The meal wasn’t bad. Though no words were exchanged, it wasn’t awkward, and even though I wasn’t particularly hungry, the food went down easily. The dishes, carefully chosen to avoid being too stimulating, were well-suited for an empty stomach as a combined breakfast and lunch.

Kwon Yido really did just eat and leave the house, though before heading out, he gave a few instructions to the staff. From what I overheard, the main point seemed to be to show me to a room and not bother me.

“This way, please.”

Kwon Yido’s house was a detached residence with three stories above ground and one below. The room assigned to me was at the far end of the second floor, with a clear view of the garden. The stone-faced employee personally opened the door and told me I could use everything inside as I pleased, then promptly left.

“...It’s extravagant.”

That was my first impression. Not only were the bed and sofa separated, but there was also a private bathroom and dressing room inside. It felt less like a room and more like another house. I hadn’t expected to be thrown into some dingy little room, but I didn’t think I’d be offered something this luxurious either.

I looked around and slowly stepped further in. The all-white interior felt even cozier and more comfortable than the house I’d lived in before. The airy curtains and potted plants in the corners showed clear signs of deliberate care, even in the smallest details.

Did I like this kind of thing?

That thought crossed my mind. Every piece of furniture suited my tastes. Even the bedding—fluffy but with a satisfying weight. Either someone had excellent taste, or it was just a lucky coincidence. I’d been noticing this since the engagement party, but the surprises just kept coming.

That impression didn’t change when I reached the dressing room. The rows of neatly hung clothes aside, there was even a drawer filled with wristwatches and tie pins. There’s no way those were placed there by mistake. But what was the reason for preparing such expensive, name-brand accessories?

“I won’t even use them...”

Now that I was effectively unemployed, these items felt far too extravagant. Not that I’d ever cared much for things this expensive to begin with.

Next, I went into the bathroom, which featured a large bathtub. Just as I’d been told, there was a shelf lined with various bath products. The round ones must be bubble bombs... and the ones in glass jars—are those salts?

“......”

I sat on the edge of the tub absentmindedly. When I pressed my hand against the surface, a chill unique to marble rose sharply through my palm. Tilting my head up, I saw the wide-open sky through the glass ceiling above.

Just like Kwon Yido had said, this was the kind of bathtub you’d want to soak in. And with the weather so nice, even just watching the sky would make time pass quickly. Or on a rainy day, even the droplets hitting the glass might look beautiful.

‘I wish I could see the sky from the bathtub.’

Who did I... say that to?

I reached out and partially blocked the blue scenery with my hand. The clouds drifting past the window moved as slowly as turtles. The memory that had briefly surfaced vanished without a trace the moment I blinked.

“...Living the life.”

It was a moment of peace. A stretch of time where I didn’t have to think about anything and could simply rest. Meals served on time, waiting to welcome Kwon Yido home from work—an uneventful day.

A future I’d never once experienced played out vividly in my mind, as if it had already happened yesterday. I didn’t even have to imagine it—the boredom was so obvious. I squeezed my tired eyes shut and thought to myself.

I should’ve picked up a hobby or something.

***

Kwon Yido didn’t return home until late at night. I was halfway through reading a novel when Mr. Kim brought over the flower dome. Dressed just as impeccably as when he’d left, Kwon Yido paused when he saw me standing in the entryway.

“......”

“...Welcome home.”

An awkward silence settled in. Kwon Yido, giving me a strange look, parted his lips slightly. He seemed about to say something, then closed his mouth again. That split-second felt like eternity.

“Why.”

“......”

“Why are you out here?”

“...?”

I blinked. “I heard you came home.” That was my reply, but Kwon Yido didn’t react. He just stared at me blankly, his lashes trembling faintly.

Only after a long pause did he speak again, in that refined tone of his.

“There’s no need to come out to greet me.”

The way he handed off his bag to the staff somehow seemed displeased. Even the subtle furrow of his brow clearly showed he was annoyed. I stared at the ring on my left hand and gave a small nod.

“If it bothers you, I’ll stay in my room starting tomorrow.”

I had just... wanted to be friendly. Since we were engaged, I thought I should show at least some warmth. That’s why I told the staff ahead of time and came out when I heard he was home.

But if this wasn’t what he wanted, then maybe I really should’ve just stayed in my room reading...

“It doesn’t bother me.”

“......”

I looked up abruptly. As if he hadn’t scowled just a moment ago, Kwon Yido now met my gaze with a serious expression. When I didn’t reply, he added firmly.

“It really doesn’t bother me.”

“Well... okay.”

Was there any need to say it twice?

“Then I’ll come out to greet you from now on.”

I met his eyes and smiled out of habit. Kwon Yido’s expression relaxed slightly as he walked past me. Was it my imagination, or did the corner of his mouth curl up just a bit?

