Define The Relationship Novel - Chapter 2

“It’s been a while, Karlyle.”

The voice was heard as soon as the door opened. Karlyle, who had been reviewing his afternoon schedule on his tablet, looked up. As he shifted his gaze to the doorway, he saw a man smiling at him. It was Luther Milan, the Frost family’s physician.

“Is it?”

“Yes, if you count, it’s been six, no, seven years.”

Luther, who had lightly nodded, walked to the chair opposite Karlyle. Luther’s research lab, with its glass exterior, was located on the 9th floor of the Royal Hospital in Whitechapel. And Luther Milan was the head of London’s only trait research institute.

“It was when the young master had just returned from his business trip to America.”

Pulling out the chair opposite the ebony desk, Luther smiled again. Sunlight poured dazzlingly from behind Luther, who sat with his back to the glass wall. Faint dust motes could be seen floating in the room.

Even with the light painfully piercing his eyelids, Karlyle didn’t squint. He merely met Luther’s gaze, his fingers intertwined, looking at the paper with the test results placed under Luther’s hand.

“You have a good memory, Luther.”

“Not as good as the young master’s.”

“If you brought up that topic to ease my tension, it’s been effective enough. Now, tell me the results.”

The paper Luther held would contain the results of Karlyle’s consultation from thirty minutes ago and the results of a light physical function test conducted prior to that.

After all, this meeting was to ascertain Karlyle’s unusual symptoms. Rupert, being diligent, had contacted Luther promptly at 9 AM. Karlyle was immediately summoned by Luther that afternoon.

The corners of his eyes, which hadn’t squinted even under the blazing light, subtly distorted with a faint annoyance. Karlyle raised a finger and lightly pressed his temple. He could guess the results without hearing them from Luther.

“You might have already guessed, but…”

“Yes.”

“It seems to be psychological anorgasmia, Karlyle. Classified as an orgasm disorder. There’s no abnormality in your physical functions.”

He had expected it, but he swallowed a sigh at the unpleasantness of the words actually being spoken. It was annoying that he, of all people, was in such a situation. It was contemptible. It was pathetic.

“According to Ms. Hannah, who handled your consultation, the cause seems to be that the young master feels obligation and burden regarding sexual acts.”

He recalled the consultation, which had lasted about an hour. For Karlyle, who had never truly bared his soul, the consultation was not easy. Nor was it a consultation he had wanted to start. He had never experienced any dramatic events in his life, nor did he have any trauma from them. Meaning, he had never even imagined a day would come when he would need psychological counseling.

The consultation was conducted by a forty-something Alpha woman named Hannah. It seemed the woman had already completed such an analysis based on the few words Karlyle reluctantly uttered.

“Are you saying that’s me?”

“Based on what the young master told us, that seems to be the result of the analysis. I consider it a valid analysis.”

Luther Milan, who was forty-seven this year, was not only the head of the research institute but also a capable Alpha male who had been Karlyle’s physician since he was sixteen. Showing the demeanor of someone who had observed him for a long time, Luther agreed with Hannah’s opinion. Karlyle listened to his words and quietly thought. Whether it was truly plausible.

“More than anyone I know, the young master is devoted to his duties. You’ve lived that kind of life.”

“I find it hard to infer the correlation between what you just said and my condition.”

“Meaning… the young master’s sexual life has been a means to resolve physiological phenomena, or rather, an obligation.”

Luther had consistently monitored Karlyle and his younger brother, Kyle. He knew that not all physicians did this. This was a peculiar situation that only occurred with members who bore the Frost surname. More precisely, it was common among noble families who produced dominant Alphas.

According to the customs of England, where noble titles still existed, the Frost family, who inherited the Marquisate title generation after generation, obsessed over maintaining their lineage. This was due to the twisted belief that good bloodlines must be connected to produce dominant Alphas within the family. Dominant Alphas had historically come from noble bloodlines and were inherently superior to common Alphas in various aspects. Karlyle’s brother, Kyle, was precisely this rare dominant Alpha.

It was for this reason that his physician knew the approximate history of his private and intimate sexual relations. Although Karlyle was not a dominant Alpha, noble blood flowed in him, so there was a distinct possibility of excellent offspring in the next generation.

Therefore, since Karlyle’s rut began, his grandfather had been wary of him meeting an Omega outside of “the plan” and causing trouble. Surveillance followed. Even the fresh, trivial romances typical of young people his age were restricted.

