“I’m afraid… we won’t be able to leave land until five half-moons have passed. The boat is still on its way to Elysium to gather more goods to trade here. Could you wait until then, Prince Akemi?”

On some occasions, plans never go the way they were supposed to. Akemi knew this, yet he couldn’t stop the frustration building up inside him directed toward himself. Not only did he endanger his life, but also the others all because of a sudden emotion that intoxicated him. The heat of anger and the need to inflict pain on Prince Dion of Araceli.

Everything happened so fast in the blink of an eye that it dizzied the exhausted young man.

One moment, he arrived at Araceli in a perplexed state. Upon his arrival, if it hadn’t been explained by Count Rowan, he would have gone mad. Second, he had to meet the man he was betrothed to in the past by coincidence and attempted to kill him in the streets. This resulted in an embarrassing and silent retreat to Lord Lux’s home.

Maybe… maybe I should slow down a little.

For the thousandth time in the day, Akemi wished for his peaceful life to come back. A life where he and Hanako could just gaze at the sky in sheer boredom. And yet, in wishing so, he would be back to the same life he was suffocating in.

Only to be seen, never heard.

“You’ve been silent during dinner…” Lux’s appearance by the doorway, wearing only a robe with a flimsy nightgown underneath, straightened his spine. A reflex he has grown accustomed to doing to hide his weakness from behind. “I’ll take it that you’re still reflecting on your actions this afternoon.”

“I am.”

“Don’t worry, Rowan and I have talked privately earlier. One that didn’t result in screaming, thank heavens. What happened earlier was something that was out of our control. We should’ve known better. But still, who could’ve thought the crown prince would be here? I must’ve forgotten about his annual duty to visit all the towns…” A light laugh followed after his statement, sitting beside Akemi wearing the clothes he lent. Lux observed the quiet prince before sighing. “What? Did you actually want to marry Dion?”

“P-pardon?” Akemi turned to Lux, face sporting a funny look. “If the little display didn’t answer it, then no. Why would I marry that bastard of a prince?”

He certainly has changed…

“I meant before… When you first met him.”

“We were both kids, we only viewed ourselves as friends. Once.” Images of him and Dion playing in his mother’s garden flooded his mind, filling up the gaps with every smile and every laughter that painted that memory. Marquess Kei was even there, playing along when the marquess’s mother was tasked to keep an eye on them. “Marriage isn’t something you could think of at the age of six. Why? Did you want to marry Count Rowan when you first met him?”

Despite how little it was, Akemi could see the faint color of red across Lux’s cheeks. “No! No, of course not. Love at first sight, do you believe in that?” Clearing his throat after a squeak, Lux continued. “You could say we first found each other ignorant or snobbish. We never got along the first time. Even now, you can see we’re still trying to get along after ten years of marriage.”

Ten years…

“Why didn’t you have kids?”

Lux shrugged. “It’s… not my thing. I can barely take care of myself, how much more a kid? And Rowan is practically not always at home. It would be hard.”

“I see.”

“Is it like that in Soleil? All omegas want to have kids and take care of them? For the rest of their lives, doing exactly that and being limited to babysitting?”

Securing a stable partner, making sure you get into a good family and produce an alpha offspring. Akemi wouldn’t deny it, but it was what most of the omega population would do in Soleil. The majority want to live a comfortable life, wasting their hours at home, either cooking or knitting. Never stepping outside unless it was asked. Others long for adventure, to be what they weren’t supposed to be according to society. Akemi wants to be one of those. He didn’t want to be labeled as a person who was birthed just to produce excellent offspring.

No, he craves a life outside the norms of an average omega’s life.

“I wish to change that…” Came his reply in a quiet hum. “All the other omegas in my place think that’s all they could do. You can say I want to blame the alphas, but they too are pressured to become perfect in every way as if it’s a crime to have a flaw. My father has been haunted by that, I can see it in his eyes…”

Especially when I’m around.

“Well, you can’t change the views of society all in one day. It could take months or years!”

“It won’t hurt to try.” Lux appeared to be contemplating, with the way he was parting his lips yet no words came out. Akemi took note of this, sensing his curiosity. “Go on, ask.”

“You mentioned a sister. It boggles me how you made it here in one piece, yet your sister…”

“I’m sure it’ll boggle anyone’s mind.” Eyes staring off into space, Hanako’s smiling expression came into view. “I told her to run, to board a boat. To escape and seek help from the kingdom of Ondine. Yet, somehow, she wasn’t able to. I was going to search for her until a stranger came and forced me into a farmer’s cart that led me to West Siera. That’s where I met your husband. I was out for days until I heard from the locals that she was crowned queen and a new king has ascended the throne.”

“The new king… what’s he like?”

“Malicious. Vile. I could think of a lot of foul words to describe such a man. Hanako… was executed because she was a ‘traitor’ to the new king.” Inhaling sharply, Akemi curled his fists in mute rage. “Marrying her to take the throne, and once he deemed her useless, he thought up an excuse to get rid of her. I’ll never forgive this nobody who got the throne and decided to play king.”

Lux whistled. “First your revenge on King Kharis. Second, you have to end the war. And now you have to deal with your corrupt officials back home. You’ve got a lot on your plate, Your Highness.”

