"Welcome!" A young lady approached the couple with a professional smile as soon as they set foot into the shop.

She didn’t recognize Zayden, likely because they were in the alleys where shops for commoners stood—less expensive, more discreet, and definitely not the kind of place where one expected nobles.

"What brings you here?" she asked, fingers politely intertwined.

After all, why would two young men enter a boutique filled with women’s dresses?

Zayden’s gaze flicked around. No matter how long he looked, it was painfully obvious this was a shop for women.

He turned to Ren, who looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.

"Are you here to get a dress for your partner?" the lady asked, sensing the strange tension between the two men. It was... an unusual atmosphere.

"Yes," Zayden answered with an easy smile.

"Any colour preferences?"

Zayden exchanged a glance with Ren, who was clearly mortified.

Slowly, the silver-haired man tugged at the General’s jacket sleeve, looking up at him as cutely—and desperately—as he could.

"Can we please... leave?"

"Why?" Zayden teased. "I thought you liked this. That’s why you were staring at everything here." His voice dropped low so only Ren could hear. He had no intention of embarrassing him in public.

"Hm," Zayden hummed, pretending to think about it. Then he brushed his fingers lightly over a white dress displayed beside him. "What is your favourite colour?"

Ren narrowed his eyes, letting go of Zayden’s sleeve.

He is not even listening... Is he?

He clenched his fists, wondering if punching him—

No. Violence was not the solution.

"So? What is your favourite colour?" Zayden repeated patiently.

"Lavender..." Ren murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Zayden’s lips twitched. "Hmm. Good choice."

Before Ren could protest again, the young shop attendant returned—her arms full of dresses in soft pastels and deep jewel tones.

"I brought a few options in a variety of colours," she said brightly, unaware of the impending disaster.

She held them up proudly—silk, chiffon, embroidered hems, delicate ribbons for decoration on a few of them.

"Would you like your partner to try one?" she asked, her gaze drifting past them as if searching for the lady who surely must have been hiding behind the tall men.

She was fairly tall herself, yet these two still towered over her, causing her to assume Zayden’s partner must be shorter so she couldn’t see her. However, she was unaware that there was no woman to begin with...

Zayden nodded immediately.

"Yes. My partner—"

Ren’s soul left his body when he felt Zayden’s gaze landing on him.

The attendant blinked, her smile faltering as she followed the direction of Zayden’s gesture... toward Ren.

Her cheeks flushed, purely flabbergasted.

"A-A man...?" she squeaked, her grip around the clothes tightening.

Ren slapped a hand over his forehead. This was utterly ridiculous! He turned sharply to Zayden, cheeks burning.

"Okay, fine! I admit it—"

His voice dropped as he grabbed Zayden by the hood of his jacket, pulling him close. He whispered sharply against the man’s ear, "I was looking at you, not the shop!" he hissed, pouting furiously.

"Can we please leave now?"

Zayden opened his mouth—probably to tease him even more—but Ren didn’t give him the chance.

The omega spun around and stormed out of the shop, the door slamming behind him with a loud thud.

For a second, Zayden blinked.

Then he quickly followed, leaving the lady utterly speechless and confused.

The alpha burst into laughter—deep, warm, completely unrestrained—the sound echoing through the half-empty alleyways.

"Ren! Wait—" He managed to call, barely able to hold back.

Ren stopped mid-step, refusing to face him, arms crossed tightly.

But the moment he heard Zayden still laughing, he finally turned, glaring with pink cheeks.

"Oh! You are so mean!" he groaned—

And then the glare cracked.

His lips twitched. A small laugh slipped out.

Soon, he was laughing too, the sound soft and bright against the falling snow.

When their laughter finally faded, Zayden stepped closer and slipped his arms around the young man’s neck.

"I apologize. Don’t be mad," he said before Ren could even raise his voice.

"What you did was very mean."

"I didn’t mean to be mean." Zayden leaned in, aiming for a casual kiss on Ren’s cheek, but the omega quickly pulled away, already predicting his next move.

"You’re just so cute when you get mad. I can’t help teasing you."

Ren’s face reddened, a deeper blush warming his cheeks.

"And you’re not even honest," Zayden continued. "If you’re staring at me, say so. I’m not going to eat you."

"You also stare at me," Ren muttered.

"Do you not like it? But what can I do? You look like... art. Did you know that?"

"Art? You are exaggerating, My Lord," Ren said, forcing out a soft laugh as he turned away shyly.

"Yes, art. And someone was casually calling me by my name earlier."

Ren didn’t answer, lowering his head, too embarrassed to meet Zayden’s gaze.

"I told you to use my name."

"It’s a habit."

Zayden gently pressed a kiss to Ren’s cheek, holding the omega’s face with one hand so he couldn’t pull away.

When he finally let go, he studied Ren’s expression—eyes wide, lips slightly parted.

"You said I could, without asking. Did you not mean it?" Zayden raised an eyebrow, concern lacing his tone. He didn’t want to do anything Ren wouldn’t like. A little teasing was fine—but he didn’t want Ren to feel as if he were taking advantage of him.

"I did..." Ren said softly, reassuring him. "I just didn’t expect you to do this outside..."

Zayden glanced around. A group of passersby had stopped, staring at them.

He exhaled sharply, then fixed them with a glare.

"Never seen a couple?" he growled. "Oh," he sneered. "Is it because we are two men?" He frowned, his gaze darkening.

The crowd quickly shuffled away, pretending to be passing by, averting their eyes almost immediately.

"Z-Zayden," Ren gently held the man, trying to push him away. "You can let go."

Although unwilling, the alpha pulled himself away from the hug.

Now that they had embraced, he found himself craving Ren’s warmth even more.

So... it was true what they said: the devil who had once tasted the forbidden fruit became addicted to it for life.

And for Zayden, that forbidden fruit was Ren.