On the second day, just as the sun was about to greet the sky, Akemi was rudely awakened by the unsuspecting bump on the road brought by a huge rock in the way, shaking the carriage momentarily.

One, two.

Two cabbages fell on top of his face, which set his mood to the south in mere seconds. If anyone knew him best, it would be his sister and the servants who worked closely with him. And they all knew not to wake Akemi up like the world was about to meet its end. No, he would rather wake up on his own. Yet today was not like those days.

The first thought he had upon waking up with a throbbing head was simple.

Where am I?

Holding his head, he squinted hard, trying to make out the area and find a familiar object or infrastructure that could tell where his exact location was. All he saw were mountains enveloped by a mist and grass as far as the eye could see. The luscious green blades dance with the wind in either a fast or slow tempo. A nearby cattle grazing, the cows looking up from the ground to stare at the passing carriage. Nature has truly flourished in these areas, the same can’t be said with the capital. With endless mining and building, greenery can no longer grow like it used to.

Hanako, I hope you’re safe.

Caressing his bandaged arm, Akemi could still feel the arrow that pierced through his skin. Soleil’s insignia on the sword he carried appeared dull. The sharp searing pain and the scent of blood mixed with burnt wood and flesh. The color of the devouring flames is vivid in the images. The sound of his breath, the numbing of his legs with each step he took.

One, two, three.

Three raindrops fell on the carriage’s wooden roof, signaling the upcoming storm that would sweep across the country. The gray clouds painted the sky, crying as they went. Sheltering himself from the onslaught brought down by the heavens, Akemi turned to the old driver, who maneuvered the horse to the trees.

Once under the safety of the rain, Akemi hopped out of the carriage and helped the old man spread out thin wooden boards to keep the cabbages from getting soaked. Gathering dried leaves from the forest, the prince laid them out on the driest part of the ground. It was all he could do for now as a means of repaying the man for taking him.

No, not taken, but forced to go along.

“Your Highness,” the man croaked, holding out an object wrapped in leaves. “This is all I have brought. Please eat.”

“Thank you.” Sitting down next to the man, Akemi unwrapped it and stared at the ball of rice peppered with what seemed to be shredded fish. “I’ll make sure to repay you for your kindness.”

A soft groan.

A soft groan was all he gave the prince before taking his bag, rummaging through its contents, and pulling out flint and steel. Striking twice, a spark was lit and the old man began to blow. In a matter of moments, a fire was born and immediately swallowed the dead leaves. He held out his hand, and a look of satisfaction crossed his features before sitting back.

“You can repay us by becoming king, Your Highness.”

I need to go back.

Akemi couldn’t help but laugh. “I can’t become king. I’m an omega and the law states that only an alpha could rule the kingdom.”

“Your father was a good man.” The elder coughed, clearing his throat. “He did a good job during his reign, giving us betas a chance to have a part in helping him rule. It’s a pity he died. I still remember the day I went to the capital and saw his parade after the coronation ceremony. Your mother was there too.”

“I see…”

“And I believe that King Reijiro has brought you up well to succeed him.” He then sighed, fiddling with the steel in his hand. “If that law didn’t exist in the first place, then I’m sure what happened in town would have never occurred.”

Would it not have occurred?

Feeling his lower abdomen ache, Akemi couldn’t help but curse the timing. How could he have forgotten? With how his life is often thrown into a hectic pace, he has never forgotten about his heats that come by the end of each month. How could this slip past his mind?

“Are you all right, Your Highness?”

“Of course.” Was his immediate reply, not wanting to trouble the man any longer. He just has to find a way to get back to the palace before his heat comes. “If I may ask, do you know any blacksmith or someone who would buy swords in West Siera?”

❘༻᯽༺❘

Upon arriving at West Siera, the prince parted ways with the cabbage vendor after he brought him to the market. The town was not as busy as he imagined it would be. After all, most of the people who lived here either grew their food or raised cattle as their livelihood.

“You will find the lad at a stall next to the biggest store in the area. Just ask for a boy named Takeru and they’ll lead you to him. Be safe, Your Highness.”

Akemi doesn’t leave the palace frequently like his father who often visited other towns every four months to check up on their resources, but Akemi has been to West Siera for a diplomatic event.

Once.

Yet he couldn’t back down now. Not when he has to find a way to somehow return to the capital without exposing his true identity. He could start by selling this sword and use the money to catch the next ride back to Soleil. Being thrown into the carriage as a means of escaping reality wasn’t what he wanted. Hanako could still be on the palace grounds and is all alone. Just the thought of it made his chest twist in uneasiness, a hand over his heart as he sighed.

Don’t worry, Hanako. I’ll be there soon!

