Akemi stood astounded. The two continued to rage within closed doors, most of the heated retaliation came from the tiny omega whose mouth was as scary as a cannon blasting off.

I wasn’t made aware that my father managed to kill King Kharis’ siblings. When did this happen? Surely it happened in battle? There’s no other way I could think of… but King Kharis’ sister?

Firing one insult after the other, the prince quirked an eyebrow up in surprise when it was suddenly quiet in the room. Finding it odd, he pressed his ear against the oak door again. He felt chills run up his spine in a matter of seconds, sensing something was off when it stayed quiet for more than a minute. It made his heart stop.

What’s happening in there? Why is it so quiet? Don’t tell me Count Rowan is hurting his husband!

Fearing for the worst, Akemi waited. Waited for a response, to fight or run. He has never encountered an alpha hurting his mate but has heard stories of them punching or even killing them in drastic cases. It never pleases him; it makes his blood boil at the mere thought of mates inflicting pain on one another. Wondering what kind of sick twisted mindset they have.

Count Rowan better not be hurting that boy…

Heart pounding rapidly at the endless scenarios ending in death or a struggle, Akemi’s sharp ears picked up sounds of groaning and moaning from the other side. Unsure if it were in pain, Akemi bit his lip and strained to listen harder. Trying to figure out what caused the abrupt silence.

“R-Rowan… stop… stop rubbing me there—”

Skin unsure whether to turn pale or be blushing red, all Akemi felt was the sudden burst of embarrassment and shock that made his whole body jump away from the door as if it were the spawn of a demon itself. Cheeks heating up and eyes wider than saucers, he hugged himself with a shudder. From attempting to silence into submission to domestic violence, he wasn’t expecting that.

My goodness… I can’t face them after this. It would be hard to look at them—I should leave.

The door miraculously opened, revealing a flustered Akemi before Count Rowan, who gazed down at him in confusion. Mouth ajar, the prince found it hard to form words to excuse his presence outside the door. How could he tell them that he overheard their argument which led to such activities you wouldn’t see nor do in broad daylight? Those said activities should be limited to the bedroom unless they wanted to make kids scarred for life.

“Prince Akemi… were you here the entire time—”

“No! N-no, I was just passing by looking for the kitchen. My throat is parched you see and I also need food.” The ramblings of a shy prince didn’t escape the other omega’s ear in the room, prompting him to see what the fuss was all about. “I-I didn’t hear nor see anything! I’ll be on my way now—”

“For a prince of Soleil, you sure are different from what I expected.” Lux drawled, leaning against the count with a purr. Akemi’s eyes met anywhere except his face. “Your daddy is all tough and notorious in every way, yet here you are… the exact opposite of him. Well, your father is still human and he’s dead. I guess you are better at staying alive than him, recklessly causing destruction wherever he goes.”

“I’d admit my father could have done better, which is why I need help to make my kingdom good again,” Akemi responded softly, clenching his fists. “To end this war, yet I can’t do that when someone else is on the throne. I need resources, allies… an army to do so.”

“Why should we trust you?”

“Excuse me?”

Instantly, the mood shifted south in a matter of words. Count Rowan glanced at his husband, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Lux, this doesn’t concern you. This is for Prince Akemi and King Zoltan of Elysium to talk abou—”

“It is my business, Rowan. If he is about to become allies with Elysium, King Zoltan would go to war with him in the name of friendship.” Jabbing a finger on his chest, Lux hissed. “And that includes you. I wouldn’t want you to die in battle because of a dream!”

“It isn’t merely a dream, it is a plan.” Akemi fired back, feeling his blood boil with each passing second. “The throne has been taken by a stranger, my sister humiliated and killed, and now I’ve been driven out of my own country and into the enemy! Do you think I wouldn’t make this plan succeed? I would rather die than stay on the sidelines, watching and sipping like all the other pompous omegas are doing.”

“An apple never falls far from the tree, Your Highness. What’s your assurance for us that you won’t turn out just like your father?”

Akemi’s left eye twitched.

“Lux, you’re taking this too far—”

“Assurance? You want assurance because you’re scared that I might become a tyrannical monarch? That I will become mad and invade Araceli and Elysium? Until everything is under my rule? A citizen of Araceli telling me that he is scared I’ll become a conqueror when his king has conquered more lands in the south and perhaps enslaved its prisoners?” Eyes wide, hands balled into fists, and blood boiling. Teeth barred at the small being before him. “Are you scared of me, Lux?”

Expecting a round of insults to be shot at him, Akemi resisted smiling when the light-haired boy refused to look his way. “I-I’m not scared. Who would be scared of a little prince with no power? All you can do for now is make promises, just promises that are waiting to become hopes and dreams. I look forward to seeing you fail.”

“Plans.” Akemi corrected with a laugh. “And failure is part of succeeding, so thank you for your support.”

“I’m not supporting you. I’m supporting my husband.”

“You will still be supporting me since his kingdom will soon be my ally.”

Lux huffed, crossing his arms. “My country comes first. If I didn’t value it, I would’ve embarked on the first boat to Elysium as soon as I got married! And even if you’re going to conquer Araceli, I would never bow down to you.”

What a tough one.

“I’m sorry, but if I’m not mistaken… I think I’m older than you. I’m not surprised by your immaturity, but it’s a bit irksome at how you act unrefined when you are literally the husband of a count.” Looking at Count Rowan, he inquired with a cheeky smile. “Is he always like this?”

Count Rowan laughed, earning a glare from his mate who was muttering under his breath. “A lot of people say he’s quite naughty, but Lux is already thirty-four years old. Plus, he’s easily bored.”

I-is he lying? There’s no way he’s that old!

Astonishment and disbelief painted across his face, it was Lux who laughed at Akemi this time. “Wipe off that expression, you look silly. Oh yes, isn’t it important for your country to address your elders politely? Wow, I can’t believe you merely assumed my age and thought I was a teenager! A teenager can’t run this town. I’m the Lord of Maebry, Lord Lux. Am I that youthful in appearance?” The airy laughter continued to fill Akemi’s unlucky ears as he walked down the hall. He should’ve known that maturity doesn’t come easily as you grow older.

I want to go home…