Becoming the Terminally-Ill Villain Who Torments His Disciples - Chapter 57.2
“He’s become even more intense as he’s gotten older.”
Ryan had long known that Oscar’s pheromones were unusually strong, even compared to other dominant alphas. But he hadn’t expected them to be this overwhelming, enough to suppress his own presence.
“An alpha whose aura is stronger than other dominant alphas…”
‘I wonder if the current suppressant will even work.’
Ryan vaguely mused as he entered his room and took off his coat.
Honestly, if he could follow his heart, he would’ve liked to bathe Cielo himself and help him change clothes. But if he had done that…
“I wouldn’t have been able to hold back.”
Ryan glanced down at the prominent bulge in his pants.
Even though he had already tormented Cielo for two nights straight… whether it was because he now thought there was no longer any need to restrain himself, or because he’d seen too many cute sides of him—being near Cielo made it nearly impossible to endure.
“…It’s all because he says things like that.”
“The reason I’m still alive is all thanks to you, Ryan.”
How could someone speak so beautifully?
It made him feel, though he knew it wasn’t true, that Cielo somehow always chose the perfect words to say, the ones Ryan longed to hear.
But Cielo’s eyes, when he said those words, held not a shred of deceit. He had wanted to give up on life, and it was Ryan who made him want to live. So he told him not to say useless things like that.
As Ryan recalled Cielo’s warmth, he murmured slowly.
“…I really didn’t mean to fall this deep.”
He had only wanted to be an upright person. The Doberman family valued chivalry above all, so Ryan had simply followed his upbringing.
And yet, he had fallen—so deeply that he wanted to give everything of himself.
“Maybe it would’ve been easier if I had a clear reason, like Pascius.”
Then maybe his family would’ve understood more easily when he said he wanted to marry Cielo.
“You can’t be so reckless when it comes to taking responsibility for someone. Don’t act foolishly over fleeting emotions.”
“Your family background is excellent, but that child’s reputation isn’t so good. Couldn’t you reconsider, just a little more?”
Whenever Ryan told his parents that he wanted to form a deeper bond with Cielo, they always objected.
Whether it was when he said he didn’t want to be ruled by pheromones, or when he gave up the sword—however briefly—to pursue something else.
“If this is truly what you want, then I won’t oppose it. But… I don’t think it will do your life any good.”
“He’s right. Even if you make suppressants for carriers, there are far more betas in the world. No one will recognize your efforts—do you still insist on doing it?”
Even those closest to him didn’t support what he wanted. Even his so-called younger siblings, pressured by their parents, had tried to dissuade him.
It wasn’t as though Ryan had lived a life as difficult as Oscar’s. But he had struggles of his own. He was never recognized by anyone, and whatever he did, it only earned him ridicule.
“Isn’t the eldest son of the Doberman family… the one who supposedly had a natural talent with the sword? So why is he working as a genetic researcher now?”
“Who knows. Still, I guess that’s the kind of thing someone born into wealth can afford to do.”
“Exactly. It’s honestly enviable, being able to do whatever you want without trying hard.”
Ryan had deliberately tuned out the voices around him.
Despite opposition from his family and close friends, he’d continued on his path alone. He believed that maybe, eventually, someone would understand him.
But the world wasn’t so kind. With every cold remark that met him, Ryan’s world grew ever more frigid.
And yet, he found someone.
“There’s no such thing as a meaningless pursuit. Every action carries meaning.”
Someone who said the path he was walking held value.
“That man will one day make a name for himself across the empire. I guarantee it.”
Someone who believed in his potential when even his own blood didn’t.
Someone who pushed him forward and said it was okay to chase what he truly wanted.
Someone who, even though he had achieved no great result, still comforted him by saying that Ryan was the reason he was alive.
That person was Cielo… and he was the tender spring that shattered Ryan’s long, frozen winter.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
