"Sure, but he could have me killed," Oscar said, miserably. "For tricking him? I mean, it's not beyond reason to think that he'd kill me over that, is it?"
"No... But again, he'd have to consider Brennan."
"He's worried about the humans advancing," Oscar told her. "Super easy. Take me for a walk in the woods, shoot me, and say a human did it. That gives him his time, his war, and Brennan off his back. God, this was such a bad idea."
"No, it wasn't," Octavia said, stubbornly. "Remember what Gina said? The rumors?"
"That he'd sooner take a male lover than a female one?"
"Exactly. So what if, you know, you just sort of hint that you're a guy?"
"Before the wedding?"
"Hell, before the end of the night!"
"That's exactly the opposite of what you just told me to do," Oscar said, exasperated.
"Well... yeah... but it hadn't occurred to me that he might kill you."
"It didn't occur to me that he might want me," Oscar admitted. "If I thought it was possible, I never would have agreed to this."
"Yes, you would have," Octavia said, confidently.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you're a sucker for a romantic adventure."
Oscar only smiled. She wasn't wrong.
Chapter 3
Alfred frowned as he watched his date disappear into the shrubbery. He wanted to chase after her, but another omega was doing that for him. She looked excited and pleased, and Alfred was struck with the sudden realization that the object of his affection might already have a lover. The strong jaw, the muscular arms... yes, it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine that his Olivia was involved with another woman. What she didn't realize is that suited him perfectly. He started across the courtyard. If he could catch her in the act, it would get the conversation out of the way that much sooner.
He hadn't gone more than two paces though, when his path was blocked by a flock of omegas clustering around him.
"Your highness, would you like to dance?"
"Has your date run off? Poor prince, let me take care of your wounded heart."
"Is it true that you need babies? I love babies. I could have a hundred for you!"
"Do you need anything? Food? Drink? I could get you something!"
"Ladies, ladies, please! I'm flattered, and you're all just perfectly lovely, but if you will excuse me there's somewhere I have to be."
"We'll walk with you!"
"Thank you," Alfred said, prying a hand off his arm. "But this really is something I must do alone. Please, enjoy yourselves!"
They fell away from him, pouting and disappointed. He blew them a kiss, which dried tears and brought flowers of crimson to their cheeks. That settled, he turned once more toward the maze, only to be stopped by Burges.
"Yes, Burges, what is it?" he asked, impatiently.
"Your highness, I took the liberty of checking up on your delightful companion while you were dancing."
"And?"
"And... she doesn't exist."
"What are you talking about? Of course she exists."
"Sorry, sire, but there is no Olivia Masc in the whole kingdom."
"Perhaps she traveled from some other place," Alfred said, inching past Burges.
"Sire, we did not send invitations outside your kingdom, due to the human activity on our borders."
Alfred stopped in his tracks.
"She would have had to come before the humans began building."
"Indeed."
"So, she's been in town for six months at least."
"Yes, sire, and our most recent census was held only three months ago."
"And there was no Olivia Masc."
"No Mascs at all, I'm afraid."
"Were there any Olivias? Perhaps she used a different last name for some reason."
"Three Olivias, sire. Aged eighty-two, sixty-four, and four years old."
"That doesn't make any sense! Why would she lie about her name?"
"I'm sure I don't know, sire. But it might behoove you to find out before making any concrete plans."
"Right. Okay. I need to find her."
"In the maze, your highness."
"Yes, thank you Burges."
Alfred shoved his way through the crowd, determined to avoid any more obstacles. It wasn't easy. Everyone wanted to compliment him on the party—"It was Burges," he snapped—or show off their daughters, or press him for a dance. He'd managed to get within a yard of the maze when the last person in the world he wanted to see stepped in his way.
"Alfie!"
"Brennan."
"What's going on, brother? You look a little lost."
"I've got a date in the maze, excuse me."
"Right, right, a date in the maze. That's funny, because it seems to me you have a veritable flock of dates out here, yet you seem oddly disinterested in pursuing them."
"Yes, because the one I am interested in is currently in the maze."
"Mhm, mhm, well, just so you're aware, the rumor around the table is that your so-called 'date' is one of your little... boy toys in disguise."
"One of my what?"
"You heard me. You think you're slick, Alfred, but everyone knows that you would rather suck cock than make babies."
A headache began in Alfred's temple.
"I can assure you," he said, between clenched teeth. "My date is female, and I do not have some kind of endless supply of feminine men at my disposal."
"It would only take one," Brennan said, grinning at Alfred's thinly-veiled rage. "And you know how your subjects would feel about you taking a chance on a male consort. Male omegas aren't exactly guaranteed breeders."
"Literally no one is a guaranteed breeder," Alfred said, rolling his eyes.
"Omega females are as close as you can get to a sure thing, and you have dozens here. Yet, you ignore them to chase this... person into the bushes. You don't seem to be all that concerned about meeting my demands."
"You and your demands can get bent. Excuse me."
He shoved Brennan out of the way and continued toward the maze. The omega in the mousey-brown silk dress popped out in front of him as he approached.
