Chapter Text
“We are in ruins.”
“There has to be a way—”
“The only way is for us to secure a perfect match for Ten in the season that starts now,” Hyoyeon, Ten’s Alpha mother, says. “We have sired no Alphas to inherit our state, the possessions and the few money we have left. What happens when I die? You and the boys will lose everything!”
Ten covers his mouth with his hands and peeks through the lock. He can see Hyo pacing around the room, wearing a white shirt with an undone collar, a gray vest matching her pants. Her honey blond hair is cut short at the chin—all Alphas wear them short, a sign of their status.
“Don’t you dare say that,” Boah chides. “You’ll be fine.”
“Anything can happen. And I will have left you all with nothing.”
Sitting at the desk and in a dress of somber purple, Boah lights a cigarette and passes it to Hyoyeon, then lights another one for herself. Her black hair is falling apart from a bun. It’s dark like Mark’s. And Ten has the honey blond of Hyo.
“Let’s not lose ourselves in what-ifs,” Boah says level-headedly. “Let’s focus on what’s in front of us. Will we be able to afford to put our sons through a season each? To secure a match. To guarantee they are taken care of.”
“Only Ten,” Hyoyeon says. “And if we want to buy new dresses, I’d have to take out a loan.”
“Maybe we should do that.”
Ten bursts into the office, startling both his parents. He’s already in his white nightgown with robes, his honey blond hair in a braid so it won’t tangle as he sleeps—what he should be doing instead of eavesdropping on his mothers.
“We shouldn’t!” Ten says. “I won’t let you take a loan for more dresses.”
“Ten. You should be sleeping,” Hyo says, walking up to him and towering a head above him. “Not listening in on your mother’s private conversation.”
Ten closes his fists and blushes. “I mean it. I will use Mother Boah's old clothes from when she debuted in the season when you met. I can fit in them. We can ask Anna to make adjustments to them.” Anna is one of the few Beta servants they have in staff who is particularly good with a needle.
Hyo and Boah trade a glance.
“I don’t need pretty dresses,” Ten insists. “I was trained well for this. I paint, draw, play the pianoforte, sing, and have studied art history, poetry, and varied subjects. I can make good conversation with matches. Trust me. I will find an Alpha to marry this season.”
Her mothers trade another look.
“Alright. But go to bed,” Hyo says. “And if you keep eavesdropping, I’m taking away your paints.”
“Yes, Mother.” Ten bows his head and rushes up the stairs of the dead silent townhouse with cream walls covered in golden violets and detailed with plaster at the edges.
But instead of going to his room, Ten goes into his brother’s bed, lying under the covers next to him. Three years younger, Mark is fast asleep. He’s not old enough to be presented at a season to find a match for himself. Ten is. He is twenty and has officially came of age just a month ago.
Mark shifts and hums as Ten holds him close, his heart racing.
He must do this. Use all his charms to secure an Alpha spouse and guarantee the financial safety of his family, from whatever ails them now. Ten doesn’t know what led them to lose the fortune they used to have. He hasn’t eavesdropped that many times, but he could see as servant after servant was laid off and their meals became less plentiful and lavish. Most jewelry was sold.
He has what it takes, he was honed from his childhood to become a betrothed to someone. He likes to think he is an interesting and pleasant Omega, enough to entertain an Alpha, who has so many more things going in their lives. They can do whatever they want. Go to university, go hunting, practice the pistol and rifle and boxing, pursue their passions. Things Omegas aren’t afforded, and Ten has always resented them for it. Alphas are… free. And Ten is stuck in this Omega body he was born with, and the duties it comes with it.
But he will fulfill them and bring honor to his family.
In the comfort of having Mark’s scent next to him, Ten falls asleep.
The season starts in a few days, at the Spring Equinox. The Ashe townhouse is bustling, preparing everything for Ten’s presentation to Queen Charlotte. He will wear Mother Boah’s dress when she was presented during her debut. It’s white with golden embroidery. Beautiful, but the gown is twenty-two years old, so it needs to be cleaned a couple of times to try to attain the porcelain shade it once had. And although it has the cut of a style that is still in fashion, with high, under the bust waistline, a square neckline, and loose skirt, it's obviously not current. Not to worry. Ten will make it work.
Boah lends him a diamond and gold necklace to grace his collarbones, and petit earrings that match, along with a small and ethereal wreath that mimics small leaves and flowers on top of his head. Ten uses his own white shoes and undergarments. Anna puts his hair in a bun, braiding around the circle to make it stand out. They apply some blush to his cheeks, lending the look of a healthy Omega so other Alphas can see he is… a decent vessel for their future children. But Ten tries not to focus on that part. He’ll worry about nuptials when he has secured himself a match. He’s sure his mothers will explain how that works.
