The Omega Who Wasn't Supposed to Exist

[Rynthall Estate, Dining Room]

Lucien and Elysia continued to glare at Silas, probably stabbing with their eyes. Silas, however, was the only one visibly melting under pressure—sweating a full Niagara Falls down his back.

Lucien tapped his foot with the grace of a ticking time bomb. "Well?" he asked sweetly. "Are you planning to speak sometime before Elysia graduates?"

"I—I—" Silas stammered, dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief now drenched. "I didn’t mean to hide it! It’s not like he was... around!"

Lucien’s eyes widened—slowly—like a villain in a soap opera. "Oh? Not around?" he echoed, leaning in with a hand dramatically over his heart. "So you thought, ’Ah yes, perfect chance to commit some light treason against my husband!’"

"NO! No treason! I swear!" Silas looked like he aged ten years on the spot. "He vanished! Years ago! Just one day, he got up, handed me the estate papers like I was a damn notary, shouted something about going on an adventure, and—poof! Gone! Gone, I tell you!"

Lucien narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "And then?"

Silas gulped. "Then... we received a message. His carriage was found smashed under the snow in the northern ridge. No body, just... broken wheels, torn furs, and a very dramatic amount of blood."

Lucien’s lips thinned. "Mm-hmm. So convenient," he drawled. "The ’adventurer father’ vanishes, and you become a grand duke. Sounds familiar."

Silas protested. "I cried for a week!"

Lucien rolled his eyes. "Are you sure you’re not lying?"

Silas looked desperate. "I swear on my dau—"