* * *

Ashton, who had just descended from the carriage, approached him.

Having overheard the crowd’s murmurs as well, he was concerned about Remy.

“There’s nothing to be upset about,” Remy replied, his tone calm.

Having endured the Aylesford fiasco, he was now fairly used to such situations.

This level of gossip barely fazed him anymore.

“Ah, I’m starving. Sitting in a carriage all morning has left me famished.”

Seeing Remy joke so nonchalantly, Ashton couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Under normal circumstances, Remy would have shot him a glare, but this time, he didn’t bother reacting.

Instead, he began scanning the camp, looking for their assigned quarters.

“Remy!”

A voice that was far from welcome pierced through the air.

Turning toward the source, Remy spotted Allen, dressed extravagantly as always.

Despite the setting being a hunting ground, Allen was clad in attire more suited for a ballroom, his outfit utterly out of place.

‘Poor Allen. This is a stag hunt, not an Alpha hunt.’

Suppressing a sigh, Remy shook his head inwardly.

“What’s this? Did you arrive with His Highness? Riding in the royal carriage all the way here—how impressive, Remy.”

“Ashton was with us too. It just turned out that way.”

Not wanting to engage in a meaningless power struggle, Remy replied mechanically and left it at that.

After a summer spent bickering with Ashton, he had little patience left for such games.

“I hope this hunt proves more enjoyable than my last birthday party. That was a complete disaster, wasn’t it?”

Allen’s pointed comment earned only a scoff from Remy.

‘And whose fault was that party’s disaster, I wonder?’

“Yes, let’s hope nothing goes wrong this time.”

Though, of course, Remy didn’t believe that for a second.

He left the rest unsaid as he turned his back on Allen.

“Let’s see here…”

Remy glanced around, looking for the tent where his belongings had been placed.

His eyes landed on a tent near the Wesley family’s carriage, which had arrived slightly later than his own.

‘That must be it!’

Eager to escape the exhausting people around him, Remy trudged toward the tent.

He silently hoped no one would follow this time.

“Whew. I barely managed to escape. Can I finally get some rest now?”

As he opened the tent and stepped inside, the first thing that caught his eye was a cozy-looking cot.

The bed looked so inviting, layered with soft, furry animal hides and a pillow stuffed full of downy feathers.

It was the kind of bedding that exuded warmth and comfort just from looking at it.

Taking into account the chilly air at the base of the mountain, the tent was also equipped with a small portable heater, with a generous stack of firewood beside it—more than enough to last the duration of the event.

“No wonder the royal family is hosting this competition. The accommodations are incredible. This isn’t just a tent; it’s practically a five-star hotel!”

With that, Remy flopped onto the bed.

Initially, he thought using fur blankets in late summer was overkill, but as soon as he lay down, he understood.

The bed was soft, warm, and completely luxurious.

“Ah, this is making me sleepy again. What’s wrong with me…? I slept the whole way here in the carriage, and yet I feel drowsy all over again. Maybe I do have narcolepsy or something.”

He glanced at the clock and realized he had nothing scheduled until the evening banquet.

The hunting competition didn’t officially start until tomorrow.

“Which means… I can totally take a nap before dinner, right?”

This was free time, after all. No one could blame him for resting a little during free time.

“I wish time would just stop right now. This is too perfect. So cozy… so sleepy… I could just—”

But.

“Remy!”

A voice called out from outside the tent. Remy froze, despair sinking in.

Of course, this trip was going to be exhausting.

That ominous feeling washing over him wasn’t just paranoia.

‘Why. Why. WHY. Just leave me alone!’

Remy silently screamed as he kicked his legs against the bed.

His tantrum went unnoticed, as the tent flap soon opened, and Allen entered without so much as a knock.

“What’s this? You’re already lying down? It’s the middle of the day!”

Remy sighed deeply and mumbled into his pillow.

“I was just going to rest for a bit. I’m tired.”

“Tired? Here in Moralis? Come on, let’s go. Everyone’s waiting for you.”

“No, really, I’m fine—”

“Get up already!”

“No, seriously, I’m—”

“Your Highness?”

Their conversation was cut short as Allen turned toward the tent entrance.

Remy peeked up from his pillow.

The prince, who had been with him all morning, had managed to find him again.

Truly, it was a heartwarming moment—one that almost brought tears to Remy’s eyes.

“Remy, are you feeling unwell? You seemed fine in the carriage earlier. Was the long journey too much?”

As the prince approached, Allen instinctively stepped between them, blocking his path.

His movements were almost reflexive.

“Your Highness, Remy isn’t feeling well. Why don’t we visit Deer Valley without him?”

The prince’s expression darkened.

“Is he that unwell?”

“Yes, that seems to be the case.”

Ignoring Allen’s attempts to intervene, the prince brushed past him and knelt beside Remy.

Startled, Remy sat up quickly, but the prince motioned for him to stay down.

“Remy, where does it hurt?”

“Oh, um, I think I just sat too long in the carriage. That’s all.”

“Is that so…?”

“Still, I should pull myself together so I can accompany Your Highness to Deer Valley—”

“No, there’s no need. Stay here and rest. We can visit the valley another day.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

‘Yes! Victory!’

Internally, Remy cheered as he snuggled back into the bed, ready to indulge in a blissful nap under the blanket the prince had so kindly tucked around him.

“Well then, Your Highness, shall we be on our way?” Allen suggested.

“No, Allen. Why don’t you go ahead with the others?”

“…Pardon?”

“I’ll stay here with Remy. I can’t leave him alone when he’s unwell.”

‘What?!’

Panic coursed through Remy as cold sweat trickled down his back.

“Surely, a servant could stay with him instead, Your Highness,” Allen insisted.

“No, I’ll take care of him myself. How could I leave such a beautiful omega alone in a tent?”

Hearing this, Remy shot up from the bed and threw off the blanket as if nothing had happened.

“Remy?”

“Your Highness, I feel much better now!”

“But… you’re sweating.”

“Oh, that’s just because it’s summer. It’s hot.”

“That doesn’t make sense. How could you suddenly feel better—”

“No more talking! Let’s head out before we’re late for dinner!”

Without giving the prince a chance to protest, Remy dragged him out of the tent.

The prince followed, looking utterly bemused, while Allen scowled at them from behind.

“You’re finally here? I thought you’d passed out somewhere again,” Rex quipped as Remy emerged from the tent.

Though meant as a jab at his frailty, Remy found the comment oddly comforting.

‘Rex, please. Never change. I’m begging you.’

“Well, shall we get going?” Allen said with a forced smile.

The group began their trek toward Deer Valley, with the prince leading the way.

Allen stuck close to his side, while Remy trailed behind with Ashton, who had latched onto him.

Rex, as usual, maintained a comfortable distance from everyone.

The rocky terrain of Moralis loomed ahead, far more treacherous than Remy had imagined.

This wasn’t just a hike—it was practically rock climbing.

One wrong step, and it could all be over.

* * *