* * *

The meal, both long and short, came to an end.

After a polite exchange of goodbyes with the Timothy family, the Duke and Duchess of Lorenz boarded their carriage.

As they departed, Henry thought he caught the Duke’s eyes meeting his for a fleeting moment, but it happened so quickly he couldn’t be sure.

The Timothy family and Hena returned to the estate, leaving Henry and Edwin alone.

“It really was nothing. I was just being overly sensitive,” Henry muttered.

Although the meal had started with cryptic conversations, it had softened the atmosphere.

Duke Lorenz wasn’t as intimidating as before, nor was his wife.

Shrugging off his earlier suspicions, Henry looked relieved.

Seeing this, Edwin spoke with a hint of affection.

“You’re perceptive and quick-witted, but sometimes you can be ridiculously oblivious.”

Anyone could tell this was no ordinary meal—it was practically a formal introduction.

---

William, the Crown Prince, recalled his previous encounter with Hook.

Hook had approached him first and proposed a deal, but the nature of that deal kept lingering in William’s mind.

“You’ve been investigating the cave that once held the Grand Mage’s treasure, haven’t you?”

“Indeed, I have.”

“I’d like you to share that information with me.”

“Even though there’s likely nothing left to gain from the cave?”

“Yes.”

“Then what can you offer me in return?”

The Crown Prince, finding Hook’s request surprisingly simple, couldn’t quite grasp his intentions.

“Not everyone respects and reveres you, Your Highness.”

“That’s a rather painful truth to hear.”

“Some of them communicate with each other quite closely.”

“Are you suggesting treason?”

The very idea of a group harboring resentment against the Crown Prince felt tantamount to treason.

But Hook immediately dismissed William’s assertion.

“To accuse all who disapprove of you of treason seems excessive, Your Highness. Can’t we simply regard them as people who don’t like you?”

“Then why bring up their activities?”

“Among them, there are those who genuinely obstruct your plans. I can give you a hint as to who they are.”

William openly expressed his disappointment.

Hook’s words sounded enticing at first but ultimately offered little value.

Moreover, he didn’t even plan to reveal names directly.

“Falling for such a vague offer feels like I’m at a disadvantage.”

“At the very least, it gives you time to prepare, so it’s not a loss.”

Hook’s reasoning was sound. Concluding that William needed time to think, Hook scheduled their next meeting and left.

The entire exchange was riddled with uncertainties.

Unable to come up with answers on his own, William summoned Henry.

“Are we talking about Hook?”

Henry tilted his head quizzically as he responded.

“You’ve shown interest in him before. What’s it about this time?”

“It’s not necessarily about anything specific… I’m just curious.”

“Do you really need to ask me? I’ve seen you spend time with him before, after all.”

Henry’s mention of William and Hook together carried a tone of caution.

Sensing that Henry knew something, William pressed further.

“He’s helped me in the past, and this time, he came to see me directly.”

“Hook came to you personally?”

“He did.”

William carefully observed Henry’s reaction for any telltale signs but gleaned nothing.

After some thought, Henry eventually decided to share something.

“Hook needs a lot of money.”

“That much I know from dealing with him.”

“But you likely don’t know what he’s using it for. Hook doesn’t amass wealth for himself.”

Henry rose to leave, indicating he’d said all he could.

“Does he have some unfortunate circumstances?” William asked abruptly.

“I can’t say for sure unless I were Hook himself. But I do know he’s had to claw his way up to where he is now.”

Satisfied with his answer, Henry watched William briefly before leaving.

Despite the discussion, William’s frustration remained unresolved.

Why did Hook need information about the cave?

How did he know about those harboring animosity toward the Crown Prince?

Questions swirled without answers.

---

Elsewhere, the Reve Trading Company reemerged, bringing with them the “Pheros” ring, fulfilling an earlier order.

They presented the ring to its client, explained its extraordinary effects, and departed.

Interest in Pheros swept the capital, drawing crowds eager to witness its rumored powers.

The intricate craftsmanship of the ring amazed them, and its practical use—capturing pheromones and subtly influencing its wearer—left onlookers astonished.

