Time passed since that incident and soon it was the still unawakened crown princess’s sixteenth birthday. Mikael returned to the Capital as a proper gentleman, bearing gifts for her.

He kept his red hair at shoulder length, which he tied up in a low ponytail much like the Duke, and wore House Canaels’ maroon and black colors. On his left ear, he wore the earring that Tan had sent some years ago.

He stood outside the drawing room, waiting to be let in with a servant carrying one of his many gifts behind him. He was picturing how Siane would react upon learning that her younger brother got his hands on a book she’d been wanting to get her hands on for quite some time. 

He turned his head to look down the hallway when a familiar, calming scent reached his nose.

He saw the fourteen year old second prince standing there, staring at him wide-eyed.

Mikael slightly turned to face him, giving him a warm smile as he bowed politely at the approaching prince.

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, Your Highness.”

“Why are you taller than me?” Tan asked indignantly, staring at their half head difference in height.

“It’s in the genes, Your Highness. I can’t help it, can I?”

Javi leaned forward a little to whisper to the prince. “I don’t remember him, Your Highness…?”

Mikael gazed at Javi gently for a moment before giving him a warm smile that somehow irked the prince.

He couldn’t explain it but he kind of hates it when Mikael’s attention wanders off from him. Not to mention, there’s this subtle sweet scent coming off from Mikael that makes him want to monopolize him and take in all that sweet fragrance.

“You must be Javi Lorens that I’ve heard of from His Highness. It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m the heir to Duke Canaels, Mikael Canaels.”

Javi’s eyes widened upon hearing his name and he whipped his head to look at the prince.

“THE Mikael that you–? Ow!” Javi cried when his foot got stepped on by the prince to make him shut up.

Mikael only raised an eyebrow questioningly but Tan only shrugged it off, and instead pointedly looked at the thing being carried by a servant.

“Presentations of gifts have a specific time, Mikael. Why are you cutting in line?”

Mikael only laughed at that. “I’m aware of it, Your Highness. However, Father’s going to be a little late so he wants me to pass a message to her before the celebrations start. Might as well take this chance to give her one of my gifts.”

“I…see. I’ll leave you to it then, Mikael. I’ll see you in the celebrations later?”

“Certainly, Your Highness.”

Mikael bowed politely to him and Tan turned around to leave, with Javi tagging along behind him. Javi looked back at Mikael who had been let into the drawing room, his expression losing his childlike innocence and had turned serious for a moment.

•×•×•

“Mm, Omega kidnappings. That is troublesome.” Siane said as she held onto the book her brother gave her. “Father’s right, you should stay here at the palace for the meantime until it’s resolved. I’ll talk to Cali later to get you a room.”

“Thank you.” Mikael did a small bow in his seat. “Father also asked if there are any signs of you…awakening.”

Siane tightly gripped the book in her arms, curling her shoulder slightly inwardly in a defensive manner.

“No, nothing yet…is he disappointed?”

“It’s nothing like that, Ate. He’s only concerned for your well-being, since those who want to replace the crown princess kept bringing up your inability to awaken.”

“They could try as much as they like, I will not relinquish the position.”

Mikael nodded. “Lord Calisto wouldn’t stand for it as well.”

“You can tip them off that the reason the crown prince is being quiet is because I’m holding him back from doing a massacre.”

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

Siane took a deep sigh, setting aside the book and looked at her brother, more specifically at the single, bar earring he’s wearing on his left ear.

“You know, by wearing that, you’re basically saying you’ve been taken by Tannie. Even if I’m unawakened, I could tell that his scent is on it.”

Mikael touched the earring fondly, chuckling. “His Highness didn’t seem to mind that I’m wearing it. He probably placed his scent unintentionally.”

Siane doubts it, as Tan never does things unintentionally.

Why would he buy a pair of earrings and then give it to someone who would later on be linked to him?

He must have seen it in a dream that he’s not telling her.

•×•×•

Tan followed the sweet scent that had reached his nose a few minutes earlier, leaving behind Javi to deal with the nobles trying to sweet-talk the prince into accepting tea party invitations from noble families that had Omegas around his age.

The good thing of having a Beta as an aide, even by pure luck, is that they could resist the weak Alphas and Betas to a degree. Javi has been doing quite well on rejecting all of their offers and serving as an unmovable wall to the second prince.

When he finally found the person he’s been tracking his nose with, a smile appeared on his lips and Tan stood next to him, nudging him by the elbow.

Mikael stood near a terrace and quite far away from the crowd, listening intently to the incessant chatter of people who knew nothing of what’s going on with the crown prince and princess.

If they break their engagement all because of Siane’s inability to awaken, then Calisto’s love is shallow and he doesn’t deserve her at all. Mikael wanted to give them a piece of his mind while smiling wickedly but thought against it since it’s his sister’s birthday.

There’s no point in creating a fuss when the celebrant was about to appear.

When he felt the nudge on his elbow, Mikael turned his cold gaze from the crowd and to the person who nudged him.

Of course, his expression softened upon seeing the second prince standing there.

“Your perfume’s a little too sweet.” Tan commented, confusing Mikael for a moment.

“I…am not wearing perfume, Your Highness.” Mikael replied, only for something to click in his mind that made him flush in panic. “Oh. Oh no…the thought of seeing my sister again made me lax…Father’s going to berate me…”

Not perfume? Then…this scent is his pheromones?

Tan glanced around, glaring at people staring at them. He grabbed Mikael by the wrist and tugged at him, bringing him out to the terrace.

“Calm down. I’m probably the only one who knew it was coming from you.” Tan said consolingly. “There are other Omegas in there who are subtly trying to get at me and my brother but attracting others instead. Take a deep breath, Mikael.”

Mikael only nodded, taking deep calming breaths as he held onto the prince’s hand. Once calmed down, the two sat down on the metal-framed chairs by the end of the terrace and Mikael finally let out a relieved sigh.

“Is it still…?”

Tan sniffed, still getting that faint sweetness in the air. “It’s not as strong as before, don’t worry. I’ll stay with you until the night is over. Do you want me to temporarily use ‘blind’?”

Mikael stared at him before laughing out loud. “If Father hears that, you’d be in another session with him as to why you shouldn’t pursue me.”

It was Tan’s turn to flush in embarrassment. His brother has been using ‘blind’ on Siane ever since their engagement, so that people won’t look at her and she won't look at others; the reason why Calisto has been obsessed buying her accessories is because he couldn’t imprint on her yet, so he decided to spread his scent on her via those items.

“There’s nothing wrong with helping a friend out!”

“Others won’t see it that way, Your Highness. Especially not Father and my sister.”