* * *

At first glance, there didn’t seem to be any serious injury, but it might swell up soon.

Continuing down the mountain in this state wasn’t an option.

“This won’t do. You should get on my back.”

“But…”

“It’s fine. Just get on. Don’t think about anything else.”

Even though there was a significant size difference between Ashton and Remy, Remy was still an adult man.

No matter how physically capable Ashton was as a dominant alpha, carrying someone on such a rugged mountain path seemed impossible.

“Hurry.”

With a deep sigh, Remy reluctantly climbed onto Ashton’s back.

Holding the torch in one hand, he leaned back as much as he could to avoid pressing his chest against Ashton’s back, worried that his racing heartbeat might be noticed.

“If it’s too much, just hold on to me.”

As if he had figured out Remy’s intentions, Ashton spoke as he stood up.

“I’ll handle it.”

“I’m not going to do anything to you here. I won’t lay a finger on you, so stop being so stubborn.”

“What? Who said anything about that?!”

While Remy stammered in shock, Ashton chuckled quietly.

Step by careful step, Ashton descended the treacherous path, and Remy could feel every movement.

Guilt began to creep over him.

Ashton was carrying him down this dark, uneven mountain path—it wasn’t fair.

“Am I… heavy?”

He asked hesitantly, spurred on by a shred of remaining conscience.

“Remy, you…”

“Yeah?”

“You’re heavier than I expected. I thought you’d be lighter since you’re so skinny.”

“What?! Of course I’m heavy—I’m a guy!”

“Good.”

“What’s good?”

“It’s better than being too thin. You should put on a little more weight. You’re way too skinny, always fainting and stuff.”

‘Who does he think he is? Why is he acting like he cares?’

Remy swallowed his retort and kept his mouth shut.

“This Remynds me of when we were kids. I used to carry you like this all the time.”

In the darkness, Remy blinked in confusion.

When had that ever happened?

He didn’t remember anything like that.

Of course, the original story didn’t include such details.

“You don’t remember? When you were little. You’d always rush in to fight back whenever kids teased you for being small. You’d end up covered in scrapes, crying your eyes out.”

“…Me?”

“Yeah. I’d always carry you home on my back. Even then, you’d keep crying the whole way.”

“Who asked you to carry me? Why are you bragging about something I didn’t even ask for?”

“No, you did ask. You begged me to.”

Damn it. Remy cursed the original Remy in his head, unable to express his frustration out loud.

“Man, this feels unfair. If I’d known you wouldn’t remember any of it, I wouldn’t have done it.”

Remy glared intensely at the back of Ashton’s small, delicate head.

Ashton, oblivious as ever, simply chuckled and brushed it off.

“By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask,” Ashton started.

“Yeah? Go ahead.”

“I don’t remember anything, so I might be wrong, but…”

“Mm-hmm?”

“When we were kids… were we close?”

“What?”

“No, it’s just… listening to you, it sounds like we were really close. Like, you looked after me a lot or something…”

“You seriously don’t remember anything?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Not a thing.”

“Then, do you not even remember that I liked you?”

What?

‘Wait, what’s going on? Ashton liked Remy? Not the other way around? Ashton and Allen were supposed to be into each other. That’s how it was written in the original storyline, wasn’t it?’

“Pfft.”

The sound of Ashton’s laughter jolted Remy’s overthinking mind back into focus.

He immediately felt like he’d been doused with cold water. This jerk, again…?

“Hey, you’re joking, right? You’re messing with me again, aren’t you? You con artist!”

Even as Remy yelled in frustration, Ashton tilted his head back and laughed harder, as if this was all hilarious to him.

The realization that he’d been duped yet again made Remy’s anger simmer.

‘What’s this guy’s deal? Does he live to toy with people?’

“You really are fun to tease,” Ashton said with a smirk.

Remy was horrified. “What did you just say?”

“Nothing much. Just that you’re cute.”

This jerk!

