Lua and Henri were getting along better than they had in the past, some still blamed him for the incident with Marissa even though there was no proof. Lidia and Henri vouched for him not being able to have done it, so had the guards that investigated the incident, there was no suspect in either case. Marissa was avoiding Lua acting all terrified of him when she saw him. He didn’t care cause that meant he and Henri could be alone more. With the Winter Ball fast approaching most of them were quickly getting ready for the ball, coordinating outfits and taking extra dance lessons so they didn’t embarace themselves. Lua had found his perfect suit, it had white pants and an amethyst colored jacket dotted with silver stars and a black dress shirt beneath it. Henri wore a matching suit but in the darker violet with small touches of green and silver. They walked arm in arm, Henri having picked him up from the dorm they had traveled with Lidia, Felicia, Evan, and Oliver to the castle. The two boy’s matched their dates but there was a mysterious pop of blue that didn’t quite fit. The Girls had taken note of that and weren’t happy about it, at some point when Lua had been freshening up he’d come back to find a blue handkerchief in Henri’s pocket and it started to make him worry. In the game it was a sign of favor between the main lead and the target character. Henri wearing her color meant there was a chance he could lose him and it scared him.

“Henri! Oh please tell me you’ll dance with me tonight!” Marissa said wearing a mostly amethyst colored dress covered in silver stars, but there were hints of other colors as well. She looked beautiful in the dress, her hair done up perfectly and her skin was flawless like usual. 

Lua frowned, he felt suddenly awkward and like a mud puddle that didn’t deserve to be there. He turned and went to get himself a drink and to look over the desert spread, sweets always made him feel better. That and he didn’t want to hear Henri readily agree to dance with her, he’d probably let her have the first dance. He mumbled to himself as he sipped the cider and tried not to bite his thumb nail when Felicia had gone through and painted them so nicely with a new polish she’d made just for him. It felt odd to wear nail polish but it made him smile and feel a bit better.

“Already going after the sweets table?” Henri said, hugging him from behind startling him.

“Yes well, I was just checking it out.” He told him as he looked over his shoulder at him. “I thought you were going to go dance with Marissa so I thought I’d have something to energize myself for the next one.” He fibbed. Henri looked at him.

“I can’t dance with her until after I’ve danced with you.” He said honestly, he twirled him around carefully with the drink in his hand so he could look at him. “So will you dance with me my Lua?” he asked as the orchestra was clearly turning up.

“Of course I would, you will always have my first dance.” He told him. “Let me just finish this.” He said, and then he politely sipped the cider down quickly before putting it onto a tray to be taken away.

Henri waited and then led him out to the dancefloor just as the music started, several others joined them, mostly older couples, Henri’s parents included. Lua’s eyes were locked on Henri’s so he didn’t notice Marissa’s glares at him as they danced not only to the first song but to the second one as well. Lua loved dancing with him. He was sure he only once stepped on his foot but Henri didn’t seem to mind.

“I forgot how different it is to be out there on the floor with others.” He laughed as they walked off the floor. “I’m sorry I stepped on your foot in that second song.” He said apologetically.

“Don’t worry about it, you’re light as a feather I barely noticed.”

“Liar, I’ve put on quite a bit of weight this year, mostly thanks to you and all the sweets you give me.” He pointed out. Henri kissed his knuckles.

“I have to pamper you, and I know you have a sweet tooth.” He told him as he led him back to the desert table where they picked up cider and Lua picked up some of the macrons before they took a seat against the wall. “How are they?” he asked.

“Good, everything here is good.” He said honestly. 

He glanced about the room and sighed as he didn’t see his parents, they rarely came to the events like this. It made him relax, knowing he wasn’t going to be under their watchful eyes all night. He smiled as he saw Lidia, Felicia, and Ivan dancing with their fiances happily and Marissa just sat against the opposing wall waiting for her turn. When another Marquee, an Alpha Male from what he could remember he’d graduated last year, asked her to dance she agreed. He winced as she spent most of the dance stepping on his feet, it was clear etiquette and dancing were very low on her list of things she should know. He watched as a tiger beastman swept an Angelkin onto the floor and held him close  as if he’d never let him go.

“Is that who I think it is?” Lua asked Henri, motioning to the two.

