* * *

Because of that, Henry’s latent pheromones had flared, and Edwin had ended up stealing his pheromone stone.

The trip, with all its troubles, hadn’t benefited Henry at all. He pouted.

“You’re the reason for everything. It’s all your fault.”

“Even so, what’s done is done,” Edwin said, shaking his head as he pushed a drink and dessert toward Henry.

“I, for one, don’t regret joining that trip.”

When Henry didn’t reach for the offerings, Edwin picked up a grape and brought it to Henry’s lips.

Henry glared but eventually opened his mouth slightly, letting Edwin feed him.

“Without that trip, our relationship wouldn’t have changed.”

That was why Edwin hadn’t objected when William brought up the past.

It wasn’t worth hiding since it had ultimately led to their becoming lovers.

Henry shot Edwin a look that suggested he had much to say, but he kept chewing on the grape.

“Even if time were rewound, I’d make the same choice,” Edwin said, this time lifting a strawberry to Henry’s lips.

Amused by the bounce of Henry’s lower lip as he resisted, Edwin smiled.

‘Maybe I won’t eat it,’ Henry thought, a brief flash of mischief making him consider refusing.

But he gave in, letting the strawberry’s sweetness dissolve some of his sulkiness.

“Hey,” William, who had been watching them, suddenly interjected.

“How about showing me some attention? I’m starting to feel left out here…”

“Then, Your Highness should find a lover of your own,” Henry replied shamelessly, eyeing a cookie.

Edwin, noticing, picked it up and handed it to him.

Henry ignored William’s pointed looks and continued to accept Edwin’s offerings like a baby bird.

“I see how it is,” William muttered, narrowing his eyes at Henry.

While he was happy for their love, watching it unfold was starting to grate on him.

“Actually, someone’s caught my eye lately,” William said, steering the conversation in a different direction.

“You, Your Highness?”

The Crown Prince, usually content to observe, rarely spoke about himself.

Henry was genuinely surprised.

Edwin, meanwhile, didn’t seem to care.

“The more I see them, the more they occupy my thoughts when they’re not around.”

“Really?”

“It’s the first time anyone’s intrigued me this much.”

“Who’s managed to catch Your Highness’s interest…?”

Henry trailed off as the natural flow of conversation suddenly set off his internal alarms.

He grew wary.

“Actually, never mind! You don’t need to tell me.”

“How stingy.”

“It’s better this way. I’m fine not knowing.”

William wouldn’t bring this up for no reason.

It had to be someone Henry knew.

Whoever it was, he wished them the best but wanted no part in it.

Henry turned fully toward Edwin, shutting himself off from William.

‘It must be someone appropriate,’ he thought.

‘Someone of age and status to suit the Crown Prince. Who could it be?’

As his mind went through the possibilities, a familiar face came to mind, and Henry’s expression stiffened.

‘No way.’

Noticing Henry’s reaction, Edwin gently cupped his cheek, soothing him without words.

Henry closed his eyes, leaning into Edwin’s touch.

“You’re ridiculously sweet,” William muttered, unable to bear the sight but noting how Edwin’s hand remained on Henry’s cheek.

“In any case, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear a thing.”

“At least ask who it is,” William teased.

“I’d rather not. It’ll just bother me once I know.”

“Suit yourself, but I’m telling you anyway. Block your ears if you must.”

As if to show his resolve, Henry clutched Edwin’s hand and covered his ears.

“Think that’ll stop me?”

Even muffled, William’s voice was still audible.

Henry frowned and grumbled, clearly irritated.

This time, even Edwin, who had seemed indifferent, joined the conversation.

“My sister Hena is set to lead the House of Timothy…”

“Hook has no interest in Your Highness, though…”

“…”

The overlapping words caused a moment of confusion.

Henry, thinking William had meant Hena, turned to Edwin with a puzzled look.

“Hook?”

Henry lowered the hands covering his ears and looked at Crown Prince William.

The prince responded with a bright smile and a nod.

“The more I meet him, the more I liked him. Even his subtle pheromones are quite pleasing.”

“…Pheromones?”

Henry tilted his head, confused.

‘Pheromones? From Hook?’

“You didn’t know?” William asked in return, then nodded as if realizing something.

“Hook hid it well, but he couldn’t completely erase the scent of an Omega.”

Edwin, as usual, remained indifferent.

Either he already knew or simply didn’t care.

‘Hook is an Omega?’

Henry was utterly shocked.

He wasn’t sure whether to be relieved it wasn’t Hena or to question why Hook suddenly caught his attention.

As thoughts of Hook surfaced, a past conversation with William came to mind.

“So the reason you asked about Hook before… was because of this?”

“Exactly. I was curious about him,” William admitted without hesitation.

Since he’d entered into a new agreement with Hook, he wanted to know more about him.

Even now, William found himself pondering what excuse to use to summon Hook next.

Seeing this thought plainly displayed on William’s face, Henry couldn’t help but look skeptical.

“I’m not sure if this is a good thing for Hook.”

‘Hook and Crown Prince William.’

Not that it was any of his business, but he couldn’t help wondering how Hook might feel about it.

The unexpected nature of their connection was surprising, but Henry merely shrugged it off.

“If you’re interested, handle it however you like.”

The message was clear: he had no intention of getting involved.

William gave him a mock look of indignation but soon chuckled.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave,” Henry said, checking the time as he stood up.

Edwin rose naturally alongside him, prompting William to comment with an air of inevitability.

“You two are quite the inseparable pair now.”

With a wave of his hand, he added, “I’ll call for you again.”

“Until next time,” Henry replied, bowing slightly before stepping back.

Edwin gave a silent nod and followed Henry, positioning himself at his side.

Seeing this, Henry smiled and took Edwin’s hand in his.

William watched the couple walk away, a faint chuckle escaping him.

He had once wished for Henry’s unrequited love to succeed, but seeing them together now only left him feeling envious.

“I should’ve left Edwin behind on that trip.”

He clicked his tongue in belated regret, but the warmth between Henry and Edwin only grew, undeterred by his musings.

* * *