How an Omega Villain Survive chapter 4

Henry looked at the grand palace of the Crown Prince with complicated eyes. Yesterday, when he wrote ‘solid successors,’ he should have detailed more about Crown Prince William.

The lack of early story about the Crown Prince made him overlook it.

“Because of the Crown Prince, I keep getting entangled with Edwin.”

Despite Edwin disliking Henry, they often met because of the Crown Prince. William was the undisputed heir of the royal family, set to become the next emperor.

There was no need for a succession battle, and William himself was an outstanding figure befitting an emperor.

Therefore, instead of engaging in a succession struggle, William focused on solidifying his position. One of his strategies was to keep Edwin and Henry, who were his peers, close by.

Henry had resolved to part ways with Edwin entirely yesterday, but the Crown Prince ruined that plan.

“He must have called Edwin too.”

This meant he would meet Edwin again today. The original Henry would have happily run to meet him, but now, he dragged his feet with a face that looked like he was dying.

“Come on in.”

Entering the Crown Prince’s palace, Henry was warmly welcomed by a man with a strikingly handsome face, as bright as his golden hair.

The man’s inviting gesture drew Henry’s gaze to his clothes.

They were as splendid as a peacock. Even his casual clothes were as extravagant as formal attire, yet William Zabre, the Crown Prince, wore them perfectly.

Henry gave William a slight nod and looked at the man standing beside him like a crow. Edwin did not spare Henry a glance, allowing Henry to observe him freely.

‘Crow’ was a fitting description. He wore plain black clothes without any adornment.

If it weren’t for his face that complemented the outfit, he would have looked like just a bodyguard.

Noticing Henry’s gaze, William gave a subtle smile and intervened.

“Now, look at me.”

“Greetings, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Edwin waved his hand lightly, as if to say such formalities weren’t needed.

“There’s no need for such formalities between us. I heard something interesting happened yesterday?”

Henry feigned ignorance, but seeing Edwin not intending to speak, William shook his head as if conceding.

“Henry Timothy, I heard you sang for Edwin.”

“Well, it just happened….”

“What exactly happened?”

William pressed on, not letting Henry’s evasive answer slide. Henry glanced at Edwin, who looked indifferent as if it wasn’t his business, then spoke up.

“I called Edwin, saying I had something to tell him. When he asked what it was, I sang him a birthday song. That’s all.”

“That must have been quite a sight. Henry, you sang?”

William laughed, poking fun, “Didn’t you say singing was for commoners?”

The teasing made Henry swallow a sigh. He had no words because he knew William’s character well.

William, as his laughter subsided, absentmindedly fiddled with the corners of his mouth while watching Henry’s reaction. He subtly let slip his true feelings while gauging whether Henry was upset.

“But didn’t you call me to say something? You speak as if you’ve completely forgotten, almost like someone else sent the message.”

Henry, who had just taken a deep breath, froze at William’s sharp question. He had indeed said it wasn’t him but the real Henry who sent the message, and William had pounced on this point.

‘A difficult fox to deal with…’

Though outwardly friendly and smiling, his true depths were concealed from all.

William’s character, which Henry had previously dismissed, was shaking him up today.

“Ah… well…”

When Henry didn’t immediately respond, even Edwin, who had shown no interest thus far, cast a glance his way.

“I was so busy that I forgot I sent the card.”

“Did you not have a particular thought in mind when you wrote it?”

“I forgot that too.”

Henry continued to evade William’s questions by repeatedly claiming he had forgotten. William’s sharp eyes scrutinized him closely, and Henry’s face paled under the penetrating gaze that seemed to peer into his soul.

Henry could hardly breathe under William’s suspicion, and just as a cough threatened to escape, William chuckled.

“Well, many must have come to see Edwin. Given the promising future of the duke’s household, it’s only natural to want to meet such an outstanding man.”

Henry exhaled a hidden sigh of relief at William’s seemingly casual statement.

“Must be nice to be so popular.”

