The voices drifting up from downstairs pulled Eren's attention away from the book lying open in his lap.

He had been staring at the same page for nearly ten minutes without realizing it, his thoughts wandering as snowflakes drifted lazily past his bedroom window.

The Hawthorne Estate stood on the northern outskirts of Wintermere, where winter never seemed to end. Snow blanketed the mountains and rooftops for most of the year, turning the town into a sea of white.

Eren had always dreamed of seeing somewhere warm, where flowers bloomed year-round and the sun lingered long enough to melt the cold.

"The important guests are here."

The maid's words echoed in his mind before she had even come to fetch him.

Curious, Eren slipped off the bed and padded quietly toward the door, pressing his ear against it. The voices downstairs were muffled, but he managed to catch a few words.

"...the engagement..."

"...the Ravenscroft family..."

"...Eren..."

His stomach tightened.

A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts before the door slowly opened.

"Young Master," the maid said with a gentle smile. "Your father would like to see you."

Eren nodded, smoothing the wrinkles from his cream-colored sweater before taking a deep breath. He followed her downstairs.

As he stepped into the sitting room, every pair of eyes turned toward him.

His father stood beside the crackling fireplace, his posture as rigid as ever. Across from him sat a graceful woman with chestnut hair, dressed in a navy-blue gown that reflected quiet elegance rather than extravagance.

Beside her was a young man in a perfectly tailored black suit. He sat with impeccable posture, his expression calm, almost indifferent.

"Eren," his father called. "Come greet our guests."

Eren stepped forward and bowed politely.

"Good afternoon."

The woman's face brightened with a warm smile.

"So this is Eren." Her eyes softened as she looked at him. "You're even more adorable than I was told."

A faint blush spread across Eren's cheeks.

"Th-Thank you, ma'am."

"I'm Victoria Ravenscroft."

She gestured toward the young man seated beside her.

"And this is my son, Sebastian."

Eren lifted his gaze to meet Sebastian's.

Sebastian offered a brief nod.

"It's nice to meet you."

"You too," Eren replied softly.

An awkward silence settled between them. Sebastian didn't seem interested in making conversation. His phone buzzed against the table, and he glanced at the screen before standing.

"Excuse me. I need to take this."

Without waiting for a reply, he stepped onto the balcony, closing the glass door behind him.

The room grew quiet.

Loki Hawthorne took a slow sip of his wine before speaking.

"As you're already aware, Bearers are exceptionally rare. Women may also bear children, but a child born from two men inherits only dominant bloodlines. That is why Bearers have become so valuable among the noble families."

Victoria smiled knowingly.

"I understand completely. My mother-in-law was a Bearer herself."

She laughed softly.

"And my husband certainly inherited the finest qualities. Damian is an alpha among men. You wouldn't believe how many families envy us after hearing that my son is marrying into the Hawthorne family."

Loki allowed himself a satisfied smile.

"I'm pleased to hear that."

"You have my word," Victoria continued, setting down her teacup. "Eren will never want for anything. Once he becomes part of our family, I will personally see to his happiness."

"Thank you, Lady Ravenscroft," Loki replied. "I only want him to have a bright future. His mother would rest peacefully knowing that."

Eren lowered his head in silence.

They weren't talking about his dreams.

They weren't asking what he wanted.

They were discussing his future as though he weren't standing only a few steps away.

"Eren."

His father's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Come with me."

Eren quietly followed him into the hallway.

Once they were alone, Loki folded his arms.

"Don't get any foolish ideas."

Eren blinked.

"You are marrying into the Ravenscroft family because it is your duty. This marriage is not your opportunity to chase childish dreams."

"Yes, Father... I understand."

"Do you?"

His father's eyes hardened.

"You have been protected your entire life because people like you are rare. The outside world is not as kind as you imagine. If word spread beyond these walls, countless people would seek to use you for their own gain."

Eren lowered his gaze.

"Yes, Father."

"When you marry, your responsibility will be to your husband and the Ravenscroft family. Nothing more."

Without another word, Loki returned to the sitting room.

Eren remained standing in the silent hallway.

After a long moment, he wandered toward the tall window overlooking the front gates.

Beyond the estate, Wintermere bustled with life despite the endless snowfall. Students hurried down the streets with scarves wrapped around their necks, laughing as they made their way to school. Shopkeepers brushed fresh snow from their storefronts while children chased one another across the town square, their joyful laughter carrying through the crisp winter air.

School...

He had dreamed about it for as long as he could remember.

He wanted crowded classrooms, difficult homework, friends who would drag him to lunch, and the simple freedom of walking outside without someone following close behind.

