* * *
Slowly, he looked up at Ashton without a word.
“I’m curious,” Ashton said, his voice gentle.
“What kind of world did you come from? What was your life like there?”
As always, Ashton’s smile was warm and steady, unwavering.
It was a smile that had been there for him through everything.
Watching it now, Remy felt compelled to answer, as if to reciprocate that kindness.
“To be honest… I don’t remember much about it. The place I came from…”
“Nothing at all? Don’t you recall the little things? Like what you saw when you woke up in the morning? What you spent most of your time doing? What you ate, or what music you liked? Anything?”
As Ashton spoke, Remy’s expression darkened.
The first memory that came to mind was the agonizing realization that he couldn’t even remember his mother’s face or his own name.
“I’ve forgotten everything about the world I used to live in,” Remy admitted, lowering his head.
“I don’t know my name. I don’t know what kind of life I led. I don’t even remember what greeted me each morning when I opened my eyes. Or… who the people I cared about were.”
Ashton stared at him, surprised but silent.
Then, without a word, he pulled Remy into an embrace.
The smaller figure in his arms felt so fragile that Ashton nearly wept.
How could someone so delicate have endured so much pain?
“You’ll get your memories back,” Ashton whispered.
“They’re too precious to lose forever.”
But deep down, Ashton hoped otherwise.
If he were honest, he didn’t want Remy to remember.
When he’d first read Remy’s writings, he’d thought the man had gone mad, delusional from the aftereffects of awakening.
But as he read on, the vivid details and raw emotions convinced him otherwise.
‘If it were up to me, I’d rather you stay here with me. Forget about your old world. Forget about going back.’
That selfish thought gnawed at him.
Even if it was wrong, even if it was his own greed, Ashton didn’t want to lose Remy.
He’d endure anything—humiliation, hardship—if it meant keeping him close.
“Do you really believe that?”
“Yes.”
“Why? You don’t even know me.”
Remy’s voice carried no hope, no warmth.
It was as if all the life had drained out of him, leaving nothing but an empty shell.
“What do you mean I don’t know you?”
Ashton pulled back, gazing into Remy’s vacant eyes.
His voice was soft yet unwavering.
“You love sour things. Even extreme flavors like lemon don’t bother you. But you can’t stand the faintest hint of fishiness in food. Sometimes, you don’t mind eating dishes so spicy they bring you to tears.”
“…”
“You get angry over the smallest things. You’re simple like that, easily swayed by other people’s words.”
“…Thanks, I guess.”
“But.”
“…”
“You’re also meticulous, caring about even the smallest details. You thank the servants who cook for you, and you hide your pain when you think it’ll inconvenience someone else.”
“Ashton…”
“You act tough on the outside, but inside, you’re soft. You carry your pain alone, never letting anyone else see it.”
“What… are you trying to say?”
“That’s why I like you.”
“…What?”
“I like you. You’re someone I want to hold closer. Someone I want to embrace and comfort even more. That’s why I like you.”
At Ashton’s heartfelt confession, Remy felt his eyes beginning to sting.
Tears welled up, and Ashton gently wiped them away.
He kissed Remy’s forehead tenderly and softly stroked his hair.
“When I look at you, I can’t help but smile. Just seeing you makes me happy—I didn’t know what that felt like until you. But sometimes, I feel so anxious. It’s like you’re a child playing by the water’s edge, and that fear makes me want to keep you close to me. The thought of you being somewhere I can’t reach—it terrifies me.”
Finally, a single tear slipped from Remi’s eyes.
He used to think showing someone his tears was the worst, but now, he didn’t even feel the urge to hide them.
He just wanted to lean on Ashton.
To bury his face in this Alpha’s broad chest and cry his heart out.
“That’s the kind of person you are. At least, the Remy I know is.”
A large hand slowly comforted Remy’s slender back.
Stroking his small head, Ashton kissed him again.
“So, you’ll find your true self soon enough. You’re still you—nothing has changed. You’ll rediscover yourself just as you are.”
Ha.
Remy let out a short, involuntary laugh.
He knew Ashton’s words were little more than hollow reassurance, yet he couldn’t stop himself from wanting to believe them.
“Yeah. Thank you…”
Still, Remy thanked Ashton.
Because his sincerity offered a little comfort.
Because Ashton’s words made him feel like he really could find what he’d lost.
“So, Remi.”
“Yeah?”
“If you’re tired, why don’t you come over to my place and rest? I’ll make sure you get some proper sleep.”
…Oh, come on.
Remi’s expression immediately froze.
He glanced down, dreading what he might find.
Sure enough, there was something unmistakably hard pressing against him.
He scowled at the bulge now resting on his thigh.
‘This Alpha… seriously. Can’t go even a moment without this nonsense.’
“No thanks. Why don’t you head home and get some rest? I’m going to call it a night.”
Back to his usual self, Remy scowled fiercely and turned away. He strode toward his house with long, determined steps.
Ashton watched him go before hurrying to catch up.
“Why? I swear I’d let you rest properly!”
“I said no, didn’t I?!”
Ashton easily caught up to Remy and slung an arm over his narrow shoulders.
Despite Remy’s furious protests, Ashton pulled him close, a bright smile spreading across his face as they headed toward the house.
After Ashton’s visit, Remy started to regain his energy noticeably.
Of course, if he looked at his current situation objectively, there wasn’t even a glimmer of “hope” to be seen. Still, there was a way forward.
Sure, dealing with crazy Alphas was a problem, but at least Allen now knew what he was up to.
That meant things were progressing more or less according to the original story.
“At first, I was shocked when I realized Allen found out what I’ve been doing. But maybe it’s for the best. He’ll need to know to call me out at the ball, right?”
While the original story hadn’t explicitly revealed this yet, the fact that Rex had been asked to investigate made it clear that Rex was the one who would eventually fire the gun.
Sure, right now he was spouting nonsense about wanting Remy to bear his child, but that would change once Allen was in danger.
“I’ll become the perfect villain who puts the helpless Omega in peril. Just like the original Remy did.”
Thinking that, Remy felt a bit relieved.
All he had to do now was keep his distance from Rex and make things harsher between them.
Of the three Alphas, Rex was the one he needed to be most wary of.
Knock, knock.
The sound of someone knocking pulled Remy out of his thoughts. He answered flatly.
“What is it?”
“Young Master, you have a visitor.”
“Who? Don’t tell me it’s Ashton again.”
“No, sir. It’s the Young Count Rex Balcom.”
“…Ugh.”
* * *
