RODH Chapter 7

7.

The Dragon’s Tear is effective regardless of its quality.

“I don’t need this much.”

“Just take it.”

“I refuse.”

“Why?”

Do I need a reason to say no?

Ah, what an infuriating night.

* * *

Seor was just as frustrated as Ian.

Starting with the announcement of their broken engagement, followed by the letter stating Ian would not attend the party, and now this cursed Dragon’s Tear.

Nothing was going the way he wanted.

At first, Seor thought Ian would never pass up such a grand party. So he couldn’t help but be surprised when Peter delivered the news.

‘The Ruben heir is not on the guest list.’

‘What?’

He’s really not coming?

Why did he suddenly change his mind?

Seor began to wonder if Ian’s words were sincere.

‘People change.’

Then… could his admiration for me have changed as well?

Seor couldn’t help but feel baffled by the thought that naturally followed.

‘He’s just an omega. Nothing more than a broodmare to carry on the imperial lineage.’

Seor despised omegas, epitomized by Marchioness Dmitri fawning over the emperor.

Even as his mother’s illness worsened, his father never spared her a glance because of that lowly omega.

Though Seor knew it was unreasonable to direct that anger toward Ian, he couldn’t rid himself of his hatred for omegas.

To him, omegas were nothing more than a species that exuded their characteristic vulgar scent.

‘You must overcome your aversion, Your Highness.’

He recalled the court physician’s advice.

He was an alpha, after all, destined to take an omega as a partner.

If he loathed himself, how could he see an omega any differently?

His thoughts drifted back to when Ian’s feelings hadn’t yet changed.

At first, Ian’s gaze was filled with a youthful infatuation, and later, he was so flustered it was obvious to anyone.

Was it really that unbearable?

Seor questioned himself as he noticed a familiar back in the party hall.

‘Who’s that in the cat mask? That back of the head looks just like Ian Pearl Ruben.’

As if hearing his thoughts, the round head disappeared quickly into the crowd.

The knights couldn’t push through the throng of people, but Seor was different.

He pushed people aside with ease and chased the figure in the cat mask all the way to the terrace.

And what he saw was—

‘Ian Pearl Ruben.’

Ian, embraced by another alpha.

Rage surged within him, and before he realized it, his sword was drawn.

If not for the king’s summons, he might have cut that insolent dragon prince, Lucian, in half.

Even as he conversed with the king, Seor wrestled with the source of his anger but couldn’t find an answer.

Surely, it wasn’t because he had feelings for Ian, that brazen omega.

It was simply that he couldn’t tolerate his fiancée being toyed with.

That was the conclusion he reached.

Yet, when Ian mentioned receiving the Dragon’s Tear from Lucian, his mood soured again.

After leaving Ian by the carriage, he confronted the dragon prince.

Those stalactites? He could acquire as many as Ian wanted himself.

The thought of rumors spreading about Lucian’s interest in his fiancée was enough to make him swing his sword until the ceiling practically rattled.

‘Perhaps that’s enough, Your Highness.’

It was only after Peter intervened that Seor looked down.

The floor was littered with Dragon’s Tears, leaving no space to step.

He instructed the servants to sort out the usable ones and load them onto the wagon.

Surely, Ian would be satisfied with this.

Caught up in that complacent thought, Seor hadn’t anticipated rejection.

“I don’t need this much.”

Why?

Why have you changed, Ian Pearl Ruben?

Seor frowned, his expression twisting under the weight of an emotion uncomfortably close to rage.

* * *

As I ate breakfast, I crumpled the letter in my hand.

[You’d best learn to accept gifts gracefully. That’ll serve you well in your future marriage, too. If you refuse, then grant me the courtesy of a personal discussion. – Seor von Sain]

After I left all those Dragon’s Tears behind yesterday, Seor apparently ordered his knights to deliver them without a single scratch.

Bain, delighted, asked if I’d finally won the Crown Prince’s favor. But I doused his excitement with a cold response.

“I won’t accept a single damn thing from that bastard.”

“A b-bastard… Young Master!”

“What? People insult the emperor; why can’t I insult the Crown Prince?”

“Still! What if it becomes a habit and slips out later?”

“I’ll manage just fine. For now, get rid of this wretched letter. It’s ruining my morning.”

“Understood. Please don’t let it sour your mood—it’s your coming-of-age day, after all.”

