Vol 1 Ch 3

“……What?”

 

“There’s no law that people have to die, and it’s so timely. Don’t be surprised. It’s from the Abertone family. They want to become related to us.”

 

Yeonho’s eyes widened twice as much as when she mentioned Azoospermia. His grandmother was wrong.

 

This was even worse news.

 

Some time passed while he still couldn’t touch the envelope. Seojin was the first to come to her senses. Seojin grabbed the envelope as if snatching it away and took out the card inside. Then, at the end of her eyes that flowed from top to bottom, she let out a gasp.

 

“…It’s real?”

 

“Do you think I’d lie after eating a warm meal?”

 

“Really that Abertone… so ATG right?”

 

“Oh, come on. You’re still asking after seeing it?”

 

“I’m asking because I saw it. Why is this family so eager to be with us?”

 

The voice of constant confirmation was very reluctant. At this point, it was difficult for Yeonho to just ignore it. Although he didn’t want to, he snatched the card from Seojin’s shaking fingers.

 

At the end of a few lines of sentences scribbled in a fluent typeface as if printed, an emblem stamped with a bang pierced his eyes.

 

Sturdy branches surrounded like a shield and a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) spreading its wings proudly inside.

 

Why is this family so eager? Seojin’s words were a hundred times right. Likewise, Yeonho’s face was mercilessly distorted.

 

As the card was crumpled in his forceful hand, Madam Shin quickly snatched the card and clicked her tongue disapprovingly at her grandchildren.

 

“Why are you guys like this? We have a lineage too! Are we lacking anything?”

 

“……Yes.”

 

“We are lacking. A lot.”

 

“You guys!”

 

Madam Shin glared, but objectively it was true. Of course, their family has also built a foundation in the food business. However, compared to the so-called ATG – Abertone Group, it is like a pheasant in front of a hawk.

 

Abertone had made a name for himself as a traditional financial family since Italy was a monarchy. This family maintained its social status and wealth even after the abolition of the aristocracy.

 

Today, it has grown into a multinational holding company that operates in various industries, including finance, bio, tech, and even media, and is called the ‘visible hand’ in the European business world.

 

In short, it is a name that anyone with a little interest in the economy cannot fail to know.

 

However, there was one more reason why this family was familiar.

 

Yeonho’s gaze turned to the emblem stamped on the envelope again.

 

Eagle…….

 

A twisted chuckle finally burst out.

 

‘Right. I knew I was having bad luck since this morning….’

 

─What is Senior Manager like? I think it’ll be really cool.

 

Even Seongmin’s chattering voice was revived, and the annoyance doubled.

 

Yeonho’s anima that Seongmin had asked about so persistently. And that animal that people were constantly talking about.

 

Chicken.

 

Yes. Chicken. Yeonho’s anima is none other than ‘chicken.’ Even if they are the same bird, the classification is very different from eagles, from birds of prey and poultry, predators and edible.

 

The family’s food company was also originally a poultry farm. Although the company name has now been changed to KL Food, it is a chicken processing company that is much more famous to Koreans as Gyelim.

 

Yeonho and ‘chicken’ are genetically and environmentally inseparable. And this fact was disgustingly unpleasant for Yeonho.

 

Hawk, pheasant, peacock… owl, owl. Even a crow or a sparrow. Why a chicken of all birds!

 

Morpheus, who account for about 10% of the population. Among them, there were not many birds. Nevertheless, Morpheus, who took birds as their nature, were particularly proud of their genes.

 

How can we be the same as those who crawl on the ground on four legs? We are the ones who control the sky!

 

There is even self-praise that often comes out when Morpheus who are birds gather together. However, chickens were an exception.

 

A bird that is a bird but cannot fly….

 

A species that has lived on the ground for much longer than it has roamed the sky.

 

In short, chickens were the outcasts of the bird world.

 

In this situation, an eagle, as if teasing someone. A golden eagle, also known as the King of Eagles? Really, what’s so lacking that they want a chicken?

 

“Did you hear about some misfortune in that family?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“A situation where they can’t find a partner in their country. Or they have to get rid of someone who’s lacking.”

 

“What is he saying?”

 

“Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense. Even if we concede a hundred times, if the distance is close, I don’t know. What kind of marriage proposal is it to a foreign country?”

 

“Tsk tsk. What does distance matter to a bird? They can fly millions of kilometers if they need to.”

 

We can’t even fly 1km, let alone millions!

 

He closed his mouth tightly because the words were too bitter to say himself. In the meantime, Seojin, who had regained her composure, continued the conversation instead.