Instead, his childhood had been spent behind the walls of the Hawthorne Estate, surrounded by private tutors, guards, and locked gates.

Everyone called him precious.

Everyone insisted they were protecting him.

Yet all Eren had ever felt was trapped.

His fingers tightened around the sleeve of his sweater.

Maybe...

Maybe marriage would be different.

Maybe becoming Sebastian's husband would finally allow him to step beyond the estate gates.

Maybe...

For the first time in years, Eren allowed himself to hope.

Luxury cars lined the driveway of the Hawthorne estate as servants carefully unloaded countless wedding gifts from their trunks. Elegant boxes wrapped in expensive ribbons, rare antiques, fresh flowers, and gifts from influential families were carried into the mansion one after another.

Standing quietly by his bedroom window, Eren watched everything unfold without saying a word. It had been a week since Sebastian Ravenscroft and his mother, Victoria, had arrived in Wintermere to finalize the wedding arrangements.

Ever since then, the estate had been filled with guests, servants, and endless preparations, yet Eren had never felt more isolated.

A gentle knock came from his bedroom door.

The head maid stepped inside with a respectful bow. “Young Master, your father has asked you to join him in the garden for evening tea.”

Eren nodded silently before getting to his feet. He followed the head maid through the quiet halls until they reached the garden, where Loki Hawthorne was already seated beneath the pavilion.

A maid stood nearby, carefully pouring freshly brewed tea into two delicate porcelain cups before placing a selection of desserts between them.

After making sure everything was in place, she bowed politely and excused herself, leaving father and son alone.

Eren slowly pulled out the chair opposite his father and sat down. Neither of them spoke at first. Loki calmly picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, then placed it back onto the saucer.

“You are getting married tomorrow,” he said after a long silence. “Tell me, Eren… what is the last thing you would like to say to your father?”

Eren’s fingers tightened in his lap. His lips parted as if he wanted to answer, but no words came out. His heart pounded painfully against his chest. There were so many things he wanted to ask, so many things he wanted to say, but the words refused to leave his throat. He simply sat there trembling.

Loki watched him for a few moments before letting out a quiet sigh.

“I expected as much.”

His voice carried neither anger nor warmth only disappointment.

“Go back to your room. The maids will bring your dinner shortly. Eat well and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

Eren lowered his head.

“Yes, Father.”

He rose from his seat and quietly returned to the mansion.

That evening, the maids served him dinner before preparing a warm bath.

They helped him wash, changed him into comfortable night clothes, and made sure everything he needed was within reach before quietly leaving the room.

Silence settled over the bedroom once again.

Eren lay on his bed staring at the ceiling before slowly turning his head toward the window. The night sky was filled with stars.

He closed his eyes and folded his hands together.

“Please…” he whispered softly. “Let everything go peacefully.”

With that simple prayer, he eventually drifted into an uneasy sleep.

Before the sun had fully risen, the maids returned to wake him.

Today was his wedding day.

The room quickly came alive as several attendants began preparing him.

He bathed, then they dressed him in an elegant white suit tailored perfectly to fit his slender frame.

Another maid carefully styled his silver hair while someone else adjusted the cuffs of his jacket and straightened his tie. Once they were satisfied, the head maid smiled gently.

“You look wonderful, Young Master.”

Eren gave a small nod.

Escorted by the servants, he stepped outside where a black Bugatti was already waiting. Loki Hawthorne sat inside without a word.

Eren quietly entered the car beside him, and moments later the driver pulled away from the estate.

The journey passed in complete silence.

As they approached the wedding venue, Eren glanced out the window.

His eyes widened slightly.

Luxury cars filled the enormous parking area as far as he could see. Members of noble families, influential businessmen, politicians, celebrities, and powerful men gathered outside the grand cathedral, chatting elegantly beneath beautiful floral decorations.

Near the entrance stood Victoria Ravenscroft, wearing an expensive designer gown adorned with diamonds that sparkled beneath the sunlight.

Guests continuously approached her with warm smiles and heartfelt congratulations.

“Congratulations, Lady Ravenscroft.”

“What a wonderful day.”

“Your son is truly fortunate.”

She thanked each guest graciously, clearly enjoying the attention.

Inside the beautifully decorated hall, the pastor was already waiting at the altar. Sebastian stood beside him in a perfectly tailored black suit, calm and composed as ever.

It was obvious everyone had been waiting for their arrival.

“Come down.”

Loki’s cold voice broke Eren’s thoughts.

He took a quiet breath before opening the car door.

The moment he stepped out, every conversation around him stopped.

Hundreds of eyes immediately turned toward him.

Soft whispers spread through the crowd.

“Is that really a Bearer?”

