Chapter One Hundred and Eleven: Lovebirds

Chapter One Hundred and Eleven: Lovebirds
(Aaron's POV)

Look, I wasn’t expecting to walk into a scene that looked like a post-coital cuddlefest, because in my head, no one was that bold in a palace full of windows and guests roaming around.

But there Kaelia was; glowing and smirking. Curled up like a cat who’d just licked cream off a special bowl.

And there Alarion was; flushed. Shirt wrinkled. Eyes dazed. Because he hadn’t just been sent out for fried yam like some commoner, but had instead been spiritually reborn via divine Omega touch.

I paused at the door. Lifted the brown paper bag and narrowed my eyes.

“You sent me to get snacks,” I said, slowly. “And kept your prince by your side.”

Kaelia didn’t even look guilty. She just reached over and plucked a fried yam from the bag like she owned the world. “You’ve got faster legs,” she said sweetly.

Alarion coughed into his hand. “I offered to go.”

“I am sure you did not offer,” I muttered, stepping in and closing the door with my foot.

Kaelia shrugged. “You were halfway gone by then.”

Right. Of course.

I set the bag down, eyeing both of them as Kaelia made a pleased sound over the food like it was the best damn thing she’d ever tasted. Alarion just sat beside her, looking like he’d been tamed by a single smirk and a baby kick. His hand kept straying toward Kaelia’s belly like it was instinct. Like he couldn’t not touch. Couldn’t not protect.

Honestly, if I didn’t like them both, I’d have thrown a pillow at them.

“Next time,” I said dryly, “send your Alpha to run your errands. Or go by yourself.”

Alarion, dead serious: “Oh no, she can't go anywhere, because I’d set the streets on fire if someone even looked at her wrong.”

Kaelia gave a soft snort. “He means that.”

“I figured.” I dropped onto the floor beside them, then back to the couch. “Gods. You two make me nauseous.”

But I didn’t really mean it. Not when Kaelia looked this safe. Not when Alarion looked this whole.

“Did some vendor piss you off? You seem quite pissed.” Kaelia threw at me and I just looked at her while selecting the best words to answer with.

“Well, I did get pissed off by some turds but I can't get a scandal on my name. Else I'd have beaten them to hell. And it doesn't help coming back to see you two looking like you fucked.” Okay, those weren't my best words but whatever.

“Well, we did fuck and—”

“Hey!” Kaelia hit Alarion’s head before the Alpha could continue mouthing off.

“You two are insufferable. My goodness.” They shared a look and burst into an annoying laugh… and I started laughing too, I couldn't help it.

We shared the yams like war survivors. Kaelia was wrapped in one of those ridiculous blankets she liked, the one with the tiny golden moons stitched into the trim. Alarion fed her pieces now and then, because apparently we were doing that now. I rolled my eyes at least five times.

But I didn’t leave. Couldn’t.

I liked the quiet. The safety of it.

They talked about nothing. Kaelia’s mouth was soft and pink from the yams and maybe from kissing. Alarion’s voice was lower than usual, like the room demanded reverence. And even though I didn’t belong in the center of that moment, I didn’t mind sitting in the corner of it. Watching it. Holding a little of the warmth they gave off like fire and moonlight.

Eventually, Kaelia blinked sleepily and tipped sideways into Alarion’s arms like she knew exactly where she was meant to fall. The prince caught her without hesitation, drew the blanket up, tucked it around her shoulders with an ease that said I’ve done this before and I’ll do it again, always.

I stayed sitting there, pretending to scroll through messages, until the quiet turned heavier. Settling like dust.

Alarion looked down at the sleeping Omega in his arms. Brushed hair off Kaelia’s forehead. He looked a little terrified. And a lot in love.

“She’s everything,” he whispered. “Everything I never thought I’d have.”

My throat felt thick. Not with jealousy; not anymore.

With something more like… mourning. Not for what I lost, but for the version of myself that ever believed I could have and keep her.

I nodded, voice low. “Then protect her, with all you've got.”

He met my eyes.
Alarion would. I saw it.

And Kaelia would be safe.

Soon, they're both asleep.
I fetched a blanket from the chair and draped it over them both, something in me squeezing tighter at the sight.

And just as I turned away, thinking they were both fully asleep, Kaelia mumbled something barely audible.

“’Rion… no more yams, ‘m too pretty to be fat…”

I snorted. “Your ego’s definitely not asleep.”

Kaelia didn’t answer, just wiggled deeper into the Alpha’s warmth like she belonged there. Like she’d always belonged there.

And maybe she had.

Still… I lingered a little too long.

Still… I smiled a little too fondly.

Still… I burned just enough to remind myself that I was still alive.

And as I walked out, shutting the door quietly behind me, I whispered what I couldn’t say out loud.

“I loved you first.”

And I think I always will.

I just can't stop moving around this circle of love for someone who wouldn't ever belong to me.
I can't seem to stop moving in that same circle I started moving in since I first set my eyes on Kaelia.

I'm still in love and I know.

I also know I can't have Kaelia but I Am Still In Love and I can't walk away from the Love so I stay In Love, regardless of anything.

It's pathetic, I know. Especially for a Prince like me who could get any Omega I want, from any kingdom I want, except for the one I actually want; Kaelia.

It's really pathetic, almost foolish.

But a man in love is a foolish man.

A man in love doesn't work with logic or think logically, because there's no logic in love. Just heavy feelings that have the heart weighing too much for the ribs to carry.