How an Omega Villain Survive chapter 74

* * *

As the banquet ended, Henry naturally accompanied Edwin on the way out.

Though he could have returned home with Duke Timothy’s family, no one seemed eager to separate the two.

While walking together, Henry suddenly stopped, his expression serious—far from the cheerful demeanor he’d shown at the banquet.

‘Duke Lorenz was unexpected. I thought he’d outright dislike Edwin…’

Duke Lorenz was a man of extreme pride.

Though Duke Timothy seemed similar, the difference lay in how they treated others.

Duke Timothy hadn’t been disappointed in Henry for being a Beta; he simply accepted it as part of their lineage.

Though Henry wasn’t an Alpha, Duke Timothy’s affection never wavered.

He even refrained from pressuring Henry with lessons on Alpha traits, respecting his differences.

But Duke Lorenz was different.

He had always wanted Edwin to be the perfect successor.

Never doubting that Edwin would manifest as an Alpha, he put him through extensive training from a young age.

Edwin’s intelligence helped him meet these expectations, which only grew with time.

But when Edwin was revealed to be a half-Alpha, Duke Lorenz’s disappointment was boundless.

Instead of comforting Edwin, he distanced himself, as if his son was a disgrace to the family.

‘But today proved otherwise.’

Henry’s purpose at the banquet had been Duke Lorenz.

He hoped that if he could engage the duke, it might open his eyes to Edwin’s true worth.

Henry wanted the duke to understand that Edwin, even if unable to sense pheromones, was not lacking.

Even if it made things uncomfortable, Henry pushed through, pretending not to notice the tension—an approach that paid off in an unexpected way.

“Edwin.”

Lost in thought about Duke Lorenz, Henry turned to face Edwin, their eyes meeting immediately.

Henry held his breath, taken aback by Edwin’s beauty under the night sky.

The background wasn’t even a picturesque sunset—it was simply night.

But the dark setting only highlighted Edwin’s calm allure, creating an entrancing atmosphere.

Whether it was his dark hair or something else, Henry wasn’t sure.

But his heart skipped a beat as he realized how stunning Edwin looked.

Covering his chest with one hand, Henry deliberately began in a blunt tone.

“It’s about Duke Lorenz.”

Seeing Edwin’s face tense up at the mention, Henry could tell Edwin wasn’t thrilled.

But Henry wasn’t one to adjust his words for anyone’s mood, so he continued without hesitation.

“He seems to care for you a lot.”

“You’re full of nonsense.”

“Why do you think it’s nonsense?”

Henry asked again, almost nonchalantly.

“The Duke actually cares for me?”

Edwin didn’t even refer to him as “father.”

It was clear how distant the two had become, but Henry didn’t waver, nodding firmly.

“Yes.”

“Must be that wine from earlier messing with me.”

“Nope, it’s the truth.”

They hadn’t even spent much time together today, but Henry claimed he could still tell.

Edwin, though, acted as if he couldn’t comprehend.

“He’s just a father with an unwavering affection for you.”

But Edwin didn’t pay any attention to Henry’s explanation.

“If I had to pick the person who despises me most in the world, it’d be Duke Lorenz.”

Edwin, unable to hide his irritation, finally spoke up, glancing at Henry, who seemed oblivious to the reality of their relationship.

To Edwin, the Duke’s expectations of him had been sky-high, which only made his disappointments greater.

So, for him to think so highly of him—it was absurd.

“Answering your questions today? That was just because His Majesty was present. Don’t add any other meaning to it.”

Edwin cut Henry off, making it clear he didn’t want him to dig any deeper.

His resolute expression made Henry’s lips quiver slightly, then he sighed instead of responding.

“It’s the truth, though.”

Henry had thought the same as Edwin before he’d actually met Duke Lorenz.

Now, he understood differently.

But with Edwin so unprepared to accept it, he decided to drop the topic.

In any case, once this mark was resolved, this issue would fade too.

For now, it was enough that Duke Lorenz had openly praised Edwin today.

Henry suddenly quickened his pace, stopping in front of Edwin to face him.

“How was I today?”

“What?”

“I said I’d put in effort for you at the banquet. How did I do?”

Edwin paused, taking in Henry’s face before giving his honest impression of the banquet.

“It was entertaining.”

“…Not that my efforts were commendable or anything, but that it was just entertaining?”

“I’m only saying what I felt.”

“Anyway, you did see I put in some real effort, right?”

“Yes, if you say so.”

Edwin’s reply had an air of indifference, as if he were granting a great favor, which made Henry feel a bit stung, though he forced a smile.

Reacting now would only disadvantage him.

After a few steady breaths, Henry regained his calm and brought up his main point.

“After all that, are you really not going to give me what I want?”

“What are you talking about?”

Even though he knew exactly what Henry wanted, Edwin pretended ignorance, urging him to say it out loud.

The invitation almost made Henry blurt it out, but he hesitated, glancing around as he remembered where they were.

Though no one else was around now, they could never be certain who might overhear.

Annoyed, Henry gave Edwin a sidelong glance, thinking about how his infuriating attitude seemed like a talent of its own.

He considered just leaving, but somehow, that felt unfair.

He recalled Edwin’s sour expression when he’d waited for him before the banquet, only for Edwin to arrive with obvious dissatisfaction.

If he left now, it’d feel like he’d done everything for Edwin’s sake today, and that thought anchored him in place.

“Are you really going to pretend until the end?”

“What exactly do you want?”

Edwin asked as if he truly didn’t know, though a hint of amusement flickered in his gaze.

Seeing him like this, Henry felt a thrill rising, something he’d tried to suppress.

“Oh, so that’s how it is?”

Determined to provoke a reaction, Henry grabbed Edwin’s wrist.

Edwin looked at him impassively, unaffected, but Henry gestured for him to follow.

“If you don’t have anywhere else to be, come with me.”

Edwin’s eyes showed a flicker of curiosity at Henry’s unexpected suggestion to go somewhere together.

He looked from Henry’s face to his hand on his wrist.

Despite Henry’s slender fingers, his grip was firm.

Without questioning where they’d go, Edwin nodded.

With that, Henry relaxed his hold just slightly but didn’t let go entirely, wary that Edwin might change his mind and leave at any moment.

“Besides, I figured it’s time you saw it.”

Even though Henry’s words were cryptic, Edwin followed him without question.

As they moved together, palace maids and attendants who’d been lingering in the corners began to bustle around, eagerly spreading stories of everything they’d witnessed.

“Where is this place?”

Edwin looked puzzled as soon as they entered the residential area, and as soon as the carriage stopped, he asked.

But Henry, not wanting to answer right away, took Edwin’s hand and pulled him out.

Edwin, reluctantly following Henry’s lead, looked around with a piercing gaze, taking in his unfamiliar surroundings with heightened wariness.

Henry led him forward with long strides.

They soon arrived at a place he’d been to before.

After he knocked on the gate, a small sound came from inside, and the person who emerged looked startled, eyes widening.

“Young master.”

“Surprised by my sudden visit?”

Henry greeted the familiar face with a smile.

The man, noticing Edwin behind Henry, hurriedly stepped aside.

As he allowed them to enter, Henry kept hold of Edwin’s hand and led him inside.

When Edwin noticed who the man was, his gaze softened slightly, as though he’d figured out where they were.

Henry, secretly hoping Edwin would stay a little more curious, held back his disappointment as they entered.

Heading straight for the office he’d visited previously, Henry’s attendant quickly went ahead to announce his arrival.

* * *

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