* * *
Something about Remy’s serious tone made Oliver uneasy.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to come here anymore.”
And just like that, Oliver’s unease became reality.
Remy had come today to say goodbye—to tell him that they wouldn’t see each other again.
“Oliver?”
Instead of asking why or looking hurt, Oliver remained silent.
That made Remy feel even more anxious.
“Oliver, say something. Please?”
Under Remy’s tense gaze, Oliver finally spoke in a slow, measured voice.
“I thought so.”
“Huh…?”
“I had a feeling from the moment you came back after so long. It felt like today would be the last time.”
“…I’m sorry, Oliver.”
“It’s okay. You must have your reasons. Something you can’t tell me. That’s why you’re saying this, right?”
“…”
“I never thought you’d always be around to take care of us. It’s just… it happened sooner than I expected, and that’s a little sad. But I understand. I can’t hold on to you forever.”
At that, Remy’s eyes welled up with tears.
He had wanted to be a source of strength for Oliver, but in the end, he was leaving yet another scar on the boy’s heart.
Oliver had already lost his mother at a young age, and now Remy was abandoning him too.
The thought of leaving Oliver behind broke his heart.
Their time together had been short, but the bond they had formed was deep.
Not just with Oliver, but with his younger siblings as well.
Even when he returned to his original world, he would never forget them.
“Oliver. I’m sorry for making promises I couldn’t keep. I told you I’d visit every day, but I couldn’t. Don’t be like me—don’t grow up to be an adult who makes promises they can’t keep.”
Remy meant every word.
He knew Oliver would never be that kind of person, but the guilt was overwhelming.
He had to say something.
“I really liked you. The time I spent with you and your siblings was precious to me. I was happy—truly happy during those moments.”
It probably wasn’t the best thing to say right before leaving, but Remy wanted Oliver to know.
If nothing else, he wanted to be remembered as someone good in Oliver’s life.
“Thank you, Remy.”
As if he understood, Oliver expressed his gratitude. And that made Remy’s tears spill over again.
“But… Remy.”
For the first time, Oliver hesitated.
His large eyes drooped as he deliberated, and after a long pause, he finally looked up at Remy.
“In the future.”
“…”
“When I grow up. Would it be okay if I came to find you then?”
“Ah…”
That broke Remy completely.
The tears he had barely been holding back came pouring out.
He couldn’t answer.
Because he wasn’t just leaving for a while—he was disappearing forever.
He had to.
“I really want to see you again someday. Not as a child, but as an adult—just like you.”
“Oliver…”
“Please. Just say yes.”
Remy was at a loss for words.
Telling Oliver the truth felt too cruel.
How could he say that they would never meet again?
That they would be living in separate worlds forever?
“Remy.”
And so, in the end, he had no choice but to lie.
“Yeah. We’ll meet again.”
“Really?”
“Mhm. When you’re all grown up and come find me, I’ll welcome you with open arms. I promise.”
“…Thank you, Remy.”
Trembling, Remy pulled Oliver into a tight embrace.
Oliver wrapped his arms around him in return.
The familiar scent, reminiscent of a mother’s warmth, filled his senses.
The thought that he wouldn’t be able to experience this again until he became an adult made Oliver’s chest ache, but he tried his best to hide it.
“I really have to go now.”
Wiping his tears, Remy took a step back.
The thought of leaving this dear boy behind to face his fate was unbearable, but he forced himself to stay composed.
“Take care, okay? Keep studying hard. Look after your siblings. Stay healthy.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Shall we head back?”
“Yeah.”
Just as they had when they first entered the woods, Remy took Oliver’s small hand and led him back to the camp.
He couldn’t bring himself to tell Oliver’s younger siblings the truth, so he lied once more—telling them he would see them again someday.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you.”
Rex was the one to escort him on his final journey.
Sitting in the carriage, Remy pressed down on his swollen eyes.
The redness around them made it clear how much he had cried.
Rex hesitated before asking softly.
“What did you talk about that made you cry so much?”
Remy shook his head lightly, trying to brush it off as if it were nothing, and spoke to Rex.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to see Oliver anymore because of personal matters. I just wanted to say a final goodbye.”
Rex seemed slightly surprised by Remy’s words but soon nodded as if he understood.
Remy bit his lip in silence, gathering his scattered emotions as he Remynded himself of what he had to do.
“A few days ago… His Highness came to see me.”
Clatter, clatter.
Inside the swaying carriage, Rex’s gaze snapped toward Remy.
His eyes burned with a terrifying intensity, as if he were ready to march out and behead Haywards on the spot.
“Don’t look at me like that. Nothing happened.”
“Why? Why would he seek you out?”
“He’s hosting a ball. He said he’d really like me to attend.”
“Hah.”
Rex let out a scoff of disbelief.
Even if the man stood at the pinnacle of power, he hadn’t expected such blatant arrogance.
After everything he had done to Remy, he still had the audacity to visit him in person.
It was beyond offensive—something no gentleman should ever do.
“You must have heard about the ball, too.”
Rex’s emotions were of no importance to Remy right now.
What mattered was whether or not Rex would be attending.
Even though Rex was showing interest in him now, everything could change if Allen’s claims were true—if Rex had indeed been investigating Allen behind his back.
Among the three Alpha candidates, Rex was the most powerful.
His presence at the ball was essential.
“Yeah, I’ll be there. What about you, Remy?”
“I already told him I’d attend.”
“…Are you sure about this?”
“What’s there to be unsure about?”
With that, Remy turned his gaze to the window.
The city streets, now blanketed in darkness, looked pitch-black.
In this era, without a single light to brighten the night, the world felt desolate and endlessly lonely.
“That night, stay by my side. I’ll make sure no other Alphas come near you.”
“You don’t have to say that. I can take care of myself.”
“You always say that. But you’ve never actually managed to. In the end, you can’t help but crumble before an Alpha’s pheromones. You need an Alpha’s protection.”
“I’ll be fine. I don’t need that.”
Because that night, I have to die.
Remy swallowed down the words he couldn’t afford to say.
“We’re almost there.”
While they spoke, the carriage had reached the gates of the Wesley estate.
As it rolled along the neatly manicured path leading to the mansion, Remy let out a long sigh.
“Rex.”
At the sound of his name, Rex turned to him, his gaze wordlessly urging him to speak.
“I believe everything you’ve told me before.”
“What are you talking about?”
“About Oliver. That you’re taking care of him not because of me, but because you like him.”
“Yeah. I did say that.”
“If I’m not around anymore, I hope you’ll keep looking after him. He’s going to grow up to be someone remarkable. If you continue to support him, he’ll become even greater.”
Rex didn’t answer right away. He thought for a long time before finally speaking.
“I agree. That kid is definitely different. There’s something special about him. And honestly, I was planning to continue supporting him regardless of you.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
“I don’t see why you should be the one thanking me.”
It was such a Rex-like response that Remy almost laughed.
* * *
