How an Omega Villain Survive chapter 69

* * *

After the lesson, Henry had suggested a tea break, and Edwin had joined them.

But while the three of them sat together, the chatter came only from Henry and the Count.

Seeing how well they got along, Count Ariat looked genuinely disappointed not to have had tea with Henry earlier.

“Perhaps I was too focused on the lessons.”

To his modest reply, Henry shook his head reassuringly.

“That’s exactly why we came here, after all. And your lessons, Count, are truly fascinating.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I thought I had a basic understanding of formation theory, but your lessons have shown me how mistaken I was. It’s been a rare and enriching experience. No wonder Edwin was so keen on having you as a teacher.”

Henry kept bringing up Edwin, crediting him for everything — for helping him meet the Count, for leading him to these excellent lessons.

With every mention of his name, a subtle tremor flitted across Edwin’s expression.

Despite all the praise, he couldn’t shake a nagging feeling.

“In any case, I’m glad we get to enjoy tea together now after those fantastic lessons. And that’s all thanks to Edwin. He’s not much of a talker, but he’s thoughtful.”

Again with Edwin’s name.

Henry raised his cup toward Edwin with a cheerful grin, as if to say, “Wasn’t I great?”

“It’s surprising that Lord Loreste was the first to suggest tea.”

Count Ariat recalled the past week’s lessons with Edwin.

Though Edwin had abruptly requested the lessons, they weren’t close acquaintances.

As the rumors suggested, Edwin was impossible to read.

He was like a wall, just as others had described.

Henry, however, was entirely different from the rumors.

“I wouldn’t have known if Young Master Timothy hadn’t pointed it out.”

“That’s just one of Edwin’s countless virtues. He seems stern and cold, but he’s warmer than anyone. He’s willing to go out of his way to protect a friend in danger, and he even met my parents before I did with his own parents. How can anyone be so admirable?”

“Ah… the two of you must be close.”

Count Ariat’s reply was carefully worded, as if he wasn’t quite sure whether Henry’s words were sincere or simply excessive flattery.

Oblivious or unbothered, Henry turned fully toward Edwin.

“I told my parents about how you jumped to save me. They’re so grateful they’ve invited you over for dinner. They’d love to have a meal with you.”

As Henry shared this with Edwin, Count Ariat, listening nearby, muttered something strange.

“Did he… jump to save Young Master Timothy?”

“Ah, during my recent trip, I found myself in a bit of a predicament. I nearly fell off a cliff, and Edwin jumped right after me to save me. He’s got quite a heart for his friends.”

Count Ariat’s expression grew more complicated at Henry’s words, and he raised his teacup to hide his reaction.

The previously lighthearted mood disappeared, though Henry, seemingly oblivious, continued smiling brightly.

“I know I said it then, but I’ll say it again—thank you for saving me. You’re a truly good friend. Do you have any friends like Edwin, Count Ariat?”

At Henry’s words, Edwin’s lips parted slightly before pressing back together, his expression unreadable.

Whether it was Henry’s insistence on calling him a good friend or the way he kept flashing glances toward Count Ariat, something was off.

Although Henry hadn’t forgotten to show gratitude, the whole situation was oddly unsettling.

He couldn’t quite pinpoint what about this scene was meant to support him, and despite Edwin’s presence, his heart felt distant.

He had mocked Henry’s shallow tactics, yet this tea time was beginning to get under his skin.

“Ah, it’s already this late. Well then, we’ll meet again tomorrow.”

“It was a pleasure, thank you.”

Count Ariat left, exchanging a cheerful farewell with Henry.

Once they were alone, Henry’s smile vanished as if it had never been there, replaced by a sudden, icy calm that Edwin couldn’t look away from.

“Is that your way of showing you care for me—by throwing my name around at every opportunity?”

“Yeah. Didn’t you think it was a nice touch?”

“I’m not sure what part of that could be called nice.”

Edwin’s blank response earned a click of the tongue from Henry.

“You’re too focused on controlling that pheromone of yours without thinking about the bigger picture.”