"Oh! Pardon me, your highness," she said, blushing furiously.
"Where is she?" he asked, rage at his brother sharpening his tone.
"In there," she squeaked, pointing her finger into the maze.
"Go," he ordered.
She fled without a moment of hesitation, and Alfred stepped into the dark shadows of the hedge maze. He took several deep breaths, trying to rid himself of his anger before confronting Olivia.
"Or whatever her name is," he muttered under his breath.
He looked from one end of the outside hedge corridor to the other, but it was empty.
"Of course she's hiding," he said, with a sigh. "Because why should this be easy? It's not like anything else is."
The words sounded petulant even to himself, and he was glad there was no one around to hear him. His life, compared to some, was easy. His basic needs were tended to by other people so he could focus his full attention on the business of running and protecting his kingdom. In many ways he was spoiled, but he was rarely in a mental state to acknowledge that; admitting that he was spoiled would lead to feelings of guilt, which would in turn distract him with apologies and appreciations for those nearest him. He didn't have time for that. He paid them well and was usually polite, and that was all that was expected from him.
He turned a corner in the maze and caught her scent; hers, and that of a male. His blood boiled at the realization, and it was with violent intentions that he continued tracking her through the hedges.
Oscar had managed to get himself lost. He carried the heels in one hand and ran, sweating through the scented lotions he'd slathered on before the dance. He should have just left with Olivia. His nervous pacing had led him deep into the hedges, and he couldn't find his way back out. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Oscar stopped. He sat heavily on a st
one bench, watching water trickle from a fountain. He could hear the party still going strong to his left, but massive hedges hid it from view. In the darkness, alone with his anxiety, shadows became predatory unearthly monsters, and he shivered. A twig snapped somewhere near, and he jumped.
"Just a bird, or a rabbit," he told himself. "Nothing to worry about."
"There you are!"
Oscar jumped and whirled, facing the voice. It was Prince Alfred, and he looked furious.
"Where is he?" the prince demanded.
"Where is who?"
"Him! I heard him talking, I can smell him. Who are you hiding? Who dares interfere with my chosen bride?"
"Oh... you heard..."
"Yes! I heard him! Now where is he?"
"He's..." Oscar trailed off, twisting the hem of his dress in his fingers.
"Well?"
"I don't know how to tell you..."
"That you lied? That you came here purporting to be an unattached omega, and now you're caught? How dare you play with my intentions?"
"No, no, that's not it at all..."
"So, you didn't lie to my manservant?"
"Well, not exactly..."
"Very well, if that's how you want it, bring your cowardly consort out of hiding. We shall duel for your hand!"
"That's really unnecessary..."
"Unnecessary?! I decide what's necessary. Where is he?"
"That's what I'm trying to tell you..."
"Come out, come out! Face me like a man. Fight for your lover or forfeit her!"
"Really? I'm not exactly a—"
"Show yourself, fiend!"
"Um, your highness..."
"I know you're here! I can smell your fear! Show yourself!"
"Your... your highness..."
"Only the worst sort of fool would leave this beauty alone with a beast like me. Now show yourself!"
"Prince Alfred!"
"Excuse me, milady, but this is a matter of pride."
"Could I please say one thing before you start shouting again?"
Prince Alfred shifted restlessly, casting his eyes suspiciously into the shadows.
"Very well; however, if this is a trick, if you distract me and your lover attacks from behind, you will both be beheaded at dawn."
"Understood," Oscar sighed. "Please, sit."
"I prefer to remain standing."
"Alright. The man you're tracking is me."
Prince Alfred chuckled. "My darling woman, I have hunted prey from the tender age of four, and lovers from the age of sixteen. I am quite skilled in identifying, by scent alone, the age and gender of those whom I hunt."
Oscar suppressed an eye roll.
"Be that as it may, there is no one else here. Check. Look around the hedges. You and I are the only ones here, so who are you tracking?"
Prince Alfred shot him a confused look which was quickly replaced by his standard, prideful expression. He sniffed around the small space, following Oscar's nervous pacing. Every path led him back to the bench on which Oscar sat. Prince Alfred's brow furrowed. He glanced up as if to see whether a man could have climbed out over the hedge, then shook his head in confusion.
"Will you hear me out?" Oscar asked, gently.
Prince Alfred slowly lowered himself to the bench beside Oscar, silently nodding.
"It wasn't my idea," Oscar said, in a rush. "My aunt has been trying to find me a mate since I moved in with her a year ago, and... well, she heard a rumor about certain preferences you hold, and decided to put those rumors to the test. I agreed because, well, she is my aunt, and she did save my life, so I couldn't very well tell her no."
Oscar swallowed hard. Nothing he was saying seemed to be registering with the prince, who was simply staring wordlessly at the fountain.
"I didn't intend to lie, but I couldn't very well put a masculine name on the roster, and I didn't think I had any chance of catching your eye anyway, so it was really just my chance to come out and have fun and meet people without having to actually put myself out there. I've really been keeping to myself since I got here because of everything that happened back home, and it's been very lonely but I had my books so I was basically okay with being alone, but my aunt thinks it's bad for me not to socialize. She keeps telling me we're social creatures, but if I go out in public looking the way I do without dressing like a woman then there would be questions..."
