* * *
Henry lifted his head to see Crown Prince William.
“You seem fine on the outside. Should I ask how you’re really doing out of courtesy?”
Crown Prince William showed a friendly demeanor. Moreover, he looked down at Henry and patted his chin.
“It seems you’ve had quite a rough time. You’re sitting well in a place other than a chair, aren’t you?”
“I’ve even slept on the floor, so this is nothing.”
Henry responded to Crown Prince William’s teasing remarks without any apparent distress. He still lacked the strength to get up quickly.
As he planned to rest a little longer before rising, he felt a soft and warm warmth on his shoulders.
Noticing the blanket covering him, Henry looked up at Sir Teher, who had presumably brought it over after briefly disappearing.
“Only Sir Teher would do this.”
“I’ve prepared a separate seat for you to sit near. I’ll assist you.”
Henry nodded in appreciation of Sir Teher’s considerate care, understanding that his master couldn’t move far.
Although his body still felt heavy, he couldn’t continue to fidget on the floor. Sir Teher wrapped his arm around Henry’s back and helped him to his feet.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
Henry leaned on Sir Teher. Feeling the firm support, he glanced at Edwin, who was watching him, and then passed by.
While Sir Teher escorted Henry to the prepared seat, Crown Prince William stood next to Edwin.
Then, he addressed Edwin, who was fixated on Henry, as if to say, “Look at me.”
“Seems like you enjoyed the time alone so much that you can’t tear your eyes away?”
Originally, Edwin’s gaze would follow Henry wherever he went, but now it was the other way around.
“If that’s the case, I almost want to praise my decision to bring you along on this trip.”
It was the Crown Prince’s reflection on his role as the mediator, hoping for a positive relationship between the two.
Of course, it slightly deviated from his expectations. He had thought Edwin would finally understand Henry’s feelings, but the current atmosphere seemed slightly off.
Instead, it felt like Edwin was more focused on Henry.
Regardless, Crown Prince William thought it was good that Edwin showed interest in someone, considering it a positive sign.
“Now, could you stop looking at Henry and pay attention to me instead?”
Crown Prince William tilted his head to get Edwin’s attention, obscuring Henry from view.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I have a lot to say too.”
“Henry…”
As Edwin began to speak, the Crown Prince quietly closed his mouth, eager to hear what Edwin had to say.
However, when Edwin fell silent again, Crown Prince William’s face increasingly showed signs of impatience.
“What’s with Henry?”
“…It’s nothing.”
As Edwin closed his mouth, the Crown Prince gave him a somewhat incredulous look.
He fought the urge to criticize Edwin for piquing his curiosity only to dismiss it.
After all, Edwin had just barely escaped with his life after falling from the cliff with Henry.
“Well, it’s fine if you don’t want to speak up now. We have plenty of time to ask.”
The Crown Prince, William, quickly returned to his usual demeanor and scanned Edwin’s appearance.
Despite still being dressed in his usual dark attire, it was heavily stained with mud and dust.
The subtle, musty odor was unpleasant enough for William to take a step back, feeling the irritation as if it had just registered.
“First things first, you should wash up.”
Only then did Edwin turn his gaze back to William. The Crown Prince covered his nose with a handkerchief.
“Does it smell?”
“Of course it does.”
Though not severe, the Crown Prince was particularly averse to anything dirty.
Even if Edwin’s smell was not extreme, it was bothersome to him.
Seeing the Crown Prince’s reaction, Edwin turned his head back towards Henry. Edwin had considered Henry’s avoidance due to the smell a flimsy excuse.
But hearing that it might be the truth complicated his expression further. The Crown Prince didn’t give Edwin time to think and immediately shared his next plan.
“Let’s head back to the mansion now. There are many things I want to hear.”
The Crown Prince William, back to his usual self now that he had confirmed their safety, showed a pleasant smile.
Seeing the carriage set up at the mountain’s edge, Henry felt an immense sense of relief.
It was the same carriage they had used throughout the journey, and today it was especially welcome due to his exhaustion.
Additionally, it offered a chance to avoid the gazes of others.
As soon as the door closed, Henry leaned back against the seat and let out a long sigh.
