WCK | Chapter 1.8

It wasn’t that he had no experience at his age. However, for someone who inherited the bloodline of a predator, he had little interest in reproductive acts. The act itself wasn’t bad, but it only brought physical excitement, not fun or interest. The fact that he had to go through an extremely bothersome process for a moment of excitement made it all the more annoying.

As a result, he only engaged in physical relations during his heat cycle. It was a time when he became more beast-like than human, and while there were drugs available to alleviate the heat cycle, they didn’t work well for Dokwon, who was a variant species. Most drugs were made for ordinary people, so it wasn’t surprising.

Having dominant genes meant that the beast’s blood was thicker compared to those who didn’t, and the heat cycle corresponded to that logic.

The heat cycle didn’t necessarily have to be resolved through sex. Returning to his true form could alleviate the heat to some extent. Transforming into the true form was an act closest to instinct, allowing the animalistic heat cycle to be replaced by it.

However, the problem was that modern society didn’t allow for the time and circumstances to do so. With work constantly piling up, handling tasks in his true form was nearly impossible. Let alone transforming during the heat cycle.

So Dokwon engaged in physical relations as needed. Although it left behind residual sexual desire and a lingering discomfort, if sex was efficient, choosing sex was wise.

Does it not matter for him?

Cha Dokwon thought of the owner of the fur tickling his fingers.

He knew his own heat cycle, so he could adjust his schedule accordingly, but he wondered if Yoon Seo-on had a heat cycle at all.

Being a variant species, he might not have one.

For variant species like Seo-on, the process of genetic mutation could alter their physical structure, so they might not experience a heat cycle. Usually, the heat cycle begins around puberty, so if he had one or if it was severe, he would have mentioned it when drafting the contract.

The man didn’t dwell on thoughts of the heat cycle for long. Even getting lost in unnecessary thoughts while dressing was quite unusual for him.

Dokwon unknowingly furrowed his brows. The fur he had been rolling between his fingers had disappeared somewhere.

While he was at work, the hired help would clean thoroughly, so there was no need to worry, yet an inexplicable sense of discomfort lingered at his feet.

Knock, knock.

“Executive Director.”

Just as he was about to ponder the unfamiliar feeling, a familiar voice came from outside the door. It was Lee Junghoo, the Chief Secretary.

Cha Dokwon turned around without a word. It was the morning, two days before the wedding.

🐾🐾🐾

This is kind of embarrassing…

Seo-on pressed his lips together. Even though the situation was quite ticklish, he had to manage his expression. He had no intention of crying, and he didn’t feel like tears would come, but if he smiled too widely, people would definitely talk.

Even knowing it was an arranged marriage, there would be all sorts of comments.

He took a small breath and glanced at Cha Dokwon. The man had his usual calm expression. It was a composed yet indifferent face, showing no signs of tension or embarrassment.

I wish I could make a face like that. Just as he was thinking that, the man, who had been looking straight ahead, lowered his head to meet his eyes.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

Seo-on shook his head.

“No, I was just thinking I should try to mimic your expression, Executive Director.”

What could be uncomfortable?

It was normal to feel nervous since they were about to walk down the wedding aisle. However, from the morning, he had been busy greeting and meeting familiar elders and relatives, leaving him no time to feel uncomfortable or nervous. Even with almost no personal guests except for friends, he was this busy, so he couldn’t even imagine how many guests the man next to him had to meet.

“Expression?”

“I’m not being sold off, and there’s nothing to cry about, but if I smile too widely, people might say I’m still a kid and don’t know any better.”

He was just voicing the thoughts in his head, but the man silently pulled up the corners of his mouth, as if amused by his imagination.

“They’ll be too busy talking about me rather than you, Yoon Seo-on, so don’t worry.”

“Talking about you, Executive Director?”

“In these kinds of marriages, the older one usually gets criticized.”

“Everyone knows it’s an arranged marriage anyway.”

Seo-on shrugged.

“Still…”

Then he looked at Dokwon and smiled brightly.

“Since we’re getting married, I’ll make sure to make you happy, Executive Director.”

It was quite a bold ambition.

I can’t do this twice.

Seo-on sighed inwardly, thinking sincerely. The unfamiliar suit was one thing, but his toes hurt from the shoes.

‘Not that I plan to do it twice…’

If he went through this process again, he’d be exhausted even before the wedding.

It was better to be a blank slate. When he didn’t know anything, it was fine, but now that he was experiencing the process of marriage firsthand, he really thought he couldn’t do it twice.

“Seo-on, congratulations on your wedding.”

“Thank you.”

After thanking familiar elders, Seo-on quietly slipped away. He had greeted relatives and people introduced by his parents, so it was time to acknowledge his friends. Since many of his friends attended middle and high school in the U.S., he wasn’t as close to his current high school friends, but since they came all the way here, it was only right to greet them.

