Instinctively, I straightened my back. I had stayed silent up to now, but if the condition involved children, then I needed to listen. Besides, Kwon Yido’s voice had a strange gravity that made people focus.

“There are two conditions.”

His calm eyes leisurely scanned the room. Past the expectant faces, all the way to me sitting beside him. The gaze that met mine at close range now held a gentler light than before.

“First, Mr. Jung Sejin will move into my home starting tomorrow.”

Was that meant as a question? I gave a nod to indicate agreement. Just for a brief second, a satisfied smile appeared on Kwon Yido’s lips. He quickly wiped it away, then turned toward my father.

“And second.”

This was the moment Minjae had described—when the future became clear. Living under the same roof with some alpha I’d never met, spreading my legs. The reason for moving in right away was probably to make having a child easier.

“Resign from your position as Head of Strategic Planning at Haesin Group.”

“......”

It took me a moment to understand what he meant. Even the phrase “That’s all,” which followed, was just as hard to grasp. As we all blinked blankly in confusion, he continued in a merciful tone.

“If there are any objections, I’m willing to hear them.”

“M-Mr. Kwon Yido.”

Flustered, I instinctively grabbed his arm. It was a minor gesture, but it surprised both him and me. No matter that we had held hands throughout the engagement ceremony—this wasn’t the kind of relationship where I could touch him so casually.

“I’m sor—”

“No need to apologize. Let’s talk first.”

He firmly cut off my apology. Then he took the awkwardly raised hand and placed it gently back on his arm. Our eyes met again, and he furrowed his well-groomed brows.

“Do you not like the conditions?”

He looked at me as if saying, I didn’t expect that from you. I didn’t know him well enough for such a look, but there was only one answer I could give.

“I thought... you were going to talk about children.”

I had assumed he would lay out the things he wanted from the marriage. Like how many children we should have, how custody should be arranged—things like that. If he’d chosen a defective omega like me, then clearly his goal was children.

“Well.”

But Kwon Yido narrowed his eyes and hesitated. He tapped the back of my hand and curved the corner of his mouth slightly.

“We’ll discuss that later. Just the two of us.”

“Just... the two of us?”

My mouth stopped working—not because of the idea of discussing things in private, but because of the offhand joke that followed.

“There are still some immature children here. Doesn’t seem like a conversation to have in front of the whole family.”

Was that his way of saying handle it properly? Or just a joke I couldn’t comprehend?

There was nothing wrong with the idea of a private discussion. If we were going to finalize the contract terms, we’d have to share heat and rut cycles, at the very least. That sort of thing was best done in private, not in front of an audience.

The real problem was his second condition. My resignation wouldn’t benefit Kwon Yido in any way. Even if this marriage was about securing heirs, what use would he have for me if I didn’t even retain a minimal status?

“......”

Ah. Maybe it was something like that.

There were people like that, once in a while. The type with old-fashioned ideas who wanted their spouse to stay home and support them. Like the driver who tried to escort me by the hand—maybe Kwon Yido saw me that way too.

“Ahem, Executive Director.”

The one who broke my train of thought was my father. Clearing his throat, he spoke in a smooth tone.

“Sejin isn’t just any employee. He’s a department head. It would be difficult for us if he resigned.”

His eyes were firm, but his face wore a bright smile. He clearly didn’t want to upset Kwon Yido, even while making his objection.

“Besides, originally...”

“Then let’s ask Mr. Jung Sejin himself.”

Third interruption. My father’s lips twitched. For someone who couldn’t stand being ignored, he had already shown tremendous restraint. Ignoring him entirely, Kwon Yido looked to me and asked,

“Mr. Jung Sejin, do you want to continue working as department head?”

He was giving me a choice—as if he would respect my answer, whatever it was. But of course, there was only one answer I could give.

“No.”

“......”

“I’ll accept your conditions.”

Emotion flickered in the room. Kwon Yido’s expression remained as expected, but my father’s didn’t. I’d thought he would be pleased, but instead, he scowled in dissatisfaction.

It was odd. My father had never liked giving me power. The title of department head had been given only for appearances—and he’d always intended to take it back once I’d outlived my usefulness.

“So he says.”

Kwon Yido spoke with a hint of smugness. His expression didn’t change much, but the message was clear. My father struggled to keep smiling as he furrowed his brow.

“Even so, quitting the job is...”

“Chairman Jung.”

Fourth time. My father’s face cracked. The tightness in his crow’s feet showed clearly—Mr. Kim would have his hands full once this was over. Kwon Yido’s next question only confirmed it.

