* * *

Unlike Ashton, who had been quite amicable up until now, Rex’s attitude was cold and indifferent.

This wasn’t surprising, as he was portrayed as a prickly character in the original story.

The eldest son of the Balcom family from the northern region, he was described as emotionally reserved and stoic.

He was also the character who would eventually uncover Remy’s schemes to frame Allen.

At the moment, Rex seemed like the most likely suspect behind the gunshot incident.

“Hey. Did you make it back safely yesterday?”

Ashton, whose looks could turn heads and whose voice could charm ears, greeted him with a warm smile.

Remy couldn’t help but sigh quietly.

Why on earth did someone like him have to be his childhood friend?

“Yeah, thanks to you.”

Remy responded curtly and sat down on the remaining sofa.

It was the green velvet one where he had woken up two days ago.

“Alright, now that everyone’s here, shall we get started?”

The third prince took a seat and spoke. Ashton was the first to chime in.

“According to Allen, the birthday party will proceed as planned at the summer villa of the Aylesford Count’s family. Allen has already left for the villa.”

In the original story, Allen’s birthday party also took place at the Aylesford summer villa.

“Got it. Then we should send his gift there ahead of time.”

The prince, with his elegant appearance, had a surprisingly serious expression.

“I’ve been thinking about what to get Allen for his birthday. How about a rare animal from the East?”

“A rare animal?”

He was referring to a panda. In the original story, the third prince gifted Allen a panda for his birthday.

“Yes. It’s a bear-like animal with black and white fur, not very large, and extremely cute. It eats bread and carrots quite docilely.”

“Allen loves adorable animals. I’m sure he’ll be delighted.”

What was the point of bringing an exotic animal all the way from the East just to keep it locked up in a house?

Thinking about the panda suffering in a foreign land left Remy feeling conflicted.

“Remy. What do you think? Would Allen like it if we gave him this?”

Startled, Remy snapped out of his thoughts when his name was called.

“Pardon, Your Highness?”

“What do you think? Do you think it’s a good gift for Allen’s birthday?”

“Uh… um…”

Of course, Remy also liked cute animals. But giving someone a rare animal like a panda felt… wrong.

If he were to answer honestly, he would have said, “Please don’t give him something like a panda.”

But knowing the original story, Remy replied differently.

“Yes, Your Highness. I think Allen will be very pleased.”

In the original story, Allen had been overjoyed by the third prince’s gift.

Since it would be better for them to end up together, there was no choice but to answer this way.

“Good. Then the gift is decided.”

The third prince looked quite satisfied.

Remy felt relieved that the prince didn’t seem to be the type to make his life difficult like Ashton.

Besides, the prince already appeared to be deeply smitten with Allen.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Allen’s happy reaction.”

Thinking that there didn’t seem to be any major issues today, Remy resolved to ensure he would be properly despised on Allen’s birthday.

After all, the prince was supposed to witness him pushing Allen down the stairs, just like in the original story.

As long as he followed the plot, there shouldn’t be any problems.

But…

“Your Highness, why don’t we depart today?”

Remy’s hopes were shattered in real time.

He glared at Ashton, silently cursing his audacity.

Yet Ashton, as handsome as ever, was enthusiastically pitching his idea to the prince.

“Allen has likely already arrived at the summer villa. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to deliver some wine and meat early, then spend a few days together before the birthday.”

Anxious to prevent deviations from the original plot, Remy quickly interrupted.

“Your Highness, surely you’re too busy to spend several days at the summer villa?”

Ashton and Rex both shot him looks as if to say, ‘What nonsense are you spouting?’

Remy realized his mistake.

Royals in this era couldn’t possibly be busy.

Their days were likely filled with attending balls and living lavishly.

“Ashton’s idea sounds quite reasonable.”

‘No, no! Don’t do this. Don’t leave for the summer villa already.’

Ignoring Remy’s silent protests, the third prince seemed very taken with Ashton’s suggestion.

“Rex, what do you think?”

“I agree, Your Highness. I’m sure Allen would welcome it.”

“Then it’s settled?”

“Yes, let’s do that, Your Highness.”

“…!!”

As the three others in the room looked pleased, Remy alone was plunged into despair.

Why did things keep spiraling out of control?

“Alright, let’s prepare and set off.”

Suppressing tears of frustration, the novice transmigrator Remy thought to himself that sticking to the original story might just be the hardest thing to do.

Meanwhile, the radiant prince simply smiled like sunshine, oblivious to Remy’s turmoil.

---

Inside the carriage heading home, Remy was not alone this time.

Beside him sat the Third Prince of the venerable Federica royal family, while Ashton and Rex sat across from him.

Though they were traveling in a royal carriage, which was neither cramped nor suffocating, there was still a small issue at hand…

“Remy, are you alright? Are you still suffering from manifestation pains? You don’t look well.”

The issue was that he was stuck in this enclosed space with three Alphas.

“No, Your Highness. It’s just a little motion sickness…”

Remy never imagined, not even in his wildest dreams, that traveling with three Alphas could be this overwhelming.

The pheromones of Alphas… they were far more potent than anything he had ever read about in novels.

While their scent was sweet and pleasant, it wasn’t just a simple fragrance.

It subtly stimulated his senses, teasing at something deeper.

No matter their intentions, the constant wafting of their pheromones made it hard for him to stay composed.

His body heated up, his breath quickened. He began to worry—what if something disastrous happened, like last time?

Then, suddenly, a cool hand touched his feverish forehead.

The hand, pale and soft, belonged to none other than Haywards, the prince sitting next to him.

“Your Highness…?”

“It’s likely because of the pheromones. You’re a newly manifested Omega, after all.”

As he spoke, Haywards leaned closer, his hand gently lifting from Remy’s forehead.

From this angle, Remy could see him more clearly—the silvery hair cascading like a starry river, each strand shimmering as it fell softly around him.

“Some fresh air will help.”

Haywards reached for the curtain on the window and pulled it aside, letting the early summer breeze flow in.

The fresh wind helped disperse the Alpha pheromones that had filled the carriage, providing some relief.

Remy couldn’t tear his eyes away from Haywards’ ivory-white skin as the prince returned to his seat.

His features were so unreal that they seemed detached from reality.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“It’s nothing.”

Haywards gave him a gentle smile before turning his gaze to the passing scenery.

Watching the prince’s serene profile, the smooth line of his brow and his sharp, straight nose, Remy felt a strange sensation welling up inside him.

Was this also due to the pheromones?

* * *