* * *

The disruption was enough to sour Haywards’ mood.

It wasn’t like he’d been thrilled earlier in the morning when he saw Ashton and Remy together, anyway.

“And what is it now?”

“Remy must stay by my side.”

“On what grounds?”

“His mother requested it.”

“…?”

“She was concerned about other alphas. She explicitly asked me to stay with him. After all, his secondary gender manifested late, and at his age, it’s hard not to worry about him.”

Listening to Ashton’s explanation, Remy couldn’t help but think his mother had wildly misunderstood something.

‘Honestly, Mother, the childhood friend you trust so much is probably the most dangerous one of all.’

“It seems the countess feels I’m the only alpha she can trust, having known me since childhood. Not even someone as esteemed as the son of the king inspires her confidence.”

Gasp.

Remy nearly choked.

That last jab was entirely unnecessary.

Ashton’s blatant provocation left Remy more shocked than Haywards.

With tension already brewing, the standoff between the two alphas was becoming a nightmare for Remy, whose nerves were fraying fast.

‘This must be what they mean when they say shrimp suffer when whales fight.’

“Ashton, I didn’t realize you had such an arrogant streak,” Haywards quipped.

“I apologize if it came across that way, but I was simply stating facts.”

“That last part sounded rather subjective to me.”

“Not at all.”

Their argument seemed endless until Sir Gregory, the royal protocol officer, finally intervened.

“Your Highness, I hate to interrupt, but you must depart soon.”

Sir Gregory’s words were entirely valid.

The journey was long enough without further delays.

“Very well, then. Remy will ride with me in our family’s carriage. Surely you wouldn’t want to cause the countess unnecessary concern, Your Highness?”

Ashton declared this while pulling Remy by the wrist.

The smug alpha’s actions visibly stoked Haywards’ simmering anger.

“You’re suggesting I let Remy ride with Ashton? Would the countess truly want that? You’re an alpha too, aren’t you?”

“I believe I’ve already made it clear that this was a direct request from the countess.”

Just as the argument seemed destined to loop back to the beginning, Remy had had enough.

“Wait a moment. Why don’t the three of us just ride together in Your Highness’s carriage? Like when we visited the Aylesford summer villa. Doesn’t that make sense?”

Neither alpha seemed particularly thrilled by Remy’s suggestion.

Seeing their extreme reactions only made Remy shake his head.

‘Alphas… So dramatic, always.’

“It’s the most reasonable solution. Let’s just travel together. Isn’t that fine, Your Highness? Besides, I’d like to honor my mother’s wishes too.”

Remy turned to Haywards, flashing him a gentle smile.

It was his first time using such an expression—one designed to appeal.

The effect was immediate.

“Now that you mention it, Remy, you’re absolutely right. It wouldn’t do for you to disregard your mother’s wishes,” Haywards conceded, far more easily than expected.

While relieved, Remy also felt an odd sense of despair deep inside.

‘A smile… I used a smile on a man. Is this who I’ve become?’

“I agree. Remy’s proposal is sound,” Ashton said, following Haywards’ lead.

And so, thanks to Remy’s intervention, the three of them boarded the royal carriage of the Federica dynasty and began their hunting journey together.

“By the way, I’ll be sitting next to Remy.”

Haywards made the declaration the moment he entered the carriage, pulling Remy to sit beside him.

Though Remy let out a small sigh, he decided to see things positively.

‘If I have to be stuck with one of them, it might as well be the prince. I’ve spent so much time with Ashton this summer that I’m not sure I can handle being that close to him again. My body might react…’

The thought Remynded Remy of all the awkward physical responses he’d had while being around Ashton, and he resolved to avoid another repeat.

“Yes, that’s fine,” he said.

Thankfully, Ashton didn’t object.

The prospect of another argument during the carriage ride had been daunting enough, but at least for now, the atmosphere remained calm.

“Then, we’re off, Your Highness.”

With everyone seated, the coachman signaled the departure.

The horses sprang into motion, their synchronized steps driving the royal carriage forward.

---

As the carriage rattled over the rough dirt road, Remy couldn’t help but feel utterly exhausted, as if his body might collapse at any moment.

“What the hell is this? Is it starting again? Am I secretly narcoleptic or something? I fall asleep at the drop of a hat. How am I supposed to get anything done like this?”

To fight off the overwhelming drowsiness, Remy pinched his thighs repeatedly, determined to stay awake, his large eyes wide open in desperation.

His pitiful battle against sleep did not go unnoticed by the two Alphas sharing the carriage.

His head bobbed as his heavy eyelids drooped halfway down, the sight of him struggling to stay awake so endearing that faint, amused smiles crept onto both their faces.

“…?”

While Remy continued his valiant effort against sleep, a large, warm hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.

Startled, he glanced at the hand on his shoulder, but before he could fully react, it pulled him in, leaving him leaning against the person beside him.

Remy found himself resting against Hayworth’s broad chest, his face pressed against it.

“Your Highness…?”

Lifting his head slightly, Remy looked up at Hayworth with his round, wide eyes, clearly confused.

“Just stay like this. This chest was built to cradle a drowsy Omega like you.”

“…Pardon?”

“What? Is it not enough for you? Isn’t it wide enough?”

It was more than enough.

Hayworth’s chest was so broad that Remy’s small head could roll around comfortably without falling off.

“N-no, I’m fine. I’m fully awake now, so—haaahm…”

But his yawn betrayed him before he could finish his sentence, leaving him flustered and embarrassed.

“This is strange… I really am awake. Honestly…”

Remy mumbled defensively, trying to save face, though his voice had grown small.

“Sure, I get it. You’re awake,” Hayworth replied indulgently.

“But just stay leaned against me. We don’t want you getting motion sickness again.”

Motion sickness. He’d mentioned it once, but Hayworth seemed to bring it up every chance he got.

This time, though, Remy had no room to argue.

Truth be told, Hayworth’s chest was so comfortable and reassuring that he couldn’t help but think, ‘Maybe I could rest here for a little while longer…’

“Ugh, what’s wrong with me? Why do I feel even sleepier now? And his chest… Why is it so comfortable? It’s broad, perfectly contoured for leaning, firm with muscle, and it smells so nice… Wait… that scent… Sweet Alpha pheromones…”

As he mentally listed all the reasons Hayworth’s chest was perfect, Remy’s consciousness slipped away, his eyelids closing like a butterfly landing gently.

His long lashes lay peacefully against his cheeks, and sunlight streaming through the carriage window bathed his serene, angelic face in a golden glow.

Hayworth’s gaze naturally drifted to Remy’s slightly parted lips as he let out soft, rhythmic breaths.

Smiling warmly, almost fatherly, he observed the sleeping Omega.

“Using pheromones to lull an Omega to sleep… That’s awfully old-fashioned, isn’t it?”

Hayworth’s tender moment was abruptly interrupted by Ashton, who sat across from them, smirking with obvious mischief.

Looking at Ashton’s brazen expression, Hayworth chuckled dryly.

“Your tongue’s been quite sharp today, Ashton. What’s the matter? You’ve been awfully disappointing lately.”

“As if I’d dare to offend Your Highness,” Ashton replied, feigning innocence.

“I’m merely watching over Remy as a childhood friend who cares deeply for him.”

“A childhood friend, huh? This level of doting seems more like overprotection to me. Do friends usually go this far?”

“Perhaps Your Highness simply hasn’t had a friend worth doting on like this.”

“I haven’t,” Hayworth said with a sly grin.

“Though I’d go this far for an Omega.”

* * *