“Tae-hyun. I think it would be better for you to go and rest now.”
“No, I’m fine.”
Joo Tae-hyun was practically glued to the door. He usually sat with a reasonable distance between them, but today, he was sitting as far away as possible, even turning his body towards the car window.
That night, the family doctors from both sides had rushed over to check on Joo Tae-hyun’s condition, and the test results they presented the next day all showed similar values.
‘Abnormal Pheromone reaction. This… the levels are not explainable with drug-induced reaction.’
Seo Baek-han was also aware of that. Artificial measures could never produce this kind of graph, especially not for such a long time, spanning several days.
For the levels to fluctuate this wildly, it could only be explained by the influence of another person’s Pheromone… Unless Joo Tae-hyun was an Omega experiencing his first Heat, there was no way he would react to his Pheromone, which also didn’t make sense.
‘Young Master, I understand it may be difficult to trust me as much as your family doctor from the Seoul headquarters, but please be honest with me.’
‘…….’
‘Have you stopped using the Switch for a certain period of time? I’m not trying to blame you for the discrepancy with our records, but we need to confirm the accuracy.’
‘…….’
‘The Switch that Director prepared is safe and non-addictive when tested, but the dosage is quite high for someone whose tolerance has disappeared.’
Joo Tae-hyun, who had been avoiding eye contact with Seo Baek-han and staring into the distance, finally let out a dry laugh. As if to say, ‘Don’t talk nonsense.’
‘That’s not possible.’
‘But…….’
‘Tae-hyun gave the same answer to Doctor Woo in Seoul. And for the medicine to cause this, he would have had to take all the Switch I gave him at once.’
It wasn’t entirely wrong, but there was a slight exaggeration mixed in. He needed to elicit a reaction from Joo Tae-hyun to find a clue to this phenomenon.
However, no matter what Seo Baek-han said, Joo Tae-hyun remained calm. Or rather, could that be called calm? He was as still as a corpse.
‘If that’s the case, then there’s nothing we can do… Young Master, please let us know if you remember anything later. That’s the only way we can help you.’
Was that why? The fact that Joo Tae-hyun himself was handling the purchased Switch, and that no one had seen him taking it, was suddenly bothering him.
Seo Baek-han glanced at Joo Tae-hyun, who was still emitting a faint Pheromone scent while pressing his nose against the car window.
Joo Tae-hyun had been confined to his room since last Friday, claiming to be unwell. Seo Baek-han had been present when the doctors came and went, but he had noticed that Joo Tae-hyun seemed uncomfortable whenever he saw him, so he hadn’t visited him separately since then.
If Joo Tae-hyun was merely uncomfortable, he would have ignored it, but the fact that his Pheromone scent, which was usually faint, was now fluctuating between strong and weak, made Seo Baek-han hesitate.
“I’ve gotten a lot better after resting. I’m really fine.”
However, Joo Tae-hyun, who had turned twenty-six, was not as easy to read as before. No, it was easy to see through him on other topics. Joo Tae-hyun was telling the truth, but it would be more accurate to say that he was building a wall for the first time out of embarrassment.
Above all, there was no way Joo Tae-hyun would lie about the Switch issue. In the first place, the reason he had put this marriage on the table, and the reason he was cooperating with everything Seo Baek-han did at DH Group, was all because he was taking the Switch.
“But, Tae-hyun. I know it’s not polite to say this.”
Seo Baek-han took a deep breath and exhaled, using it to replace the rest of his words.
Your Pheromone, your scent, is overwhelming.
A shallow crack finally appeared on Joo Tae-hyun’s face, which had been trying to appear calm.
“Hyung. Is it… is it so repulsive to be near me?”
“It’s not that.”
He could say that with certainty. It was just that the scent was much more noticeable than before.
While Joo Tae-hyun was staying in the guest room, Seo Baek-han had to cover his nose and mouth and calm his breathing for a while just to enter the parking lot. This was because Joo Tae-hyun’s Pheromone lingered in every corner of the parking lot and on every step of the stairs. It was such a strong and wild scent that it seemed as if he was in Heat.
After that, he could only roughly guess that Joo Tae-hyun had briefly come down to the first floor, visited the kitchen, or taken something out of the refrigerator, thanks to the faint Pheromone he left behind.
He had been constantly exposed to his scent throughout the house for several days, so it was difficult to be sure. Was he becoming desensitized, or was Joo Tae-hyun’s condition really improving?
“It’s okay if it’s not repulsive.”
As they approached their destination, Joo Tae-hyun checked his jacket here and there. He adjusted his cuffs and ran his hand down his shoulder and arm to make sure there were no wrinkles.
…Somehow, his actions were exactly like Seo Baek-han’s, as if he had learned them by watching.
“It’s your first big event since becoming the Director of Royal Hospital. Moreover, it’s hosted by Yeonhwa Palace and the Ministry of Health. Wouldn’t it help your research if you showed everyone that you’re with your Alpha spouse?”
That’s my role, Joo Tae-hyun added.
Seo Baek-han stared silently at his parched, bloodless lips before averting his gaze. He didn’t answer, but it was a sign that he understood.
It was strange. Everything was going as he had hoped, and Joo Tae-hyun was behaving exactly as he had wanted his spouse to behave. But why did he feel so uneasy?
Just then, the car came to a smooth stop. Just before the palace staff approached to open the door.
