* * *

Judging by Edwin’s current mood, it was exactly what Henry feared—asking to date, or worse, to kiss, just like he had insisted on permission before.

“Excuse me… Oh. I’m sorry for interrupting.”

As Edwin’s head leaned closer, he positioned it next to Henry’s.

Behind Edwin’s dark hair, a red-haired man stood awkwardly, clearly out of place.

“Hook?”

“It seems I interrupted without reading the room.”

Hook scratched the back of his head, his expression indicating he was ready to excuse himself.

But Henry urgently reached out toward him.

If Hook left now, their next meeting would undoubtedly be even more uncomfortable.

Just as Henry was about to ask him to stay, Edwin’s hand cupped Henry’s chin, turning his face toward him.

“Henry.”

It seemed Edwin wasn’t the least bit bothered by Hook’s presence; the mood he had been building didn’t falter in the slightest.

“I want to kiss you.”

“Hey… Edwin.”

Even for someone as unapologetically self-centered as Edwin, this was too much.

They weren’t even alone.

Henry’s face flushed as if it were about to burst.

---

The three men moved to a separate room.

It wasn’t some makeshift space, but a fully enclosed parlor.

Henry scanned the expressions of the other two men.

Edwin, who had openly declared his desire to kiss Henry despite Hook’s presence, was visibly irritated.

Henry’s sharp rejection and the relocation seemed to have spoiled his mood.

Normally, Edwin’s face showed little emotion, relying on his pheromones to communicate his feelings.

But now, his features were contorted in a way that left no doubt about his displeasure.

That was probably because Henry had forcefully pushed Edwin’s chin upward earlier.

Meanwhile, Hook had been trembling noticeably as if he were cold.

Of course, it wasn’t the temperature—he was holding back laughter.

His gaze was filled with curiosity about how Henry and Edwin had grown so close.

Henry rubbed his throbbing temples.

He wanted nothing more than to leave everything behind and go home.

“You like tailor shops, don’t you?”

Henry decided to deal with them one at a time.

Edwin probably wouldn’t leave no matter what he said, but Hook might leave after finishing his business.

Henry turned to Hook first.

“You heard I came to the tailor’s, so you came to see me?”

“That’s correct.”

“So, you came here just to see me?”

“Yes, though…”

The fact that both Edwin and Hook had followed him to the tailor’s was now enough to make Henry never want to visit one again.

From now on, he thought, he might as well summon a designer to his home.

“You must have something to say.”

“I was just curious if anything out of the ordinary had happened to you.”

Henry removed his hand from his temple and looked up.

He shot a glare at Hook’s annoyingly amused lips before asking with mild suspicion.

“Anything out of the ordinary? Haven’t you heard the rumors about me?”

Knowing how sharp Hook was about information, Henry had expected him to be aware of such things.

Even people on the streets whispered about him when they recognized his face.

“Of course, I’ve heard.”

Hook answered easily, not bothering to hide anything.

He briefly glanced between Henry and Edwin before asking:

“You two are bonded, aren’t you?”

“That’s right.”

“Seeing you two now, it doesn’t look like an incomplete bond.

Are you sure it’s not a romantic connection?”

“It’s not.”

Henry immediately shot down Hook’s doubtful question.

“Well, not yet, anyway.”

Edwin, who had been silent until then, added, prompting Hook to react with amusement.

“Not yet, huh? Sounds like things might turn rosy in the future.”

“If you’re going to keep talking like that, you can leave.”

Annoyed, Henry snapped, unwilling to continue the conversation. Hook exaggeratedly covered his mouth, feigning contrition.

“Alright, I’ll stop. But about that unusual thing I mentioned earlier…”

Hook’s voice trailed off.

He had thought long and hard about whether to bring it up, but since it concerned Henry, he decided it was something he couldn’t ignore.

Still, actually voicing it was no easy task.

Henry watched Hook hesitate, an unusual sight.

But before he could press him, Edwin blocked Henry’s view with his hand.

Irritated, Henry batted it away.

“Why are you blocking me?”

“What’s the point of staring at someone else like that?”

“Edwin, please. Stop doing this in public.”

Henry pleaded, exasperated.

If Edwin got jealous every time he looked at someone, meeting people with him would become impossible.

“I was just saying that for his sake, so he wouldn’t feel uncomfortable…”

“….”

He’d fallen for it again.

Henry stood speechless, mouth agape, as Hook collapsed sideways, laughing uncontrollably.

Watching Henry get teased by Edwin seemed to amuse him endlessly.

“Stop laughing and just tell me. Are you talking about the Grand Mage’s treasure? Are you worried someone might come after me because of it?”

Henry’s voice was sharp.

By now, he was thoroughly fed up with both Edwin and Hook.

He made no effort to hide his frustration as he spoke, causing Hook’s eyes to widen in surprise.

“How did you know?”

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s not that big of a deal.”

Henry scoffed.

He had edited this novel so meticulously—there was no way he wouldn’t know about such things.

He even knew Hook was connected to the villain of the story.

While Edwin’s involvement had diverged from the original plot, he had to use all the knowledge he could.

“Don’t worry. Nothing has happened yet.”

Henry’s words carried a subtle warning, hinting that he was aware of the danger but hadn’t been targeted—yet.

His tone suggested he wouldn’t sit idly by if something did occur.

“So, is that what you came to tell me? To be careful?”

“That’s right, though now I feel like I shouldn’t have bothered.”

Hook shook his head as if regretting his decision. Confused, Henry asked:

“Why not?”

“Because now, the young master Edwin will protect you. Isn’t that right?”

“Of course.”

Edwin’s calm agreement only made Henry scowl further.

Where was the man who used to scoff at Hook’s very presence in the tailor shop?

“I won’t go into detail, but please be careful.”

Hook’s cryptic warning hung in the air as he bowed slightly.

Henry didn’t miss the weight of his words.

Awareness made all the difference, and now that Edwin was by his side, he wouldn’t be facing the threat alone.

“You’ll show up if I hang the red thread, right?”

At Henry’s question, Hook hesitated before nodding.

He hadn’t been able to appear when Henry was held by Crown Prince William, but things were different now.

With that, Hook stepped back, and Henry climbed into the carriage.

For once, Edwin, who always disapproved of Hook, showed an unusual expression.

“This time, I’ll remember.”

“Don’t underestimate him. And… I wonder if Henry knows, but that man will definitely appear.”

“Can you tell me who he is?”

“I’m afraid not.”

Though Hook had resolved to warn Henry, revealing the man’s identity would have been too dangerous—even for him.

Edwin stared intently at Hook for a moment before turning around and climbing into the carriage. Inside, he was greeted by grumbling that seemed to have been waiting for him.

A faint smile played on Edwin’s lips as he responded, focusing all his attention on Henry.

Before long, Hook’s presence faded from his mind.

Watching until the carriage door closed and it began to move, Hook bit down on a small smile, reflecting on how surprisingly enjoyable the time had been.

“This is why I keep getting drawn to him.”

The more he met Henry, the stronger the pull toward him became.

It wasn’t just Hook who felt this way.

Even Edwin, a man who had seemed perpetually on edge, had softened under Henry’s influence.

The profound effect Henry had on those around him was undeniable.

With a lighter heart, Hook turned away.

The smile he had just worn vanished, replaced by a more serious expression.

After all, the next person he was about to meet was no pushover.

* * *