As we ascended the stairs together, he didn’t look back even once. His steady stride and squared shoulders reflected his polished temperament. You’d think he’d be tired after a day of work. And yet, not a single hair was out of place.

He finally stopped in front of a door not far from the stairs. I wasn’t sure whether I should pass by or go in with him. Just as I was hesitating, a low voice called out to me.

“Jung Sejin-ssi.”

“Yes?”

Those pitch-black eyes scanned me slowly from head to toe before he spoke again, lightly.

“Was there something wrong with the clothes in your room?”

The question was sudden, but the implication was easy to catch. What I was wearing now wasn’t from the room—it was something I’d brought in my suitcase. Despite all those clothes, he’d noticed this outfit wasn’t one of them. His eye for detail was impressive.

“I just find my own clothes more comfortable.”

His eyes narrowed. Clearly not the answer he wanted. I gave a little shrug and smiled.

“I do like the clothes. And the watches, too.”

“......”

He exhaled softly and tilted his head. His prominent Adam’s apple moved once.

“That was a pointless question. I doubt you even tried them on.”

...How did he know that?

“They’re all your size. Please try to wear ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) them. Everything in that room belongs to you.”

With that, Kwon Yido placed his hand on the doorknob. It was clear he intended to end the conversation, and I was just about to pass by and head to my room when—

“Are you busy?”

A question with an obvious answer. Would I be busy? The words rose to my throat, but Kwon Yido opened the door halfway before I could respond.

“If not, why don’t you come in?”

From the gap, a heavy pheromone scent wafted out. As expected of a dominant alpha’s space, it was intoxicatingly dense.

“Let’s talk for a bit.”

“......”

I glanced at Kwon Yido, then at the door, and quietly caught my breath. This late at night, a conversation between an alpha and an omega in the same room—what else could it mean? Even knowing that, I only had one possible answer.

“Then, excuse me.”

***

Kwon Yido’s room had a distinctly different atmosphere from mine. In the large space, there was only a bed and a sofa—nothing else that indicated it was lived in. The monochrome bedding and sparse interior weren’t just neat—they were borderline barren.

As soon as he entered, Kwon Yido said he’d shower first and stepped into the bathroom. He told me to make myself comfortable, but in this vast room, there wasn’t a single spot that felt truly comfortable. I hesitated between the sofa and the bed before finally sitting on the sofa with a clear view of the bathroom.

“Pheromones...”

As expected of a dominant alpha, the entire room was saturated with his scent. Any ordinary omega would have already been swaying like a cat drunk on silvervine. And there’s no way Kwon Yido didn’t know that. So what was he thinking, leaving me out here like this without a care?

“Well... a shower’s a good thing.”

I crossed my legs and stared blankly up at the ceiling. I knew exactly what could happen next, but I didn’t feel particularly tense. If it’s something that has to happen anyway, better to get it over with quickly.

Still, wouldn’t it be better to wait until my heat cycle to increase the chances?

Click. I heard the sound of the door opening. I turned my head slowly. Gone was the formal suit—Kwon Yido now wore comfortable loungewear. Maybe it was the fresh scent from his body, or the way his bangs had naturally fallen—he seemed like a completely different person.

“I should’ve brought some tea before coming in.”

He walked over unhurriedly and sat on the sofa diagonally across from me. As soon as the distance closed, I could smell the blend of scents in his breath. His pheromones were wood-based, while his shampoo had a cotton note. Surprisingly decent combination.

“Did you eat dinner?”

“I did.”

The meal prepared by the staff, once again, catered entirely to my tastes. It was a Korean-style menu with braised short ribs in a light broth and a variety of side dishes. The mildly seasoned vegetables and the sweet plum tea were good enough to rival a high-end Korean restaurant.

“The chef seems to be quite good.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried.”

Worried?

“Starting tomorrow, I won’t be home this late. Unless something comes up, let’s have dinner together.”

He said that as he lowered his gaze. His perfectly sculpted features looked almost unreal. The same went for the voice that followed.

“I’m sorry for making you eat alone.”

“...Excuse me?”

It felt like I’d been smacked in the back of the head. Of all things, it was an apology that came from his mouth. In all my life, I never imagined I’d hear the second son of Seonho Group say sorry—especially not over something like having a meal alone.

“No, it’s fine. You were busy...”

I fumbled to move my lips. I wanted to wave it off with my hand, but settled for clenching my fist. His otherwise expressionless face looked just a little sulky—so much so that I even thought, he looks kind of cute, in a way.

“...Really, it’s fine. I’m not a kid.”

Eating alone wasn’t anything new. I never even expected to share meals with him. There was no reason for him to look so sheepish.

“There’s no need to go out of your way...”

“I’m not going out of my way.”

