01 >> A New Crown Prince

  ZEBULUN- Twenty Years Old

  

  He stood by the window, the fresh morning breeze blowing his long hair over his face. Raising a hand up to tuck them behind his ear, he heard footsteps approaching and his eyes darted in their balls.

  

  “Alpha Prince.” The voice of his assistant guard sounded near as the guard gave a slight bow and Zebulun turned around to face him. Dressed in a royal attire with a white soft cloth strapped on his eyes and a golden staff in his hands, Zebulun grew up to be a blinding beauty among the men but his disability stood as an hindrance to be recognized as one.

  

  “Your father requests for your presence in this throne hall.” The guard said again and this got Zebulun’s attention. His father rarely have him in the throne room because he considered him an unnecessary addition to the officials.

  

  “Why?” The attendant asked as he must have read Zebulun’s confused appearance.

  

  The guard looked between the attendant and Zebulun and said, “I don’t know.”

  

   A silent sigh heaved in Zebulun’s chest as he gave the guard a curt nod. Another day to mock him before the officials. They proceeded with his attendant walking behind him.

  

  "Alpha Prince Zebulun has arrived." The announcer yelled and Zebulun made his way into the throne room. The officials started whispering amongst themselves. Zebulun stood before his father and bowed.

  

  "Alpha King." he greeted through the mind link. His father waved his hand in dismissal and with that, Zebulun moved to his seat and majestically sat down.

  

  "Bring forth the pressing issue." the Alpha King ordered.

  

  One of the twelve managing elders stepped out and brought out a file.

  

  "Alpha King." He made obeisance to him and raised his head.

  

  "Nowadays, there has been deduction in the palace collecting food treasure. And also in the treasure pocket of the guards management." He said and the Alpha King turned to the rest of the officials.

  

  "How is this possible? Who is taking more than allocated?" He questioned them, his voice dripping with raw authority. The officials grimaced and moved back.

  

  The elder continued. "I have investigated it but hardly do I get any lead." He added and this got Zebulun's interest, but he could not add anything to the what was said so he picked a brush and paper.

  

  "Where did you start investigating from?" The attendant that was close to him took it and read out. The elder turned to him and bowed in greeting.

  

  "Alpha Prince," behind the title, unnoticed venom flowed with it. "I started from the guards that were on duty but neither of them saw anything." He reported.

  

  Zebulun picked the brush again and wrote,

  

  "If they saw nothing, then what are they still doing in their posts. Fire them and replace them with more efficient guards who will be on alert every time."

  

  The attendant read it out again.

  

  The elder sighed. "These guards are the best guards and have been trained for so long. It is only strange for them not to know how things has been deducted." He explained. "And as for sacking them, I don't think it is a good idea. Even if we want to discipline them, this is their means of livelihood. I believe you as the Alpha prince will not want your own people begging around the land." He added and Zebulun was about to write back a reply when the Alpha King spoke up.

  

  "Enough, Zebulun. I only brought you here to sit and feel how things are done, I did not bring you here to argue.” His father cut in. Then he turned to the Elder, “From now on, the measuring of the things there will be handled by Elder Mateo. Since Zebulun can't see, I heard your son is capable just like you, I recommend you put him in the position." The Alpha King said, a royal like smile tugging at his lips. Elder Mateo's eyes widened and bowed in agreement as a grateful smile crossed his lips.

  

  "Thank you so much, Alpha King. May you live long." He said and the king dismissed him.

  

  "I will love to get the report as soon as you get to the depth of this." He said and the elder stepped back. Zebulun clenched his fist as he tried to swallow down the hurt that was threatening to come out. He did not know if he schooled his facial features to hide his hurt but he did his best to hide it.

  

  His father had just admitted his inability to see. Well he does it all the time. He should not be hurt since it was not the first time obviously but when he says something like this and indirectly compare him to another person, he could not help it. He was trying his best. The fact that he could write without seeing anything and being able to contribute in the throne room when he was allowed in was something he thought will put his father at rest but he was mistaken. Instead it added to the hatred in his heart. And to the ridicule for him.

  

  "Any other issue that needs to be attended to?" The Alpha King asked. Silence descended in the throne hall and the elders looked amongst themselves and just like that Zebulun had the inkling that he knew what was about to happen. He has been hearing whispers of gossips saying what he knew was about to be mentioned but he has disregarded it and now... He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and his shoulders tensed.

  

  One of the elders, Elder Neo, stepped out.

  

  "Alpha King." He greeted. The Alpha king waved at him.

  

  "Alpha King, I think... we should get a new crown prince." Elder Neo spoke up with slight hesitation. The Alpha King cleared his throat, casting a glance at his stupid son, Zebulun. That was what he thought of him. Stupid, useless and worthless.

  

  "What do you mean by that, Neoland?" The Alpha King said, picking up his brush to stroke on the paper before him.

  

  "Alpha King, it is high time you have a crown prince for the throne. Or if you die, the throne will be passed to another bloodline." Elder Neo said this time more strongly and Zebulon tried to move forward, making inaudible words that came out as puffs of breath in resistance to what the elder said.

  

  "No, I don't think so." Someone intoned from the entrance and everyone turned around to see who had entered the court with no excuse.

  

  "I think we should get an Omega for the Alpha Prince." Gasps filled the throne room and their eyes widened.