"Your Highness!" Eugene smiled sweetly, bowing respectfully to Cadec. "I'm glad to see you here."
"I said I would come."
Eugene returned with a pleasant smile, his cheeks blushing slightly, which made him even more adorable at Cadec's eyes. The prince could feel the floral scent of Eugene's pheromones, filling his lungs and inflaming the latent fever he struggled to control.
"Oh, and thank you for the gift. I really liked the set of cufflinks and the brooch."
Surprised by the sudden change of subject, Cadec clung to the conversation, hoping that it would help distract him from the inner chaos he was engaged in. He kept the tone of voice calm and low, hiding the effort that did not lose control.
"Glad you liked it."
"I intend to wear them at my birthday party. The sapphires match perfectly with Your Highness' eyes."
Eugene's soft tone seemed to try to soften the mood between them, but Cadec struggled against his alpha instinct, which was insatiable near the young Grimwood. His gaze fell on the omega's target neck, untouched by any mark of another alpha, which only intensified the torment he felt. Forcing himself to look away, Cadec took a step back, increasing the distance between the two.
Eugene noticed the change and frowned, confused.
"Your Highness?"
"I saw that you made many friends in the academy" Cadec commented abruptly, trying unsuccessfully to relieve the growing tension within himself.
Eugene, still confused, looked at the friends gathered further back, laughing and talking. The woody smell coming from Eugene's clothes hit Cadec hard. It was the smell of an alpha. His gaze was fixed on the young man who had embraced Eugene minutes earlier.
"Yes, I made great friends. I intend to keep in touch with many of them" Eugene replied with an innocent smile. "That's Robert Kyler, son of the Prime Minister. He is following in his father's footsteps. And those next to him are..."
Cadec barely heard the rest. Robert's name echoed in his mind, mixed with the irrational jealousy that consumed him. His gut was screaming that Robert was a rival, even though he knew there was no logical reason for it. Possessiveness took hold of Cadec, and his body became stiff.
"You seem to be... good friends" commented Cadec, his voice grave. "Since the smell of it is impregnated in you."
Eugene widened his eyes, surprised by the insinuation.
"What?"
Cadec was also surprised by himself. He tried to be gentle, but his words had escaped without filter, a reflection of the internal battle he was fighting. He pigeonholed, trying to pull himself together.
"Forgive me, I didn't mean to sound rude. I was just... suggesting you be careful."
"Oh, of course" Eugene laughed nervously, blushing even more. "Robert is an alpha, so it's natural for his pheromones to stay on my clothes, but there is nothing but friendship. Believe me, Your Highness."
Eugene's sincerity relieved some of the weight that Cadec felt, but he knew he could not give in to the possessive impulse. He forced a light smile.
"There is nothing to worry about, my lord. Even if there were something else, it would not be my business."
Eugene's smile disappeared, and he became tense. Cadec's words sounded cold, even without this intention. The comment, which should distance the prince from the situation, ended up hurting the young omega.
"Your Highness, don't say that" Eugene insisted, gently pulling the sleeve of Cadec's frock, his pink eyes shining with determination. "You know very well to whom my heart belongs, don't you?"
Cadec felt his body react instantly to the touch and intensity of Eugene's gaze. He remembered the confession of omega in the market and the whirlwind of feelings that would trigger within him.
He hesitated. As much as his instinct called for Eugene to be his, he knew there was a lot at stake. His serious expression concealed the inner chaos that consumed him, and he felt he was on the verge of losing control.
"I know" answered Cadec, the softer voice than intended.
"Your Highness" Eugene stepped forward, the closeness intensifying the floral aroma. "I know you said in your letter that we should talk another time, but I can't wait any longer. Please tell me what you really feel for me."
"Isn't time for that, my lord" Cadec replied, with visible tension.
"I insist."
Eugene's insistence cornered him. Cadec fought against the jealousy that consumed him and against the growing desire that threatened to overflow.
"You're my best friend's younger brother. I don't..."
"Please be honest" Eugene interrupted him, holding his sleeve more firmly. "You're releasing pheromones since I mentioned my friends."
Cadec widened his eyes. He was releasing pheromones without noticing? Everything he had tried to repress was escaping.
"As an alpha, it's hard to control that near an omega. Don't confuse things, my lord."
"I'm not the only omega here, Your Highness. You can't lie to me."
Before Cadec could answer, a teacher's voice interrupted him. He bowed and called Eugene.
"Grimwood, the ceremony is about to begin."
"Right." Eugene turned to Cadec and whispered before leaving: "Please let me finish this conversation today. Wait for me."
