Vol. 1 Chapter 6.1 - The first one

Vol. 1 Chapter 6.1 - The first one

When Aelock first became pregnant with his first child, he wasn’t surprised. His once-proud family had already fallen on hard times and had to sell their estate, the epitome of Teiwind’s pride, after barely enduring a few years on their own. When he found out that the buyer was none other than Klopp, he didn’t feel shocked or surprised; in fact, he thought his pregnancy was a good thing. After all, the father of his child was none other than Klopp Bandyke.

It was quite unexpected, in a way. Even if he put aside his alpha status, he never imagined that Klopp would extend a hand to him, who had lost everything due to foolish judgment. While all his former ‘friends’ and ‘relatives’ ignored Aelock’s desperate letters, Klopp came to him when he had nowhere to go after selling his estate to pay off his debts. He offered to let Aelock stay in the mansion.

“Is there anything that you’re good at?”

“I’m good at things involving literature, music, or art.”

“That means you’re good at nothing.”

Klopp had never looked at Aelock warmly, but that time, his eyes had looked very eerie, like a truly bloodthirsty predator. It was as if he knew something.

“It doesn’t matter if you can’t do anything useful. I have something else to do for you.”

“What’s that?”

“When the time comes, I’ll let you know. Also, now that I’m the owner of this house, and you’re a guest of mine, please be careful with your words.”

It was a fair demand, but it wasn’t easy to be formal towards him immediately. After some hesitation, he replied, “I understand that well.”

Klopp really didn’t ask him to do anything specific. Klopp was busy with various things, so he rarely stayed in the mansion. Klopp would leave early in the morning and return late at night, when Aelock occasionally encountered him in the hallway, Klopp would walk past him making a small sneer but still treating him with impeccable manners.

At first, Aelock was very nervous and awkward facing Klopp. He wondered if Klopp might know something. However, Klopp only mocked the fall of the Teiwind family and didn’t indicate any other motives. Considering his naturally aristocratic demeanor and the fact that everyone had a certain amount of pretense for the sake of maintaining their status, it was possible that he had no ulterior motives. Aelock, whose life was in utter despair, was so desperate that he could hardly suspect anyone. The days passed without anything happening.

One day, Klopp who returned early, found Aelock in his study, lost in thought, reading his favorite classic. He held out a rather full paper envelope.

“What is this item?”

“From now on, three times a day, two pills each. Take three capsules before bed.”

“Pills? But I’ve not hurt anywhere.”

He looked up at him in wonder. His eyes were cold, and he hadn’t even removed his coat yet. He took off his gloves one by one before he turned to Aelock and mocked him.

“You fully know that you’re in no position to say that, Count. Just eat them as I say.”

Aelock frowned at the sarcasm and opened the envelope, finding the pile of white pills.

“Why, do they look like poison pills?”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry. Count, you will be fine soon.”

“I have served the Count since he was born. Sir Aelock has never bled before. We need to call a doctor.”

“Don’t do anything unnecessary, Butler. In my house, you follow my orders.”

“I am the Count’s butler.”

“This place isn’t owned by the Count anymore. Don’t be mistaken.”

Aelock was still feeling too disoriented to open his eyes properly. The usually calm butler, in a rare burst of agitation, protested against the new owner of the house and was eventually dismissed. A few moments later, Aelock could barely open his eyes and saw Klopp with a faint smile.

“You’ve gained consciousness.”

“What was that drug?”

“Don’t worry. You don’t have to take them anymore in the future. I actually didn’t expect you to listen to me so well. Is it because of your constitution?”

Although Aelock wanted to retort, he didn’t have the energy, so he closed his eyes again and held it in. It was a clear sign that he didn’t want any more confrontation. But Klopp continued to pace around the bed, seemingly unwilling to leave. His sensitive nerves were getting irritated, thus Aelock opened his eyes again and glared at Klopp with all the strength he could muster.

“I’d like for you to leave.”

“I’ll leave for today. There will be a lot for you to do in the future, so you can rest for now.”

Klopp told him to rest with a smirk on his face, but it was annoying that he was actually interrupting his rest. Aelock furrowed his brow, closed his eyes again, and turned his body away. However, Klopp stayed there for a while longer before finally leaving the room when Aelock’s exhausted mind began to blur.

The next morning, Aelock still had a mild fever and painful bloody discharge, but he was in much better condition. He sat on the bed and waited for breakfast. Unlike usual, the breakfast was brought by a housekeeper he wasn’t familiar with. She said her name was Martha.

When Klopp entered the estate, he brought in a middle-aged female omega who greeted Aelock dryly and put the breakfast tray on the table instead of the bed. Aelock asked her to bring it over, but she ignored him. He was infuriated by her rude behavior, given their clear status difference even if she was a maid who served a separate master. It was not right to vent his anger on someone else’s poorly-educated servant. He would clearly convey her rudeness to her owner.

Aelock got up from the bed and carefully moved his wobbly legs to sit on the chair. She didn’t even bother to make tea and was about to leave. He wondered where the butler was and why he had to be treated like this.

“Where is the butler?”

“He has been dismissed early this dawn.”

“What?”

Aelock was surprised and inadvertently raised his voice. Martha, who was about to leave the place, was filled with a strong sense of disgust as she glared at Aelock and said, “That was expected. The master has no wage to give to the servant.”

As soon as the long black skirt went through the door, it was immediately closed. Aelock silently looked down at the cold teacup. He had just truly become an orphan.