How an Omega Villain Survive chapter 73

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Henry noted the faint twitch in the Duke’s clenched lips and cheek, likely due to him passing the question off to Edwin.

But, truthfully, Edwin did know more.

And besides, this could be a good chance for them to exchange a few more words.

“I didn’t actually visit the cave myself.”

Inwardly lamenting the lack of direct communication, which had led to this situation, Henry continued directing questions at Edwin.

“You were there with His Highness, weren’t you? How did it seem?”

Henry’s goading glance prompted Edwin to look back at him with an unfathomable expression.

After a moment’s thought, Edwin realized what Henry was trying to accomplish, recognizing it as another form of his support.

“The cave didn’t look like a trap, but there are suspicious aspects. The rumors about the treasure spread too quickly, and the lord of that region distanced himself from the matter, claiming ignorance. It’s worth a second look.”

“Is that so?”

Henry, listening closely to Edwin’s words, turned back to the Duke.

The Duke’s lips twitched more pronouncedly, almost as if he could guess what Henry was about to say.

“Edwin’s assessment is sound. You can trust his judgment.”

Henry had deftly drawn out compliments for Edwin.

“He seems to have inherited that sharp eye from the Duke. Don’t you think so, Your Highness?”

He now drew in Prince William, who had been observing with amusement.

“Indeed, Edwin often points out things that I might overlook.”

“Edwin’s observation skills must be exceptional, then. No doubt inherited directly from the Duke?”

Repeating his earlier words, Henry subtly contrasted the Duke’s non-response with William’s agreeable reply.

“Father often mentions the Duke’s keen insight. It keeps even other nobles on edge, lest their intentions be seen right through.”

“Edwin might one day grow to be as remarkable as the Duke himself.”

Henry’s compliments flowed smoothly, while William received them warmly.

Watching, the guests exchanged puzzled looks, some curious, others wondering where this conversation was headed.

The atmosphere, centering around Edwin—a previously overlooked figure—was orchestrated entirely by Henry.

Edwin, realizing the scene Henry had staged, smiled without meaning to; it was his second smile tonight, brought on by Henry’s antics.

“Is it good?”

Noticing the softening of Edwin’s demeanor, Henry pointed to the wine Edwin had just sipped, curious about what had caused the change.

Edwin silently poured wine into Henry’s glass.

“Taste it yourself.”

Along with the wine, Edwin placed a dish before Henry that paired well with it.

Henry, tasting it, was struck by its rich flavor, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked back at Edwin.

Seeing Henry’s round eyes, Edwin tapped Henry’s puffed cheek with his finger, as if giving a signal.

Swallowing the wine, Henry nodded in amazement.

“It’s delicious. Would you care for some, Duke Lorenz?”

The Duke, meeting Henry’s gaze as he raised his glass, gave a slight shake of his head.

“No, thank you.”

“That’s a pity.”

As Henry sipped the wine, appearing genuinely disappointed, Hena gave a light tap to her own empty glass.

The servant, watching Henry’s expression, quickly filled her glass as well.

Succumbing to the moment, Hena tasted it and nodded approvingly.

“Not bad.”

“Right? Edwin doesn’t say much, but the fact that he keeps sipping means it must be good. Could it be he inherited this taste from the Duke as well?”

Henry playfully complimented Edwin again, slyly pulling the silent Duke back into the conversation.

This time, the Duke couldn’t entirely ignore it and gestured toward his wife.

“More likely, he takes after my wife.”

The Duchess, catching the remark, spoke in a tone laced with barbs.

“That child has had a picky palate since he was young.”

It was evident from her cold tone that, though she was Edwin’s mother, her pride wouldn’t allow her to embrace him entirely due to his incomplete pheromones.

The reason the Duke and Duchess distanced themselves from Edwin was that anything less than perfect had no place in Lorenz.

When the Duchess commented, Hena, caught off guard, took a quick, silent breath.

But Henry simply took it in stride.

“So, you have a refined taste? I suppose that works in my favor—I’ll get to eat only the best. I’ll be counting on you.”

“If you expect to make use of me, I won’t cooperate.”

As Edwin grumbled, Henry muttered that it was petty but still ate the dish Edwin had pushed toward him.

Now, it was Duke Timothy, not Duke Lorenz, who took the floor.

His focus shifted to the apparent closeness between Henry and Edwin, whom he’d been observing closely.

“It seems your relationship grew stronger during the trip.”

“We did get a bit closer than before. Edwin had to protect me quite a bit.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Duke Timothy’s expression softened.

He had always seen Edwin as a shield to protect his own son, and learning that Edwin had truly helped seemed to please him.

Edwin, however, looked at Henry with an incredulous expression, as if finding the softened atmosphere awkward or just plain annoying.

“When was it that you hated the idea of coming along with me?”

“Did I say that?”

When Henry feigned innocence, Edwin cast a look at Crown Prince William, as if to urge him to reveal the truth.

“Henry, you were quite against it, weren’t you? When I suggested including Edwin in our group, you were incredibly averse. That reaction is still vivid to me. But once the journey began, you two ended up getting along better than with me. I felt a bit left out, but it was amusing to watch.”

Recalling Henry’s reaction from that time, Crown Prince William burst into laughter.

Finally, he supplemented Duke Timothy’s question with a playful clarification, remarking on how Henry and Edwin had become closer at his expense.

“It was amusing to watch, huh?”

“I meant you two got along well.”

With that smooth deflection, William sidestepped any other implications, and Henry quickly countered.

“Well, that’s only because Edwin is handsome.”

“Is that really how it is?”

William let out a wry smile, seemingly thrown off by this unexpected turn.

The conversation was revolving around Edwin’s looks, as if Henry had planned it.

William glanced at Edwin, as if to question his motives, but Edwin simply took a long sip of wine without a word.

Meanwhile, Henry, as if determined to make a point, turned his gaze to Duke Lorenz.

“Duke, wouldn’t you agree that Edwin is handsome?”

“There’s certainly no one quite like Edwin.”

Duke Lorenz admitted with a light cough, reaching his limit with Henry’s relentless remarks.

Henry’s triumphant expression seemed to say, “See? I was right.”

Anyone would think Henry was Edwin’s parent with the way he kept boasting about “his” Edwin.

Even those listening were left speechless, to the point that even Hena had to interject.

“Why is Henry constantly pointing out Edwin’s looks?”

“When did I emphasize that? I was just stating a fact.”

“Exactly, but why are you the one saying it? It makes Edwin look strange.”

“I was simply stating an objective fact. Besides, Edwin wouldn’t just go around claiming he’s handsome, would he?”

Henry argued as if it were a given that Edwin wouldn’t praise his own looks unless he was overly bold.

But Hena had a sharp retort ready.

“Oh? But you say things like that all the time.”

“…Would you like to try this dish? You have to take a big bite to appreciate it.”

Clearly trying to stuff food in her mouth to shut her up, Henry’s reaction made Hena burst into laughter.

She enjoyed the exchange between Edwin and Henry with a softened expression.

With Henry steering the conversation and Edwin responding in kind, their dialogue flourished, each light remark followed by lively reactions.

Even just listening made time fly by, and Crown Prince William shrugged as he looked toward the emperor.

“Father, do you see what I mean?”

There was a reason William had held back his travel stories until now.

Instead of merely explaining, he wanted to show the dynamics in action.

“This is why the journey was enjoyable,” he remarked with a smile.

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