By Zephyria 
In this house, Han Seung-jae was the only Alpha, and Seo Yi-kyung was the only Omega.
Everyone else residing in the house, including Butler Do, was a Beta. Betas cannot smell the pheromones of Alphas and Omegas. It seemed that recessive Omegas weren’t particularly affected either, considering they remained unfazed even when the pheromones of Han Seung-jae, an extreme dominant Alpha, touched their bodies.
When he had accidentally visited the ‘Alpha Club,’ Jin Seon-yu, a Dominant Omega, had staggered, unable to keep his balance due to the pheromones of Alphas surging from all directions. He had fled the club as if escaping for his life.
Seo Yi-kyung looked at Min Ra-hyeon, recalling memories he had buried in an attempt to forget.
[“If you’re an extreme dominant Omega, Alphas must just throw themselves at you, right? You must have been popular.”]
[“I-it’s not like that.”]
[“Did you never experience that, Yi-kyung? Ah, maybe you don’t know because you only painted alone in your painting studio? I suppose that could be it.”]
In the original story, Min Ra-hyeon had satisfied his own selfish desires by showering ‘Seo Yi-kyung’ with questions so uncomfortable that he couldn’t even answer. He had enjoyed watching the face of a flustered and struggling ‘Seo Yi-kyung.’
Seo Yi-kyung lifted the towel in his hand and leisurely dried his wet hair.
“Perhaps it’s because I’m a recessive Omega. It must be nice to be so comfortable.”
“…Seung-jae told you that too?”
It wasn’t an illusion; the corners of Min Ra-hyeon’s mouth trembled slightly, his previous composure vanishing without a trace.
“Yes.”
Seo Yi-kyung’s voice, echoing through the room, was plain. Regardless of the circumstances, Han Seung-jae was not a man who spoke lightly. Rather, it would be more accurate to say he was indifferent to others. He simply had no interest in what anyone did from the start.
“If you can’t believe it, you can check for yourself when Seung-jae arrives.”
He probably wouldn’t ask. No one tries to confirm their own flaws. Min Ra-hyeon started to say something, but then pressed his lips together.
Seo Yi-kyung added,
“Thank you for bringing the porridge.”
It was a statement with an implied meaning: now that you’ve finished your task, please leave this room. Min Ra-hyeon turned around. As he opened the door and disappeared, Seo Yi-kyung lowered the towel he was holding. It felt as if a tightly pulled string had suddenly snapped. The towel he had been barely gripping fell, covering his toes.
* * *
In the afternoon, a person carrying a medical bag entered the house. He was someone Seo Yi-kyung recognized—the doctor who had performed his check-ups at Haseon Hospital. It seemed Han Seung-jae believed that Seo Yi-kyung was feeling constant anxiety regarding the child in his womb.
“I’ve come because Secretary Park sent me.”
To Seo Yi-kyung, it sounded as if he were saying Han Seung-jae had sent him. And it probably wasn’t a lie.
“I have been waiting for you. Please come this way.”
Butler Do stepped forward with long strides. He bowed his head in greeting to Min Ra-hyeon, who was standing leaning against the wall. Min Ra-hyeon, with his arms crossed, had his hair tied back tightly. Seo Yi-kyung passed in front of him. The two made eye contact, but no words were exchanged.
When Butler Do opened the door, the doctor instinctively looked at the ultrasound machine placed inside, his face showing surprise before he quickly regained his composure. He had heard about it directly from Secretary Park before coming to the house, but seeing it with his own eyes was even more absurd. However, he cleared his throat, struggling to maintain his poise.
“I was told that you had a fever this morning.”
“He is feeling better now.”
Butler Do stacked two pillows so that Seo Yi-kyung could lean back comfortably. While doing so, he answered the doctor’s question.
Suddenly, Seo Yi-kyung’s gaze reached the open door. Min Ra-hyeon was standing there, watching him. In the original story, ‘Seo Yi-kyung’ could not have a child. However, he did not want Min Ra-hyeon to hear anything about the child that had now firmly taken root in his womb. Seo Yi-kyung spoke to Butler Do.
“Butler Do, please close the door.”
“Ah, yes.”
Butler Do hurriedly turned around and approached the open door. At that, Min Ra-hyeon turned away.
While Butler Do was closing the door, the doctor was checking Seo Yi-kyung’s body temperature.
