* * *
‘How can someone be so gentle? Does Remy just naturally love kids? The way they flock to him… He’d make an amazing parent one day. Such a kind and beautiful omega mother… the children would adore him.’
Rex’s thoughts raced as his gaze softened.
His infatuation was written all over his face, though he was blissfully unaware of it.
His eyes practically glowed with affection as he watched Remy.
“Hyung.”
As the two younger kids collapsed from exhaustion after playing, their eldest brother approached Remy and sat close beside him.
“You must be thirsty. Here, have this.”
The boy handed Remy a bottle of water.
Over the past few days, Rex had observed that this boy, Oliver, was mature beyond his years.
Although Rex wasn’t entirely sure, the faint traces of alpha pheromones carried on the wind suggested that Oliver might also be an alpha.
“Thanks, Oliver.”
Remy accepted the water with a smile, and the two began chatting quietly.
Every now and then, Oliver would glance shyly at Remy as they talked, a bashful smile tugging at his lips.
Noticing this, Rex felt an irresistible urge to move closer, though he made sure to stay hidden.
He couldn’t hear their conversation from where he was, and his curiosity burned.
“What are they always talking about? I want to know.”
Despite knowing he might be caught, Rex crept closer, staying as low as possible.
Finally, he reached a spot where their voices were audible.
“Hyung, remember what you told me before?”
“Hmm?”
“About how everyone deserves respect.”
“Ah, yes, I remember.”
Remy nodded, recalling how he had said those words to persuade Oliver to accept his help.
Though his intent had been to encourage Oliver, it wasn’t a lie—he genuinely believed it.
He’d also thought from the start that Oliver was destined for great things.
“Do you really think I could become a great alpha?”
“Of course.”
“You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”
“Let me think…”
Remy tapped his temple with a finger, feigning deep thought.
After a moment, he broke into a bright smile.
“Even if I think about it a hundred times, I’m certain. You’ll grow into someone incredible.”
“Me?”
“Yup.”
“Why?”
“Well, for starters, you’re smart.”
“Smart?”
“You found a way to take care of your younger siblings, didn’t you? Like with that job you do with Taz the cat.”
“Ah… I only did that because I had no choice.”
“Still, coming up with the idea is impressive. Most kids in your situation would’ve just begged on the streets. They wouldn’t have thought to earn money another way.”
Oliver’s cheeks flushed as he rubbed them, avoiding Remy’s gaze.
“And also…”
“Yes?”
“This is a little different, but… your personality. You have a kind of steadiness about you. People who do great things usually have that quality. You seem mature for your age, and I think you’ll carry that with you as you grow.”
“Maybe you just seem like that because you’re a bit clumsy, Hyung.”
“Excuse me?”
A vein popped on Remy’s forehead as Oliver innocently nodded.
The boy was endearingly cheeky, but moments like these made Remy want to flick him on the forehead.
“Hyung…”
As Remy tried to calm himself, Oliver’s tone turned serious again.
Remy looked at him, sensing the shift.
“Yes?”
“My mom always said the world is full of danger and not to trust anyone.”
“Ah…”
“She told me to never leave my siblings and to stick together no matter what.”
Listening to Oliver, Remy felt a pang in his chest.
He could imagine the desperation of a mother leaving her three children behind, trying to prepare them for a cruel world.
It was heartbreaking.
Instead of saying, “I’m sorry for leaving first,”
Instead of saying, “I’m sorry for having to leave you and entrust your siblings to you,”
Instead of saying, “I truly love you…”
Perhaps that was the only thing she could say.
‘How much must Oliver’s mother’s heart have broken as she said those words… How sorrowful must she have been, knowing she had to leave her three young children behind and meet her end…’
As Oliver recounted this story with an unusual calmness, it made Remy’s heart ache even more.
“So, I’ve been trying to hold on to the things Mom told me. Like I told you before, I’ve tried not to be greedy, to avoid aiming for things beyond my station.”
“Oliver…”
“But after hearing what you said, I’ve changed my mind. You told me that everyone, regardless of status, deserves respect. Now, I want to dream of the things I thought I could never aspire to.”
Hearing this, Remy couldn’t stop the tears from spilling out.
He was supposed to be the elder brother.
He was supposed to act like an adult in front of Oliver… but his heart wouldn’t allow it.
Such a kind child.
Such a clever child.
And yet, all he could do for Oliver was bring him food.
It tore at him.
If only he could do more for him.
“I’ll become someone great, just like you said, hyung. Someone no one can look down on.”
“Yes, Oliver. You will. I know you will. Truly…”
Remy quickly wiped the tears welling in his eyes.
He couldn’t just sit there crying.
Not in front of such a brave child.
“Is there anything I can do to help? To make your dreams come true, I mean?”
At Remy’s words, Oliver seemed to think deeply for a moment, his lips shutting tight.
His long lashes cast shadows over his eyelids as he pondered.
Finally, he raised his head and said,
“Teach me how to read.”
“What?”
“I want to learn how to read.”
Remy was momentarily stunned.
Now that he thought about it… this child didn’t know how to read.
Considering he’d lost his parents so young, it made sense.
Still, it shocked him to think that such a bright boy didn’t even know letters.
“Do you think it’s… too much to ask?”
“No, not at all.”
Remy quickly gathered his composure and looked directly at Oliver.
“I’ll teach you.”
“Really, Brother?”
“Yes. Not just reading. Other things too.”
“Other things?”
“Math, science… whatever I know, I’ll teach you everything I can. So…”
“…”
“Whenever you need something, just tell me. I’ll do whatever I can for you. Got it, Oliver?”
Nearby, Rex had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
Realizing there was no point in following Remy any longer, he rose quietly and turned to leave.
As he retraced his steps toward home, Rex found himself lost in thought.
The words Oliver had spoken earlier echoed in his mind.
‘You said everyone, regardless of status, deserves respect. I want to dream of things I thought I couldn’t have.’
‘I’ll become someone great, just like you said. Someone no one can look down on.’
For some reason, the boy’s figure overlapped with Rex’s own younger self.
Born as the eldest son of one of the Empire’s most prestigious noble families, Rex had grown up wanting for nothing.
Yet his mother would often say: ‘Everyone deserves to be loved. It’s their right.’
‘But even so, I couldn’t protect the one I loved most…’
Once, Rex had believed in his mother’s words wholeheartedly.
He’d wanted to be the kind of great person she hoped he’d become.
But after losing her, his dreams had changed.
His heart, once filled with joy, became heavy with sorrow.
Love gave way to hatred, and he closed himself off, becoming cold and unfeeling.
That was how Rex had turned into the man he was today, sharp and unyielding, like the freezing winds of the North.
‘Can that kid… avoid becoming like me? Because of Remy?’
* * *
awwwwww T_T