Chapter 22: When Autumn Ends

Only after realizing he had manifested as an omega did he become aware of something, the scent of winter wind that lingered on Song Seol.

It wasn’t that he had never noticed it before. But back then, he had dismissed it as imagination, or simply Song Seol’s natural body scent.

‘So it was a body scent… but more precisely, a pheromone scent…’

Hae-min wrinkled his nose in regret. If only he had realized this sooner. Then he might have noticed earlier that he had manifested as an omega, and that he was carrying Song Seol’s child.

“What are you thinking about?”

At that moment, a low voice suddenly came from behind him. Startled, Hae-min’s hand slipped. Since he had been holding a brush, a streak of ink dragged across the paper.

“I-it’s nothing…”

“If I’d known you’d be so startled, I would’ve left you alone.”

With a faint chuckle, Song Seol sat across from him. Just moments ago, he had been seated at the head of the room, when had he come up behind him, and when had he moved again?

‘Get a grip.’

Hae-min silently scolded himself.

In contrast, Song Seol seemed completely at ease. Gazing out the window where maple leaves were falling, he murmured,

“Autumn will be over soon.”

“Already?”

“In Songdo, autumn passes earlier than in Hanseong. Winter comes sooner instead.”

“Ah…”

Just thinking of that harsh season made him uneasy. This winter, he wouldn’t be alone anymore. There was so much to prepare for.

“What troubles you?”

“Pardon?”

“Your expression has been dark this whole time.”

“Well… I’m just afraid of winter coming.”

Hae-min brushed it off. Song Seol knew he was sensitive to the cold, so he likely wouldn’t suspect anything.

“There’s no need to fear something that hasn’t happened yet.”

“But it’s something that will definitely happen. Of course I’m afraid. I really hate winter.”

“Then instead of worrying about a season that hasn’t arrived, why not enjoy autumn?”

Song Seol flung the window wide open. A gust of autumn air rushed in.

Hae-min took a deep breath. His worries didn’t disappear, but strangely, his heart felt a little lighter.

“There’s a burning smell in the wind.”

“The servants must be burning fallen leaves.”

The smoky scent wasn’t pleasant, but it had its own charm.

“I can smell chrysanthemums as well.”

“You’re right. I can smell it too. But… my lord, don’t you notice any other scent?”

Since they were already talking about smells, Hae-min brought up what had been bothering him.

If he could smell Song Seol’s pheromones, then Song Seol should be able to smell his as well. He worried that his manifestation might be exposed.

“What kind of scent?”

“I’m not sure… just… something unfamiliar.”

At that, Song Seol took a breath.

‘What if he really notices?’

Hae-min immediately regretted asking.

“Other than the smoke and chrysanthemums, I don’t notice anything.”

“Really? Then I must be mistaken.”

Relief washed over him. If even he couldn’t smell his own scent, then perhaps Song Seol couldn’t either.

‘Since I can smell his scent, I’m probably not scentless…’

He decided to figure that out later.

At that moment, someone spoke from outside the office.

“My lord, I have something to report.”

“Come in.”

Kim Nakhee, Song Seol’s adjutant, entered. He began to speak, but hesitated upon seeing Hae-min.

“It is an important matter, my lord.”

A subtle request for Hae-min to leave.

Hae-min rose to his feet, but before he could move, Song Seol spoke first.

“I’ll be back shortly.”

With that, he left with Kim Nakhee.

Left alone, Hae-min sat back down.

“…”

As he rewrote the report he had ruined earlier, he wondered what the matter could be.

A serious crime? A major case?

He couldn’t be sure.

In any case, it likely had nothing to do with him.

He pushed the thought aside and focused on writing.

****

The man who had said he’d “be right back” did not return.

Instead, a servant came with a message:

“My lord says you should return home first.”

And so, Hae-min left the government office alone.

He had always come and gone with Song Seol, so walking alone felt strange.

‘It must be something urgent… what could it be?’

His curiosity returned, not just out of interest, but because any major event could affect him as well.

Even after returning, he remained uneasy.

Late that night, Song Seol returned.

“Hee-yul.”

“Yes.”

Hae-min studied his expression.

Song Seol looked darker than usual, his face shadowed, not just because it was night. He was clearly troubled.

“I must go to Hanseong on urgent business.”

Hae-min’s thoughts froze.

Hanseong? That meant something far more serious.

“May I ask what happened?”

Song Seol was silent for a moment. Then he spoke, his voice heavier than silence itself.

“The Crown Prince has passed away.”

This time, Hae-min truly felt his mind go blank.

He couldn’t say a word.

“I must attend the funeral rites. It will take time, so I cannot say when I will return.”

“…I understand.”

Naturally. This was the Crown Prince, not some distant royal. The mourning alone would take at least a month.

His heart pounded.

As his due date approached, his worries had only grown.

Whether he ran away or gave birth, it would be far easier if he could avoid Song Seol’s watchful eye.

Though born of tragedy, to Hae-min, this was like a heaven-sent opportunity.

Unaware of any of this, Song Seol asked,

“Will you be alright here alone?”

“…Yes. Please don’t worry about me.”

“If you were my official spouse, you should come with me, but…”

He sighed.

“No, there’s no point in such assumptions.”

“…”

“Still, it’s unfortunate. You must miss Hanseong. It would be nice to see your family and old friends.”

“No… not really.”

His voice caught.

It was the truth, but Song Seol seemed to think it was false modesty.

“I may accept your words, but I cannot feel at ease leaving you behind.”

“…”

“And yet, it was I who caused all this. Whom can I blame?”

It sounded less like something said to Hae-min, and more like a quiet confession to himself.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Hae-min’s heart pounded heavily, this time from guilt.

“How can you say that? You are kinder and more honorable than anyone.”

Song Seol was a good man.

He respected him, treated him well.

But what about himself?

He had lied from the beginning. He was carrying his child, and hadn’t said a word.

He didn’t even intend to let him see the child.

He was truly despicable.

“I’ve often been called honorable… but never kind.”

Song Seol smiled faintly.

Unable to meet that gentle, moonlit expression, Hae-min lowered his head, then raised it again, thinking this might be their last meeting.

“When will you depart?”

“At dawn.”

“I see…”

“There’s no need to see me off. Go and rest.”

There was nothing more to say.

And yet, his feet wouldn’t move.

“…My lord.”

After hesitating, Hae-min finally spoke.

“Please stay healthy.”

That was all he could say.

“Very well. I will return in good health. So you must stay well too.”

“…Yes.”

From beginning to end, he had been nothing but a lie to Song Seol.

Unable to bear the weight of his guilt, Hae-min lowered his head deeply.