The two men lay sleeping, naked and skin-to-skin, with Benjamin nestled in Charles's chest, covered only by a thick blanket. The air was still heavy with their pheromones, smelling like a strawberry field after a rainy summer day. Charles brushed a stray lock of hair away and planted a tender kiss on Benjamin's forehead.
"Are you up, Ben?"
Benjamin blinked as the sun shone in his eyes and the breeze of the cool morning brushed against his skin. He rubbed his eyes, yawning, and stretched out his arms before he realized the situation he found himself in. He was fully naked, lying in Charles's arms.
Benjamin jolted up, clutching the blanket to his chest as he frantically scanned his surroundings. The memories of the night before, their bodies desperately intertwined, flooded back in a dizzying rush.
"You know, it's kind of hurtful, the way you look like you're about to run off. Was I that bad last night?" Charles asked, placing his arm around Benjamin's waist, trying to pull him closer.
Charles's gaze lingered on the marks he had left on Benjamin's body, blooming red flowers against his pale skin, a map of where his lips had been.
"Uh, no. No… It's not like that at all," Benjamin stammered. Before he could finish his sentence, there was a rustling of leaves nearby. Both men looked in the direction of the sound.
"Ahem," Calix cleared his throat, his face flushing. "I'm sorry to interrupt but… uh…" Calix was dazed, staring at Benjamin's upper torso in admiration.
Felix whacked him hard on the back, causing him to wheeze. Charles found his shirt and tossed it to Benjamin. His eyes darkened as he glared at Calix. Calix gulped and quickly turned his back towards the scene.
"We apologize, Charles. His Majesty asks for your presence," Felix said, also looking away from the two men who only had their lower halves covered by a blanket.
"That's fine. I'll escort Benjamin home and see you both back at the palace. And Felix, keep your brother away. He keeps staring at Ben like he's about to eat him." Despite the friendly manner in which Charles spoke, the words were clearly a threat.
Benjamin stood up and quickly dressed himself. His thoughts were a blur. The night before felt like a fever dream. He couldn't believe the situation he had gotten himself into. He was at a loss for words.
Charles stepped towards Benjamin, facing him, and then embraced him. He pressed his forehead gently against Benjamin's and gazed into his eyes.
"What are you thinking?" he said softly, looking into his eyes.
Benjamin smiled and shook his head. "We should get back. His Majesty is looking for you."
"Are you going to avoid me?" Charles said, their foreheads still pressed together.
Benjamin hesitated, then shook his head. He reached up and kissed Charles, hoping this would be enough to reassure him so they could return quickly.
"Let's go," Benjamin said.
He wasn't sure what he was doing. He had meant to drive Charles away, but instead, they ended up closer than they ever had been. He wasn't sure what his plans were anymore. All he knew was that when he was with Charles, he felt a sense of comfort, ease, and trust—something he hadn't felt in years.
After they arrived at the clinic, Benjamin insisted that Charles wash up first so he could hurry back to the palace. After Charles showered, they embraced again in long, passionate kisses.
"Let's stop. If we keep going, you'll be late," Benjamin said, breathless, gently pushing himself out of Charles's tight embrace.
Charles's mind was a whirlwind as he left. He felt light, euphoric even. Yet, the knowledge that his father had sent Felix and Calix to retrieve him worried him.
Upon arriving at his palace chambers, he found two guards stationed outside his door. They wore the uniform of the Royal Isadoran Guard, but the intricate red embroidery on their left sleeves marked them as the King's personal guards.
"His Majesty asks that we escort you to him immediately. Her Majesty and Her Highness are waiting as well."
Charles nodded, his expression hardening. He entered his room and dressed quickly, grateful he had already washed up at Benjamin's. When he exited, the guards escorted him to the dining hall like he was their prisoner.
The dining hall was cavernous, the silence within it amplified by the high ceilings. The dining table was long and rectangular.
At the head of the table sat his father, His Majesty King James Asterion. He had a towering figure even while seated, his hair white and cropped neat, and his steel-gray eyes piercing. He sat with his lips pressed into a stiff line, his eyes following Charles from the moment he stepped into the hall.
At the opposite end sat his mother, Queen Isabel Asterion. Her long, straight brown hair was combed neatly, cascading past her hips. She smiled as her son walked in.
Queen Isabel was known for her generosity and kindness. No one had seen her throw a fit, except once, years ago, when she heard a rumor that her husband had entered the chambers of another woman.
"Where have you been?" King Asterion spoke, his voice deep and commanding.
"I'm sorry, Father. I overslept," Charles lied as he took his seat across from Sofia.
"James, he's here. That's all that matters," Queen Asterion said as she turned her gaze to her son. "Charles, you've been missing a lot of our meals. Is there anything you'd like to share?"