Despite William’s compliment, Edwin’s expression remained indifferent, as if he had long adapted to William’s tone. But just as Henry felt relieved to escape William’s scrutiny, he suddenly tensed and his body stiffened.

Noticing this, William turned to Henry.

“Hm? What’s wrong, Henry?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Henry waved his hand dismissively, hiding his trembling fingers behind his back. He forced a smile at William and stole a glance at Edwin.

The cause of Henry’s sudden shock was none other than Edwin’s pheromones. The moment they emanated from Edwin, Henry felt suffocated and an indescribable pressure. It was as if an invisible hand was squeezing his heart mercilessly.

‘What kind of pheromones…’

The danger wasn’t just that he could sense the mood of the one he was imprinted on; it was the intense concentration of Edwin’s pheromones. From Edwin’s perspective, there was no need to be cautious as no one else could sense them, but for Henry, it was maddening.

Sweat trickled down his temple to his chin as he struggled to endure Edwin’s pheromones. As he wiped the sweat away, he felt the eyes on him.

“Something slipped my mind… Anyway, why did you call me?”

Henry quickly changed the subject, and Edwin was the first to turn away. William, caught between Edwin’s clear displeasure and Henry’s complex gaze, clapped his hands.

“I called you because I have something to say.”

William’s behavior puzzled Henry, who tried to recall the novel’s content. What was going on?

‘The Crown Prince’s outing.’

The thought quickly came to him as William began to speak.

“I have to go out.”

An outing by the crown prince wasn’t a big deal in itself. However, William’s tone indicated the place he intended to visit was far enough that it couldn’t be reached in a day.

“I need your help.”

Henry remained silent, knowing what kind of help William meant, while Edwin, being naturally reticent, said nothing. In the awkward silence, William smiled faintly and continued.

“I need to go quite far, but His Majesty won’t easily grant permission. He might allow it if I go with you, saying it would be reassuring.”

‘If reassurance is the issue, isn’t the Royal Knights’ Order the best?’

No matter how powerful a noble household might be, it couldn’t match the vast strength of the royal family. Yet Henry understood why William said that. Alone, William’s request would be denied, so he wanted to borrow the duke’s name.

Though Edwin showed no intention of agreeing, William fixed his gaze solely on Henry, who sighed.

Feigning ignorance, Henry asked,

“What is it?”

“Have you heard the recent rumors stirring the Empire?”

There were whispers of a grand wizard’s hidden arrangements in the notorious mountains from a century ago. No one knew the truth, but the rumors had spread, drawing many to the mountains.

William seemed to desire this. But Henry saw through him.

“Wherever there are greedy people, problems are bound to arise. I need to go to prevent any trouble. As the crown prince, it’s my duty to protect the Empire’s people.”

‘What nonsense. You’re going because it sounds fun.’

Henry knew William wanted to go because of his insatiable curiosity.

Would the Emperor not know William’s true intentions? Naturally, he wouldn’t permit it, so William was trying to use them. Henry stifled a sigh at William’s childish request.

‘Should I just hide somewhere?’

At that thought, Henry bit his lip, recalling the comfort of being served as the duke’s son. Though his life was paramount, the comfort was more enticing since he wasn’t in immediate danger.

‘No, get a grip.’

Henry ultimately rejected William’s proposal.

“I don’t think I can do it.”

“Oh, really? I thought you’d be the first to volunteer. Think it over. Travel is full of unexpected events. You might have to sleep outside, and if luck’s not on your side, you might end up sharing a room with several others. I know it doesn’t suit your meticulous nature, but you can endure it for the sake of other rewards.”

William exploited Henry’s weak points.

The Crown Prince used Henry’s affection for Edwin to coax him. However, the Henry who liked Edwin no longer existed.

“Such an uncomfortable journey makes me even less interested.”

William clutched his chest as if wounded by Henry’s cold rejection. His gaze, though, lingered, attempting to discern Henry’s true intentions.