Alfred hated parties; his father's birthday being no exception. All the formalities and the females omega and beta alike constantly draping themselves over him. It was an unpleasant experience to say the least. If anything Alfred would have preferred a male omega or two clinging to him. Not that his father would have approved though, the man was convinced male omegas were simply playthings whereas females were for marriage and procreation.
He sighed and looked around the room not paying much attention to the women seated around him. There were a few male omega escorts scattered about tending to some of the other guests. Nothing really caught his eyes though until he noticed the doors opening allowing a small group of dancers and other entertainers to enter the room.
The smell was what hit him before he noticed the lithe form of an emerald eyed omega dressed in sheer fabric that clung to his body in all the right ways. Such a strange smell it was for living so far in the desert. It was the calm scent of rain combined with the sweet scent of flowers, had the omega not been standing so near him Alfred doubted he would have had the chance to enjoy the wonderful smell. The scent of the interesting new omega alone was enough to captivated Alfred. While watching the omega gracefully sway his hips as he danced along to the musician's music the bells and other fine jewelry adored about the omega's body chiming as he danced, Alfred decided that he must at the very least meet the man that stole his attention when no one else could.
"/Don't/ mess this up." A female omega, hardly older than him, thrusted a chiffon bedlah into the male omega's surprised arms. Arthur had just finished rubbing oil over his ivory skin, red and peeling from the merciless sun. The male omega bit his lip and looked down at the costume in his arms. It was a lush green that accentuated his exotic eyes, but so did its deep hue bring out the sunburn across his skin. It wasn't his fault; they didn't listen to him as the caravan travelled under the white hot sun. He was a lowly whore who hadn't earned the luxury of shade. The only reason he was there was to add variety to the entertainers. The other omegas eyed him warily as they changed from their travel wear to their dancing clothes. With slow reluctance Arthur slipped on the long skirt and top piece. The chiffon chaffed his skin. He added the bangles and jewels that sparkled and chimed as he moved.
A beta dipped her head into the room. "One minute," was all she said before ducking away. The omegas rushed to finish changing and line up to enter the main room where the king and his guests were waiting.
The band was already playing when the omegas made their debut. Some drunken men hollered with their goblets raised; Arthur ignored them as he clenched his jaw.
Waiting for the right note to herald the beginning of their routine, the omega dancers began their seduction. They began with a subtle undulation, one hip followed by the other in perfect unison. As they turned with their backs exposed the bangles jingled like bells on a cool breeze. As they faced their audience Arthur took subtle notice of the men around him, kohl eyes unintentionally caught in the prince's entranced stare.
Never before had Alfred been so grateful to his father's hypocritical nature, the omegas danced in time with the music never missing a beat. The emerald-eyed omega's gaze locked on his whenever the dance allowed. There was fire in the omega's eyes telling of a strong spirit not often shown amongst omegas.
As the music drew to a close, Alfred rose from the comfort of the pillows he rested upon causing his father to send a disapproving gaze his way. Alfred paid him no mind rather he was intent on meeting the strange and fascinating omega.
Alfred trapped Arthur in his penetrating gaze. He knew that look. It was the look of an alpha who knew what he wanted and would stop at nothing to get it. He saw it many times in the brothel with their sticky eyes appraising his body up and down, and later caged underneath them as they sought their pleasure of him with either indifference to Arthur's presence or partaking in hurting him for their enjoyment. He hated that look.
When it was over they bowed graciously to their audience with special reverence to the king. No doubt the king would choose his bedmates from them.
Alfred quickly caught up to the omega as he followed his group to the side of the room reserved for entertainers of the physical variety. Alfred grasped the man's upper arm causing the omega to turn quickly ripping his arm out of the other's grip. Alfred did little more than raise an eyebrow at the strange behavior, "You must tell me your name," he commanded rather than asked his nature getting the better of him.
Arthur hurried with the rest to leave but he couldn't get away fast enough. The prince had snatched his arm and without thinking Arthur pulled away. He gasped; horrified at what he'd done wrong he immediately prostrated himself on his knee. "Forgive me, my lord." He averted his eyes to the ground, as was expected of an omega to an alpha, and most especially the royal family. "I...my name is Emerald." It was his trade name; he was forbidden from using the name belonging to his past life. The moment he took up the name Emerald, Arthur died. "I am at your service."
Alfred looked down at the omega in confusion, with a quick glance towards his father to ensure the man wasn't paying attention to him, he got down on one knee and gently tipped the omega's face up to look at his. Alfred cocked his head and smiled gently to assure the omega he wasn't upset. "Do not be sorry. I must have startled you, Emerald. Your name is befitting."
Alfred quickly flashed another smile before standing up. He looked down at the omega, a sparkle in his eye that befitted a child rather than a grown alpha. "Come you must join me for a drink."
The omega promptly took to his feet and bowed his head obediently; no bow or of indication of consent was expected. As he followed behind at a respectful distance he spied his fellow dancers staring daggers at him. They would have killed to have the affection of the prince, but Arthur himself couldn't have been more unhappy.
As they reached the area Alfred had previously been sitting the alpha shooed away the omega women that were still vying for his affection. He ignored the strange looks he received from the party goers and with a few words a servant left to retrieve drinks for the prince and his new companion.
