* * *
Remy felt his head throb.
Just earlier, he’d decided Rex was the Alpha he needed to avoid most, and here he was again.
The thought of dealing with him already had Remy feeling stressed.
“What should I do? Should I tell him you’re unwell and send him away?”
“No, it’s fine. He said he was imprisoned because of me. I’ll see him.”
“Understood. I’ll escort him to the drawing room.”
“Thanks.”
Once the servant left, Remy let out a long sigh.
Then, shaking his head, he clenched his fists tightly.
If it had come to this, avoidance wasn’t the answer.
It would be better to face the problem head-on and resolve it.
At least Rex wasn’t as unhinged as Hayward.
That was some consolation.
Sure, he could be terrifying when he fought, but he didn’t seem like someone who’d resort to violence just because his confession was rejected.
‘Besides, this is my house’s drawing room. If anything happens, there are plenty of people around to step in.’
With that thought boosting his confidence, Remy got up and headed toward the first-floor drawing room.
“Remy.”
Rex was already there, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window.
When he noticed Remy’s arrival, he turned around.
“Hello, Rex.”
Remy greeted him coldly before taking a seat on the sofa.
Rex followed suit, sitting opposite him.
“Have you been well?”
“And you? I heard you went through some trouble.”
“Not much. I was locked up for a few days, but it wasn’t too bad.”
“Is that so? Good to hear.”
Remy’s response was curt as he sipped the tea on the table.
It wasn’t exactly the kind of reply you’d give someone who had suffered on your behalf, but Remy didn’t care.
All that mattered now was straining his relationship with Rex.
“And you? I heard you’ve been unwell.”
Remy shrugged lightly and continued drinking his tea.
The warm liquid was especially comforting on a chilly day like today.
The bitterness seemed less pronounced than before, almost familiar now.
“Remy.”
Hearing Rex call his name in a quieter tone, Remy immediately felt it coming.
He was about to spout some nonsense about liking him again.
This time, Remy decided he’d cut him off first.
“Oh, right, Rex.”
“Yes?”
“I have something to tell you.”
Rex’s eyes grew calm, his northern origins showing as he carefully kept his emotions in check and fixed his gaze on Remy.
“About what you said last time. About liking me.”
“Ah. Yes, I confessed to you.”
“Right. About that…”
Remy took a deep breath before continuing.
Even though he knew he had to play the villain, his naturally gentle personality made it hard to say anything hurtful.
“I think I have to turn you down.”
For a moment, even Rex’s steady gaze wavered.
“Why? Is it because my feelings didn’t seem genuine to you?”
Remy let out a deep sigh.
Among the countless excuses he could make, he debated which one to use, but in the end, he decided to cut straight to the point.
“I believe you’re sincere. But—”
“But?”
“I don’t like you.”
Yes, this was the most honest answer.
No matter how many times he tried to explain why it wouldn’t work, it would only sound like an excuse.
Delivering the plain truth felt like the best choice.
That way, he thought, Rex would understand.
‘Oh, he really has no feelings for me,’ and perhaps move on.
Of course, someone like Hayward—who was utterly insane—would have taken it the wrong way.
But Rex wasn’t that far gone, so this should work.
“…….”
Rex didn’t respond.
He maintained the same expression and posture, lost in thought.
As the silence stretched, Remy began to feel uneasy.
He wondered if something might happen to him right here in his own parlor.
But Rex’s unyielding silence frustrated him even more.
‘What is this? Say something. Anything. Why is he acting like this? He’s making me anxious for no reason.’
When the waiting became unbearable, Remy decided it was time to leave.
He had said all he needed to say, so surely, it would be fine to end things here.
“Well then. I’ve said my piece, so I’ll be going. Anyway, I’m sorry about… you ending up in prison because of me. I’m grateful for what you did, and I’ll repay that debt someday. So, for now, take care—”
“Remy.”
Rex interrupted, cutting through Remy’s rambling farewell.
Remy frowned as he stood, looking down at Rex.
Against the backdrop of the green velvet sofa, Rex’s fiery red hair stood out even more.
The memory of that rainy day flashed vividly before Remy’s eyes—Rex shielding him from the downpour, his wet red hair clinging to his skin, and raindrops trailing down his sharp jawline.
Looking into Rex’s eyes then, glistening with more emotion than the rain, Remy’s heart had raced uncontrollably.
Perhaps, in that moment, it wasn’t just the pheromones affecting him.
He might have allowed Rex to kiss him anyway.
Because Rex was undeniably striking.
If things had been different between them, he might have fallen for him.
“…Rex.”
The same man from that memory was now kneeling before him.
Rex was on his knees, looking up at him, his gaze drenched in longing—desperation so raw it bordered on heartbreaking.
“What are you—”
“Remy.”
“…….”
“How can I make you understand how I feel?”
“What are you even saying…?”
“Tell me what I need to do to win your heart. I’ll do anything you want.”
“…….”
Remy couldn’t comprehend it.
How could someone as cold as Rex—someone who had been so aloof toward him—now desire him so much?
“I’ve realized something.”
“What?”
“My feelings for you.”
Remy bit his lip.
Seeing the sincerity in Rex’s expression, words failed him.
“When I saw you being humiliated by the prince… I genuinely wanted to kill him. It didn’t matter to me that he was the third prince. All I could think about was how much I wanted him dead.”
“Rex…”
“I thought about it a lot while I was in prison. And my feelings were clear. At first, I may have just wanted to claim you as my mate. But now… it’s not that. I want you. Not as a mate, or for some title—just you.”
Hearing Rex’s heartfelt confession, Remy found himself at a loss for words.
He had never seen anyone look so desperate before, and for a moment, he forgot he was supposed to refuse him.
“Remy.”
Rex stood, pulling the stunned Remy into his broad embrace.
The rapid thumping of Rex’s heart resonated through their shared contact.
“I won’t force an answer out of you.”
“…….”
“But I won’t give up either. I can wait as long as it takes.”
Rex planted a brief kiss on the top of Remy’s head before stepping back.
He gently brushed his hand against Remy’s cheek, then turned to leave.
“Oliver is still under my care.”
That brought Remy back to reality.
He had been so caught up in his own survival that he hadn’t properly looked after Oliver or his younger siblings.
“When you’re feeling better, let’s visit together. Oliver misses you. He’s been wanting to see you.”
At those words, Remy managed a small nod.
His heart felt heavy—not just because of Oliver, but from the sight of Rex kneeling before him earlier.
“Take care. I hope you recover soon.”
With that, Rex left the parlor. As Remy stared at the empty space Rex had occupied, he felt a sharp pang in his chest.
The parlor was silent now, but the faint scent of mint lingered in the air, as warm and comforting as the sunlight of late autumn.
* * *
I’M ROOTING FOR REX
Rex and Ashton for the win.