* * *

“I didn’t expect you to come find me first.”

William greeted Hook with an intrigued gaze.

It wasn’t every day that someone who took on noble commissions—handling any job as long as the price was right—waltzed into the imperial palace of his own accord, much less obtained an official pass to do so.

“Who gave you that?”

“I earned it through a job.”

Hook proudly held up the pass hanging around his neck.

Normally, he kept it tucked away, pulling it out only when necessary, but today, he had fashioned it into a necklace for all to see.

“Impressive.”

“I’m a squeaky-clean citizen, clean enough to walk into the imperial palace with my head held high.”

“No guilty conscience, then?”

“None whatsoever.”

And with that, Hook casually took a seat across from William, showing no sign of remembering their earlier encounter—when he had once laid hands on the crown prince’s clothing.

Entering the palace required the pass, but meeting William face-to-face was something else entirely.

It signified that William had granted the audience himself.

As Hook sat, servants bustled about.

He glanced at the teacup placed before him, pretending to focus on it while sneaking glances at William.

William was a man who seemed to embody ease and the pursuit of life’s pleasures.

Yet, beneath that veneer was someone utterly detached from the world, harboring a darkness that was difficult to ignore.

When the servants finished setting the table and withdrew, William spoke first.

“So, what’s your impression after all that watching?”

William spoke as though fully aware of Hook’s scrutiny.

His composure made Hook feel there was no need to hide.

“I’m not sure yet how far you’ll let me in.”

“Do I need to let you in at all?”

“The foundation of any negotiation is an open mind toward the other party.”

Hook responded with a polite but businesslike smile.

William was a far more challenging figure than Henry.

Even so, Hook intended to share his information and leave the palace on his own two feet.

But, as expected, William didn’t make it easy.

“You know,” William said, his voice stretching lazily, “negotiations only work between equals. Surely you understand that?”

‘So underhanded.’

He had no intention of accepting a counteroffer, despite having proposed a deal himself in the past.

“Well, if that’s the case, I have no choice.”

Hook sighed audibly.

“I take back what I said about negotiating.”

“Then?”

“Today, I’ll just leave after thoroughly enjoying the sight of Your Highness’s face.”

Hook decided to completely conceal his true purpose for coming here.

“Interesting.”

William leaned forward, intrigued.

He’d noticed Hook hadn’t risen to leave despite saying he’d abandon the deal.

A straightforward approach might have been boring, but Hook’s measured retreat piqued his interest.

“Let’s hear the negotiation after all.”

When William finally uttered words of approval, Hook’s face lit up with genuine joy.

Already captivating, his expression became even more radiant, holding William’s gaze entirely.

---

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“About what?”

Henry, who had been gazing out the window, turned his head slightly at Edwin’s sudden question.

By now, he was accustomed to Edwin’s abrupt conversational style.

Sometimes it annoyed him, but when he didn’t feel like bickering, he chose to play along.

“That someone is after you.”

“That much is obvious if you think about it for a second.”

Henry’s response implied there was no mystery to it.

There were always those brazen enough to demand treasures from him, shamelessly insisting that they needed them.

Those who desired what he possessed wouldn’t hesitate to target him.

“They could come from anywhere, even places I don’t expect,” Henry added nonchalantly, turning his gaze back to the window.

Ever since meeting Hook, he couldn’t shake thoughts of the antagonist from the original story.

He hadn’t answered Edwin earlier to avoid planting unnecessary caution in him.

“It’s about time for them to show up,” he thought.

Knowing it was inevitable didn’t make the prospect of confrontation any less unsettling.

In an effort to distract himself, Henry spoke up.

“I’m getting off here. You can take the carriage straight home. Stop here.”

He knocked on the driver’s seat, signaling the carriage to stop.

As soon as it halted, Henry stepped out, gazing down the tree-lined road stretching toward the duke’s residence.

Noticing movement behind him, Henry turned to find Edwin standing unexpectedly close. He instinctively leaned back.

“Aren’t you going home?”

Getting in the carriage together was one thing, but it was unusual for Edwin to get off with him.

There was no reason for Edwin to follow him to the duke’s estate, especially with nightfall fast approaching.

“I said I’d protect you. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.”

“You’re really planning to stick by my side?”

“Yes, I don’t intend to take my eyes off you, even for a second.”

Henry couldn’t help but cHookle at Edwin’s determination. “Suit yourself.”

Though Edwin’s persistence could be exasperating, it was also oddly reassuring.

When Henry turned toward his estate, Edwin walked beside him—and then went further, grabbing Henry’s hand.

“Do you like holding hands that much?”

As they walked, Henry glanced sideways at Edwin, who had taken his hand once again.

“You’d better get used to it, because I’m not letting go.”

“Ah, so you’re saying I should change.”

Henry shook his head slightly, as though resigned to Edwin’s stubbornness.

Yet, he didn’t let go of his hand.

It was funny; just yesterday, the idea of someone watching them like this had felt unbearably awkward, but today, it felt completely natural.

When Edwin laced his long, rough fingers between his, Henry turned his head the other way, feigning ignorance.

The peaceful sound of a cool breeze was the only thing filling the quiet moment.

Even without exchanging words, the atmosphere was pleasant, comfortable enough that neither felt the need to force a conversation.

Edwin’s pheromones radiated a quiet satisfaction, prompting Henry to freely release his own in response.

His mood steadily lifted, and he thought to himself that this walk had been a good idea after all.

“We don’t have much time left until Count Ariat’s lesson,” Edwin remarked.

“True.”

“When it’s over, I’ll come.”

“Where to? Are you saying you plan to visit me every day?”

“That’s right.”

“That sounds like such a waste of time.”

Henry waved their clasped hands lightly, as if he understood Edwin’s sentiment, but then froze mid-motion.

He’d taken it as a declaration of Edwin’s intent to see him—but what if he was wrong again?

The thought struck him belatedly, stirring his nerves.

“If I don’t, I won’t get to see you.”

Thankfully, this time, his assumption was correct.

He should stop second-guessing himself and just take Edwin at his word.

“Even so…”

Henry glanced at Edwin as if to protest, but the words caught in his throat.

When he turned his head back, his eyes widened in surprise.

A man standing by the side of the deserted path, gazing at a tree, turned to meet Henry’s gaze.

Henry recognized him instantly.

‘Taylor Seth, the Count…’

The man was the final villain of this story.

* * *