* * *

In the end, Henry won the jewelry box and returned to the Timothy estate in high spirits.

Though Edwin had come to fetch him, Henry coolly refused, claiming it was too late.

He wanted to return home and admire the young Edwin’s portraits in peace.

Edwin, however, was left deeply annoyed.

After that day, he avoided Henry, rejecting invitations and excusing himself with work.

“Didn’t you miss me even a little? All I wanted was to admire your adorable past in peace,” Henry grumbled when Edwin finally replied to his letters after a week.

Henry felt like taking back every kind thing he’d ever said about Edwin being sweet and considerate.

Despite his complaints, Henry decided to go to Edwin to smooth things over.

He headed to the place Edwin mentioned, guided by a servant who now treated him not as a guest but as part of the Lorenz household.

“How has Edwin been lately?”

“Busy, as always.”

“Well, he is the heir.”

Henry nodded, but he knew Edwin’s silence wasn’t just about work—it was about sulking.

Still, he planned to bring it up casually.

As the servant opened the door, Henry thanked him and turned his gaze forward—only to freeze.

“…”

The room was entirely different from what he remembered. Henry stared in shock.

“What is all this?”

“Come in.”

“How can you tell me to enter that room?”

“Come in.”

With a sigh of exasperation, Henry pushed past his initial impulse to walk away and stepped inside, marveling at the bizarre sight.

Edwin had been busy indeed—but not in the way Henry had imagined.

“What have you been doing while ignoring me?”

Wherever he looked, unfamiliar jewel boxes greeted Henry from every corner of the room.

They varied in size, from ones as small as a fist to others so large they couldn’t be held in one arm.

A quick count showed more than 20, each more extravagant than the last.

Henry was momentarily at a loss for words in this jewel-box-filled room.

Some of the boxes were open, while others remained shut.

“Don’t tell me all of these are filled with actual jewels?”

“I was going to cover the entire floor with them, but I figured you wouldn’t like that.”

“Oh… So this is you holding back, huh?”

“Exactly.”

Faced with Edwin’s shameless response, Henry didn’t know how to react.

He simply turned to look at the boxes again.

Well, at least they weren’t strewn across the floor, and for a household as wealthy as a duke’s, a collection like this was easily attainable.

Besides, Edwin wasn’t one to indulge in luxuries, except for weapons.

This kind of extravagance was rare for him, and it wouldn’t strain his finances.

Compared to most noble heirs, Edwin had little desire for material things.

So what was the issue?

“Sigh.”

Henry tried to rationalize it, but the real problem lay in Edwin’s fixation on him.

The comment about “what he wouldn’t like” was proof of that.

Letting out a sigh, Henry forced his hesitant feet to move.

“This isn’t because of that chess bet with the Duke Lorenz, is it?”

Henry referred to the time when Duke Lorenz bet a jewel box filled with Edwin’s childhood portraits in a chess match.

Henry had been so captivated by the prize that he had followed Edwin around, refusing to let it go.

Was this whole ordeal a reaction to that?

As he glanced at Edwin, their eyes met. Edwin said nothing, but his expression was enough of an answer.

Unlike the duke, Edwin had prepared actual jewels.

He had even said back then he’d give Henry something better, but Henry hadn’t expected him to take it seriously.

“You crazy idiot. And you thought this was a good idea?”

Henry pressed a hand to his forehead, exasperated.

This was the result of letting Edwin’s obsessive side run wild.

Despite Henry’s reaction, Edwin remained seated on the sofa, unbothered.

He even scanned the room of jewel boxes and calmly spoke.

“Among these, find the jewel that holds my pheromones.”

“…What?”

What was he even saying?

Henry looked at him incredulously, then picked up a box at random.

The jewel inside shimmered beautifully but gave off no pheromones.

Besides, Edwin’s pheromones already filled the room like a dense fog—how was Henry supposed to discern anything in this overwhelming atmosphere?

Unless…

“Wait. Did you even buy a Pheros?”

Jewels capable of storing pheromones could only come from the Reve Trading Company.

