“Thank goodness that merchant was kind enough to bring it here himself.” Hikaru gushed, setting down the money given on the bedspread. “Otherwise, we would have a bigger problem trying to find him. You don’t see people like that these days, especially with the war and poverty happening.”

Akemi’s eyes remained focused on the ground, ashamed at forgetting the suit he sold to pay back the generosity of the innkeeper’s husband. Nevertheless, he was thankful the merchant came by to give them the money. “I apologize. I went there in hopes of lessening your trouble, but I only caused more.”

“It’s all right,” Hikaru patted his shoulder. “I’m sure you’re tired of running around and getting your clothes muddy. What happened out there? Did someone recognize you?”

With a silent nod on his end, Akemi knew that if he divulged any more secrets, it wouldn’t end well. Lucky for him, the omega merely took it and escorted him back to his room with a new set of clothes. Even a meal was waiting for him.

“I see. Well, I’m glad you’re fine and that your heat hasn’t come back. Eat while it’s still warm.”

“Thank you.” The clinking of utensils meeting the plate and the humming of Hikaru filled the small room as he ate. Yet with the peaceful atmosphere surrounding him, his thoughts were in utter chaos as he tried to remember every nobleman with the name Kosuke. Try as he might, he can’t seem to make out a face or even a memory of ever hearing such a name.

“If you don’t mind me asking, when did the new king ascend to the throne?”

Just speaking about this new monarch felt foreign to his lips. To utter his name was akin to speaking a different language.

“Yesterday, when the sun was at its peak.”

“Yesterday?” Akemi didn’t want to admit it or say it out loud, but learning about the nobles choosing a new king so easily made him question their decision. This Kosuke individual was unknown to him, perhaps not even of royal blood. And worst, he was a beta. To have the court choose a beta over him, the true heir by blood, caused him to feel small. “A beta was crowned king... are they desperate?”

Hikaru shrugged. “I and my husband are shocked as well. This kingdom has never seen a beta king ever since its foundation. You could tell that not much effort was put into choosing who would rule Soleil. Prince Akemi would have ascended to the throne if he stayed.”

At the mention of his name, Akemi laughed. “Do you think that Prince Akemi could rule? I won’t be surprised if that were their plan all along, to chase him out so they could crown someone else.”

The traitorous scum! Whoever they are, if they planned to kill me just for that man to be king… the death of all those innocent people, Marquess Kei, and the rest that were killed during the ceremony… they are demons.

“For a noble and an omega to boot, it’s worrisome that you don’t carry heat suppressants.” Sensing how tense he was, Hikaru decided it was best to change the topic at hand. “I would understand if you forgot about your clothes, but heat suppressants are to be carried always. Didn’t your parents teach you that?”

“My… parents?” Thinking back at it all, other than the king, the queen was never there for most of his life due to unforeseen circumstances that led to this war. His father, on the other hand, was either too busy or exhausted to pay him any attention. Despite this, Akemi knew the sacrifices King Reijiro had to make, especially the friendship he tossed away to avenge his wife. Being a royal was never easy, to begin with. “They’re long gone from this world.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s all right. And… about the suppressants, I’m used to having guards around me for protection so it never crossed my mind to take any with me.” He recited the words he prepared in case he was questioned about the suppressants. Akemi just can’t possibly tell him that as a prince, he was not allowed to use suppressants because of the complications they may bring. An opinion of the doctors in the palace to which Akemi was doubtful.

How could, a medicine that could help omegas like me live in peace, cause complications?

Suspecting that it may have something to do with childbirth, Akemi couldn’t help but shudder. Hikaru saw this and immediately offered him a blanket, to which he declined. “I’m fine, it was just a cold breeze.”

“Don’t underestimate the cold breeze here. You’ll easily catch a cold.”

“I said I’m fine, Hikaru.”

A smile spread across Hikaru’s face, one so gleeful that it made him appear younger. “Huh, I see you can call me by my name now. May I know yours too? It’s uncomfortable to keep calling you Sir, especially when you appear to be younger than I am.”

It was silent for a few moments, mostly due to Akemi thinking of what name to use. Hikaru chuckled, waving his hands in a dismissing motion. “Never mind! If you’re uneasy, I understand—”

“Hajime, call me Hajime.”

“That’s a nice name,” was Hikaru’s reply. “It means to begin or beginning, correct?”

