* * *
Anakin looked up at him, his expression slightly tense.
He knew Roman wouldn’t hurt him—but his body still reacted instinctively, as if on edge from the lingering effects of that day’s pheromones.
Even though he knew it was irrational, a sense of unease rose within him.
Ever since that day, he’d always tensed up in Roman’s presence—frozen and anxious, unable to move freely.
Was it because he was an immature Omega?
Or trauma?
Or… was that just how Omegas were?
“Why are you so scared? You’re not seriously thinking I’d hurt you, are you?”
Roman tilted his head slightly, puzzled, but then his face darkened with a frown.
The same black hair and high nose—they looked every bit like blood-related brothers.
And yet, right now, all Anakin could feel was caution.
“Anakin. About what happened before…”
“I-It was a mistake. I know.”
He tried to sound calm, but anyone could see he was scared.
Roman stared at him silently for a moment before letting out a sigh and walking over to him, his long legs closing the distance.
Anakin instinctively took a step back from the tall figure approaching—but froze when Roman suddenly dropped to one knee and looked him straight in the eye, holding out a hand.
It was so strange—Roman, whom he always had to look up at, now meeting him at eye level.
Anakin couldn’t help but roll his eyes awkwardly.
“Hyung…?”
“That day was my fault. I let out pheromones without considering that you’re a fragile, unstable Omega.”
“…”
“It’s a habit. I’ve always used that to subdue others.”
“…”
“I shouldn’t have done that to you…”
So… it’s okay to do it to other people?
Anakin calmed his surprise and looked at Roman.
He’d thought Roman was angry at him—but instead, here he was… apologizing?
That wasn’t like him at all.
“I knew you found me annoying. That’s why I thought you hated me…”
“Hate you?”
Roman gave a short, incredulous laugh.
“W-Why are you laughing?”
“If I truly hated you, I would’ve used my pheromones to terrify you from the very start.”
“…Then why did you get mad that day?”
“That was…”
Roman trailed off, unable to finish.
Anakin bit his lip.
Seeing Roman like this—so apologetic—was incredibly rare.
“I know you were just worried about me.”
“…”
“But I still don’t understand. Why can’t you trust me?”
Roman said nothing.
He only stiffened his expression.
Anakin clenched his fists… then forced a wide smile.
“Well, it’s fine. I guess I’m not very trustworthy anyway.”
“Anakin.”
“Thinking back, I never really gave you any reason to trust me.”
Anakin smiled bitterly, pretending to be okay. It was a smile far too mature for his age.
The only thing childlike about him now… were the tears pooling under his eyes.
“Anakin. The reason I was against you learning magic…”
“…”
Roman sighed, running a hand through his hair—his refined forehead making his sculpted jawline stand out even more.
“It’s not what you think. I was worried—because I care about you more than you realize. If it’s just learning magic at home, that’s fine. But the academy… it’s far too dangerous. Especially for you.”
Anakin gave a bitter smile, as if he already knew what Roman was going to say.
“Because I’m an Omega?”
“…Because you’re a dangerously beautiful Omega.”
Roman gently reached out and wiped the tears from Anakin’s eyes.
“I know. I know it could really be dangerous. Do you think I’ve forgotten what happened that day?”
“…You’re unstable. You manifested a whole year early—so now, you’re not really an Omega, or a Beta, or anything. That’s why your body is so weak. If you push yourself even slightly, you faint. When you’re stressed, your body overheats or you vomit.”
Anakin blinked, shocked by what he was hearing—things he hadn’t even known about himself.
But Roman continued.
“According to the physician, your Omega hormones are being forced into formation, which is stunting your physical growth. And if it keeps progressing like this, your body won’t be able to handle it. It’ll start to collapse, slowly. I’m sorry, Anakin… but if you try to learn magic in this condition, you could actually die.”
Anakin stared blankly into the distance, unable to believe what he was hearing.
No way… Is my body really that bad?
He’d been told he was getting better through daily checkups with his physician…
“Outwardly, you might seem okay. But internally, your body is heavily damaged. Even if you feel fine now, any overexertion will cause serious issues.”
“…Oh.”
He thought he was getting better.
Even when he vomited sometimes, or ran a fever, or got dizzy—he just assumed they were aftereffects…
The overwhelming shock brought tears spilling from his eyes.
Roman, visibly pained, pulled Anakin into his arms.
Soon, the small body held in his embrace began to tremble slightly.