Edwin nodded in confirmation.

“It took some time to collect them all.”

“…So all those times you declined to meet were because of this?”

“I wanted to propose as soon as possible, but the crafting process took longer than expected.”

Henry, about to open one of the simpler jewel boxes, paused at Edwin’s words.

‘Propose?’

Frozen in place, jewel box in hand, Henry slowly turned to look at Edwin, then back at the box.

He fully opened the lid, and a dazzling light spilled out, illuminating the jewel inside.

Each jewel, intricately crafted and uniquely shaped, was mesmerizing.

It was clear how much effort Edwin had put into selecting them.

“So… you’re telling me all of this is for your proposal?”

“I wasn’t sure how to do it, but I thought you liked jewels.”

“Who doesn’t like jewels? But it’s not like I liked them more than—” Henry trailed off, speechless.

Edwin’s meticulous preparation had rendered him mute.

The thought of all this effort, just for him, made his heart race.

He felt both embarrassed and flattered.

As his eyes wandered among the jewels, one caught his attention—a simple ring with minimal embellishment.

The smooth band held a single, neatly set gem.

Yet, once he focused on it, he couldn’t look away.

Bringing it closer, Henry’s eyes widened.

He could feel the familiar warmth of Edwin’s affectionate pheromones emanating from the ring.

“This is it.”

Henry’s voice brimmed with excitement as he declared his discovery.

It reminded him of childhood treasure hunts when Edwin would hide notes around the house for him to find.

The same thrill of discovery coursed through him.

“That’s right.”

“This kind of game is my specialty.”

Pleased with his find, Henry beamed with pride.

Edwin, now standing close, took the ring from his hand and gently held Henry’s hand.

“All of these jewels are yours.”

“If you’d handed them over right away, it would’ve been overwhelming, but now… I don’t mind.”

At first, Henry had felt burdened just by stepping into the room.

But now, he felt only pride and joy, knowing everything here was prepared for Edwin’s proposal.

The thought filled him with warmth.

Nodding in contentment, Henry suddenly looked a bit sheepish.

“But I didn’t prepare anything for you.”

Caught off guard by Edwin’s secretive planning, Henry realized he had nothing to offer in return.

As he hesitated, Edwin chuckled softly, reaching out to gently caress Henry’s cheek, where a slight blush had formed.

His touch was tender, as if even that small mark required care.

Henry closed one eye and looked up at him.

“Your pheromones are my treasure. More precious than anything.”

“You say things like that so easily. Are you really the Edwin I know?”

“Or would you prefer if I said your very existence is my most valuable jewel?”

“Edwin…”

Was this really the same Edwin who once spoke so little and only uttered sharp words?

His softened tone and heartfelt confessions were almost too much for Henry.

Flustered, he averted his gaze.

The room felt hotter, perhaps because of the closed windows, or perhaps because of Edwin.

Henry fanned himself, only for Edwin to capture his hand, drawing it gently toward him.

Edwin’s fingers grazed Henry’s ring finger as if seeking permission.

Henry hesitated briefly, then gave a small nod. Smiling, Edwin slipped the ring onto his finger.

The cool metal brushed against Henry’s skin, sending a pleasant shiver through him.

His heart fluttered, and the warmth on his face no longer mattered.

“This ring is proof that you’re the one I love.”

Edwin turned the ring on Henry’s finger, admiring how it fit.

Henry nodded in silent understanding, and Edwin lifted his chin.

As their eyes met, Edwin pressed a tender kiss to Henry’s lips.

“Will you accept my proposal?”

As Henry closed his eyes to the light yet warm touch of Edwin’s lips on his own, a ticklish whisper wrapped around his ears.

The lingering sadness of their week-long separation melted away, disappearing without a trace in the intensity of this single, searing kiss.

With his eyes still closed, Henry gave his answer to Edwin’s proposal.

“Absolutely.”

They would marry.

Just like in the original story—but this time, unlike before, they would face a future brimming with love and anticipation.

* * *