Chapter 7
Ethan, who had been listening closely, raised his eyebrows slightly.
[If he’s the next head of the family, then he must be a beastkin, right?]
[Yeah.]
[But he’s supposedly flirting with Lime? Is that even possible?]
[Well, I guess he’s just dating casually for now, thinking of taking her as a mistress later. It’s common in this world, isn’t it?]
Noah answered casually while sipping bottled water.
[Noah.]
Ethan called, watching him. His gray eyes had darkened.
[What if I dated Lime? What would you do?]
[Pfft.]
Startled by the sudden question, Noah spat out his water.
Fortunately, he turned his head just in time to avoid spraying Ethan’s face.
[Cough, cough. What are you talking about? Cough.]
Still coughing, Noah looked back at Ethan.
[Don’t tell me… you want to date her?]
[As if.]
Ethan scoffed cynically and leaned back on the sofa.
[I said if, didn’t I?]
[Haha, if, huh…]
Mumbling to himself, Noah wiped the water from his mouth with the back of his hand.
[Well, if it’s just dating, I wouldn’t stop you. But people are unpredictable. And you’re the only light and hope of our family. I’d rather you not do anything that might lead to trouble in the first place.]
Noah kept a close eye on Ethan’s reaction as he spoke.
But Ethan showed no particular response. He just replied indifferently, “Is that so.”
Maybe it was just his imagination. Noah finally sighed in relief and relaxed—until his phone rang from his pocket.
When he saw the caller ID, he stood up quickly and answered politely.
[Yes, Elder.]
Apparently, it was one of the twelve elders who supported the Miller family.
[Yes, yes. Of course.]
Ethan, who found it annoying how Noah treated the elders so respectfully while being arrogant with him, crossed his arms and stared.
[Oh, I see. Understood.]
After hanging up, Noah spoke with a serious expression.
[You need to go on a marriage meeting.]
A what? Ethan frowned at the sudden statement.
[Why would I?]
[For the succession of the family, of course.]
Noah replied as if it was the most obvious thing.
[There’s no other beastkin in the family besides you. The elders are desperate for an heir.]
Ethan let out a dry laugh and leaned back.
[So they want me gone already.]
[Of course not. They just want to be prepared for anything. Even the late head of the family—]
[…]
[Ah, sorry.]
Mentioning the previous head—Ethan’s father—was taboo around him.
Realizing his slip, Noah quickly rubbed his hands together in apology.
[Really, I’m sorry. That was a mistake.]
[Forget it.]
Ethan waved it off, clearly annoyed.
[Did you find out who attacked me last time?]
Noah’s expression darkened. Another thing to apologize for today.
[Sorry.]
In other words, they hadn’t found out anything. Ethan’s frown deepened.
‘What a headache.’
In his experience, people like that wouldn’t back down until they achieved their goal.
Which meant—there could be another attack.
Having an unknown enemy targeting him was irritating.
‘Maybe I should’ve left one of them alive.’
No, bad idea. Those kinds wouldn’t talk even if left alive. Better to kill them all.
At least it served as a warning to others who might dare come at him.
And it was a good way to blow off steam.
[I’ll look into it more thoroughly.]
Noah said cautiously, watching Ethan’s mood.
[So just wait a bit longer.]
[You haven’t found anything so far. Will “thorough” really make a difference?]
[Still, if I keep digging, something will come up. There’s no such thing as an eternal secret.]
Noah pleaded sincerely for trust, and since Ethan also wanted to know who his enemy was, he nodded.
[So, about the marriage meeting—are you going?]
[Not happening.]
Ethan cut him off immediately, but Noah grabbed his arm and pleaded.
[Come on, just this once!]
He even dropped to his knees.
[If you don’t go, I’ll get dragged off to the elders for a lecture!]
[Enjoy.]
[Hey! Are you seriously going to be like this?]
Noah grumbled that Ethan was too much and unfair, but Ethan ignored him completely and stood up.
As he was heading to his bedroom, a question suddenly came to mind. He turned around.
[Noah.]
Noah clasped his hands together like a girl and sparkled his eyes.
[Why? Did you change your mind about the marriage meeting?]
[Don’t be ridiculous.]
Ethan dismissed him flatly and asked what he really wanted to know.
[Is it possible for pheromones to be released involuntarily, against one’s will?]
***
The day had passed like usual, monotonously, like a hamster wheel.
Seoha was finishing up work when a knock came at the door.
“Yes?”
The door opened, and a fairly handsome man with brown hair walked in.
“Jinwoo?”
What’s he doing here?
Surprised, Seoha stood up.
“You didn’t even call. What brings you here?”