‘Hic…’
Poor child.
Roman felt pain in his chest for the first time in his life when Anakin cried in his arms.
He wasn’t sure if it was because he’d grown attached to the boy over time… or if it was simply the bond of shared blood.
Watching the small child—once so bright and full of mischief—now weeping so helplessly made his heart feel like it was sinking.
Was it selfish of him to only want to see that beautiful smile?
At the same time, he couldn’t help the fury that welled up inside him.
His investigation—carried out through a subordinate—reported that the omega prince had been meeting frequently with the crown prince, an alpha of royal blood.
That bastard.
So it really was intentional back then…
Clenching his jaw with a cold expression, Roman still gently caressed Anakin’s back.
“Anakin. It’s not permanent damage. They said with time, you’ll recover.”
At those words, Anakin pulled away from Roman’s chest, his swollen eyes looking up as he clung tightly to Roman’s sleeve.
“Then… when I get better, sniff, you’ll write me that recommendation letter, right?”
“…Of course.”
“Then promise.”
Anakin extended his little pinky, eyes still puffy.
Roman stared at the gesture, seriously pondering what it meant.
Seeing this, Anakin chuckled.
“You’re supposed to hook pinkies. It means we’re making a promise.”
Roman hesitated for a moment, but then his thick finger linked with Anakin’s.
“It’s a promise. You can’t break it.”
Anakin lifted his tear-stained face toward Roman.
Roman gently stroked his hair and murmured,
“I know.”
And in that moment, Anakin no longer felt afraid in Roman’s arms.
After that tearful reconciliation, Anakin’s bond with Roman grew even deeper.
At first, he just wanted to make sure Roman wouldn’t sell him off for the sake of the family… but somehow, they’d ended up becoming close.
Unable to control his pheromones, Anakin spent most days holed up in his room, and Roman was the only one who could get him to come out.
That’s why, when he heard a knock, Anakin—who’d been sulking alone—would close his grimoire and glance at the door like a puppy waiting for its master.
“Anakin.”
“Come in, hyung.”
As the servant opened the door, a tall alpha man in training gear approached.
“How are you feeling?”
“Mmm… better than yesterday, I think.”
“That’s good.”
Roman, as if used to the motion, patted Anakin’s head while loosening the tight collar of his training uniform, looking a bit suffocated.
“You’re going to the training grounds? Can I come watch?”
With sparkling eyes full of anticipation, Anakin looked up at him.
Roman reluctantly gave a small nod.
“…Fine.”
One good thing lately was that Roman seemed to find it harder to say no to him.
He clearly disliked the idea of Anakin tagging along, but in the end, he agreed.
When else would he be able to act spoiled if not now?
Being sick was already miserable enough.
Together, they headed for the training grounds.
As they arrived, the knights lined up in a long formation, and a burly, bearded middle-aged man stepped forward and removed his hat in greeting.
It was Milos, the captain of the knights.
Despite his intimidating appearance, there was a commanding aura about him that made it obvious he was the one in charge.
“Count Roman and the second young master.”
He greeted them with a warm smile—though to a child, his face might have seemed nightmarish.
But Anakin smiled brightly as he returned the greeting.
“Nice to meet you, Sir Milos.”
Milos, stunned by Anakin’s radiant smile, almost imagined flowers blooming around him.
In this grim, sweat-stained, musty place, the knights saw a ray of hope.
Not only Milos, but even the knights behind him stared at Anakin in dumb awe.
“An… angel…”
“Is he even human…?”
Milos quickly cleared his throat to bring the chaotic atmosphere under control.
“Ahem. Quiet, all of you. The Count and the young master are watching.”
As silence returned, Anakin looked around with wide eyes.
Then, without meaning to, he looked up at Roman—only to find his face colder than he had ever seen.
“Anakin said he wanted to observe today.”
Roman said this with a bitter expression.
This was Anakin’s second time at the training grounds—the first being when he came to see Roman—and it wasn’t a place he liked visiting.
Most of the people there were alphas, and he knew he’d draw attention.
“Oh-ho, so the young master has an interest in martial arts?”
Milos gave a strained smile, glancing at Roman.
His attempt to look harmless was laughable—had it been anyone else, they might have burst into tears on the spot.
“I’m studying magic, but there’s no harm in watching how knights train. Give it your best.”
“At your command!”
* * *
This is a good story, I hope you wont drop it