* * *
I’ve always been clueless when it comes to anything sexual.
In my previous life, I was too busy taking care of Seojoo to even think about it, and in this life, after becoming an omega, I’ve never really felt any kind of desire.
Survival was my only concern.
Maybe because of my omega traits, my sexual drive has always been duller than that of ordinary men.
Or maybe it’s just that my pheromones don’t function properly.
But then, what the hell was I thinking, pulling something like that?
With what courage?
Let me just clarify something first—this isn’t because Joo Minhyuk bought me a house under my name in the countryside.
Ahem.
Anyway, knowing only the theory and having zero experience probably explains why I walked up to Joo Minhyuk and instead of giving him a lovely kiss, ended up smashing our lips together in a clumsy headbutt.
I grabbed his face and just… wham.
What’s funnier is how Joo Minhyuk reacted to my clueless assault.
He actually responded to it.
The proof?
His body was now releasing pheromones in a frenzy.
Ever since I first caught his scent, it hadn’t left the tip of my nose.
It was unforgettable.
I couldn’t tell how his pheromones compared to other alphas—because I’d never smelled anyone else’s.
Whether it’s because my own pheromones are weak or because I’ve never had a chance, I had no basis for comparison.
Joo Minhyuk’s scent was the first one I ever encountered—and the only one.
But it was absurdly intoxicating. Like fresh grass soaked in summer rain.
That earthy scent you get when leaves sway in the wind—how could anyone not like that?
I liked his scent. I wanted to cling to him and keep breathing it in.
And the moment I wanted more of it, my own body released a sweet acacia fragrance.
I had learned how to suppress it from the palace physician, but the second I inhaled Joo Minhyuk’s scent, everything I’d been taught went out the window.
And then, just like that, he opened my mouth and something unexpected slipped in.
‘Huh?’
What was that?!
Startled, I instinctively tried to pull away, but his arms wrapped tightly around me, giving me no escape.
Shocked by the warm, soft intruder in my mouth, my body jolted several times.
As if trying to soothe me, Joo Minhyuk gently stroked my back while thoroughly exploring the inside of my mouth.
I’m not pretending—I honestly never imagined anything non-edible would go in there.
This was nothing like the theory.
What do I do?
Stay still?
Do something?
As my brain whirled, I realized something important: I didn’t need to do anything.
Joo Minhyuk, flushed with heat, was taking the lead just fine.
All I had to do was melt into his arms and follow him into the hotel room.
All that inner turmoil I had was meaningless.
Once he laid me down on the bed, the intensity of his pheromones surged even more.
And as if responding in kind, my body released another wave of scent.
His face changed the moment he caught it—it was no longer the cold, detached expression I was used to.
Now, it was filled with desire.
And I probably looked the same.
Even in my dazed state, one thought surfaced: ‘Are we doing this because we’re an alpha and omega reacting to each other’s pheromones? Or is there… a little bit of affection too?’
It couldn’t be love.
So maybe not affection either.
But oddly, I didn’t want to pull away.
And honestly, I didn’t want to overthink it.
I just wanted to go with what I felt.
To think this kind of person was inside me… I surprised myself.
While I was caught in a mental tailspin, torn with conflicting thoughts, Joo Minhyuk’s soft lips slid down to my neck.
‘W-what now?’
The unfamiliar sensation was so intense it made my stomach flutter like I was on a roller coaster.
Dazed from the strange experience, I clung tightly to his head and shoulders.
But whether he was losing control or just overwhelmed, the strength of his sucking on my neck grew more and more intense.
I knew he wouldn’t actually eat me, but it was starting to feel scary.
“Um, Your Majesty… that’s a bit too strong…”
I couldn’t even finish my sentence, and Joo Minhyuk didn’t respond.
How do I even describe this?
It might ruin the mood, but honestly, I felt like… ‘soy sauce crab’.
Yeah. Soy sauce crab! That specific kind that gets sucked on so thoroughly.
It’s ridiculous, but I couldn’t think of any other way to describe it.
Joo Minhyuk held my neck as if trying to suck out every last drop of flesh.
And the thing is… it didn’t feel bad.
Wait, what?