“I came to see my uncle, and figured I’d stop by to see your face.”
Jinwoo’s uncle, Cha Jinhyuk, was the director of this hospital—and also a Lime.
He used to be the personal doctor for beastkins of the Cha family but had stepped back to train younger doctors.
Seoha herself had learned a lot from him after becoming a vet.
“Here, take this.”
Jinwoo handed her a takeaway cup. It radiated warmth in her hands.
“This isn’t coffee.”
It was some unknown tea, with a faint floral aroma.
“You can’t drink coffee all day while working. I brought herbal tea on purpose.”
“Herbal tea is bitter.”
“Still, it’s good for you. Oh, I also made a lot of beef bone soup at home. Want some? You like that, don’t you?”
“No thanks. I don’t eat at home much.”
“You’re skipping meals? Why? I told you to take care of yourself. Seriously, you—”
What was meant as one sentence turned into ten lectures.
Really, that nagging personality hadn’t changed a bit.
Seoha scrunched her nose and plugged her ears.
“Okay, okay, stop nagging.”
“I only do it because I care. If you don’t like it, take better care of yourself.”
“I am taking care of myself. And seriously, you’re the only beastkin who nags a Lime out of worry.”
Shaking her head, Seoha took a sip. The bitter, minty taste lingered in her mouth.
“Ugh, still too bitter.”
“Medicines that help your body are always bitter. So drink it all.”
Jinwoo made sure she finished every drop.
“So, do you have any plans after work?”
“No specific plans. Why?”
“It’s been a while, and I thought it’d be a shame to part so soon. Want to grab dinner together?”
“Is the director coming too?”
“No, just us.”
If it had been Cha Sunyong or any other guy, she would’ve thought they were hitting on her, but not Jinwoo.
She never felt that from him, and there shouldn’t be—mustn’t be—any hidden intentions.
“Okay. I’ll wrap up quickly, so just wait a bit.”
“I’ll be in the parking lot then.”
“It’s cold outside. Wait in the lobby.”
“It’s fine. I don’t want to bother the staff while they’re closing.”
“But it’s cold—wait inside.”
“I said I’m fine.”
The pointless argument continued.
She even suggested waiting in the clinic room if the lobby made him uncomfortable, but Jinwoo refused to budge.
“Then I’ll wait outside. Finish up and come.”
His stubborn exit felt almost like a protest to hurry, which made Seoha slightly uncomfortable.
“I better hurry.”
Would be bad if Jinwoo caught a cold.
Standing, Seoha quickly scanned her monitor. Her hands darted across the papers.
Luckily, everything urgent was done. The rest could wait—or she’d take it home.
She transferred the remaining files to a USB, packed her bag and coat, and left the clinic.
Click-clack— her high heels echoed steadily on the marble floor.
“Dr. Han, are you leaving?”
A friendly greeting came just as she was about to exit. It was from a newer employee.
What was her name again? Seoha glanced at her name tag. Kim Jiyeon.
“Yes.”
“You’re leaving earlier than usual. Is it because your boyfriend came to pick you up?”
Boyfriend? Oh—Jinwoo.
A more experienced staff member wouldn’t have made such a mistake. Jiyeon, being new, didn’t know better.
“He’s not my boyfriend. Just a friend.”
“Really? You’re sure?”
Seoha nodded, and Jiyeon blushed slightly.
So that’s what this was about. She’d wondered why a stranger was suddenly being so chummy.
“Um, doctor… would you be willing to introduce me to your friend?”
“Ms. Kim Jiyeon. Sorry, but you and Jinwoo don’t suit each other.”
And it wasn’t just that—it was a relationship that should never happen.
Not once in history had a romance between a beastkin and a human ended well.
And it was always the human who got hurt.
“So please don’t take an interest in Jinwoo.”
Seoha meant it sincerely for Jiyeon’s sake, but Jiyeon took offense.
“What the hell. How annoying.”
She muttered under her breath at Seoha’s back as she turned away.
It was quiet enough that an ordinary person wouldn’t hear—but Seoha, as a Lime, heard it clearly.
She thought about turning around to say something but decided against wasting time on nonsense.
‘Well… it’s true anyway.’
Seoha didn’t think she had a particularly nice personality.
If she’d been more tactful, maybe Jiyeon wouldn’t have reacted that way.
But Seoha had no intention of changing who she was.
Unless it caused problems, she actually preferred it. It helped ward off annoying pests.
Seunghye worried she’d never get married—or even date—like this.
But Seoha didn’t care.
Marriage? Not interested. Dating? Same.
She’d never met a man who made her want to…
“Do you not want me?”
