* * *

When viewed in black-and-white terms, Henry’s feelings for Edwin were simple.

He didn’t dislike him, so perhaps he liked him.

But life wasn’t that straightforward.

Henry had a complex mix of emotions toward Edwin.

On one hand, Edwin had once abandoned and killed him, a cold-hearted man.

On the other, Edwin was a pitiable figure who had suffered because of Henry.

In the original story, Henry was a villain crafted to bring Edwin misery; their connection was doomed to be toxic.

But things had changed. Henry was no longer the original “Henry.”

He needed to stop judging Edwin through the lens of the original story and instead see him for who he had become through their shared experiences.

“The measurements haven’t changed since you returned from your trip. I believe we can tailor the clothes with the same sizes as before.”

Henry’s gaze finally focused on the designer, who spoke while measuring him.

Standing still in the familiar tailoring room, arms outstretched, Henry was lost in thought.

He had been thinking about Edwin just moments earlier, so it took him a moment to process what the designer said.

Once he understood, Henry gave a small nod. It seemed they were done with the measurements, meaning he didn’t need to stand there any longer.

Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, Henry took in the lace-covered outfit he wore.

It was precisely because of these overly ornate outfits that he had come to the tailoring room again.

He had grown tired of lace.

The last thing made here was travel attire, but it wasn’t suitable for daily wear anymore, which was why he returned.

“I’ll order thirty—no, make it a hundred outfits for everyday wear,” Henry instructed.

The designer, suddenly looking as though he was about to march into battle, pulled out his notebook. “Are there any specific requests?” he asked cautiously.

Henry shrugged lightly as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Just lose some of the lace. I don’t mind a little here and there, but don’t make it so overbearing. It should be comfortable yet not too plain. Also, I’m fine with adding some variety in color, but I still hate black. And… a touch of elegance would be nice.”

His final words were meant with someone in mind—someone who would look at him.

Henry’s face was already fine, but wearing something beautiful would only enhance his appearance, he thought.

“Understood,” the designer replied.

While jotting down the instructions, his expression grew gloomier.

Finally, with a resigned sigh, he nodded.

“I’ll give you plenty of time,” Henry continued, “but send them to the duke’s estate as soon as they’re finished. That way, I’ll have something to wear.”

“When should I start delivering them?” the designer asked.

“Send me something to wear by tomorrow,” Henry said, as if it were a completely reasonable request.

Since he wasn’t asking for all 100 outfits by tomorrow, surely it wasn’t an impossible task.

The designer, who had experience working under such pressure before, nodded with determination and left.

With his order placed, Henry decided to take a short break.

He sank onto the sofa, memories of the past filling his thoughts.

He remembered meeting Edwin here once, quite by chance.

“That day really was a coincidence,” Henry murmured. “But Edwin probably thought I came here to follow him.”

In truth, Henry had only visited the tailoring room because it was famous and conveniently located.

Yet, as he indulged in these memories, a shadow fell over him.

The figure wore a plain black outfit, entirely unadorned.

Yet, the finely sculpted physique beneath the clothing made even such simplicity look striking.

Without even seeing his face, Henry felt a sigh rise to his throat.

When Henry lifted his gaze, Edwin spoke as if he’d been waiting for him.

“Well, what a coincidence. I was just passing by and saw the tailoring room. I thought it might be time to get some new clothes, so I came in. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

His overly stiff explanation, full of unnecessary details, made Henry respond in a deadpan tone.

“You’re so awkward.”

Just admit you came to see me.

“How did you know I was here?” Henry asked, propping his chin on his hand, his voice laced with boredom.

“I heard it from someone who saw you heading this way.”

“Oh? Who might that be?”

“A servant of mine, currently staying at the Duke Timothy’s estate.”

“….”

Why not just admit you planted someone in the Timothy household?

Henry let out an incredulous laugh but stopped abruptly.

At first, he was amused by Edwin’s actions, but an unsettling feeling crept over him.

Something about this situation felt eerily familiar.

“Oh.”

He remembered.

This was exactly what ‘he’ had done to Edwin in the original story.

Back then, Henry had placed his own people in Edwin’s household and appeared before him under the guise of coincidence.

It had all been because Henry in the original story was infatuated with Edwin.

But that wasn’t the case anymore.

This Henry had no such feelings for Edwin.

He’d said so many times.

There was no way he would go out of his way to gather information to run into him.

That was why he’d forgotten about it—until now, when Edwin was doing the exact same thing.

“Let’s just move on,” Henry muttered, waving a hand dismissively.

He didn’t have the energy to argue, especially after staying up all night thinking about Edwin.

He had been pondering whether he truly didn’t have feelings for Edwin, and if so, whether accepting him would be a mistake.

Wouldn’t it be disrespectful to Edwin if he didn’t feel the same way?

But then Henry realized how pointless these thoughts were.

‘Who am I kidding?’

If there was no danger, he’d even considered marrying Edwin.

Pretending otherwise now felt ridiculous.

Truthfully, he found himself relying on Edwin, and no matter how much he complained, his attention always shifted to him during their meetings.

And if he was being honest, last night hadn’t been the first time his heart raced because of Edwin.

‘Well, the original owner of this body liked him, after all.’

The most decisive moment was when their cycles aligned.

That night with Edwin had been good—so good it overshadowed any doubts.

Henry never imagined he’d find himself comfortable with being an Omega, let alone being intimate with another man.

But the memory of that night left no room for hesitation.

‘If it were just my body reacting, maybe I wouldn’t care….’

Unknowingly, Henry had been giving Edwin small pieces of his heart, so gradually that he hadn’t noticed.

“Are you thinking about that night?” Edwin suddenly asked.

“What?” Henry jumped, startled.

How could Edwin always hit the mark like that?

Flustered, Henry swallowed nervously and even coughed a little.

There was no way he could deny it now.

“Your face is red.”

“It’s just… hot.”

“Here?” Edwin glanced around.

The tailoring room, with its controlled temperature and elegant atmosphere, was hardly a place anyone would find stifling.

“Anyway, don’t bring up useless things. That was… I’ve forgotten all about the cycle already.”

Henry began to uncross his legs to leave when Edwin leaned forward, placing both hands on the sofa behind Henry.

The sudden proximity made it feel as though Henry was trapped, and he frowned.

Why did they always end up in this position?

He hadn’t done anything to provoke it.

Looking into Edwin’s eyes, now so close, Henry caught his reflection.

His brows furrowed slightly in irritation, giving him a petulant look.

Edwin, however, seemed to enjoy it, his pheromones playfully wafting around.

There was no need to be this close to have a conversation.

“I never said that night was because of your cycle,” Edwin murmured.

Henry fell silent, realizing he had just confessed with his own words.

Resisting the urge to bury his face in his hands, he averted his gaze.

“And this,” Edwin continued, “is the perfect distance for what I’m about to say.”

“What are you going to… No way.”

Henry looked at Edwin with unease.

Surely, he wasn’t going to do that here, right?

* * *