“My goodness… he’s beautiful.”

“I’ve heard stories, but seeing one in person is something else.”

“I can’t believe I get to see a Bearer in my lifetime.”

“So beautiful…”

One elegantly dressed woman sighed.

“I wish our family could afford to marry a Bearer.”

The woman beside her laughed quietly.

“Afford? Your entire family would go bankrupt before they even reached the negotiations.”

The two women chuckled while others continued staring in admiration.

Eren heard every word, but he kept his head lowered as he walked beside his father toward the altar.

When he finally stood before Sebastian, the hall gradually fell silent.

The pastor stepped forward with a welcoming smile.

“Dear family, friends, and honored guests, we are gathered here today to witness the union of two souls and two great families.

Marriage is built on love, trust, loyalty, and the promise to stand beside one another through every joy and every hardship.

Today, Sebastian Ravenscroft and Eren Hawthorne choose to make that promise before all of us. May their union be blessed with peace, understanding, and a future filled with happiness.”

He turned to Sebastian.

“Sebastian Ravenscroft, do you accept Eren Hawthorne as your lawful spouse? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him for the rest of your life?”

“I do,” Sebastian answered without hesitation.

The pastor handed him the wedding ring.

Sebastian gently took Eren’s trembling hand and slid the ring onto his finger.

The pastor then faced Eren.

“Eren Hawthorne, do you accept Sebastian Ravenscroft as your lawful husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and stand beside him for the rest of your life?”

Eren lowered his gaze.

His voice was barely above a whisper.

“I… do.”

He carefully placed the second ring onto Sebastian’s finger.

The pastor smiled.

“By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and husband.”

He looked at Sebastian.

“You may kiss your spouse.”

Sebastian hesitated for only a moment before stepping closer. He gently pulled Eren toward him and, noticing how tense he was beneath the countless stares, softly covered Eren’s eyes with one hand.

Then he leaned down and kissed him.

The guests erupted into applause.

Cheers filled the hall as everyone rose from their seats.

The ceremony came to an end, and guests quickly surrounded the newlyweds and their families with warm congratulations.

Many gathered around Victoria Ravenscroft, praising her son’s marriage and celebrating the union between two of the most influential families in Wintermere.

The Ravenscroft estate was breathtakingly massive. As the black luxury car drove through the towering iron gates, Eren quietly stared out of the window.

Endless gardens stretched across the property, decorated with elegant fountains, perfectly trimmed hedges, and expensive sculptures.

The mansion standing proudly in the distance looked more like a royal palace than a family home. Even though Eren had grown up in a wealthy household, he had never seen a place this extravagant. For a brief moment, he forgot to breathe.

The ride had been painfully silent. Eren glanced sideways at Sebastian, who hadn’t spoken to him once since they left the wedding hall.

Sebastian sat comfortably beside him, his attention completely fixed on his phone as he scrolled through emails without the slightest interest in acknowledging his new partner.

Eren looked away again, quietly folding his hands on his lap. The silence between them wasn’t awkward anymore it simply felt cold.

The car finally came to a stop in front of the grand entrance. Before the driver could even open the door, several servants rushed outside.

Sebastian stepped out first, loosening his tie with one hand as though he had finally escaped something exhausting.

The moment his polished shoes touched the marble steps, over twenty maids and servants lined up neatly on both sides of the entrance.

“Welcome home, Master.”

Every single one of them bowed deeply in perfect unison.

Eren slowly stepped out of the car, feeling everyone’s eyes shift toward him.

The servants immediately bowed again.

“Welcome home, Young Master.”

Eren blinked in surprise. His father owned a large company and employed many workers, but he had never been greeted with such respect before It almost made him slightly uncomfortable.

An elderly man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit walked forward with calm elegance. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and his posture remained straight despite his age.

“Everything has been prepared, sir,” the butler said respectfully.

Sebastian gave a small nod before walking inside the mansion without slowing his pace.

“Prepare another room for him,” he said indifferently. “We’ll be sleeping separately.”

His tone was so casual, as if he were talking about moving furniture instead of his partner.

The butler nodded calmly.

“Understood, Master.”

He turned toward Eren with a polite smile.

“Young Master, please follow me.”

Eren quietly followed him through the enormous mansion. The marble floors reflected the crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings, while expensive paintings and antique decorations covered every wall. It was beautiful, yet strangely empty.

Deep down, Eren already understood what Sebastian’s order meant.

He doesn’t even want to sleep in the same room as me…

His chest tightened slightly.

Unable to stop himself, he asked in a quiet voice, “Um… I thought married couples usually shared a bedroom.”

The butler stopped walking and turned to face him. His expression remained kind and respectful.

