Chapter 145

That night, well, the whole thing got a little strange, at least that's what Michael thought.

"Madam, Madam."

Hena's call brought Michael back to his senses. He coldly raised his eyes and said, "Excuse me, where were we?"

Haina asked respectfully, "The manor needs to hire new servants. What do you think of these options?"

Keaton Estate is hiring new servants, and Butler Henna asks Michael for his opinion.

There are generally three options: Alpha, Omega, and Beta. For a beautiful young widowed Omega, a strong and masculine Alpha is a good choice. It can not only add a beautiful scene to the manor, but also, cough cough, in short, it has some more aristocratic uses.

Omega are rarely considered by employers. Not only are most of them already mothers and unable to work, but they also lack physical strength and are not sought after during recruitment, making it difficult for them to find decent jobs.

Recently, some old scholars in the parliament have been urging His Majesty to draft an Omega Responsibilities Law, stipulating that eligible Omegas must raise at least five children before they can go out to work, otherwise it would be illegal.

His Majesty's attitude is unclear, but the rumors have already spread from top to bottom in Portland, with many Os who had finally found jobs being laid off by their employers and having no choice but to return to their families.

Given the current situation, choosing Beta is more cost-effective, as it lacks pheromones compared to AO and is cheaper.

However, Keaton Estate was not short of money. The Kingdom of Portland took the majority of its land taxes, but Keaton Estate itself had vast leasehold lands and many tenant farmers, so it could fully afford the daily life of a noblewoman.

Hina meticulously detailed the three options.

Michael held his wine glass, feeling a slight burning discomfort in his stomach, but he seemed oblivious. He sipped his red wine, propped his chin up, and said lazily, "Let's go with Omega, and then recruit some Alphas."

Housekeeper Haina's eyes stung slightly; the lady was truly too kind.

The lady's attitude calmed the anxious little Os in the manor. They didn't want to leave their posts, stay at home all day taking care of the children, and endure their husbands' harassment and accusations.

The younger Os, having tasted the benefits of their jobs, were unwilling to return to the days of being subservient to their husbands.

They were extremely grateful to Mrs. Rose and worked diligently.

Cynthia found it increasingly difficult to snatch jobs, but despite the challenges, she overcame obstacles and, relying on her beauty (as Hena thought) and jack-of-all-trades skills, secured the position of personal servant.

But ever since that night, the lady has stopped letting him hug her, and Cynthia sighed and complained bitterly.

Unaware of the situation, as the Duchess, he naturally attended the council convened by the King, and in the council full of Alphas, he openly mocked the councilor who proposed the bill, saying that he was deliberately retaliating against the Omega because his wife had run off with the groom.

The senator's face flushed red, and he almost threw up his wig in anger, but before he could lash out, the Alpha next to him pressed him down and whispered, "Why did you provoke him?"

Congressman: "That lowly O, how dare he sit in the Golden Dome Hall!"

Alpha's face turned cold. He released his grip and ignored him. He looked at the Omega sitting in the distance, whose status had changed, his face filled with melancholy and regret. He gazed wistfully in that direction, thinking, "It's all that Will's fault for dying so young!" The rose on the tower had changed its identity, transforming into a white bird and flying away.

Michael's leading opposition also provoked some disgruntled nobles, leading to the draft being indefinitely shelved for further discussion.

As Michael left the Golden Hall, he encountered Alpha, the king's brother, who stopped him with a complicated expression: "Michael, do you really not care about your family anymore?"

Countless letters were sent to Keaton Estate during this time, but seeing the familiar sealing wax, Michael casually tossed them into the fireplace without reading a single one, and naturally had no idea about the current situation at home.

The false concern I once clung to so tightly is no longer important.

Michael raised his chin and sneered, "It's just their own choice. There's an old Eastern proverb that says, 'Unjust deeds will inevitably bear bitter fruit.'"

He gazed into the distance, indifferent: "These are merely belated interest charges that fate is imposing on them."

Michael, who was not abandoned, would not have had his parents' comfortable life; it's just that the price came later.

Alpha fell silent, watching Michael leave with a slight sneer.

Michael was warmly welcomed back to the manor by the servants.

Because the lady went to the capital without him, Cynthia, who hadn't seen her for a long time, burst into tears. And because she was so sad, she was given the opportunity to serve the lady during her bath.

The whole process was even more wonderful than Cynthia had imagined; he was almost dizzy, as if he were drunk.

The lady lifted some petals from the bathtub: "Is this how you use the roses you grow?"

Cynthia: "There are still many more."

Michael gave a soft hum, silently leaning against the edge of the bathtub as Cynthia massaged his shoulders: "Madam, how did you and Duke Will meet?"

Michael opened his eyes and glanced lazily at Cynthia, who, with a hand full of foam, said shyly, "Some people say that you and Earl Will are truly in love."

Hearing this made him extremely upset, and he cried by himself while making apple pie for Dickin.

The lady raised her hand and lifted his chin: "So what if it is?"

Cynthia gave a pitiful "oh," her little face scrunched up in a sour expression. After a while, she muttered, "The Earl isn't a good person. He's really mean to me."

"Bad? He's bad, yet he'll still help you raise your child."

Cynthia retorted, "I've saved enough money to buy my freedom. If it weren't for him, I would already be free."