The soft cushions embraced his body, making the sigh come naturally.
“I really thought I was going to die.”
Even though Kayla knew they would fall, throwing himself to save his was something he could never do again.
“Next time, I might really die.”
He wasn’t the protagonist, so there was no guarantee he wouldn’t die next time.
Although he had relaxed when he realized that the cave was where Kayla had fallen, he couldn’t fully ease his worry until then, fearing it might be the wrong place.
Henry raised his trembling right hand to pull back the curtain slightly and peek outside.
“That wicked guy.”
While Henry had practically thrown himself into the carriage, Edwin, who had fallen the same way, seemed undeterred as he drove the horses with a straight posture.
Henry’s gaze traveled from Edwin’s back down to his arms and legs.
It reminded him of the time Edwin had been injured protecting him from the ambush at the upper levels.
Despite being hurt then, Edwin had never shown it.
He wondered if there was anything uncomfortable or wrong with Edwin this time.
There were no broken bones, but it was impossible to check for scratches.
“And I can’t exactly ask him to take his clothes off.”
It was frustrating, but it seemed too petty to give up on.
It was almost as if crossing his line was inevitable. Still, the discomfort was a separate matter.
“Why do you keep getting involved with me?”
Henry muttered in dissatisfaction, but in truth, it was a grumbling of gratitude towards Edwin.
He had received Edwin’s help during the previous raid by the upper ranks and again now.
If it hadn’t been for their imprint, he might have said thank you several times by now.
That was why he felt even more guilty and anxious. What should he do about Edwin, who kept getting hurt and put in danger because of him?
“I apologize for disturbing you while you’re admiring Sir Edwin, but…”
“Hm?”
As Henry’s gaze shifted sideways, the man with red hair cleared his throat awkwardly.
Hook, constantly scanning the surroundings, approached carefully.
“I thought it had to be now.”
“Hook?”
Henry showed both his surprise and confusion at encountering him in such an unexpected place.
He quickly erased the unwelcome comment about ‘admiring Edwin’ from his mind and leaned in to get a better look at Hook, resting his hand on the window frame.
“Did you come because of the string I hung?”
“Well…”
It seemed that Hook had not seen the string, as he hesitated in his response.
Wondering why he was there, Henry watched as Hook rolled his eyes for a moment and let out a deep sigh.
“Actually, I’m accompanying His Highness the Crown Prince due to certain circumstances.”
“Hmm? His Highness?”
Henry repeated in surprise at the unexpected name. Hook nodded slightly in response.
Observing Hook’s reaction, Henry muttered to himself about what he had anticipated.
“It doesn’t seem like it was planned from the start. Or did you receive a separate request from His Highness for this trip?”
Although Hook never mentioned other clients, Henry had suggested this possibility out of curiosity.
Hook hesitated for a moment before answering calmly.
“It’s true that I approached him first, but it was not a request.”
It was an answer that left out a lot of details.
“Anyway, it’s good to see you again.”
“I’m sorry to say that the item you entrusted to me was unfortunately not taken.”
“Oh? How did you know?”
Henry asked in genuine surprise, and Hook nodded towards Sir Teher, who was walking ahead.
More precisely, towards the cargo hanging from his horse.
“Whether it was accidentally dropped or not, didn’t you plan to wander around somewhere? You specifically asked for items like that.”
“Well…”
Although others might not have known, Hook, who retrieved those items, could be expected to have some idea.
Henry nodded as if agreeing, then awkwardly touched his own head. His normally soft hair felt stiff and dirty.
“Even though I couldn’t use it this time, I think I’ll be able to use it again soon.”
Henry, also, while avoiding a vague answer and looking sternly in another direction, suddenly thought of something and turned back to Hook.
“Did you happen to be there when I was saved this time?”
“I was watching from nearby.”
Had Henry looked around a bit more attentively, he might have noticed Hook, who had never left Prince William’s line of sight.
However, he was too exhausted to spare the effort to look elsewhere.
* * *
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❤️
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I need for Edwin to finally realize 😫
I hope Henry and Hook became friends or better BFF in the future
Wait. So Henry and Edwin almost died for nothing because Henry didn’t find the Pheromone Stone to break the imprint?