* * *

Once everyone had exchanged pleasantries, the servants entered the dining room, carrying silver trays filled with food.

The delicious aroma made everyone’s stomachs growl.

“You must all be hungry. Please, enjoy. To celebrate your visit to our summer villa, we’ve prepared venison for tonight.”

The Count’s announcement was met with enthusiastic applause from the guests.

Everyone, except for one person, that is…

‘W-what the…?’

It was none other than Remy.

Hearing that venison was on the menu, he turned pale and froze on the spot.

Having tasted venison before at Ashton’s house, he knew all too well how awful it was.

Just the thought of eating it again made his stomach churn.

He hadn’t even started eating, yet he already felt nauseous.

“Oh, that’s right. Remy, you’ve always loved venison, haven’t you?”

The Count, eager to show his care for Remy, cheerfully placed a large piece of venison onto his plate.

His gesture was meant to be considerate toward the newly manifested omega, but for Remy, it was pure torment.

‘I have to eat that…? And that much of it, too?!’

“Eat up, Remy. Newly manifested omegas need to take good care of their health.”

Encouraged by the Count’s words, others chimed in.

“Absolutely. Manifestation is no small thing.”

“Right. Take good care of yourself now, and you’ll stay healthy for life.”

“Why not have some from the other leg, too?”

Before he knew it, another hefty piece of venison was placed on his plate.

Staring at the mountain of meat, Remy screamed internally.

“What’s wrong, Remy? You don’t look well…”

“No, it’s nothing. My stomach just feels a bit off…”

“Is it from the bump on your face earlier?”

“No, it’s just my stomach…”

“Well, nothing helps when you’re unwell like meat. Go on, eat it. You’ll feel better in no time.”

“…??”

No matter what he said, the conversation always ended with, “Just eat the meat.”

Remy couldn’t understand it but felt the Count’s gaze bore into him as if saying, “I won’t take my eyes off you until I see you eat that venison.”

Swallowing dryly, Remy resigned himself.

Running away might have been an option, but the consequences were too terrifying to contemplate.

‘What do I do? Should I just fake fainting? That seems like the safest bet. Eating venison again… I’d rather act faint than endure that.’

Having made up his mind, Remy prepared to collapse theatrically.

Just as he was about to execute his plan…

“Oh, oh? Ashton?”

An unexpected savior appeared in front of Remy: none other than his childhood friend, Ashton.

“What… What are you doing?”

Before anyone could question Ashton, who had suddenly sprung up from his seat, he used his fork to spear two chunks of venison from Remy’s plate and transfer them to his own.

Then, he piled Remy’s plate high with steamed vegetables—corn, beans, potatoes, and the like.

“I heard that greasy food isn’t good for newly manifested omegas. It’s better to stick to vegetables,” Ashton said, addressing Remy in a way that ensured everyone at the table could hear.

Thankfully, his words drew nods of agreement from those seated nearby.

It looked like Remy was finally free from the ordeal of eating venison.

Suddenly, memories of eating venison at Ashton’s house last time flashed through Remy’s mind.

Back then, Ashton’s attempts at flirting had been more of a nuisance than anything else.

But now, Ashton felt like a lifesaver.

Their fraught relationship aside, Remy couldn’t help but feel grateful for being rescued from another round of venison.

It seemed like this harmony, with Remy content and the others satisfied, might last throughout the meal.

Unfortunately, it was not to be.

The mood was disrupted by Hayward, who sat at the head of the table, glaring at Ashton.

For some reason, Ashton’s attentiveness toward Remy irritated Hayward.

Watching Ashton place the warm vegetables on Remy’s plate made his brow furrow.

He knew the two were childhood friends.

Their families were close, and the pair had practically grown up together.

Yet, what had once seemed inconsequential now struck an inexplicable nerve.

Was it because Remy had manifested as an omega?

Did the sight of an alpha and omega sitting so closely together bother him?

“Remy, are you sure that’s enough? You might get hungry before morning,” Hayward finally interjected, clearly beginning his move against Ashton.

“Why don’t you eat a little more of what you like? You don’t have to go to extremes with just vegetables.”

Hayward, oblivious to Remy’s plight, spoke as though offering a helpful suggestion.

Remy, who had just begun to feel relieved thanks to Ashton, was jolted out of his reprieve.

‘No way! I just escaped the venison nightmare, and now you’re ruining everything?’

“Remy, you need to prioritize your health. Isn’t that right?” Ashton cut in again, steadfast.

Remy quietly let out a sigh of relief.

The nightmare seemed to be over.

“You don’t have to be so strict,” Hayward countered, his tone casual but edged.

“He can eat whatever he likes. I’ll have some omega-friendly supplements made and sent over to ensure his health.”

The exchange left Remy feeling cornered once again.

“That’s not necessary, Your Highness,” Ashton responded firmly.

“If you’re worried about his hunger, I’ll personally ensure he has a proper snack before bed.”

“Late-night snacks? That’s hardly healthy. Eating before bed is terrible for digestion.”

“It’s still a hundred times better than greasy food.”

“And what about the joy of eating? Don’t you think denying him that joy would cause more stress? Especially since Remy’s already under enough stress from manifesting as an omega.”

“Remy’s not so weak that skipping one serving of venison will cause catastrophic stress, Your Highness.”

The verbal sparring continued—Ashton, Hayward, Ashton again.

The atmosphere at the table grew colder as their tension escalated.

While the others sat dumbfounded, Remy felt irritation bubbling up.

‘Are these alphas seriously bickering like this? Someone could mistake this for a love triangle. Wait… Hayward’s strange gaze earlier… Could he have misunderstood my relationship with Ashton?’

Realizing the potential fallout, Remy swiftly made a decision.

If left unchecked, Hayward’s jealousy would only worsen.

“Give me the meat back, Ashton. I’ll eat it,” Remy declared.

As much as he hated the idea of eating venison, it seemed the best way to defuse the situation.

Accepting Ashton’s care might reinforce Hayward’s misconceptions, and feeding his jealousy could ruin everything. Reluctantly, Remy chose to sacrifice himself for the greater good.

“Remy, you don’t have to do this,” Ashton protested.

“It’s fine, Ashton. Ignoring the Count’s generosity would be rude.”

“But—”

“It’s fine. Really.”

Still, Ashton hesitated, staring at the meat on his plate as if it were poisoned.

But in the end, he gave in, returning the venison to Remy’s plate.

“Alright, Remy. Don’t overthink it. Just enjoy what you like,” Hayward said smugly.

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern,” Remy replied, bowing slightly before turning to face the dreaded venison.

Thanks to the squabble, the already gamey and tough meat had gone cold, making it even harder to stomach.

Swallowing hard—not out of anticipation but sheer dread—Remy cut into the thick slab of meat.

The knife slid through with some effort, revealing juices—or more accurately, blood—oozing out.

He stabbed a piece with his fork and brought it reluctantly to his mouth.

‘Here goes nothing.’

“…!”

* * *