027

027
At the foot of the grand court, Lysandra waited, dressed in a white and brown gown with fine embroidery. A large hat shielded her from the sun’s ray while a maid stood behind her, holding an umbrella over her head.
Her face lit up when she spotted Nathaniel descending the steps. With a graceful stride, she approached him, a gentle smile blooming on her lips.
“Prince Nathaniel.” She greeted, her cheeks tinged with a soft rosy hue.
“Princess.” Nathaniel bowed, but she quickly waved her hand dismissively.
“There is no need to bow. We are friends.”
“Take it as my sincere appreciation for your help.” He countered.
Lysandra tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her smile deepening. “The pleasure is mine.”
“You must be here to see Prince Ashton.” Nathaniel guessed, glancing at the court.
“No.” She took a step forward. “I came to see you.”
“Me?” Nathaniel asked, slightly taken aback. The princess nodded.
“I have a gift for you.”
She faced her servant and collected a small purple box. She offered the box with both hands to Nathaniel. Nathaniel pushed the box back to the princess.
She turned to her servant, who handed her a small, velvet-lined purple box. Holding it carefully with both hands, she offered it to Nathaniel.
He gently pushed the box back to her.
“I can’t accept this. You have done enough for me.”
“Please take it,” She insisted, pressing the box forward again. “I put a lot of thought into it. Think of it as a token of applause.”
Nathaniel frowned, resisting. “This is too much. I haven’t done anything worthy of applause—it was your recommendation that helped.”
Lysandra huffed and stomped her feet impatiently, a pout forming on her lips.
“Fine! If you won’t accept it as a gift, then take it as my reward.” She declared.
Nathaniel frowned. In his letter, he had promised to reward the princess for her assistance of her heart desire, with the condition that it wouldn’t be improper or beyond his power.
His own words stood against him.
Still, this was far simpler than what he had braced for–entertaining the princess as a suitor and fuelling the rampant rumours about their non-existent relationship.
Reluctantly, he accepted the box. Unwrapping the ribbon, he opened it to reveal a brooch shaped like an ornate cross, adorned with a silver star that contrasted beautifully against the gold setting. At the centre rested a deep purple stone, its surface rough with sharp, clean cuts.
Nathaniel traced his thumb over the gemstone. This was no common piece of jewellery.
“I hope you’ll wear it, at least once,” Lysandra said softly. “Even if it is not to your taste.”
Nathaniel closed the box with care. “This is a very thoughtful gift. I will treasure it… Thank you, Your Highness.”
Lysandra beamed.
“I best not keep a gentleman waiting.” She said and held his arm. “Prince Nathaniel… if you are ever in need of help, you can come to me without hesitation.” Her voice softened with earnestness. “I may be an omega and seem powerless and dull compared to my siblings—but I will help. And… I hope this won’t be the last time we speak.”
With that, she bowed and turned to leave.
Nathaniel glanced down at the box in his hand, then at the princess walking away. This was a grand gesture. If he let her leave without offering something in return, his conscience and his pride would weigh heavy with debt.
He would not take advantage of her sincerity.
“Have you had lunch?” He asked suddenly.
Lysandra paused mid-step.
“I’m new to Linfield, so I’m not familiar with fine places to dine. If it doesn’t break any of your royal protocols...”
“It doesn’t!” She blurted, then flushed. Clearing her throat, she smoothed her dress and composed herself. “I know a good place—I was feeling a little parched.”
Nathaniel’s lips twitched. “Lead the way.”


The loud ticking of the clock spiralled Sarang into a trance.
Last night, everything had been great–Nathan’s wonderful, deep kisses, his firm hands on his body and in his hair, his shaky breaths and husky groans when he sucked Nathan’s cock… until lapses of his affair with his master returned, unadulterated.
At first, he was confused.
But then he realised—he had been seeing Lucian.
When Nathan came on his face, it was Lucian's image that flashed behind his eyes.
Guilt clenched tight in his chest. Anxiety prickled over his skin.
How could he be thinking of another alpha—his lover’s father—when he had Nathan’s cock in his mouth?
He thought he was cured, that the sickness was gone because it hadn’t triggered with Lucian.
He was wrong.
Why was part of him still craving Lucian’s touch when he loved Nathan?
How had he let his master hold him, knowing Nathan would wait—patient and loving—until they were mated to fix his abnormality?
Omegas always gossiped: the only way to keep an alpha satisfied was through submission and sex. But he kept disappointing Nathan.
Sarang was burdened with questions.
He peeped over at Lucian, seated at his desk, eyes closed, sunrays kissing his tan skin. Sarang set his pen down and simply watched the alpha’s chest rise and fall.
He looked so peaceful.
“You’ve been looking at me.” Lucian said, his voice deep and slow.
Sarang shivered, then smiled nervously. “Sorry.” He muttered, lowering his gaze.
Lucian faced him. “Have you finished your work?”
“Yes.” Sarang said and got up.
Sarang stood and brought his note over, placing them carefully on Lucian’s desk. Then he stood there, shuffling his feet.
“Uhm, Master...”
Lucian looked up, and Sarang blinked. “It’s nothing.”
He bowed and turned to leave. But after a few steps, he stopped and turned back. Lucian was still watching him.
“I need money.” Sarang said.
“How much?”
“Five silver.”
Lucian reached into the box beside him and placed ten gold coins on the table.
“I also need to leave the compound.” Sarang added.
“Then I will go with you.”
Sarang almost considered it. Almost.
“Another time. This is something I must do on my own.”
“Then Sebastian will follow you.”
“Sebastian needs to be here. He’s not young and agile. Linfield is a safe city, and nobles live in these parts.”
“You cannot leave without a companion.” Lucian stated firmly. “Lunaris are hunted—even alphas. It’s a risk I’m not willing to take. A guard will accompany you, or you stay.”
Sarang clenched his jaw. This man—he was infuriating.
He wasn’t a child. He knew how to be cautious. He knew what he was, the target he carried on his back.
All he wanted was Lucian to trust him to handle himself the way he trusted Nathan.
But Sarang sighed in defeat. It was a losing battle. If he argued, Lucian would watch him rant, unmoved, then dare him to cross the gate if he was bold enough.
“I pick the guard.” Sarang grumbled.
“Very well.” Lucian nodded in agreement.
Sarang picked up five coins. “This is more than enough.”
He left.