Chapter Text
Poised. Quiet. Obedient.
Those were the three attributes that Jeonnguk had learned to associate with being an Omega.
Ever since his presentation at the tender age of fourteen Jeongguk’s mother had made sure that he’d learn how to be a proper Omega.
Gone were the days where he would play out in the sun with his friends, where they’d roll around in the grass, laughing and playing with no other care in the world. They’d ride their horses to the nearby lake and would spend the whole day there, swimming and splashing around in the water until it was time for dinner and their mothers would welcome them back, scolding them when they’d dare to even set a foot into the entrance way with their dirty boots.
He missed those days.
Days of freedom.
Days where he didn’t have to know how to properly apply eyeshadow, and which colours and dresses were the latest fashion. How to properly sit, walk, speak, and any other lessons his mother had put him in to “form him into the perfect spouse for your future Alpha”, as she had put it when they’d been shopping for his first ever evening gown.
He’d only listened to her, not saying a word, while the seamstress had been taking his measurements. She must’ve seen the suppressed emotions in his eyes because she’d given him a sympathetic smile. One he had not been able to reciprocate.
Jeongguk had always known that he would never play a big role in their family business, seeing as his older brother was set to take over as the head once their father would decide to retire. He would have taken on a minor role, to support his brother.
Now, all of a sudden, he was expected to marry into a wealthy family to uphold the family name.
A gasp was pressed out from deep within his ribcage when the corset tightened with the abrupt pull of the strings, his eyebrows knitting together from the momentary pain.
“Just once more. Please, bear with it.”
Jeongguk nodded, the tip of his knuckles turning white where they were holding onto the bedpost, and he held his breath for just a moment when the pull came again. He felt a bit lightheaded afterwards but followed the gentle guiding hand of Yongsun - after she had made sure that the corset was not too tight - to lift his arms and have the dress that his mother had picked out for today pulled over his lithe frame. Then he followed her to the vanity table, careful to not mess up his skirts when he took a seat.
He coaxed himself into taking slow, deep breaths to get used to the new feeling (he’d never get used to it), and watched Yongsun open the rough updo of his hair, picking up a brush and beginning to carefully untangle his hair with even strokes. It felt good, calming.
They locked eyes for a brief moment and exchanged small smiles, before he let them fall shut. He’d enjoy this small moment of peace.
Yongsun had been in his family's service for many years now. She was his mother’s servant and usually helped her to prepare for the day and Jeongguk would be getting ready by himself.
But today was different. He felt it with every stroke of a brush over his eyelids, colour being applied to them. Then his cheeks. His lips. Felt it with every pull on his hair, every hairpin that was being added. That today was different.
Today the head Alpha of the Kim pack, and his wife, would be visiting; and with them they would bring whom Jeongguk would wed a few months from now.
His mind drifted down to the small weight on his left hand, where quite the prominent ring sat. The diamond, sitting in the middle of it, was clear in colour, two bands of smaller diamonds running down the side of the ring.
It had arrived with a letter on the eve of his 18th birthday.
Jeongguk had been enjoying himself with his brother - Junghyun had managed to return from his trip in time - when his parents entered the salon to tell him that they needed to talk to him about something. Kim Donghyuk had sent a proposal in his son’s name for Jeongguk’s hand in marriage.
It had been out of the question for his parents to refuse the proposal. Their pack had not been doing well as of late - Jeongguk didn’t know the exact details, only that money was growing tight - and they knew that through a union with the Kims, who were known to be very wealthy and influential, the inevitable could be avoided. So even if Jeongguk had wanted to object, he knew he couldn’t. This would be good for his family; and he would take on the role he had been raised to fulfill.
“There,” Yongsun’s soft voice pulled Jeongguk back from his thoughts and he opened his eyes to see that she had finished with his hair and make-up. A few strands were now framing his face in small waves, while the hair at the back of his head was twisted into a small updo, adorned by a hairpin - a family heirloom his mother had lent him for today.
His eyes swept over his face, taking in the subtle usage of eyeshadow and blush to keep it natural, until they settled onto Yongsun’s figure behind him. He smiled at her. “Thank you, Noona.”
She returned his smile, gently placing her hands on his arm to help him stand up without tripping over his skirt and leading him to the full body mirror next to his closet to let him have a full view of the finished look.
He turned from side to side, taking in the purple shade of the dress that was hugging his cinched waist tightly before ebbing out into a flowy skirt. He liked the colour; it was pretty. (And apparently had been requested by his intended, if he was to believe his mother when she had presented the dress to him.)
“Wonderful work, Yongsun.”
The sudden voice had Jeongguk turn his head in surprise, his shoulders relaxing the moment he laid eyes on his mother at the door. “Mother.”
The older Omega smiled at him although barely there, her movements as graceful as if she’d been dancing when she approached her son and touched his cheek briefly. “You look beautiful, Jeongguk, and I was right to give you this.” She grazed her fingers over the pin in his hair. “It adds just the right touch. I’m sure Alpha Kim will be pleased.”
