— It is through this proclamation that I come to tell you that we are now under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Roham, peacefully and with as few casualties as possible. We have made an agreement with King Yurick to preserve our work, our homes, and the lives of our people. I will still be your direct representative by marrying your king and mine. I hope you understand; everything will get better, and together we will be stronger to face daily life and common problems. We will share the bread, and for that, the Gods will bless our crops. I count on all of you. — I ended the speech on the castle balcony, in front of several citizens gathered in the palace courtyard. Many humble people, others with some title and education, stared at me, not quite understanding what they had just heard. Their king was no longer king and would now marry someone from the enemy kingdom, besides having to work harder to share food because winter would soon arrive. Yurick stood beside me, holding my waist, stepping forward to be seen raising his free hand toward the people who were still whispering among themselves.
— Fine speech, Seyrim. — He murmured near my ear with his usual cocky smile but quickly turned his face toward those below. — I am Yurick Dandelion. A new royal family arises before all of you. I am your king and ruler alongside Prince Seyrim, who will soon be my husband, and the city will be on holiday celebrating when our wedding takes place. It will be a special day that deserves a grand party to celebrate the union of the two kingdoms. We will be but one flag in a new empire. I hope to have everyone's support. — Even though his speech was motivating and beautiful, it didn't seem to win over the listeners, and some just murmured and nodded. Guards surrounded the area; no one felt comfortable questioning. Not that they would accept passively, but who would dare say something at that moment?
— It's not fair! — A shout came from the crowd, and I nearly screamed when I saw who it could be. Obviously, Makal wouldn't stay silent; he was a damn loudmouth. Makal was the kitchen boy, a childhood friend with an abnormal aptitude for sword fighting. The alpha came from a line of cooks who served the crown, so it seemed he wouldn't kneel to Yurick easily. — You come into our city, marry our king, and think you have any royal privilege here without a fight? I challenge you to a duel. — The alpha said in a commanding voice, urging people to support this suicidal decision. They wanted a hero to save them from their situation, even if impossible.
— No. — I turned toward Yurick, discreetly grabbing his robe to get his attention. — Please, he is just a fool who doesn't know what he says. Throw him in the dungeon for a day, and he'll be back working in the kitchen. — But I wasn't heard, was I? The King of Roham seemed to love challenges. Damn bastard.
— I accept. — The alpha didn't even hesitate. — In Roham, we appreciate a good challenge, and I see no problem entertaining such an impetuous youth. — That was truly unpleasant, and his guards, advisors, and general made no effort to stop their king; in other words, this seemed routine. I stared at him with obvious displeasure, stepping away from the other, ending my speech. I wouldn't subject myself to that kind of senseless savagery. I admit I was worried about Makal, who might die in the castle courtyard. I crossed my arms waiting for the king, intending to go to my room, but I couldn't ignore the situation.
— Don't kill him. — I tried not to show my extreme displeasure with the situation, but I don't think I was very effective.
— Don't worry, I don't intend to kill the boy. Is he your lover? — Yurick began removing his heavier clothes, revealing his upper body, which still drew attention. He looked more serious than usual.
— Why do you think that? — I rolled my eyes. — Just friends, so don't kill him; let him take care of the kitchen.
— To put poison in my food? — Yurick laughed scornfully, not amused. — I'll teach you what we do in Roham to those who challenge their ruler. Death isn't the solution to everything; sometimes, some fates are worse. — The man headed toward the courtyard where people were waiting, all eyes on the fight. I watched for a few moments but then left; I didn't want to see what would happen. If the legends were true, Makal had already lost. Yurick was a formidable warrior who hadn't lost a battle since he was ten years old. Most stories and tales were exaggerated, but that didn't mean they were unfounded. My intention was to go to the roost, the quickest access to the Akasia kingdom, ruled by my grandfather. I needed to take advantage of the moment when no one was watching me.
— Aren't you going to watch the fight, Your Majesty? — The voice came from behind before I could even turn down the hallway. I turned toward the alpha woman who referred to me. Her smile was very much like Yurick's, cocky and confident in her abilities. Dark brown braided hair, yellow eyes that stood out even more against her black skin marked with battle scars she wore proudly with the little clothing their people usually wore. Piercings adorned her strong, muscular body.
— Only to my room. I don't like that kind of entertainment. — I said, walking ahead, but noticed the woman, General Arien, was following me.
