Breeding Instinct - Chapter 5: Full Moon II (5)

“My word, you’ve come back even more dashing than before!”

“Haha, and it looks like you’ve regained some youth yourself, Count. Won’t you tell me what you’ve been eating to look so refreshed?”

“Ho ho, you mustn’t tease an old man.”

The two exchanged light pleasantries before moving into the drawing room.

“I’ve brought in some tea from a foreign land. I’d be delighted if it suits your palate, young duke.”

“I trust your taste, Count, so I’ll look forward to it with pleasure.”

Even while waiting for the tea, the two continued their cheerful conversation. When the refreshments arrived and the talk lulled, Count Liffe brought up the real subject.

“You haven’t heard the rumors going around about the Duke of Royce’s household, have you?”

“Hm?”

“Over the past few months, some rather scandalous and disgraceful rumors have been spreading.”

“…You mean rumors about my brother?”

“Yes, and they’re truly embarrassing… I thought it best for you to be aware of them in advance.”

“What kind of rumors…?”

When Moritz showed interest, Count Liffe exaggerated as he passed along the gossip. As Moritz’s expression grew increasingly dark, the count finally got to his real point.

“As you know, our family is deeply tied to the House of Royce—it’s no exaggeration to say our fates are intertwined. But if the duke begins to antagonize us over something so vulgar… wouldn’t that seriously impact the duchy as well?”

“…Why are you telling me this?”

“I hold the House of Royce in the highest regard. A noble house with such a long history brings pride to all nobility simply by existing. But maintaining the dignity of that house is not the duke’s burden alone. Surely, you too, young duke, are capable of doing your part for the family.”

Count Liffe’s words made Moritz’s heart tremble with excitement. After their parents died, he had been overshadowed by his older brother and sent off to study abroad. Though his brother had once been his idol when they were children, as they grew, Moritz had become consumed by feelings of inferiority.

And now that same brother… bought a sex slave? And apparently treasures her deeply?

Moritz lifted his teacup to hide the smile creeping onto his face. He couldn’t pretend not to understand what Count Liffe wanted from him. The thought that he might be able to kill two birds with one stone thrilled him, so he replied feigning ignorance:

“I agree with Count Liffe. What can I do to help?”

“As expected of you, young duke—you’re wise and decisive!”

“It would be even better if this opportunity strengthens the bond between us, Count.”

“You understand my intentions so well!”

While Moritz inwardly scoffed at the count’s oily words, he had no intention of letting this opportunity pass him by. Count Liffe couldn’t afford to become a direct enemy of the House of Royce, so he had devised a sly plan. Rather than going after the duke himself, he would target the Mecklen family’s second daughter.

“If a slave doesn’t know her place, isn’t it the master’s job to teach her? And if that master is too busy, surely his younger brother—the young duke—can handle it, don’t you think?”

Now that the true agenda had been laid bare, Moritz found it difficult to suppress his grin. If he could trouble his brother in any way, he would gladly lend his full support.

* * *

After Damian left, Kanna, who had stayed in her bedroom all day, grew restless the next day and began wandering around the mansion. All the windows were open, letting in plenty of fresh air.

The now slightly warmer air actually felt refreshing to her. Ever since falling ill with a mysterious sickness, Kanna had come to loathe winter and, conversely, enjoy summer. She even liked the slightly humid air and was descending the stairs with a light step.

She couldn’t go outside, but she intended to admire the garden from just in front of the entrance.

“Good day, miss!”

“Lovely weather, isn’t it!”

“The chef is unveiling a brand-new stew for lunch today, miss!”

As she passed by, the servants working nearby warmly greeted her. Though the change felt a little awkward, Kanna couldn’t deny the flutter of excitement in her chest.

Still unable to fully trust them, Kanna turned her eyes away and pretended not to notice their greetings. Her indifference made the servants reflect on themselves.

They remembered how she had been rejected and ignored when she first arrived—and assumed she couldn’t open up to them yet because of that. Among those reflecting were the maids assigned to clean her room.

They were especially critical of one maid who had been particularly rude and dismissive toward Kanna.

“This is your fault. Things are awkward because of you. You must’ve said something really awful!”

“Yeah. We told you not to, over and over again…”

“You ignored all of us—serves you right.”

Being scolded by her fellow maids, the woman in question, clearly irritated, shot a twisted glare not at Kanna, but at Marie, who was often by her side.

“Shit… I told that girl to apologize to the miss on my behalf. It’s her fault for not passing the message along. Why is everyone blaming me?”

“And why exactly does Marie have to deliver your apology?”

“You really are selfish. Don’t shift your responsibility onto Marie.”

“I heard what you said—you called her a filthy tramp. You should be bowing your head and apologizing to her in person.”