“Have our guests arrived yet?”
“They have,” His mother brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. “Your father has already welcomed them into the salon and they are waiting for you. Don’t disappoint us, Jeongguk.”
“Of course, Mother.” He answered dutifully, eyes lowered. They barely flickered up to catch Yongsun’s face one last time, a sympathetic smile on her lips, before he followed his mother out of the room.
They walked down the hallway towards the main stairs, Jeongguk trying to calm down his racing heart. This would be it. He was moments away from meeting his fiancè for the first time.
He’d wondered, ever since the letter had arrived, what kind of person he would be marrying, but his father only had provided him with little information. That his fiancé was the second son of Kim Donghyuk and just a mere 2 years older than Jeongguk himself.
“But Appa, won’t you at least tell me his name? I’m sure he must know mine.”
His father had looked up from the newspaper at Jeongguk’s question, contemplating his son with inquisitive eyes before he at last had nodded.
“Kim Taehyung. That is his name.”
He had thanked his father then and left him to finish his breakfast, while he himself had enjoyed his second cup of tea marvelling over now having the knowledge of his fiancé’s name.
Jeongguk was quite unsure about having to enter an arranged marriage. He’d always loved the stories of books where the protagonist had the chance to meet someone and fall in love on their own. To be courted and wanted. (Not given away like a prize.) But he knew it was all just wishful thinking, yet he hoped that Taehyung would be welcoming of him. That they could build something; maybe even fall in love .
He’d like that.
“Jeongguk. Come, dear.” His mother’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts, his eyes flickering up to meet hers, where she stood by the open door to their dining room - held open by one of their servants.
Jeongguk glanced back over his shoulder, not even having noticed that they had descended the stairs, before he hurried over to his mother.
They entered the room, which was already filled with lively chatter. His father and their guests were seated at the set table - the servants had taken out the good silverware, passed down from his great grandmother for today - and seemingly had been enjoying a few drinks. His father was getting his glass refilled at the moment.
His mother left his side, probably to scold his father to not drink so early in their guests’ visit, which left Jeongguk standing by the door a bit awkwardly. She hadn’t told him yet if he could already take a seat, so he twisted his fingers together in waiting.
“May I escort you to your seat,” The voice so close to him did not so much shock him as send a shiver down his spine due to the low baritone it held.
Jeongguk turned his head to come face to face with a man he had not seen before, but his rank was clear from the way he held himself. Confident and strong. An Alpha, and quite the handsome one that Jeongguk had to admit when his eyes swept over the man’s features, his sharp jaw, strong eyebrows, down to his dark eyes, that held an alluring glint to them.
The other smiled at him, hand stretched out in waiting for Jeongguk to take, and recalling his manners the Omega curtsied the lightest bit before placing his hand in the Alpha’s palm. “You may.”
His eyes stayed glued to the Alpha while he was led to the table, a light blush dusting his cheeks at the small quirk of his lips when the other caught him staring, but he still could not bring himself to look away. Captivated by his aura.
He bowed his head in gratitude when the Alpha pulled out the chair for him and watched on with interest as the man took a seat right next to him. Huh?
The Alpha caught his eyes once and raised his eyebrow in question, then glanced towards the head of the table where his father had yet to notice his son’s arrival, then he leaned closer to Jeongguk. “Is there something on my face?”
Jeongguk blinked a few times before he was able to find his voice. “Pardon?”
The Alpha tilted his head. “You’ve been staring at me for the past few minutes now, Jeongguk-ssi. I was simply curious.”
“Oh, oh no.” He waved his hands in a denying gesture. “I didn't mean to be rude. I was just- Wait. How do you know my name?”
“Wouldn’t it be customary to know my fiancé’s name?”
“Your…” Jeongguk stopped himself to take the question in, the Alpha in the meantime looked at him calmly. His cheeks exploded into colour when the weight of the words hit him and he took a few stuttering breaths. “You...Y-You...Y-You’re…” Taehyung.
“It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance,” Jeongguk watched in helpless stupor how Taehyung lifted one of his hands to his lips, to press a featherlight kiss to its back. His lips felt as soft as a rose petal, and it had Jeongguk’s heart soaring, his other hand curling into the front of his dress.
“L-Likewise, Taehyung-ssi.” He pressed forth, barely above a whisper. “I look forward to getting to know you.”
His insides felt weird, his wolf agitated. He could feel it pacing in the back of his mind as if nervous about something, then Taehyung sat up again and the Alpha’s eyes found his and- oh. Oh .
“I, as well.” Taehyung smiled at him.
Jeongguk couldn’t deny that Taehyung was an Alpha with wonderful manners and dashing looks, clad in an elegant ensemble, his shirt matching Jeongguk’s dress in colour. But he couldn’t shake away the feeling that something felt off.
His smile didn’t reach his eyes.