* * *
Enoch observed quietly, situating himself near the entrance with his senses heightened, focusing on the faint sounds of Chaeyi’s footsteps as he stepped outside.
Chaeyi was approaching Ferdinand, who was crouched beneath the window.
Enoch shifted slightly, leaning against the windowsill to observe.
Oblivious to Enoch’s presence inside the building, Chaeyi and Ferdinand exchanged glances before Chaeyi crouched beside him silently.
“Are you okay?”
The question was offered cautiously.
Ferdinand realized at that moment that Chaeyi must have witnessed the argument with his father.
Did Chaeyi follow out of concern?
Truly, he’s such a kind person.
That’s why Ferdinand found himself falling for him even more.
Letting out a small sigh, Ferdinand lowered his head, his gaze briefly fixed on the empty air.
“I’ve been like this since I was a child.”
The opening was abrupt but seemed to carry weight.
Chaeyi simply listened attentively, giving Ferdinand the space to share his thoughts.
“My father was overprotective… and my mother was indifferent to me.”
Ferdinand’s long lashes quivered faintly as his gaze sank further.
He recalled a memory: when he accidentally broke something in the hallway as a child, his father scolded and dismissed the servant instead of him.
Such acts only made people around him fear him more, always looking at him with apprehension.
Friends distanced themselves, saying, ‘Your father is terrifying.’
Memories of the past surfaced vividly.
“I told my dad to stop acting like that. But nothing changed. The more arguments we had, the more he would parrot empty apologies, saying he’d try to do better. And my mom? She didn’t care whether we argued or not. Sure, she was busy with work, but still…”
Ferdinand’s downcast eyes scanned the void.
“My dad’s overprotectiveness got worse when I manifested as a dominant omega at six. Suddenly, everyone around me treated me like I was dangerous. ‘Ferdinand is special,’ they’d say, but it was always laced with fear. Sometimes even disdain. As a child, hearing the mockery hidden in their words was devastating.”
Ferdinand chuckled bitterly, his hands clenching into fists.
Venting his inner turmoil to Chaeyi, with Chaeyi silently staying by his side, brought a strange sense of relief.
Yet, an unexplainable surge of emotion threatened to overwhelm him, making his nose tingle.
“I don’t think any of it was out of love. It felt more like neglect, like I was just a burden. If it wasn’t neglect, why did they always say it was fine? Isn’t that just an excuse to avoid caring? They don’t love me; they just want things to be convenient for them.”
His voice trembled with growing intensity.
Watching Ferdinand’s fragile state, as though he might break at any moment, Chaeyi reached out to pat his back reassuringly.
While Chaeyi had noticed Ferdinand’s distaste for being treated as “special” from their first meeting, he hadn’t realized the depth of Ferdinand’s feelings.
“Ferdinand…”
Just then, Chaeyi’s sharp hearing caught the faint sound of movement.
Curious, he glanced back and caught a glimpse of fabric fluttering past the pillar.
It was the edge of Samuel’s cloak.
Though Enoch was eavesdropping from beyond the window, Chaeyi quickly realized Samuel had been listening to their conversation.
He recalled Samuel’s face earlier, filled with sadness and frustration born of strained relationships.
That expression wasn’t one of annoyance or indifference toward Ferdinand.
Chaeyi smiled faintly and turned back to Ferdinand.
“One thing is certain. Your parents don’t hate you.”
“…”
“Ferdinand, why not try having an honest conversation with your father?”
“What’s the point? Talking now won’t change anything.”
“Of course it can. Most conflicts happen because people don’t understand each other’s thoughts.”
Chaeyi’s advice, stemming from experience, was earnest.
“If no one speaks up or tries to understand, the problem will remain unresolved. It’ll fester into a permanent wound. Sometimes, you just need a bit of courage to face it.”
Ferdinand pouted slightly at Chaeyi’s unsolicited advice, prompting Chaeyi to chuckle.
Standing up, Chaeyi decided to give Ferdinand and Samuel the opportunity to talk.
“Good luck.”
Patting Ferdinand’s shoulder, Chaeyi walked toward the entrance.
Naturally, this meant encountering Samuel, who had been hiding behind the pillar.
“…”
Catching Chaeyi’s knowing glance, Samuel awkwardly avoided his gaze, scratching the back of his neck.
Without a word, Chaeyi nodded politely and left.
If Samuel genuinely wanted to understand Ferdinand, they’d work things out.
Chaeyi had spoken loudly enough for Samuel to hear intentionally, and Samuel clearly understood the gesture.
Reflecting on Chaeyi’s words about courage, Samuel finally took a step toward Ferdinand.
Meanwhile, back in the great hall, Chaeyi hesitated.
Should he return to Leonard, who was likely waiting anxiously, or search for Bennex a little longer?
‘What should I do?’
The time spent with Ferdinand had passed quickly, and Leonard, kind as he was, would undoubtedly be worried.
‘If I can’t find them now, I’ll have to catch up another time.’
Just as he was about to turn toward Leonard, a subtle scent of plum blossoms carried by the wind stopped him in his tracks.
A vision of Bennex’s flustered expression flashed in his mind.
That familiar scent, a telltale sign of Bennex’s uncontrolled pheromones, always reminded him of that face.
Chaeyi turned his head, following the scent.
Amidst the bustling crowd, a familiar figure resembling a doll came into view.
As the people passing by gradually dispersed, the two of them ended up facing each other.
Chaeyi smiled faintly at Bennex, who fidgeted nervously, unable to meet his gaze properly.
“Ben.”
At the sound of his name, Bennex bit his lip and slowly lifted his head.
His expression suggested he was finally ready to hear Chaeyi’s answer.
Perhaps, deep down, he already anticipated what that answer might be.
“I’ve been looking for you because I wanted to give you my answer to your confession. Would you mind if we moved somewhere more private?”
At Chaeyi’s request, Bennex’s cheeks flushed red as he nodded shyly.
Meanwhile, Enoch, who overheard the conversation, gasped and covered his mouth in surprise.
He hadn’t taken his eyes off Chaeyi for long, so when had such a conversation taken place?
Did Lord Leonard know about this?
“An answer to the confession?”
Of course, Chaeyi would surely reject him firmly… right?
“Should I intervene? Or just let it be? What do I do?”
Enoch’s indecision only lasted a moment.
Chaeyi and Bennex began walking away, seemingly heading to a quieter place outside the Great Hall.
Just as Enoch prepared to follow them, a familiar shadow blocked his path.
He looked up and saw… none other than Leonard.
“M-My Lord.”
“…”
Without a word, Leonard silently watched the two figures growing distant.
The emotion in his eyes was unmistakably anxiety, but his demeanor was far calmer than Enoch expected.
Was it because he trusted Chaeyi?
What could the lord be thinking?
Just as Enoch pondered, Leonard started following them, leaving Enoch behind.
All Enoch could do was hope that nothing serious would happen.
* * *