The only Omega Karlyle could fall in love with was a descendant of a prestigious family, destined for him someday. Even that wasn’t yet confirmed. To prevent unnecessary feelings from developing through repeated and frequent encounters, the Omega he met during each rut had to be changed every time.

The common definition of sex always felt alien to Karlyle. To him, sex was merely a natural means to relieve sexual urges during rut, or a tool accompanied by business necessity.

“Is that a problem?”

“Sex has a very close connection with the psychological aspect, Karlyle.”

Karlyle slightly winced at the word “sex.” For him, who was more accustomed to the word “intercourse,” various words related to “sex” evoked a subtle discomfort.

“Mental burden also affects sexual function.”

A rebuttal came to mind, then subsided. If there was no physical abnormality, shouldn’t there be no problem with erection and ejaculation? After all, intercourse is a reproductive act for living beings to maintain their species. To Karlyle, sex was ultimately copulation.

But instead of rebutting, Karlyle remained silent. The man in front of him was a doctor, and he knew far more about human physical symptoms than Karlyle did. His opinion wasn’t important. It was more productive to ask for a solution to the symptoms that had arisen.

“I see.”

“Yes, Karlyle. Sex is a reproductive act, but for modern people, it holds more meaning than that. It can be a bond to confirm love, or it can be a form of entertainment.”

He wasn’t interested. It was irrelevant to Karlyle anyway. Karlyle dryly asked for a solution.

“Tell me the prescription, Luther.”

“In my opinion, Karlyle,”

“Yes.”

“It would be good for you to have sex with someone who isn’t an Omega.”

Luther said. Karlyle stopped the finger that had been pressing his temple. He stopped pressing his skin with the slightly bent knuckle of his index finger, and Karlyle straightened his back. A faint bewilderment appeared on his face.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, if it’s someone who’s really good at sex, an Omega might be fine, but… I don’t think Lord Frost would allow that.”

“It’s impossible to have it with someone who isn’t an Omega in the first place, isn’t it?”

A mischievous smile appeared on Luther’s face. Karlyle continued with a cold expression.

“That’s a ridiculous solution.”

“Karlyle, I’m glad to see that you still have some of your sixteen-year-old innocence left, Luther here is pleased.”

Karlyle fell silent at Luther’s strange remark. Innocent? It was absurd. Karlyle quickly composed his briefly bewildered expression and retorted with his usual cold demeanor.

“Stop talking nonsense, Luther.”

“Various sexual acts are possible even without penetration, Karlyle. Penetration is also possible.”

Karlyle fell silent. He was slowly guessing what Luther was trying to say.

“I don’t think I’d be able to do that.”

“Karlyle, Alphas and Betas can feel pleasure too, as long as their prostate is intact.”

“I mean, I’ve never engaged in such acts, so I don’t think I could satisfy my partner.”

“Oh, Karlyle.”

Luther sighed. Karlyle felt bothered by the conversation drifting into a topic he hadn’t intended. Situations he couldn’t control were uncomfortable.

“I’m telling you to try something new.”

The nuance was strange. Karlyle pondered to grasp the underlying intention of Luther’s words. Surely not.

“In other words, instead of what you’ve been doing, you should find a partner who can satisfy you.”

He slowly lowered his hand, gripping the armrest.

“If you’re tired of penetrating, wouldn’t it be good to experience the opposite?”

A hollow laugh escaped him. Karlyle involuntarily let out a low chuckle. Only his lips twisted beneath his expressionless face.

“Are you in your right mind?”

“Of course. My intellect and reason are shining brightly today. Humanity is lucky to have a capable trait specialist like me.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Please find another solution.”

“Karlyle.”

Luther’s smiling face turned serious. Just as Luther knew Karlyle well, Karlyle also knew Luther well. When he made that expression, it meant he was serious.

“If you don’t take quick action in the early stages, it will eventually negatively affect your daily life. If you’re having problems even during your rut period, not just normally, it means you’ve had psychological issues for quite some time.”

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be corrected by this method, does it?”

“I’m saying this because trying something new with another Alpha or Beta will be the most effective solution for this situation.”

“Luther.”

“Currently, Omegas cannot be a subject for normal sex for the young master. Even if you have sex, you’ll only feel the same old burden or aversion.”

His lips closed at the accurate remark. He had to admit it. Karlyle felt disgusted by sex with Omegas. Every time he faced an Omega, there was too much to consider.

Don’t give affection. Be especially careful with contraception. Don’t give false hope. But satisfy them…