Adam took the clothes and held them awkwardly.
Adam:
"Can you… uh… turn around?" 😶
Noel:
"OH—yeah, sorry!"
She immediately spun around like a malfunctioning robot. 🤖
Adam: ☺️
A slight smile appeared on his face.
(Why… why does it feel like she understands my pain?)
(Girl… if you're also an Omega… we're living together, okay?)
(Because you make me feel like I'm not alone anymore… 😊)
He glanced at the unconscious man lying on the floor.
(…But judging by this mess, she's definitely NOT an Omega. 😐)
Suddenly, Noel spoke.
Noel:
"You know something?" 😁
She was still facing the other way.
Adam:
"What?" 😐
Noel:
"If Mr. King finds out his people are suffering like this, I BET my entire salary—he'll definitely help you!" 😤
Adam stared at her back.
Adam:
"Why do you trust him that much?" 😐
Noel: 🤔
"There's something called belief. I believe he can help, so he will."
She nodded confidently, as if she'd just solved the world's greatest mathematical problem.
Noel:
"Simple math!"
Then her voice softened a little.
Noel:
"And you… you also need to believe in someone, okay?" 😤
Adam stared at Noel's back, surprised by her words.
For some reason, they made his heart feel a little lighter.
Adam:
"…Yeah. I'll try." 😐
(Maybe… just maybe… I can trust someone.)
A few moments later, he finished dressing.
Adam:
"I'm done."
Noel spun around so quickly that Adam almost jumped.
Noel:
"Great! Shall we go, then?" 😁
Adam:
"Where?" 😐
Noel looked at him as though he'd just asked her why water was wet.
Noel:
"To the palace, obviously!"
She pointed toward the door.
Noel:
"Your house is broken, unsafe, and smells like bad decisions. Come with me. You'll be safe there!" 😤
Adam glanced around his wrecked house.
The broken furniture.
The collapsed bed.
The unconscious man on the floor.
(…She's not wrong.) 😐
Still, he hesitated.
Adam:
"But what if a problem arises… because I look somewhat similar to the King?" 😟
Noel:
"I'm telling you na—just BELIEVE it!" 😤
Adam looked at her.
Then he lowered his gaze nervously.
Adam:
"…Okay."
(This is the first time I'm believing someone…)
(Please… don't break my trust.) 😞
He slowly bowed his head.
Suddenly—
Noel reached out, gently caught his chin, and lifted his face.
Adam froze.
Noel: 😊
"Hey. An Omega should NEVER bow their head to anyone."
Her expression remained gentle, but her voice carried an unexpected firmness.
Noel:
"Even if it's their own family."
Adam: 😶
SHOCK.EXE HAS STOPPED WORKING.
A sudden flash crossed his mind.
A memory.
An unfamiliar room bathed in warm sunlight.
Small hands holding onto someone's clothes.
And a gentle voice from long ago…
Unknown Voice: 😊
"An Omega should never bow their head to anyone… even to family, my little one."
Adam's eyes widened.
His breath caught in his throat.
For a brief moment, Noel's face blurred with the memory of someone else.
Someone whose face he couldn't remember.
Someone whose voice had once made him feel safe.
Adam's Thoughts: 😱
(Who… was that voice?)
(Why does it sound like… someone important?)
He stared at Noel, unable to move.
Noel tilted her head.
Noel:
"Adam? Hello? Anybody home?" 🤨
She waved her hand in front of his face.
Noel:
"Did your soul leave your body? Because if it did, please call it back. I'm not carrying you to the palace!"
Adam blinked.
The memory vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.
But the warmth it left behind remained.
And somewhere deep inside him, a forgotten question began to awaken.
To be continued…