“Where were you last night?”

The ponderous stares coming from the couple unnerved the quiet prince sipping his soup. After last night’s exhausting attempt, Akemi hoped for a peaceful morning once he arrived and instantly fell asleep once his body hit the mattress. The walk back to Lord Lux’s manor made his legs feel like jelly. However, praying for a serene morning was too much. Especially since the crown prince was found unconscious and wounded on his bedroom floor.

Akemi wasn’t surprised it created such an uproar, yet… for some odd reason, the two people who were supposed to be the last individuals to suspect him were drilling holes into his skull the moment he trudged in for breakfast.

It can’t be… They shouldn’t have found out. I was extremely careful yesterday!

“I was asleep. Why?” It was a simple yet direct answer. Akemi figured that if one of the maids knew he was out, they would have reported soon. But none did. This only meant two things. One, they never bothered to check if he was asleep. Two, they did and were fooled by the pillow tucked under his blankets. Either way, no one has proof of whether he left his bed last night or not. “Does this have anything to do with how you’re so on edge this early?”

“Crown Prince Dion was attacked in his room while the banquet was still going on.”

Lips parting for a minuscule second along with the stilling of his motions, Akemi slowly lowered his spoon. Then chuckled. “Is that so?” Adding a scoff to seem in character, he continued. “I guess he’s got what was coming to him! Don’t you think so?”

“Agh! I can’t take this!” Lux let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head. Unable to formulate with such little details. “Goodness, how am I supposed to face the king soon? How am I going to face the court when they summon me? Those hags and wenches at court could mock me from behind for all I care, but how am I going to live with myself with such a huge slip-up? And to think he was only stabbed near his shoulder!”

“Prince Akemi, you don’t have anything to do with it… do you?”

I guess you have to give it to Count Rowan to be the most level-headed person between the two.

“No… in fact, I’m pretty surprised this has transpired.” Relaxing his features, Akemi leaned back against his chair and sighed softly. His voice softened as he went. “And although I won’t deny the fact that hearing this has lifted my spirits, I wouldn’t stand a chance against an alpha.”

There is no way an omega could go toe-to-toe with an alpha when it comes to combat unless the latter is inexperienced. The fact that Akemi managed to wound Dion, a strong and capable alpha last night, was clear as day. But instead of celebrating as he should have planned—a celebration intended for the crown prince’s death—he couldn’t. Not when he didn’t kill him. The thought of Dion holding back irked Akemi more than being blinded by his melancholy in memory of Marquess Kei.

I swear on my mother’s grave, I won’t make the same mistake again if Dion dares to stand in my way!

Lux groaned, massaging his temples. “I would need wine after I meet with Crown Prince Dion’s men. Other than complaining until one of my ears falls off, I’d be forced to search for whoever had the balls to stab the crown prince. It would be similar to finding a needle in a haystack!” Rubbing his face profusely, the lord did not hold back his frustrations and gritted his teeth. “Whoever it is, I hope they’re ready to pay for all the trouble this has caused me!”

Breakfast was short-lived as Lux had to leave for his dreadful meeting, grumbling as he left. Left alone at the table with Count Rowan, while the servants cleared out the used plates, Akemi found the air stifling. To be in a room alone with an alpha has always been a bit scary to him, even if the alpha was already mated. A lot of stories of them forcing themselves into omegas and some betas have never escaped his ears, so he couldn’t help but feel afraid.

It’s so quiet without Lux around…

“Prince Akemi.” At the sudden mention of his name, Akemi glanced up from his bowl nearly emptied. The count’s baritone voice made his skin shiver in slight anxiousness. He could either blame it on his jumpy nerves or just how intimidating Count Rowan is despite extending kindness to him numerous times. “Are you free this afternoon?”

Oh, he’s asking me to accompany him during tea time?

“Yes, in fact, I am… well, not that I had a lot of things going on. What am I, an exiled prince, supposed to do in a foreign country?” The chuckle he let out wasn’t reciprocated; the stoic expression of the alpha was still in place. Clearing his throat, Akemi added. “I’d be very happy to join you for tea.”

“Then please meet me in the garden, don’t be late.”

Count Rowan stood up from his seat, gave him a small nod, and walked out. No matter how hard he tried, Akemi couldn’t get rid of the nervousness creeping up behind him. The idea of getting scolded or receiving another sermon like last time was enough to make him frown a little.

Judging from his solemn expression, I guess I shouldn’t expect that we would only be having tea then…

And Akemi hit the mark perfectly, unfortunately.

Count Rowan, still stiff as a wooden board, sat across him in silence. Hand lifting his tiny cup of tea ever so often, sometimes even taking the small cookies presented in the middle and chewing on them. This scene was strangely foreign to Akemi, never seeing the alpha display such—dare he say—adorable actions that could only be seen through Lux. However, to see such a huge man sipping tea and eating sweets was putting Akemi off to a point where he didn’t know whether to look away or stare at him long enough to be considered rude.

Okay… this is strange.

“The Kourabiedes are good.” Lifting one cookie, Count Rowan reached out to give him one. “Won’t you try them, Prince Akemi?”

“I’ve eaten a lot of them since my stay here,” Akemi laughed lightly, staring at anything other than the alpha. His pheromones drifted with the carefree breeze, sandalwood, and sage blending with the nature surrounding them. “Do you have something to say? I know you didn’t summon me here to just have tea.”

“Why didn’t you kill him when you had the chance?”

