Someone Bullied My Wife

After finishing the cakes, Conrad left Serin in the living hall and headed upstairs in search of Qise. 

Serin, his belly content and his energy replenished, grabbed his hologram device and began scrolling through to find cartoons to watch.

The castle, a marvel of advanced technology, seamlessly integrated futuristic innovations into its daily life. The sight of a hologram projection flickering to life no longer surprised the passing servants. However, they still couldn't help but feel a spark of admiration each time they witnessed such a sophisticated display.

Quietly, they exchanged glances, a subtle sense of pride shared among them. 

Serving the Dhallian family wasn't just work—it was a privilege, offering glimpses of a world far ahead of its time, a world where even the mundane felt extraordinary.

After just a minute of watching cartoons, Serin grew bored and decided to call Xanric through a video call.

The moment Xanric's face appeared on the screen, Serin's eyes lit up with excitement. "I miss you so much!" he exclaimed, blowing a playful kiss towards the hologram.

On the other side, Xanric beamed, his cheeks slightly flushed. "I miss you too~" he replied, his voice soft and affectionate.

Serin leaned back with a dramatic sigh, placing a small hand over his chest as though overcome by emotion. "Hey~" he murmured with a wistful smile and thought that It's really good to have a wife.

With excitement he leaned closer to the hologram. "What are you doing right now?"

On the other side of the screen, Xanric adjusted his tablet, pointing the camera down to a pile of toys scattered across the floor. "My brother bought me some toys," he said, his voice cheerful. "I just unpacked them—they're really cool!"

Serin glanced at the toys through the hologram, his lips curling into a playful snort. "Hmph, those are nothing. I'll give you some toys too—way cooler than those."

Xanric hummed, a soft laugh escaping him. "Okay, okay, I'll wait for it," he replied, his voice carrying a warm, affectionate tone.

Serin, pleased by Xanric's obedience, straightened up with a confident air. "Good. I already asked my Daddy to buy a house," he declared with a sense of authority. "In the future, you'll live there with me! Remember, you're going to marry me, so—"

"Wha—"

The screen suddenly shifted, cutting off Serin mid-sentence. An unfamiliar face appeared on the hologram, a boy with a sharp, wild demeanor that immediately put Serin on edge.

"Who are you?!" Serin snapped, his small fists clenched.

The boy sneered, his voice laced with mockery. "Are you the one who kissed my little brother and declared marriage? You're bold to flirt at such a young age."

Serin's cheeks puffed out in indignation, his face turning red with anger. "What can you do?! When I grow up, Xanric will only marry me! No one else!"

A low, amused laugh resonated from the other side of the screen. Serin's anger flared as he watched the older boy pinch Xanric's cheek, causing his "wife" to tear up, his large, wet eyes brimming with unshed tears.

"Let go!" Serin screamed, his voice trembling with fury. "If you don't let go, I'll make sure you can't stand on the ground where you're standing!"

The older boy raised an eyebrow at Serin's outburst, a smirk playing on his lips. "Listen here, little brat," he drawled. "I'll make sure my little brother marries someone else, not you." With that, he ended the call abruptly.

Serin stared at the blank screen, his face crumpling in anger and frustration. Tears began to stream down his cheeks as he knelt on the couch, his small frame trembling. Overcome with emotion, he jumped down and stomped upstairs, his cries echoing through the castle halls.

Reaching Qise's office, he pounded on the door with his tiny fists, his howling voice breaking through the air. "System! Open up! I need to talk to you!"

By then the commotion from inside the room startled Serin, and the muffled sounds of a loud stumble followed by a sharp hiss echoed through the door.

When the door finally opened, Serin blinked up, expecting to see Qise—but instead, it was Conrad standing there.

Feeling utterly defeated, his heart heavy with the thought of someone trying to stop him from marrying the "wife" he had set his eyes on, Serin's tears flowed freely. Without a second thought, he threw himself at Conrad, wrapping his small arms around his father's leg.

"Dad, you must help me!" he cried out, his voice cracking with desperation.

Conrad, who had been in a foul mood and ready to reprimand the little brat for interrupting his time, froze. The sight of Serin's tear-streaked face and trembling form tugged at him, softening his initial irritation.

"What happened?" Conrad asked, his tone losing its edge as he bent slightly to meet Serin's eyes.

Just then, Qise appeared behind him, still adjusting his disheveled shirt, his expression puzzled as he glanced between Conrad and Serin. "What's going on?" he asked, frowning slightly.

Serin turned toward Qise, his tears intensifying as he pointed an accusing finger. "Someone is bullying my wife!"

Qise took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping as he rubbed his temples. He already knew where this was headed and could feel a headache brewing. "Serin," he said, his tone laced with exasperation, "how many times have I told you to stop calling Xanric your 'wife'?"