“That is true, Young Master,” he replied gently. “However, Master Sebastian has been dealing with many matters recently. He believes it would be best if you both had your own space for now.”

There was no hostility in his voice, but Eren understood the message perfectly.

The butler opened a large bedroom door.

“We’ve prepared this room especially for you. Please get some rest. It’s been a very long day.”

Eren forced a small smile.

“Thank you.”

The butler bowed once before quietly closing the door behind him.

The room instantly stole Eren’s attention.

It was larger than his bedroom back at the Hawthorne mansion. Soft golden lights illuminated the elegant furniture, while floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the beautifully lit gardens outside.

The king-sized bed looked impossibly comfortable, and fresh white lilies decorated the room with a pleasant fragrance.

He slowly walked around, taking everything in.

“I can’t believe this is just… a guest room,” he murmured.

With a tired sigh, he loosened his tie before taking off his wedding suit. He walked into the luxurious marble bathroom, where a large bathtub had already been filled with rose and warm water. Steam rose gently into the air.

He took a long shower before sinking into the bathtub, allowing the warmth to ease the tension in his aching body. It felt like the first peaceful moment he’d had all day.

After drying himself, he noticed a neatly folded set of silk pajamas waiting on the bed. Someone had thoughtfully prepared everything for him.

He changed into them, crawled beneath the soft blankets, and within minutes, exhaustion pulled him into a deep sleep.

The next morning, loud knocking interrupted his peaceful dream.

At the same time, the alarm clock beside the bed began ringing.

Eren groaned softly and reached over to switch it off before dragging himself out of bed. Still half asleep, he shuffled toward the door and opened it.

A young maid stood outside, smiling warmly while pushing a breakfast trolley.

“Good morning, Young Master.”

“Good morning…” Eren answered quietly.

“I’ve brought your breakfast.”

She wheeled the trolley inside and carefully arranged the dishes on the dining table.

Before leaving, she turned back toward him.

“Master Sebastian asked me to inform you that after you’ve eaten and freshened up, he’d like you to come downstairs.”

Eren nodded until she added,

“His friends are here.”

His body instantly stiffened.

“H-His… friends?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes.”

She smiled politely.

“They arrived earlier this morning.”

After bowing, she quietly left the room.

Eren remained standing there for several seconds.

Meeting Sebastian alone was already nerveracking.

Meeting the people closest to him…

That sounded even worse.

Trying to calm himself, he went to the bathroom for a quick shower before opening the enormous wardrobe. It was already filled with clothes that fit him perfectly, as though someone had taken his measurements beforehand.

He chose a simple cream-colored sweater and black trousers before sitting down to eat breakfast.

Although the food looked delicious, he could barely taste it.

Once he finished, he took one deep breath after another before finally making his way downstairs.

The closer he got to the living room, the stronger a strange smell became.

The air was thick with cigarette smoke.

By the time Eren reached the bottom of the stairs, it surrounded him completely.

His breathing immediately became uneven.

“Cough…!”

He covered his mouth.

“Cough… cough…!”

The smoke burned his throat and stung his eyes. Tears instantly gathered at the corners of his eyes as another coughing fit escaped him. His chest tightened painfully, making it difficult to breathe.

He stood there trying to steady himself before finally looking up.

Sebastian sat comfortably in the center of the living room, one arm lazily resting on the back of the sofa. A glass of red wine rested in his hand while two stunning women kept him company.

One sat comfortably on his lap with her arm around his shoulders, while the other leaned against him, smiling sweetly as she refilled his glass.

Eren quickly lowered his gaze.

“…Good morning.”

Sebastian looked at him for only a second.

Then he calmly took another sip of wine, saying nothing.

The awkward silence lingered until one of the men in the room suddenly stood up with an easygoing grin.

“So you’re finally here.”

He walked over and extended his hand.

“It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Eren hesitated before shaking it.

The man chuckled warmly.

“I’m Axel. That gloomy guy over there puffing on another cigarette is Lucian. The three of us grew up together.”

He looked Eren up and down before smiling teasingly.

“I’ve got to admit… you’re even prettier than I expected.”

Eren’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“N-Nice to meet you too. I’m Eren Hawthorne.”

Axel laughed softly.

“It’s a pleasure.”

Without saying a word, Lucian poured wine into an empty crystal glass before casually extending it toward Eren.

“Drink.”

Eren immediately took a small step back, shaking his head nervously.

“I-I’m sorry…”

His fingers fidgeted together.

“I… I don’t drink.”

The room suddenly became quiet.

Sebastian, who had been watching the entire exchange without expression, finally spoke. His icy gaze landed on Eren.

“…Go back upstairs.”