“Fortunately, your fever isn’t high enough to be worrying.”
After that, he operated the somewhat unfamiliar ultrasound machine and placed it on Seo Yi-kyung’s belly, which had been coated in gel. Immediately, the sound of a thumping, thumping, thumping pulsation filled the room.
The previously calm expression on Seo Yi-kyung’s face stiffened, and his cheeks flushed hot.
“T-the sound is quite loud. I must have pressed something wrong. I’m not very familiar with this machine.”
The doctor also seemed flustered; he hurriedly removed the device from the belly and fumbled with the buttons. As if responding to his fingertips, the pulsation sound gradually decreased, allowing Seo Yi-kyung to hear the steady heartbeat of the child.
“Have you decided on a prenatal nickname?”
The doctor’s words were kind and carried a sense of friendliness. Come to think of it, Seo Yi-kyung hadn’t given any thought to such a thing. The child had come so unexpectedly, but perhaps it would be better to give it a name…
“I think it would be good to choose something easy to call, so you can share a bond with the baby.”
The doctor gently suggested this to the deeply contemplating Seo Yi-kyung. After thinking for a moment, Seo Yi-kyung spoke.
“Yeoreum.”
“Yeoreum?”
The doctor asked back, sounding a bit puzzled. Similarly, doubt flickered in the eyes of Butler Do, who was watching the situation from behind. However, he simply stood still and watched Seo Yi-kyung.
“Yes. I really want to see the summer.”
“Haha, is that so? It will be very hot. Still, you should be able to see the baby by August.”
The doctor took Seo Yi-kyung’s words very pleasantly. And the doubt on Butler Do’s face gradually disappeared. He listened intently to the child’s heartbeat echoing repeatedly in the room.
In Butler Do’s eyes, Seo Yi-kyung was still a young master. But seeing him become gradually more composed since the marriage, and now having a child as the fruit of a couple’s union, something felt touching in a corner of his heart.
* * *
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Butler Do opened the door and stepped out. The doctor gave Seo Yi-kyung a few simple pieces of advice regarding the child and picked up his medical bag. This included the mention that pain in the waist and back might occur as time passed. He repeatedly emphasized that there was no need to worry too much, likely because he had been told by Secretary Park to ease Seo Yi-kyung’s anxiety.
Seo Yi-kyung nodded. As the doctor stepped outside, Min Ra-hyeon, sitting on the living room sofa, came into view. He was leisurely drinking coffee.
“Yi-kyung.”
Min Ra-hyeon stopped Seo Yi-kyung, who was about to walk past the sofa. When Seo Yi-kyung turned his head, Min Ra-hyeon pointed to the sofa opposite him.
Step, step. Butler Do walked ahead and brought out a large shopping bag that had been set aside.
“He said to give this to you when you arrive.”
“Why go to all this trouble… If you feel even slightly unwell, please contact me immediately.”
“Yes, I will.”
The doctor took the shopping bag and left the house. Butler Do saw him out to the entrance and then turned back. He watched Seo Yi-kyung sit on the sofa and entered the dining room. He then took out a teapot and brewed tea for Seo Yi-kyung.
“…”
There was no response from Min Ra-hyeon, who had told him to sit on the sofa. Seo Yi-kyung looked at him calmly. Eventually, Min Ra-hyeon set down his coffee cup and wore a quite serious expression. Even so, it was only to the extent that the smile had vanished from his lips.
“I made a mistake. I apologize for the joke going too far.”
It was unclear what mistake he was referring to. And what the apology was for. He didn’t even feel any sincerity.
Moreover, it wasn’t just one or two things. Was he talking about entering the bedroom this morning? Or was he talking about the prank last night where he hid behind the door and pointed a gun at his head? He had even laughed while watching Butler Do, who was terrified to the point of breaking the glass he was holding.
“It’s fine, since you brought me porridge.”
As if he could understand that much, Seo Yi-kyung replied with broad generosity. Then, he slowly added:
“But, there’s no need to do that from next time.”
Even if Min Ra-hyeon didn’t step forward, there were plenty of people who could bring porridge to Seo Yi-kyung. Butler Do did, and the resident helpers did as well. Or, it didn’t matter if he didn’t eat. Thus, he was essentially rejecting Min Ra-hyeon’s entry into his room with his entire being.