* * *

The memory of when both Edwin and Kayla had grabbed him from either side surfaced.

Again?

Irritated, Henry pulled his arms free from both of them.

“Let’s handle this one thing at a time. Kayla, what do you want to say?”

Turning his back to Edwin, Henry made it clear he wasn’t in the mood to chat, causing Edwin to hesitate.

Meanwhile, Henry gave Kayla a look, urging her to speak.

Kayla finally smiled, grateful for his attention.

“I heard you’ve made connections with a trading guild on your travels.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I’d like one of the items they produce. Would you give me one when it’s ready?”

Was that why she dragged this out?

Since it was a small request, Henry nodded.

“As many as you want.”

Giving her something wasn’t a big deal.

Besides, since Kayla was a prince, just mentioning his interest in the item would create a lot of buzz.

Really, Henry ought to be the one asking for a favor.

“I heard it’s an item shaped like a ring… Will you deliver it to me personally?”

Kayla asked softly, clearly hoping he would.

Since he had already planned to give it to her if she was still in the empire when it was completed, Henry nodded.

“See you again, then.”

With a cheerful smile, Henry said goodbye to Kayla and turned to leave.

But just as he did, he noticed Edwin watching him with impatience.

“You want to leave? Is that all?”

“Yes.”

Henry followed Edwin outside, intending to ask what was going on as soon as they were clear of the crowd.

He felt Edwin grab his wrist again, but since there was no reason to pull away, he let it be.

Then he saw it.

The once open path was now blocked.

Curious, Henry glanced around and realized the way was crowded with people.

“Young Master Henry Timothy.”

When someone in the crowd called his name, Henry looked at him with a questioning gaze.

“What is it?”

“I have something to ask. Since the Duke Timothy is here as well, may I ask just one question?”

With an air of importance, the noble glanced at Edwin, making Henry wonder if this was why Edwin wanted him to leave in such a hurry.

“It’s about the Grand Mage’s treasure.”

At the unexpected topic, Henry’s eyes widened in surprise. Seeing his reaction, the noble’s voice grew stronger.

“Is it true that you have taken the treasure?”

Caught off guard by the direct question, Henry found himself unable to answer immediately.

Why were they accusing him of taking the treasure?

Henry turned his gaze to the side, realizing that it wasn’t Edwin drawing the crowd’s attention but him.

They had been focused on him from the start.

Edwin tightened his grip on Henry’s wrist.

“There’s no need to answer. Let’s go.”

Edwin looked ready to carve a path through if Henry agreed, clearly unwilling to entertain the nobles.

Although he didn’t radiate any intimidating pheromones, the sheer weight of Edwin’s aura caused the nobles to crowd closer together.

A solid barrier of people formed, unwilling to let them pass so easily.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Crown Prince William intervened.

“Everyone, please show some dignity on this occasion meant to welcome Prince Kayla.”

With the prince’s stern warning, the nobles fell silent, and Henry glanced back to see what had caught their attention.

He noticed Duke Timothy, Duke Lorenz, and other powerful nobles sitting back and watching, while the nobles blocking them were mostly younger.

It seemed that while the older nobles with plenty of wealth had stayed back, the ambitious ones hoping to rise were intrigued by this treasure.

Seeing the situation for what it was, Henry stopped Edwin, who was tugging him to leave.

“Wait.”

If he stayed behind Edwin, he could avoid this for now.

But that wouldn’t resolve anything, especially since they were all certain he had the treasure.

It would be better to clear things up here and now.

With his mind made up, Henry turned to the noble who had spoken.

“Where did you hear that I took the treasure?”

“Everyone here has heard it. That’s how rumors spread—often faster to those around than to the person involved.”

It was clear that, aside from Henry, everyone was aware.

Henry looked at Edwin, who shook his head slightly as if to say he hadn’t known.

Recently, Edwin had been preoccupied with his feelings toward Henry, barely paying attention to other matters.

He had only learned of it today, likely thanks to Crown Prince William’s hint.

Without that, Edwin might have been just as bewildered as Henry was now.

Henry looked back at the crowd.

Duke Lorenz appeared to know, and as for Duke Timothy…

Henry’s eyes met his father’s, and he understood.

Duke Timothy had heard the rumor but only to verify it.

He shook his head slightly, signaling he hadn’t found any evidence.

Perhaps this gathering with Edwin had been arranged to confirm the story.

Straightening, Henry debated his next move.

The rumor was true in a sense—he had taken the treasure.

But should he admit it or pretend ignorance?

After a pause, Henry nodded.

“Yes, I took it.”

The crowd buzzed with surprise.

Many had expected him to deny it.

His straightforward response took everyone aback, especially the younger nobles.

“Then… could you tell us what it is?” one of them, Jake, asked, regaining his composure with the support of the others.

“It relates to pheromones. As for specifics, even I don’t know much yet.”

While he understood the theory, he hadn’t had the chance to confirm it yet.

He would need Edwin’s energy to try breaking the mark, after all.

Henry muttered the last part under his breath, sounding a bit annoyed.

Of all people, it was likely Edwin who understood him best.

Sensing Henry’s frustration, Edwin’s grip loosened slightly.

“Well, in that case…”

Jake, who had been exchanging glances and signals with other nobles, suddenly raised his voice.

“Are you unwilling to part with that treasure?”

“What?” Henry tilted his head in confusion.

But Jake, taking this as a refusal, stepped forward, his greed showing through.

The real reason he’d boldly approached Henry was his desire for the treasure.

Many wanted it, but there was only one.

And Jake was nothing if not a zealous noble.

“As a Beta, you don’t really need it, do you? I also heard that the Duke Timothy household has no particular use for it. So I believe it should go to someone who does need it.”

Despite his personal desire, Jake ended his words with a self-righteous twist, as though appealing to Henry’s sense of altruism might persuade him to give it up.

“Oh…”

Only then did Henry remember that he was still known as a Beta.

He glanced at Edwin, who met his eyes with an exasperated look, as if asking, ‘How could you just now realize this?’

Feeling wronged, Henry pouted slightly.

“Sorry, but I have no intention of giving it up, as I worked for it.”

Henry firmly declined Jake’s request.

Treasure belonged to its finder, and he wasn’t about to part with it.

This answer turned the atmosphere tense as the nobles began showing their dissatisfaction, forgetting for a moment that Henry was the heir to Duke Timothy.

“How selfish of you, sir. Even with everything you already have, you won’t relinquish that, too?”

“And whose idea is it to demand that I hand it over just because I own other things? I retrieved it myself from the cave. What right do you have to block my way and ask for it?”

Jake’s face flushed at Henry’s calm question.

Henry’s logic was undeniable.

“Wouldn’t it be better in the hands of someone who needs it more than you?”

“And who decides that? You?”

Henry tilted his head as he asked.

* * *