At that moment, all Remy wanted was to get off Ashton’s back, twisted ankle be damned.

“But you really don’t remember anything, huh? Not now, not from when we were kids… nothing at all.”

“I told you before, it’s all hazy.”

“Are you even trying to fix it? What does your doctor say? Is there any hope?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”

“You didn’t ask?”

“What’s the point? Even if I remember, it’s not like there’ll be anything good waiting for me.”

Whispers everywhere he went. Bullying that bordered on isolation.

If his memories ever returned, they’d probably just dredge up more misery.

“Still… it would sting, wouldn’t it? Losing happy memories like they never even happened.”

“…Ah.”

Ashton’s words struck a chord deep in Remy’s heart.

He knew that feeling all too well—what it was like to lose something precious.

Not long ago, he’d been devastated when he couldn’t recall his mother’s face.

Even his own name had escaped him at one point. There was nothing left in his mind but a void.

“Yeah… you’re right. It does hurt. A lot.”

It felt like losing himself completely.

Like the person he was no longer existed.

“….”

For once, Ashton didn’t respond. He simply continued down the mountain path in silence.

The cries of wild animals, which had earlier seemed so menacing, now felt like a soothing background melody.

A heavy silence blanketed the two of them, the kind that pressed down on your chest.

Even the round moon, veiled behind the clouds, looked lonelier than usual tonight.

“Remy, I think we’re almost there,” Ashton said.

By the time Ashton’s sweat-soaked hands gripping Remy’s thighs felt clammy, they finally heard a welcome sound.

Remy lifted his head to see a clearing dotted with campfires.

It was the hunting competition camp where all the participants were gathered.

“Ah, Ashton. You really worked hard. I mean it.”

This time, he was sincere.

“You must’ve been in so much pain carrying me all the way here. Let’s get you to the doctor first. I hope you’re not too hurt…”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got thick bones. I’ll be fine.”

“…Right.”

It was nonsense, but Remy decided to let it slide.

“Remy!”

As they arrived at the camp entrance, Hayworth was the first to rush toward them.

Or rather, toward Remy, who was still on Ashton’s back.

“I was worried sick! What happened? Why are you so late?”

Then, he immediately turned his frustration toward Ashton.

“Ashton, what the hell were you thinking? Why would you keep Remy out until this hour?”

Hayworth looked ready to grab Ashton by the collar, but Remy quickly interjected.

“It was me!”

“….”

“I fell, and that’s why we were late. I hurt my ankle, so…”

Hearing Remy’s explanation, murmurs spread among the onlookers.

They didn’t speak openly, but it was clear they were gossiping.

‘He fell again? And Ashton carried him down? Just the two of them, alone in the forest, until this hour?’

“Remy.”

“Ashton was just helping me. Because I got hurt.”

Hayworth bit his lip, looking frustrated.

He clearly wanted to grill Ashton further, but he didn’t want to make things harder for Remy, especially with so many people watching.

And Remy’s injury needed attention.

“Fetch the physician immediately,” Hayworth ordered in a clipped tone.

“Thank you for understanding, Your Highness,” Remy said softly, biting his own lip.

Soon, the physician arrived, and the attendants helped Remy down from Ashton’s back.

Ashton didn’t show it, but carrying someone so far must have been exhausting.

The thought made Remy’s heart feel even heavier.

“Thankfully, it’s not a severe injury. I’ll prepare a medicinal bath. A long soak in hot water, followed by another compress before bed, should help it heal quickly,” the physician advised.

The instructions were simple, almost Remyniscent of modern remedies.

“Prepare the bath immediately. No one else is to use the communal tent tonight—not Alphas, not Omegas,” Hayworth commanded.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After issuing his orders, Hayworth approached Remy. His tone was softer now.

“You must be starving. Let’s get you some food first. The bath will be ready by the time you’re done eating.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Remy replied briefly.

The surrounding chatter quieted, and the cool mountain breeze of late summer felt unusually chilly against his skin.

* * *