How an Omega Villain Survive chapter 79

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Finally, after what felt like escaping, Henry boarded the carriage and slowly began to process everything that had just happened.

‘If this possessiveness truly stems from caring about you, then yes, Henry, I like you.’

“What…was that?”

Was it a possessive imprint caused by their link, or was it a desire to avoid breaking it? Edwin’s words were a maze of contradictions.

And yet, he hadn’t managed to glimpse any of Edwin’s true intentions.

He thought he understood Edwin, but now it seemed like he’d been nothing but overconfident, realizing he hadn’t uncovered anything.

“He… likes me?”

It had sounded like he wanted to keep the imprint as a condition, but Edwin wasn’t the kind of person who’d easily let words of affection slip.

That wasn’t something he could simply dismiss.

If Edwin genuinely cared for him, could that change the nature of their relationship?

Could they really avoid breaking the imprint without threatening his life?

Could Edwin gradually adjust to his pheromones, and maybe, he could begin to reciprocate his feelings, too?

As Henry pondered Edwin’s confession, he started to consider other possibilities.

If a new path truly existed, and if he saw hope there, maybe he could reach for it.

On the way home, he was overwhelmed by the thought of a new path, one he could finally take.

In truth, he couldn’t deny that Edwin had slowly shaken him during their frequent clashes.

If there was indeed a chance they could work things out…

“There’s someone here to see you, young master.”

Before Henry knew it, he had already arrived home.

Absently following the servant’s lead, he moved along, barely conscious, until the servant announced a guest waiting in the drawing room.

“Who’s come to see me…?”

Only belatedly did Henry ask, his words trailing off as he entered the room.

Rising from the sofa, the guest turned to him, and Henry’s eyes widened in shock at the sight.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Henry couldn’t speak as he looked at Kayla, who smiled with light pink lips curved in greeting.

“Hm, I wasn’t expecting that reaction.”

Though Kayla’s words sounded playfully disappointed, Henry remained silent.

He should have been pleased to see Kayla, his old friend, after all.

But strangely, he had no room left in his heart to welcome him back.

“How did you…?”

“I had business in the empire. And thought I’d stop by to see an old friend.”

The brighter Kayla’s voice, the darker Henry’s expression grew.

The moment he saw Kayla, Henry’s mind became tangled, as if a knotted string had fallen into disarray.

The one possibility he had been considering before seeing Kayla.

The idea of not breaking his imprint with Edwin, the hope that perhaps he could take a different path, now felt like a dream interrupted by a steep cliff.

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Ken and Han were merchants who traded local specialties from town to town.

Though they worked in different fields, they’d known each other long enough to share a strong imprint and often exchanged information.

“Any new happenings? Last time was pretty good, but income’s down again.”

Ken had benefited from rumors of the hidden treasure of a great mage.

With crowds gathered, demand for goods always rose, even for a lone traveler passing through.

As long as they were human, they needed food and rest, and Ken had profited by providing necessary supplies.

Seeing Ken sigh over his dwindling income, Han leaned in, lowering his voice so no one else could hear.

“Have you heard the latest?”

“What rumor?”

Ken immediately perked up, well aware of how valuable rumors were to a merchant.

Not that Han’s discreet tone required much concentration; he was practically broadcasting it.

“The ones who took that treasure.”

“You mean those three who still haven’t recovered?”

Han nodded.

Despite the time that had passed, they still hadn’t managed to get back on their feet.

Ken clicked his tongue.

Whatever that treasure was, it must have been cursed to destroy a person’s life.

“They say it wasn’t treasure at all. I mean, why else would they be incapacitated? It was all just a trap.”

Ken nodded in agreement. It hardly seemed like treasure if it came at such a high cost.

Han’s eyes darted around the room, checking if the tavern-goers were listening in, before he leaned in even closer, his voice even more conspiratorial.

“But I heard someone managed to take the real treasure.”

“Who are you talking about? Don’t tell me you’re going to mention someone with that light-colored hair?”

Ken furrowed his brows, repeating what he’d heard.

He, too, had heard the murmurs of those who’d fallen victim to the unknown—something that might be treasure or a trap.

When Han nodded, Ken’s expression fell, disappointed. It was common to doubt the claims of those who were confused and in disarray.

“I heard that too. But how can we believe it? And wasn’t it true that nothing came up when they searched those kinds of people back then…?”

There were indeed some who combed through anyone with light-colored hair, even though it had only been the delirious ramblings of those who’d lost their senses.