Michael chuckled softly, his sleek, graceful arm resting on the edge of the bathtub as he looked up at the crystal chandelier above him: "Will... used to be a very good husband too."

"Tall, handsome, and when he cries he looks as pitiful as a puppy."

Cynthia covered her ears, puffing out her cheeks: "I don't want to hear it."

Michael flicked a drop of water onto Cynthia's face, and Cynthia's eyes reddened with anger: "Madam!"

"Who told you to bring him up?"

Michael curled the corners of his lips as he recalled Will's face, the duke who loved white roses, who had once been a shy, clear-minded, and sunny young man who had fallen in love with Michael and accepted everything about him.

The young Alpha is sweet and affectionate, and is captivated by Michael's methods, causing Michael, who once hated those kinds of sexual games, to develop the illusion of love.

But if they say such heartfelt words, yet in the end personally send him to someone else's estate, how are they any different from his parents?

It's just a mild form of disgust.

Michael turned his head, pinched Little O's face, and said coldly, "You actually believe lies? Are all O's this stupid?"

Cynthia: "Eek."

Michael snorted and coldly closed his eyes to rest.

Once Keaton Manor was running smoothly, Michael received social invitations like snowflakes in winter.

Every time he successfully invites her to a ball, all sorts of eligible single young men will attend, trying to win the favor of this beautiful widow and become rich overnight.

But this stunningly beautiful Omega is incredibly difficult to please.

Each time he appeared, he brought one to three seconds of silence, and the entire O shone like a star against the backdrop of jewelry and gorgeous clothes.

His hair.

His attire.

The black rose pattern on his body.

It is something that makes people yearn for it.

The lady's unique short hair also set a trend in the area, attracting countless noble Omegas to follow suit. This trend spread to the common people, and combined with politics, it brought about a small Omega revolution.

Omegas who were unwilling to be confined to their families cut their long hair, dressed in men's clothing, and worked with Alphas and Betas.

Keaton Manor's attitude toward Omegas also influenced nobles who wanted to curry favor with Lady Michael.

This shift in the prevailing atmosphere has changed the entire Southern County. At least in places that had never hired Omegas before, a small number of Omegas have started to be hired.

This change was something Michael had not anticipated.

He was sitting at the round table, letting Cynthia paint his nails.

A large bouquet of red roses was arranged in the vase, and in front of Cynthia was carefully ground flower juice, which was used to color the lady's nails.

Cynthia's fingertips, like flower buds, tempted her to be kissed lightly, and she lowered her head lower and lower. Lower and lower, just as she was about to kiss him, Mrs. Michael withdrew her hand, and Cynthia let out a soft moan and rushed over to hug Michael's waist.

Michael gave a lazy snort, but he didn't think too much about it. He just felt that Cynthia was being too clingy, and he couldn't stand a second person being so clingy to him.

Michael said, "You're so handsome and young, why don't you find someone else?"

Is she missing an A because she's so clingy to him?

Cynthia's body stiffened, and after a moment she got up, staring at Michael for a while until he felt uneasy. Then, she whimpered and sat on his lap, her face flushed, "Madam~"

Michael: "Ahem, that's not what I meant."

Cynthia was on the verge of tears: "But Aloha is so scary, only the lady is the best to me."

Michael remained silent, but the shadows and prejudices of the past made him nod: "Alphas are indeed disgusting."

Cynthia leaned against him, her fingers gently tracing circles on his chest. The pheromones in the room intensified, the scents of jasmine and roses mingling, creating an incredibly intimate atmosphere. Cynthia said aggrievedly, "Besides, I've been impure for a long time."

Michael paused for a moment, then hummed in agreement: "What's unclear about?"

Cynthia, filled with shame and indignation, whispered in his ear, "It was...it was that night."

Michael hesitated: "If it's an O, this should be fine, right? It's just massaging the glands..."

As they spoke, he felt a cool little hand untie the ribbon. Cynthia untied his long skirt without saying a word, then took his hand and said, "Madam, my ribbon is here."

Michael's tentacles were soft and warm. The Omega's body was as soft as a cloud, and his skin was incredibly delicate, white and pink, making it irresistible to touch. Naturally, one would forget about the topic of Alpha.

Michael, still half-asleep, kissed Cynthia passionately, their mouths filled with the sweet, delicate scent of jasmine. Cynthia, her eyes brimming with tears, hugged him tightly, saying, "My lady, I truly love you."

Michael didn't speak, but... let's forget about the Alpha.

He held Cynthia in his arms and pressed her down on the blanket. Omega seemed to make him much happier than Alpha.

Michael chuckled, looking at Cynthia who was still crying and muttering, "My lady, I love you." He replied, "I know."

Cynthia closed her eyes, took the lady's hand, and kissed her lips.

Suddenly, he felt a chill on his hand. He opened his eyes and saw that the black rose ring that the lady always wore was on Cynthia's hand. Cynthia stared blankly at Michael and then suddenly buried herself in his arms.

Cynthia: "My lady, I really, really want to propose to you, to make you cry your eyes out, and then say yes."

Michael raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "You can try. I'll try my best not to cry."

Cynthia, tears streaming down her face, cried out, "Oh, Madam~"

Michael thought that living like this wouldn't be so bad.

(over)