Furthermore, its symbolic nature as a gift between lovers only amplified its appeal.

The Reve Trading Company’s business boomed, leaving even its leader, Violet, and her associates overwhelmed by the demand.

Amid the commotion, a man arrived at the guild.

“Welcome! Are you here to order a Pheros ring?”

“Yes, I am.”

“How many would you like? A single ring can be delivered by the end of the month, but larger orders may take longer.”

“Can the Pheros be made in forms other than a ring?”

Unfazed by the question, the merchant replied, knowing that custom orders were common.

“I’m intrigued by the Pheros, but I haven’t bonded with anyone yet. I’d like it as a gift, perhaps in a different form.”

“For a gift? Certainly. Please give us a bit more time for customization.”

While speaking, the man observed his surroundings with curiosity, asking detailed questions about the guild’s wares and the origin of the gemstones used in Pheros.

Eventually, the merchant prepared a form.

“I’ll draft your order. May I have your name?”

The man hesitated briefly before answering.

“Hans,” he said, concealing his true name.

As the merchant finalized the order, Hans reflected on the guild’s expertise.

The Pheros, in particular, impressed him, and he marveled at Henry’s foresight in backing such a venture.

“Could this be the Grand Mage’s influence?” he mused.

Perhaps he had drawn inspiration from his treasure.

Taylor briefly felt bitter about the treasure Henry had taken from him but soon brushed it off.

“I’ll have to take this merchant group too.”

For that to happen, the goods he ordered today must deceive Henry successfully.

---

A short time later, Henry encountered a man sent as a messenger.

“What business do you have with me?”

The messenger placed a jewelry box down and replied politely.

“I am Pale from the Mikhail Merchant Group. I was instructed to deliver this to you, sir.”

“To me?”

Henry looked at the jewelry box with an increasingly puzzled expression.

Instead of questioning the messenger further, he decided to open the box himself.

The moment he lifted the lid, the pheromones contained within wafted out, subtly stimulating his own.

“Pheromones?”

Henry voiced his confusion as he peered inside the box.

The only person whose pheromones he could sense was Edwin.

Reaching into the box, he pulled out a string attached to something.

“A necklace.”

It was a necklace, adorned with a gemstone so faintly colored that it was almost transparent, saturated with Edwin’s pheromones.

It was a piece crafted by the Reve Merchant Group.

Why, then, had it come through a messenger from another group?

And why hadn’t Edwin delivered it himself?

As Henry pondered these questions, he chuckled helplessly.

“He refused when I asked him to make one before.”

When Henry had previously asked Edwin to infuse a necklace with his pheromones, Edwin had flatly refused.

Back then, when Henry imbued his pheromones into a necklace, Edwin had gotten flustered and kissed him.

Afterward, Edwin stormed off, saying it would be too much if both of them started emitting pheromones.

Henry had eventually forgotten about it, but now it had returned to him like this.

Perhaps Edwin had been bothered by the remark Henry had made during dinner at the duke’s estate—a comment calling him foolish.

Even so, for Edwin to come up with such a thoughtful gesture was unexpected.

As Henry examined the necklace, considering what to say when he met Edwin, the messenger, who hadn’t yet left, spoke up.

“There was one request accompanying the delivery of this item.”

“From Edwin? What is it?”

Having already concluded that Edwin was behind this, Henry looked at the messenger.

“He asked you to meet him in the garden connected to the estate’s pavilion on the day the pheromones are completely gone.”

“Hmm.”

Henry looked back at the necklace.

It was so saturated with Edwin’s pheromones that it would take at least ten days for them to dissipate completely.

In the meantime, he would undoubtedly see Edwin multiple times, so it seemed unnecessary to set up a separate meeting.

Nevertheless, the sentiment behind Edwin’s gesture was enough to make Henry nod in agreement.

“All right.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

As the messenger departed, Henry rose from his seat and approached a mirror.

He held the necklace in his hands, examining it before placing it around his neck.

The design was minimal, almost appearing as though it were just a string.

“Edwin, you’re so peculiar.”

Despite calling him peculiar, Henry couldn’t stop smiling as he fiddled with the necklace.

* * *