Eren stood frozen at the harbor, eyes wide as he stared at the massive cruise ship glittering beneath the evening lights. The water rippled gold and silver from its reflection, and for a moment, he wondered if this was all a dream. Three months of saving every cent from his wages—three months of skipped lunches, taking overtime, even patching up old clothes instead of buying new ones—and now the impossible had come true.
In just a few days, he would marry the man he loved most.
He let out a shaky laugh, pressing a hand against his chest to steady the wild beat of his heart. Maybe it was all too fast—three months of dating, a whirlwind courtship that left him dizzy—but wasn't this what he had always dreamed of? Since the day he graduated from college, his hopes had been simple: find a stable job, build a quiet life, and one day marry someone who loved him, Omega and all.
When Eren first entered the Ulrick Group as a lowly office clerk, fear had gripped him. He knew how the world looked at men like him. Omegas were often dismissed as fragile, overemotional, unfit for the harsh grind of corporate life. Raised in the countryside, he had never imagined himself standing among towering glass buildings and sharp-eyed executives. His shy nature and quiet habits only made him an easier target. Some coworkers ignored him; others made him fetch coffee or stay late to finish the tasks they didn't want. And Eren, always too careful, always too afraid of being a burden, obeyed.
But James Ulrick had noticed him.
James, the operations manager, the son of one of the company president's children, could have looked at him the same way the others did: as a clerk beneath notice, as an Omega undeserving of respect. But he hadn't. James had waited for him at lunch breaks, shared quiet jokes that eased Eren's nerves, and stayed late when Eren was buried in overtime. Once, on a night when exhaustion made his hands shake over the copy machine, James appeared in the doorway holding two cups of coffee.
"You work too hard," James had said with a smile, setting the cup on the desk in front of him. "Let me wait with you."
It was such a small gesture, but to Eren, it meant everything. James treated him not as an errand boy, not as a weak Omega to be pitied, but as an equal. Patient, gentle, and respectful—James had never pushed, only waited, until Eren's heart, hesitant and fragile, had finally given in.
Now, as Eren stared at the ship that would carry them toward their future, he felt a swell of hope so strong it ached. Three months of love. Three months of whispered promises. And soon… a lifetime together.
Or so he believed.
"It doesn't matter if you're just an office clerk or if your rank is lower than mine. In my heart, we are equal—and I love you the most."
Those were the words James often told Eren.
But despite his promises, James admitted he couldn't propose yet. The reason was his uncle, Adriel Kaelen Ulrick—the newly appointed president of their company. From the moment Adriel took over, he made sure James's family would struggle. He refused to give them even a single centavo. If they wanted money, they had to work for it.
According to James, his uncle had always been indifferent to them, especially because they were considered the "second family." James's father was the son from his grandfather's first wife, while Adriel was the son of the second wife—the legal heir to the Ulrick Group. Because of this, Adriel held far more power than they did.
Even so, Eren believed in James's sincerity. He felt the truth in the way James treated him—with care, respect, and love. And so, Eren made a decision: if James couldn't propose, then he would. He would save up, and he would be the one to invite James into marriage.
As if fate itself had heard his resolve, a cruise ship announced a special holiday offer: a group wedding for couples who wanted to marry this Christmas season. "A once-in-a-lifetime chance to marry at sea," the slogan read. The moment Eren saw it, he didn't hesitate. Even if it was a shared ceremony, he was certain it would still be solemn—and magical. After all, who wouldn't want to be wed aboard a luxurious ship, surrounded by the endless sea?
Eren could hardly contain his excitement as he stepped onto the cruise. Everything felt surreal—the gleaming lights, the grandeur of the decks, the salt-scented breeze sweeping across his face. He and James had already agreed to meet onboard. They would have their own cabin, and after the wedding, they could spend their honeymoon right there on the ship. And his greatest dream is to finally bond with James let James mark him as his Fated Omega. He believed James was his Fated Alpha.
The package was generous: the venue and reception were free, and each couple was given two nights aboard while the cruise sailed. There were restaurants, a casino, a bar, and of course, the grand function hall where the wedding would take place.
Eren stood inside the hall, watching as the crew arranged flowers and drapes, preparing for the upcoming ceremony.
He noticed other couples arriving, faces glowing with joy, just like his. A soft smile tugged at his lips. In only a few hours, he would finally be James's husband.
His phone buzzed. James was calling. Stepping out of the hall to avoid disturbing anyone, Eren answered.
"Where are you?" he asked eagerly.
"I just got to the restaurant," James replied. His voice was warm but tinged with exhaustion. "I was almost late—Uncle Adriel piled work on me before I left. Honestly, I thought I wouldn't make it."
Relief washed over Eren. "Stay there. I'll come to you," he said firmly, lowering the phone after the call ended.
Whatever games Adriel was playing, whatever chains he tried to wrap around James, Eren was determined: nothing and no one would stop them from being together.
From the stories James told him, Eren had formed a clear image of Adriel—his uncle, the cruelest member of their family. Adriel always got what he wanted, and if anyone refused to obey, they would lose everything.
Eren had never met him in person. Adriel rarely visited their branch, so all Eren knew of him came from whispers among the employees. They described him as if he were a disaster—powerful, destructive, and better avoided. With every story, Eren became more certain he never wanted to meet the man face-to-face.
When Eren finally arrived at the cruise ship's restaurant, his eyes immediately searched for James. He spotted him at a table, but his steps faltered. James wasn't alone. A man sat across from him, and the two were engaged in lively conversation.
Eren froze, staring. James was smiling—wide, easy, and genuine. The other man returned the smile, clearly enjoying himself. Eren's chest tightened as he took in the man's sharp suit and confident demeanor. He looked polished, stylish—exactly the kind of person who seemed to belong beside James.
Almost unconsciously, Eren glanced down at himself. His clothes were simple, plain compared to theirs. He remembered James telling him before, "I don't care about how you look. I like you as you are." That had been one of the reasons Eren fell for him—because James never judged him for his appearance. And yet, standing here now, he couldn't help feeling small and out of place.
With a nervous sigh, Eren slipped his glasses off and held them in his hand. Approaching them like this didn't feel right. I'll look like a clumsy outsider tagging along, he thought bitterly. Without his glasses, at least he wouldn't have to see the contrast so sharply. But he couldn't just stand there forever.
"Eren!" the man suddenly called, his voice cheerful as he waved.
Startled, Eren squinted, trying to make out his features. From this distance, the face was a blur.
"What are you doing just standing there?" the man asked as he came closer. Before Eren could react, he plucked the glasses from his hand and slipped them back onto his face. "Put these on. You know you can't see a thing without them."
"I'm not blind," Eren muttered.
"I know," the man said with a playful grin.
The moment his vision cleared, Eren froze. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"T-Tyler?" he breathed, recognizing the familiar face at last.