* * *

After all, wasn’t this all set in motion because Henry approached Edwin first?

“Even if my son was the one who started it, don’t drag him into this mess. If anyone’s to blame, it’s you for coldly rejecting your own child. Don’t think of using someone else’s precious child to clean up your mistakes.”

Duke Lorenz’s disappointment in Edwin had stemmed from his supposed failure to manifest, and Duke Timothy had only shown his son unconditional love.

That difference shaped their relationships with their sons.

Now Duke Lorenz wanted to involve Henry in resolving this?

“Well, it doesn’t seem like I’ll need to ask him. He’ll probably take care of it himself.”

“What?”

Timothy glared, thinking Lorenz was speaking nonsense.

But for the first time, Lorenz smirked.

“I think he’ll do just fine.”

He recalled Henry gushing about Edwin—how handsome he was, how capable.

Henry’s fond words had unexpectedly warmed Duke Lorenz’s cold heart, even if he didn’t show it.

Despite his usual gruff demeanor, Duke Lorenz had genuinely enjoyed that conversation.

Duke Timothy, with two children who adored him, suddenly seemed enviable.

“So let’s hurry up with the wedding.”

For some reason, Duke Timothy hesitated to agree, a faint sense of unease creeping in as though his son was being taken away from him.

---

Having concluded his business, Henry was ready to leave, but Edwin clung to his side.

Well, after sharing such a deep kiss, it was only natural for Edwin to stick around.

But something unexpected happened.

“Edwin.”

Henry called out to him, his discomfort evident.

When Edwin turned to look at him, Henry frowned slightly, raising his hand.

To be precise, it was the hand Edwin had been holding and refused to let go of.

“Is there really a need to hold hands like this? It’s not like I’m some lost child or anything…”

This was the source of Henry’s unease.

Judging by his expression, he had never expected Edwin to act this way, not even when they were chatting earlier in the training yard.

“No one would mistake you for a lost child.”

Edwin said this as if to ease Henry’s embarrassment, though he still didn’t let go of his hand.

“That’s not what I meant…”

It wasn’t concern about how others perceived him.

Henry just found it awkward to walk around holding hands.

Even now, the staff of the ducal estate were pretending not to notice, but they kept stealing glances at the two of them, hands clasped together.

It was no different than publicly announcing, ‘Hey, our relationship has changed.’

Edwin, however, seemed completely oblivious to such concerns.

“If it makes you uncomfortable, should I send everyone else away?”

And with that, Edwin suggested the most self-serving solution imaginable: clearing out everyone in the vicinity.

“Forget it.”

Henry resigned himself to it.

Handholding was a small price to pay compared to the hassle of arguing with Edwin.

Getting home quickly was the better option.

As Henry quickened his pace, Edwin easily matched it.

Henry deliberately walked faster without saying a word to him, but Edwin followed effortlessly.

Even this small act of defiance was futile, leaving Henry resenting Edwin’s long legs more than ever.

Just as Henry approached the carriage that had been waiting on Edwin’s orders—his face lighting up with relief—he was suddenly tugged backward.

His torso jerked as if caught on a hook, and he stumbled a few steps back, turning to see Edwin, who had pulled him.

“What?”

“Are you just going to leave like that?”

“Oh. Goodbye.”

Was it because he hadn’t said a proper farewell?

They weren’t exactly the warmest of companions, but just for today, Henry decided to humor Edwin.

After all, they’d agreed to work together closely from now on.

A simple gesture of goodwill wouldn’t hurt.

“You really are acting like a child,” Edwin muttered, looking at Henry’s fleeting wave with disinterest.

Henry caught the shift in Edwin’s pheromones, from their usual sweetness to an undercurrent of dissatisfaction, and knew his words weren’t meant kindly.

“What? What’s the problem now?”

“The problem is with the empty gestures you call farewells.”

Edwin tilted his head, locking eyes with Henry.

This wasn’t the first time their gazes met at such an angle, and for some reason, it made it harder to look away.

The real issue was that when their eyes met like this, it became impossible for Henry to move.

It was as if Edwin’s approach, slow but deliberate, had him frozen in place.

When Edwin’s face drew so close that it blurred in Henry’s vision, Henry unconsciously shut his eyes.

The soft sensation of Edwin’s lips pressing against his melted him for a moment.

Then his heart leaped, as though it had fallen from a great height.

When Edwin pulled back slightly, leaning in again for another kiss, Henry hastily wedged his hand between their lips.

“I let it slide once, but not twice.”

Henry’s sharp glare was as if to say he hadn’t just been helplessly captivated moments ago.

He was preemptively putting a stop to Edwin’s habit of stealing kisses whenever he pleased.

They’d agreed not to break their bond, not to become lovers.

Yet Edwin was acting as though kissing Henry came naturally.

“Why did you let it slide the first time?”

“…Because you wanted it.”

“Then you’ll probably enjoy it this time too.”

“Do you think we’re lovers or something?”

What else could explain Edwin’s boldness?

At Henry’s words, Edwin frowned, clearly displeased.

His gaze seemed to question what Henry was even saying.

“Aren’t we?”

“No. We agreed to cooperate without breaking the bond.”

Henry spoke with confidence.

Edwin hadn’t asked him to date, and Henry had yet to define his own feelings for Edwin.

“Are you seriously planning to go through all the steps?”

Edwin’s tone was incredulous, as if asking if Henry really expected him to formally ask before kissing him.

Henry simply shrugged.

“Why not? It’s not a bad idea.”

After a moment of contemplation, Henry nodded seriously.

Edwin clearly didn’t like the response, but that didn’t change anything.

Henry stood firm, looking at Edwin.

“Giving your partner a heads-up so they’re not caught off guard seems considerate. Yeah, let’s do it that way. Step by step.”

“Are you messing with me?”

“Why would I joke about kissing? Anyway, I’m leaving.”

Taking advantage of Edwin’s momentary shock, Henry slipped into his carriage.

The coachman, who had been keeping a watchful eye on the situation, quickly snapped the reins, eager to whisk his young master away.

Thanks to the coachman’s quick thinking, Henry successfully escaped Edwin’s grasp.

Leaning back in his seat, Henry let out a long sigh.

“Step by step, my foot.”

Recalling their conversation, Henry chuckled bitterly.

It was absurd. He had already decided to maintain the bond after realizing Edwin’s feelings.

That’s why he hadn’t rejected the unexpected kiss or the pheromones that turned sweet just for him.

But the reason he pushed Edwin away afterward…

“Why is my heart acting like this?”

The fault lay entirely with himself.

Edwin’s lips brushing against his had sent his heart racing uncontrollably.

“Do I… really like Edwin?”

Henry placed a hand over his chest.

He’d been so focused on Edwin’s feelings that he hadn’t even considered his own.

* * *