* * *
I’d only ever seen two expressions on Joo Minhyuk’s face: a polite smile or a blank stare.
Even when he smiled, it was always just the corners of his lips twitching up, only to drop back into a deadpan as if the smile had never been there.
But I didn’t take it personally—I wasn’t any different after coming here.
But the look he had now was one I’d never seen before.
It was still a familiar blank face, but somehow it was charged—there was emotion behind it.
I could see the displeasure in his otherwise unreadable features.
Joo Minhyuk was clearly not happy.
As he unfolded his arms and approached us, he looked like the Grim Reaper himself.
It gave me chills—like I was seeing the version of Minhyuk from my future, the one I desperately wanted to avoid.
If I didn’t risk everything to change my fate, he would absolutely corner me like this someday, with that same look and suffocating presence.
“Looks like you like your new bodyguard? That’s a relief. I took extra care picking him.”
“Thank you for the consideration. His Majesty, you see, said I needed someone close by at all times. That’s why I picked him. So this is more of a private interview, you know? I just wanted to have a chat. But once we were alone, I didn’t really know what to say. Turns out I don’t have much to talk about. You know I’m not great at dealing with people…”
I started rambling about things he hadn’t even asked.
‘Cha Haejoo. Don’t look away. Don’t look away. You did nothing wrong. Don’t be afraid.’
I rattled off excuses like a wind-up toy, and Minhyuk’s eyes softened slightly as he gave me one of his practiced smiles.
“Of course. I understand. You didn’t attend a regular school, after all—tutors and private lessons only. So naturally, you wouldn’t know how to interact with peers. It must’ve been confusing.”
‘Understand, my ass. Don’t lie! You totally got pissed earlier and dropped all formalities.’
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Minhyuk stepped forward and blocked my view of Hyunwook completely, cutting him off like a wall.
All I could see was Minhyuk’s broad back.
Hidden from his line of sight, I bit my lip and let my nervous expression show.
‘Why is he like this? Even after I explained, he still seems upset. He’s not going to remove Hyunwook from my guard detail, is he? That can’t happen…’
Knowing what kind of person Minhyuk was, I started to genuinely worry.
“You’re Kang Hyunwook, right? Your father Daeho is actually my old teacher. So I was pleased to see your name on the roster. I’ve got no complaints, but your father didn’t know you applied to be the Grand Concubine’s bodyguard. Still, doing something on your own without relying on your parents—that’s admirable.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to serve the Grand Concubine without a single misstep.”
Even though I couldn’t see him past Minhyuk, I could tell from his trembling voice that Hyunwook was extremely tense.
“As you should. But listen—no matter how much the Grand Concubine is staring at you, you should’ve lowered your head first. You do know the imperial etiquette, don’t you? Looking directly at a royal consort is the most basic taboo.”
“Ah, that… I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, no, that was me. I told him to raise his head. Please don’t misunderstand.”
“Misunderstand? I’m just curious, that’s all. And besides, I wasn’t speaking to you, Grand Concubine. If you keep covering for him, I will start to misunderstand.”
‘What? I wasn’t covering for anyone—I was just trying to catch up with an old friend! What is this weird vibe? I’m not some cheating husband who just got caught…’
Wait. What is that smell?
Even before all this, something strange had been bothering me.
An odd scent had started to fill the room—a fresh, fragrant aroma.
It was like the smell of wet grass, the kind you’d inhale deep in a forest after it rained.
A clean, earthy scent that reminded me of summer in the mountains.
But when I glanced out the window, there was no rain—just a bright, sunny day.
‘What the hell? I really like this smell…’
Before I knew it, the mysterious fragrance had completely saturated the room.
I felt slightly dazed, as if intoxicated by it.
And then, layered over that scent, a sweet aroma began to rise from my own body—acacia.
I had smelled it once before, right after falling into this world.
It hadn’t returned since—until now.
…Wait. This acacia scent—could it be my pheromones?
The novel did mention that the beauty of the Grand Concubine’s palace was heightened by the presence of omega pheromones.
I wasn’t a dominant omega, but the Grand Concubine’s pheromones were powerful enough to leave Alphas—and even the Emperor—helpless.
It was an incredible asset and a weapon.
But ever since I arrived, I hadn’t emitted even a trace of it.
My grandfather had secretly taken me to the hospital for tests, wondering if I was recessive or had somehow turned Beta.
But the result had been clear: I was a normal omega, and the doctor said my pheromones would manifest normally—eventually.
Apparently, eventually was now.
And it happened the moment I reunited with Hyunwook.
