* * *
The next day, Remy managed to get up quite late.
He needed to shake off his sluggishness and prepare to meet Oliver again today, but his body felt unusually heavy, likely due to his restless night.
“Have you risen, young master?”
To attend to his master, who had overslept, Chandler, the head servant, personally came to Remy’s room.
“Good morning, Chandler.”
“Yes, did you sleep well last night?”
“So-so.”
As if clearing the stagnant air in the room, Chandler pulled back the heavy curtains and opened the window wide.
Sunlight streamed in, flooding the room with brightness.
Remy stared blankly at him for a moment before lowering his head deeply.
It was strange.
He hadn’t slept a wink last night, and now he felt like crying for no reason.
What on earth was wrong with him?
“It’s… it’s just too bright. The sunlight is too bright.”
Anticipating what kind of look Chandler might be giving him, Remy spoke first.
“I haven’t asked anything.”
“Right… You haven’t.”
Remy let out a small laugh.
That response was so typical of Chandler that it made him chuckle in spite of himself.
“There’s an old saying: God only gives trials that one can bear.”
But the unexpected continuation of Chandler’s words made Remy look up.
With teary eyes, he gazed at Chandler with a puzzled expression.
“What…?”
“Painful and difficult as they may be, wounds eventually heal. They’re just growing pains. In time, when you look back, it will be nothing. Growing up is just like that.”
Remy blinked rapidly. Suspicion that Chandler might know something began to creep in.
“You… overheard, didn’t you? About me and Ashton last night.”
“I apologize. I overstepped.”
“It’s fine. It happens.”
Remy turned his head away slowly, fiddling with the blanket in his hands before asking softly.
“Are you… going to tell Mother? About what I… did with Ashton?”
“I never speak of what I see or hear in this house to anyone unless I believe it would harm the Count’s well-being.”
Chandler’s sincerity was evident, even without further explanation.
Remy felt a little lighter knowing that he could trust someone as dependable as Chandler.
Trials and wounds. Growing pains.
Though they were somewhat cliché words, they strangely resonated with him.
Perhaps one day, he could laugh about this too.
For now, he just had to endure.
“I’ll have breakfast sent to your room.”
“No need. I’ll go down.”
“Are you sure?”
As if he’d never been unwell, Remy got out of bed immediately and began tidying the sheets.
“And the children’s clothes? Are they coming along well?”
“Yes, I’ve entrusted them to the best tailor.”
“Good. Thank you.”
Wiping away his lingering tears, Remy stretched out his arms, letting out a long yawn.
His ability to approach life with positivity, even in challenging moments, was one of his greatest strengths.
“Well, I’ll be going now. Come down when you’re ready.”
“Alright.”
Once Chandler left the room, Remy stopped mid-stretch.
Dropping his arms, he walked over to the window.
The once-green fields had transformed into the golden hues of autumn.
Taking a deep breath, he looked out at the abundant scenery.
“Yes. What matters is what’s ahead, not what’s behind.”
Forcing a smile, Remy thought of all he had to do today and headed for the bathroom.
That day, as usual, Remy met with Oliver.
He gave him 10 shillings and bread, and they shared lunch made from food Remy had brought from home.
Despite the humble, makeshift table—salvaged from scraps—the meal felt nothing short of regal to Oliver and his siblings.
The fresh vegetables, fruits, and warm meat, unlike anything they’d ever tasted, filled their empty stomachs.
“By the way, hyung.”
Oliver, holding bread in both hands and chewing, suddenly called out to Remy.
“Yes?”
“You’re an Omega, right?”
Maintaining his usual blunt expression, Oliver stared at Remy.
His candidness was so endearing that Remy put down his food and looked at him.
“How did you know?”
“You just look like one.”
“Is that… a compliment?”
“Telling an Omega they look like an Omega is a compliment.”
“Oh, well, thank you.”
Remy clicked his tongue, unimpressed.
“You don’t like being told you look like an Omega?”
“It’s not that. I just… wonder if I really do.”
“Of course. Your skin is pale, your eyes are big, your body is small… and, most of all, you’re beautiful.”
“…I’m beautiful?”
“Yes. Very.”
“Wow, I didn’t think you’d say something like that.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Well, thanks.”
“And…”
“Yes?”
“You always smell nice.”
“What…?”
“It’s like the scent of flowers.”
Wait a second.
Remy’s eyes widened. Could it be…?
“Are you an Alpha?”
It seemed likely.
If Oliver could pick up his pheromones, there was a high chance he was an Alpha.
Though young, some Alphas manifested early.
Remy tilted his head, wondering.
“An Alpha…? What’s that?”
“You noticed my pheromones. Doesn’t that mean you’re an Alpha?”
“Is that how it works?”
Oliver didn’t seem too concerned.
Perhaps it wasn’t good news to him.
After all, being an Alpha, often revered by nobles, might only bring trouble for a commoner like him.
Nobles viewed Alpha traits as their exclusive privilege and wouldn’t welcome a commoner Alpha.
“Hmm…”
Remy felt a pang of pity for Oliver.
Why was he born into such circumstances?
Smart, adorable, and now an Alpha—if he’d been born into a better environment, he could’ve achieved so much.
‘But still, it’s better than being an Omega. A commoner Omega… That’s horrifying to even think about. Alphas and even Betas would relentlessly pursue them. Their life would’ve been unimaginably cruel.’
Indeed, being an Omega meant constant vulnerability.
If noble Omegas weren’t safe, what hope was there for a commoner one?
“Oliver.”
“Yes, hyung?”
“They say Alphas are smarter and stronger than Beta males.”
“I’ve heard that too.”
“You’ll grow into someone great. Even if your environment is harsh now.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Though Oliver said he was grateful, his expression remained indifferent.
Perhaps he understood better than anyone the harsh reality of living as a commoner.
“Well, I should be going.”
Remy, who had been conversing leisurely, suddenly wondered if it was getting too late.
As an omega himself, belonging to a group that was never truly safe anywhere, it was wise to avoid roaming around unaccompanied late at night.
“Where are we going today? Another factory visit?”
“No. I’m meeting someone today.”
“Meeting someone?”
“Yes.”
Remy had planned to meet an informant after lunch with Oliver.
The informant, introduced by the new factory he had recently discovered, was someone named Bennett.
“Should I come with you?” Oliver asked, standing up to follow.
Remy couldn’t help but chuckle at the suggestion.
No matter how frail he might be, he wasn’t so helpless as to need protection from this little one.
“No, it’s fine. You should take care of your siblings—and Taz too.”
Right on cue, Taz, the tuxedo cat that had just returned from a stroll, brushed up against Oliver, as if acknowledging him.
“It’s safe until it gets dark.”
“I’ll be fine. Just take care of your siblings and play with them.”
Remy gently ruffled Oliver’s hair, which was much lower than his own.
“In that case, I’ll escort you to the entrance.”
As always, Oliver took the lead and reached out his small, delicate hand toward Remy.
Familiar with the gesture by now, Remy clasped the pretty little hand and let Oliver guide him.
Together, they walked out of the slums.
* * *
Ug!!
” What matters is what’s ahead, not what’s behind ” — yeah sure.. says someone who’s stuck to his past self.. gurl!! You’re an Omega now!! You should live your life now!!! You’re hurting yourself and your childhood friend for denying yourself and your feelings now!!!