Eira stood at the front steps of the estate, quietly observing the bustling activity as servants hurried about, triple-checking that every item was packed and accounted for. Wearing simple travel clothes and a cloak, Eira felt no concern for his appearance; his family would not bid him farewell, and he would spend countless hours and days confined to a carriage. He suspected his family might even be inside, planning a "good riddance" celebration to mark his departure.
Lilia remained by his side, stopping servants from time to time to ensure nothing essential was forgotten. With her motherly instincts, she was determined to make the journey as comfortable for Eira as possible, knowing that the trip would already be challenging enough.
Able approached, holding the reins of a tall brown horse she intended to ride for most of the journey, so she could keep watch over the carriage. Eira gently stroked the horse's nose, savoring the rare moment of interaction. He envied the horse's freedom, the way it could run unhindered, and chuckled softly as the animal nudged closer to his hand. It seemed to enjoy the attention and touch of another. Eira was plenty happy to oblige its wants as well.
Over the past two months, Eira had learned from his father that Dukes Vaellatus would permit him to bring a limited number of his own servants and guards to their estate. Not too many but enough to show they didn't expect him to come in scared and alone. Or maybe they wanted to see if he was stupid enough to bring in a spy.
When volunteers were requested, only Able and Lilia stepped forward. Even though Eira had friendly relationships with some staff, none were willing to uproot their lives for an uncertain future in another kingdom. He understood their reluctance completely.
His eldest brother Evren attempted to recruit additional "companions" for "Eira's comfort", but their father did not press the issue. Duke Rose viewed the marriage part of the treaty as insignificant and doubted Eira's longevity at the new estate in Lavasea. He saw little reason to risk losing staff and guards if the person they accompanied was unlikely to survive.
Eira was content with Able and Lilia by his side. He didn't care whether more servants and guards joined them or not. Contrary to his father's expectations, he was determined to survive and perhaps find freedom—whether in the Vaellatus estate with the Dukes heir or elsewhere. He refused to give up before even trying. Not when staying wasn't an option anyway, but also because it wouldn't be any worse there than it was here.
In the months leading up to the journey, Eira had spent considerable time reflecting. Thanks to Able's connections among merchants, they gathered more information about Lavasea, which made the situation seem less daunting. Not that he had high expectations, but he didn't he didn't think he was walking to his own death quite yet.
As preparations neared completion, Lilia remarked, "I don't think we have to worry about your family coming out."
Eira replied simply that, "They won't be coming." His tone void of sadness or regret. He had long since made peace with their relationship, having no expectations and thus feeling no disappointment.
Able stepped away to speak with the caravan's escorts, leaving the horse behind after Eira protested her intent to take it with her. Although Eira was not permitted in the castle to receive the king's decree due to his status, he would travel under the protection of both House Rose guards and Royal guards.
Once they reached the checkpoint, the Lavasea delegation would take over. The Royal Palace provided the most troops, including knights and even a sword master—the fourth Eira had ever see. Able herself became a sword master only after working in their estate and achieving what she stayed in Assinia to do after the death of her wife. The other sword master was a knight of the family, who was in charge of their troops, who had reached a pinnacle in training.
His father, Duke Rose, was the last. Despite his unpleasant personality, Duke Rose's skill contributed to the family's enduring dukedom, along with their iron mines. The House of Rose had always stood with the crown since becoming a dukedom, a tradition unlikely to change. The crown rewarded strong allies and Eiras family truly was strong.
Curious by nature, Eira observed everyone and everything around him, a habit that had often landed him in trouble as a child. While continuing to pet the horse he couldn't help but watch the palace guards' line up around the carriages, he noted their uniform posture, the way they held their chins up, and the heavy swords they carried, fascinated by their synchronized movements. The armor shining with the emblems of the royal palace seemed to be able to blind anyone walking by.
During this time, he noticed more guards staring at him. Slightly tilting his head to the side he whispered to Lilia, "Why are they staring so much?"
"Have you ever looked in a mirror little one? I know omegas are viewed differently here in this estate and kingdom but people aren't blind. They know beauty when they see it. You'll have heads turning wherever you go." Lilia nudged him slightly with her elbow.
Eiras eyes widened at this comment. He could feel his cheeks burning, he'd hate to see how red they looked. He slowly turned his back towards the guards and faced the carriage much to the horses' dismay as it nudged the back of his head with it snout. Seemingly asking for more attention.