“Yoon Seo-on. Congratulations.”

“Thanks for making time, guys.”

“But what are you going to do, getting married already? You’re just an adult, and you won’t be able to date.”

“It’s not like I can’t. But if the partner is Cha Dokwon…”

While laughing off his friends’ playful whispers, Seo-on secretly looked around. He saw Cha Dokwon talking with the adults in the distance. Unlike himself, who felt awkward no matter how he looked, Dokwon seemed very accustomed to such gatherings. The wedding was more of a business event, so it would be strange if he wasn’t used to it.

‘The Executive Director doesn’t seem to find it hard.’

He thought it would be no big deal since it was just a superficial marriage, but his whole body felt stifled.

The clothes were bearable. Although slightly different from a school uniform, the custom-made suit fit well, so it wasn’t too uncomfortable. After the wedding, he changed into a more comfortable suit.

But the shoes were definitely uncomfortable. Even though they were custom-made like the clothes, his toes hurt, probably because he had been walking around longer than expected. His feet were particularly sensitive compared to other species, which might have contributed.

“Are you all going back to the U.S. right away?”

“No. Since we’re here, we’re staying for a few days to spend time with family.”

“I’m leaving tomorrow. I wanted to hang out, but the timing didn’t work out.”

“Have fun and travel safely.”

After a light chat with his friends from the U.S., Seo-on left the table at an appropriate time. He had shown his face to everyone he needed to greet, so he planned to sneakily find his close friends. Just then, Hyesung came into view.

“Ju Hyesung!”

“Hey, you really…”

Hyesung turned his head at the call and immediately covered his mouth with his palm upon seeing Seo-on. His eyes alone showed he was holding back laughter.

“What?”

Unable to hold it in any longer, Hyesung burst into laughter.

“Is it that funny? I feel awkward too.”

“No, it suits you well, but seeing you like this makes me cringe. I want to tease you about being a newlywed, but I can’t because it’s real.”

“Why? You’re wearing a suit too.”

“How can my outfit, which looks like it’s ready for a funeral, compare to your suit?”

Seo-on pretended to check his attire. The cocoa-colored suit with a faint pink hue was noticeably darker than the suit he wore for the wedding, but since most male guests wore achromatic colors, it stood out. His soon-to-be spouse’s suit was also a dark gray, close to black, which made it more noticeable.

“Still, it’s a wedding, so it’s better to be bright. Congratulations on your wedding?”

“It’s more cringeworthy hearing that from you.”

“Wow, I just thought the same thing.”

Hyesung chuckled and pulled out a chair next to him, gesturing for Seo-on to sit. Since each seat had a designated owner, Seo-on glanced around. Hyesung’s father was talking with others. Only after confirming that did Seo-on sit down.

If it were a real wedding, he wouldn’t be able to sit like this and would have to go around showing his face. But since everyone here knew it was an arranged marriage, he thought it would be okay to sit and chat with a friend for a bit. For the man, it was part of business, so it was right to talk in a gathering, but if Yoon Seo-on acted like that, it would look like a child pretending to be an adult.

It was in a similar context that Seo-on’s family, not him, was busier moving around.

“What’s this, you even got matching rings? They’re simple.”

“I chose a simple design because I’ll be wearing it.”

“You’re going to wear it to school? …Well, I guess that’s better.”

Hyesung, who had been making a face, nodded as if in agreement.

“Once the news comes out today, everyone at school and your future classmates will know.”

“I’m glad you’re in the same department.”

“Strange. Even though they got you married, why do I still feel like your guardian?”

Hyesung joked about graduating from being a nanny, then looked around and lowered his body slightly. Seo-on instinctively followed suit.

“Did you write the prenuptial agreement well?”

He wondered what Hyesung was going to say, and it turned out to be about the prenuptial agreement. Seo-on straightened his body as if it was no big deal.

“We wrote another one separately from the one between families. The prenuptial agreement was reviewed by the parents and the company, so it was hard to include personal matters.”

“You wrote another one? Did you suggest it?”

“No, the Executive Director did.”

He only suggested it, but it was something Seo-on wanted to bring up. In fact, Cha Dokwon’s suggestion was close to him noticing Seo-on’s intentions and guiding the conversation.

“Didn’t you write it in a way that favors him?”

Hyesung rubbed his cheek with a doubtful expression. Given the vast difference in social experience, his concern was understandable.

“No. There’s nothing to favor or not.”

But the prenuptial agreement written separately with the man wasn’t something to weigh pros and cons. Unlike the agreement between families, it didn’t contain anything about alimony, inheritance issues, or property division.

“Show me.”

As he was recalling the contents in his head, Hyesung held out his hand. It was a deliberate gesture, knowing full well that Seo-on wouldn’t have the agreement with him.