* * *

“Oppa was really strange today.”

Hena not only yelled at Henry, asking if he was crazy, but also brought it up at dinner. Her parents, who had returned from the palace, continued eating gracefully despite her fuss.

The Duchess smiled indulgently and replied.

“How was he strange?”

“It was weird enough that oppa, who acted like he’d never take off his gloves, touched my head with his bare hand.”

“And what’s so strange about that…”

Henry had only taken off his gloves because they were stuffy after coming back. He had only patted Hena’s head because she was cute.

Henry tilted his wine glass, not understanding why she made such a fuss. But Hena answered as if it was obvious.

“Oppa has OCD. He finds touching people disgusting…”

“Hena, that’s rude.”

The Duchess had to intervene to stop Hena. Although Hena’s words weren’t entirely wrong, the Duchess chose to cut her off rather than correct her.

“Henry, please understand. Hena is still immature.”

“It’s okay. She’s just cute.”

Henry shook his head, indicating it was no big deal, but the Duchess seemed surprised by his response. She looked at Hena, who gave her a look as if to say, ‘See, I was right.’

“Today is a bit strange.”

The Duchess also said the same thing, and Henry pretended not to notice, sipping his wine. He knew he would appear different from before.

Rather than offering excuses, he decided it would be better to let them gradually get used to his changes.

“That’s not all. Can you believe she told me to meet someone I like? She said that since I have so much money, it wouldn’t matter if they were a beggar.”

Hena, as if the story wasn’t over, clung to the Duchess, spilling every detail. Listening to her recount the events so vividly made Henry feel a bit unfairly treated. When did I ever tell her to meet a beggar?

“Hena, that’s enough.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Henry gave a gentle warning, and Hena fell silent.

Even though she had openly exposed how strange her brother was, she knew Henry’s personality well enough to stop there.

Henry explained what he had said to Hena earlier.

“Hena exaggerated a bit. I only suggested she meet someone she feels a connection with, rather than just considering conditions.”

“Oh, I see. Hena is still at an age where she doesn’t understand love.”

“Mother!”

“Meeting someone you love is a great blessing. Just like how I met your father, I hope Hena can experience the same.”

The Duchess praised Henry for his words, pleased as an older brother. Hena looked like she had much more to say but held back, sipping her water. She glanced at Henry, as if worried she had made a mistake.

Henry, however, only found her endearing.

Having sorted out the situation, Henry looked at his family. He had wondered if his difficult personality, often portrayed as a villain, might be a family issue. He considered whether there might be some dark side not revealed in the novel.

However, as simply expressed in their declarations of love, the Duke and Duchess were utterly devoted to each other. They equally loved and listened to Henry and Hena. Even during this peaceful dinner, Henry concluded that there was no family problem.

“I’m the only problem.”

A perfectionist, irritable human. Moreover, a villain blinded by love to commit heinous acts.

Henry, who had harshly judged himself, watched the Duke, who had been quietly focusing on his meal.

“Father.”

“Yes, what is it?”

The Duke, who was drinking wine like Henry, responded gently. The first time Henry met the Duke, he had a strong, stern face that conveyed the weight of family responsibility, making him seem difficult to approach. But in front of his children, he was endlessly kind.

“His Highness the Crown Prince wants to go out.”

“Is that why you went to the palace today?”

“Yes.”

Henry briefly explained what happened at the palace. The Crown Prince wanted to visit a place currently the subject of rumors, but the Emperor was unlikely to allow it. The Crown Prince had then suggested that Henry accompany him.

“So, I intend to go with Crown Prince William, but I need you to persuade the Emperor.”

“Hmm.”

The Duke made a thoughtful sound after hearing Henry’s explanation.

“The Crown Prince aside, this is your first time traveling such a long distance. Are you okay with it?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure.”

This world wasn’t particularly convenient outside of the help one received from servants, so Henry was a bit worried. However, he had a reason to go, so he expressed his honest feelings.

“But I still want to go.”

He couldn’t imagine how uncomfortable it would be as soon as he left home, but he had to go. It wasn’t just a simple trip. Seeing Henry’s determined gaze, the Duke nodded heavily.

“I’ll talk to His Majesty.”

“Thank you.”

“But…”

When the Duke trailed off as if he had a question, Henry looked at him curiously.

“Isn’t Edwin going with you?”

The sudden mention of Edwin left Henry speechless. Trying to hide his confusion, Henry swirled his wine glass, pretending to drink to buy time.

‘Why am I surprised?’

The Duke probably asked because he thought Henry, Prince William, and Edwin always moved together. Afraid that his surprised reaction would seem odd, Henry spoke as calmly as he could.

“Edwin decided to sit this one out. And going forward, we won’t be sticking together as much since we’re all older now.”

Henry took this opportunity to naturally distance himself from Edwin. He intended to avoid Edwin as much as possible.

“That’s a bit disappointing.”

Henry looked at the Duke, puzzled. Did he consider Edwin as a potential son-in-law because of Hena? Or did he just want to maintain a good relationship with another noble family?

“I’ll assign you a bodyguard, but having Edwin there makes a big difference. He would ensure your safety.”

“Well…”

Before Henry could respond, Hena jumped in.

“Edwin is also a precious heir of a noble family. He’ll protect himself before protecting Henry. Besides, Henry might be a beta, but he’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself.”

Henry silently responded.

‘Sorry, I can’t protect myself as an omega right now.’

He didn’t even know how to wield a sword and had to hide behind his guards. Even if he tried to fight back, it would be useless against a sword. Moreover, if he revealed he was an omega, he would have to explain the cause of his lack of pheromones, which no one knew about.

Since Henry had prevented a big revelation at his birthday party, everyone still believed he was a beta. While Henry was contemplating his nature, the Duke spoke to Hena.

“He loves swords, so he will surely protect Henry well. It’s not easy to find such solid protection.”

“Protection…?”

“Do you think the Crown Prince will protect Henry?”

“Not really.”

Even Hena knew that Crown Prince William would step back rather than protect Henry. Despite his handsome appearance, his sly smile made it hard for anyone to consider marrying him, likely due to his inscrutable nature.

As Hena remained silent, the Duke looked at Henry. His gaze asked if Edwin could accompany him. Understanding the Duke’s subtle affection for his son, Henry quietly put down his wine glass, almost smiling.

“Still, I’ll be going with His Highness the Crown Prince this time, so please assign plenty of guards.”

“If you need anything, just tell me.”

“Please give me a lot of pocket money. I’ll try to stick close to His Highness the Crown Prince as much as possible, but I’d like to start off well.”

“Alright.”

Henry, who had just met the Duke for the first time today, found himself joking around and striking up a conversation without realizing it.

The Duke was doing this simply because he was Henry’s father, and it warmed Henry’s heart.

In a situation where there was a possibility of returning to his original body, having loving parents was a stroke of luck.

‘Ah… Henry really has such favorable conditions.’

It would be great if only the seal could be removed.

* * *