“Do you see this as a suggestion?”

He didn’t even pretend to be courteous, unlike Vice President Kwon Sangmi. As if to clarify who held the power, his tone turned colder.

“If you thought this was a table where you could say no, that’s unfortunate.”

“......”

“It would be troubling if someone in your position couldn’t read the room.”

The fake-friendly mood shattered instantly. You’d think someone in the family might stop the alpha’s tyranny, but no one in Kwon Yido’s family stepped in. Then again, maybe that was expected—they weren’t equals.

“I think we’re all on the same page... Shall we toast?”

Without a change in expression, Kwon Yido raised his champagne glass. I avoided looking at my family and reached for the slender stem. The discontent on their faces wasn’t exactly a pleasant sight.

“We already toasted the engagement, so how about a toast for Mr. Jung Sejin’s retirement, effective today?”

“......!”

My father bit his lip. As if the offensive phrasing weren’t enough, the sudden timeline made it worse. Even as his face flushed red, Kwon Yido spoke shamelessly.

“Thanks to you, Chairman Jung, I’ve secured a great opportunity.”

Given how these things usually went, it was a miracle the table wasn’t flipped. The way he urged us to clink glasses—it was pure provocation.

“I’m glad you understand.”

But my father turned out to be far more patient than I’d thought. He barely managed to school his expression as he lifted his glass. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

My family’s reluctant faces and the unreadable ones from Seonho Group. That uncomfortable toast sealed a one-sided deal.

***

Dinner continued until nightfall. By the time dusk fell across the garden and the decorative lights illuminated the flowers, the stunning view was enough to soften even the stiffest expressions.

“By the way, Mr. Jung Sejin.”

Halfway through dessert, Kwon Yido’s sister spoke. Vice President of Seonho Group and mother of Kwon Hye-yul, she was a dominant omega who looked exactly like Kwon Sangmi. Tucking a long strand of hair behind her ear, she asked casually,

“You’re an omega, right?”

I felt the shift in the air. The curious glances from the Seonho family, the tsking from my parents, Minjae’s I knew it glare, and Seoyoung’s detached indifference.

“I heard you were a dominant omega, but I don’t sense any pheromones.”

“......”

So the perfume really had no effect, huh.

“I am an omega. Dominant, too.”

I spoke as evenly as I could. I had already run countless simulations in my head about how to explain my defect. I was ready to clarify that I had no issues with the functions they expected from an omega.

“It’s just that—”

“Maybe your nose’s dulled from the flower scent.”

But just as I was about to explain, someone else cut in with a perfectly casual tone. The only one who hadn’t looked at me—Kwon Yido. He glanced down with a faint, nearly invisible smile.

“Mr. Jung Sejin’s pheromones smell like flowers.”

His words were dreamlike. Hard to believe this was the same person who’d just humiliated my father. And someone like Kwon Yido wouldn’t be fooled by a mere perfume.

“Besides...”

I stared blankly at his profile. The refined arch of his nose beneath his brow looked as if it had been drawn with a brush. A face every Korean would recognize. Would it be a mistake to think such a cold expression looked... warm?

“No one else needs to recognize my fiancé’s scent, do they?”

He asked the question lightly, like seeking agreement. Right? I nodded before I could think. His sister exchanged a glance with her husband and shrugged.

“Well, if you say so.”

And just like that, the issue vanished. Maybe no one really cared that much, because the gazes shifted away. My father smiled, looking proud—probably thinking the perfume °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° had worked—but I knew it wasn’t thanks to him.

“......”

Why did he help me?

The world described Kwon Yido as domineering, authoritative, and cold, with a strict separation of business and personal matters. It was industry gossip, yes—but it all seemed plausible.

And yet, he had shown me leniency twice now. Once when I touched his arm. Again, just now with his sister. Even going so far as to say my pheromones smelled like flowers.

“You look like you’ve got something to say...”

I must’ve stared too obviously while thinking. He offered me an option in a voice just low enough for me to hear.

“Do you want to say it now, or wait until tomorrow?”

“......”

Ah, tomorrow.

“......It’s nothing important.”

He did say I’d be moving in tomorrow. A sudden relocation, but strangely, I had no complaints. An engagement with someone I’d never met, cohabiting before marriage. It was all abnormal—but then again, when had my life ever been normal?

“All right. Let’s talk later, just the two of us.”

I didn’t reply. I just poked at my dessert with my fork. My mouth felt dry at the phrase just the two of us. Was I always someone who cared about appearances this much? My chest ached dully at the thought.

