There was no time to mourn. The king may have fallen, but the war continues. If they do not make any move, it would only be days before the opponent comes knocking down their walls and taking over. The image of invaders ruining their motherland spurred chaos in the courtroom. The lords debated whether or not to surrender. Sitting next to an empty seat that belonged to his father, Prince Akemi couldn’t help but close his weary eyes, exhausted by today's events. The death of their father left Princess Hanako and him full of anxiety. More so for the prince, who has yet to receive any news on how the king died or if his body is on its way to the castle. Nevertheless, the future seems bleak now.

Whom would they crown as king? he thought solemnly, head aching at the mere idea of finding someone suitable for the role. And how could Father die? Wasn’t he supposed to be the indestructible slayer? Wasn’t his dream to create an empire? How could he let himself die? What would happen to me and Hanako? Would we get disposed of? But Hanako hasn’t presented yet.

“Our concern right now is who should be the next king? Certainly, King Reijiro made a will before going into battle! Did he leave anything for us to be guided on who should take the throne?”

“The king indeed left something; the royal advisers are getting it from the archives as we speak.”

At the mention of a written will, Prince Akemi sat up straight in interest. Not knowing what it might contain. There was still a ray of hope that their father left certain roles for him and Hanako to take.

“Prince Akemi,” he turned to the lord who addressed him, wanting to drown out his thoughts that were growing negative with every passing second. “What are your thoughts on all of this? Do you have any ambition to take the throne for the time being?”

Just as Prince Akemi was about to answer, another lord barked out in laughter and then stood up in protest. “Prince Akemi can’t be king! He is an omega. Only an alpha of royal blood is allowed to take the crown. I suggest we let him marry Duke Donovan, isn’t he one of the favorites of the late king?”

“Don’t be absurd, Duke Henry! We all know Duke Donovan is too young and too inexperienced to take the throne. Prince Akemi would have a hard time supporting someone like Duke Donovan.”

“And what do you suggest? Princess Hanako hasn’t presented yet, so we don’t know if she’s an alpha or not. Our only option is to have a noble alpha marry Prince Akemi and have them crowned as king!”

Another uproar swept through the courtroom and Prince Akemi was relieved he made his sister stay in her room rather than attend the meeting. Noticing one of the royal advisers running up to the podium, he immediately took the wooden gavel and pounded it on the block. This ceased the onslaught of words thrown carelessly, eyes all trained on the adviser who handed the scroll to one of the lords for them to read. Once the scroll was in his hand, he hurriedly opened it to read the late king’s words.

A few minutes passed agonizingly slowly; each moment of silence left the people in the courtroom ticked off at the lack of response. One of them finally had enough and sat up to point at the lord in impatience. “Well? What does it say? Out with it, old man!”

Setting the scroll down, the lord flopped down on his seat and sighed. “The late King Reijiro stated here that Prince Akemi should marry the alpha the court deems suitable and have them take the throne right after my death. Soleil should not don in black, but wear the crimson color once victory is claimed by the new king.”

Murmurs were heard in every part of the room, and these murmurs turned to rumblings before becoming full-out statements voiced out with unabashed boldness as every lord he knew began betting on their children. Some were even arguing as to how they could achieve certain victories with a new king who had to match the charisma of King Reijiro.

So, the court shall decide this time… Prince Akemi sat back, quietly watching them fight. Thoughts heading to his dead father, he couldn’t help but chuckle. Even in death, you refuse to be pitied. You’re willing to have me take a stranger as a mate tomorrow to protect your throne.

Achievements were what Prince Akemi sought for the last nine years since he presented as an omega. With every chance he could get, he would try and pass out a law that benefited the people of the nation. A certain law he was proud of having implemented was to have taxes cut out for families who are expecting another addition to their family and for pregnant individuals to have free medication. Prince Akemi knew numbers mattered to his father. Encouraging more couples to have children meant more people to serve the growing kingdom.

However, these achievements mattered little to King Reijiro. And Prince Akemi knew this. Today was a testament to that.

The new king, whom the court agreed on appointing, came in the form of an alpha man twice Prince Akemi’s age. He was one of the king’s generals who earned the title of Duke of East Costina with many accolades. He was a bald man with a huge gash on his left arm, which he fondly referred to as a souvenir from the war. After deciding he should be king, Prince Akemi would wed him the next day on a solemn morning and be crowned king after.

While everyone rejoiced and began planning how to defeat the enemy across the sea, no one mourned for the dead king. Even as his body was being carried into the palace, no one paid heed. No one was even interested in the quiet prince, who sat in a tiny room with his sister, waiting for the ceremony to start. Wearing only a simple white coat and golden sash. The crown on his head weighed lighter than it used to.

Princess Hanako was astounded once Marquess Kei relayed what went down in court that night. Yet she shouldn’t comfort her brother. As much as she wanted to, she knew Prince Akemi didn’t want to be looked down upon. The two sat in dead silence, ears deaf to the merrymaking and music that filled the church’s walls. They refused to utter a single word, until the servants opened the door, signaling that it was time to go.

Taking her hand, Prince Akemi smiled down at his weeping sister. “Hanako, listen to me. What I’m about to do is all in my father's plan. As you can see, we can’t even escape his orders despite him being dead. All I ask of you now is for you to trust me. Understand?”

“Brother…”

“Your Highness, it’s time. We mustn’t delay the ceremony.”

Clutching the bouquet of carnations Princess Hanako gathered for the event alone, Prince Akemi walked out and stood in front of the wooden doors as they creaked open, revealing the grand wedding they prepared. Prince Akemi wasn’t impressed or amused. No one would be if they were in his position. But he carried on with a small smile, forcing himself to look happy in front of the audience that came to witness this holy matrimony under the Goddess Amaterasu’s eyes. And they were in awe at the sight of the beauty of dawn walking down the aisle all in white. Blind to the inner thoughts running in the prince’s mind.

Goddess Amaterasu, is this my fate? Deep down I know it is not the case and I feel like I’m doing something wrong. It isn’t too late to stop this…

He felt his skin crawl at the alpha eyeing him intently with a grin that was far from gentle. It only made him clench his hand tighter around the bouquet, praying for someone to stop him from marrying this foreign being who came into his life just because of his father. The boisterous merrymaking even grew louder, especially outside with every step he took. Hand reaching out to take the duke’s hand.

Give me a sign!

The doors that shut upon his entrance burst open, and the music stopped with a collective of gasps of shock. It rivaled the speed of light. Prince Akemi didn’t see it happen, but the horror that shook him to the core would be unforgettable to him for the rest of his life as an arrow pierced the duke’s throat. A woman screamed at the horrific sight, and the others cried. The alpha sputters and groans in pain, reaching out to Prince Akemi with blood splattering everywhere. In mere seconds, the duke fell to his feet and lay on the floor. Lifeless.