I think so too. Although it’s a bit problematic that Miss Leila has her own shortcomings—in their eyes, of course—there were surely families who would have wanted her, being a hyper-dominant omega. It seems they deliberately chose a lower match for her. Moreover…”
Philip, efficient in his duties, had gathered information about the Este County’s situation and investigated Count Wagner as well.
“There are some unsavory rumors about Count Wagner.”
“Like what?”
Lucas asked without taking his eyes off the investigative report. Philip hesitated for a moment before replying.
“The wife who was said to have died a long time ago actually hasn’t been dead for that long. He’s been married three times, and all three wives died under suspicious circumstances.”
At his words, Lucas put down the report with a cold expression.
“Is that something a noble should do?”
“…Three times is excessive, but it’s not unheard of among nobles.”
“Rutting like a beast. And he calls himself a noble and a human?”
“Being an dominant alpha, he has also repeatedly harmed village maidens during his rut cycle.”
Hearing that the alpha he despised most used his rut cycles as an excuse for vile acts, Lucas uttered curses he wouldn’t normally even think of. As a fellow alpha, it was a despicable act he could not understand.
“…Damn it.”
Lucas realized what intentions her stepmother had in arranging this marriage. Even though he thought humans were the dirtiest and most evil of all creatures, this situation was too repulsive.
Annoyed, he swept his bangs back and fell deep into thought. Realizing there was no time to wait leisurely, he hurriedly rose from his seat.
“I’m going to the Este manor.”
He felt ridiculous for having offered to sponsor an artist, only to be boldly refused by Count Este himself.
Determined not to let the count off easily, he boarded the prepared carriage and quickly arrived at the Este estate.
Although he did not send a message beforehand, he confidently passed through the main gate of the estate and stood in front of the mansion. Philip shouted to a butler who approached them first.
“The Duke of Bavenberg has arrived! Show the proper respect!”
Previously, he had come into the manor without any qualms despite the shabby treatment at Leila’s family home, but this time was different. Filled with displeasure, Lucas waited inside the carriage for either the count or his wife to appear.
After a little time had passed, a middle-aged woman whom he had not seen before hurried out. She stood in front of the carriage, not fully dressed, and bowed her head.
“I am honored to meet you, Duke Bavenberg. I am Sarah von Este.”
Upon her greeting, Lucas finally stepped out of the carriage and looked down at Sarah with a stern face.
“Bring Miss Leila here immediately.”
“…May I ask why?”
“Do you intend to interfere even in the outings of your grown daughter?”
“It’s not that, but my eldest daughter, unfortunately, cannot see, so I was merely concerned.”
At Sarah’s reply, Lucas smirked wryly. Even if there were faults, a parent who truly loved their child would not marry her off to a man like Count Wagner.
Disgusted by the woman’s duplicity before him, Lucas wiped off the mockery from his smile and beamed brightly.
“Don’t worry. That’s why I have come myself.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I fully understand your concern about her not being able to see. But if I, of all people, am taking her, surely there won’t be any problems.”
His statement was arrogantly presumptuous, yet Sarah could find no words to respond. His striking appearance made her heart race embarrassingly.
“Alright, understood.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Philip stood by his side, inwardly smirking at Lucas’s ability to disarm and overwhelm others with his looks. Even for another man, it was indeed a killer smile.