“Oh, I didn’t know they were an item, but yes that is who you think it is, he’s here for education, but it seems he found his mate as well.” Henri said, realizing who he was talking about.

“They make for an interesting couple, I wonder if I’d be allowed to go to their wedding in two years.”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“I don’t know what the future holds.”

“Why two years though?” Henri asked.

“Leon graduates this year and Ethan graduates next year.” He pointed out. “I see a nice summer wedding for both of them.” He added.

“Would you like a summer wedding?”

“I’d be happy with an any time of the year wedding as long as it’s you.” Lua told him honestly and then turned crimson as he realized what he’d said.

“I agree, as long as it’s with you.” He turned his face to look at him and then kissed him lightly on the lips. Lua felt his blush spread to the tips of his ears and down to his chest, his ears wiggling, Henri smiled, though a small crimson color spread across his cheeks. “You are so adorable my Lua.” He told him as he kissed him again. Lua kissed him back happily.

“And you are absolutely stunning, my Henri.” He whispered looking deep into his eyes.

They were interrupted a few moments later by Felicia and Oliver plopping down next to them. “Ahh it feels good to be off my feet.” Felicia said as she sat down.

“We only danced twice.” Oliver said as he sat next to her.

“I’m not a fan of dancing, I hate these shoes.” she complained. 

“You just have no stamina.” Lua teased her.

“Bully, don’t think I didn’t see the two of you sitting here and snogging.” Both Henri and Lua went red. “You’re allowed to, you know, it was just cute to see.” She teased.

“Stop teasing them, Licia.” Oliver told her as he stood. He leaned down and gave her a light kiss that turned her just as red. “Let me get you some cider.” 

“Oh and some of those little petifores!” She called out as he walked off.

Lidia and Evan joined them coming from the desert table with Oliver a few Minutes later and they all just talked and teased each other. Ivan and Marcus eventually joined them, it was nice to see everyone was getting along after things had been dicey for a while. They got up and danced some more and then they would sit back down in a group. Then came the traditional group song, a highly upbeat song meant for friends or groups of friends to dance together. Tradition stated that the crowned family abstained and Lua wanted to stay with him but he was dragged away by the others. Marissa, who didn’t have friends currently, made her way over to him as he watched Lua and the other’s laugh and twirl about.

“Your Highness, why don’t you join them?” She asked.

“Oh Miss De La Cove, why aren’t you out there?” he asked.

“No one asked and I’m still new…” She lied.

“I see, well this is tradition, the Royal family stays out of the dance as if not to see everyone fooling about. There’s no real rhyme or reason, it's just pure fun.” He told her.

“I see it’s still sad you can’t join in with your friends, but if you’re not allowed to why is he?”

“It’s fine, and he’s allowed to because he is still a Del Monique.” he explained.

“It still doesn't seem fair. He’s left you all alone.”

“I’m just happy to see him happy.” He told her.

“Well, perhaps you’ll dance with me later?” She asked.

“Perhaps, but you should make some other friends.” He told her. “So next time you can join in.” He smiled politely, he wanted her to go away, he wanted to just watch as his Lua skipped and twirled out there between the others, he wished he could join but at the Royal Winter Ball he couldn’t. He liked seeing him looking so lively out there on the floor. 

“I’m sure I will by the end of the year.” She told him with a cruel smirk before she wandered away.

Lua came back before the second song out of breath. “Ahh that is way too much for me.” He told Henri who looked surprised as he sat down next to him. 

“You looked like you were having fun though.”

“I was but I kept wishing you could have joined me, that tradition is so mean, it’s like saying you’re not allowed to have friends.”

“I mean we’re not supposed to, but we do, that’s one of the points.” He explained. 

“I see, it’s still just a dance.” He sighed.

“I know, you want a drink?”

“Yes, but I can get it myself.” He said standing. 

“Let’s get one together and then maybe hit the dessert table once more.” Henri said, taking his hand and leading him to the refreshment table. He knew he’d not say no to more desserts. Lua smiled and squeezed his hand, they got cider and he also got a few more macarons. Henri was glad for his company. It was honestly hard watching, even though seeing him look so happy out there made him happy too.

Lua took a big gulp of the cider and instantly regretted it. It had been spiked with a strong alcohol, he wasn’t good with alcohol. “Ugg.” he put it down.

“What’s wrong?”