As Ten drives in the carriage to the palace with Hyo, he can barely take in the view, breathing through the corset. The carriage stops behind a line of more, and Ten knows this is it. His debut.
Mother Hyo grabs his gloved hand, the same shade of porcelain as the dress. They reach over his elbows.
“You look lovely, kiddo,” she says with a smile.
“Thanks, Mother.”
They get out and join the crowd entering the palace that is filled with guards in red blazers and navy blue pants, carrying swords at their waists. Ten gauges his Omega peers. Men and women, all are dressed in lavish silk gowns of many vibrant colors, sporting beautiful jewelry. Compared to them, Ten is muted. But he doesn’t let that dissuade him.
Among the faces, he recognizes a friend.
“Nini!” he says.
The Graye girl turns to him, dressed in a light shade of pink. “Tennie! I was waiting to find you.” They come together for a hug. “You look amazing.”
“No, you do,” Ten smiles. “I’m sure no one will be able to take their eyes off you.”
Her black hair is done in a bun, showing off her round neckline and beautiful pink diamond around her neck. The stone that sits in the center is huge, accompanied by smaller white diamonds. Her hair is adorned with a diamond crown that matches the necklace and earrings, all in silver.
“We shall talk more later,” Ningning says. “I am so excited for the season! The parties, the champagne, the dances, the handsome Alphas…” She takes a look around.
Ten chuckles. “I’m sure it will be great.” He’s trying to be positive.
“I will get in line. Good luck!”
With a last hug, Ningning rushes back to her father and brother’s side. Ten gets in line with Hyo and exhales deeply.
As they walk and each Omega is presented to the Queen, it comes Ten’s turn. He is shaking, feeling hot inside his clothes. He hopes he doesn’t pass out. Apparently someone did earlier.
“Lady-Alpha Hyoyeon Ashe, presenting her son Lord-Omega Ten Ashe,” the announcer says.
Ten grabs her mother’s elbow and lets Hyo pull him down the open passage towards Queen Charlotte. He keeps his chin up under all the stares, trying not to trip. As they get to the Queen, who wears a big curled wig on her head, lavish jewelry, and an even bigger lavish cream dress embroidered with golden threads, they curtsy.
Queen Charlotte hums. “Next.”
That’s all.
That’s all?
As Ten walks to leave and get on his carriage back home, panic settles in. Did he not impress the Queen? He chews his bottom lip all the way to the Ashe mansion, rendering it swollen.
“How was it, darling?” Boah asks as soon as he crosses the door.
“It was a splendid affair,” he lies. “But now I need to get out of this gown. Excuse, Mothers.”
With the help of Anna, he gets back into his comfortable lilac day-to-day dress. Looking at himself in the mirror, he can see the fear in his brown eyes. But he can’t falter. Who cares what the Queen thinks? He’s not marrying her. The Alpla already has a husband. What matters is what Ten’s prospects will think of him. He must impress them with his character and smile at the next party, which will be this weekend.
It will be hosted by Lady-Omega Seulgi Danbury at her mansion, which has an immense ballroom and a lovely garden. She is a widower.
Ten is getting ready for it with Anna and Boah while Mark quizzes him about the Alpha bachelors that they gathered will be in attending.
“Name the Featherington sons,” Mark says.
“From oldest to youngest,” Ten says,, sighing and concentrating. “Lord-Omega Kun sired four boys, all Alphas. Sicheng, Xiaojun, Kunhang and Yangyang. But the last two have not come-of-age yet. The other two are older than me.”
“Suitable matches, milord,” Anna says, smiling as she does Ten’s honey blond hair, pinning the upper part back in a bun with intricate braids.
“But they are not high standing nobles,” Ten points out. “I don’t think they are in a much better financial situation than us.”
“Why should you care, brother?” Mark asks. He’s thrown over the bed. “You should marry someone you fancy.”
Ten musters a fake smile. “I must consider all the factors. Go on.”
“Alright. The Hardy family. Name them.”
“Most of them are already married,” Ten says. “But Lord Jongin is looking for a spouse. He’s a couple of years older than me. I wonder what has kept him from finding a match all this time. He’s handsome.”
“The Holtes.”
“Lord Taemin is still single,” Ten replies. “He’s pretty.”
“The Bloodworthes,” Mark says.
“That’s a big one,” Ten says, exhaling and shutting his eyes for a second, going over their big family in his head. “From oldest to youngest. John, Yuta, Doyoung, Jungwoo. And Donghyuck is not of age yet.”