Then suddenly, he pulled away and looked at me with an odd expression—like he was frustrated or holding something back.
Why’s he looking at me like that?
I found myself pouting slightly, disappointed that his touch had disappeared.
His face was tense, clearly trying to keep himself together.
Why?
If that’s the case, why stop now?
“You’re running a high fever.”
“…Huh? A fever?”
“Wait. I’ll get a thermometer.”
Hold on. You’re stopping… because of that?
Here? Now?
I was so baffled I grabbed his wrist before he could get off me.
“Your Majesty… was it something I did? Was I too awkward because it’s my first time? Did I kill the mood?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I mean… do people usually stop at this point? Was it that bad for you?”
My omega pride was in pieces.
A fever? Me? I don’t even feel sick!
Why’s he reacting like this—especially now?
“You really think I’ve lost interest? Where’d you even learn to say that? Do I look like someone who’s cooled off right now? I’m holding myself back with everything I’ve got. But obviously, your condition comes first. How many fevers have you had just this month alone?”
He kissed the back of my hand, then gently laid me back down.
“I don’t know if this is the usual point where people stop. It’s my first time too. Just like you. If you’re asking about my feelings, no—I didn’t want to stop. If we hadn’t, you wouldn’t have been leaving this room until Monday. And we’d probably still be here then. But with your body like this… I can’t risk it. So this is the right thing to do. Just wait, okay?”
He made a phone call, and soon someone entered the room.
Seeing them, the tension drained from my body.
Maybe too much.
I felt weirdly lightheaded, like I’d been hypnotized.
“Oh dear… Your Grace. Your temperature is quite high. You stayed in the baths for a long time today, didn’t you?”
38.6 degrees Celsius.
Whoa. I do have a fever.
Why didn’t I notice?
I thought the heat in my body was from getting overwhelmed by Joo Minhyuk’s scent.
“All this just from that? Sure, I did walk around a lot, but still…”
“You were in the hot baths for over four hours, then dipped into cold water, then stayed out in the open-air bath in chilly wind. Even if the water’s warm, that’s enough to get anyone sick. We tried to warn you, but clearly, you weren’t listening.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. Even someone in perfect health would catch something from that. It’s understandable if you were enjoying yourself, but Your Grace, you’re usually quite delicate—so you need to be especially careful at hot springs.”
“…Will I be okay by tomorrow if I get an IV?”
“We’ll monitor you, but I’ll give you a fever reducer for now. Please take it and rest well. I’ll return once the IV finishes.”
As I watched the doctor’s back retreating, a dry laugh slipped out of me.
What was that?
What kind of anticlimax was this?
It would’ve been better if nothing had happened at all.
Now it’s just awkward to even face him.
Taking advantage of the moment when Joo Minhyuk went to get some water, I brushed the spot on the nape of my neck where his lips had touched.
The more I thought about it, the more I felt the heat rising again.
“Here, drink some water and lie down.”
Joo Minhyuk handed me the glass of water, looking completely unbothered, as if nothing had happened.
As I stared at him, unable to hide my curiosity, I finally asked what had been on my mind.
The fever had just been an excuse.
I really wanted to know—was he trying to distance himself from me?
“Your Majesty. Just now… you didn’t pull away because you found out I was the Prime Minister’s grandson, did you? I mean, sometimes when the mood fades and reality sets in, that happens. It’s not like you were scared because it was your first time or anything…”
After putting the glass away, Minhyuk returned to my side with a serious look on his face.
“My concubine. I swear, I don’t see you as just the Prime Minister’s grandson. You’re you—my Omega. I don’t look at ‘Cha Haejoo’ and the Prime Minister as the same person. Haven’t you noticed lately how I’ve been trying to get into your good graces?”
“I just wanted to make sure…”
“Don’t even think that. To me, you’re not the Prime Minister’s grandson—you’re my partner. Just Cha Haejoo. But…”
Trailing off, Minhyuk’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me.
“…Yes?”
“But I think I heard something weird just now? What was that about being scared because it was your first time? Should we revisit that little part?”
…Crap. Minhyuk smiled slyly and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
Did I just hurt his Alpha pride?
* * *