 

“So… who is it? Who are they looking for a marriage partner for? Are you sure it’s me?”

 

Madam Shin cleared her throat for a moment. Yeonho and Seojin were nervous that there might be someone lacking, but the words that flowed out of her grandmother’s mouth were very different from what they had expected.

 

“Marteo Abertone. The third child of that family.”

 

“…The third child? There was a third child in that family?”

 

“It seems he hasn’t shown his face much in public. But if you look at it properly, he’s like the eldest son. He was born much later, but the third child’s mother is the legal wife.”

 

“Are the older brothers and mother different?”

 

“Such things are common.”

 

Morpheus, who have a strong instinct for reproduction, tend to be less constrained by morals or sexuality than ordinary people. Especially in a family like that, there would be plenty of women who would want to have a relationship with the legal wife or concubine.

 

Seojin, who had been lost in thought, chose her words again.

 

“Still, if he’s the third child… he’ll be far from inheriting the family.”

 

“Of course. Otherwise, why would they put in a marriage proposal to our family?”

 

Yeonho also inadvertently raised his voice sharply. But even with the valid reasoning, Madam Shin laughed out loud this time.

 

Then, in an instant, like a gambler pushing all the money into the gambling table, she pushed the marriage proposal she was holding forward again.

 

“You’re wrong. The third child may inherit the succession.”

 

“……What?”

 

“Although there are two older brothers, a successor has not yet been decided. I’ve been looking into it, and it seems that the third child is being considered as a strong candidate these days. I think that’s why they’re rushing the marriage.”

 

“You think that’s why…?”

 

“What is one of the most important requirements for a successor? It’s the ability to reproduce. Whether an eagle is born into the eagle family or not. Whether they can leave behind strong genes or not.”

 

Ah…… A distorted exclamation flowed from Yeonho’s mouth.

 

The birth of Morpheus.

 

It’s natural, but if the same species are mated, there is a high probability that the same anima as the parents will be born. However, it was not easy to find the same species among the small number of birds.

 

Especially in old families, the same species are already related or relatives, and are connected by blood. Consanguineous marriage was a problem that needed to be taken care of in many ways.

 

Moreover, if he belatedly joined the succession structure, the useful marriage positions would have already been taken by his older brothers, or at least the other party would have been in talks with his older brothers.

 

‘I wondered why that great marriage position rolled all the way here….’

 

This was a perfect example of a chicken instead of a pheasant.

 

“This doesn’t necessarily mean they want to become related to us, does it…? Are we just one of the candidates? They’re just trying to fill the numbers by saying that chickens are a symbol of fertility.”

 

“What does it matter? What’s important is that the opportunity has come.”

 

Instead of denying it, Madam Shin shamelessly affirmed it. Her earlier statement that the timing was right for her, who wanted to see a great-grandchild, and Abertone’s third son, who needed a marriage partner, was more than understandable.

 

You shouldn’t count the number of chicks before they hatch…. How many marriage proposals did that guy receive?

 

Yeonho, feeling disgusted, shook his head and leaned back on the back of his chair. Then, he opened his mouth to Seojin as if teasing her.

 

“Congratulations. You’re going to have a good life, Sister.”

 

Seojin, who had been silent for a while, finally met his gaze. Yeonho even shrugged his shoulders as if to show off.

 

“If the third child really takes over, as Grandma said. Being the representative of Gyelim is good, but how can you compare it to being the mistress of that house? They say it’s an opportunity, so you have to seize it. You can do it, Sister.”

 

To be honest, he didn’t really want to be related to an eagle, but if things went well, he would gain fame and wealth. Seojin, who had a strong desire to win, might not refuse.

 

However, Seojin, who had no particular reaction to the words that were half sincere and half joking, stabbed at a part that he had never thought of.

 

“So, who do they want? Are you sure I’m the one who received the marriage proposal?”

 

“Who else would it be but our oldest sister?”

 

Yeonho said it as if it was something absurd. But Seojin twisted her lips at those words, and even Madam Shin wore a strange smile.

 

“Girl. You’re perceptive as expected.”

 

The atmosphere was strange. Yeonho straightened his back, which had been leaning against the chair.

 

“What are you talking about… What perception?”

 

“You idiot. They said they wanted to become related to our family. They didn’t specifically pick me, did they?”

 

“…Then?”

 

“Who else in our family isn’t married besides me? Grandma said it earlier. ‘You guys’ aren’t looking for partners. …Don’t you know what that means even now?”

 

The form was a question, but the gaze that slowly scanned his body from top to bottom was perfect. He really hated this expression, but goosebumps ran up his arms.

