The Ring of Bondage - Chapter 1.2

Since her student was an alpha, the warning stating that omegas wouldn’t be accepted in order to prevent any unsavory accidents was clear, but she thought she could somehow hide her situation.

For some reason, Yuria hadn’t experienced a heat cycle even once since her mid-teens. In truth, ever since Yuria had been employed at the mansion, she had spent her days without incident, with no heat cycle.

…Until now.

Just as an omega’s pheromones could call forth an alpha’s rut, an alpha’s pheromones could also provoke an omega’s heat cycle. Luke’s pheromones had grown stronger as he matured, and Yuria had felt anxious.

If she stayed in the mansion like this, it was obvious that she would go through a heat cycle sooner or later. If Yuria had been a beta, she would have been able to watch over Luke without such worries. Even if she left the mansion, they could have kept in touch, and on the day his wedding was held, she could have sat among the guests and offered her congratulations.

If only she weren’t an omega, Yuria surely would have done so.

When Yuria’s thoughts reached that point, her body stiffened for an instant. Her heavy body, her muffled mind, even her blurred vision. This was clearly not fatigue from the weather or a cold, but the signs of an approaching heat cycle.

But why already? Why now, of all times? Yuria had been planning to leave the mansion within a few days. Everyone knew that the grown Luke no longer needed a governess, and she had already packed all her belongings.

Yuria turned around with her body trembling violently. She couldn’t tell whether these chills were also signs of heat or caused by fear. Yuria hadn’t experienced a heat cycle in a very long time. Even those had only been the first once or twice. She had knowledge, but it was as good as having no experience.

What should I do, what do I do? With her mind hazy and frantic, Yuria searched her memory. First, to her room. And then after that? After locking the door, Yuria stuffed cloth into the cracks around it without leaving a single gap. So that her pheromones would leak outside as little as possible. Now what next? What was she supposed to do? Take the medicine, and then?

Yuria sank weakly to the floor in front of the door and sobbed. She felt miserable and wronged. Being born an omega hadn’t been her choice, and she had become a live-in governess only because she had no other way to make a living.

A blessing from god? If there was a god who bestowed this kind of blessing, then that was closer to a devil than a god.

Even as Yuria cursed god, she prayed to god at the same time. Please let this heat cycle pass without anyone finding out. Let me say goodbye and leave the mansion as though nothing had happened.

* * *

“Ha…”

A moan of pain slipped from Yuria’s mouth before she realized it. She had taken the medicine she had hidden away, but she couldn’t know when this disgusting instinct would subside.

Tomorrow morning? Evening? If she was unlucky, the day after tomorrow? Yuria looked down at her pocket watch and let out a feverish breath. Her clothes, damp with cold sweat, kept clinging to her skin.

To her hypersensitive senses, even a thin piece of fabric was difficult to bear, but that didn’t mean she could throw off her clothes. Because the cold air against her bare skin would be stimulating in a different way. Yuria clutched the edge of the blanket tightly and breathed hard.

It was just then that she heard a knock.

“Teacher, you’re inside, aren’t you? I heard you skipped meals all day.”

‘Ah…’

It was Luke. The person Yuria absolutely must not face right now.

“…Teacher?”

“It’s only a cold. Go back, Luke.”

Yuria answered with the blanket pulled over herself without the slightest gap. It was to conceal even a little of the pheromones that she herself couldn’t smell, but that Luke would clearly be able to sense. No matter how thoroughly she had blocked the cracks around the door, she couldn’t feel at ease.

Forcing her trembling voice into order, Yuria continued anxiously.

“The banquet is only a few days away, so it would be troublesome if I passed my illness to you.”

“But… Then it would be best to call a doctor.”

“No, it’s only a minor illness that will get better soon… Please just go back, Luke.”

Please. Murmuring inwardly the plea she had deliberately left unspoken, Yuria bit her lip. She could sense his hesitation outside the door, but soon, her diligent student complied with Yuria’s request.

“Then I’ll tell a maid to send a meal up to you.”

Only after Luke’s footsteps grew distant did Yuria let out a sigh of relief. Even in that brief breath, a moan slipped out with it. If she had to experience something like this regularly, it seemed like it would be better to die instead.

Yuria clenched her teeth, wishing only for this cursed heat cycle to end soon.