“So five more Alphas for you to impress,” Mark teases.
Ten seethes but doesn’t let it show, overwhelmed by the night that hasn’t even started yet.
“The Carmans.”
“That’s a trick question. All their sons are under twenty and not looking for matches yet.”
Mark laughs. “It seems you are ready for this, brother.”
“I hope I am,” Ten murmurs, more to himself than anyone.
“Wait!” Mark says. “There is someone else. Someone important. I won’t give you any hints.”
Ten thinks, tracing his memory for names.
“Viscount Yugyeom Wolfgang,” he says. “The eldest son that just inherited his family’s state and title after his father passed in the winter. He’s two years older than me.”
This is a type of match Ten should focus on. Someone with a meaningful title like that.
“But there are rumors about him,” Ten adds. “He didn’t participate in the last two seasons, even though he was of age. And that he’s a—”
“A libertine,” Mark completes and laughs loudly. “That all he does is spend his time with whores and gambling and boxing.”
All the things an Alpha can do without reproach. That won’t taint him enough, making it impossible for him to find a match. He is a Viscount after all, and needs an Omega to sire his heirs. So he must marry.
Still. Finding him tonight and starting a conversation with Lord Yugyeom is in Ten’s best interests, even if it means elbowing his way through the hordes of Omegas that will surely want his attention. He trusts he can peak his interest.
“Who is the season’s Diamond?” Mark asks casually, placing his hands behind his head on the bed.
“I don’t recall. Do you remember, Anna?”
“Lady Karina Hawke.”
The beautiful Karina. Ten knows of her because of Nini. Of course Karina was picked by the Queen to be this season’s Diamond. She’s… stunning. Petite, fair skinned, luscious long black hair with soft waves. Ten didn’t see her at the debut, but he’s sure she looked amazing.
And he must, somehow, outdo her tonight.
“You look great, Tennie,” Mark offers when he’s ready to go.
Ten is dressed in a soft but faded lilac gown with a sheer embroidered fabric that depicts violets over the silk. The skirt is flowy and the waistline under the bust is tight. It’s an old dress from Boah. His pearl colored gloves reach the middle of the upper part of his arms. The neckline is circular and wide, putting the focus on his chest and collarbones. The short sleeves are slightly puffy. He is wearing small golden jewelry, a small purple sapphire gem on his neck—one of the few that wasn’t sold because it was a gift from Hyo to Boah when they got engaged. It has sentimental value for them, and is a symbol of their mother’s true love match.
With a small purse hanging from his wrist along with a hand fan, Ten descends the stairs of his home, grabbing his skirts. His mothers are ready and waiting. Hyo is dressed in a blue almost black, a small lilac pin on her tailcoat over the heart depicting a violet. Boah is in a silk purple gown, one of her fanciest.
“Ten. You look lovely,” Boah says.
“You do. You look perfect,” Hyo agrees.
“Thank you,” Ten says, smiling. “Shall we?”
They get on the carriage and ride through the London night towards Lady Seulgi’s mansion. His mothers make conversation, but Ten can’t bring himself to participate. He replays all the names in his mind of the eligible Alphas. Forgetting a name would be faux pas.
When they finally arrive, the mansion is brimming with people and lamps. As they enter, a servant greets them and points at the huge ballroom. There are candles and decorations all over, the walls are filled with eye-catching paintings that distract Ten from his assignment for a moment. But he soon refocuses as a Beta server offers them glasses of champagne. A little liquid courage will do good. Not too much, because it’s not proper for an Omega to get drunk.
Ten sips the delicious beverage, sizing up the crowd—and his competition. He sees Ninging from afar in a lavish pink gown, standing out. Ten will greet her later, when he’s done the rounds to greet his possible suitors.
As he finishes his champagne, he turns to his mothers.
“I shall start the night then,” he says, mustering his best optimistic smile.
Hyo and Boah nod at him.
Without further ado, Ten starts pacing through the people, catching eyes and making himself known. He greets the ones he knows and trades a few polite words.
He spots his first target. Lord Jongin, among his many brothers. There are a total of nine, some Omega but most Alpha, and all have married already except for Jongin. Ten opens his fan and waves it softly at himself as he walks towards him meekly. Jongin is chatting with his brother enthusiastically, laughing about something.
“Lord Jongin,” Ten announces himself. “Lady Seulgi sure knows how to throw a party. You seem to be having fun.”
Jongin looks him up and down. “Ah, yes. Lord…?”
“Lord Ten Ashe.” He smiles. “We met at a hunt last year. Hosted by the Bridgertons.”
