Chapter 46: Scent on the Winter Tide

The next day, Hae-min set out for Yesong Port together with Song Seol.

After passing through the bustling streets and exiting the city gates, a field of reeds stretched out before them.

Snow had piled thickly over the dry, brittle stalks, creating a scene both quiet and desolate.

“Hyah, hyah.”

Hae-min rode his horse across the reed field.

The last time he had ridden, he had struggled terribly.

But perhaps experience had counted for something, as his riding skills had improved slightly, and today he managed to handle the horse somehow.

However, the problem was…

“Ugh, this cursed cold wind…”

It was cold enough to make his teeth chatter.

Riding across the open field only made it worse.

Even though he wrapped his clothes tightly around himself, it was useless.

The biting wind seeped in, chilling him to the bone.

If he had known this would happen, he would have dressed warmer.

Regret came too late.

But Hae-min did not even have any warmer clothes to wear.

The outer robe he had on was the thickest garment he owned.

‘Even if it costs me all my savings, I need to buy padded winter clothes.’

That would significantly reduce his emergency funds, but he had no choice.

If he did not, he might freeze to death before he even had a chance to run away.

“Money can always be earned again…”

Hae-min muttered to himself, then let his shoulders slump.

Come to think of it, there was no clear way for him to earn money in this life.

The option of working as a copyist at a book rental shop was practically gone, and asking Song Seol outright for payment for his work would wound his pride.

He found it pathetic how stubbornly he clung to such useless pride.

‘Someone like me isn’t even a true noble, yet my pride rivals one.’

Hae-min knew it himself.

This time, it would be better to cast aside that pride.

In truth, there was nothing shameful about it.

He was not demanding money unreasonably.

He was only asking to be paid for the work he had done.

That was perfectly fair.

‘Should I just close my eyes and say it…?’

Hae-min stared at Song Seol, who was riding ahead, and fell into thought.

Sensing his gaze, Song Seol turned back.

His robe fluttered in the wind, drawing elegant lines like layered petals.

“What is it?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Hae-min answered vaguely without thinking.

Fortunately, Song Seol did not press further.

He simply turned forward again and continued on.

Hae-min followed after him, urging his horse onward.

The two rode on, cutting through the wind.

Then, at some point, the passing wind carried a faint salty scent.

‘Ah, the sea.’

Far in the distance, the horizon appeared like the edge of a fingernail.

Seeing the sea glitter under the sunlight filled his chest with emotion, and Hae-min urged his horse forward.

Before long, the two arrived at Yesong Port.

“Is that the sea?”

“Yes.”

“It’s truly beautiful!”

Hae-min exclaimed in an excited voice.

In truth, he was not quite that thrilled, but Song Seol believed this was his first time seeing the sea.

So he had to act suitably delighted.

“Is it that fascinating?”

“Yes, it truly is.”

“Good. It will be even more interesting once you board the ship. Dismount first.”

Song Seol dismounted his horse.

Hae-min followed, but hesitated midway.

He could manage riding well enough, but mounting and dismounting were still difficult.

Noticing this, Song Seol extended his hand.

“It’s alright, my lord.”

Previously, he had taken Song Seol’s hand, but this time, he felt he could manage on his own.

Taking a deep breath, Hae-min moved carefully.

Thud, his feet touched the ground.

Contrary to his fears, it was not difficult.

With a few more tries, he felt he would be able to mount and dismount easily.

“My lord, you have arrived.”

At that moment, a group approached and bowed.

They appeared to be workers at Yesong Port.

Song Seol addressed them.

“Are preparations for departure proceeding smoothly?”

“Yes, they are nearly complete. We should be able to depart as scheduled.”

“I should inspect the goods.”

“I will guide you, my lord.”

An older man stepped forward.

Song Seol followed him, and Hae-min trailed behind.

He could feel curious glances directed at him.

‘They must be wondering who is accompanying the Grand Prince.’

Having experienced this before, it was nothing surprising.

