The castle was alive with activity the following day. Nobles and merchants filled the grand hall, their chatter echoing off the high ceilings as they gathered for one final feast before departing for their respective homes. Prince Edess sat at the head of the long table again, his usual charm and charisma on full display as he entertained his guests with a little more restraint than he had before.

  Celestio stood near the edge of the room, his eyes scanning the crowd. From an outsider’s perspective, he was the picture of composure – calm, focused, and entirely in control. He needed to ensure that the day ran smoothly, that every guest left satisfied, and that no one caused trouble. As the prince rose to make a toast to his generous guests, Celestio allowed himself a brief moment to relax. But even as he stood there, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him, his thoughts drifted once more to Sabas – and the secrets he was now keeping.

  It had been more than a day since Sabas had left his house, and Celestio hadn’t seen him since. Not in the halls of the castle, not in the morning meetings with the visiting nobles, not even in passing. He fought the urge to visit the guest chambers, not wanting to spark gossip among the castle personnel.

  Today, however, Celestio had spotted him the moment he entered the hall, his striking presence impossible to miss even amid the glittering crowd. Sabas now stood near one of the tall windows, engaged in animated conversation with a group of nobles. He was laughing at something one of them said, his smile bright and disarming, his posture relaxed and confident.

  And then he looked at Celestio.

  It was just a fleeting glance, but it was enough to send a jolt of something uncomfortably close to longing through Celestio’s chest. He quickly looked away, fixing his gaze on Edess as though the very act of doing so could banish the unwelcome emotions swirling inside him.

  But it didn’t work. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the prince’s conversation with the Duke of something-or-other, his mind kept drifting back to Sabas. The way the Alpha had smiled that morning in Celestio’s house, the way he had gently offered him a cup of water, how he –

  Celestio clenched his jaw, forcing the memories back. It was nothing, he told himself firmly. Just a moment of weakness, a lapse in judgment. He was lucky that it was nothing more.

  But he couldn’t shake the nagging voice in the back of his mind that whispered the doubts he didn’t want to acknowledge. What if Sabas had only been playing a game? What if he was just another Alpha taking advantage of an Omega’s vulnerability? Why had Celestio been stupid enough to think with his pheromones instead of his head?

  The thought made his stomach churn.

  He stole another glance at Sabas, who was now leaning slightly toward one of the nobles, his expression animated as he spoke. He looked perfectly at ease, perfectly in control, perfectly… uninterested in Celestio. As though the night they shared hadn’t meant anything at all.

  Celestio felt foolish for letting his guard down; and foolish for thinking, even for a moment, that Sabas might have been different. Celestio was an Omega, and Sabas was an Alpha. Nothing could change that.

  “Celestio,” the prince’s voice cut through his thoughts, jolting him back to the present. “Are you even listening?”

  Celestio blinked, turning to face Edess. “Of course, Your Highness,” he said smoothly. “You were discussing the duke’s suggestions of additional games for the summer festival.”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  The prince raised an eyebrow. “I was,” he said. “But you seem oddly preoccupied with something else. Care to share what’s on your mind?”

  “Nothing of importance,” Celestio assured him. “I’m simply thinking of what must still be done to ensure that this day runs smoothly.”

  Edess gave him a long, squinting look, trying to see past the carefully constructed mask Celestio wore. But after a moment, he shrugged and turned back to the duke with a charming smile. “Well, I suppose I can forgive you this once,” he said lightly. “But don’t let it happen again.”

  Celestio inclined his head, his expression impassive. “Of course, Your Highness.”

  As the prince continued his conversation, Celestio risked another glance across the hall. Sabas was still there, perfectly at ease among the other Alphas. And for a brief moment, Celestio wondered what it would be like to have that kind of freedom, to not have to constantly question everyone’s motives or be constantly on edge.

  The rest of the gathering passed in a blur of polite conversation and carefully managed interactions. Celestio moved through the room with practiced efficiency, ensuring that nearly every guest was attended to. Darion was there, along with the black-haired servant who seemed to take pleasure in serving him, and Celestio managed to avoid that corner of the hall. But no matter how busy he kept himself, he couldn’t shake the doubt that gnawed at the edges of his mind.

  By the time the gathering began to wind down, Celestio was emotionally exhausted. He stood near the doorway, supervising the nobles as they began to trickle out of the hall, their laughter and chatter fading into the main court where Prince Edess would formally speak with each one at his throne, thanking them for their presence and gifts.

  Sabas was one of the last to leave, pausing near the door to exchange a few final words with a merchant. As he turned to go, his gaze flicked to Celestio once more, his smile softening into something almost wistful.

  Celestio’s breath caught, his heart thudding painfully in his chest. But before he could process the moment, Sabas was gone.

  The main hall filled with the hum of voices and the shuffle of movement as the nobles and merchants took turns approaching Prince Edess’s throne. The line moved slowly, each guest bowing low before their prince, offering their thanks for the lavish banquet and well-wishes for his continued health and prosperity. It was a ritualistic display of deference, one that the prince endured with a faintly bored expression, though he occasionally nodded or smiled in response.

  Celestio stood dutifully to the right of the throne, his hands behind his back and his gaze sharp as he observed the proceedings. No one seemed to suspect that he had lost his notes about the individual gifts, and Edess was handling the ritual better than he had expected. His mind, however, still circled back to Sabas’s fleeting smiles.

  The line continued to dwindle, the nobles and merchants bowing and departing one by one, until finally, a familiar figure stepped forward.

  Sabas.

  The air seemed to shift as he approached the throne, his confident stride drawing the attention of every eye in the room. He was dressed impeccably, his clothing tailored to perfection, and his presence commanded the space with an ease that was almost unnerving. His dark red cloak shimmered in the sunlight – the same cloak he had folded under Celestio’s head when he saved him from Darion’s attempt to assault him. Celestio’s breath hitched, his heart pounding as he watched Sabas bow deeply before the prince.

  “Your Highness,” Sabas said, his voice steady and clear, carrying effortlessly across the hall. “I, Sir Sabas Kamaria of Almwick, thank you for the banquet and your gracious hospitality. It was a pleasure and an honor to be in attendance.”

  Edess leaned back in his throne, studying Sabas with a faintly curious expression. “I am grateful for your presence and wish you a safe journey home,” he recited politely, his tone tinged with wariness. He paused for a moment. “There seems to be something else you wish to say.”

  Sabas straightened, his gaze unwavering as he met the prince’s eyes. “There is, Your Highness. With your permission, I would like to remain in the capital for a little longer.”

  Edess raised an eyebrow. “You do not need my permission to do so. But I wonder, surely you have your own responsibilities to attend to.”

  “I do,” Sabas replied. “But there is something far more important worth staying here for.”

  By now, the hum of conversation and movement from remaining nobles in the room died down. Every eye was on Sabas now, the air thickening with anticipation.

  Sabas’s gaze flicked briefly to Celestio before returning to the prince. “Your Highness,” he said, his voice still steady, “I humbly request your permission to take the hand of your advisor, Sir Celestio Sitara, in marriage.”

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