Eugene let go of Cadec's sleeve and walked away, leaving the conversation unfinished. The prince stood still, feeling the weight of the interruption and the inner chaos he could barely contain. His clenched fists, accelerated breathing. He knew that Eugene deserved more than his evasive answers.
"I'm on the verge of losing control," Cadec thought. "But I won't let that happen."
Cadec watched Eugene walk away, feeling the void left by the interrupted conversation. The weight of the omega words still resonated in his mind, and the floral aroma seemed to envelop him even from a distance. The prince took a deep breath, trying to regain control that he had almost lost.
Turning around, Cadec walked through the main hall where the graduation ceremony would soon begin. The place was decorated with elegance, the bright lights reflected on the walls adorned with the banners of noble families. Parents, family and friends were already settling in, eager to see their children receive the diploma.
Cadec took his place among the guests of honor, but his mind was far from there. His eyes roamed the hall, seeking, almost without noticing, the figure of Eugene among the other trainees. When Cadec finally found him, he felt a squeeze in his chest. Eugene was talking to Robert, who laughed at something the omega had said. They were close, perhaps even too much for the taste of Cadec.
"Frankly, it irritates me even more. That dove will pay me for that."
Awakened from his jealous thoughts, Cadec noticed the presence of Magnus next to him, visibly angry.
"Please, Mag, it's our younger brother's graduation. Could you put your tantrum for the Priest aside?"
"Lucian hasn't arrived yet?" asked Cadec, taking the opportunity to divert the conversation from his own thoughts.
"It started to rain quite a lot. It seems that there is a jam of carriages at the entrance" explained Jesse, sitting next to Magnus, who bugged once again, still angry.
Cadec noticed the additional tension in Magnus. Something else was bothering the Grand Duke.
"Does anything else bother you, Magnus?"
"Ha. It seems that they took the day off to annoy me" replied Magnus, with the vein on his neck clearly pulsing. "They had the audacity to ask if Eugene was already engaged to someone."
The comment made Cadec's blood run faster. It was natural for Eugene to attract this kind of interest, especially now that his debut in society was approaching. But that did not make the situation less frustrating.
"I believe we will need to be aware of those who approach Eugene" said Jesse, with his arms crossed. "It can be problematic if someone tries to deceive him, considering he is new in the business."
The three watched Eugene along with his colleagues, close to the stage. Jealousy within Cadec ignited each time Robert interacted with the young omega. Watching Robert pass his arm over Eugene's shoulders, a seemingly harmless gesture, something primal and possessive grew inside Cadec.
"He is so young," thought the prince. "So full of hope... yet oblivious to the chaos that surrounds me."
His thoughts were interrupted when Eugene's eyes met his own. For a moment, they stared at each other, and the blush rose again to Eugene's cheeks. The omega quickly moved away from Robert's embrace, which brought a temporary relief to Cadec's wild instinct.
The master of ceremonies went up to the stage and began his speech. His voice echoed through the hall, attracting everyone's attention. Cadec tried to concentrate on the words, but his thoughts kept returning to Eugene and the explosion of emotions that young Grimwood caused in him.
The ceremony continued with the graduates being called one by one to receive their diplomas. Lucian arrived in time, sitting between Cadec and Magnus, looking breathless for having run. When they finally called the name Eugene Grimwood, the hall seemed to hold their breath for a brief moment. Eugene took the stage with grace, his flawless posture and radiant smile.
Cadec could hardly look away. Eugene, so serene and confident, represented much more than a childhood friend. The young Grimwood was the object of the obsession of Cadec's instinct, the only person able to make him lose control.
When Eugene received his diploma and bowed to the teachers and guests, his gaze looked at Cadec again. A small smile was directed to the prince, and that simple gesture made Cadec feel a wave of emotions he could barely control.
Eugene stepped off the stage and returned to his seat, avoiding unnecessary touch with friends. Cadec, in turn, struggled to maintain self-control, suppressing the growing fever that almost consumed him. At the end of the ceremony, as the guests began to move towards the reception, Cadec decided he needed to leave before he completely lost control.
"Excuse me" he said to the Grimwood, walking away discreetly. The air inside the hall was suffocating, and despair grew within him.
Cadec withdrew from the side exit, his paces firm and fast as he loosened his tie. The rain fell heavily from outside, and the prince felt the cold water hit his face as it passed through the doors. He was about to lose control, his body boiling, and needed fresh air.
He was about to go alone through the rainy night when a soft voice called him.
"Your Highness!"