Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening

"Your Highnesses."

Duchess Silvia greeted the royals as etiquette dictated with a warm smile on her face. The joy in her eyes could not be hidden even if she tried, and the royals, especially Prince Osbourne, did not miss this detail.

As a meeting between nobles, her butler and commander had to wait outside until the meeting was over. And the royals had been served something refreshing before the duchess even arrived.

Unlike the other nobles, Osbourne and Celine came to meet the duchess in her guest receiving room. The royals were done with their hidden inspection while the shadow guards took care of the rest.

"Duchess Erindor, it's been a while." The prince replied as he moved forward to take the hands of the duchess in his. "Forgive my negligence, Duchess Erindor, for I have failed to keep in touch."

"It is of no consequence, Your Highness. The last few months have been hectic." Silvia replied, her eyes shifting to the princess who stood back.

Seeing how the princess was dressed, the duchess could not help but reveal another smile. Catching her gaze, the prince quickly led Silvia to meet her. After all, this was the first time Celine was meeting most of the nobles with her own eyes.

"Duchess Erindor, I'm sure you've heard of my sister, Celine." Osbourne began the introduction, eliciting a nod from the duchess. "Celine, this is Duchess Silvia Erindor, Duchess of the Therindor Duchy."

The princess and duchess, two women associated with Caleb, exchanged pleasantries. One had a curious stare in her eyes while the other had a knowing smile on her lips. For whatever reason, the princess felt like the duchess was overdressed for the occasion, which didn't make sense to her.

Unfortunately for Celine, she had no grounds to raise any objections.

With how endowed the duchess was in her gown, along with her alluring demeanour, Celine could tell that the duchess was one of a kind. In her perspective, the duchess was the epitome of charm, modesty and authority — she had it all.

After gesturing for the royals to take a seat before taking hers, the duchess dived straight into what bothered her. She had already extended her domain sense out, but wasn't able to find the person she had hoped to see.

"Your Highness?" Duchess Silvia turned to the prince once the pleasantries were over. "I believe Mr. Zane accompanied you."

Princess Celine frowned while Prince Osbourne smiled wider. Already aware of the kind of relationship the duchess had with Caleb, Osbourne found it amusing how the duchess played the curious stranger.

"Haha, you do not need to pretend, Duchess Erindor." The prince laughed softly. "I know of your relationship with Caleb."

"Oh."

The duchess looked away with a faint blush on her face, a look that caused Celine's eyes to widen in realisation. "You're Caleb's second partner?"

This was the reason the duchess appeared overdressed for a surprise visitation. While she was not bothered by the knowledge, knowing that Caleb had a thing for older women came as a surprise.

"That is correct, Princess Celine." The duchess nodded. "Caleb and I came together shortly after he dealt with the demon general invasion."

At her words, Celine's eyes widened once again. 'Caleb went after the duchess right after healing Father and me?' The princess felt a slight pang in her chest.

"..."

Lost in thought, the princess had nothing else to add. Osbourne quickly noticed this and changed the topic, drawing the duchess's attention. "With the Royal Assembly fast approaching, I hope to see you there, Duchess."

"Of course, Your Highness. I wouldn't miss it for the world." Silvia replied curtly. "The event will be a monumental moment for the kingdom, one that would shape its future."

"Indeed."

Prince Osbourne nodded with a hidden glint in his eyes. Any noble who was not aware of what was happening would have failed as a noble of the kingdom. Naturally, only the guilty were having a hard time pretending everything was well.

"So…" Silvia was not willing to let go. She wanted to know where her beloved was.

Understanding her enquiry, the prince chuckled and replied, "Caleb had to step away for a bit. There was something that needed his attention. I assure you, he will be with us soon."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"We're among friends, Duchess Erindor; there is no need for strict formalities." The prince waved off the duchess's thanks.

"Duchess Erindor…?"

The princess's gentle voice drew their attention. After snapping out of her thoughts, the princess was now interested in the duchess's impression of Caleb. With a slight blush on her cheeks and shifty eyes, the princess asked.

"W-what does Caleb like?" Celine's eyes briefly shifted to the duchess's bosom, her gaze implying what she meant. Then her gaze lowered to her much more modest proportions.