Very direct…

“So you’re not going to ask me if I did it or not?”

“The only person I know who is brave enough to try and assassinate the crown prince in his own country is you, Prince Akemi.” Placing down his cup, Count Rowan continued. “Lux hasn’t suspected you, yet I knew the moment when they announced that the crown prince was unconscious in his bedroom.”

Akemi barked out a laugh, seeing no point in hiding anymore. Someone has seen through him. “What? Isn’t it funny to hear that the next king of Araceli is so easy to kill? Just a stab on the shoulder, and the next thing you know he’s on the ground.”

Count Rowan responded, “He went easy on you. If he were deadly serious, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Hands balled up into fists under the table, Akemi bit back a scoff. “I prefer that he did. It’s irksome to know he held back on me for who knows why. But I’m sure that little stunt has awakened something in those who saw him lying on the ground. To see their future king… a big softie—”

“I wouldn’t insult nor assume Crown Prince Dion to be a softhearted gentleman, Prince Akemi.” Count Rowan’s hard stare caused Akemi to sit still. The way he spoke about the crown prince suggested that the count may have shared a few words with him. “He may have been patient with you, but he is no fool. I highly suspect that he was pretending to faint for you to leave.”

“He didn’t have to do that. What merit would he gain by always doing it?”

“There may never be a next time where he’ll save you from death. That may have been a one-time occurrence…” Pouring himself tea, the alpha stated solemnly. “He was trying to save you from committing an even bigger crime—”

“I don’t need salvation, especially if it's coming from him.”

He felt pity. To see the man who was fated to wed him stoop so low…

“And what if you succeeded in killing him, then what? What if somebody saw you escape and Lux gets dragged into your problems? Not only I but Lux and everyone in this house will be sentenced to death for protecting and housing a criminal.” A tired sigh escaped his lips, Count Rowan sat back against his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You must consider everything around you, Your Highness. Your actions have different consequences to those who encircle you.”

You don’t have to tell me that… I know it all too well.

“I apologize…”

Silence.

“What stopped you?”

“Huh?”

“What stopped you from killing Dion?”

A smile spread across Akemi’s lips, opting to take a cookie after all.

“Probably the same reason why Dion let me go… my sentimentality towards a dead friend we once shared a memory with.”

“This is why I should take matters into my own hands once again.” Clearing his throat, the count finished his cup before standing up. “I was going to let you think it through, but after your attempt last night, I’ve decided that it’s time to end and let you pursue your endeavors.”

Time?

“There is… a boat leaving for Elysium tomorrow night.”

Oh.

“You’re sending me away now?”

Not meeting Akemi’s eyes, Count Rowan hummed. “I wanted to take you there using my ship… Well, after Lux and I try to convince you to be allied with Araceli. However, we can’t prolong your stay here any longer if it doesn’t put your mind at ease. And you’re not showing any signs of allying. Therefore, we’re leaving tomorrow if it’s all right with you, Prince Akemi.”

Tomorrow…

“Unless… you have grown comfortable here?” At Count Rowan’s suggestive tone, Akemi laughed and shook his head at how he hinted at his rapid growth of fondness towards the place and its people. If granted, Akemi would want to be reborn as a regular citizen here in Araceli rather than be its enemy.

❘༻᯽༺❘

Akemi wasn’t prepared to be awakened from his sleep. The sun had already risen, but he wasn’t in the mood to eat breakfast and wanted to sleep until noon. If he had to choose, he would prefer to be in bed all day today since it’s his last day here in Araceli.

But the noise outside his room was too unbearable and wouldn’t let him resume his sleep. Oh no, not with how everyone is yelling and scurrying around so loud early in the morning.

What on earth is going on out there?!

Forcing himself out of the comforts of his bed, Akemi patted down the stray hairs sticking out and grumbled his way to the door. A thin cloth draped around his bare shoulders.

Peeking out, he was baffled at how many servants were running around holding different objects as they went, ranging from plates to cloths in vibrant colors. Yelling and words to hasten were thrown at each other, making the prince wonder what kind of occasion was going to be held now. Greeting some of them, Akemi followed the maids and stood in front of Lux’s office.

Is he inside?

“I’m glad you could spare us some time.”

“Anything for the crown prince, Sir.”

A splash of vanilla invaded Akemi’s nostrils. Seeing a pack of alphas with Lux leading them about to go down the hallway, Akemi rushed to the corner and hid.

“With your vigilance, I’m sure we will be able to catch the malicious person who hurt the prince.”

Lux merely nodded at their words, gesturing for them all to enter the office.

“And that malicious person is just right here… right under their noses, but they don’t know that, do they?”

A sweet but tantalizing smell of fresh grapes, and some earthy tones mixed in wafted across Akemi's nose, making his spine tingle in… nervousness? Adrenaline? He can't tell, he is too focused to remember who owns such a familiar scent than to pinpoint the exact emotion that was going through him.

Who—

He turns his attention to the owner of the scent and playful tone of voice. Akemi’s ocean-blue eyes met the same piercing wine-red ones he met last time, but they were different. They held so much cunningness and mischief that Akemi wasn't sure if he was able to stand the scent getting stronger as Dion’s face got closer.

Akemi prays his legs won’t give out. Cursing his flimsy bedroom attire and being seen in it, Dion of all people.

The crown prince’s eyes grew mischievous at the sight of it, urging Akemi to wrap the cloth tightly.

“You still smell so heavenly in contrast to that sour expression you have now, Akemi.”