The Seed of Obsession

[Ethan’s Perspective]

Ethan Lila Berlingen. As the eldest son of the Duke of Berlingen and the nephew of the Empress, he was utterly stunned by the news his father brought home.

He felt a deep, visceral surge of displeasure upon hearing that his beloved Brother, Ayleen—whom he admired and loved more than anyone—had not cast Chase out of the palace, but had actually brought him into his own residence.

‘That’s impossible.’

Ayleen despised Chase. If not full-blown hatred, it was at least a sharp contempt for someone who “tarnished the dignity of the Imperial family.” And yet, even after Chase’s mother had tried to murder Ayleen, he had taken the boy in?

“Did Brother take him in just to torment him?”

“That isn’t the case, Ethan.”

The Duke explained that since the Crown Prince had survived his brush with death, his heart seemed to have softened significantly.

“His Highness was always proud as a royal, but he was never cruel by nature. Normally, Consort Dahlia would have been sentenced to dismemberment, and Prince Chase would have been stripped of his rights and sold into slavery. Yet, at the Prince’s own request, the Consort’s body was preserved.”

“But why?! Why would he do that?”

“Perhaps he felt pity for a Prince about to lose his mother. I cannot truly grasp His Highness’s intentions.”

Ethan felt a sudden jolt of fear. Pity? Ayleen felt pity for Chase? That wasn’t right. To Ayleen, Chase was supposed to be the “half-wit”—a nuisance, an eyesore. He shouldn’t be sheltering Chase with such a weak heart. Ethan felt his own position in Ayleen’s heart being threatened, and anxiety began to gnaw at him.

He had to see it for himself. The only reason Ayleen would keep Chase close must be for revenge—to punish the boy for the sins of the mother.

“Father, I want to go to the Imperial Palace.”

“But… they aren’t letting anyone in right now.”

“But you can go in!”

“I am going in to work, Ethan.”

“I don’t care! I want to go to the palace too!”

When Ethan burst into tears, the Duke was at a loss. Perhaps it was because Ethan was the firstborn and had been doted on, but whenever things didn’t go his way, he resorted to weeping. Usually, he would give up if told a firm “no,” but when it came to the palace—and specifically to the Crown Prince—he was relentless.

“Stop this, Ethan.”

“No! I’m going!”

The Duke tried to use a stern tone, but Ethan simply threw himself onto the floor, kicking and screaming. Fearing the boy might actually faint from crying so hard, the Duke finally raised his hands in surrender. He preferred giving in to his son’s whims over a ruined relationship, and besides, he figured the Empress and the Crown Prince would protect the boy if he were caught.

Ethan ran toward Ayleen’s palace the moment they arrived, leaving his father behind. Having spent his childhood roaming these halls, he knew the palace layout like the back of his hand.

‘You brought him here to bully him, didn’t you, Brother?’

He was certain he was right, yet Ayleen’s reported change in behavior kept fueling his insecurity. He needed to see Ayleen mistreating Chase to calm his racing heart. When he reached the chambers and peered through a crack in the door, he felt a brief moment of relief.

Ayleen must have asked for water, because Chase was struggling with a silver pitcher nearly half his size.

‘When he brings it over, Brother will shove him away, won’t he?’

He had to. That was how the world was supposed to work! But contrary to Ethan’s expectations, Ayleen simply accepted the cup and did nothing else, even though Chase stood there awkwardly like a fool.

‘Brother…?’

Ethan was horrified. In Ayleen’s stolen glances, there was no contempt or disdain. Instead, there was a thin layer of genuine compassion. Seeing that, Ethan’s heart plummeted. Is he going to steal Brother away from me?

‘I won’t allow it!’

He wouldn’t let anyone take Ayleen from him, not even his own parents. And certainly not Chase—someone Ethan had never even considered a rival. It was unthinkable.

For the first time in his pampered life, Ethan felt a flash of murderous intent. Growing up with everything he ever wanted, he had never known true jealousy, but this was different. Even if it was just pity, the fact that Chase was receiving Ayleen’s concern made Ethan burn with envy. The fact that Ayleen had “rescued” him because he had nowhere to go felt like a direct invasion of Ethan’s territory.

Blinded by this possessiveness, he burst into the room and lashed out at Chase. Yet, even in his rage, a part of him was terrified: ‘What if Brother is disappointed in me?’

He watched Ayleen’s face carefully, fearing he would be scolded for being mean to the “pitiful” boy. But when Ayleen didn’t get angry, Ethan relaxed. He still loves me more. If he cared about Chase, he would have shouted at me.

‘Brother is mine.’

Ethan clung to Ayleen. He could share his parents with his twin siblings, but he could never share Ayleen. In that moment, his vague ideas about the future solidified into a singular, sharp goal.

He would manifest as an Alpha, marry Ayleen, and become his Consort. Before, it had been a pleasant dream; now, it was a mission he would achieve at any cost.

“I’m going to be your only partner.”

When Ayleen teased him, saying it wasn’t certain he’d even be an Alpha, Ethan drove the point home with absolute certainty. Ayleen simply treated him like a child being fussy, which made Ethan ache with frustration. He was only two years younger; he hated being treated like a baby. He wanted to be an equal.

‘And the moment I become his Consort…’

He would sweep away every eyesore from Ayleen’s side. Especially Chase. That annoying, frustrating Chase. He would pick them off one by one until only Ethan remained. The thought made him smile sweetly.

‘He might be angry at first, but…’

If Ethan became the only Alpha for the Omega Ayleen, the Prince would have no choice. They would be partners ordained by God. No matter what Ethan did, Ayleen wouldn’t be able to stay truly angry at his fated match.

Besides, as an Omega, Ayleen couldn’t have children with anyone who wasn’t an Alpha. An Omega’s body was built to carry “God’s children”; the seed of an ordinary man couldn’t take root in such powerful energy. It was a complex concept for a young boy, but Ethan had studied desperately to find ways to be with Ayleen forever.

‘I don’t know exactly what “seed” is, but I know an ordinary one won’t sprout in an Omega. The energy is too strong.’

So, if he became an Alpha, everything would be perfect. He could stay by Ayleen’s side and peel away leeches like Chase. To have Ayleen love only him, forever—the thought was so perfect it brought tears to his eyes. That spot belonged to him. No one else…

Ethan’s feelings weren’t love yet; they were the raw, dangerous obsession of a child. But no one knew what they would grow into.

‘I want to grow up. Fast.’

He wanted to be an Alpha. He heard Alphas and Omegas had pheromones that only affected each other. If he could release those, would Ayleen finally stop treating him like a kid? His curiosity piqued. He wondered what Ayleen’s scent was like right now.

Ethan took a deep breath, but he smelled nothing. Since he wasn’t an Alpha yet, he could only smell Ayleen’s faint, pleasant skin scent.

He had no one to ask, of course. And if another Alpha had existed, Ethan might have been driven to madness by jealousy.

Clinging to Ayleen like a spoiled child, he asked, “Brother, what do you think your pheromones will smell like?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I’m sure it’ll be a beautiful, fragrant scent.”

A scent so sweet it would make his mind melt. Ethan couldn’t wait to finally smell it.