* * *
Meanwhile, Rex was startled by an unexpected visitor but soon broke into a welcoming smile.
He had been avoiding going out due to all the commotion since the hunting competition, so Allen’s visit was a pleasant surprise.
“Welcome, Allen.”
“Rex!”
But Rex’s smile faltered when he saw Allen’s face, which looked like he was on the verge of tears.
Whatever had happened, it must have been serious for Allen to come rushing to him like this.
“What’s with your face? Did something happen?”
“Rex, I’m in big trouble.”
“Calm down, Allen. Sit down, have some water first.”
Rex handed Allen a glass of water, trying to soothe him.
Even after drinking it, Allen looked like he was about to burst into tears.
“I don’t even know how to say this….”
“Take your time. What’s going on?”
“It’s about Remy…!”
Allen’s voice trailed off as he struggled to continue, his face taking on the look of a tragic heroine.
Tears welled up and spilled down his cheeks.
Rex’s expression darkened.
‘Oh, great. Remy again. Just when I’ve been avoiding going out to avoid hearing about him, now this.’
“Rex… sniff, what am I going to do?”
“Just tell me what’s wrong so I can help.”
“This morning, a man came to see me. A stranger. He said he had something to tell me about Remy.”
“Something about Remy? What did he say?”
“He said Remy was… sniff… digging into our family’s background and planning to spread dangerous rumors.”
“Remy’s investigating the Aylesford family? What’s even worth digging up?”
“I don’t know. But he said Remy was planning to distribute false, damaging flyers.”
Rex’s face grew harsher.
“Are you sure about this? Can you trust this guy? Who is he, anyway?”
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t reveal his identity. I have no way to verify what he said. I’m just so shocked and scared….”
Rex thought carefully.
Knowing Remy, it wasn’t entirely impossible, but it still seemed unlikely.
And an anonymous tip wasn’t exactly reliable.
“Calm down, Allen. Nothing’s confirmed yet. Let’s investigate first, then decide what to do. Understand?”
“Okay….”
“I’ll look into it. If Remy’s up to something, I’ll stop him. Don’t worry.”
“Really? Thank you, Rex.”
“Yeah. Don’t worry, Allen.”
Allen sniffled on the outside but was inwardly cheering for joy.
Sweet Rex.
While he appeared colder than anyone could imagine, Allen had long known that inside, Rex was a kind and warm-hearted alpha.
‘This is going to work out perfectly. If Rex investigates Remy’s shady dealings, he’ll definitely uncover that dangerous flyer operation. Then he’ll think Remy’s up to no good, right? Bennett’s already been silenced, so there’s no way to confirm the truth. Things are progressing much smoother than I expected. I’ll mess with Remy and get closer to Rex. He’ll see me as a victim.’
Allen paused to correct himself.
‘Wait, no. Let’s get this straight. I am the victim here! What kind of friend does this? Snooping into someone’s private life to make flyers about it? Remy’s totally in the wrong!’
“Allen, what are you thinking so hard about? Are you worried?”
“Huh? Oh, um, yeah.”
Allen quickly adjusted his posture and then casually leaned against Rex’s shoulder, pretending it was unintentional.
“I’m really worried, Rex… What if what that person said is true? I mean, it’s impossible for Remy to do something like that, right…?”
“Don’t worry about it, Allen. Even if it’s true, I’ll handle everything.”
“Thanks, Rex.”
Allen buried his face deeper into Rex’s shoulder, inhaling deeply.
The crisp minty scent of Rex’s pheromones filled his senses.
‘How can even his pheromones smell this good? His shoulders are so broad, and his red hair… just looking at it makes my heart flutter.’
Allen found Rex particularly dashing today.
He couldn’t understand why he hadn’t taken an interest in him before.
Rex was such a dependable alpha!
‘Alright. I’m going to make this work with Rex. I’ll become the spouse of the heir to the most influential Balcom family in the Empire!’
A sly smile spread across Allen’s lips, but Rex was utterly unaware of it.
Completely oblivious to the scheming behind his back, Remy spent most of his days seeking out Oliver.
Losing himself in fun times with Oliver helped him momentarily forget about the relentless alphas pursuing him.
“Oliver, I’m here!”
But someone was stealthily following Remy.
It was none other than Georgia, Rex’s trusted aide.
Tasked with keeping tabs on Remy, Georgia had trailed him from the moment he left his house all the way to Oliver’s tent.
“Remy-hyung!!”
As usual, Oliver’s younger siblings greeted Remy with excitement.
Remy responded with a bright smile, while Oliver simply bowed his head in greeting.
Seeing Oliver’s unchanged demeanor, Remy chuckled softly.
Petting the kids clinging to his legs, Remy said in an unusually cheerful voice, “Today, your hyung brought you gifts!”
“Wow, what is it, hyung?” The kids’ eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Remy began unpacking the things he had brought.
“Tada! Clothes for you all!”
“Whoa!”
The luxurious outfits, made from fine fabrics, immediately caught the children’s attention.
They cheered and jumped with joy, eager to try on the new clothes.
The second sibling quickly began shedding their old clothes to try on the new ones, while the eldest, Oliver, hesitated momentarily before helping the youngest into their outfit.
“Hyung, they’re so pretty!”
“Do you like them?”
“Yes, really!”
“I’m glad.”
Oliver stared at the youngest for a long time after dressing them.
It must have been overwhelming to see the child, who had never worn proper clothes, now dressed in such fine garments.
Though grateful to Remy, Oliver couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
His mother had always told him not to desire things beyond their means.
“Oliver, try yours on too. I got one for you as well.”
“…”
“Oliver?”
After a brief pause, Oliver shook his head.
Perhaps his mother had been wrong.
She didn’t know that everyone deserves respect, which was why she told him not to hope for more than he deserved.
“I’ll try it on,” Oliver finally said, taking his outfit and heading toward the tent.
“Eh? Where are you going, Oliver? Aren’t you going to try it on here?”
“I will.”
“Then why the tent?”
“I can’t just change in front of you, hyung.”
“…?”
Huh?
What was that?
Remy tilted his head in confusion but soon understood.
‘Oh, the little guy must think he’s grown up and doesn’t want to undress in front of others. How cute.’*
Remy chuckled softly.
“Alright, then. Go on and change.”
Without replying, Oliver went into the tent.
“Hyung! Hyung! Can I eat this sandwich?”
Before Oliver could finish changing, the second sibling approached, asking eagerly.
“Of course. I brought plenty of meat too, so help yourself.”
“Thank you!”
“But make sure to eat your veggies too, okay?”
“Okay, hyung!”
The child politely thanked Remy and hurried to the basket to dig out food, sharing it with the youngest.
Watching them wolf down their meal, Remy poured orange juice into their cups.
“Slow down, or you’ll choke.”
Just as Remy was handing out the juice, Oliver emerged from the tent in his new clothes.
“Does it… look okay?”
“Oh…”
Seeing Oliver in his new outfit, Remy let out an admiring sigh.
He had always known the boy was cute, but the new clothes made him look even more striking.
“It looks great, Oliver!”
At the compliment, Oliver blushed for the first time.
Seeing his reaction made Remy’s heart swell with pride.
* * *
Whyy?
And that, ladies and gentlemen, was how Rex fell in love.