"But it's true!" Serin wailed, burying his face in Conrad's leg. "And now someone is trying to take him away from me!"

Conrad frowned deeply, his brows knitting together as realization dawned—it was about that illegitimate child again.

He couldn't help but wonder what had caused Serin to become so utterly obsessed. It puzzled him because children at their age hadn't undergone differentiation yet. There were no pheromones at play to explain such an intense attraction.

To Conrad, Serin's fixation seemed to be a natural attraction, something instinctive and unexplainable. Yet, even with that consideration, the sheer intensity of Serin's reaction was far from normal. Such feelings should have been fleeting, a passing fancy rather than this overwhelming need to protect and possess.

By all logic, this kind of attraction should fade the moment the two individuals were apart. But for Serin, the connection seemed unshakable, as if distance only made his resolve stronger.

Conrad sighed inwardly, his gaze shifting down to his son, who was still clutching his leg, his small frame trembling with frustration and sadness. There was something deeper here, something Conrad couldn't quite put his finger on. And though it confounded him, he couldn't deny the weight of the child's emotions.

Conrad crouched down, placing a steadying hand on Serin's small shoulder. His deep voice softened as he asked, "Okay, tell Dad—who made you angry?"

Serin hiccupped, his face red and streaked with tears. He clutched Conrad's sleeve tightly as he wailed, "It's a bad boy! He's in my wife's house, and he's bullying my wife!"

Conrad's brows furrowed as he listened, his expression darkening slightly.

Meanwhile, Qise stood nearby, exhaling a heavy sigh. "It's probably the second son of President Strauss," he said matter-of-factly. His tone carried both annoyance and resignation. "I heard the second son doesn't get along with Xanric at all. There's even a rumor circulating in the upper circles that the second son has a habit of bullying the illegitimate child."

"Dad, you have to do something!" Serin cried out, tugging on Conrad's shirt with renewed determination. "He can't bully my wife! You're strong, so make him stop!"

Conrad's lips curled into a faint, dangerous smile. "Don't worry, baby. Dad will make sure no one bullies your wife again."

Qise pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing all too well that Conrad's idea of "making sure" could involve measures far more intimidating than necessary.

"Stop it," Qise interjected, his voice firm and filled with warning. His sharp tone immediately drew both Conrad's and Serin's attention. "Don't turn such a small matter into something bigger than it needs to be."

Serin sniffled, looking up at Qise with wide, tear-filled eyes. "But he hurt my wife!"

Qise crouched down so he was eye level with Serin. "That's Xanric's brother, he is just teasing you."

"But he's mean!" Serin protested, his little fists clenched at his sides. "He said Xanric wouldn't marry me!"

Qise sighed deeply, resisting the urge to rub his temples again. "You're too young to be worried about marriage. Focus on being friends first, okay?"

Serin frowned, clearly unsatisfied but not daring to argue further. He glanced at his father for support, but Conrad only narrowed his eyes.

Qise sighed deeply without sparing either of the two figures another glance, he stepped forward and gently but firmly pushed both Conrad and Serin out of his office. The soft click of the lock behind him was definitive, signaling that he wanted no further interruptions.

Conrad stood in the hallway, his jaw tightening as he suppressed a flicker of frustration. His lips formed a thin line, and he crossed his arms, staring at the closed door as though willing it to open again.

Meanwhile, Serin pouted, his small face scrunched up in a mixture of annoyance and confusion. He didn't fully grasp what he had just interrupted earlier and he didn't bother to understand. Once kicked out, he decided to walk downstairs to play.

Conrad watched the child go before straightening up, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. He cast one last glance at the locked door, his expression a mixture of irritation and something unspoken, before turning and heading down the hallway himself.

Qise stood there, leaning against the door, his breath uneven as he tried to regain his composure. His hand covered his mouth in an attempt to stifle the betraying tremble in his fingers. The flush on his cheeks was undeniable, and his eyes, glistening with the sheen of unshed tears, betrayed the flurry of emotions he was struggling to suppress. 

His heart raced, thudding against his chest with an intensity that mirrored the suddenness of the kiss before Serin's disturbance.

Earlier, he had tried so hard to maintain a sense of calm, to act as though everything was fine, but the truth was, the incident had rattled him more than he cared to admit. The kiss—sudden, fierce, and overwhelming—had caught him completely off guard. One moment, they were merely standing side by side, and the next, Conrad had pressed him against the table with a kiss so intense that it stole all the air from his lungs.

Qise squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, attempting to steady his racing heart. It was embarrassing—shocking, even—to realize how his body had responded to Conrad's touch, to the way his lips had instinctively parted. 

He took a shaky breath, trying to convince himself it was nothing, that it was just a slip of impulse, nothing more than a moment of weakness. 