— I will accompany you. — It was obvious I was a prisoner in my own castle. Well, there was nothing mine in that place anymore. I gave up and followed her toward the room. The path was silent; our footsteps echoed in the hallway. There was obvious discomfort in the situation. I didn't feel like saying anything. Besides, Arien seemed determined to remain silent, so that was better. When we finally reached the room, I made sure to close the door. If there were secret passages in the king's room, I had no idea.
How would I get to the roost if I wasn't free? I muttered quietly as I walked toward the side window, from where I could see the fight. I sat on the ledge, seeing Makal looking at me with a confident smile. I just waved gently in his direction; we were friends after all. However, I felt the king of Roham's harsher gaze. He seemed irritated about something, so instinctively I wiped any expression from my face.
The fight didn't last long. Although Makal trained every day, he still split his time with kitchen duties, giving Yurick the advantage. Yurick had the full training of someone born for war, filling every moment with martial training with various weapons and combat strategies. So the cook was miserably defeated, no serious injuries, thankfully; my heart couldn't bear it. My chest tightened during the fight. I hoped my friend would win, but it didn't happen. Of course, life wouldn't be that good under those circumstances. The sentence: banishment. At least it wasn't as severe as losing hands, tongue, or some vital part of the body.
Memories flooded me with nostalgia. Makal running in the courtyard with a sword, no older than twelve, coming to me bringing the most beautiful flower he found in the garden. Lia in the gazebo near the rosebush accompanied by two personal guards. They thought about not letting the little boy pass, but they were curious about what the frail creature would do. He just praised my beauty and asked if I wanted to play. I ran through the garden, played so much that day, getting my dress all muddy and covered in grass. I got the most welcome scolding from my mother. Makal had always been part of that place; now he was leaving, leaving me behind.
I saw the king enter the castle briskly and returned inside the room. My heart was beating so fast; I was anxious in some way, and my fears were confirmed when the door suddenly opened.
— I don't know how things work in your reign, but when someone who is politically and formally committed before the people publicly shows affection toward another alpha, there is punishment, a penalty, and there might even be an end to the marriage terms. — Yurick didn't seem pleased with my smiles. I just sighed, trying to calm myself. I thought the bigger man would do something more brutal, although the projection of his body and the contracting muscles showed he was unhappy. Drops of sweat marked his skin.
— We're friends, I told you. Is it so unusual in Roham for alphas and omegas to have a friendship? — I tried to stay calm. — I'm not a statue, Your Majesty. I can't just stay impassive toward someone I care about, especially in this situation...
— That your friend provoked. I don't care how many you've slept with. — Yurick came toward me, almost touching my body. — I don't want nor will be disrespected. Keep your displays of affection confined to private matters. If you want to be a vagabond omega, then hide it.
My cheeks burned fiercely; that was an unprecedented insult. Maybe that's why my hand moved faster than I could stop it, slapping the bigger man's face with a sharp crack that echoed in the room. It was as if every fiber in my body that endured those two days had burst into a reckless act. My hand burned from the stinging flesh showing what I had done. The king's hand gripped my wrist tightly, staring at me, ready to say something but suddenly hesitated. I knew why: my eyes were hot and teary, my heartbeat frantic with the nervousness that seemed about to explode.
— Don't insult me! Even if I'm your prisoner, don't act like someone who can say whatever they want whenever they want. — That was humiliating, my voice trembling with tears. I pulled my arm back forcefully; I think I hurt him. I grabbed my coat and put it over my shoulders, leaving that man's presence. I saw the general at the door but said nothing, rushing down the corridor. The woman didn't follow me. That was a small victory on such a troubled day.
I didn't think Yurick was a bad man, just someone on the other side—the enemy I had to fight. That made our reactions extreme. There was no trust, no loyalty to sustain that relationship, so there would be conflicts. It was too much. I was overwhelmed by those moments of defeat. Seeing my father cowardly flee, leaving me to die, shook me more than I imagined. Having to surrender to someone for my people, not being heard when my strategies were the most sensible. I sat on the bench in the castle's huge garden, tears wetting my eyes. I didn't recognize the guard anymore. They weren't my soldiers; the entire hierarchy had been replaced. Even the cooks were being removed. The castle's colors would no longer be Neopolitan. I broke down in a way I never thought I would. The crying lasted as long as I could allow myself. When that moment of weakness ended, I felt at least a little better, despite my swollen eyes. The mental exhaustion still remained, but I knew I would soon regain strength to face one day at a time.
