River and Paul, both Betas who had introduced themselves to Rowan a few days ago as Magnus' knights accompanied him on his journey to Evadene. Rowan had already told them to drop the excessive formalities insisting that any stiff behavior would ruin the careful disguise they'd prepared.
The two knights even briefed him that, once they reached Evadene, they would pose as mercenaries to serve as an alibi, giving Rowan more freedom to move without drawing attention.
Magnus, unable to come himself had at least sent someone he could trust implicitly and someone reliable enough to keep Rowan safe.
"Are you comfortable with your hair, your hig—" River began only to freeze when Paul abruptly slapped him on the back.
"W-what was that for?!" River exclaimed.
"Did you already forget not to call His Highness 'His Highness'?"
"Oh, right. Ahem… J-J-Joh—" River stammered, trailing off as the words caught in his throat. Paul just rolled his eyes and River finally gave in as surrendering to the situation.
"Are you good with your hair now, Johann? Or was it too short?" Paul asked instead while shifting to a more casual tone.
River just gaped at his friend who was unusually relaxed and bold in addressing a prince by his name as if the title didn't matter at all. And Rowan simply laughed while brushing a hand through his freshly trimmed hair.
"This is actually fine. My head feels lighter."
Paul nodded, trying to hide a small smirk while River muttered under his breath, clearly still trying to process how casually Paul had handled the situation. The journey ahead promised to be long but for the first time, Rowan felt a small measure of ease with companions he could actually trust.
While River and Paul bickered quietly along the road, Rowan felt an unusual sense of ease. For the first time in days, he was far from the suffocating confines of his cage, the palace. The freedom was small but it was enough to make his chest feel lighter and his mind a little clearer.
Meanwhile, back in Vlandia, chaos had erupted. The kingdom was in an uproar over the missing prince. And Magnus, who had actually fallen ill rather than merely faking it forced himself out of his chambers when Lucas, his aide approached with face pale but resolute.
"What has happened?" Magnus asked while feigning ignorance, though a furrowed brow betrayed both his fever and his concern. To make matters worse, his rut had begun but the one he usually longed to spend it with, Rowan, was gone.
Even if Rowan were present, Magnus reminded himself that he wouldn't claim him without consent especially since their relationship had yet to be defined.
"His Highness Rowan has been missing for two days, Your Grace," Lucas reported nervously.
"All servants assigned to guard him have been placed in the prison cells as punishment."
Magnus remained silent as his headache was so severe that he could barely think straight.
"Do not worry, Your Grace," Lucas continued hastily. "We will assist in the search. His Highness Rhydan has also mobilized the knights already …"
All the chaos and panic were enough to make his blood boil yet he forced himself to stay calm. Every move and every decision counted after all, Rowan was out there somewhere. Magnus couldn't stop his mind from spinning with worry… and something else.
Desire.
It was a tangled mess of emotions but he refused to let it take over no matter how much his body protested.
Just as Magnus was about to turn his back on Lucas and retreat to his room, the sudden arrival of Rhydan sent the servants into a panic. The alpha strode through the hall with eyes blazing with fury and radiating authority and anger that even Magnus could feel pressing against him.
In a blur, Rhydan grabbed Magnus by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
"Your Highness, please cal—" the Lucas exclaimed.
"Don't lay your hands on me! How dare you!" Rhydan shouted while initially aiming his wrath at the Lucas. But his gaze immediately snapped back to Magnus who was pressed against the wall and was panting from the force.
"Where is my brother? Where is he?!" Rhydan demanded while pinning Magnus firmly and both of them was radiating pheromones so strong that even the nearby beta servants wavered unsteadily.
Recognizing the effect, Lucas quickly instructed the servants to keep their distance. He himself would handle the escalating situation.
"I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about, Your Highness," Magnus replied evenly while his hands are subtly grasping Rhydan's wrists, the same hands now holding him against the wall.
"Don't play dumb with me, Your Grace! Do you think I don't know about your relationship with Rowan? How dare someone like you covet my brother!"
Magnus, maintaining his composure, countered, "Why are you so affected, Your Highness? We both know how poorly you treated my prince which only caused him to rely on me more…"
"Ha! My prince? How dare you!" Rhydan snapped and jabbed Magnus in the stomach then shoved him to the ground.
By protocol alone, Magnus knew he could not lay hands on a prince and so he had to tread carefully.
"Your Highness, I beg you, please calm down," Lucas interjected, gently helping Magnus to stand upright.
"His Grace was ill when His Highness Rowan went missing, I can vouch for it with my life. As you can see, His Grace has been in a rut for several days and only left his chambers when he realized His Highness was gone. Please, Your Highness… calm down."
"Tsk! We are far from finished, Grand Duke Duskbane," Rhydan spat, glaring daggers at Magnus. "Once I discover your role in my brother's disappearance, I will have you beheaded on my order. Remember that."
With that, Rhydan stormed past, kicking a nearby vase in his fury before disappearing entirely from Magnus' sight. Even after he left, Magnus could feel a trace of nervousness lingering in his chest as the tension of the encounter refusing to dissipate.
With Rowan still missing, Rhydan returned to the palace and made his way directly to his father's audience chamber.
"What is this insolence I am hearing about, Rhydan?" Ravik's voice was sharp and cold, carrying the weight of absolute authority as he leaned back in his seat and eyes piercing his heir.
"Father, I wish to find Rowan on my own. I only ask that you allow me to accompany the imperial knights."
Ravik scoffed, leaning forward slightly as a look of disdain crossed his face.
"Hah. I thought you were better than this, Rhydan. And yet… what is this pathetic display I see before me? You? Wanting to find that useless, pathetic brother of yours? Tsk. Don't bother. I could not care less if he wanders out there and dies for all I care."
Rhydan's fists clenched at his sides that made his knuckles turned white. For years, he had kept his distance from Rowan while protecting him quietly from the shadows.
Yet, he had failed to understand the consequences of keeping his brother caged, confined and unseen.
The frustration went deeper still.
When Rowan manifested as an Omega, Rhydan had assumed it would make little difference but it was far from simple. Every time he came near his brother, Rowan stirred his alpha instincts more than he realized, sending shivers down his spine and filling him with a fear that he might act in ways that's unthinkable.
Aware of this, Rhydan chose to distance himself and in doing so, perhaps became a little cruel.
"Father, I shall find him myself only then may I see to his discipline appropriately. I beseech you, grant me the time, Father."
Ravik's expression remained unreadable but the weight of his gaze seemed to test the strength and resolve in his son. Rhydan, however, stood firm with his chest tight, both anger and something far more dangerous.
A desperate and protective need that he could no longer hide.
"Cease this nonsense at once and direct your attention to matters of far greater importance, Rhydan. I shall not repeat myself. Should you dare to defy my command, be fully aware of the consequences that will follow. Do you understand me?" Ravik's voice was sharp and cold, leaving no room for argument.
"I care little if it comes to adopting an heir in your stead. Now leave this chamber at once and attend to the duties I have set before you without delay."