Akemi was certain this ghostly-looking stranger was pulling his leg.

“You must be mistaken—”

“Mistaken?” Those sharp eyes narrowed; dislike evident on his features. “With a face like yours, I won’t be surprised that my husband has been enamored and hurriedly took you to bed. Did you think he wasn’t married?”

There was no doubt about it, the omega wasn’t serious, yet the thought of the words he said might be the truth caused him to panic within. If it were so, two possibilities may have happened while he was unconscious during the trip to Elysium across the great sea.

One, Count Rowan was a crook who sold him off to an affluent bastard with no regard for his mate’s feelings. Two, Count Rowan is the affluent bastard with no regard or fear towards the wrath of his husband. Either way, Akemi knew this was no time to be gawking at the omega staring down at him and immediately stumbled out of the bed.

I must find Count Rowan. Where is he? And where am I? Why am I always running into trouble whenever I’m unconscious and deal with them the moment I wake up?! Fate must be having so much joy throwing me into these types of situations…

“I’m sorry, but there seems to be a misunderstanding.” A wave of relief washed over Akemi once he saw he wasn’t wearing anything strange or enticing. Everything, other than the fact he was accused of being a mistress, appeared to be normal. “I’m not supposed to be here. I was on my way to Elysium’s capital to speak to King Zoltan—”

“I knew it…” The sudden change in the boy’s aura caused Akemi to take a step back in caution. Were his eyes playing tricks on him or did he see them turn from greatly suspicious to bleeding hostility? “You were targeting my husband after all. Can’t you see he is happily married to me? Do you have to ruin a perfectly good marriage just so you can become royalty?”

What is wrong with this person? Didn’t he hear what I just said about how this is all a misunderstanding? Was he even listening?

Not quick to anger, but with patience wearing thin, Akemi started to explain all over again when the boy began rambling words that even Akemi couldn’t keep up with. As much as it was a marvelous feat—and a terrifying thing—this has gone long enough. Tired and confused wasn’t a combination Akemi wanted to deal with. Without second thoughts, the prince searched for the door. This caught the still muttering omega.

“You can’t leave this room.”

“And why not? I was brought here against my will; I can leave whenever I want.” Other than his father and the royal court, Akemi wasn’t used to following orders. What makes this suspicious boy think he would listen to someone younger and lacking any etiquette? The accusation thrown at him was downright laughable. “And if you are part of a harem, it’s quite surprising.”

How preposterous… Me? A part of a harem? That is the last thing I would ever consider joining! I would rather tend to pigs than kiss some—

“Surprising? Why?”

Firing back the sweetest smile he could muster—masking indignation—the prince responded lightly.

“Oh, isn’t it odd for someone who has no manners to be part of a harem that directly reflects not only their husband but their social status as well?”

Perhaps offended or even irked, the boy merely turned his gaze in a different direction. Lips in a tight line, clearly displeased. “Easy for you to say… for someone who caught my husband’s eye, you’re not kind with your words.”

The door swung open, a short creaking sound painted the hostile silent air. The two diverted their attention to the intruder cutting through their moment of light banter. Akemi was the first to react, gasping at the sight of just the person he wanted to see. Count Rowan.

“I see that you’re awake, Prince Akemi.”

“Glad you could join us,” was the prince’s response. “I was on my way to look for you. Would you be so kind as to tell me where I am and who this ill-mannered boy is…”

Count Rowan’s face expressed a hint of surprise, eyes meeting the icy blue ones that were still haunted with irritation and sudden curiosity. With a small chuckle, he reached his glove-covered hand out, taking in the pale one into his palm. “I apologize if Lux has caused you any inconvenience. He loves to tease newcomers.”

“Clearly.”

“No need to hide your disdain, Your Highness.” Whomever this Lux character was, Akemi’s first impression of him wasn’t well at all. Words cloaked in thin sarcasm accompanied by a skeptical look on his youthful face. It was as if he wasn’t addressing a prince at all. “My teasing could get out of hand sometimes, so do forgive me.”

“I’d appreciate it if you tell me where I am. Am I in Elysium? If so, when am I going to see the king?” Gazing at the unfazed Count Rowan, Akemi continued. “You promised me and I trust that you didn’t break that promise.”

“Didn’t my husband tell you?” Lux questioned, wrapping his arm snuggly around the stiff count. “He came here to see me. He did inform you of the shortstop he had to make. Do you know how hard it was to keep your scent from leaking out of this bedroom?”

“H-husband?” Akemi squeaked, not pegging the tall handsome count to be mated to a very young individual. “So, it is true? That this boy is part of your harem?”

