By Zephyria 
If one were to define Chairman Kwon’s mansion in a single word, it could be described as the epitome of affluence. It was literally a ‘grand mansion’. Even though Kim Hui-won prided himself on having developed a certain immunity to the extravagance of chaebol families, he momentarily froze at the dazzling spectacle unfolding before his eyes.
The vast drawing room alone was comparable in size to a medium-to-large banquet hall. Moreover, the ceiling, open all the way to the third floor, was of an unimaginable height.
The ivory marble floor was spotless, gleaming with a polished sheen. Expensive artworks were hung frequently on every wall, and even the lighting consisted solely of magnificent chandeliers. Uniformed servants, all with refined manners, were attending to the guests. For a moment, it even felt like being in a hotel.
Madam Im immediately drew the attention of the entire room upon entering. Relatives who had arrived earlier greeted her warmly one after another. They were also immensely interested in the new family member they had only heard about through rumors. Though overwhelmed by the flood of words from all directions, Hui-won quickly composed himself and exchanged greetings, ensuring no one was neglected.
It felt like entering an interview room. Amidst the smiling conversations, pointed questions were mixed in. Under the guise of greetings, the Kwon family was testing Hui-won to gauge whether the new addition was a suitable person or not.
Fortunately, exceptional quick-wittedness was one of Kim Hui-won’s strengths. He never panicked greatly in any situation. Moreover, having dealt with many high-ranking people, he rarely felt intimidated.
His ingrained manners and gentle tone made a favorable impression on those watching. Even when faced with awkward questions, his calm smile and clear responses exuded intelligence.
Seeing Hui-won faithfully carrying out her instructions, Madam Im breathed a sigh of relief. If things continued like this, there would be nothing to worry about.
She was equally busy. Separated from her husband, she exchanged greetings with relatives she hadn’t seen in a long time. Between Kwon Young-je’s promotion to Vice Chairman and the news of the marriage and grandchild, there were so many things to celebrate that the fur shawl draped over her shoulders seemed to rise to her earlobes.
“Seo-ran.”
Someone called her by her given name. At the not-so-friendly voice, Madam Im’s face also turned sour. A gaunt middle-aged woman was holding a wine glass, acting familiar.
Jang Se-hee, Kwon Young-ho’s mother, was Madam Im’s sister-in-law, but they had known each other since before marriage. Unless it was a formal occasion, they had always called each other by name.
Despite decades of being family, their relationship remained hostile. Jang Se-hee also boasted a fierce personality, no less than Lim Seo-ran.
As soon as Madam Im saw her, she raised an eyebrow. For today only, she willingly responded to the call and approached.
“Isn’t it time to cure that ‘main character syndrome’ of yours? How do you always manage to appear last?”
“You’re one to talk. How long are you going to wear that dress? Did you come for an awards ceremony?”
Madam Im pointed out Jang Se-hee’s attire. The deeply cut burgundy dress was inappropriately flashy for the occasion. Jang Se-hee, who served as the head of a film production company, always dressed like this on days she wanted to show off.
Jang Se-hee’s lips puckered. She gently swirled her wine glass and said.
“Did you come from a hunt? Who wears fur these days? People will curse you for having no sense.”
“Better than not acting your age and exposing your skin. Be a little more modest.”
The hidden battle of nerves within the fake smiles was fierce. The conflict between Kwon Young-je and Kwon Young-ho might have been inherited from their maternal sides. In fact, the hostility might run deeper on this side.
The only saving grace was that both had reached a level where they could let such attacks go in one ear and out the other. It had become chronic. Jang Se-hee took a sip of wine and swept her gaze over the crowd still clustered near the entrance. With narrowed eyes, she intently watched the unfamiliar face standing next to Kwon Young-je.
“Isn’t he too lacking to be Young-je’s partner? He’s more ordinary than I thought.”
“Ordinary? Are you already presbyopic? Well, you are at the age for reading glasses.”
Madam Im skillfully parried the provocation. As she lifted her chin, Lim Seo-ran’s characteristic arrogant smile, which looked down on people, grew even thicker.
“Do you think someone with talent like our Hui-won is common? He has good looks and is sharp. And Se-hee, he’s a Dominant Omega. The kind you’d die for.”
“……”
Dominant Omega. With just that short phrase, Jang Se-hee was properly stung. As if a seizure button had been pressed, her haughty face crumpled miserably.
A Dominant Omega daughter-in-law was one of Jang Se-hee’s long-standing wishes. And Lim Seo-ran had achieved it first. She thought that woman would never see her son get married even if she died… Seeing her triumphant appearance right before her eyes made her insides twist and rage boil over.
Jang Se-hee forced a strained smile. In her eyes staring at Hui-won standing in the distance, flames of anger were lit. She washed down her boiling feelings with a sip of wine.
“Didn’t you teach him manners? He’s too ill-mannered. That suits Young-je perfectly. He doesn’t even come to greet the elders first.”
“He probably hasn’t seen you yet. I wonder how lacking your presence must be for that.”
Madam Im gently raised her right hand. Hui-won, at the elegant voice, Hui-won immediately responded. When their eyes met, he politely excused himself to the surrounding elders and approached where Lim Seo-ran was.
“Say hello. This is Young-ho’s mother. Have you met before?”
Hui-won looked at Jang Se-hee with eyes devoid of any ulterior motive. While he knew about Madam Jang’s personal details, this was his first time facing her. Following his ingrained habit, he bowed in greeting.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kim Hui-won.”
Jang Se-hee rolled her eyes up and down. Seen up close, he was annoyingly tall and well-built.
As Lim Seo-ran said, there was nothing to fault. His impression was favorable, and his posture was proper. He lacked the unique aristocratic air often seen in children from wealthy families, but he was a person thoroughly composed of etiquette. They said he was from a secretary background, and his attitude alone was perfectly impeccable without being grating.