Hesitating, Bain glanced at me before throwing the letter into the fireplace. Nice!

The party preparations were going smoothly.

Thanks to the arrangements made over a year ago, I didn’t have to lift a finger to get ready to welcome the guests.

The hair just barely covering my forehead was slicked back with wax, giving it a subtle volume without being overdone.

The makeup, too, was kept light, enhancing just enough to give me a lively appearance.

As for the outfit…

“You simply ‘must’ wear it! It’s the tuxedo you reserved at the shop a year and six months ago, Young Master.”

Bain insisted that I had to wear the sleek, lustrous white tuxedo.

To be honest, I couldn’t think of another outfit suitable for the party, so I nodded in agreement.

Once I was fully dressed, the omega staring back at me in the full-length mirror had pearly skin and an expressionless face.

“Young Master, you look absolutely stunning….”

Behind me, Bain was practically snorting with excitement, as if smitten.

“Could you step back a little? You’re making me uncomfortable,” I said lightly before heading out to inspect the preparations one last time before the event.

“Young Master.”

Every servant I passed widened their eyes at the sight of me before bowing deeply.

“Don’t worry, Young Master. Today, I’m sure you’ll awaken as a dominant omega.”

“Sure.”

Like gender at birth, traits are predetermined.

But whether someone manifests as dominant or not is usually decided at the stroke of midnight during their coming-of-age ceremony.

Through the window, the faint approach of darkness signaled the evening’s arrival.

How could I ever forget the moment I awakened as a dominant omega, thinking I had gained everything?

I fidgeted with my bowtie, pausing as my fingers brushed against the collar.

Judging by Seor’s recent behavior, it didn’t seem like he’d kill me easily.

But who knows? This was the man who once protected another omega and ordered my execution.

The memory of my death was so vivid that the details of my first life had become hazy.

‘I should write everything down in my journal once tonight’s banquet ends.’

Even memories of death were fading, piece by piece.

All I could hope was that I wouldn’t let my guard down and end up dying again.

* * *

“Congratulations, Ian. I suppose I should now call you Lord Ruben.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Marquess houses, count houses, and even viscount houses with undeniable influence—all the prominent names had gathered to celebrate my coming-of-age ceremony.

Some among them clearly came with expectations of a lavish party.

Enjoy yourselves to the fullest. After all, this is the grand final party thrown by Ian Pearl Ruben of the past.

“Ian Pearl Ruben.”

“Your Highness, Seor.”

Why did he arrive so early?

As Seor extended his hand, I took it and allowed him to escort me.

Around us, young ladies squealed with delight, exclaiming how attentive the Crown Prince was to his fiancée.

Contrary to their hopes, I wanted nothing more than to shake off Seor’s hand and run away.

But Seor stuck to me like glue, showing no intention of leaving my side.

If that’s the case, I’d just have to create some distance myself.

“Viscount Piesson, thank you for coming!”

“Countess Eisley, Lucy has grown so much! Thank you for accepting the invitation!”

“Duke Tyven, your attire is stunning as always. Thank you for gracing us with your presence!”

After dragging Seor around to greet guests a few more times, he finally looked worn out and remarked, “You remember the names of all these people.”

“Of course, I’ve attended just about every party there is to attend.”

“I told you, I won’t allow the engagement to be annulled.”

“Why bring that up now?”

“Because I can tell exactly what you’re thinking without even looking.”

“…”

His perceptiveness was irritatingly sharp.

Just as I was wishing for a moment of peace, the herald’s voice rang out loudly.

“Grand Duke Kirias and Countess Layard have arrived!”

At the mention of Grand Duke Kirias, nearly everyone, myself included, turned to look at him.

Like a snow leopard emerging from the mist, his silver-white hair shimmered, and his ruby-red eyes gleamed like the finest jewels.

Even someone who struggled to remember faces could never forget him; Grand Duke Kirias was that striking.

When I first heard the expression “the Jewel of Kirias” referring to the Grand Duke, I thought it was an absurd joke. Seeing him in person, I realized the phrase was entirely fitting.

His gaze, as cold as Seor’s, pierced through the crowd and landed on me, standing on the second-floor balcony.

His eyes were so intense that even when he approached and presented silver fox fur as a gift, I couldn’t tear my gaze away.

“The jewel of House Ruben, Ian Pearl Ruben. It is an honor to meet you.”