The wedding ceremony proceeded simply according to the wishes of the couple who disliked unnecessary formalities. It was nothing more than two women holding hands, pledging their love before a cleric under a white arch.
Following that simple yet definite pledge came the reception. The reception also came with Alrina’s declaration that it would end quickly before evening.
People whispered. Their complaints were mixed with laughter and jokes.
“I understand why the guild leader is doing this? She’s young. She wants to spend time with her bride. She doesn’t want to lose such a nice day entirely to guests like us.”
The words that a middle-aged woman shared with her friend stuck in Cayden’s ears.
Cayden didn’t know much about Alrina, Emma’s spouse. The woman he encountered after a long time still had an inscrutable, cold face.
But looking carefully, he could definitely sense that Alrina was completely smitten with Emma. He felt he could understand a little of her personality that he hadn’t known when working at the estate.
Emma had repeatedly said she liked people who were obsessed with her. With the tricky condition that they shouldn’t openly show their true nature in front of her—if they wanted to make a scene, they should do it secretly where she couldn’t see.
Cayden still didn’t know how Emma had come to promise her life to the aloof owner of the estate. Still, he had a strange certainty that Alrina perfectly matched Emma’s ideal type.
It was evident even now. Alrina smiled only in front of Emma. When she was out of Emma’s sight, Alrina was busy being wary of people who looked at her spouse. Cayden thought that bright Emma and the woman who seemed somewhat obsessed with her made a good match.
Today’s protagonists were walking around the garden, exchanging words with those who had come to the wedding. Most of the guests gathered in the garden seemed to be those who had received invitations from Alrina, the owner of the estate. Cayden thought that only the laundry servants whose faces he knew might be Emma’s guests.
He felt he had made the right decision in coming to the north, even if it meant indulging in an unreasonable desire. It was fortunate to be one of the guests Emma wouldn’t feel nervous around on this memorable day.
He was also happy to see Emma happy. The sight of Emma speaking to Alrina, looking just like a lark whispering to a white hawk, made him smile.
Though it wasn’t new, Cayden once again felt grateful to Assad. Thanks to him listening to his request and being considerate, he was able to be Emma’s guest like this.
‘He even came all this way with me…’
Cayden turned his head slightly to look at Assad. And embarrassingly, their eyes immediately met.
It was an awkward coincidence. But he didn’t avoid Assad’s eyes. It was Assad who looked away first. As soon as their eyes met, Assad quickly turned his head back to the front.
Cayden carefully examined Assad’s face as he glared at the champagne glasses stacked like a tower on the table.
‘Is something… bothering him?’
He was worried.
He knew people’s gazes repeatedly fell on and away from Assad. The kinds of looks varied—some stealing glances, others staring openly. This made him worry needlessly. He became concerned about Assad.
There were many well-dressed men in the estate’s garden. But at least to Cayden’s eyes, none shone like Assad. He thought that true beauty couldn’t be hidden. It was futile to change eye color with magic, wear unfamiliar clothes, or borrow someone else’s name.
This morning, watching Assad leave the mansion, Cayden had similar thoughts. Assad’s clothes looked as if they were tailor-made from a high-end clothing shop in the capital. He had this illusion despite having bought the clothes together. He fantasized that Assad would look extraordinary even if he wore rags found on the street.
‘He’s someone who naturally attracts attention…’
It was regrettable that he couldn’t help. He couldn’t cover people’s eyes.
The only comfort was that both the wedding and reception would end shortly. Cayden hoped Assad wouldn’t feel uncomfortable for long.
“Senior.”
“…Huh?”
Cayden gave a delayed response to Assad’s call. The term “senior” still felt unfamiliar.
“Doesn’t it bother you?”
“…”
“Some bastard is looking at a mated omega in such a filthy, obscene way. It really bothers me. Would he still do that if his eyes were gouged out? No, that might be too inhumane, so would burning them be better?”