“You people are insane.”

Even the other attendants nearby stared at her coldly, and she couldn’t raise her head. The more isolated she felt, the more resentment she built toward both Kanna and Marie. Admitting fault was never even a consideration for her.

Amidst the commotion at the mansion, a carriage pulled up at the front gate. Seeing it, Landon frowned in confusion. Since the master had been going out frequently of late, they weren’t receiving guests at all.

But when Landon spotted a familiar face from afar, he rushed forward in surprise.

“Young Master Moritz!”

Moritz beamed as Landon greeted him with joy.

“Landon! It’s been a while—how have you been?”

“You’ve returned without notice? If you’d let us know, we would’ve come to greet you properly!”

“I had some business nearby and got homesick, so I just came by. I hope I haven’t imposed?”

“Oh, not at all! What are you saying? This is your home, Young Master. Please don’t joke like that.”

“It’s reassuring to see you, Landon.”

Moritz had long held great affection for Landon, who had served the dukedom for years. After losing his parents early, that affection had only deepened.

“Hmm… and who is that?”

Kanna hesitated, unsure of how to react to Moritz. His face bore an uncanny resemblance to Damian, which only made her more nervous.

“Ah, miss! Please come this way and greet him. This is Lord Moritz, the master’s younger brother.”

“Oh…”

At the mention of him being Damian’s younger brother, Kanna quickly approached and offered a polite greeting.

“My name is Kanna…”

But when it came time to address him, Kanna wasn’t sure what title she should use, so she hesitated and glanced around for guidance. Perceptive as always, Landon quickly figured out the source of her discomfort and thought for a moment before offering a suggestion.

“…Wouldn’t it be appropriate to refer to him as ‘young master’?”

“Ah!”

Kanna beamed at Landon, grateful for his help in solving her dilemma.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

“So, who is this girl, Landon?”

Moritz pretended not to know the rumors as he asked the question. This time, Landon was the one left speechless. While it was true that the master had formally purchased Kanna as a slave, Damian no longer treated her as one—nor did any of the household staff.

Caught in an awkward position, Landon hesitated to respond, prompting Moritz to ask again.

“Could she be my brother’s lover?”

“…Something along those lines, young master.”

“Something like a lover?”

“Well… perhaps it would be best to ask the master directly once he returns.”

“Fair enough.”

Moritz looked like he was about to burst out laughing at how even Landon couldn’t give him a straight answer. While pondering how he might expose the woman’s status as a slave, he casually scanned the room. There were always a few helpful servants around in times like these.

After all, not everyone loved the same person.

Sure enough, he spotted a maid with a disgruntled expression standing off to the side. He pointed directly at her.

“You. Carry my things and come with me.”

“Eh? Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“Master Moritz, I’ll escort you instead—”

“No need. I know how busy you are, Landon. Besides, I don’t need an escort just to find my own room, do I?”

“Haha, of course not.”

“Have someone bring some refreshments later. I’m feeling a bit tired.”

“Yes, understood.”

As soon as he arrived in his room, Moritz ordered the maid to unpack his things. Then he sank comfortably into the sofa, watching her work.

While she unpacked, the maid stole glances at Moritz. She had only just started working here after Moritz had left the duchy, so this was her first time seeing him in person.

With facial features and even hair color so similar to Damian’s, it would be hard to tell them apart from afar. The only difference was the eye color—Moritz’s eyes were red, unlike Damian’s.

Under the weight of his crimson gaze, the maid quickly busied her hands again, trying to look diligent. Moritz watched quietly for a moment before addressing her.

“What’s your name?”

“…Pardon? Ah, I’m Emma.”

“Hmm, I see. Emma, you don’t look very happy.”

“Ah…”

“If you’re feeling ill, I could have someone else unpack.”

His gentle tone made Emma blush slightly as she shook her head.

“No, I’m not sick, it’s just…”

“Then is something troubling you?”

The question was asked so softly, as if he’d accept anything she said. Encouraged, Emma hesitated but eventually opened up—thinking perhaps the master’s younger brother might help her.

“That woman is a slave.”

“Yes, I definitely heard she was purchased as a sex slave. But suddenly, all the other servants started taking her side. I didn’t even do anything wrong…”

“I can understand why you feel wronged. How could a mere slave be compared to a commoner who earned her position through proper work? That seems rather unfair.”

“I knew someone as well-educated as you, young master, would understand how I feel.”

Emma began to feel a budding fondness toward the kind and understanding Moritz. Encouraged, she continued to explain what had happened entirely from her own perspective. As Moritz listened to the maid’s version of events, it became clear to him that Kanna was quite important to Damian.

The realization made him smile—coldly, almost hungrily.

It seemed this was going to be even more fun than he thought.

* * *