Sure enough, the man cautiously asked,

“My lord, may I ask who that person is? We cannot allow just anyone aboard the ship… Of course, since he accompanies Your Highness, his status must be certain, but we must confirm it nonetheless.”

“He is my concubine.”

Song Seol answered.

His tone was so cold that no further questions could be asked.

‘Was he always this curt before?’

As far as Hae-min remembered, Song Seol had not been this cold in the past.

He had merely been indifferent, as usual.

But it had been long ago, and his memory was uncertain.

Deciding he must be mistaken, Hae-min gave it no further thought.

****

The moment he stepped onto the ship and looked down at the sea, Hae-min let out an exclamation.

“Wow…!”

This time, he was not pretending.

There was no need to act, he was genuinely excited.

The deep blue waves shimmered endlessly.

The vast, boundless expanse of water was terrifyingly beautiful.

“Is it that fascinating?”

“Yes, it truly is.”

Hae-min replied without taking his eyes off the sea.

Even his jade-colored eyes seemed to ripple with blue.

Song Seol watched him quietly and murmured,

“Your face has gone pale…”

“My face?”

“Yes. Pale to the point of turning bluish.”

Hae-min touched his cheek with his palm.

Indeed, it was shockingly cold.

“The sea wind is quite harsh.”

It was so cold that even his senses seemed to be freezing.

He no longer even felt the cold as strongly.

He could not tell if that was a good thing or not.

Another gust of wind swept across the sea.

It tousled Hae-min’s hair as it passed.

“…”

With it, Hae-min’s scent spread faintly.

A subtle yet distinct fragrance of plum blossoms.

Sensing it, Song Seol narrowed his eyes.

“Moon Hee-yul. Your scent is spreading.”

“Pardon? I-Is it?”

Only then did Hae-min realize it.

He quickly tried to suppress it, but the scent would not subside.

Fearing Song Seol might offer to teach him how to control it again, Hae-min fumbled for an excuse.

“That’s strange… I don’t know why this is happening.”

“Could it be your rut?”

“My rut?”

“Yes. During a rut, one cannot control their scent at will. And yet, you are an omega and do not even know what that is?”

“My apologies. I have only recently manifested as an omega. I knew what it was, but…”

He had never considered that it would happen to him.

In the past, he had become pregnant immediately after manifesting, so he had never experienced it.

But now, he would have to face it periodically.

‘So this is it… I am truly an omega now…’

The realization left Hae-min quietly shaken.

“Why that expression? It seems you never even considered it.”

“…Just as you said, my lord.”

“Then have you not been taking suppressants?”

“No.”

“I cannot tell whether that is brave or reckless.”

“It is ignorance.”

Hae-min reproached himself.

He felt foolish for never having thought about it until now.

“You can simply be careful from now on. Once we return, I will send for a physician.”

“Yes…”

“But what should be done for now?”

That was exactly what concerned Hae-min.

Though the ship carried many valuable goods, it would not have suppressants.

Nor was there any nearby place to obtain them.

“I will do my best to control my scent.”

“That is not something effort alone can manage. Fortunately, it is not too strong yet, but…”

Song Seol gazed out at the distant sea and murmured,

“It would not do for an alpha to smell such a scent.”

“That’s true. It would make you uncomfortable, my lord…”

At that, Song Seol turned his head back toward him.

“I would be uncomfortable? With your scent?”

“Pardon? Y-Yes. Was that not what you meant?”

“No. I meant that other alphas should not smell it.”

“…”

Hae-min was confused.

Was that not essentially the same thing?

Seeing his confusion, Song Seol frowned slightly.

“I am not ‘other alphas,’ am I?”

“Yes… well, that’s true.”

Only then did Hae-min nod.

In truth, to him, there was little difference between Song Seol and any other alpha.

All were equally dangerous, people he needed to avoid.

“It cannot be helped.”

Muttering this, Song Seol removed his outer robe.

Before Hae-min could protest, he draped it over his shoulders.

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