With a soft exhale, Qise slowly pulled his hand away from his mouth, his heart still racing, though at a more manageable pace now. 

Qise sat down at his desk, his mind finally starting to settle after the whirlwind of emotions. He focused on the files in front of him, his eyes scanning through the paperwork with practiced ease. The steady rhythm of his work helped him regain a sense of control, and with each passing moment, the chaotic rush of his heart slowed. The warmth of the kiss was still there, lingering at the back of his mind, but now it felt more like a gentle pulse rather than an overwhelming force.

As he flipped through another stack of documents, he found himself reflecting on everything that had happened. He couldn't deny that what he had felt in that moment with Conrad—desire, confusion, a strange sense of connection—had stirred something deep within him. He had never expected such feelings to arise, but now that they were there, he couldn't ignore them. His heart had accepted it, slowly and cautiously, but he couldn't rush this. Not yet.

Qise exhaled softly, feeling a weight lift from his chest. He had come to a decision, albeit a quiet one. If Conrad ever admitted that he shared the same feelings, he would be willing to try. 

For now, he would wait. 

As the evening came, dinner time arrived. Serin, ever eager and with a child's excitement, was already seated at the table, his tiny hands clutching his customized spoon. His eyes gleamed with anticipation, his legs swinging beneath the chair as he waited for the meal to arrive. 

Conrad, sitting nearby, cast a glance toward the staircase, his mind still partially occupied with the events of the day. He leaned against the chair casually, his gaze soft yet expectant. His presence, usually commanding, seemed quieter tonight, perhaps due to the lingering thoughts that had remained after the earlier encounter. 

Butler Yul, who was ever meticulous in his duties, appeared from the kitchen just then, his crisp uniform signaling his authority in the house. 

"The meal has passed inspection" Butler Yul announced, his voice steady and formal. "It will be served shortly."

At this time Qise appeared, his steps calm and purposeful. 

The moment Conrad saw him, a gentle smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and without hesitation, he stood up. His movements were smooth and confident as he pulled out a chair beside him, silently offering Qise a place at the table.

Qise, his usual composure in place, didn't shy away from the gesture. He gave a small nod of appreciation before sitting down, the soft rustle of his clothes the only sound breaking the stillness. "Thank you," he said, his voice steady, though there was a hint of warmth beneath his words.

Conrad settled back into his chair, his eyes lingering on Qise for a brief moment before he spoke again, his tone slightly teasing, yet sincere. "Next time, don't bring paperwork home."

Qise, caught off guard by the comment, paused for a moment before meeting Conrad's gaze. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement crossing his features before he spoke. "I know. It's just that I've pushed some work aside over the past few days, so I had to bring it back with me."

Serin glanced at the two discreetly, his sharp eyes observing their every move.

Though he had played a significant role in bringing them closer, he couldn't help but feel things were moving too quickly. How are they already acting like a married couple? he wondered, a hint of annoyance tugging at his features.

Clicking his tongue in frustration, Serin pouted, his small hands fiddling idly with his spoon.

Well, it's his system's life, he thought with a dramatic sigh. I shouldn't meddle too much.

Still, his gaze lingered on them, a mix of curiosity and reluctance flickering in his expression.

Qise seems to notice his gaze and asked, "What's wrong? The meal is gonna be served soon."

Serin pursed his lips and let out a soft "Hmp."

He refused to speak, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of his wife. He hadn't forgotten about Xanric, not even for a moment.

Tomorrow, he vowed silently, I'll bring Xanric back home!

Determination flared in his eyes as he clenched his tiny fists. No one will dare steal the person I've set my eyes on!

Qise's eyes flashed with a fleeting thought, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth. His host was likely planning something again—something he would undoubtedly need to guard against.

While one system and one host battled internally, the meal was served at the table.

Qise carefully placed a portion of food onto the child's plate, while Conrad added dishes to Qise's. The scene was so harmonious that Butler Yul, observing from nearby, sighed with a smile. The castle truly felt livelier now, and he couldn't help but think it would become even more vibrant if another little master were to be born.

Unfortunately, Qise is a beta.

"Tomorrow, I have a meeting with a government official. It will take a while because I also need to return to the institute, so I'll just stay at my apartment. Don't wait for me," Conrad said, his tone calm yet firm.

Qise raised his head in confusion. "Is it something urgent?"

Conrad hummed in response. "Just for a day. I'll finish everything and come back," he replied, his voice carrying a coaxing undertone.

Serin, who overheard the conversation, quickly chimed in, "Dad, you must send me to school before leaving!"

Conrad's expression softened as he looked at the child. "Of course. Dad will send you and Daddy before heading to work," he reassured him.

Serin hummed in satisfaction, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Looking at his host, Qise couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.