"What sort of questions?"
"People would ask about my children."
"You have children?"
"Well..."
"And you... as I understand it... are a male omega. Correct?"
"Yes, your highness."
Oscar trembled and swallowed hard. Prince Alfred rose from his seat and began pacing, a dark scowl changing his sharp, pleasing features into something terrifying. He didn't shift, nor did he approach Oscar, which allowed him to hope for a moment that he wouldn't be killed for his transgressions; but the glint in the prince's eye sent a cold shiver through Oscar's body.
"I require an explanation," the prince said, finally. "A thorough, complete explanation. However, I must announce the object of my affection tonight, lest Brennan lose faith and begin mobilizing his recruits against me."
"I understand. If you would sit—"
"There is no time," the prince snapped, turning and snarling in Oscar's face. "I have been away too long already. You will accompany me up the stairs. I will make the announcement. As punishment for your deceit, you will be imprisoned in my castle until I have decided what to do with you. As far as my guests are concerned, we are engaged. No one—not your aunt, not that mousey girl you were with—no one is to think any different. Do you understand?"
"Yes, your highness," Oscar said, quietly.
"Very well. Put on your shoes and take my arm. We were simply lovers out for a walk. You should be smiling and gazing lovingly at me when we leave. If you aren't convincing, I will have your head."
"Yes, your highness."
Oscar's stomach flip-flopped uncomfortably as he put on his heels and the prince led him out of the maze, but he pasted an infatuated smile on his face as they stepped out of the dark, quiet world into the colorful, glittering party. He only hoped he could act well enough to save his own skin. He clung tightly to Prince Alfred's arm as they were approached by noble guests.
"Alfred! I see you've found your runaway," Prince Brennan said, with a leering grin.
"I have," Alfred said, looking tenderly into Oscar's eyes.
Butterflies exploded in Oscar's belly and he blushed. He reminded himself forcefully that it was all an act, that the prince wasn't actually infatuated with him; but when the prince gently stroked his cheek, a giddy rush washed over him in spite of himself.
"We will be wed in two weeks' time," Prince Alfred was telling his brother.
Oscar started, but covered it up well enough. Two weeks? Didn't he have a say? No, he remembered. His life—and possibly the lives of his family—were on the line. He would do as the prince said until he could figure out how to handle it. For the moment, the prince had all of the power. The nobles chatted for a few minutes more, then Prince Alfred led Oscar away to the grand staircase.
"My guests!" Prince Alfred addressed the crowd with a sweep of his arm. "It is my pleasure and honor to announce an addition to the royal family."
He turned toward Oscar and took his hands, sinking to one knee and gazing up at Oscar with soft, sparkling eyes.
"My dear Olivia," he said. "You have won my heart and my mind, and I would be a lesser man had I never met you. I humble myself before you to ask for your lovely hand; will you do me the honor of accepting your rightful place by my side? To rule our kingdom as one, to fill our royal halls with the laughter of our own children, to offer me balance and perspective when it comes time to make the difficult decisions?"
A lump rose in Oscar's throat. He felt as if he were in a dream, as if everything he'd ever wanted had come true. His brief hesitation caused Alfred to glare subtly, reminding h
im with a steely gaze that it was yes or his life.
"Of course, my prince," Oscar said, his voice breaking with the storm of emotions whirling in his mind.
Prince Alfred nodded slightly, so slightly that Oscar was the only one who noticed.
"A dance, then," he said, rising to his feet. "To celebrate the future of the royal family!"
The crowd cheered, except for the few hopeful omegas who sobbed, and the prince led Oscar to the dance floor, pulling him into a vice-like grip for a waltz.
"No running off, now," he whispered in Oscar's ear, the threat clear in his tone.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Oscar replied, sarcastically. "But tell me, how are you going to explain to your household why the love of your life is kept in shackles?"
"Shackles? No. You will be provided with quarters and gowns appropriate to your station. You will join me for every meal. When the time comes, you will have the most glorious wedding you could ever dream of."
"That doesn't sound like the punishment you said it would be."
Prince Alfred squeezed his waist painfully, locking him in step.
"You will never leave," the prince growled. "You will live out your days by my side. Your punishment, your imprisonment, is not one of steel bars and shackles; you will be forced to wear this persona to the end of your days, Miss Olivia."
His words struck Oscar in his gut, knocking the wind out of him. A tear crept out the corner of his eye as the reality settled on him like a weight. This stupid, impulsive decision had changed his life forever, and he had built his own prison.
"There, there," the prince said tenderly, sweeping the tear from his cheek. "Such an overwhelming evening for such a pretty princess. I shall have Burges make up your room. We can't let you get too tired, can we? You should be fresh to plan your wedding!"
He waved to his manservant and whispered in his ear. The old man bowed and trotted away into the castle to do the prince's bidding.
"Now then, keep a cheerful face until you've locked yourself in your room," the prince ordered. "Remember, this is the happiest day of your life. The day when all your dreams come true."
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