His firm response came as he looked me straight in the eye. It was the same expression he’d worn earlier, when he said he didn’t mind being greeted at the door. He didn’t seem the type, but maybe he really did have some kind of romantic fantasy about marriage.

“Then... how about breakfast instead?”

I suggested with a slight squint of my eyes, and he asked back casually.

“Breakfast?”

His tone was filled with genuine curiosity.

“Dinner might interfere with your schedule, so let’s have breakfast together like today.”

“......”

“I’d prefer to share at least one meal...”

The second half of my sentence was half-hearted. Sure, if I had to choose, I’d rather eat with someone. But if that someone was Kwon Yido, I’d rather not. Even if today wasn’t awkward, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t be next time.

“It also makes it easier to see you off.”

“......”

Even after I finished speaking, Kwon Yido didn’t respond. He just stared quietly at my face with his calm eyes. Did I say something wrong? Just when I started to worry, he parted his lips.

“You’re still...”

So kind.

The words that followed were almost a whisper. Still, he said. When had I ever been kind to Kwon Yido before? Honestly, he was the one being kind, not me.

“There’s no need to force yourself to get up early. Try to sleep in during the mornings.”

“Oh, I don’t really sleep in. It’s not much of a burden.”

On top of that, I had insomnia. There was no way I could just sleep in leisurely. Thanks to my old work routine, I still woke up at dawn out of habit.

“...Alright, then.”

Kwon Yido cleared his throat and abruptly ended the conversation. His expression hadn’t changed from earlier, yet he seemed strangely pleased. He definitely had some kind of illusion about his spouse.

“Did you get some sleep?”

The topic shifted quickly. When I hesitated to respond, he nodded knowingly.

“It’ll take time to adjust. New surroundings and all.”

That wasn’t exactly why I hadn’t slept, but I had no excuse to offer, so I just rubbed at my dry eyelids for no reason. Kwon Yido reached his hand out toward me, then suddenly seemed to realize something and pulled it back.

“...Your secretary stopped by this evening, didn’t he?”

His tone sounded a bit forced, as if he was trying not to let on that he’d been caught off guard. I played dumb and nodded.

“He brought something I’d forgotten.”

“Something you forgot...?”

“The bouquet you gave me.”

The sleeping pills were the real reason, but there was no point in telling him that. Admitting to insomnia wouldn’t benefit me in any way.

“It’s been preserved to last a long time. You should come see it—it’s in my room.”

I smiled warmly as I said it, but Kwon Yido’s expression looked strange. He covered his mouth, then turned his head away with a furrowed brow. Fortunately, he didn’t seem upset.

“I’ll give you more next time, so if they wilt, don’t feel bad about tossing them.”

“...Thank you.”

Honestly, I didn’t want to receive anything more—whether it was flowers or anything else.

“What did you do with your free time?”

“Not much. There was a book in the room, so I read a little.” 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

“What kind of book?”

“Just a novel...”

I answered politely, but something felt off. Did he really call me in here just to have a ‘conversation’?

“Is the room okay? The location?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“That’s good to hear.”

His naturally low voice was as soothing as a radio broadcast. He hadn’t sounded this smooth even on television. Hearing it in person was something else entirely.

“I had the interior redone. That end room was the only one that could have a ceiling window. I thought the third floor would be inconvenient, so I chose that room.”

“When you say window... you mean the one in the bathroom?”

“Yes, that one.”

His now-dry hair softly brushed across his forehead. Maybe it was bothering him—he swept it back with one hand.

“Isn’t it nice, being able to see the sky from the bathtub?”

“......”

Then why wasn’t it in your room, Kwon Yido?

That room was already more than I deserved—there was no need to renovate it too.

Everything prepared for me felt excessively perfect. Maybe this was just the standard treatment for an omega expected to bear an heir. Even knowing that this was probably nothing to him, it still felt oddly contrived.

“I like the room. Everything suits my tastes.”

I said it to test the waters a bit. Was it really just luck, or did he actually know me that well?

With a satisfied smile, Kwon Yido answered:

“I thought you might.”

He looked genuinely pleased, like he was happy that I liked it. But it wasn’t a very conclusive answer, at least not for what I’d hoped to confirm.

“If there’s anything you need, just let me know. Books, clothes, or even... a car, maybe.”

“No, I can’t accept something like that unconditionally...”

The words trailed off naturally. It looked like Kwon Yido was about to say it was fine, his eyes twitching slightly. I pressed my lips together and looked straight at him.

“Then I’d like you to state the conditions first.”

“Conditions?”

“Yes. Conditions.”

Unconditional, he said. That was laughable. All of this was clearly an investment of some kind. For everything Kwon Yido was giving me, there must be something he expected in return.

“I haven’t heard anything yet about your plans for children.”