Over Seo Baek-han’s shoulder, who was already preparing to get out, Joo Tae-hyun’s voice scattered in a small murmur.
“I thought you’d be proud of me.”
Even in this situation, he was expecting that, and the thought twisted Seo Baek-han’s heart. The moment he turned his head slightly, he involuntarily shut his mouth. Was it because he was in pain? Joo Tae-hyun’s eyes were red again. His pupils were glistening as if they were filled with water.
His thick eyebrows, high nose, slightly gaunt but well-defined jawline, drooping corners of his lips, and tightly closed mouth. It was the same face he always saw, but strangely, Seo Baek-han felt like Joo Tae-hyun was holding back tears.
As if he was blaming him for treating him like a useless person if he couldn’t even do this much, when this was all he could do.
Yes… Usually, he would have been proud of Joo Tae-hyun for trying to maintain a presentable appearance no matter what. The opposite was also true. Even if Seo Baek-han wasn’t feeling well, he would have stayed in his place without showing it if there was an important event for DH Group and Joo Tae-hyun.
But why was he so concerned about Joo Tae-hyun today? Was it because he seemed to be losing energy ever since he took the Switch he gave him? Or was it because Joo Tae-hyun had been acting out of character recently?
“Director Seo Baek-han of Royal Hospital and spouse Joo Tae-hyun, this way, please.”
Even Yeonhwa Palace, which had the most relaxed and free atmosphere, was still a palace, so there were certain rules. Things like the palace staff and guards inspecting the exterior of the vehicle, verifying their identities, and then opening the door before they could step out.
“But isn’t this a bit of a detour-.”
“Director Seo?”
Just as Seo Baek-han, who knew the geography of Yeonhwa Palace well, was about to question the palace staff, a familiar face peeked out from the path.
“You’re here early?”
“…Prince Lee.”
Prince Lee, the host of today’s event and the owner of Yeonhwa Palace, had come all the way here for some reason and greeted them with a hearty laugh. Seeing that the palace staff had been trying to guide them this way from the beginning, it didn’t seem like a chance encounter.
“Why are you standing here? You’re making the guests uncomfortable.”
As Seo Baek-han grumbled and bowed politely, Prince Lee laughed and patted him on the back.
“That’s exactly it. I heard that even unwanted guests were coming, so I thought I’d put some pressure on them too. But behind you… isn’t that Tae-hyun?”
Only after hearing Prince Lee’s jest that he must like his young spouse so much that he had to hide him away, did Seo Baek-han realize that he had unconsciously pushed Joo Tae-hyun behind him.
Hiding him away wasn’t the right expression, since Joo Tae-hyun wasn’t short… Anyway, he had been constantly worried about his condition, so he had just stepped a few steps ahead of Joo Tae-hyun when he sensed a sudden presence. Prince Lee’s joke was too much today. He wasn’t someone who strictly followed etiquette or had a different face inside and out, so he was probably just joking.
“I moved without thinking because I was worried that a child might be surprised, as you said. I apologize, Your Highness. …Tae-hyun? What are you doing?”
“…I apologize, Your Highness.”
“No, Tae-hyun. I’m sorry for teasing you. I’m still playing around like this even at my age. Anyway, it’s been a while, Tae-hyun.”
“Yes, Your… Highness.”
Prince Lee reached out his hand to Joo Tae-hyun first. However, unlike Joo Tae-hyun, who knew the etiquette inside and out, he seemed to hesitate for a moment. Prince Lee also tilted his head slightly, as if he was wondering if he was the only one who noticed Joo Tae-hyun’s hesitation.
“Tae-hyun?”
“Ah. I’m honored, urgh…!”
Joo Tae-hyun, who had been about to lightly bow and take Prince Lee’s hand, suddenly turned pale and covered his mouth.
“Joo Tae-hyun!”
Seo Baek-han quickly caught the staggering Joo Tae-hyun, and at the same time, Prince Lee also stepped back a few steps from Joo Tae-hyun and covered his nose and mouth with the back of his hand.
“Why are you suddenly-.”
“Director Seo!”
With his nose completely covered by his wide sleeves, Prince Lee urgently urged Seo Baek-han.
“Take Tae-hyun to Buyongwon. Right now.”
“I apologize. Tae-hyun wasn’t feeling well before we came, but I insisted because I didn’t want to cause trouble for Your Highness, so I overdid it. If you would allow me, I’ll take Tae-hyun, no, my spouse, home first, and then I’ll-.”
“No, there’s no time for that. Go to Buyongwon. It’s close from here, and no one’s staying there right now.”
“Yes?”
Joo Tae-hyun, who was barely leaning on Seo Baek-han, began to cough even more violently than before. The more he coughed, the more Prince Lee recoiled in horror. As if each of Joo Tae-hyun’s breaths was laced with poison.
“Director Seo, can’t you feel anything?”
“…Your Highness, I apologize, but what are you talking about-.”
Leaving the bewildered Seo Baek-han behind, Prince Lee muttered as if he couldn’t understand.
“What is it, am I feeling it more sensitively because I’m bonded with Yul….”
“Your Highness?”
“Um, Director Seo. Tae-hyun, right now.”
Prince Lee carefully looked around and then, holding his breath, approached Seo Baek-han and barely whispered.
“…His Pheromone state is too strange, didn’t you know, Director Seo?”
“Yes?”
“What should I say. It’s like an Alpha in Heat, no… more like an Omega in Heat? That’s the feeling.”