How an Omega Villain Survive SIDE 1

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“Where are Edwin and Henry?”

“They are in Your Highness’s room.”

“Since when?”

“About an hour ago.”

The chamberlain paused to check the time before reporting.

At that, Crown Prince William came to a stop.

He tapped his fingers as if deep in thought, then resumed walking.

The chamberlain trailing behind asked,

“I informed them that the meeting was running late, but they refused to leave the room. Shall I prepare some precious jewels to present to the two gentlemen?”

“What for?”

“Well, because they’ve had to wait for Your Highness.”

“It’s better this way. The time they have together is far more precious than any jewels.”

The chamberlain didn’t understand the meaning behind those words, so he simply bowed his head in silence.

Though curious, he didn’t dare question the prince and slow his steps.

Instead, as they approached the room, he moved ahead to assist.

“Shall I open the door?”

“No, that’s enough. Leave now.”

Crown Prince William motioned for the chamberlain to step back when he reached for the door. Bowing in respect, the chamberlain departed.

Now alone, William turned to lean against the door instead.

Crossing his arms and legs, it was clear he wasn’t planning to enter right away.

He tapped his fingers against his arm, estimating how much time had passed.

Once he was satisfied that it was long enough, he straightened himself and opened the door.

Inside, Edwin and Henry sat quietly, sharing tea.

The room was tranquil, as if they had returned to the days when they avoided each other’s gaze.

Henry, who secretly liked Edwin, would hide his feelings behind his mischief, and Edwin, aware of Henry’s emotions, chose to ignore them.

Watching the two, William’s eyes narrowed. Shameless.

“I must be the only person who hesitates before entering my own room.”

“You could simply walk in,” Henry replied, as if it were the easiest thing in the world.

William scoffed.

“I’ve barged in before and caught the two of you pressed together more than once.”

“What could we have possibly done? We’re just sitting here sharing tea.”

“Sharing lips, too, I’m sure.”

“As if,” Henry replied, feigning innocence.

William raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.

He had witnessed how heated things became when they were alone, often leaving him flustered.

At this point, it felt stranger to see them not kissing.

A while back, he might have rooted for his friends to get together, but now it was starting to irritate him.

“Today, we’ve behaved and only shared tea,” Henry insisted.

“If you’re going to deny it, at least do something about those swollen lips. And Edwin, you’re blushing, by the way.”

At the prince’s observation, Edwin merely sipped his tea, unbothered, while Henry smirked and responded,

“Then there must be something wrong with this tea. I only drank it, and yet my lips are swollen, and Edwin’s turned red.”

“Fine, suit yourselves.”

“So, why did you summon us?”

Having waited quite a while already, Henry was eager to get to the point so he could leave and spend time alone with Edwin.

His calm expression, pretending innocence, irritated William.

Deciding to end this quickly, William pulled out a box.

“A gift for my soon-to-be-married friends.”

“Then why is there only one box?”

“You’ll be married soon, so there’s no need to separate the two of you.”

William smirked, his hand resting casually on his chest.

“There’s one box, but I’ve prepared something else as well.”

“I thought so.”

Henry’s shameless response almost made William reconsider.

After all, neither of them would thank him for it.

However, he quickly reminded himself why he’d called Henry here and pulled out a paper envelope, placing it next to the box.

“Which one would you like to see first?”

“In order, I suppose. Let’s start with the box.”

Henry easily chose one.

“I considered what to give you and surprisingly came up with an answer quickly.”

As William spoke, Henry opened the box. Inside, resting on a soft cushion, was a small plaque.

“It’s well-known that you are my long-time friends. But that alone isn’t enough, so I’m giving you this plaque.”

Henry turned it over in his hands.

The round, palm-sized plaque bore the image of a wolf, the symbol of the crown prince, with a seal stamped into it.

“Showing this will grant us special treatment as Your Highness’s friends? I’m sure we’re not your only friends… Have you given this to anyone else?”

“Look at the back.”

Following William’s instruction, Henry flipped it over to find the words ‘Given to a friend for life.’ Henry finally nodded.