“Well, nice to meet you, congratulations on the marriage. But… what are we to do when you still have such a rustic air about you? Can you really stand side by side with Young-je like this? You’ll have a hard time ahead getting accustomed to this side.”
Her congratulatory greeting bordered on an insult, but Hui-won only smiled gently.
“There are still many areas where I am lacking. I’ll have to learn gradually.”
“Hah.”
The way he smiled and brushed off any attack was no ordinary feat. Moreover, just seeing him not intimidated in front of her meant his mental fortitude was beyond ordinary.
Jang Se-hee’s insides were burning fiercely. She was so irritated she couldn’t even manage her expression anymore.
“An Omega should have a gentle, soft appeal, but you lack that. Young-je’s taste is truly unique. My brother-in-law and Seo-ran, and you too, all seem to have something wrong somewhere. If it were me, I wouldn’t have accepted someone like you.”
The level of the evaluation had crossed the line. No matter how displeased she was, these were not words to say to someone’s face.
But Hui-won replied with an expression showing no impact.
“Everyone has different desires. I hope you, Aunt, will also welcome someone you like into the family.”
“What?”
“If you wait patiently with composure, I’m sure you’ll find an Omega who meets your expectations.”
Jang Se-hee’s lips only twitched. She wanted to retort, but for a moment, she had nothing to say.
Kwon Young-ho hadn’t even been introduced to anyone decent lately. His vulgar behavior was already so widely rumored that decent families were openly avoiding him. She had been keeping quiet about his marriage prospects being completely blocked… Was he saying this knowingly?
Lim Seo-ran, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, burst out laughing as if she couldn’t help it. Where does she get the nerve to try and overpower our Hui-won when she can’t even win an argument?
After laughing her fill, she lifted her chin high. She felt as secure as if she had gained an army of ten thousand.
“If you’ve finished exchanging greetings, I’ll take him now.”
Just then, Kwon Young-je appeared and skillfully whisked away his spouse. It was a notification, not a request for permission, but Jang Se-hee couldn’t utter a single word in response. The two standing side by side displayed perfect harmony, making her earlier comment about them not matching seem pathetic.
What kind of guy was Kwon Young-je? With his picky and obsessive-compulsive personality, even Jang Se-hee found him difficult. Moreover, seeing that guy, who used to shudder at the thought of Omegas, meticulously caring for his partner was hard to believe even when seen.
“And, Aunt.”
Before leaving, Kwon Young-je glanced at Jang Se-hee. Contrary to his dignified demeanor, the look he shot her was sharp enough to flay a person.
“Be careful with your words and actions towards my person. I’ll let it slide just this once.”
“You! What, what did I do!”
“There won’t be a next time. Be careful.”
He turned his back on the flustered Jang Se-hee. No sooner had they left the spot than other relatives surrounded them in layers.
Hui-won was still busy greeting people. While maintaining a composed exterior, he couldn’t let his guard down. Kwon Young-je’s arm wrapped around his waist, which was tense with effort. He felt the silent energy conveyed through the supportive touch. That alone was enough to endure.
After about an hour, the family members began to settle in various spots in the spacious drawing room, engaging in relaxed conversation. Each held a glass of alcohol in hand.
Chairman Kwon was in full bloom with laughter, his face showing no trace of worry. Under his leadership, the Kwon family was fortifying their harmony on this rare occasion.
Meanwhile, Kwon Young-je took Hui-won and briefly slipped away. As they stepped up the stairs, Hui-won found himself smiling weakly without realizing it.
“Why.”
“I really can’t get used to this.”
The stone staircase leading to the third floor was dauntingly long. It was surprising that such a structure existed inside a house, but it also fit because the mansion was so grand.
“There’s nothing to get used to. It’s not like we’ll be coming here often anyway.”
Kwon Young-je replied nonchalantly. He himself walked as if familiar with the way. On the third-floor corridor, a plush sofa was placed, and he had Hui-won sit there for a moment.
Kwon Young-je bent his knee and looked up at Hui-won. At the sight of Hui-won, who seemed to have completely deflated as if all energy had drained, his lips slowly drew a curved line.
“You’re already tired.”
“I’ve definitely realized I’m not cut out to be the main character.”
Even though he was used to dealing with people, being the center of attention was a different matter. How did Kwon Young-je handle this every time? Hui-won shook his head weakly.
Kwon Young-je, who had been gazing intently at that sight, had a soft curve to his eyes. He reached out and affectionately brushed Hui-won’s bangs aside.
“Do you want something to drink?”
“…Sparkling water. Cold.”
The cool fingertips felt pleasant. Hui-won closed his eyes and quietly accepted his hand.
Just then, a voice calling for the two of them could be heard from below. There was no time to dawdle. Kwon Young-je let out a short sigh and straightened his body.
“I’ll have someone send it up. Rest for a bit.”
He patted Hui-won’s shoulder and headed back to the frontline of attention.
Left alone, Hui-won briefly scanned his surroundings. The third floor was silent, with no servants in sight.
With no one watching, he should take this chance to rest. He stretched out his tired legs and slightly loosened the stifling tie. Finally feeling like he could breathe, a long sigh escaped him.
“I really couldn’t do this a second time.”
How wise it was to skip the wedding ceremony. Hui-won muttered self-deprecatingly and gently massaged his stiff facial muscles.
Perhaps because his blood sugar was low, his head felt dull. Just in case, Hui-won secretly unwrapped and ate a chocolate he had brought. As he was slowly rolling the sweet on his tongue, a creaking sound of a door opening was heard.
Turning his head towards the direction of the sound, he saw Kwon Young-ho walking out from inside. The whiskey glass in his hand swayed perilously along with his staggering body.