UNSEEN

Another date for the history books, Kael thought bitterly. Another performance of the Perfect Prince Alaric show. And I got front-row seats for it all.

The irony of it all wasn't lost on him. He, a rejected Omega, forced to witness the Prince parade potential mates as if they were prize livestock. It was a special kind of torture, designed to break him, to remind him of his place.

For this particular date, Prince Alaric was traveling to another kingdom, a kingdom that stands as a strong ally to the kingdom of Veridia. And of course, Kael, the Prince’s personal assistant, is meant to go with the Prince.

The carriage rattled, a monotonous rhythm against the backdrop of Kael’s spiraling anxiety. He stared out the window, the verdant landscape of the neighboring kingdom blurring into streaks of green and gold. He focused on the scenery, the colors, anything to distract himself from the oppressive weight in his chest. Each breath felt like a struggle, the air thick with the scent of Alaric – a scent his damned Omega craved with an intensity that bordered on madness.

Sarcasm was his shield, the only weapon he possessed against the tidal wave of emotions threatening to drown him. Oh, how lovely, his mind sniped. A scenic tour while my heart gets systematically pulverized. What a grand vacation package.

The journey felt like an eternity. Every bump in the road, every rustle of fabric, every glance from Alaric, however fleeting, was a fresh torment. He was a ghost in Alaric’s presence, a necessary inconvenience. Alaric's decision to bring him along felt passive aggressive, designed to maximize his misery.

The receiving ceremony was, as expected, excruciating. Countless bows, meaningless pleasantries exchanged with the King and Queen, and the introduction to the infamous Princess Amora and her brother, Prince Aaron. Kael felt like a prop, a decorative piece of furniture designed to subtly enhance Alaric's image.

Soon enough, the King ushered Alaric to his grand royal dining for a feast on food.

During the dinner, the opulent dining hall felt suffocating for Kael, the King sat at the head of the table, the Queen sat beside the King, Prince Aaron sat at the other head of the tabel, opposite his father, Prince Alaric and Princesses Amora sat side by side; like couples. Alaric didn't seem like a stranger in a foreign kingdom, he in fact seemed to be radiating regal confidence. While Kael stood silently a few paces behind him as custom demanded and watched Alaric interact with Princess Amora. Her smile was bright, her eyes sparkling with an eagerness that felt like a physical blow to Kael’s already wounded soul.

Then, Prince Aaron spoke, his voice a smooth, melodic counterpoint to the formal atmosphere. "But it is hardly fair to leave such an interesting face relegated to the shadows. Please, join us, Master Kael."

Master? Kael froze. Alaric stiffened beside him, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. The silence stretched, thick and uncomfortable, before Alaric spoke, his voice clipped. "Kael is accustomed to his position. He understands its importance."

Aaron, however, remained unfazed. His gaze remained fixed on Kael, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Surely, a moment of respite from duty is not so detrimental? Come, sit beside me. I'd love to hear more about your role in Prince Alaric's retinue."

The invitation was a clear challenge, a blatant disregard for protocol. Kael felt his heart hammering against his ribs. He glanced at Alaric, searching for guidance, but the Alpha's expression was unreadable, a mask of controlled indifference.

Swallowing his fear, Kael gave a small bow to Alaric, then another to King and Queen before moving to the offered seat beside Prince Aaron. The seat was warm from the prince's body heat, it was almost comforting.

"Thank you, Your Highness.” Kael said, the gesture of gratitude was more or so meant as an apology to Alaric.

The dining came to an end soon enough and Kael could swear he heard himself heaved a sigh of relief.

Alaric's date with Princess Amora was a torturous spectacle. Every shared laugh, every whispered word, every lingering glance felt like a tiny dagger twisting in Kael’s heart. Alaric, seemingly oblivious to Kael's internal turmoil, remained attentive and charming, every bit the perfect suitor.

And then, the final blow: Alaric announced his insistence on Kael accompanying them, even when Princess Amora herself expressed a preference for a more intimate setting. It was a deliberate act, a calculated cruelty that left Kael reeling.

He enjoys this, doesn’t he? He enjoys watching me suffer, Kael thought bitterly. I am nothing more than a plaything to him, a convenient outlet for his frustration.

The date was every bit as agonizing as Kael had anticipated. He remained a silent, watchful presence, a living testament to Alaric's rejection. He watched the dance of courtship from a distance, forced to witness the prince’s affections showered on someone else. The princess giggled, her laughter like shards of glass piercing Kael’s eardrums.