The bedroom fell into a quiet pause. Moonlight crept into the windows and every crack in the corner. Crickets singing their melodies at night, a sign of a peaceful night. A night like this reminds Akemi of the lantern festival back in Soleil. Held every four years, when the moon is full and lanterns replace every star in the sky. Where he and Hanako would light a lantern for their departed mothers. Heart twisting in grief, Akemi placed a hand over it.

Can’t I turn back time?

A yawn from Lux broke Akemi out of his reverie as the former stood up, rubbing his eyes. “That’s enough talking for me today. I’m off to bed. You should sleep now, Your Highness. It’s late…”

“Just call me Akemi. I’m no longer a prince.”

“Whatever helps you sleep. Goodnight!” Waving goodbye, Lux’s next words grew faint as he strolled off. “Don’t try to get off the bed and assassinate the crown prince. He’s already heavily guarded because of your little stunt.”

Akemi laughed, shaking his head as he lay down on his back. Staring at the ceiling, his lips parted at how it was painted with a man holding what seemed to be golden grapes. He didn’t notice it this morning nor after a warm bath. Scrutinizing it, he suddenly glanced off at the realization that it was a painting of Bacchus.

The god whom Araceli worships and celebrates.

How could I forget? That bastard is named after this alcoholic!

Irritated, Akemi tried to rid Dion from his mind. It wasn’t happening anytime soon. Not when his face kept reappearing with the same devilish smirk on that awfully attractive face. Ironic for a man who is named after a god.

What would he say once he knows Marquess Kei is dead? Does that bastard even remember his friend? No matter how brief it was?

❘༻᯽༺❘

He didn’t sleep well.

Plagued by the thoughts of his sister’s unjustified death and the war still ongoing on the borders of southern Soleil, Akemi could hardly get some shut-eye. He could now understand why his father was often in a horrid mood and had more wrinkles than men his age.

My, it smells heavenly…

Nose trailing the scent of freshly baked bread, Akemi found himself standing in front of the dining room door. Servants greeted him as they walked out with empty trays. Just before he could enter, his feet halted in their tracks when his sharp ears picked up the couple conversing.

“...I want to be happy for the prince, but this isn’t good for Araceli. I mean, this is going to be a disaster soon!”

“Indeed. If what Prince Akemi said is real, then this new king must be such a barbarian.”

“A cunning man, Rowan.” Lux corrected softly. “I imagined since King Reijiro is a revered monarch, upon his death, it would cause an uproar and disarray in court. For this new king to be able to gather more people to push back our own in war… he must be something else.”

“He would be a big problem.”

“I know! Honestly, it would be better if Akemi became king. Why can’t Akemi and King Kharis talk though? King Zoltan won’t extend his hand to help. It would be futile to convince a man who refuses to dirty his hand in the war. You… what did you tell Akemi?”

“Nothing. I didn’t promise that King Zoltan would be compliant to his requests.”

“King Kharis would be generous enough to talk to Akemi… He and King Reijiro were once friends, you know. The one whom I’m most afraid of is Akemi.”

“He’ll definitely kill King Kharis in a heartbeat.”

“Argh! I don’t want to think about this anymore!” Exasperated, Lux groaned. “Things will get messy if those troops get here.”

“Troops? From where?” Akemi entered the dining room, eyes wide at the newfound information. His abrupt entrance made Lux flinch and for Count Rowan to cough. “Whose troops are they?”

“A-Akemi, good morning! You should sit down—”

“Prince Akemi, do you want the throne back?”

Count Rowan’s question threw him off, nevertheless, Akemi nodded eagerly. “Of course, I’ve told you before.”

“Then become allies with Araceli.”

“Rowan! What are you talking about?!”

Eyes wider than saucers, Akemi took a step back at the outrageous command. “Count Rowan, what are you saying? You know that is impossibl—”

“You know it isn’t.”

“It’s preposterous!”

“Soleil’s army is coming here soon. They’ve pushed back Araceli’s forces. It won’t be soon for them to cross the waters and enter Araceli’s northern border. And this is all under King Kosuke’s command.”

“Soleil’s… army? They’re heading here?!” It was unbelievable, even for Akemi. For years, Soleil’s army has fought back against Araceli’s forces and never once stood on enemy ground. Now, they have the upper hand. However, the person who has accomplished it is a barbarian. His enemy. The killer of Hanako. And yet, if he were to become allies with Araceli, it would be a disgrace and a form to spite his dead mother.

“Yes, they’ll be here soon.” Count Rowan exhaled, deeply troubled. “Hopefully the soldiers at the border could hold off until King Kharis sends reinforcements or they’ll reach the towns. Isn't your vision to end the war and spread peace within the two kingdoms?”

“And… what does that have to do with me wanting the throne?” Akemi mumbled, unable to catch what he was implying. “I’m sure King Kharis has far better allies to aid him and you must have forgotten, but it is my wish to get revenge on King Kharis for murdering my mother.”

“Your plans sure are contradictory. You speak of wanting peace yet you want to kill King Kharis. How can you expect Araceli and Soleil to be in peace when your actions would entice a war!”