* * *

As Allen stammered, flustered, Ashton smiled softly.

He patted both Rex and Allen on the shoulder before speaking in a cheerful voice.

“Let’s make sure one of our families wins this year. Good luck finding the golden stag!”

With a playful salute, Ashton moved away, heading toward Remy, who stood a few steps behind the group.

Remy greeted him with a displeased expression.

“Really? You’re coming with me again?”

“Who else is going to look after you?”

“I can manage on my own. I’m starting to figure out the paths anyway.”

“Sure you are. Like how you spent an hour lost looking for the restroom tent yesterday?”

“Why bring that up now?!”

Remy thought Ashton was being unfair—those tents all looked the same!

“Let’s not fall behind again and end up struggling like last time. We’re here, so you should at least try hunting once.”

Remy’s sullen demeanor shifted at Ashton’s suggestion.

“Hunting? Me?”

“Yeah. Even if it’s just a rabbit, you should give it a shot.”

“Ooh… Okay! I can do this.”

Having found some enjoyment in shooting, Remy had secretly wanted to try actual hunting.

“But.”

“But what?”

“There’s a condition.”

“What kind of condition?”

“First, we go somewhere with as few people as possible.”

Remy frowned. What kind of nonsense was this now?

“Why? Last time, you said it was to practice in private. What’s your excuse this time?”

“You’re still inexperienced. What if you accidentally shoot someone?”

Ugh. Annoying, but fair. Remy grudgingly nodded in agreement.

“And?”

“There’s more?”

“This one’s important.”

“Okay, what is it?”

Ashton leaned closer with a serious expression.

His proximity made Remy swallow nervously, bracing himself for whatever strange thing Ashton would say next.

“At tonight’s afterparty…”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t drink.”

Remy, who had been holding his breath waiting for Ashton’s words, suddenly felt all his strength drain away.

‘Is this guy messing with me, or what does he even want?’

“…You, are you playing games with me right now?”

“Nope. I’m serious.”

“And who the hell are you to tell me whether I should drink or not?”

“Who am I? Have you already forgotten who I am?”

“What the—what are you even saying? Who else could you be? My childhood friend, Ashton Haland, eldest son of the Haland ducal family.”

“Nope. You missed the most important part.”

“…?”

“The best friend of Countess Wesley’s only trusted son.”

‘That bastard…’

Remy cursed inwardly, unable to stop himself.

Seriously, how much longer was Ashton going to keep bringing up that letter?

And why, of all people, had Remy’s mother chosen to send such a letter to him, of all bastards, putting her son through this nonsense?

Well, not that the “son” part was real, but still.

“Ha. This is the last time.”

“Last time for what?”

“Even if you bring up my mom again to threaten me, I’m not giving in next time.”

“I’m not telling you to stop drinking for my sake.”

“Whatever! I said this is the last time!”

“We’ll see.”

“Ashton!”

“Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”

Ignoring Remy’s grumbling, Ashton grabbed his hand and pulled him along, carrying both their rifles slung over his shoulder.

As he was being dragged away, Remy muttered angrily under his breath and glared at Ashton’s annoyingly attractive back.

By this point, hating Ashton wasn’t even the main issue.

He absolutely had to find a way to get away from him.

‘If I stick around this damn alpha any longer, I’ll die of stress before I even get close to the ending. No way. I have to cut ties with him, absolutely.’

But after taking a few more steps, Remy reconsidered.

‘No, wait. That’s not it. Today’s the last day of the hunting trip, right? So, all I have to do is spike Allen’s ginger tea with poison tonight. Then, as long as Ashton catches him, it’s all sorted. Easy. If I just handle today right, I can naturally distance myself.’

Ever the optimist, Remy happily turned the gears of his imagination.

“It’s always been up to me. I just have to handle it well.”

“What are you mumbling about?”

Startled, Remy jumped at Ashton’s sudden intrusion.

“Ah, nothing! Really, it’s nothing.”

“…??”

“It’s just… hot. Why is it so hot in the mountains? Is it because it’s still summer? Haha…”

Whether it was the last gasp of the late-summer sun or something else, the weather was unusually warm.

It was so hot that sweat was dripping down, making the mountains feel irrelevant.

“Figures. The weather turns like this the moment I climb up here. It was perfectly cool the whole time I was recovering in the tent.”

“Well, it’s not the weather’s fault you were sick when it was cool.”

“…You’re trying to pick a fight with me, aren’t you?”

“Nope. I wouldn’t want to get physical with you. Unless it’s for something else.”

“Something else? Like what?”

“Hmm… putting it in and taking it out?”

“You’re insane.”

After bickering their way to the Deer Valley, Remy couldn’t help but gasp at the breathtaking scenery.

He let out a few awed exclamations before Ashton led them to a secluded spot hidden by trees and tall grass.

According to Ashton, this area was frequented by deer, roe deer, and reindeer.

For Remy, who had been hoping to catch a rabbit, such large prey was a bit intimidating.

Then again, larger targets might actually be easier to hit.

Once they found a good spot, Ashton suggested they wait there for the game.

Remy obediently sat down and aimed his rifle.

“Think anything will show up soon?”

“No idea. Maybe nothing at all.”

“Aw, no way. I was looking forward to this.”

Even though the hunt hadn’t even started, Remy was already pouting like a child.

Ashton chuckled softly, earning himself a glare from Remy, who quickly turned away in irritation.

‘Hold it in. Just hold it in. If I endure this for one more day, it’ll be over. Tomorrow morning, I won’t have to stick with this annoying alpha anymore. Just hang on till then.’

As Remy was silently stewing, Ashton suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

“Remy! Over there!”

Startled, Remy turned to Ashton, who was staring ahead with a hushed voice.

“Shh. Look straight ahead. There’s a deer nearby.”

Following Ashton’s gaze, Remy slowly turned his head.

Not far away, a deer was prancing lightly through the bushes.

It wasn’t close enough to be point-blank, but it wasn’t so far that it couldn’t be shot.

“Perfect. Let’s go for that one.”

“Uh…”

“Come on. Focus. Get ready before it runs off.”

“Uh… okay…”

Remy had been so eager to try hunting.

But now that the deer was right there, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

The deer, with its soft brown fur and spots, was just too cute.

Its large, dark eyes were so beautiful they seemed to cleanse his soul just by looking at them.

How could he possibly point a gun at something so precious?

“Remy…?”

“Uh, well… that is…”

He hesitated to admit his true feelings.

Wasn’t it kind of embarrassing to say that the deer was too cute to kill?

A man was supposed to be good at hunting, after all.

If he admitted he couldn’t shoot because it was too pretty, he’d never hear the end of it from Ashton.

‘What do I do? I can’t tell him the truth. Isn’t there some excuse I can use…?’

And then, as always, his favorite fallback plan popped into his head.

“I forgot!”

“Forgot what?”

“How to shoot!”

“…!”

Ashton stared at him, utterly speechless.

Sure, this was Remy.

Adorably ridiculous, lovable Remy.

But still.

Claiming to have forgotten how to shoot after being taught just a few days ago?

There were no words.

So Ashton said nothing and just kept staring.

* * *