“Hmm. Yes, of course. How are you doing?”
“Splendid. How are you?”
“As you noticed, the evening is a marvel.”
“The champagne is spectacular.” Ten combs over his mind for tidbits about him. “My mothers tell me you enjoy shooting. Maybe in the next hunt you can show me how—”
“Jongin!” his brother Baekhyun shows up at his side, grabbing the sleeve of his tailcoat. “I need to show you something, come here.”
He pulls him and Jongin leaves, not even saying a proper goodbye to Ten, who remains standing there. He lifts his hand fan to his face and sighs before continuing along. He spots the Featheringtons in a group among other Omegas and decides to join them. He stops beside them, gauging their conversation and looking for a way in. When Xiaojun notices him and makes eye contact, which then runs down Ten’s dress, Ten opens his mouth to greet him. But before that happens, he looks away, and Ten is left with words stuck in his throat.
After a couple of minutes of no one paying him any mind, he continues doing a lap around the ballroom. He tries approaching more Alphas, but they all dismiss him quickly. He drops his hand fan in defeat. Will truly no one entertain him long enough in a conversation?
Then he sees him. Viscount Yugyeom. His heart speeds noticing he’s alone, hands behind his back, with a bored face. Ten makes a beeline for him, not believing his luck. Have other Omegas not realized he is here?
“Viscount Yugyeom,” he says as he arrives in front of him, doing a small curtsy.
The Wolfgang firstborn keeps his eyes on Ten’s face. “And you are?”
“Lord Ten Ashe, milord. How are you tonight?”
Yugyoem does a disinterest onceover around the room. “Bored as hell.”
Ten chuckles beside himself and Yugyeom gazes at him again. His face, then his chest. Ten straightens his shoulder and lifts his chin.
“Maybe I can entertain you, milord,” he says.
Yugyeom smirks. “I doubt you can.”
“Try me.”
The Alpha tilts his head. Ten needs to think on his feet. Yugyeom doesn’t seem to be the type to want silly conversation. He’s an adventurous person.
“How about we start with some champagne?” Ten suggests.
“Excellent idea.” He waves a server, who brings them a tray. Yugyeom picks two crystal glasses and offers one to Ten.
“Cheers,” Ten says. “To the true delights of life.”
Yugyeom smiles, clinking their glasses. “And which are those, Lord Ten?”
They sip champagne, not taking their eyes off each other.
“Oh. Certainly not the type of thing you’d find in this vicinity.”
Yugyeom laughs. Good.
“And what does an Omega know of the delights of life?” the Viscount asks, inching closer, but not close enough to be improper.
They still can’t smell each other’s scents from here. That only happens when an Alpha and an Omega are in a more… intimate distance.
“An Omega sometimes knows things they shouldn’t,” Ten says, playing coy.
Yugyeom raises his brow, looking at Ten’s neckline again. “Do tell.”
“I do love to play poker,” Ten says, purposefully glancing away from him just for a moment. Then he smiles.
“You? Know how to play poker?”
He does. Mother Boah taught him how. It wasn’t official or proper, but they did it in secret, as a fun pastime. Ten never really waged money with it, they used trinkets. He’s rather good at it.
“It’s a secret,” Ten whispers loud enough for him to hear over the chatter of the room. “Milord.”
Yugyeom widens his eyes and scoffs with surprise. “I don’t believe you.”
“Not only I do, but I bet I could beat you in it, Viscount.”
Yugyeom grins. “A challenge?”
Ten nods.
“Well,” Yugyeom says, his eyes half-lidded on Ten. “Maybe later we can—”
“Milord.” He’s interrupted. By…
Lady Karina Hawke. She’s dressed in a fancy white gown with silver embroidery, diamonds on her neck, ears and head, her black long hair falling in perfectly cascading waves.
She looks like a Princess.
Yugyeom does a double-take at her and keeps his gaze on her figure.
“I’ve been looking for you, milord,” she says with a smile. “Remember? When you came to my house to visit my father, we said we would meet at tonight’s party.”
“I—Of course,” Yugyeom nods. “That’s what your father wanted.”
Karina laughs and inches closer to Ten, who moves away a little, leaving Yugyeom’s vicinity.
“You promised me the first dance, milord,” Karina says, and Ten takes another step back. “It’s starting!”
“Sure,” Yugyeom says.
The center of the ballroom is being cleared. Karina raises her elbow at Yugyeom, who takes it and guides her to dance. He steals a glance at Ten over his shoulder, but continues on his way.