The idea of going to Duke Donovan crossed his mind twice on the way here, but the fear of getting caught or being turned against was too great. He can’t afford to be seen either in broad daylight. The possibility of having a traitor who aided the rebels was high and Akemi wouldn’t want to lose this early by getting caught. He has to live, for his people. If he won’t, who else would?

Wrapping the cloth around him that was handed by the old man in hopes of disguising himself, Akemi walked past endless stalls. Stopping once in a while to ask for the man named Takeru who bought swords from wanderers to build up his collection. It was at the fifth attempt of questioning his whereabouts that he was finally led to the place. Tired and still hungry, Akemi thanked the little girl who was kind enough to show him the shop.

And there was Takeru, pounding away at a piece of metal for every one that passed by to see. He was younger than Akemi expected, but age never defines talent. Taking in a deep breath, he approached the blacksmith.

“You must be Takeru, correct?”

“The one and only, my friend.” He replied with a laugh, eyes never leaving his work as he continued hammering down metal. “How can I help you? Do you want to buy a sword?”

“I’m here to sell one.”

Bang, bang, bang—

His hammering ceased to a stop. Takeru glanced up to stare at the sword in Akemi’s hand, holding out a hand for him to take a look. Akemi, confused, gave him the weapon and watched as the young man inspected the sword. He wasn’t prepared for the parade of questions thrown his way when the latter recognized it.

“Oi, oi, where did you get this? This is a royal guard’s sword! You don’t see this outside the capital. Who are you? Are you part of the royal guard? Are you here on vacation? Wait, are you retiring? Is that why you’re selling your sword? Hold on, maybe you’re on the run—”

“As much as I want to answer all your inquiries, you are talking way too fast for me to understand a single word you’re saying.” Akemi couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. “And I’m in a hurry.”

“Mhmm… it’s strange. Normally swords like this get passed down or kept as a reminder. My father was the one who started collecting swords, I’m just trying to fill his collection so I don’t really know why you would want to sell this. Who are you?”

“No one special. And that sword… I merely found it.” He didn’t want to lie. But sometimes lying has to be done to survive. “I’m sure you have heard of what happened at the capital. There’s a lot of swords like this littering around.”

Because the wielder is dead.

“Oh! Yes, lots of news came in yesterday from letters brought by a pigeon from the nearest town here. They said it's almost as if the war is there. Well, not to say that the South is any better. It’s practically a no man’s land. The number of refugees has been increasing lately. I wonder what those royals are up to. Honestly, it’s bad enough that the king died, but his only son can’t even rule. Can’t they just find somebody else?”

“How much?”

“Excuse me?”

“How much are you going to give me for the sword?” Chatting with the blacksmith was still wasting time and he would much prefer to get back to Soleil as soon as possible.

“Mhmm, for this… I’ll give you three silver coins since it’s hard to get one of these!” Takeru grinned, holding up the sword. “I’m sure Father would be pleased.”

“Are three silver coins enough for a ride back to the capital?”

Takeru laughed. “Oi, are you serious about heading back there? Didn’t you listen to me earlier? Everyone is scampering to flee that place, why go back when everyone’s dying to come here? The coins are enough, but the hardest part would be to find someone willing to take you there—”

“That is all I need to know, thank you very much.” Akemi took the three coins given to him and went off. There is bound to be somebody who would head back to the capital. He doesn’t care about the means of getting there, as long as he arrives in one piece, that’s all that matters.

“Sir, wouldn’t you like to rest first? There’s a nearby inn here—”

“Have you heard of anyone suspicious from the capital arriving today?” A gasp escaped his lips, back hitting the nearby store’s wall in shock as soon as he recognized the telltale armor of the knights on horseback. He would be a fool to run to them, knowing fully well that they might have been ordered to find him. Ordered by the wolf disguised in sheep’s clothing. Scanning his surroundings to see if there was anywhere he could hide, Akemi cursed his luck when they started to move.

They’re already here?!

Hand clutching the cloth around him, he muttered endless prayers as he sauntered off. Praying that they wouldn’t pay any heed to a filthy person such as him. Licking his chapped lips, Akemi felt his lower abdomen ache again. However, this time, what accompanied it was a wave of heat. Body temperature climbing higher, breathing gradually getting heavier.

Not now! Please not now—

“Hello, my good Sir, how may I help you—”

“Peasant, where did you get this sword? This belongs to the capital’s knights! How did you get this?”

“I-I just bought it—”

Run!

Akemi took off. Abandoning reason and running for his life. If they happen to smell his pheromones, it would be over. He can’t get captured. He needs to go back unscathed. He can’t get caught.

Can’t get caught.

Can’t die yet.

Must hide!