Cayden was startled by Assad’s muttered words as he leaned towards him.
“That person.”
Assad pointed to a tall young man. It was a face Cayden didn’t recognize.
It seemed Assad wasn’t bothered by the gazes directed at himself. That was a relief, but it was concerning that there was a strange person around.
The man was talking with other men beside him. The young gentlemen, who appeared wealthy, all looked unremarkably normal. But appearances could be deceiving. For Assad to say such harsh words, it was definitely not an ordinary gaze.
‘An omega with a spouse…’
Emma. He must be talking about Emma. In this unfamiliar Elba, and this even more unfamiliar estate, the only omega Assad knew, and an omega with a spouse at that, was none other than Emma.
To attend such a peaceful wedding and cast impure glances at the bride—it was problematic whether Assad’s identified man was just someone with dirty tastes or Emma’s ex-lover.
‘Surely he didn’t come to disrupt the wedding.’
This worry made his heart sink.
But for now, Cayden swallowed his concerns and spoke again. It was to answer Assad’s aggressive question.
“You shouldn’t gouge out his eyes. Don’t do that.”
Cayden was grateful that Assad was concerned about Emma. He even noticed something unexpected. Still, what wasn’t right wasn’t right.
He didn’t think Assad would actually realize his violent wish. He probably said it as an annoyed joke rather than being serious. Nevertheless, out of caution, he dissuaded him. The judgment about his gaze should be left to Emma and her spouse.
“…So burning is okay?”
“Th-that’s not okay either. I’ll talk to Emma separately. I’ll let her know there’s someone looking at her strangely and that I’m concerned. If this person bothers Emma too, he’ll be thrown out immediately.”
“Emma?”
Assad frowned at Cayden’s words, exhaling what could have been either a hollow laugh or a sigh.
“Let them handle their own affairs. I don’t care about that.”
“…”
“What I meant was…”
Assad, who locked eyes firmly with Cayden who was misinterpreting his words, opened his mouth again. But a small round of applause from below captured Cayden’s attention, making Assad unable to continue properly.
“Gentlemen up there. Please look down for a moment.”
Assad also inevitably shifted his gaze downward, towards the small interrupters who had suddenly arrived.
The one who addressed the two men was a little girl who looked barely 10 years old. Next to her stood a boy of similar age wearing identical clothes. He was hugging a small basket. The basket was filled with flowers.
Satisfied with the attention of the two adults, the girl smiled brightly. Then, she took out two flowers with shortened stems from the basket the boy was holding.
“Now, please accept these.”
After finishing her words, the girl handed one flower each to Cayden and Assad. They were identical to the white flowers the children had tucked above their ears.
“Thank you…”
“You’re welcome.”
The girl lightly responded to Cayden’s words, immediately grabbing the boy’s hand and giving a graceful greeting. Then she turned around and left without hesitation, saying “Have a good time.”
It felt like a rough wind had come and gone. Cayden looked at the flower given by the child. He realized this was what people had been trying to pin to their clothes and hair ornaments.
‘It should be fine to just hold it in my hand.’
Cayden smiled as he slowly waved the flower that didn’t seem to suit him.
“…Look at me.”
Assad’s voice, tinged with amusement, raised Cayden’s gaze.
Assad inserted the white flower he had received into Cayden’s empty jacket pocket. He took the flower that was in Cayden’s hand and placed it above his own ear, just as the children who had brought the flowers had done.
“Is it okay?”
And then he smiled brazenly. At that moment, Cayden was at a loss for words.
“Why are you just smiling? I asked if it’s okay, but you’re not answering.”
Cayden hadn’t expected him to place the flower above his ear. The flower, about the size of a child’s fist, suited Assad perfectly. The thin, lush-leaved white bloom somewhat softened the handsome man’s vivid and splendid aura.
“…It suits you well.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You look pretty.”
Cayden willingly confessed his true feelings. After all, the people who would be stealing glances at Assad would surely share the same thought.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
