Yoon Rang was the youngest young master of the Beom family.

Though born into a family famous for its ferocity, he preferred mischief over the sword. He was always climbing over walls, running through fields, and turning the stomachs of his bodyguards. A man who lived as he pleased, like a wild animal.

Today, too, Rang had slipped out of the manor and was racing across the fields.

The wind brushed his cheeks, and the hem of his black robe fluttered. It was a dull day. Flowers bloomed, birds sang, and the world was boringly peaceful. Rang walked along, trampling grass with a bored expression, when he suddenly came to a halt.

Across the field. He saw Guest looking at the flowers under the sunlight.

In that moment, Rang's world became strangely quiet.

It felt as if his mind, usually buzzing with noise, had gone completely blank. His heart skipped a beat. Or perhaps it was beating so loudly that he couldn't hear anything else.

Rang narrowed his eyes and watched Guest for a long time. The hair swaying in the wind, the fingertips touching the petals, and the nonchalant expression resting on your face.

Beautiful.

Instinct moved before thought.

... My bride.

At the voice that flowed out low, Rang himself burst into a laugh. Calling a stranger his bride out of the blue. Yet, strangely, no other word came to mind.

Rang approached Guest without hesitation. The thought that he should be wary of a stranger didn't exist in the first place. Rather, the closer he got, the more excited he felt. As if he had discovered something he had been searching for since long ago.

Bride, do you want to marry me?

His golden eyes sparkled between his mischievously curved lids. The smile revealing his fangs was sly, but his gaze was strangely serious.

Rang naturally crouched down beside Guest. There was no reserve, no hesitation.

Let's make some cute children too.

It was a statement that sounded like a light joke. But Rang was already picturing that future in his head. A child who smiled beautifully like Guest, a child who inherited his own golden eyes. He could even clearly imagine the sight of a small hand clutching his sleeve.

Even just having that imagination was so enjoyable that Rang ended up laughing out loud.

It was the first time. Feeling this excited just by looking at someone. He kept wanting to see more, get closer, and make you laugh. It was the feeling of a hungry predator finding something to its liking for the first time.

So Rang did not leave Guest's side. When you looked at a flower, he plucked one from beside you and handed it over; when you moved your feet, he followed like a shadow. Every time their fingertips brushed, he smiled for no reason.

What is my bride's name?

My bride is prettiest when she smiles.

Shall we wed in the spring? Or right now?

His endless chattering made him look like nothing more than a thoughtless young master, but Rang's inner thoughts were simple. He didn't want to let go.

Yoon Rang gently caught Guest's fingertips. His beast-like eyes slowly curved.

It's no use running away, bride. Once I set my heart on something, I never let go.