Akemi nodded. Just as he was about to continue asking about the new king, a knock on the door interrupted them, and in came the innkeeper with a sheepish grin on his face. “Hikaru, we need you in the kitchen. Is it a bad time?”

❘༻᯽༺❘

Lunch was soon served at the dining hall filled by the inn’s guests. The food was indeed delicious and was enough to satisfy his tastes. Yet, the impending worry of having his heat come back, not to mention, that some alphas are present in the same space as he is made him focus more on his surroundings than his meal. Planning out to escape to his room right after paying, whispers erupted in the hall as a group of who seemed to be alphas entered. Upon seeing that it was the same count he had seen earlier, Akemi instinctively covered his face.

What is he doing here?

“What can I get for you fine gentlemen?”

Hikaru’s voice slightly calmed his nerves as the omega assisted the nobleman and his entourage. He never saw the count before, nor knew where he might come from. Soleil was open to the Ondine and Elysium kingdom only, both having their royalty. It would be impossible to remember them all by name. But Akemi’s brain stopped searching for the answer once he saw them heading his way. The empty table across from him was the obvious spot for them to eat their lunch.

Hurriedly as he could, Akemi gobbled up his bread and soup as fast as he could, not wanting anyone to recognize him as the fallen prince. Fate has its favorites and as soon as Akemi swallowed the bread he was chewing on for seconds, it got stuck in his throat. Choking embarrassingly with his hands pounding on his chest.

“Hajime? Are you okay?” Hikaru was at his side instantly, aiding him with his shameful predicament. Not only did he attract the attention of the alphas, but half of the people in the dining hall were all looking at him. “Calm down. Try drinking water!”

This is just the wors—

Successfully, the piece of bread lodged in his throat was easily washed away with water and he could finally breathe properly. A sigh of relief left him and Hikaru’s lips, the latter rubbing his back. “Be careful next time, Hajime! I don’t want you hacking yourself to death.”

“My lord, forgive me for intruding… but isn’t this the same omega made fun of on the streets?”

Oh no.

“Eh? You know Hajime?”

“Huh? Oh no, no. Count Rowan here happened to help him—”

“Ulric.”

Alarm and shock etched on the young man’s face; Akemi figured that the count was trying to hide his status from the common folk. It only cemented the fact when a gasp was elicited from Hikaru, knees close to meeting the ground.

“M-my lord, I didn’t know—”

Count Rowan took Hikaru’s hands, prompting him to rise. “Don’t worry, Sir. You haven’t offended me in any way, but I would like my identity to be kept a secret.”

“Of course!” Still dumbstruck at having a royal sitting in his inn, blending in perfectly with the rest, Hikaru ushered them to sit with a huge smile. “You don’t have to worry, my lord. I’ll make sure your stay will be as comfortable as it is to your liking.”

Feeling as if he intruded on something he shouldn’t have, Akemi felt the urge to leave grow greater than ever when the count turned his way. “I apologize, I must have made you uncomfortable back at the market. Please know that I have no intention of harming you.”

That’s what they all say.

“Is that so? I apologize as well, my lord. For I did not know…” Akemi’s last words came out airy, hand falling to his abdomen. The familiar sharp pain returned sooner than he liked. “If you’ll excuse me, I must return to my room.” Tugging desperately at Hikaru’s tunic, he almost shot up in surprise when yells and the ringing of a bell were heard outside the inn. And like moths to a fire, everyone stood and ran outside.

“What’s going on?” The count’s servant asked, eyes following the people pouring out of the building. “Is it very important?”

“Yes, it is.” Hikaru took the confused prince’s hand, pulling him along. “It must be urgent news from the palace. We must take a look! They might have found Prince Akemi!”

Found? Me?

“D-do I have to? Hikaru, I think I must go back. My heat is—”

They were now standing outside the inn along with the other guests, the bells and yelling louder than ever as the person tasked was approaching. Everyone as far as his eyes could see was murmuring to themselves. Akemi couldn’t help but feel uneasy. When the man ringing the bell approached, he squeezed Hikaru’s hand and waited. Waited for any announcement regarding his whereabouts.

“Big news from the capital! Big news!” The man shouted, his booming voice loud enough for everyone and their dog to hear in the vicinity. It shook Akemi to the core despite him being unable to see who he was. Just his words alone caused his knees to give away. “The queen is dead! Executed for the highest treason. She attempted to murder King Kosuke! Queen Hanako is dead!”