“Not bad.”

“Not bad?”

Henry placed the plaque back into the box with a smile.

“Your Highness is right. Everyone in the empire already knows how close we are. I only said it’s ‘not bad’ because I’m unsure when I’ll need to use this. Still, I feel honored to be recognized as your friend.”

“I worry you might sell it.”

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t sell it openly.”

William let out a laugh, dumbfounded.

While others would treasure a gift from the crown prince, Henry treated it like a practical toy given by a friend.

“Well, that’s very like you.”

And it was entertaining to watch him, too.

William turned to Edwin with a look that clearly meant ‘Stop him if he tries to sell it.’

Edwin met his gaze and boldly ignored it.

Realizing both were the same kind of person, William sank back into his chair in resignation.

“So, what’s this?”

“Why don’t you open it yourself?”

William shrugged, feigning indifference. Henry narrowed his eyes, recognizing the prince’s petulance.

There was no other way but to open it, so Henry reached for the envelope.

Before he could, however, Edwin’s hand moved first.

Gently, Edwin picked up the envelope and pulled out its contents, holding it out for Henry to see.

William clicked his tongue at Edwin’s tenderness. I should have just told them what it was.

Now I’m stuck watching this display.

While William scowled, Henry finished reading the contents and looked at Edwin with wide eyes.

Edwin then turned the paper toward himself to confirm what it said.

“Are you saying the Imperial Ball is being held for us?”

“That’s right. To celebrate the marriage of an old friend of mine, I sought His Majesty’s permission to host an Imperial Ball.”

For the first time, Edwin’s expression betrayed his astonishment at William’s explanation.

Typically, the Imperial Ball was reserved for royal occasions or significant events within the Empire.

But Crown Prince William had arranged one specifically for Henry and Edwin, presenting it as another grand gift.

“I never imagined you’d go to such lengths for us.”

“Of course, it’s only natural. And in that spirit, if you could also grant me a small favor…”

The Crown Prince tried to slip his true intent into the conversation under a guise of generosity.

“Forgive me, but you’ll have to summon Hook yourself. Didn’t I already tell you how to do it?”

Henry cut him off, snapping the lid of a box shut.

When the Crown Prince first confided his desire to win over Hook, Henry had been both surprised and bemused.

While he suspected William’s interest in Hook wasn’t purely casual curiosity, Henry decided it wasn’t his concern.

As a token of gratitude for past favors, he had even given the prince a red string that could summon Hook.

“Yes, you mentioned tying the string somewhere visible, and I did just that, but he hasn’t shown up.”

“Surely, you didn’t tie it to the palace, did you? No matter how elusive Hook is, he can’t just waltz in and out of the Imperial Palace.”

“He managed to sneak in before. But that’s not the point. What I mean is, I tried hanging it outside the palace as well.”

“Really? And yet he still hasn’t appeared? That’s odd.”

Henry tilted his head in feigned confusion, his voice devoid of emotion.

“It seems he has no intention of appearing before me.”

“That could very well be the case.”

“So, I was wondering… could you bring Hook to the ball?”

“That’s impossible.”

Henry rejected the request outright.

A brief glance at Edwin prompted him to rise, taking the box and an envelope in hand.

Edwin, already understanding the unspoken cue, followed.

Satisfied, Henry offered a faint smile, pleased at Edwin’s perceptiveness.

“Henry, won’t you reconsider? After all, I’ve gone out of my way to present you with such a splendid gift.”

“I thought it was merely a wedding present, not a conditional one.”

Despite his words, Henry had no intention of returning the gift.

As far as he was concerned, receiving it was the end of the transaction.

“You’re the only one I can count on, Henry, so I’ll wait and hope you reconsider.”

“No matter how long you wait, I can’t do it. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

Henry gave a polite bow to the Crown Prince before turning to leave.

Edwin followed, nodding curtly in farewell.

William’s face darkened with displeasure.

Henry’s overt refusal was irksome enough, but Edwin’s silent indifference stung even more.

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