* * *
“No, I’m fine. I just want to be alone for a bit. You don’t need to worry.”
“You’re seriously thinking of wandering around alone with this many Alphas around? Don’t be ridiculous. Come with me.”
“You’re an Alpha too.”
“Nope. I’m different from the others.”
“Oh? And how exactly are you different?”
“I’m the one Alpha you’ve actually been with.”
“…So what?”
“It means I’m not as dangerous as the others.”
“That’s hilarious. You’re the most dangerous one here.”
Remy scoffed, and Ashton smirked.
“No way. I always give you exactly what you want.”
“So other Alphas wouldn’t?”
“No, but I’m the only one who’s satisfied you enough to have you begging for more.”
With that, Ashton pulled Remy close, arms tightening around his slim waist.
Trapped in his embrace, Remy turned red, squirming to break free. He needed to get away—fast.
But it wasn’t as easy as he thought.
Now that he had fully realized his feelings for Ashton, being in his arms felt frustratingly… warm.
‘No. I can’t let this happen.’
“…Not now, Ashton. I’ll see you later.”
Remy tried to push him away.
He was running out of time.
“Remy!”
Before he could break free, another voice called out, stopping them both.
Remy and Ashton turned toward the source of the interruption.
Standing there, unmistakably, was Hayward.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere. What are you doing here?”
The moment Remy recognized him, his expression darkened.
Running into Ashton was already a headache, but now Hayward too?
“…Your Highness.”
Hayward’s gaze immediately locked onto Ashton’s arm still wrapped around Remy’s waist.
Seeing that, he pulled Remy toward him, forcing him to let go.
With a sigh, Remy finally freed himself from Ashton’s grip.
“I was just stepping out for some air.”
“If that’s the case, you should’ve come to me. By now, you should know better than to be wandering around with just any Alpha.”
Hayward’s smug remark made Remy’s temples throb.
As if things weren’t bad enough already.
“Your Highness, with all due respect, I am hardly ‘just any Alpha.’ Remy and I have been friends since birth.”
Ashton, as always, was quick to add fuel to the fire.
“Do you really think an Omega and an Alpha can be ‘just friends,’ Ashton?”
“Well, if we’re being honest, I’d say we’re more than just friends.”
“In that case, wouldn’t it be best for you to step aside?”
“…And leave Remy with a prince who isn’t even his mate?”
Remy had reached his limit.
He had seen enough of the childish power struggles between these two Alphas to last a lifetime—he had no interest in indulging them any further.
“Well, it looks like you two have a lot to talk about,” he remarked.
Both Alphas flinched at the same time.
“What are you talking about? A lot to talk about?”
“I was just greeting His Highness for a moment, that’s all.”
Letting out a deep sigh, Remy spoke in a firm voice.
“Either way, you two can finish your conversation on your own. I’ll be leaving now.”
As expected, the moment he turned, both of them grabbed him simultaneously, as if they had planned it.
Remy shook off their hands and bolted toward his destination.
But he didn’t get far before he was forced to stop.
“Remy!”
That voice. He knew it all too well.
A sinking feeling welled up inside him as he lifted his gaze.
Sure enough, blocking his path stood an Alpha with striking red hair.
‘This is… a nightmare.’
Remy felt like he might actually cry.
“You don’t look so good. Something wrong?”
Rex placed a gentle hand on Remy’s head, ruffling his hair like he was soothing a child.
His touch was unbearably warm—but Remy didn’t feel comforted in the slightest.
“How about you take your hands off me?”
Unable to stand the sight of them any longer, Hayward finally snapped and interrupted.
“Rex. Weren’t you the one who couldn’t stand Remy? What’s with you these days?”
Ashton chimed in as well.
Remy’s face darkened further.
“What nonsense. I like Remy a lot.”
“Since when? That’s news to me.”
“So how long are you planning to keep touching him?”
“Your Highness, shouldn’t you be getting back? You’re the host of this banquet, after all.”
“It’s my banquet. I’ll do as I please. Any objections?”
And just like that, their power struggle escalated into a three-way battle.
With Rex joining in, the argument that had been between two people was now a full-blown dispute among three.
Remy felt like he was suffocating.
At this rate, he’d die of sheer frustration before anyone even had a chance to put a bullet in him.
“Remy, come to my place. You look exhausted.”
“Or should I just call off the banquet? If you want, I can kick everyone out right now.”
Remy couldn’t take it anymore. He exploded.
“For god’s sake! I don’t care about any of that—just leave me alone! I really have to go!”
The moment the words left his mouth, all the pent-up stress overwhelmed him, and Remy collapsed on the spot.
“Remy!”
All three Alphas lunged toward him, each trying to be the one to catch him.
As they argued over who should hold him, Remy regained consciousness.
It had barely been a minute.
“Remy? Are you okay?”
Ignoring their concerned stares, Remy pushed himself up.
His expression, more serious than ever, sent a clear warning.
“If any of you keep bothering me, I’ll make sure none of you ever see me again.”
“But, Remy—”
“Shut up, Ashton. I’m not joking.”
This time, he wasn’t backing down.
Not even for Ashton.
He refused to play along with their games anymore.
“Now, if we’re done here, I’d appreciate it if you all left. There’s a fireworks display happening. Your Highness, surely you won’t abandon your own banquet? And you, Rex—I thought I made myself clear. I have no intention of accepting your feelings.”
At that, even Hayward and Ashton were stunned.
That meant… Rex had confessed.
And Remy had rejected him.
“Remy.”
“So please, all of you, just leave. I just need some time alone. That’s all I ask.”
Sensing the situation, Ashton stepped in to mediate.
“He’s right. Everyone is too busy with the fireworks to bother Remy. Let’s give him some space. What do you think, Your Highness?”
Now that Ashton had spoken, the others had no choice but to agree.
None of them wanted to lower their standing in front of the other Alphas.
“Fine. We’ll do that.”
“Thank you.”
Remy gave a polite nod to Hayward.
“But, Remy.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Don’t be too late. There’s something I need to tell you tonight.”
“Understood.”
Of course, that was a lie.
There was no way he intended to meet Hayward again.
“Well then, safe travels.”
With that, Remy stared at the three of them, silently urging them to leave.
Realizing they had no other choice, they finally turned away.
Not a single word passed between them as they left.
‘Finally, they’re gone. What are they, glue? Why the hell are they so clingy?!’
Shaking his head in disbelief, Remy waited until they had disappeared completely before moving again.
‘That’s one problem dealt with. Now, all that’s left is my conversation with Allen.’
Quickening his pace, Remy soon arrived at the garden.
A faint floral scent lingered in the breeze—the distinct pheromones of the one he had always thought was beautiful.
“You’re here.”
Allen said nothing about Remy’s lateness. He simply stared at him with a grave expression.
“Did you wait long?”
“Not really.”
“Sorry. I tried to come sooner, but things got complicated.”
“Oh? Let me guess—the three Alphas were all over you?”
“Don’t start, Allen.”
Remy shot him a sharp look.
The garden was dark and quiet, but the torches beneath the pavilion illuminated their faces.
Two of the Empire’s most beautiful Omegas stood facing each other, their eyes filled with hostility.
“Let’s just get to the point. You said you wanted to talk.”
Allen let out a dry laugh at Remy’s sheer audacity.
“I never realized you were this shameless.”
His lips curled into a smirk as he took a step closer, bringing his face right up to Remy’s.
“I know everything. Every little thing you’ve been up to.”
His voice was low, menacing.
The wind rustled through the dark garden, carrying the scent of their pheromones through the air.
* * *