Charles made a show of filling his mouth with food to avoid an immediate answer.
"It doesn't matter that he's been busy with his own affairs," the King continued, not breaking his stare. "What is important is the upcoming ball. As we've discussed, you will arrive at the Imperial Palace four days prior to the event. You and your sister have both been invited by the Emperor."
Charles chewed slowly, avoiding his father's eyes.
"We expect you to make a great impression on Shirin," the King said.
It wasn't going to be Charles's first time meeting Shirin. The imperial prince and princess did not attend the balls often, so on the rare occasions they did, Charles had met Shirin. But, they had only greeted one another with formal pleasantries expected on such occasions. However, he had spoken often with Zaid various times, at the balls, and when he had sought counsel from the emperor.
Queen Isabel clasped her hands together, with excitement in her voice.
"I believe she would be the perfect partner for you. She's quite knowledgeable and possesses a maturity rare for her years, like someone I know," the Queen said, looking at her son. "I hear her father even permits her to sit in his court, entrusting her with imperial duties. And she is a beauty, as well."
Sofia coughed and apologized. She had seen a mark on Charles's neck, only visible from where she was sitting. She gave him a look that said she knew, and his eyes begged her to keep quiet, offering a smile that said he would do anything for her to keep her mouth shut.
"Have you prepared the gifts for the Imperial family?" The Queen asked Charles.
"Yes, Mother. I have collected a wide array of literature, as well as the finest parchment paper, golden quills and jewelry. Sofia is helping me curate the artwork. It hasn't been easy preparing all of this with such short notice," Charles said, turning to look back at his father.
"You will take care of your sister, won't you?" Queen Asterion asked. "You make sure to behave, young lady. We're sending you with extra guards. You better not make a fuss of it."
Queen Asterion was an omega, and the King an alpha. It was a traditional union that was the norm during the time they were married. Times were very different for omegas back then, before Emperor Farrokh's laws. Isadora was one of the strongest proponents of the Emperor's progressive laws. Both the King and Queen did their utmost to implement and enforce these laws in their kingdom.
However, the Queen, having witnessed and experienced the hardships omegas had faced in the past, worried for her daughter, who had also presented as an omega. She secretly hoped that her daughter would marry an omega or a beta, and not an alpha. She looked at her daughter with fondness and concern, only to be met with an eye roll from Sofia.
"More importantly, I look forward to an engagement, Charles. Please talk to your son, Isabel."
"As I said before Charles, your father and I think you and Shirin are a great match," the Queen said. "You both possess political leadership and upstanding character. And, the Emperor is very fond of you, Charles. He told your father he believes you're the most suitable of all the eligible candidates. And you know how many have sought Shirin's hand."
"And what about Prince Zaid?" Charles asked, hoping to find a loophole in the arrangement. He was trying to keep his calm, but the closer the ball approached, the more helpless he felt.
Sofia's eyes darted nervously between Charles, her father, and her mother.
"He's a fine young man, too," King James conceded, waving a hand dismissively. "He's known to be gentler than Shirin. But most say Shirin is more suitable for the throne. I have no doubt Zaid is capable, but he lacks the ambition needed to carry such a heavy crown."
"If he is married and bears an heir first, doesn't that mean he will become the successor to the throne?" Charles challenged.
"There are too many rumors, and we're not sure what is true and what isn't. But I'm sure Zaid will find a suitable partner too. Perhaps a Xenon?" Queen Asterion said.
"The point is," the King cut in sharply, "Emperor Farrokh himself told me he finds you a suitable match for his daughter. That is not just hearsay. I expect you to be on your best behavior, Charles. It is for Isadora and for the Empire. I'm sure you needn't be reminded of your duty."
"Our son has always been good, James. No need to be so harsh."
The King shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose in evident exasperation. "He has, Isabel, but the past few months he's been off and about. Of course I'm concerned. No one is perfect. Even the finest men can err. But it's up to us to guide him back towards the correct path."
"James, you worry too much. Let's trust our son," the Queen said, then turned to her daughter. "And Sofia, why are you so quiet today?"
Sofia shook her head, and gave a modest, pained smile. "I'm feeling rather under the weather this morning. Would you mind helping me to my room, Charles?"
Charles stood up promptly, seizing the lifeline. "Please excuse us, Father, Mother."
He walked over and assisted Sofia out of the dining hall, feeling his father's eyes boring a hole into his back.
Once they were safely in the corridor, Sofia dropped the act. She reached up and pinched Charles's ear.
"Really? Are you out of your mind, Charles?" she snapped, making sure they couldn't be heard from the dining hall.