“So… once you have an army and this war ends, are you going to rule over Araceli and Soleil?”

For someone who was yelling and close to biting Akemi’s throat, Lord Lux was calm and friendly as he ate his tarts. Tea time has come and the maids announced that the garden patio was ready. The prince wasn’t expecting to be invited, let alone be sitting next to the fiery spitfire of an omega. Count Rowan left after lunch was over, saying he had to visit a friend. Akemi knew he planned to leave both of them alone in hopes of becoming friends.

And while Lux was a citizen of Araceli and was rude the first time, he didn’t have the heart to hate him. Not everyone in Araceli was a bastard. With just how the servants and the gardener were treating him, Akemi figured that it was only the king who had a cold black heart.

“No, I’m not taking over Araceli.” Was his reply, pouring himself tea. The lavender tea was a bit bland compared to the green tea back in Soleil, however, he didn’t say it. Not when they were finally having a decent conversation, one that didn’t involve arguing. “I just want us to be at peace, minding our own business. War is expensive, and taking over two kingdoms is suicide.”

“You’re not interested in creating an empire?”

“That’s what my father dreamed of…” Licking his lower lip, the prince sighed. “Everyone probably thinks I’m the same, but ever since my mother died, I have been dreaming of a world without bloodshed and sorrow. Impossible it may be… However, I can’t imagine anyone going through the same hardships I came across with. It’s… sad.”

“What are you going to do then? After all of this is over?”

A smile painted across his face, surprising Lux. “Me? I’d probably die… Who knows if I’ll even survive the war… If I don’t, I’ll probably have a family and pass away of old age.”

“Now that’s just boring.” Lux yawned, standing up from his seat. “But I guess it suits you. Come, let’s go for a walk. I’ll show you around before Rowan comes back. It’s been a long time since I’ve been out of the house.”

“You’re not scared that I might run off and attempt to assassinate your king?” Akemi stood up, following behind him. “Or I’ll go and kill a couple of your people in the name of revenge?”

Lux halted in his tracks, spun around, and gave the prince a funny look. “You? I don’t think you’re the type to hurt an innocent. And you’ll die before you even reach the king. You have to travel for two weeks to reach the capital, and another day before you even step foot on the castle’s grounds. It’s that big. So, I don’t think you’ll survive on your attempt. Plus, the king is heavily guarded since he got ill.”

At the newfound information, Akemi blinked. “King Kharis… is ill?”

“What do you expect? He’s old and has a limp. Didn’t your father tell you that?”

“I thought it was King Kharis who might have killed him on the battlefield…”

“King Kharis’ generals are the ones on the battlefield. The last time he went there was four years ago. He’s been bedridden ever since.” Lux replied, resuming his walk. “His siblings took over the battle from there.”

Father, did you become complacent after hearing your enemy got ill? Is this why you were easily killed in battle? Did you underestimate King Kharis’ men?

“You mentioned earlier that two of his siblings met death at the hands of my father.” How Akemi suddenly wished he didn’t say a word, yet curiosity led him to see Lux’s suggestive eyes.

“Oh, so you were eavesdropping earlier, eh? You heard me and Rowan in that room—”

Cheeks as red as the strawberries decorating the tarts, Akemi squeaked. “It was an accident! And you two shouldn’t have done that where anyone could just walk in! Aren’t you ashamed?!”

“Pfft! Why would I be ashamed in my own house? You sound just like a virgin, Your Highness.” Then, with a glance, Lux mumbled. “You are, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not,” Akemi whispered with a hiss. “Is this a conversation we should be having just as we are about to leave? Someone might hear us!”

“Oh? Who was it? Do you have a harem back home too?”

“No, I don’t.” Akemi sighed, matching the other omega’s pace as they left the garden through the back gate with the gardener waving. “But I’m not a virgin. I spent a night with a man, once.”

“Was it another prince? Or was it a duke?”

He’s really curious, huh…

“It was with a knight. A beta. But it was only once.”

Lux whistled.

“He’s already dead.”

Lux frowned. “Eh? Why? Did your daddy find out? Was he executed?”

“My father may have.” Akemi sighed, not liking where this was going. “He was sent to the frontlines, so I guess he did. Never heard from the knight again, so he’s probably in the afterlife.”

“Did you love him?”

“What?”

“I asked, did you love him?”

Akemi pondered on how to answer for a few seconds, feeling his shoes crunching tiny pebbles. “I think I did… Maybe. I don’t know, I was young and adventurous back then. I never did it again.”

Lux hummed, eyes wandering towards the children playing with a ball. Akemi did the same and now realized how this kingdom was actually, dare he say, bold with their choice of clothing. Unlike in Soleil where it is important to be fully clothed, here in Araceli, they didn’t care whether you only wore a skirt wrapped with a scarf around your chest. If one were to wear the same clothing in Soleil, they would freeze to death during winter. Another thing to take notice of was how these articles of clothing were either embroidered with gold or silver, complimenting their dark skin. Some even had jewelry on. A luxury the peasants in Soleil couldn’t have unlike here.

A reminder of the fact that King Reijiro cared so little for the simple folk who weren’t allowed to possess such fine treasures. Deeming them to be only for the rich and nobility.

“You don’t go out much, do you?”

The smaller man laughed, shaking his head. “Is it because I’m paler than them? It is true, I don’t. You could also blame my mother for giving me such fair skin, she wasn’t from around here.”

“Where was she from?”

“She’s from the west, or so my dad said. She was about to be sold off to a merchant, claiming she wasn’t human due to her outward appearance. Idiots, I tell you. They probably thought she was some witch!”

The further they walked, the louder the voices of merrymaking grew. Akemi couldn’t help but be curious and feel excited at whatever was causing the eruption of cheers. Beckoning him to come, Lux led the way at a hastened pace. Soon, they were among a huge crowd of young and old, waving their hands at someone in front of them.

“Who is it? Is there some kind of festival? A traveling fair?” Akemi yelled for Lux to hear despite the cheering. “What do you think it is?!”

“I wasn’t aware of a traveling fair coming to town. Must be someone from the palace or a musician!” Pulling Akemi along with him to have a glimpse of who was popular enough to draw a crowd, Lux nudged past the people to make a path. Eyes catching a glint on the side, the prince fought back the urge to gawk at the soldiers lined on the sides.

What are they doing here?

Fueled by the immense need to know, Akemi didn’t turn back and continued. Ignoring Lux’s calls for him to come back. Boisterous voices reminded him of fireworks in the night sky surrounding his every corner. Feet bringing him close to where it was the noisiest.

You…

Stopping in between two guards, Akemi froze and stared. He stared at the golden threads of hair shining like a halo under the sun. Wine-red eyes filled to the brim with glee as he waved at the crowd. Flowers being thrown at his feet, a ceremony fit for a hero returning from war. He wasn’t even riding a horse, a sign of his carefree attitude. Yet this is just the opportunity given to him by the Goddess.

You!

“Akemi! What are you doing?!”

The moment his hands fell on the hilt of the scimitar belonging to one of the aloof soldiers, he didn’t know what possessed him to run up to the unknowing man and push him into the alley. Gasps and screams of terror and shock filled the streets, never reaching Akemi’s ears as he held the blade against the victim’s neck.

But with how calm and unfazed he is, it would be comedic to label him a victim. It was as if he had been waiting for this moment his whole life.

And the curl on his lips merely confirmed this, aggravating Akemi further.

“Akemi, what a surprise.”

“Dion!”