Chapter 26

The Prince is lying on his queen sized bed, deep in thought...deep in something he'll rather not say out loud, when the summon comes.

He hears the messenger at the door, and beacons for them to come in, not even bothering to cover up his bare torso.

The man comes in head low, not daring to look at the Prince's half-naked frame on the bed; "I'm sorry to interrupt your leisure time,your highness. But Her Majesty requests your presence."

Dorian's brow rises at the message. His mother doesn't request him like this unless she wants to nag him over something.

He already feels the irritate bubbling, still he doesn't ask why.

Just brushes the guard off with the flick of his wrist, sitting up slowly, the sheets wrapped securely around his waist.

He looks almost ethereal like that, green eyes glimmering in the dark room, muscles bulging, sharp jawline glistering with sweat.

"Where is she?"

"Throne room, My prince."

Dorian hums and dismisses him, lazily sliding a clean tunic over his body as he gets up.

The moment he steps into the hallways, he can already tell something is wrong. Not necessarily in a bad way, but it's not good either.

The guards and staff are trying hard not to stare, but he can smell the curiosity from them as he walks past.

He can immediately tell what's happening...a rumor is circulating.

He grits his teeth in irritate, but continues forward without asking questions, the royal messenger not too far off.

The throne room feels cold as usual when he sights her; the Queen, sitting poised in her royal chair, her hair packed into a too-tight bun as usual, with the Queen's crown sitting perfectly ontop.

Dorian still doesn't understand how his mother can look like that all the time. It's like she feels like a glass case that needs to show off the crown every damn time, even during casual meetings.

And he already feels exhausted before she even opens her mouth.

Though there is one thing Dorian cannot help but admire is her; Her resilience. Despite loosing her husband, she still stands strong in the court. Strong enough that the nobles give her almost, if not more respect than they give Dorian himself.

The room instantly goes silent when Dorian steps in. Though casually dressed, his presence is enough to make people straighten, pheromones lingering behind him.

He's still walking forward towards his mother, when he see her... Kayla. She standing just a step below the throne, dressed in.. something that's not really appropriate for an occasion like this.

And her scent...goodness, too sweet and strong. And somehow it seems to be getting stronger with every step he takes, while she smirks like she just won something big.

What the fuck is going on?!

He narrows his eyes at her, but they don't linger because the Queen calls his name

"Dorian." The Queen's voice is calm, but carrying that air of authority only a Queen who has stood years in court can carry. "Come forward, son."

He doesn't have much of an expression on his beautiful face, but he steps forward, in confident steps despite the restlessness under his skin.

Not because of the rumors. No definitely not, he's faced worse.

But because he knows whatever his mother is about to do, especially with Kayla standing here, is going to make his wolf restless.

He stands not too far off from Kayla as his mother starts; "I heard..." She says slowly, "that you have already made a choice."

She meets his eyes. "You've picked a mate, Dorian?"

Dorian doesn't respond immediately. He doesn't move at all, in fact. But his mother can see the way his jaw seems to tighten once the question left her lips.

She had to ask him this in front of the entire court?!

Put him on the spot like this?!

His jaw ticks again.

In his silence, Kayla lifts her head slightly, but enough that the court sees a set of faint marks on her neck...enough to sell a very disgusting narrative in his opinion.

Did nobody not have eyes in this court?!

Those marks are clearly painted on!

And even if he did leave marks, why he want to attract attention by leaving them in conspicuous places?

He glares at her, but the Omega pretends not to notice his expression. She smiles shyly at him instead, looking away like she's embarrassed.

"I would not presume, Your majesty..." She says softly, voice fake-hoarse, "But...I wouldn't not deny anything either.

Murmurs spread through the court the moment she says that, down to where the staffs stand watching too.

Belle is among the group.

She'd only rushed down her because she heard the prince was going to address the rumors...Belle told herself she wanted to make sure she wouldn't be implicated in the Prince's speech.

A blatant lie.

Now standing here, she freezes when she catches the scene in front of her.

From her angle, it looks like the Prince is staring at her, without denying what Kayla is saying.

Her fingers tremble. Why isn't he saying anything? Denying it?

She knew they didn't really have a chance in this court in the first place. A maid and prince? Unheard off..

But taking their memory and just giving it out to Kayla like this.... She hates how the jealousy floods her veins unwelcomed.

Kayla just continues, gaze unbashfully roaming down the Prince's frame in a very...suggestive wa, before facing the Queen ones more.

"But I'm not worried," she continues, the Prince has been...very kind to me. He's been taking care of me."

She meets the eyes of the few nobles present with a shy expression, "I did not wish to speak on it, but with the rumors circulating...I thought it be best not to be misunderstood."

What the fuck is wrong with her?! Belle gawks.

It's bad enough she found out she's just one of the Prince's conquest. Nothing special. But even that is more honorable than lying in front of the whole court about sleeping with him like this!

She scoffs so loud the maids next to her throw her looks, and she's almost about to storm off, when Prince Dorian finally, finally speaks up.

His voice sounds calm, but the underlying tone doesn't go unnoticed by those present. "You thought it best to step forward?" He asks, voice dry. "About what?" he feigns ignorance

There's even more murmur in the room at his question, and Dorian hates how his personal life is being put on the spot like this.

He doesn't have time for this nonsense, "Mother, if you have any questions about my personal life, I would suggest we do that in private."

He turns to Kayla, "And you...we need to talk!"

Coronation or not, dressed casually or not, he's still the head of the moonveil court.

He turns to face everyone else in the room, hand raised like he would in an official meeting, making the entire hall go earily silent. "Anybody heard spreading nonsense rumors about me and my potential mates would be heavily dealt with."

He glares at them, "And If I choose a mate,” he says slowly, voice threatening, "you will definitely not hear it through whispers."

He raises his right hand,"You are all dismissed!"

There's low grumbling in the hall, something about the Prince being no fun. But eventually, the room entirely empties out, leaving just Him, Kayla and Queen Skyler.

....And somewhere down the hall, a lowly maid too.

Dorian turns, meeting her eye for a brief second, not a hint of recognizance in his eyes...before he turns away, not speaking until they hear the door shut behind Belle.

"Now can we speak properly?" He turns to both women..