An omega within society was the greatest blessing a family could have. In the Roveaven Empire, the omegas held the power to manage their families and secure the future by generating new heirs. Omegas had a natural quality of managing each sphere of their lives with care and attention, ensuring that everything flows according to their plans.
The Grimwood family was already under the spotlight because of their firstborn, Magnus, an omega and heir to the title of sole Grand Duke of the Empire. The surprise was even greater when, ten years later, the Grand Duchess announced the birth of her third child, Eugene, also an omega.
The future of that child was already sealed.
Having an older brother omega, Eugene would only inherit the title if something happened to Magnus and he had no heirs. This gave freedom to the youngest son to marry an alpha who could take advantage of his social position.
Eugene knew very well how much he was worth in the matchmaking market. He also knew that many singles were eager for his debut, ready to flirt and win his heart.
They hardly knew that such efforts would be useless.
Eugene's room was quiet, the sound of rain against the windows created an introspective environment. He still held Cadec's letter in his hands, fingers slightly trembling as passed his eyes through the firm calligraphy of the prince once more. Eugene had read those words countless times, but each reading brought a new wave of conflicting emotions.
"What do I do if you really rejects me? Why are you hesitating to give me an answer?"
Cadec's indecision was clear. The prince had not rejected his confession, but neither gave a definitive answer. The questions echoed in Eugene's mind, mixing with the uncertainty surrounding him.
Despite the void left by the lack of a concrete answer, a flame of determination burned inside Eugene. He was a Grimwood, and if there was one thing his brothers taught him, it was that you didn't give up easily on something — or someone — that you wanted. And Eugene longed for Cadec. His heart was already given, and now he would not allow the prince to walk away without a fight.
"I won't back down" Eugene promised to himself.
Cadec's letter might not be clear, but it wasn't a rejection either. As long as there was room for hope, he wouldn't give up that feeling.
Eugene sighed as he folded the letter carefully, holding it in the envelope with a mixture of anxiety and hope. He barely had time to think about it when the knock on the door caught his attention.
"Excuse me, Gene" Robert, an alpha colleague from the student council, said as he opened the door with a smile on his face. "We have a meeting, shall we?"
"Sure, come on."
In the days that followed, Eugene plunged into graduation preparations as a way to distract himself. However, the expectation that the great day was near did not leave him. He wanted everything to be perfect, not only for his fellow academicians and some nobles, but also because he knew that his invitation to Cadec was more than a formality.
Since the hunting festival, the nobles were afraid to participate in major events, fearing further attacks. However, the rebel hunting operation led by Cadec had considerably reduced the number of attacks. When he read the papers, Eugene could not help but smile with pride. Seeing Cadec being praised rekindled his feelings, reminding him of the protective prince he had always admired.
"Each trainee can invite up to twenty people. Considering the total number of trainees, will not exceed the capacity of the hall" commented a young man reading the report to Eugene.
"Perfect. Go through the classrooms and put the instructions on the wall. But first, explain right to the classes" ordered Eugene, giving each of them a sheet of paper. "In addition, members of the Imperial Family will be present. The director asked me to make an attendance list with the names of the guests who accept the invitations. Remind the graduates to give us their names."
"All right."
"Wow... Royalty will be at our graduation. It makes me anxious" laughed Robert, looking at Eugene. "I imagine it's because of your brother, who married a prince."
Eugene smiled, not surprised by the comment. For his friends, that closeness with royalty was strange, but for him it was natural.
"I imagine your brothers will also come" said Robert.
"Oh, yeah, they'll come."
"I think this will be the first time I'll see the Grand Duke in person. I'm a little nervous about making a mistake when I get my diploma..."
"Haha, don't be silly, Robert" Eugene laughed, kindly. "There will be other important figures there as well."
"Someone more important than royalty and the Grimwoods themselves?"
"Hm... the girl you like?" Eugene provoked with a smile.
Robert, blushing intensely, covered the mouth of Eugene with his hand, ashamed.
"Frankly, Gene!"
Ah, Eugene would miss teasing his friends more often. Probably, after graduating, they would only see each other occasionally, since each would go his own way.
As the days went by, Eugene and his friends continued with graduation preparations. The graduates met with other students for a fraternization, which caught the attention of even teachers and ended up becoming an improvised festival. For Eugene, it was a relief from the hectic pace of organizing, but he would soon return to focus on delivering invitations.
Would Cadec accept the invitation?
Eugene hoped he wouldn't feel pressured, nor that the situation would be awkward between them. But Eugene admitted that he missed the alpha.
Two days later, Jesse Grimwood visited Eugene at the academy. Unlike Magnus, Jesse greeted him with a cuddle in his hair and a discreet smile, despite his usual seriousness.
"How are you doing? Need help?"
"No, I'm getting it" replied Eugene with a smile. "Did you come for the invitations?"
"Yes. Magnus asked me to come in his place. It looks like he's going to spend some time at the Imperial Palace for interrogations."
Lowering his eyes to the pile of invitations, Eugene hesitated. Should he really send one to Cadec? After all, he worked directly with Magnus.
Although he wanted to see Cadec, to desire him and hear a definitive answer, Eugene also feared the kind of answer that he could receive. Did not want to seem insistent, but something within him had awakened during the hunting festival — and this desire for Cadec only increased.
"Here are the invitations" said Eugene, handing the envelopes to Jesse. "I have already sent Lucian's to the temple, although this was only a formality."
Jesse picked up the invitations and raised his eyebrow as he saw Cadec's name on top of the pile. His dark eyes assessed the younger brother cautiously.
"Do you want the prince to come to your graduation?"
"He saved us at the hunting festival and protected me in that attack. Besides being Magnus' best friend, he is always looking out for me. It seems fair to invite him."
"You're right" said Jesse, keeping the invitations in his coat. "I'll send the invitations and let you know when the answers come."
"Thank you, brother!"
Eugene's innocent smile was not enough to hide the blush on his cheeks, something Jesse noticed but decided not to comment. The second Grimwood could even perceive the feelings of the youngest, but preferred to wait, observing in silence.
A few days passed, and Eugene was still anxious. He was leading the preparations for graduation efficiently, but his mind wandered constantly until the invitation sent to Cadec. Would he come?
Finally, the answer arrived. A formal messenger from the Imperial House brought a letter with the royal seal. Eugene's heart sped as he opened the envelope, once again encountering Cadec's firm handwriting.
"I will be present at your graduation."
Eugene let out a sigh of relief and emotion. Cadec would go. Maybe this was the opportunity he needed to talk with Cadec and finally solve what was in the air.
However, this tranquility lasted for a short time. As he walked through the hallways of the academy, Eugene heard a conversation that froze his blood.
"My father said that the First Prince is being pressured to marry a noble of high standing" commented a girl, laughing with her friends. "The court wants to secure the throne."
"Wow, imagine if he married me!" laughed another girl, dreamy. "He's beautiful! And even if he doesn't inherit the throne, we would live in luxury."
Pressed to get married?
Eugene felt his stomach turn. So it was true. The political pressures were on Cadec. Would that be the reason for so much hesitation regarding confession? Eugene took a deep breath, trying to process what he had heard. But he would not give up so easily.
The political dynamics were powerful, but his heart could not be ignored. If anyone could conquer Cadec, it was him.