— Seyrim. — I heard the familiar voice. I looked up in Makal's direction; he was with his backpack, his horse, and the cart carrying his provisions. I stood up, wiping my face. — Come with me, let's leave together, you can't subject yourself to this.
— Makal, it's okay. — I approached him. — I can't go; you know very well that I need to stay. Nothing bad will happen to me, and I'll make sure the people are safe. — I hugged the alpha affectionately, resting my face on his shoulder with a slight smile. He was my last special person, and he was leaving. That was so sad. — Goodbye, Makal. Don't be impulsive next time. — It was better that way; he wouldn't risk being killed.
— You should just go without looking back. We'd be together and... — I had to interrupt him, pulling away. I noticed we were being watched from the balcony of the imperial chamber, but I ignored it.
— Just go. — I ruffled his hair, hugging him one last time, slipping my hand inside his clothes, placing the letter in the inner part of his garment. Makal noticed but said nothing, stepping back. The taller man understood, distancing himself from me, mounting the horse and heading toward the palace gates. I watched him leave and stayed there alone for a long time. I would have to fight my own battle without depending on anyone; the letter wasn't a guarantee of being delivered or of freedom.
I went back to the room after eating something in the kitchen; I refused to dine with Yurick. Upon entering the room, the man was sitting on the bed shirtless, wearing only loose trousers, staring at some papers that he set aside when he saw me. I walked to the bathroom, removing the large amount of clothing I liked to wear. I got into the bathtub without saying anything at all; there was nothing to say.
— I may have overreacted earlier, and I ask for your forgiveness. — The alpha approached, crouching beside me. — I'm not used to your country's culture.
— If you want, I'll teach you. — I said quickly, cleaning my skin. I still couldn't get used to being naked near him, especially already imagining what would happen after the wedding. — Don't think that the affection I have for close people involves feelings as superficial as love and carnal passions.
— Do you think passion is superficial? — Yurick seemed to stifle a laugh. — I didn't imagine you had that kind of perception; you seem like the type of omega who falls in love easily. I wonder if one day you'll smile at me like you smiled at your friend. — Was that some kind of provocation? I tried not to show my irritation.
— That won't happen, Your Majesty, because I don't fall in love. Marriages are political and nothing more. — I stated more firmly. I had more than enough examples to prove that. — Just like ours, so don't expect any fabulous romance in this relationship that Your Majesty forced me into. — I stood up, grabbing the towel.
— What a bitter boy. — The alpha shook his head disapprovingly.
— Oh, and you seem like the type who just uses omegas and betas for your carnal pleasure like any other alpha king. — I pointed at him, taking two steps closer to be very incisive.
— Then you don't know me, Seyrim. I'm the type who lives, that's all. Every omega, beta, and alpha who's been in my life was important to me. — Yurick smiled gracefully, with the same usual petulance.
— That doesn't convince me, it only proves that passions and loves are easy and sudden, so they're not worth feeling. — I shrugged until I felt the taller man grab my wrist. I looked at him surprised as the alpha pulled me toward the bathtub. I fell on top of his body, feeling the water again, his chest under my hands—it left me in shock. I looked back at his face, wet hair, and that laugh showed how much he was enjoying himself at my expense. But there was something I had to admit: Yurick had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen up to that moment.
— Your inexperience is exciting. — Before I could respond, the alpha held my nape, pulling my face toward him, kissing my lips. It wasn't my first kiss, but he managed to make my mind go blank for a few moments; his lips were warm, and the tongue asking for entry made me melt. His scent was slowly intoxicating my senses; I didn't notice when I placed my hands on his shoulders, squeezing them gently, trying to keep breathing. Only then did I realize I was kissing my enemy—and, more seriously, we weren't even married yet. I pulled away, shocked.
— Your boldness will be remembered. We're not married yet for you to take that kind of liberty. — I stood up; my legs suddenly weakened, almost making me fall, but I at least managed to get off his chest. — When we're bound in matrimony, you can do whatever you want. For now, don't you dare touch me like that. — I tried to maintain my composure.
— Do whatever I want? I'll remember those words, Seyrim. — The alpha said with malice. I realized my words had been imprecise. I didn't want to know what kind of desires he had, but by the way he looked at me, I was starting to get afraid to find out.