"Eh?"

Osbourne was the first to react to Celine's inquiry. He instantly understood what his sister was going on about, and that short-circuited his brain for a second. Was she the same innocent and sweet sister he knew?

"Hehe…" Duchess Erindor laughed gracefully, finding the princess's behaviour cute. While she could see through the girl's intention, her question was unexpected. 'Surprisingly, she's more outspoken than I expected.'

"You have nothing to worry about, Your Highness." The duchess replied after composing herself. "Just be yourself and show your true feelings."

"B-but he said we should get to know each other first." The princess complained with a bittersweet smile. "I already told him how I felt, and nothing has changed."

"Be patient, my dear," The duchess encouraged with a reassuring smile. "This is your first time feeling this way towards another person, isn't it?" The princess nodded.

"Then I'm sure Caleb wants you to be sure of your feelings for him," Silvia added, quickly noticing how the princess wanted to retort.

However, the duchess gestured for her to pause. "Your feelings might have come from a place of gratitude. You feel a strong attraction towards him because he saved you from the darkness, and Caleb is giving you the time to sort out your feelings first."

"..."

Listening to the duchess's words, Osbourne was inclined to agree. Silvia's words aligned with what he and his parents thought. However, none of them had the heart to tell her, hoping she would figure things out on her own.

Additionally, Caleb handled the issue very well when he suggested that they learn more about each other. 'But with how much I've seen, I doubt her feelings come from a place of gratitude.' Osbourne thought silently.

"I see…"

Celine lowered her head in thought, finally realising why Caleb proposed that they got to know each other first. As she thought about her situation, she came to realise that this was probable. After all, her desire to see Caleb came after she regained her sight and health.

Looking at the princess who sat quietly thinking about her situation, the duchess glanced at Osbourne, who noticed her stare and looked back at her. Silently, the two communicated as the duchess gestured for Osbourne to comfort the girl.

Fortunately for the duchess, the prince got the message and moved closer to Celine, placing a hand over her shoulder. "You okay?"

Princess Celine nodded before sitting upright, exhaling the air in her lungs. Her brother and duchess had assumed the girl was feeling dejected, but that was far from the case. A fire had been lit up in the girl's gaze.

"Thank you for your kind words, Duchess Erindor." Celine nodded curtly. "I now understand what I must do."

"You do?" Osbourne echoed with a confused expression.

"Yes, brother." The princess looked at her brother and continued. "Caleb believes my feelings for him might be from a place of gratitude. Now that I understand that, all I have to do is prove to him that my feelings are genuine. It's that easy."

"And how would you do that?" Osbourne didn't want to burst his sister's bubble, but she was already proving it with her actions. "What are you going to do differently from what you're already showing Caleb?"

With a mischievous smile, the princess glanced at the duchess and then at her brother, replying. "By being assertive in my approach. I'll make Caleb understand that I am being serious and that my feelings are not fleeting."

"I like that boldness, princess…"

A sudden voice turned everyone's head towards the door, where Caleb stood with a gentle smile on his face. Immediately, the duchess and the princess sprang to their feet, their expressions lighting up in joy.

"Caleb!"

Silvia wasted no time and rushed into his embrace. Since the royals were already aware of her relationship with Caleb, she was bold with her actions.

"It's good to see you again." The duchess cried out as she buried her face in Caleb's broad chest, unapologetically taking in a deep breath of his scent.

"There, there, Silvy. I'm here now." The two exchanged a warm embrace as Caleb caressed the duchess on the head, whispering words of sweet nothingness. Directing his gaze to the royals, who were already on their feet, Caleb focused on the princess.

When their eyes met, Celine beamed as her eyes shone with the desire to prove her words. However, she was also smart enough to give the two lovers a moment to themselves.

Once Silvia had her share of her lover's scent, she lifted her head and looked Caleb in the eyes, the warmth and love in them reaching Caleb in ways he had never experienced before. Without hesitation, Caleb palmed the duchess's cheeks affectionately and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"You look beautiful, my Duchess." Caleb pulled back and complimented, bringing a smile to Silvia's face.