* * *

Determined to draw a line, Remy spoke curtly, his voice sharper than intended.

“I hate being here, dancing with you like this.”

Ashton blinked, momentarily taken aback by the blunt declaration.

But his usual smile quickly returned as he asked, “Why? Is something bothering you?”

No. If you’re going to be this handsome, at least have a bad personality.

But no, you’re good-looking, kind, and charming—how is that fair?

“There’s no specific reason. I just don’t like it. I hate being like this with you.”

“Me? All of a sudden?”

“Yeah. You’re an Alpha. It’s overwhelming.”

“You hate it because I’m an Alpha?”

“Yeah. I’m an Omega. Your pheromones are too much for me.”

“Ah…”

It was a complete lie.

Ashton’s pheromones were faint, barely noticeable in the wind.

But Remy needed to push him away, to make Ashton dislike him.

Only then could he return to reality.

“Do I make you uncomfortable?”

Ashton, still calm and composed, continued to press gently.

Seeing his unwavering patience only made Remy feel more frustrated.

Pushing someone away was far more painful than he had imagined.

“I told you. It’s overwhelming.”

“But we’ve been friends for so long. We’ve always been close.”

“To be honest, I don’t remember what kind of relationship we had.”

And that was true.

Remy had no memory of what they’d been to each other.

“…”

“So from now on, let’s just keep our distance. Stop trying to take care of me like this.”

Turning away, Remy forced himself to walk away, ignoring the ache in his chest.

He had to.

But before he got far, Ashton called out.

“Remy.”

“…?”

Reluctantly, Remy glanced back, only to see Ashton stepping closer with that same warm, disarming smile.

His sunny expression shattered the icy facade Remy had tried so hard to maintain.

“I didn’t realize you felt that way. I should’ve been more considerate.”

“Ashton…”

“I guess I’ve been too comfortable around you because you’ve always been the person closest to me.”

“…”

Even though Remy had bluntly declared his dislike, Ashton only responded with kindness.

His calm acceptance left Remy at a loss for words.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more mindful moving forward. I’ll be careful not to make you uncomfortable.”

“No, you don’t have to apologize…”

“It’s okay. If you felt burdened, that’s on me.”

“But…”

“So, Remy.”

“Y-yeah?”

“From now on, just tell me the truth. If something’s bothering you, say so.

If there’s anything you dislike, let me know, like you did just now.”

“Ashton…”

“Can you do that for me? Hmm?”

His gentle tone was so kind it nearly made Remy tear up.

In fact, he might have, just a little.

An insufferably handsome Alpha with a kind heart, a silver tongue, and a perfect smile was apologizing sweetly, taking all the blame.

How could any Omega resist?

Even a straight guy like Remy, born and raised in a world of strict decorum, felt his defenses crumble.

For a moment, he wanted to grab Ashton’s hands and shout, ‘No, it’s fine! You’re not at fault! It’s me! I’m the bad guy!’

But…

‘What am I thinking? Have I lost it? I have a mission to complete, and I’m here fantasizing? Pull yourself together, man!’

Clinging to the last shreds of his sanity, Remy Remynded himself of reality.

He couldn’t afford to falter.

“…Got it. Just… be careful from now on.”

His voice barely a whisper, Remy turned quickly, not wanting Ashton to see his conflicted face.

“Shall we head back, then? We still need to prepare for the ball.”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

Ashton simply smiled, falling into step beside him. Though Remy could feel the Alpha’s warm pheromones lingering in the air, he said nothing, silently hoping the cool breeze would soon carry them away.

---

At precisely noon, an endless stream of carriages halted in front of Aylesford’s summer villa.

Nobles dressed in extravagant attire alighted, unable to suppress their awe at the sea of lavender, its fragrance thick in the air.

The estate, as grand as one would expect from a prominent family of the Empire, mesmerized them.

The meticulously curated lavender gardens left everyone spellbound.

The gathered nobles spent the day bustling about.

They unpacked in their assigned rooms, inspected their carefully prepared attire, and strolled through the lavish gardens, offering admiration for the villa’s beauty.

Some attended a presentation on Aylesford’s new business venture, a colonial development project seeking investors.

As twilight faded and a round, luminous moon rose against a black sky, the villa shimmered under countless lanterns.

In the grand hall, almost castle-like in scale, an orchestra filled the air with music.

Nobles twirled across the polished marble floor in vibrant evening wear, their lively steps forming a dazzling spectacle.

Remy arrived late to the party.

His sole task for the evening was to push Allen down the stairs, so he saw no point in showing up early.

Dressed impeccably in an evening frock sent from home, his hair styled neatly thanks to a diligent servant, Remy entered the hall.

The sight before him seemed straight out of a film.

Chandeliers blazed as brightly as day, and the nobles, their attire glimmering under the light, resembled scattered petals on the polished floor.

For a moment, Remy was entranced.

The opulence and beauty of the scene made him forget, if only briefly, his resentment for being thrust into this novel-like reality.

“Remy.”

A voice broke his reverie.

Turning, Remy saw Ashton and their group waiting for him. His heart sank. The weight of his task returned—he had to push Allen.

It was inevitable. To survive, he had no choice.

Steeling himself, Remy started toward them.

Yet as he moved, whispers rose around him.

“Is that Remy? Remy Wesley?”

“I heard he manifested as an Omega. Is it true?”

“An Omega in the Wesley family? Unbelievable.”

“Well, with looks like that, it’s not surprising he isn’t a Beta.”

The murmurs grew louder.

Remy, unused to such attention, felt paralyzed.

Walking confidently toward his group seemed nearly impossible, but he couldn’t remain apart from them either.

He had to stay close to Allen to fulfill his task.

Clenching his fists, Remy pushed through the discomfort and took a step forward.

But then—

“Of all things, why did he have to be an Omega? His personality’s awful enough; now it’s going to be even worse.”

“Shh, keep it down. He’ll hear you.”

“Let him. He must know everyone hates him.”

Remy’s steps faltered.

He stood frozen as their mocking laughter rang out.

The scene, absent from the original novel, left him reeling.

The story only detailed his bullying of Allen; it never hinted at the disdain everyone held for Remy.

‘Why wasn’t this in the original…?’ Remy thought bitterly.

‘Did he always live like this?’

* * *