Maybe ten minutes passed. Kwon Sangmi, having set down her utensils, suggested wrapping things up. While she and my father shook hands, Mr. Kim came over and placed a coat on my shoulders.

“Will you be heading home?”

“Well, I was thinking of going to the family house, but...”

I glanced around at my family’s faces. Seoyoung looked relatively okay, but the others... not so much. Especially Minjae, who was glaring at me with a sharpness beyond his usual.

“Going home seems better.”

“...I’ll have the car brought around.”

Mr. Kim lowered his eyes, unable to object. That vague reply was probably the best he could manage. I was about to smile and thank him, when someone called me from behind.

“Mr. Jung Sejin.”

Whether by coincidence or not, Kwon Yido had stepped directly into Minjae’s line of sight. Mr. Kim, sensing the mood, quietly retreated to wait by the entrance. The lights from the garden cast a soft glow on Kwon Yido’s face.

“If it’s all right... shall we take a walk?”

***

The garden path circled around and led back to the hall. Along the flat stone trail, the landscaping was a visual delight. It must have been open to the public normally, but for today, they had clearly arranged for privacy.

Since we entered the path, Kwon Yido hadn’t said a word. His last gesture was checking my coat to see if I was cold—despite not wearing one himself.

“......”

“......”

The sound of our shoes on the stone was distinct. It was so quiet I could even hear the chirping of insects. I watched his shoes, then mine. As I slowly moved my gaze, a thought struck me.

“...They’ve designed the path beautifully.”

I didn’t know why he invited me for a walk, but initiating conversation was my job. So was not upsetting him. So was making a good impression. It was all my job.

“With the lights, it’s not too dark.”

“......”

“It’ll be even prettier in spring.”

I tried to smile as naturally as possible. I was tense, sure—but not so much that I would make a mistake. As long as I stayed pleasant, I wouldn’t leave a bad impression.

“They’re planning to plant seasonal flowers once the weather warms.”

Kwon Yido finally spoke, locking eyes with me. His voice was low and steady, suited for the evening air—like a pheromone, rich and lingering.

“Spring flowers in spring, summer flowers in summer, fall flowers in autumn.”

“......”

“The landscaping isn’t finished yet, so this isn’t the final version.”

If he weren’t part of the Seonho family, he could’ve been an actor. His voice had presence—each word seemed to echo in the ear.

“I’ll have to come see it when it’s complete.”

I rubbed my chilled ear and glanced away. I could feel his gaze following me. I wasn’t short, but he still had half a head on me.

“Today...”

He trailed off, as if choosing his words. Or perhaps hesitating. With a faint furrow of his brow, he spoke in an unaffected tone.

“The wait must have been long. Were you bored?”

“Ah... Not at all. Thanks to you.”

There was a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Thanks to me?—he seemed to ask.

“I was so absorbed in the flowers, time just flew.”

And I meant it. Watching all those blooms, I had felt a rare sense of peace.

“Thank you for the bouquet, too. If it’s okay, I was thinking of bringing it to your house tomorrow...”

Not the entire floral setup—just the lily of the valley. Mr. Kim had set it aside. I’d planned to take it home, but since I was moving, I thought I might bring it along. I wanted to ask if that was all right, but Kwon Yido’s expression turned strange.

“...Mr. Kwon Yido?”

“......”

He looked like he might fall apart again, just like when he first held my hand. Maybe it was the lighting, but he seemed ready to cry. After blinking once, then twice, he barely managed to lift the corners of his lips.

“Mr. Jung Sejin.”

“......”

“Let’s meet again tomorrow.”

The words were oddly formal. We were already going to live together starting tomorrow.

“I suppose we’ll see each other at your house, then.”

We were bound to meet again—not just tomorrow, but every day after. There was no need to promise another meeting when we were engaged.

“Well, in that case... it’s a bit late, but let’s exchange names again.”

I said it playfully, and his expression softened. I reached out my right hand and repeated the words I had said earlier.

“I’m Jung Sejin.”

It was half a joke. Just something to lighten the mood, something to ease the awkwardness.

“...I’m Kwon Yido.”

But this time, he hesitated before taking my hand. He lowered his gaze slightly, a smile blooming on his face like a long-forgotten memory.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jung Sejin.”

“......”

I couldn’t say anything in response. I just stared, dazed, at Kwon Yido’s face, overtaken by an inexplicable sense of déjà vu. His gently curved eyes—looked at me like one might gaze at a lover.