They figured it was better to latch onto any clue, even if it led nowhere, than to walk away empty-handed.

However, it only led to needless casualties with nothing gained.

With only “light-colored hair” as a clue, the range of suspects was too broad.

“I wouldn’t have mentioned it if that was all there was to it.”

Han waved his hand, signaling he was just getting to the point.

“We didn’t check everyone who fit that description, did we?”

“Huh? Well, sure, maybe some less noticeable ones slipped through.”

Ken answered nonchalantly, acting as if there wasn’t more to it.

Han, however, gazed at him steadily.

“Don’t be shocked, but I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince himself visited the cave where the treasure was found.”

“Hm? The Crown Prince?”

“Shh, keep your voice down.”

At Han’s caution, Ken quickly covered his mouth.

Talking about the Crown Prince was dangerous.

Ken’s wide eyes asked Han silently if this was true. Han nodded heavily without a word.

“Then, are you saying the one who took the treasure could be…?”

Han shook his head, guessing Ken might suspect the golden-haired prince himself.

“No, it’s not His Highness. If he intended to take it, he would’ve cleared everyone out from the start. Besides, it’s not like he would bother hiding it if he did.”

“Right, that makes sense.”

The Crown Prince was someone who wouldn’t flinch even if people scrambled after the treasure.

His guard was practically impenetrable, and anyone who crossed him would certainly face the wrath of the royal family.

There was no reason to hide anything.

“But perhaps one of the Crown Prince’s entourage might have done so.”

Intrigued, Ken pressed Han to explain further.

“There’s someone among His Highness’s entourage with light-colored hair. A young master from the House of Timothy.”

“Ah! Then…”

“Exactly. The possibility that he took it is quite high. Think about it. Very few people know that the Crown Prince was there, so why would he have left empty-handed? It must be that someone from his entourage took it.”

Ken found himself increasingly captivated by Han’s words, which started to make a strange sort of sense.

“That does seem likely.”

While the Crown Prince himself wouldn’t bother to conceal it, the young master from the Timothy family might have thought differently.

But Ken wasn’t about to consider this angle too deeply.

Han, only suggesting possibilities, cleverly left enough vagueness to make it all seem plausible.

“Don’t go spreading this around. I only heard it by chance.”

Han emphasized the secrecy of the matter to Ken several times, even though plenty in the tavern had overheard his words.

Ken nodded emphatically, and Han reclined slightly.

“In the end, the nobles snatch away the treasure again. Not that it’s surprising anyone would covet it, but isn’t this a bit much?”

“Why?”

At Ken’s question, Han gulped down his drink, looking exasperated.

“Because that young master from the Timothy family is a beta. What use could he possibly have for the treasure of a Grand Magician?”

Ken leaned forward, sensing a clue in Han’s words about the treasure’s nature.

“A beta, of all people, taking a treasure meant for those with certain traits. It’s going to just sit there, unused. What a waste.”

Others in the tavern began whispering, each passing along what they’d heard.

“Someone in the Timothy family will end up using it.”

“Yeah, I suppose so. But it’s still a waste. Why did that young master take it…”

Han lamented the unspoken rule that whoever seized the treasure became its owner.

Being an alpha himself, he felt particularly resentful.

“Well, it’s not like we can demand it back. All we can do is watch. Maybe there’s some other treasure out there.”

Ken, feeling equally let down, toyed with his glass, finding himself drawn to water over alcohol after hearing such a huge story.

He knew he’d need his wits to remember all this and pass it on, so he drank only water.

After that, the two continued chatting about various topics.

Deciding there was nothing more of importance to overhear, those nearby gradually got up to leave, eager to spread what they’d heard.

One person who’d been seated in the shadows also stood, slipping quietly out of the tavern.

As he stepped outside, a fresh breeze swept by, causing the red hair hidden beneath his hood to flutter out.

Removing his hood entirely to brush back the hair sticking to his cheek, Hook let out a low hum.

“What are they planning to stir up this time?”

Hook recalled the conversation he’d overheard between Han and Ken.

He was certain someone was trying to instigate trouble, dragging both the Crown Prince and Henry into it.

Hook thought briefly about who could be behind this, but then his mind shifted to those who’d be inconvenienced if things escalated.

With the Duke’s powerful backing, no one could force Henry to give up the treasure even if he had taken it.

However, if the aristocrats began complaining about a beta taking an unnecessary treasure, things could get complicated.

“Should I tell the young master, or just…?”

Maybe he should just sit back and watch.

Hook tilted his head slightly and left.

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