Chapter 76: We’re Gonna Have A Problem
Alpha Liandria;
The chatter in the hall dies as I walk in, and as expected, all my subjects fall to their knees as I take my seat.
...All but one.
The scrawny-looking red-eyed boy standing in the middle of the hall with his arms and legs shackled.
I glare at him, and am surprised to see that he has the guts to stare me square in the face. Right in the eyes.
If he had no clue that he was supposed to bow, isn’t the fact that everyone else is doing a telltale sign?
"Is the ground too far from your knees?" I question, and I watch his expression shift to mock realisation.
"Oh, pardon my manners, your highness." He replies before going down on his knees, and my fists clench as I stare at him.
I must admit, for an Omega, he’s quite bold. But it’s okay. I’ve seen many like him.
Seen, and broken...
And I just so happen to be itching to teach him a lesson.
"Rise," I speak, and everyone in the hall stands.
He tries to, but I snap.
"Not you." He stays rooted to the spot, and I take a deep breath as I stare at the crowd. My eyes land on Rhydian, who is staring coldly at me, and I smile.
That defiance is still in his eyes.
This is the first time in so long that he has dared to stand up to me, confront and even dare to question me.
All because of this... omega.
I knew creatures of his kind only cause trouble. They find their way to wrap Alphas around their pathetic little fingers, but I won’t let that happen to my son.
Rhydian is a bright boy who deserves a truly powerful future. I won’t let him thwart it because of this little rodent.
I will do well to make sure he doesn’t get in my way.
"Last night, my son was attacked," I announce, and gasps ripple through the hall.
"By this Omega Before us, today," I add, and whispers rise.
However, to my alarm, a loud, stubborn voice follows.
"I didn’t attack him!"
I glare at him, and one of my guards walk over to him and smacks him across the head.
"You don’t speak here when you’re not spoken to!" The guard scolds in irritation, and Rhydian’s voice comes next.
"Hey!" I look over at my son just as everyone else does, but his eyes are on the guard next to the omega.
"Step away from him!" He demands, and I blink in amusement.
Well, this is fascinating. He’s completely smitten by this boy.
...Pity.
"Last night, my sleep was barbarically interrupted by the ruckus caused by this young man. The chaos was coming from your prince’s room, and when I rushed over, I found my son wounded and bleeding from this young man’s attack." I continue, and Rhydian snaps his head at me with wide eyes, the same way the young man does.
"That’s not what happened!" Rhydian yells, and I smile at him.
"I understand you would want to protect him because he is your Omega, and you have a good heart, but he has no right to attack or cause such physical harm to you. He has stepped out of line and will be punished accordingly." I reply, and his jaw drops as ripples run through the crowd again.
"But why take my word for it when you can hear straight from the horse’s mouth?" I add as I lean back, ready to enjoy the show.
"There was a witness who can tell you all exactly what happened from an unbiased point of view", I announce, and Bram walks into the hall.
A grand entrance, mind you.
Gasps and murmurs erupt at the sight of him, and I have to place a hand over my lips to hide my smirk.
He’s covered in welts, bruises and open cuts.
Black and purple patches line his skin, and as the crowd stares at him in pity, my heart leaps at the incoming drama.
Rhydian looks up at me with wide eyes, and I wink at him before turning back to Bram, who’s now standing beside the omega.
He bows, and I smile.
"Bram Lunarstone, who got you in this... horrible condition?" I question, and Bram lets out a long breath before speaking.
"The Omega, beside me, your Majesty." He replies, and the red-eyed boy yells in disbelief.
"What!?"
"You only speak when you’re spoken to, Boy! Don’t let me warn you again!" I snap at him, and he has the effrontery to glare at me.
"Lower your gaze!" I scold, but he maintains eye contact.
My eyes widen in disbelief, and I’m about to speak when he reluctantly lowers his gaze.
I let out a breath before turning back to Bram.
"Can you please repeat your answer so everyone in the court can hear you?" I instruct, and Bram nods slowly.
"The... omega beside me got me in this state, your Majesty." He replies, and I nod with mock attention as the crowd begins to whisper.
’Mother, what are you doing!? Elián didn’t do all this to him. You know that!!’
Rhydian’s voice screams in my head, and I smile as I look at him through the crowd.
’I told you his fate was in your hands. As long as you refuse to give me what I want, I will do whatever I want with him. You’re in my kingdom after all. Both truth and lies here belong to me... I can twist them however I want.’
I reply, and I see his jaw clench as anger floods his grey eyes.
"Bram, narrate to us all what exactly happened last night." I continue my act, and Bram doesn’t miss a beat before responding.
"Last night... Alpha Rhydian and I were together in his chambers when..." He begins, but I cut him off.
"What were you doing in my son’s chambers?" I question, and Bram looks up at me timidly.
His eyes begging me not to let him say it, but he knows better than to disobey me.
"We... We were having sex. I’m... I’m the prince’s lover." He replies, and Rhydian’s voice rings out.
"How dare you tell such a lie!?"
"There’s no need to be ashamed, love. It’s okay to have a lover. You’re a grown man... none of us has the right to judge your affairs." I reply as I battle a smirk, and Rhydian glares at me.
He tries to speak, but I turn back to Bram.
"Continue."
"Well... Alpha Rhydian and I were together when suddenly this omega barged in and started trying to attack the Alpha. I think he did it out of jealousy. He was seriously trying to hurt Alpha Rhydian, so I threw myself between them. He didn’t like that I was protecting our prince... so he did this to me. Thankfully, Your Majesty and the guards arrived before he could lay his hands on Alpha Rhydian. Although I could protect Alpha Rhydian from all his attacks." He narrates.
Word for word, as was rehearsed, and it takes every bit of control for me not to smile in pride.
I might actually take a shine to this young man.
Angry murmurs and whispers erupt from the crowd, and I smirk at the little omega who is now glaring at Bram.
"I did this to you!?" He suddenly yells, and the hall falls silent.
"I made you look like you just survived a fucking plane crash!?" He screams further, and my brows knot.
Plane crash?
What’s... a plane?
"You fucking bitch ass cunt liar!! You want me to hurt you!? Tell the truth, you piece of shit!" He continues, and my eyes widen at the rage in his voice as he starts struggling against the chains holding him bound.
" I am telling the truth! You can not intimidate me. Not in front of everyone here!" Bram screams back, and I smirk as I enjoy the show.
"Oh, yeah!? Alright, let’s make it true then!" The feral young man screams before throwing himself at Bram, and my eyes widen as he raises a curled fist ready to hit. Rhydian’s voice cuts through the hall.
"Elián!"
The boy pauses and turns to look at Rhydian.
Rhydian doesn’t say a word, but I can tell they are communicating with their eyes.
Since when did they form such a bond??
Talking with just their eyes?? This is worse than I thought.
The omega slowly gets off Bram, and to my surprise, he stands up straight and this time faces me.
"Your Majesty, we’re gonna have a problem if this is the game you want to play." He says, and I raise a brow.
"I understand telling lies against someone behind their back, but telling lies against me right in front of me!? Now that’s crazy work. Even you should know how crazy this is! Did you think I was some kind of dummy who’d just sit and accept these filthy accusations!? Surely you weren’t shallow enough to think that!" He adds, and my eyes widen.
"What... Did you just say to me!?"