Henry set down his now-cold cup.

He’d been so engrossed in chatting with Count Ariat that he hadn’t even noticed the tea’s flavor.

But now, much like Edwin’s pheromone, the heavy aroma lingered unpleasantly.

“You have to think long-term. You’re going to lead House Lorenz as a duke, aren’t you? When people realize you’re free from your bond, that you’re a dominant alpha with no issues, it’ll reduce any potential backlash.”

Lowering his voice, Henry explained as though he were instructing Edwin.

“Think of how rigid you seem. Who would instantly believe you’re a natural alpha? Even if they do believe it, how many would actually celebrate it?”

Henry shook his head as if to emphasize the point.

“I’m just helping you gain some goodwill.”

Henry’s excuse for “helping” Edwin was as vague as it was shameless, and it didn’t matter if Edwin was displeased.

Henry remained unfazed, reveling in the discomfort his pheromone-induced tension caused Edwin.

“Isn’t it nice to keep up good relations with Count Ariat?”

“He seemed to be more interested in you than in me.”

“Well, if you see it that way, there’s nothing I can do. But I kept mentioning how great you are.”

Henry deflected lightly, as though there was nothing more he could do.

He then instructed the servant to bring another pot of tea and sank into the sofa, showing no signs of leaving despite Count Ariat’s departure.

In fact, he’d spent every evening this past week lingering around Edwin until late, constantly meddling in his affairs.

Edwin had always found Henry bothersome—from the way he’d have people tail him, to his sudden appearances, to the way he orchestrated everything to involve himself.

Even back then, when Henry didn’t openly cling to him, it had been irritating.

Now, he brazenly clung to Edwin, calling his name at every opportunity and doing things he knew Edwin would hate, all while saying, “It’s for your own good.”

Henry masked his ulterior motives with a smile.

‘Eventually, he’ll get fed up and throw the pheromone stone at me to be rid of me.’

Sipping the newly served tea, Henry hid a sly smile.

This was his real intention, though he didn’t voice it.

He wasn’t hoping for Edwin to give him the pheromone stone out of gratitude but rather to rid himself of him out of sheer annoyance.

Not that his efforts were entirely fruitless for Edwin; his persistent discomfort kept others at bay, giving Edwin a way to alter his image slightly.

Where Edwin saw his actions as distasteful didn’t concern Henry in the least.

“Impressive.”

Edwin acknowledged the way Henry had managed to shake him.

He had thought it would be fine to let Henry stick around if he insisted, but he’d underestimated his capacity for irritation.

Henry had been shamelessly pushing all his buttons.

Had he been fixated on Edwin alone as before, it might have been tolerable, but now he kept weaving Edwin together with others.

“Don’t you think you’re taking things a bit far?”

“Me? I think I’m just being reasonable.”

Henry dismissed the question, his expression hardening in response to Edwin’s next words.

“I’m not sure if you were trying to talk up our friendship or commend my bravery.”

Edwin thought back to Henry and Count Ariat’s earlier conversation.

“Generally, a friend doesn’t risk their life by jumping off a cliff. Count Ariat likely noticed that I see you as more than just an ordinary friend.”

“……”

Henry looked as though he’d forgotten to breathe, staring at his cup with trembling eyes.

This was bad.

Edwin’s pheromone-laced displeasure had thrilled him too much, making him babble without thinking.

“What are you saying? Wouldn’t anyone do the same for a friend?”

Henry forced his words, trying to make them stick.

A friend, right?

You can do that for a friend, can’t you?

He looked at Edwin, hoping desperately to hear that he hadn’t implied anything strange to Count Ariat.

But Edwin wasn’t the type to give him that assurance.

“Yes, my feelings for you are quite strong. Thank you for acknowledging that.”

Henry’s face twisted at Edwin’s words.

It was the same friendly sentiment he’d offered earlier, thrown back at him—but why did it make him feel so uneasy?

* * *

*Summary page is only available for login users. Non-users can view the chapters on the chapter list.*