 

Yeonho, who understood the meaning of the words later than his body, finally raised his butt with a horrified expression.

 

“What are you saying! Marteo is a man. I’m a man too?”

 

“But we’re Morpheus. If what they want is a marriage partner who can give birth, then you’re no exception.”

 

At the cold words, he hurriedly turned to his grandmother. Madam Shin was nodding.

 

“Yes. The proposal didn’t specifically say it had to be a woman. If they didn’t specifically designate Seojin, then it means anyone is fine, right?”

 

“Grandma!”

 

“Besides, you’re gay, aren’t you? You wouldn’t be against same-sex marriage, and it’s not like you can’t have kids. What’s the problem that you’re making such a fuss?”

 

At her nonchalant words, Yeonho’s pupils trembled once more.

 

In the distant past, same-sex marriage was largely taboo because it was considered an unproductive relationship that couldn’t produce children. However, the existence of Morphers rendered that reason obsolete.

 

Although the probability is much lower, with the help of medication, children can be born even between same-sex Morphers and ordinary people, and it goes without saying between Morphers.

 

Sometimes, some Morpher families even preferred male-male unions, believing that men’s bodies were stronger.

 

Still, that was that, and this was this.

 

Why did he welcome the idea of Seojin inheriting the company?

 

Yeonho detested complicated matters and being tied down to anything. He already had enough without needing anything more, so why would he deliberately step into the institution of marriage?

 

Moreover, marriage for the sake of having children? He disliked marriage, but childbirth and raising children were even worse.

 

“Stop talking nonsense! Even if I’m a Morpher, my older sister, who is a woman, is a better fit. Why are you picking on me? Isn’t that right, eldest sister?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Seohee, who had been sitting there like a bump on a log, flinched as the unexpected arrow came her way. Then, overwhelmed by the gazes pouring in from both directions, she awkwardly stretched her lips.

 

“Well… that’s true, but… in a way, it’s not necessarily like that either…”

 

“What?”

 

“I mean… you said they weren’t specifically pointing out Seojin, right? Then, according to Grandma, gender doesn’t matter… but Seojin is already in charge of the company, and if she actually gets married, it would be physically difficult for her, right? Besides, what if the marriage falls apart? Considering all the risks, I think you might be better than Seojin… that’s what I was thinking…”

 

Twins are twins. She always treats Yeonho with such leniency, only to stab him in the back at a crucial moment!

 

No. Does that mean it’s okay for a man if the marriage falls apart? How can she only look out for her other half?

 

Yeonho’s cheeks trembled as he lost his words. On the other hand, Madam Shin seemed quite receptive to Seohee’s words.

 

“Well, now that I hear it, it makes sense. Yeonho, Seojin is, after all, the pillar of our house. It wouldn’t do to pull out the pillar for the sake of wanting a great-grandchild.”

 

“Grandma!”

 

“Congratulations. I’ll gladly give up the chance to become the mistress of that house. The company is already in my hands, wouldn’t it be greedy to covet even this opportunity?”

 

It was said that if the hen crows, the household would be ruined, but that saying, which had become nonsense in modern times, was especially untrue for the Do family.

 

In this house, if the hen crows, the rooster had to shut up. Moreover, it wasn’t just one hen crowing? There were three of them!

 

Yeonho, who received a bushel back for a pint given, kept moving his mouth without saying anything, then thumped his chest repeatedly. In that instant, Seohee spoke up.

 

“By the way, how old is the third son of that family?”

 

“Huh? Let me see. In our age… he’s either twenty-four or twenty-five this year.”

 

Seojin, Seohee, and even Yeonho, who was dying of disbelief, abruptly stopped moving. Then, a groan, as if they had rehearsed it, burst from the twins’ mouths.

 

“Wow… regardless of gender, Yeonho is the right one to deal with this. If he’s twenty-four, how many years apart are we?”

 

“No, Grandma should have said that first! Who are you trying to pair up with someone so young? He’s practically a chick!”

 

“Huh? Is he only a chick to you two? He’s eight years younger than me! His wings probably haven’t even dried yet!”

 

“Still, it doesn’t go over two digits, right? That’s right. The kid you were sponsoring before. How old was he? Twenty-two or twenty-one?”

 

Seojin, not caring, even made a suggestive remark, leaving him speechless. There was no room for rebuttal.

 

Because he wasn’t twenty-one, but just twenty…

 

The future was bleak. The past was bleak. Yeonho, clutching his head, slumped down like a chicken snatched by an eagle.