“What do you mean you’ll be busy today?” Robbie pouted while he sipped his orange juice. Breakfast was coming to an end, and Allen had informed they wouldn’t be hanging out as they normally did.
“The King requested to see me after breakfast.” Allen shrugged a little before stuffing more pancake in his mouth.
“Ooh, really? Even after you attacked him last time?”
“Fuck off, Robbie.” He grumbled as the Omega giggled. He was the only Suitor who knew what happened a week ago. None of the others had been told Allen had nearly marked the King against his will. A soft hand landed on his shoulder, making him jump. He turned to find sharp green eyes that were glittering with something he couldn’t quite place. He was smiling, but Allen could tell it was forced.
“I don’t mean to cut your meal off early, but we’ll be late.” Scott said before turning his attention to Robbie. “I hope you don’t mind; I’ll be stealing him from you again today.”
Robbie naturally rosy cheeks darkened, as he spluttered for words. “No, of c-course not! I mean, not th-that you’re stealing him or anything, obviously. He’s not mine to steal from! I mean, I just-“ He giggled nervously, looking uncomfortable.
“It’s okay, Robbie.” Scott ruffled his scruffy blue hair a bit and laughed. Allen stood up and the King waved. “Have a nice day.”
They left the dining room, walking side-by-side as they headed towards who knows where.
“He likes you, you know.” Scott said quietly, breaking the silence between them. He suddenly took a left, and Allen followed.
“What?” He asked, completely confused. Who was he talking about?
“Robbie. He likes you.” He supplied, not even glancing towards him.
Allen laughed. “No, he doesn’t.”
“Yes, he does. He looks at you like you hung the moon.” He was calm and quiet, but Allen had a feeling that he was livid.
“Are you jealous?” He tried to lighten the situation, but those sharp eyes turned on him with a glare.
“Do you have feelings for him?” He shot back, stopping abruptly and turned towards him. He folded his arms over his chest, staring him down demandingly.
Allen stumbled a bit so he didn’t run into Scott. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked the Omega over, trying to grasp the complete 180 in his demeanor. “No? He’s just a friend, the only one I have here actually.”
“Good.” Relief washed over his face and a smile graced his lips. He turned on his heels, starting to walk briskly again. “Just make sure he knows that!” He called back, voice back to its normally cheery tone. Allen watched for a few moments, completely stumped on what had just happened. With a sigh, he followed the small man.
Soon enough, they came upon heavy wooden doors flanked by guards. They opened the doors as Scott approached, bowing their heads respectfully to their King. Scott thanked them as they passed.
As the two entered the room, the people inside rose from their seats. They were all standing around a rectangular table, facing towards Scott. Though their actions showed respect, the look in their eyes said otherwise. They all looked at him with some amount of disapproval before turning their eyes to Allen. They nearly sneered when seeing him following behind the King. He swallowed nervously. Did Scott deal with this every day? For some reason, the idea angered him. Scott kept his head held high as he stalked toward the head of the table, meeting their gaze. Allen couldn’t help but be in awe of his confidence. The tension in the room was nearly palpable, and most Omegas would be cowering in fear at this point. Scott made a small dismissing gesture with his hand, and everyone sat. Scott asked for someone to bring in a chair for Allen.
“So, any reason why he’s here?” One piped up, voicing everyone’s question.
“I am showing him what it’s like to be King. Which starts here, with my favorite council members.” Scott smiled easily as he slid into his own chair. A maid set one next to him and Allen sat.
“We’re your only council members.” The man from yesterday, James, snorted.
“Exactly.”
The meeting officially began after that, and Allen quickly realized he’d hate these things. He found himself watching all the council members argue. It was nearly like a tennis match; comments being made back and forth. He glanced over to Scott, who was leaning back in his plush office chair, watching the whole thing unfold. The King was quiet, watching them with calculating eyes. Allen didn’t even know what they were fighting about. He began to grow bored after a few minutes, the irritated voices becoming nothing but a small buzz in the background as he let himself think.
Could he do this for the rest of his life? Sit through meetings while men decades older than him argued like children? The idea was depressing, to say the least. He wondered how often meetings like this happened, and if the council was always this grouchy.
His eyes turned to Scott again, taking in his features. The King was cute, no doubt. With big, green eyes, pouty lips, and delicate features. He was everything that Omega’s wanted to be, down to the freckles dusting his cheekbones. Scott glanced over, catching Allen staring. The Omega smiled softly, cheeks reddening as he looked away. Ugh. Was he worth all the baggage that comes with him?
This continued to happen throughout the meeting, them making eye contact before quickly looking away. When Scott finally stood up and called adjourned the meeting, Allen still had no clue what it had been about. Oh well.
Scott looked to him as everyone filed out of the room, ignoring the glares sent his way. “I’m sorry, I know that was boring. The Council gathers at least once a week though, usually more. It’s a necessary evil that has to happen though.”
“Could have been worse. So what’s next?” Allen got up and stretched.
Scott’s eyes lit up. “We’re going into the city.” The city of Iyathe was just south of the Royal Palace, making it the Kingdom’s capital. Just on the coast, it held a huge port and was booming with trade and commerce. No wonder the King was excited. The diverse city was so different from the stuffy Palace. “At least once every other week I go there and volunteer.”
***
As it turns out, volunteer meant spending time with orphans. Not that Allen had a problem with orphans, he just didn’t like kids.
Scott was sitting on the floor as toddlers crawled over him, slobbering on his suit that likely cost more than Allen’s tuition. The King seemed completely in his element for once, smiling and laughing as he played with the children.
He decided to join the King, crossing his legs as he got comfortable on the creaky wood. Immediately children flocked him, deciding he was fair game since he was on the floor. A little girl, no older than two, plopped herself in his lap. Were they not taught to be wary of strangers? Apparently not, seeing as another hopped on his back. Allen grunted as the kid tugged on his hair to pull themselves up more.
He heard Scott giggle, the sound of his laughter high and melodious and it made Allen’s heart skip a beat. He could hear that noise for the rest of his life and not get tired of it. “So, do you come here every time you volunteer?”
“Yes, it’s where my mother was raised.” Scott smiled as he rolled a toy train to a kid. It was not unknown that the late Queen had been an orphan. King John had met her at the market in the City of Iyathe and it was love at first sight. They were married two weeks later. King John’s father didn’t approve of the marriage because she was an orphan, or something. Everyone knew the story. “My father began taking me after my mother died, and I can’t bring myself to break the tradition.”
They continued to play with the children for a while, then helped put them down for their naps. By that time, they had to head back to the Palace and get ready for dinner. Though Allen didn’t like children, he enjoyed himself. The kids seemed content to climb him like a tree, and he’d never seen the King so happy.
It was a good fifty-minute drive back to the palace. Allen stared out the window, watching as the streets of the capital slowly melted into trees. It was quiet and cozy in the car, and soon enough he felt a head plop onto his arm. He looked down to the King, his breathing was deep and even, and Allen knew he was asleep. He turned back to the window, watching as the trees flew past.
Maybe he was worth it.
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