44

Chapter 44

Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2022, Planet: Grimoire

Hmm, interesting because despite their young age, they obviously were aware of their different surroundings. Right now, he was the only stable presence they could rely on until they were older.

Doyle listed off what he'd observed earlier. "For a while, it was only Jessa in the room. Then it was me. Now they seem more irritable." They were probably reacting to rising emotions from all three of the adults.

"So, no, I don't think leaving the room is a good idea right now." Doyle kept a wary eye on the child. He wouldn't remain in that still position for much longer. Grifton was definitely aware of his surroundings having changed. He'd figured that much out just from having moved around in the room.

Now to gain some clarity as to why they had come at such an auspicious moment. Surely it wasn't for a pre-dawn cup of tea. Doyle eyed them with disfavor. No, this must have to do with the previous conversation that he'd tried to cut off, clearly unsuccessfully, from what he could tell now.

Might as well get this over with, he thought with irritation. "As for why you two are here, I'm assuming this has to do with the unfinished conversation from around midnight or so, correct?" Doyle turned his attention back to Darmono and Tesha.

They nodded. "Yes," Darmono stated.

"I would like you to clarify what you meant about knowing of sterility." Tesha frowned at him. "You seem quite confident."

Well, since he hadn't gotten anyone pregnant due to his vigilance when it came to choosing partners for dalliances, "I made it a habit long ago to ensure that I wouldn't impregnate anyone." Doyle exhaled when seeing Darmono's nod of comprehension.

As for Tesha, she still seemed dubious about Doyle's actions. Well, he figured that Darmono would soon be able to back up his words. "I did my research on suppressants and contraceptives that would ensure nothing resulted from dalliances."

As such Doyle was very much confident in his status as not being a biological father to anyone, even now in his thirties and soon forties. "I've done this long enough to know that I'm not stupid or careless." He might as well clear up any potential misunderstandings that either of them harbored regarding him.

Tesha shook her head. "I'm not buying that." She frowned. "I would like to procure a list of what you used." She glowered when Doyle merely inclined his head.

"I shall send you one, once I return to the orphanage." It wasn't as if Doyle carried a piece of paper around with the names written on it. That would cause some mayhem if he did so. A sigh escaped him. He was still tired.

Darmono grunted. "I do. Certain contraceptives can cause sterility if used improperly." He was frowning unhappily. "I'm pretty sure I know what he used."

Now Tesha watched Darmono in fascination. "You don't say." She exhaled and shook her head. "What else do you have to say?"

"I think I know how he got ahold of the ingredients to make the formulas." Darmono shook his head. "You are crazy, but not stupid or careless, I can vouch for him on that front."

Doyle didn't know what his problem was, nor did he care. "If so, then I'm more than grateful for having used contraceptive measures each time." He grunted. "I can definitely tell you that I'd been abstinent for a while. I just wasn't in the mood to have any dalliances."

Tesha's eyes widened. "You did, huh?" She studied him with a frown. "I suppose that would account for the anomalies that showed up in the tests that I ran."

Who cared? He spread his hands and spoke calmly. "I also made sure to use contraception and required it of my partners." Doyle didn't want to take any chances of becoming infected with diseases.

Darmono grimaced. "Tell him the rest of the results, please."

Tesha sighed. "You're a dominant Omega and have a 99% compatibility match with him." She gestured at Darmono.

"Come again?" This was the last thing Doyle needed to hear. Especially when those pheromones made him sick with revulsion, not attraction. "I'm not in the mood for jokes."

"I'm not joking." Tesha showed him the information.

A splitting pain shot through Doyle's head. This wasn't good for him. It meant that nothing they told him was going to remain in his memory.

"Uh, Madam, you may want to quit that." Darmono looked at Doyle with alarm.

Tesha registered his reactions with shock. "What are you talking about?" She demanded.

"Look at his eyes," Darmono warned. "I'd say that he just got hit with a migraine." He was moving toward Doyle swiftly.

Tesha sighed. "This is ridiculous. What am I going to do with the two of you?" Her baffled tone made Darmono shake his head.

He complained. "Now isn't the time to be indecisive."

Doyle didn't care what either of them was saying. He just wanted to lie down before his face met the hardwood floor the hard way. "I'm going to need time to process."

"Well, take this paperwork anyway." Tesha insisted. "I don't have any use for it right now."

"Are you crazy?" Darmono sputtered. "He isn't going to remember a word of this conversation as it is." He'd managed to cut down the distance between him and Doyle to roughly five feet.

He'd taken the paperwork by instinct, but now Darmono distracted him through the forced proximity. "Back off, you're too close." His attention shifted to the paperwork, but it was hopeless.

Even though Doyle looked at it, nothing registered. currently, he was so fatigued that everything was cluttered to the point that he literally fell down.

"Doyle!"

"Moline!"

He'd hit the floor with quite a hard thump. The only good thing that happened was that none of the babies awakened despite all the ruckuses.