“Boy?!” Akemi didn’t miss the flash of astonishment on the omega’s face before appearing to pay no heed.

It was the alpha’s turn to be shocked. “What? I never had a harem… Lux is my only husband.” Glancing down at the omega sheepishly avoiding his gaze, Count Rowan sighed. “Once again, please forgive him. I’ll make sure he won’t cause trouble again while you’re here.”

“Trouble? Me?” Lux rolled his eyes, running his fingers through his silver smooth hair with such confidence rivaling a peacock fluttering its vivid feathers on show. “I hardly make trouble! And what am I supposed to do when this part of Araceli lacks entertainment compared to the capital? Do you realize how bored I was while you were gone, my beloved?”

Wait… did he say, Araceli?

“I… am in Araceli?” Unable to believe the words uttered, Akemi felt his whole face lose color, putting Lux’s pale skin to shame. “Are you telling me… I am standing on enemy territory?”

“Enemy?” Startled at the prince’s wavering yet dangerous repulsive tone, Lux turned to his husband. Concern etched across his features. “Rowan, what is he…”

“Why are we in the kingdom of the person who murdered my mother?!”

❘༻᯽༺❘

Fighting the urge to trip a candle and burn down the room with him inside, Akemi silently apologized to his late mother now in the afterlife. Refusing to leave the room where the couple left him in hopes of giving him the privacy he yearned for. A lot has happened, but Akemi didn’t foresee himself being in northern Araceli. A kingdom ruled by the murderer of his sweet young mother.

Queen Evangeline, the first wife, and queen of King Reijiro was assassinated in her vacation villa near the outskirts of the eastern town, Morana. It occurred in broad daylight, while she was occupying herself by picking flowers in the grand garden filled with roses and cherry blossoms blooming. The nostalgic scent of floral and blood mixing in the peaceful atmosphere is still fresh in Akemi’s mind even though twenty years have already passed since she was killed.

His six-year-old self could not forget the sight of his mother lying on the ground; stabbed in the chest, blood staining her beautiful pink dress along with the fallen pink petals surrounding her. And frankly, he won’t be able to forget it even if he turned a hundred.

They always assume that youth is always accompanied by naivety and stupidity.

But Akemi learned what it was like to lose somebody important, somebody who loved him and whom he loved the same. He also learned about death, and how the world is truly an uncaring place.

Six years old, a witness to such horror.

King Reijiro blamed one—only one. It was as if he knew who killed her and why. Akemi couldn’t understand what was on his mind that day. Not a single soul saw who plunged the knife into his mother’s heart. However, he kept pointing his finger at the king of Araceli, King Kharis, now known as the great conqueror of the south. He visited Soleil before the time of her passing, presenting fine treasures and a proposition of an alliance. However, word of King Kharis out for blood to expand his territory went out. It would make sense for him to entice King Reijiro into battle, drunk on glory and power.

The word of a king is above all and when King Reijiro branded King Kharis as the culprit, everyone and Akemi had to believe it.

Thus, the twenty-year war against Araceli began.

But why was he there?

Older than the omega prince by four years, to his six-year-old self, the crown prince of Araceli appeared mature when he was introduced along with his father when they visited. Hair brighter than the sun, his glowered eyes as he stared across the throne room, reminding Akemi of wine.

Akemi disliked wine.

Was he supposed to be betrothed to me? Another scheme of King Kharis to conquer Soleil within that time?

Answers he may never receive, all Akemi could do was brood over the images of the crown prince plaguing his head. The war between Araceli and Soleil hasn’t ended despite King Reijiro’s death. A victor can’t be picked unless the land they chose to rule over has been taken.

Soleil is under the hands of a stranger, not the king of Araceli.

It isn’t over yet.

“I must go back…” Wiping away the fallen tears off his cheeks, Akemi climbed off the bed and headed for the door. If Count Rowan was only here to visit his husband, then he is bound to head back to Elysium soon. “The kingdom needs my help.”

And I can’t be in the same place as him—breathing the same air as him.

Exiting the fancy bedroom too flamboyant for his tastes, Akemi walked down the empty hall, barefooted. Ears picking up an ongoing conversation behind a closed door, he pressed his right ear against the oak. He could make out the voices belonging to Count Rowan and his husband, Lux.

They seemed to be in the middle of a heated argument.

“Are you out of your mind?! What made you think it’s all right to bring a citizen of Soleil into Araceli? Do you know the penalty for smuggling them in? Death! And I’m too young to be a widow, Rowan!”

“I was only trying to help—”

“Helping the son who killed King Kharis’ brother and sister isn’t a good thing!”

What did he say?