* * *

“How many days has it been since I was last here?”

Henry muttered to himself, feeling an odd sense of nostalgia as he returned to his family home after a long while.

Though he had spent a significant amount of time unconscious, his time awake with Edwin had felt even longer.

Even knowing his family would worry, Henry had chosen not to rush back immediately.

He felt sorry for them, but the peace of mind he gained from being with Edwin had outweighed his guilt.

“I should be ready to accept anything Hena has to say.”

He decided he would take her sharp words in stride, even if she vented her frustration at him.

Smiling to himself, Henry lightly tapped his lips with his index finger before stepping inside.

“Welcome back.”

The butler greeted him as Henry entered.

Acknowledging the welcome, Henry glanced around.

“Where are my parents?”

“They are waiting for you, young master.”

“Let’s head there, then.”

“This way.”

The butler gestured for Henry to follow.

As Henry nodded and turned in the butler’s direction, a sudden voice called out from behind him.

“Brother!”

Before he could react, someone collided hard with his back.

Catching himself from stumbling, Henry looked down at the small, pale hands wrapped tightly around his waist.

“Hena.”

There was only one person who would embrace him like this.

Still dazed, Henry called her name, but Hena clung to him even tighter, refusing to let go.

“Why did it take you so long to come back? Do you know how worried I was?”

“Well… about that…”

Henry scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

Edwin had already informed Duke Timothy about his recovery, but Henry hadn’t mustered the courage to show his face in person.

He’d expected Hena to scold him harshly for that, but instead, her tearful embrace only deepened his guilt.

“I’m sorry.”

In the end, Henry offered no excuses, only a sincere apology.

Even then, Hena clung to his back for what felt like an eternity without uttering a word of forgiveness.

“I was planning to give you an earful the moment I saw you…”

Eventually, Hena released him, her usual demeanor returning as they walked side by side.

However, her gaze betrayed her lingering resentment.

“But when I heard you could have died, nothing else mattered anymore.”

“That’s… something I’m truly sorry for. But thank you.”

Henry felt grateful for her concern, though it came tinged with guilt.

Hena abruptly stopped walking, her tone growing heavier.

“Brother.”

Henry turned to face her. Hena stood a step behind, her head bowed, obscuring her face.

After a moment of silence, she finally looked up, her expression crumpling as if her emotions threatened to spill over.

Henry realized, too late, that she hadn’t yet let go of her worries.

“Don’t you dare collapse again.”

Hena’s voice trembled, and Henry instinctively placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

He felt her fragile frame quivering under his touch.

She turned her head, trying to suppress her emotions, but it was clear she was struggling.

Henry wanted to reassure her, to tell her it wouldn’t happen again.

He had already said so several times, and repeating it should have been easy.

Yet, he found himself hesitating.

Simple words wouldn’t erase Hena’s lingering fears.

After a pause, Henry softly called her name.

“Hena.”

“…Yes?”

She turned toward him, her body stiffening in surprise as Henry pulled her into an embrace.

Much like how Edwin’s arms had calmed his restless heart, Henry now sought to soothe Hena.

A faint smile played on his lips as he held her small frame.

Despite thinking she had grown up, her hands and body—so small as they clutched his waist earlier—reminded him she was still his little sister.

He gently patted her back, his voice kind and reassuring.

“I’m sorry for worrying you. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

At the warmth in his tone, Hena’s tense posture softened. She leaned into him, her voice still carrying a hint of lingering frustration.

“Next time, I won’t let it slide.”

“I promise there won’t be a next time.”

As he stroked her hair, Hena muttered, her voice laced with disbelief.

“You’re acting so strange, Brother.”

“If you say I’m strange, then I must be.”

With Henry’s calm response, Hena finally pulled away to look at him.

“Are you really my brother?”

Her initial surprise gave way to skepticism, as if doubting he would ever embrace her like this.

Henry laughed aloud at her disbelief, leaving Hena flustered.

She stormed off toward their parents, grumbling.

“Brother’s still acting weird.”

“Are you still unwell?” their mother asked, concerned.

“No, that’s not it. He hugged me! He never does that!”

Hena’s loud complaint drew an amused smile from Henry.

It reminded him of when she first met him and thought he was a peculiar stranger.

“Some things never change.”

Yes, nothing had changed at all.

---

Later, after basking in his family’s love and worry, Henry retreated to his room and collapsed onto his bed.

“Haah.”

He had spent so much time lying around with Edwin that he thought his bones might dissolve from laziness.

And yet, even now, exhaustion overtook him.

“Why am I so tired?”

Burying his face into the soft pillow, Henry felt a smile creep across his lips. He didn’t mind his family’s concern.

In fact, he had exaggerated his cheerfulness to put them at ease, leaving his cheeks feeling slightly sore.

“So this is what happiness feels like.”

The warmth of his mother’s hand, his father’s worried gaze, and Hena’s constant chatter had filled the day with love.

Knowing they had feared losing him made their affection even more heartfelt.

Although it had been a little embarrassing, it was also overwhelming in the best way possible.

As he lay there, Henry began planning for the next day.

His family would likely avoid going out to spend more time with him.

That would give him the perfect chance to…

“Tell them about Edwin.”

Before parting ways with Edwin, Henry told him that he planned to reveal their relationship to his family.

Instead of breaking the bond marked by the pheromone stone, Henry had used it to forge an even stronger connection.

Now, he intended to make their relationship official and build a serious future with Edwin.

But when would be the best time to bring it up?

As he pondered this, there came a knock at the door.

Turning his head, Henry saw the door open, and the swish of a skirt caught his eye.

Thinking it might be Hena, he propped himself up slightly, only to discover the identity of the visitor.

“Herze,” Henry greeted warmly.

At his cheerful tone, Herze bowed in return.

“I came to check on you once I heard you were safe.”

Herze was from the Reve Trading Company and regularly delivered updates and reports to Henry. Even without being summoned, Herze often sought him out of her own accord.

“Perfect timing. I was about to call for you,” Henry said, rising as though he hadn’t just been fatigued, and gestured for Herze to take a seat.

Once she had settled, Henry took the chair opposite her.

Sensing the purpose of the meeting, Herze ventured a guess.

“Is it about the one who harmed you, young master?”

“You catch on quickly, as always,” Henry replied, nodding without a hint of surprise.

It was no wonder Herze was the head of the Reve Trading Company.

Her sharp insight spared him the need for lengthy explanations, making conversations with her exceptionally easy.

“Here,” Herze said, handing over a sheet of paper she had been holding.

“A man named Hans placed an order with us some time ago. He requested a necklace, which we crafted and delivered. The design should look familiar to you.”

Henry’s gaze fell on the drawing. “It does,” he admitted grimly.

* * *