“Someone spiked the cider.” He told him. 

Henri took a small sip of his and found his drink had also been spiked. “You’re right, how about I get you some water instead?” He asked, taking the spiked cider. 

“Yes please.” He closed his eyes and sat back, he was really going to have to do something about his tolerance in the future. He took a bite of one of the Macrons trying to counterbalance the bitter alcohol in his mouth. Henri returned with water that he happily gulped down feeling refreshed now. “Thank you.” He told Henri as he leaned against him. 

“You’re welcome, though I didn’t realize you were that much of a lightweight.” He said, stroking his cheek gently.

“Sorry, I am only 15, and I’ve never had the opportunity to have more than a sip here or there and that’s usually been while I was eating. Even so, that was strong.”

“And that was anything but a sip you took.”

“I was thirsty.”

“I know, it's not your fault.” He told him as he kissed his brow.

The music ended and there was a small break, soon it would be time for the parent child dances. Henri didn’t want to leave Lua alone knowing full well that his parents weren’t there but he waved him off and told him he better dance with his mother or she might be upset with them both. He obliged and left Lua on his own, which turned out to be a good thing in the end as in the middle of the dance Lua felt suddenly off he felt warm and knew instantly it wasn’t because of the room or the alcohol, his heat was coming on. He instantly looked around the room and recognised some Omega guards.

“Excuse me, I need to leave, I think my heat is hitting and I don’t want to cause an incident.” He told them. One of them sniffed and nodded.

“Come on it seems you are just starting, we’ll escort you to the Omega wing Mr Del Monique.” The male Omega said, quickly turning fully on guard. 

“I should be fine just getting a-”

“No, you are not only a guest here but the crowned Prince’s Fiance. We wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you.” The female Omega told him as they led him out. 

They took him quickly to a small wing that was gated and guarded by two Beta’s who instantly opened the gate. There he was escorted to a small room that had a lock on the door and was built quite sterdly. There inside was a nice bed simply made, a table, some chairs and then a bathroom with a large tub. It was made for comfort and that was perfect for him. He was told that clothes would be delivered and a doctor would come check on him in an hour. Lua nodded and then sat down on the bed and started to strip off his clothes. He was already feeling overly warm.

Henri came back after dancing with his mother, leaving the second dance for his little brother and found Lua was gone, but there was a sweet scent from where he’d been. He shrugged and figured he’d stepped out to refresh himself but when the next two songs had finished and he still saw no sign of him he started to worry until one of the guards came up to him.

“Your highness, we came to report that Mr Del Monique wasn’t feeling well so he went to the Omega wing.” He said softly hinting to the fact that Lua had probably gone into heat. “He’s oddly not the only one, we’ve had three others who have not been bonded and 6 other’s who are and left quietly with their mates.” He informed him.

“I’m sure my father knows this as well?”

He nodded. “We just wanted to inform you as Mr Del Monique was also affected.” 

“Thank you, I’m sure all four are being taken care of?”

“Yes sir, the doctor is going in to see the four who remain now. We were lucky this wasn’t anyone’s first heats otherwise it would have been a bad situation. It was almost for one couple.”

“Thank you I’m sure this will be looked into.” 

The guard nodded and left, Lidia and Felicia both asked what was up and where Lua was, Ivan was also mysteriously gone, and Henri told them that the two had felt unwell and were gone for the night. He was sad he hadn’t gotten to take him home and kiss him goodnight, but he’d be there when he was better. He started to wonder what could have caused all those Omega’s to suddenly go into heat, one or two were normal and usually that was at random but all around the same time? He looked to the desert table, only water remained and the deserts had been packed up. The Ball was coming to an end anyways, they’d look into it more tonight. He said his goodbyes to his friends as they left, and then went to bed.

Lua spoke to the doctor, Sheena had brought him his medication and clothes, she confirmed with Lua that his heat was nearly a week early, yes he was consistent during the winter but sometimes in the summer it was late or he missed a month. Sheena told the doctor secretly it was most likely stress he felt being around his parents as they didn’t have a great relationship. All of this would eventually reach the ear of the Emperor. The doctor concluded that the one thing all of them had in common was the spiked cider, unfortunately it had all been cleaned by now, it had been too late for them to check anyways. In the future the drink and food stations would be more closely watched.