Vincent Shining paraded around the mansion with the Omega he had once hidden away in his bedroom, and word of it spread quickly. Those who had only ever heard rumors of the next District Leader’s lover were now eager to share their own opinions.
Some said he was more ordinary than expected, that he was just another face one could see anywhere in District 5. Others pointed out that he lacked many qualities compared to the children of the Elders. Most of the remarks revolved around his appearance.
The gossip, repeated countless times, eventually reached Jeremy, who resided at the far end of the mansion. The reason Vincent had suddenly revealed the Omega after keeping him hidden for so long was obvious. The Day of the District was approaching, so there was no longer any need to keep him a secret.
That arrogant bastard was already acting as if he owned the district. Then again, with the full support of the District Leader, what did he have to fear?
Maybe I should get a good look at him in advance.
After some thought, Jeremy dressed and stepped outside. He had never shown interest in anyone before, yet Vincent seemed to be utterly obsessed with this Omega. That alone made him curious. He also had something to confirm.
— That Omega looks like he might be pregnant.
The birth of the first Shining was certainly an occasion worth celebrating. Not that his intentions were entirely pure.
Leaving his room, Jeremy asked the attendants where Vincent had gone and followed the path he had taken. Passing through the grand hall, which was bustling with preparations for the Day of the District, Jeremy made his way toward the western side of the mansion. Vincent’s final destination was the central greenhouse.
This place…
The grandest and most opulent greenhouse in District 1’s estate was a coveted space for all the Shinings. Yet it had never belonged to anyone—until now. Jeremy recalled how Joshua had fumed over the fact that Vincent would soon claim it as his own.
It had been years since Jeremy had last walked this path. As he made his way toward the greenhouse, old memories washed over him. The soft rustling of grass beneath his feet pulled him back to the present, and he came to an abrupt halt when he heard the sound of laughter from beyond.
Found them.
By the emerald lake within the greenhouse, two figures were playing in the water like children. One of them, unmistakably, was Vincent Shining. The other must be the Omega from the rumors.
The gossip had described him as plain, unremarkable. But even from a distance, Jeremy could see that he was rather lovely. Perhaps it was because he was an Omega—his frame was much more delicate than that of an average adult male.
So preferences are hereditary now?
The Omega who had given birth to Vincent had a similar air about him. Then again, most people from District 5 shared those traits—black hair, dark eyes, and a slender build.
“How peaceful,” Jeremy muttered.
Vincent, caught up in their childish splashing, was laughing more brightly than Jeremy had ever seen. He had always been so devoid of expression that at times Jeremy had wondered if he even had human emotions. Apparently, he did.
So he does know how to smile like that.
Or maybe it was just because of that Omega.
The two played in the water for quite some time before finally stepping out of the lake. After exchanging a few words, Vincent left the greenhouse alone. Hiding behind a pillar to stay out of sight, Jeremy watched as the Omega remained behind, now alone.
He approached him, expecting to get something out of the encounter—but the whole thing was a complete failure. The Omega was more tight-lipped than anticipated, and to make matters worse, Vincent returned at an unfortunate moment.
A wasted trip.
Jeremy ran a hand through his tangled hair as he watched the two leave together before he could stop them. Still, at least they had exchanged names. That alone might be enough for now.
Vincent Shining only ever showed emotion toward that Omega. If used correctly, that could present plenty of opportunities.
“Not long now.”
***
Upon arriving at the bedroom, Vincent carried a soundly sleeping Seo-yul into the bathroom. He had already given the attendants instructions while retrieving a towel, so the bathtub was filled with warm water.
Carefully, he undressed Seo-yul, making sure not to wake him, and gently lowered him into the bath. Even the soft splashing of water felt intrusive, as though it might disturb his sleep.
Rolling up his sleeves, Vincent knelt beside the tub and tenderly washed Seo-yul’s body. Even back when he had served as Seo-yul’s personal attendant, he had rarely been the one to bathe him. The pale body he had only glimpsed a few times remained unchanged—still white, soft, and delicate, as if biting into it would taste like sweet milk.
“…Damn.”