After what felt like an eternity, the date concluded. Alaric escorted Princess Amora back to the palace, his words low and intimate. Kael waited outside the grand palace doors, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the suffocating atmosphere within.

He was alone, adrift in a sea of unfamiliar faces and unspoken expectations. Just another night, he told himself, trying to find solace in the familiar sting of loneliness. Just another night to survive.

Then Prince Aaron emerged from the palace, his footsteps surprisingly light for a man of his stature. He approached Kael with a gentle smile, his eyes filled with warmth was enough to make Kael feel the tears in his eyes threatening to drop.

"Master Kael," he said softly, his voice a soothing balm to Kael's raw nerves. "You seem… out of place."

Kael bowed his head, trying to hide the emotions swirling within him. "I am merely awaiting Prince Alaric, Your Highness."

Aaron chuckled softly. "There is no need for such formality with me. Please, raise your head. I find you… interesting."

Kael hesitated, then slowly lifted his gaze. Aaron's eyes were kind, curious, and… admiring? The realization sent a jolt of confusion through Kael.

"Your Highness?" Kael stammered, unsure how to respond.

Aaron stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Tell me, Master Kael, have you ever been told how beautiful you are? Like a flower carefully cultivated in a royal garden. The way the moonlight kisses your skin… it’s like you were sculpted by love itself."

Kael felt his cheeks flush. He had never received such a compliment before, especially not one so poetic and heartfelt. He stammered, searching for the right words, but his mind was a blank canvas.

"I… thank you, Your Highness," he managed, bowing his head again in an attempt to hide his embarrassment.

Aaron gently placed a hand on Kael's back, stopping him from bowing further. "Please, no more bowing. It is unnecessary. Look at me."

Hesitantly, Kael raised his eyes to meet Aaron's. It was as if the prince was looking past his surface, seeing something deeper, something hidden.

"You're an Omega," Aaron whispered, his voice barely audible.

Kael's blood ran cold. He tried to convince himself that he had misheard, that his anxiety was playing tricks on him. "I… I don't understand, Your Highness."

Aaron's gaze intensified, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of awe and understanding. "You are an Omega. A male Omega."

Kael's world tilted on its axis. He tried to deny it, to protest, but the words caught in his throat. He stared at Aaron, his heart pounding like a drum against his ribs.

"No," he whispered, his voice trembling. "You're mistaken. I'm a Beta."

Aaron shook his head gently. "I am not mistaken. I can smell the sweet scent of your submission. It fills the air around you, a siren's call that only the most sensitive can detect. It is no wonder you have managed to hide for so long. I can see that you put on a blocker, it is not very effective."

Kael felt tears welling up in his eyes. He had been exposed, his secret laid bare before a stranger. He braced himself for the disgust, the revulsion that he had come to expect.

But it never came.

Instead, Aaron's expression softened, his eyes filled with a genuine fascination. "It is no wonder you are blessed with such beauty. Male Omegas are… rare. A treasure to be cherished."

A tear escaped Kael's eye, tracing a path down his cheek. He had never been seen as a treasure, only as an abomination, a mistake. Even Alaric, his own mate, had recoiled in disgust at the revelation of his true nature.

Aaron gently wiped the tear away with his thumb, his touch surprisingly tender. "You're beautiful," he repeated, his voice tinged with reverence.

Before Kael could respond, a familiar voice cut through the night air. "Kael, are you ready?"

Alaric emerged from the palace, his expression unreadable. He glanced at Aaron, then back at Kael, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"It is time to go," Alaric said, his voice cold.

Kael bowed quickly to Prince Aaron, his mind reeling. "Thank you, Your Highness."

He turned and hurried towards the carriage, desperate to escape the intensity of Aaron's gaze and the unsettling realization that someone, somewhere, saw him as something other than a freak.

As the carriage pulled away, Kael glanced back at the palace. Prince Aaron stood silhouetted in the doorway, his eyes fixed on him. Kael felt a strange sense of connection to the prince, a sense of understanding that he had never experienced before.

He turned away, burying himself in the shadows of the carriage. The journey back to Veridia stretched before him, long and uncertain. But for the first time in a long time, a tiny spark of relief flickered within him. There was someone in the world who could see past his secret and appreciate him for who he truly was.

But that sliver of relief was quickly overshadowed by the stark reality of his situation. He was still bound to Alaric, still trapped in a web of lies and expectations. And as the carriage rattled on through the night, Kael knew that his fight for survival was far from over because even th

ough Prince Aaron thinks he's a treasure and a beautiful male, Veridia and Alaric don't agree with that.