“Still, it smells really good. Like I’m standing under an acacia tree. With a scent like this, of course Alphas would go crazy.”
While I was struggling in a haze, disoriented by the swirl of my own pheromones and some unknown scent, Joo Minhyuk suddenly turned around, grabbed my shoulders, and checked my face with urgency.
His expression was filled with shock and confusion.
“Damn it… Court Lady! Bring the pheromone suppressant!”
Pheromone suppressant?
Minhyuk frowned, covering his nose and mouth with one hand.
With the other, he effortlessly picked me up and glanced over at Hyunwook.
“You, go back.”
“Huh? Your Highness—what’s happening? Are you feeling unwell?”
“I’ll explain later. Just leave. Now.”
I could see Hyunwook trying to get a better look at my face.
I wanted to tell him not to leave, to wait for me—but Minhyuk kept pushing him away.
I wanted to say it myself, but my mouth wouldn’t move.
I must’ve looked like a total mess in front of an old friend I hadn’t seen in years.
Right at our reunion, the Omega pheromones I’d kept completely under control just exploded.
Why now of all times…?
Damn it. My pride.
Without another word, Minhyuk carried me into my bedchamber, leaving Hyunwook behind.
I couldn’t believe our reunion ended like this.
Hyunwook, let’s see each other again tomorrow…
But something really was strange.
Amidst the haze, I instinctively buried my nose in the curve of Minhyuk’s neck and shoulder, trying to trace the unfamiliar scent.
Ah, so that grassy, earthy scent was Minhyuk’s pheromones?
Why am I only just noticing it now?
It’s amazing. I want more of it.
I, half out of my mind, nuzzled deeper into his neck, my lips twitching unconsciously.
Minhyuk flinched and quickly laid me on the bed, but I clung to him, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck, unwilling to let go.
“Haeju, calm down.”
“Your Majesty, here’s the suppressant. The Prince has never been like this before—what happened?”
The court lady handed over the suppressant and some water, her voice urgent.
“…It’s my fault. I lost control earlier and released some of my pheromones. I think that triggered the Crown Prince’s pheromones. This is on me. I’ll take care of it, please leave.”
While Minhyuk sent her away, I was blurting out nonsense I’d never imagine saying normally.
“I don’t want the suppressant. I’m not taking it.”
I didn’t want it.
I just wanted to keep inhaling his pheromones.
All I could think about was Minhyuk holding me and letting me bask in that scent.
My rational mind had completely shattered.
“…No. You’ll regret it tomorrow. We’ll deal with this later, okay? Not like this. I don’t think you’re in heat yet—it’s probably just a sudden pheromone surge.”
I didn’t care. I didn’t understand any of that. I just wanted more of that scent.
Did Minhyuk not want to smell mine?
Why not? Isn’t it a good scent?
Provoked by that thought, I released even more pheromones, and Minhyuk bit his lip as he hurried to open the suppressant.
It wasn’t even that I wanted to do something physical with Minhyuk—I just wanted to keep smelling him.
Couldn’t he understand that?
Intent on getting what I wanted, I wrapped my legs around his waist and thighs, locking him in tightly.
“Cha Haejoo, please… You’re pressing there—”
Minhyuk’s face and neck flushed red as he finally got me onto the bed, struggling to keep his composure.
Meanwhile, I kept twisting my head, instinctively avoiding the pill he was trying to feed me.
“God, Cha Haejoo. You usually act like you can’t even stand my pheromones. And now your scent is driving me crazy.”
As my mind slipped further into fog, I watched him lift the pill and water to his own mouth.
Why are you taking it?
Letting pheromones take over like this was dangerous.
Not just because I couldn’t control my body, but because my reasoning was gone—I couldn’t even assess the situation properly.
Then, Minhyuk’s large hands held my face still.
He opened my mouth and pressed his lips against mine.
At that moment, cool water and something bitter slid down my throat.
Did he… just drug me with a kiss?
Even after the pill had gone down, he didn’t pull away.
He held me tightly in his arms, lips still on mine.
Then he slowly pulled back… and bit into his own arm.
Why’s he biting himself?
He’s going to draw blood.
I wanted to tell him to stop, but the strength was draining from my body. I couldn’t say anything.
Soon, my body began to cool, settling down rapidly.
The thick acacia scent that had filled the room dissipated, and my foggy head began to clear.
It was like I’d run laps around a massive field—every ounce of energy gone, exhaustion crashing over me.
Was there a sedative in the suppressant?
Still curled up in Minhyuk’s arms, I fell asleep right there. As I drifted off, I think I heard him whisper, “I’m sorry.”
* * *
