031

031
A junior clerk, Anthony Heartfelt, guided Nathaniel into a large room filled with multiple desks. The office was beautiful, fully furnished, decorated with a few posters and paintings, and organised like a library, with books and case files neatly arranged. A few junior clerks worked and chatted softly among themselves.

“This is our workstation, the grass level.” Anthony said with a proud smile. “It is the best and only position to make mistakes and learn from them if you want to become a judge or a senior associate, Your Highness.”

Nathaniel faced him. “We are colleagues on this ground. Please, call me Nathaniel.”

“Anthony.” The clerk replied, shaking his hands. “My station is over there.” He pointed at the desk on the far side of the room. “If you have any questions or challenges, you can speak with me anytime.”

“I understand.”

“You can take any empty station.”

Everyone’s attention shifted to Nathaniel as he walked past them toward an empty desk close to a window and a bookshelf. Many whispered, some looked uninterested, and one clerk approached him, a man wearing big, round reading glasses.

“I sit to your left. Philip Cayton.” He said, offering his hand to Nathaniel who shook him.

“Nathaniel Blackwell.”

“Everyone knows who you are.” Philip replied with a small grin. “Also, I attended Oxford, a year above you.”

“I knew your face looked familiar.”

“If you want to foster a quick and good relationship with the others, invite us for a drink when you can. It’s kind of customary.” Philip whispered, pushing his glasses up the rim of his nose.

“I’ll consider it.” Nathaniel replied, and Philip politely smiled then returned to his friends.

Nathaniel opened his briefcase and noticed an unfamiliar box poking out between the papers. He picked up the blue box which was long and slender with a thin silver ribbon tied in a neat bow. Gently pulling on the ribbon, he loosened the knot and lifted the lid then smiled.

Inside was a cobalt calligraphic pen, engraved in gold with the words ‘Flos Solis Meus’. Nathaniel’s face brightened. He knew who had placed the thoughtful gift in his parcel, the only person who could look at him and call him sweet and delicate names despite his sharp features. My fiancé, my cute Sarang.

A quiet chuckle escaped his lips. The thoughts of calling Sarang his felt so liberating and, in a few months, his fiancé would be a free man and his husband.

When Nathaniel looked up, several colleagues quickly averted their eyes, pretending not to have been watching. He closed the box carefully and set it on the table

“Does anyone know any good bars for gentlemen?” Nathaniel asked, flashing a genuine grin. “I’d like to invite everyone for a drink afterwards.”

The meeting with the ambassadors from Edelstein had ended. Lucian bowed as the ambassadors entered their carriage and rode off.

“Would you care to stay for dinner? This is the longest you’ve stayed in Linfield.” King Julius offered.

Lucian waved a dismissive hand. “My stay in Linfield is indefinite, so you will be seeing me often. I am too tired to entertain your antics. Another time… Your Majesty.”

Julius patted his shoulders with a chuckle. “What a shame. Next time, you must not reject my offer.”

“As you wish.”

“You must not always be so serious, or you will never remarry.”

Lucian’s lips twitched before he bowed to the king.

Outside, Sebastian was already waiting beside the carriage. He opened the door as Lucian approached, watching closely as his master climbed the steps until Lucian suddenly stumbled

“Master Lucian!” Sebastian exclaimed as Lucian fell into the seat. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. It’s nothing, Sebastian.”

Lucian rubbed his eyelids and opened his eyes. Sebastian froze, eyes widening in alarm.

“Master Lucian, your eyes… They’re red.”

Lucian immediately clasped a hand over his eyes and raised his head to the ceiling.

“Take me to Doctor Elsworth.” Lucian ordered.

“Yes sir.” Sebastian shut the door and climbed up beside the coachman, giving the command to drive

The carriage came to a stop before the private home of Doctor Elsworth. A stone duplex draped in hanging vines and purple flowers growing from the roof down to its walls. It had a traditional and humble charm for a home in the capital city with a small poppy garden and colourful trees decorating the property creating a soothing and warm ambience.

In front of the house, two children of the same age circled the doctor, who crouched with a colourful toy spinning like a windmill.

“Doctor.” Lucian called, drawing the man’s attention.

Doctor Elsworth was a beta with kind brown eyes, a tint of grey on his black hair and beard, lean muscles underneath his clean, oversized shirt, and fair skin. He appeared very average, but the closer one looked and heard him speak, his appeal grew.

The doctor stood still when he noticed Lucian’s eyes.

“I am sane.” Lucian said calmly, and the doctor visibly relaxed.

“Eloise, James, how about you go on your evening stroll with Martha today? Father has work.” He placed the toy in Eloise’s hand. The children reluctantly nodded, and the red-haired boy, James, snatched the toy from his sister and bolted. Eloise chased after him, screaming his name as they disappeared into the house.

“The twins have grown so much. The last time I saw them, they were three.” Sebastian remarked fondly.

“It is good to see you again, Mr. Sebastian.” Doctor Elsworth said warmly, gesturing toward the door. “Your Grace, please follow me.”

After the housekeeper served tea and left with the children, Lucian set down his teacup as the doctor wore his reading glasses with a note in hand. Lucian’s eyes had already reverted to their sharp onyx colour.

“I need a stronger prescription,” Lucian said, his tone clipped, “And something for the uncontrollable presentation as well.”

“Before that, I need you to answer a few questions truthfully.” Doctor Elsworth replied, and Lucian tensed. “When did the symptoms start?”

“A few months ago. Maybe five, I didn’t keep count.”

“How often does it happen, and how long does it last?”

“At first, sparingly. A headache would last a few minutes, but medicine and alcohol helped. Now it’s frequent. I fear I am dying. Neither alcohol nor medicine helps anymore… my son saw.”

“What are your instincts when you present?”

Lucian frowned.

“These are just standard questions, Your Grace. Please don’t be embarrassed or offended.”

Lucian exhaled and caved into the comfort of the couch. “I am sane, but there’s always a ringing in my head. To mate, to bite, to claim, to bond. It gets louder and stronger, tormenting me and ravaging my sanity until there is pain and blood... Mine.”

Doctor Elsworth remained calm as he noted down Lucian’s words.

“The question from henceforth will be very personal and intimate. Please understand and bear with me.”

“Proceed.”

“Dominant alphas experience rut twice a year for three to five days. When was your last rut?”

“Suppressed.”

Doctor Elsworth paused, clutching the book “When was your last rut without suppressants?”

Lucian massaged his forehead but stayed silent.

“It was seven years ago.” Sebastian answered. Lucian glared at him.

“Sebastian.” Lucian groaned.

“You must outlive me,” Sebastian said firmly in a tone more like a father than a servant. “I buried your grandfather, your father, and your wife. I refuse to bury you.”

“Do you conform with Sebastian?” Doctor Elsworth asked.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Have you been intimate with anyone in the past six months? Preferably an omega?”

Lucian said nothing. He had promised Sarang secrecy of their affair and Sebastian knew. He always knew. After all, he was the one who fed the young omega the silphium.

“Your Grace?”

“He has.” Sebastian replied calmly. “This year, outside of his rut period.”