ログインOn the Night of Luca's CoronationLuca's P.O.V“You stand before me,” I said quietly, “on the day I am crowned, and claim the omega I love. Tell me what you expect from me. Approval? Gratitude?” My hands remained at my sides, clenched.Rufus let out a long sigh and looked at me. “My uncle will not back down, even if I miraculously have a change of heart and decide to let you have Arlen. May I offer you some advice, Your Majesty?”He paused again, as though something was lodged in his throat. As if he was about to betray himself.I must admit, I hesitated. What advice could the alpha who robbed me of my joy possibly offer?“For heaven's sake, you two, just kiss and make up already! What is with all this poisonous masculine tension?” David screeched.“Fine,” I gave in.“I had some wedding preparations to do at Cloverdale and decided to get you a gift for your new burden as king. Well, technically, it was meant for my future omega, but I figured it would serve you better.”“What rubbish
The hall rose as one when the instruments began.Arlen walked beside his father, step by step down the long aisle. The purple and orange petals were unending. He felt Caesar’s hand tighten briefly around his own, then loosen, then slowly slip away the closer they came to the altar.He blinked hard.Rufus stood waiting. Arlen was impressed by how majestic and composed he looked. Every inch the future king consort any omega could dream of. But this was not the face that had visited Arlen’s dreams. Just like that reality hit.The ceremony began under the steady voice of the highest ranking mage. As prayers were said, Rufus could not look away.To the crowd, it was beautiful. To Arlen, it felt like a sentence being read aloud.The wedding band was soon brought forward on a plump velvet cushion.Rufus took it. He hesitated, staring at Arlen’s hand.“What is he waiting for?” Caesar muttered to Claude, who was just as concerned.Rufus smiled at Arlen. “Are you really not going to stop me?”A
Luca’s POV…Damaris had always prided itself on stability. Due to advanced research our fields never went barren. Our institutes never closed, they expanded. We have workshops that rang from dawn to dusk. ‘Progress without abandoning tradition’. That was what we boast of. It used to be enough for me.But now the courtyards felt wider than usual.I moved through the castle halls like someone visiting his own home for the first time. Servants bowed whenever I walked in. No one dared to speak unless spoken to. I preferred it that way.We had lost our standing among the greater kingdoms. Banned from gatherings. Informed last of alliances. It was a polite distance kept between us and the rest of Slora.As Crown Prince I accepted it.I apologized where apology was due. I signed what needed signing. I let Damaris bear my decisions, and I bore theirs.On the morning of my coronation, I stood before the mirror longer than necessary.The robes were fitted perfectly. Royal blue, trimmed in gold.
At nightfall, the banquet resumed in full splendor. Music swelled around them. Dancers filled the hall. Caesar laughed among his people, grateful. He was still missing half of himself. But he endured.In the middle of the celebration, Rufus felt fingers close around his wrist.He looked down. Arlen gave him the smallest tilt of his head. It was a silent request.Rufus hesitated only briefly, mindful of the King. But when Arlen rose from his seat, he followed.“Look at them,” Caesar murmured with pride as they disappeared into the crowd. “They’re already inseparable.”*****Outside the palace gates, the noise dimmed.“Where are we going?” Rufus asked. “Arlen.”“You wanted to see my favorite places,” Arlen replied lightly. “I remembered one more.”He glanced over his shoulder. “Race you?”Before Rufus could respond, Arlen shifted, feathers bursting outward, his form narrowing into a raven that cut cleanly into the night sky.Rufus stared upward. “How exactly do I compete with a bird?”
IngramIn honor of his son's recovery, Caesar threw a grand banquet. Three days of shared joy, of reassuring his people that they remained in steady hands.The Loughtys were honored for their service in protecting the Prince of Ingram. Caesar gleefully named cities after Claude and his children, vowing their loyalty would never be forgotten nor taken for granted.Throughout the celebration, Rufus walked on eggshells. His engagement to Arlen had been formally announced to the court, and he braced himself for hysteria from the omega in question.But Arlen said nothing.He did not weep. He did not threaten to return to the land of the dead.He was calm. Too calm offering subtle smiles where required. When he spoke, the room listened. The jester-like spark that once danced in his eyes had gone quiet. Now he nodded along with the elders like a well-crafted puppet.At breakfast they were made to sit side by side.“You are to be newlyweds. Take this time to grow familiar,” Caesar insisted pr
IngramWhen Arlen regained his speech, Caesar beseeched him to do away with Luca and start a new life with an alpha chosen by the council. This troubled Ari, who had little say in the matter.She approached with food, something Arlen often insisted he did not need. She dismissed the servants, helped him to the table, and took her time dishing out the meal. Her cousin was slow with the cutlery, tightening his face each time a morsel went down his throat, as if he were swallowing rocks.“Are you considering your father’s demands? Is that why you’re so withdrawn?” Ari asked gently.Arlen hesitated, thinking hard about his response. “Yes, I am,” he admitted.“But you love Luca,” Ari stressed.Arlen stretched his neck as if trying to release something heavy from his chest. “I saw him die. I can bear the thought of him being with someone else, even if it brings me pain, but I can’t stand the thought of him sacrificing himself for my sake.”Kraken crawled into the room, reacting to the rise i
"Brother...wait," Arlen dragged his feet and pinched at the fingers clasped around his wrist. Rufus was undeterred and kept tugging until a spirit flame burned his hand. "I don't want to leave tonight, " Arlen cried. "What?" "A few more days. That's all I ask for," Arlen pleaded. "Are you out of
After many days, Arlen and Luca found themselves in Yealan, strolling through the streets of one of its silver cities. Arlen couldn't contain his excitement, continuously remarking on the organization and liveliness of this new part of the world he had never seen before."Yealan Temple." Arlen read a
"'Rufus!... I forbid you!' The voice echoed like an endless loop swinging in my head. My eyes felt heavy, and my body resembled a lifeless tree awaiting the axe for the furnace. I didn't want to fail, but I was drained- a spent arrow. The venom of the poison that had struck me raced through my veins
Rufus leaned on a wall, propping up his injured leg. "Why isn't this healing?" he muttered to himself. Other competitors found spots to rest, and some stayed silent as they thought about what they had just survived.A few looked at Luca, thinking he might be cheating. But they didn't approach him, no