He had intended to simply wash him, nothing more. But just looking at Seo-yul, completely bare, was enough to make his body ache. It couldn’t be helped. This only happened with Seo-yul.
Raising himself with a hand braced against the tub, Vincent gazed at the sleeping man. His unwavering crimson eyes gradually darkened with heat.
“…Seo-yul hyung.”
His voice was so quiet it never reached the one he called for. Hoping desperately that Seo-yul wouldn’t wake, Vincent leaned down and pressed his lips to the slightly parted ones before him.
His tongue slipped past the yielding lips, tracing the neat row of teeth. The warm breath he exhaled mixed with the humid steam of the bathroom, making the space feel even more stifling. His vision blurred.
Still kissing him, Vincent stepped into the tub, quickly discarding his soaked clothes. He gathered Seo-yul’s limp body into his arms.
The weight of both of them caused the bathwater to spill over the edge, splashing onto the floor—but he had no mind to care.
Seo-yul stirred in his sleep, shifting slightly, and Vincent finally lifted his head, gasping as he let out the breath he had been holding.
The air in the mist-filled bathroom was thick with a deep, floral fragrance. Seo-yul, now drenched in Vincent’s unchecked pheromones, exuded a faint cocoa scent in return.
“…Haa.”
Vincent buried his nose in the nape of Seo-yul’s neck, already covered in flushed, scattered marks. Each inhale and exhale only deepened the thirst that clawed at him, urging him on. But he barely held onto reason.
For a time, he had wondered if the desire he felt for Seo-yul was merely a reaction to his pheromones.
But when he traced his memories back to when he had first felt lust—Seo-yul had always been there.
Everyone in the mansion said that Vincent Shining was ruined, but that wasn’t true. His body simply couldn’t function without Seo-yul. It had been that way long before his secondary gender had even manifested.
He had just been slow to realize it. Now that he had finally reunited with Seo-yul, it all made sense.
Get a grip. Please.
He stayed still until his pheromones finally settled. Only after a long while did he finish washing Seo-yul and step out of the bathroom.
The heat had lingered too long in the air, leaving both their faces flushed. Vincent gently laid Seo-yul on the bed before retreating back into the bathroom, where he spent even more time trying to cool himself down. He had thought he was fine, but there was still something unresolved.
After an extended shower, he returned to the bedroom and lay beside Seo-yul, who was still fast asleep. Seo-yul had always been frail, but ever since arriving here, his condition seemed to have worsened.
Is it the pheromones?
District 1 was filled with Alphas besides himself, all carrying their own scents. Even if their pheromones were as faint as Jeremy Shining’s, Seo-yul collapsed every time he came into contact with them.
Seo-yul was an incomplete Omega. His pheromones were weak compared to others of his kind, and his heat cycles were irregular. No matter how hard they tried, the chances of pregnancy were slim.
No… maybe that’s for the best.
Vincent had no desire for a new Shining to be born. The obsession with color, the dehumanizing customs that came with it—such a cycle needed to end.
Of course, it was because of his own color that he had gained this opportunity. But he had never wished for it. To him, his vivid red eyes were nothing but a curse. If not for this color, he would never have returned to District 1.
If only I didn’t have this color…
Once he became the next District Leader, he would fulfill his agreement with the current leader—Seo-yul would become his bonded mate, and every Shining in the mansion would be driven out.
Ina Shining would leave of her own accord, as she sought the position of Central Elder. But the rest, including Joshua, would need to be forcibly “independent.” For that, Vincent had to secure his position as the undisputed leader of the district.
But the process, including the official successor training, would take too long.
He wanted to turn this mansion into the safest place for Seo-yul. But for Seo-yul to truly have full control over this space, every other Shining—except for Vincent—needed to be removed.
Only then can I keep him by my side.
Lifting Seo-yul’s limp arm, Vincent draped it over his own shoulder. Then, like when they were children, he nestled into his embrace.
Though he had grown much taller than Seo-yul, curling up in his arms no longer fit. Still, being held in his small frame made Vincent feel languid, his body relaxing completely.
It won’t be long now.
He had wandered for far too long.
