* * *
Since the Emperor was hosting, Henry expected the event wouldn’t be in a confined space.
Sure enough, as the enormous doors opened, revealing the expansive hall where the banquet would be held, Henry’s head naturally turned, taking in the grand sight.
‘It’s really big.’
The grand hall was larger than anything he’d seen at his family’s estate.
He was relieved not to be walking in alone; waiting for Edwin had turned out to be the right choice.
As Edwin’s pheromones subtly enveloped him, Henry strode forward with confidence, unfazed by the stares of the other guests who had already gathered.
The Emperor sat at the head, with the Empress and Crown Prince on either side.
On the left were Duke and Duchess Lorenz, and on the right, Duke Timothy, his wife, and their daughter, Hena.
“I feel we’ll see them entering side by side again soon.”
Prince William watched Henry and Edwin’s entrance and murmured something with a knowing expression.
If Henry had heard him, he would’ve retorted immediately, but only a few nearby caught his words.
Reaching the front, Henry bowed to the Emperor.
“It is my utmost honor to be in the presence of the Empire’s shining sun, His Majesty the Emperor.”
As Henry exchanged greetings with Edwin, the Emperor’s gaze shifted between them.
“It’s been a long time.”
Henry was unable to mask his mild surprise at the warmth in the Emperor’s voice, which contrasted with his imposing presence.
Although Henry had never met him before, he’d assumed that someone leading the Empire would be stern and unapproachable.
The unexpectedly gentle tone compelled him to look at the Emperor.
Realizing he’d made eye contact without permission, Henry wondered if he should lower his gaze.
Just as he prepared to do so, he was struck still by the Emperor’s subtle smile.
“After hearing from the Crown Prince, I wanted to meet you both. It seems much has happened.”
“A journey’s charm lies in the unexpected. I had a wonderful time.”
Henry responded with ease, as if he hadn’t just been caught off guard.
Beside him, Edwin remained quietly observant.
“Yes, let’s take our time discussing it today. Sit.”
With a gesture from the Emperor, Henry lowered his head briefly before moving to his seat.
As he took a seat near Hena, he happened to glance at the opposite side and was startled to find Edwin was now seated right beside him instead of across from him.
‘Why is he sitting here?’
Henry wanted to ask aloud but couldn’t with others watching.
He sent a firm look to signal Edwin to move to his designated spot, but Edwin didn’t even glance his way.
As the room began to fill with more guests, Henry whispered, “Don’t you think it’s… a bit cramped here?”
He subtly gestured under the table for Edwin to move to the empty seats, but Edwin continued to ignore him.
Eventually, Henry lost his chance to move without drawing attention.
Suppressing the irritation rising within him, he had to keep his expression in check.
“This should be an entertaining night,” said Crown Prince William, ending with a remark that set everyone into their places.
As one elaborate dish after another arrived, Henry found himself unable to focus, preoccupied with Edwin beside him.
Others seemed to glance their way as well, which added to his discomfort.
Amid this unease, Henry fought down the pheromones instinctively emanating from his frustration.
“What’s wrong?” Edwin asked, having detected Henry’s mood.
“Hmm?”
“What’s bothering you?”
Taken aback by Edwin’s bluntness, Henry realized Edwin had sensed his emotions, much as he once had done through Edwin’s own pheromones.
“Nothing.”
“Then don’t… make that kind of face.”
Edwin’s hesitation showed he was about to mention the pheromones before he thought better of it, possibly mindful of their company.
Slightly reassured, Henry frowned in mild exasperation.
If Edwin was going to be considerate of others now, he should have just sat elsewhere.
Others began to take note of Edwin’s unusual behavior, surprised by his ease with Henry.
Only Crown Prince William looked on with a knowing expression, as if he had anticipated this from the start.
With a gesture, he signaled for soft music to play, and a gentle melody filled the room, marking the start of the banquet.
The guests began to converse with those seated beside them, and Henry let out a subtle sigh of relief as the attention around him waned.
“You’ve put on this act all along, haven’t you?”
Henry froze, hand halfway to his glass, as Edwin’s words sank in.
“It wasn’t that you felt nothing; you just pretended to.”
Reaching over, Edwin handed him the water glass, their fingers brushing momentarily.
That slight touch, tinged with Edwin’s pheromones, conveyed the sentiment behind his words.
Edwin was perceiving every shift in Henry’s emotions, just as Henry had once done with him.
“There aren’t many who show their feelings so openly.”
Henry accepted the water Edwin handed him, acknowledging his remark with a sip.
It was true—most people wore masks, only revealing parts of themselves.
“You’ve hidden it all as well.”
Henry observed the faint traces of Edwin’s pheromones.
Unlike Edwin, Henry had long been aware of them and understood their significance.
Edwin might now be able to perceive Henry’s pheromones, but Henry had been sensing his for much longer.
“At least I’d grumble occasionally. You, on the other hand, brushed everything off as if you didn’t care. But I knew your emotions weren’t as indifferent as they seemed.”
Edwin, eyes intent, swirled his wineglass.
“How did you feel each time you sensed my emotions?”
Feigning contemplation, Henry finally answered, “That you’re human too.”
Whether Edwin felt joy or displeasure, his pheromones revealed it all.
This honesty might be why Henry had felt such an affinity with him; Edwin wasn’t just some stoic character defined by his scars—he was real, someone with genuine emotions that Henry could connect to.
Listening to Henry’s reply, Edwin finally lifted his glass to his lips.
Just as the wine met his lips, Henry paused, as if he’d seen something unexpected.
‘Did he smile?’
Henry squinted, questioning what he’d seen through the glass’s curve.
But as he looked away, he missed the slight smile that lingered on Edwin’s face, though others nearby did not.
As the banquet continued with its subtle tension, Henry absently nibbled on bread while observing the two dukes.
Though they both exuded a similarly serious aura, Duke Timothy had an undeniable warmth, whereas Duke Lorenz appeared unyielding, with no room for compromise.
‘So that’s why people say Edwin resembles him.’
Henry considered Edwin’s neutral expression, which, with a little more weight, could easily become the rigid mask of Duke Lorenz.
While glancing at Edwin, Henry’s eyes met those of Duke Lorenz, who surprised him by speaking first.
“I hear you had quite an experience with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Yes, I did.”
After setting his glass down, sensing a line of questioning was about to follow, Henry turned his attention to the next question.
“Then, since you’ve seen it yourself, let me ask. Did that cave, where it’s said the Marquis of Carian made his arrangements, appear to be naturally formed? Or did it seem like someone crafted it intentionally to set a trap?”
Duke Lorenz asked about the cave rumored to hold treasure.
Though it was a simple question, Henry couldn’t take it lightly—this was one of the conversations shared after his return from travels with family.
Feigning thoughtfulness, Henry glanced over at Edwin.
“What did you think?”
Meeting Henry’s gaze, Edwin looked slightly puzzled. Henry pressed further.
“You’d know better than I do. Did it look natural to you?”
“…There were traces of human interference, but at least the Marquis’s arrangement there seemed genuine.”
If anyone should know, it would be you, who retrieved the treasure, Edwin’s silent question hinted, but Henry ignored it, turning back to the Duke.
“Edwin says it’s authentic.”
“…”
“Edwin probably observed it more accurately than I did, so he’s likely right.”
A slight crack appeared in the Duke’s stoic expression.
* * *
Uh oh
Wow😶🌫️
The duke is so annoyed lol
👍
I’m starting to feel the incoming second-hand embarassement 😆😅