As the vibrant music starts, Ten deflates completely. Great. He’s been overshadowed by every other Omega in this room and the only opportunity he got to dazzle an Alpha was taken away by a better suitor. The pairs start their dance. Ten stares at his shoes.
***
What a boring affair. But Taeyong promised his sister Seulgi he would attend. He even put on his nicest clothes. Black pants and tailcoat, a charcoal vest over his white shirt, where he tucked his necktie into. He styled his dark brown hair away from his eyes, as is the proper fashion for male Alphas.
With hands behind his back, Taeyong stands at the edge of the room, watching people dance. He hates dancing. He hopes his sister doesn’t try to push a greedy and dolled-up Omega onto him tonight. That would be detestable. What he’s looking for is champagne. His eyes roam over the faces of the people present, yet nothing catches his eye.
Until he sees him.
Across the room, beyond the dancing buffoons, an Omega is standing in a simple lilac dress, pacing towards his right. He looks out of place here, among such rich peers. And sad. So sad. Why is he sad at a party?
Before thinking, Taeyong starts walking as well, parallel to him. His honey blond hair is striking, even from afar, falling down his back. Who is he? Taeyong doesn’t know. But he doesn’t know a lot of people, he’s not really a part of the social nobility scene, composed of Alphas and Omegas.
Amid the crowd, their eyes finally meet. They continue slowly towards the end of the room, as people cross in between them, blocking the view. But after people pass, they seek one another instantly and never cut eye contact. Something about this Omega, this new face, piqued Taeyong’s interest. He doesn’t know what.
When they finish their stroll to the edge of the room, the Omega stops, still looking at him. So Taeyong walks up to him.
“Good evening,” he says, taking in the lovely face in front of him. The pink lips and flushed cheeks, wide brown eyes and petite nose. “What’s your name?”
“Lorde Ten Ashe,” he says almost too low that Taeyong can’t hear. “And you, milord?”
“Taeyong.” He’s a simple man. No titles or last name.
Ten smiles, some joy coloring his previous deject semblance. “Taeyong?”
“That’s my name.”
Ten chuckles. “Hmm. Yes. milord. Are you enjoying the evening?”
“Missing too much champagne for that to happen.”
Ten laughs and looks around the room. “I have to agree.”
Taeyong searches for a table and sees one next to them with glasses of champagne. He grabs two and hands one to Ten. Taeyong sips his.
“Shouldn’t we toast, milord?” Ten asks.
Taeyong chuckles and lifts his glass. “To my father’s timely death.”
Ten blinks and parts his lips, confused. But he clinks against Taeyong’s crystal and drinks. Taeyong studies him. From up close, he’s even more beautiful. The lilac, even though faded, complements his skin. The sapphire adorns his collarbones but doesn’t overshadow the perfect shape of them.
“I am assuming you are an Omega that just joined the season.”
“Yes, milord. I just turned twenty. And you are an Alpha.” Ten stares at Taeyong’s left hand, looking for a wedding ring. There is none.
“Yes.”
“I don’t recall your name from the possible suitors, milord.”
“That’s because I am not a possible suitor,” Taeyong explains. “I’m here because my sister told me to. And, sometimes, I do as she says.”
“And you sister is—”
Before Ten can finish, she shows up. Such timing. Seulgi comes dressed in burgundy.
“Taeyong! There you are. I was wondering if you were really gonna show up.”
She has her corgi Cupcake on her lap like a baby. She never seems to part from it. She probably loves it more than she did her late husband.
Seulgi turns to Ten, studying him. “And you are?”
Ten does a curtsy. “I am Lord Ten Ashe. Lady Seulgi, thank you so much for hosting this party. It really is kicking off the season in great style. You are a magnificent hostess.” There is something different in the way he says this, unlike how he was talking to Taeyong when it’s just the two of them.
“Thank you, Lord Ten. You look lovely tonight. I’m sure you’ve met my brother. Taeyong Basset, the Duke of Hastings.”
Ten widens his eyes at Taeyong and curtsies. “Y-Your Grace.”
Seulgi blew his cover. Taeyong holds back a sigh. Now Ten will treat him just like any Omega looking for a match. Desperate for his attention and favor.
“Lord Ten, I hate to break the conversation, but the Duke must do the rounds with me,” Seulgi says.
“Of course, milady.”
“Taeyong, come. Goodbye, Lord Ten. Have a nice rest of the evening.”
Taeyong glances at Ten one last time and nods, while Ten curtsies at him again, maybe a little too low. He leaves with his sister. But after greeting the boring first group of nobles, he searches for Ten at the same stop they were standing. The Omega isn’t there.