"No one has ever noticed before though." A protest really slipped from his lips as he reached up and itched under the horse's chin to get it to calm back down.
"Well, you've never left the estate before. So how could they. Plus when people see someone grow up, like the people who see you everyday, they often overlook their beauty—a phenomenon." she jokingly referred to as "face blindness."
Eira just slapped her on the side signaling that was enough out of her. But her words weren't wrong about never leaving the estate. He's only known this small piece of land called 'home'.
"The carriages are ready; we are about to depart little lord." Able walked back over and opened the door to the carriage. Taking the reins of the horse with one hand and offering her other hand to Eira helping him up the steps. He took a quick breath steadying himself before squeezing her hand slightly and stepping into the carriage. He didn't even look back while getting in. He didn't long to take a last look at the Rose estate or its occupants when it had never been more than a gilded cage with masters of high pedigrees. He knew he wouldn't miss it.
Lilia stepped in after, taking the seat across from him while Able shut the door and mounted her horse.
"We should give her a name." Eira said leaning his head out the window.
"Who little lord?" Able asked scrunching her brows.
"The horse of course. Who else?"
Able raised her brows as if she never thought to do such a thing. It was such an Able thing to not do.
"Coco. Because she looks like hot chocolate." Eira mused quietly to himself. The horse snorted as if on cue.
"I think she likes it."
Lilia choked back what seemed like a laugh and Able just shook her head.
"Coco it is. Now please put your head back in the carriage. We're departing." Able side reaching over from where she was sitting atop of Coco and pulled the curtain half closed before Eira could protest. Eira scoffed as he sat back against the seat. He wasn't truly upset though as she had left it open enough for him to see what was outside still.
He could hear the guards signaling for departure as orders traveled down the line. When the carriage lurched forward, the sudden movement nearly threw him off balance, but Lilia quickly caught him, steadying his posture.
Having never ridden in a carriage before, the sensation was unfamiliar and unsettling. He recalled that, even before he manifested, he had never left the estate. It was customary for parents to keep their children at home prior to manifestation, a precaution to prevent it from occurring in public. Although manifestation arrives with the force of a heat or rut, these signs in children mean something different. Heats and ruts don't come until they are of age. Some don't even get one until they reach twenty or older.
Children typically manifest between the ages of six and ten, with six being considered early and ten late. The process is marked by a high fever and the release of pheromones, signaling their final gender. Often, a child's development gives hints about their future designation, but the pheromones during manifestation confirm it. If there is still uncertainty, a physician can use a special pheromone detector—an expensive stone that changes color when exposed to the pheromone. Cooler tones indicate omegas, and warmer hues reveal alphas.
These stones remain a mystery even now. Some believe that a god left them to help people find their perfect match—a myth, but fitting for their purpose. He remembered the story from a book he cherished as a child and Able had sneaked it into the estate for him, as she often did with other books.
His train of thought was interrupted when he noticed they were passing through the gates. With each yard further from the estate, his heartbeat raced. The emotions swirling inside him were hard to describe.
"Are you nervous, little one?" Lilia asked gently, reaching over to take his hand in hers. As if she could read his state of mind just by looking at him.
He let out a sound that was half disbelief, half laugh. "I don't think nervous even covers what I'm feeling right now. Terrified, maybe… but there's also something else."
"Something else?" she prompted, her tone curious.
"Hmm. I'm curious… All I've ever known are these walls. What does the world beyond them look like? I think I'm more excited for this journey than I should be. Its crazy that not even a few months ago we tried to run, but he we still are. I just want to see everything I can before…" He trailed off, a small smile on his lips as he stared at his fidgeting fingers in Lilias hand. "Either way, I just want to know and see more. I hope whatever awaits us is something we can handle."
Lilia squeezed his hand reassuringly. "We can handle it. We always do. We'll find our freedom, wherever that might be. But more than that, I hope you find yourself, Eira. Learn to be your own person—not just what others expect you to be. You're capable of more than you realize." With that, she turned her gaze toward the carriage window, ready to speak to Able outside.
Eira followed her gaze, watching the landscape pass by. As he pondered her words, his heart gradually calmed. Who was he, truly? Could he be more than an omega—more than just a vessel for bearing children? He didn't have the answer yet, but perhaps soon he would.