"So tell me about yourself Emerald. How old are you? You look quite young." Alfred relaxed against the pillows patting the ones beside him to encourage the omega to sit. Emerald looked quite uncomfortable with the whole affair, but Alfred was determined to get the omega enjoying himself before they parted.
"16, your grace," Arthur kept his head down. He took the proffered drink and held it in his lap. He was fairly young, as Alfred said, but when he was younger he was even more popular amongst the clients. He had very few regulars that got bored with him when his body matured more into a man.
"Your grace, my lord, you don't have to call me that. Those names are fit for my father not me. Please, call me Alfred." The young alpha kept a respectful distance between them that would be expected from courting rather than a conversation with an escort. "What do you like to do in your spare time? You look to be a man of many talents."
Arthur didn't have a lot of spare time to self-indulge. But he couldn't say such a boring thing. "Besides entertaining important alpha men like you," Arthur began with a coy but seductive smile, "I enjoy music. I play several instruments, but unfortunately I am not nearly as talented as my fellow omegas." Actually, he was far better but modesty and self-deprivation was part of the game.
"I should like to hear you play sometime then and judge your talent for myself." Alfred smiled and laughed gently to himself. "My father never approved of me doing much besides learning to be king one day. Go here; study this; flirt with her. He claims it is all for my own good, but I think I would be much happier if I was born a beta rather than my brother, his life is far easier." Alfred sighed quietly looking down, "Sorry. Who am I to complain? Your life has likely been much harder than mine. I have little right to complain about my simple troubles."
Arthur shook his head, his headdress tinkling sweetly with bells. "The merit of a man's pain should not be judged by its severity. What troubles you is no less important than any other alpha's." He stroked Alfred's cheek. "Especially as you are prince."
"Neither is your pain. An omega is worth no less than an alpha. Where we may be physically strong, an omega carries about them a different type of strength. My mother taught me that before she died." Alfred closed his eyes letting memories of his late mother pass through his mind. When he again opened them he smiled at Emerald. "She was a very respectable and fiery woman. She stood up for herself when no one else would. I saw that same fire in your eyes." Alfred cupped the omega's face in his hand staring into the brilliant emeralds that he was named after. "I much preferred your earlier spark while you were dancing to this coy façade."
Arthur's eyes went round before cutting away from Alfred's discerning gaze. What was he supposed to say to that? Alfred still had his face framed in his hand. He forced himself to look at Alfred again. "Alfred, was it?" The omega licked his lip. "I do know what it's like to be forced to be with someone."
Alfred smiled sadly brushing his thumb gently under the omega's eye. "It's a miserable feeling is it not, having no control of your own life? It's an existence I would not wish upon anyone. Social standings be damned."
Arthur blinked, surprised by the press of tears threatening his eyes. He swallowed, wishing Alfred would let go but not daring to move away. What was even more frightening than risking his life by displeasing the prince was realizing that the prince wasn't much different than he was. He didn't want to see the prince as anything more than a heartless client that wanted him for his body and nothing more. If he found out that Alfred was just like him with hopes and dreams and helpless to fulfill them, he didn't know how to perform for the prince without giving too much of himself away.
"Emerald?" Alfred asked as the omega zoned out. "Are you alright?" He gently patted Emerald on the cheek as concern filled his gaze.
Arthur blinked out of his reverie, mortified. "I-Forgive me, your grace." He ducked his head even lower, casting a furtive look to the omegas around him that were scowling in displeasure. They didn't think he deserved the prince's unbridled attention.
He'll show them.
"It's just...I'm not terribly familiar with speaking freely," he admitted. Clients, on the other hand, often spoke /too/ freely. The things Arthur heard when his alpha clients' lips were loosened by sex and drink could get them executed. Arthur sidled against him more comfortably amongst the plush pillows. "I have heard of the prince's handsomeness that fathers threw their omega daughters at his feet, but never have I gazed upon it myself. I am truly honored his highness would choose a lowly omega male such as me to entertain him."
The alpha laughed gently at Arthur's words, "I would much prefer your company to a female's any day of the week." Alfred gently brushed the omega's cheek one last time before pulling his hand away. "Honestly I'm sick of my father trying to throw every omega girl in the kingdom at me hoping I'll pick a bride from them. I wish he would let me spend more time with handsome male omegas like yourself." Alfred smiled lightly as he met Arthur's gaze. There was desire there but also restraint something that came from years of practice.
Arthur smiled and touched his hand to the alpha's broad chest when Alfred pulled away, keeping their contact. "But that is not today. Today is for feast and merriment."
"You're right. So let us enjoy ourselves while we have the chance." Alfred raised his goblet of wine towards Arthur; he gently stroked the back of the hand Arthur had placed upon his chest. "To delightful company."
Arthur daintily took the goblet with a smile. "Long live the king and his son." Speaking of which...the king himself was enjoying the menagerie of omegas adorned around him. With their finely-tuned acting their grimaces were softened into forced smiles, but Arthur knew better. Some omegas were stripped completely bare and passed amongst the guests but it wasn't anything they weren't used to; parties were like this. It was the king who they were afraid of. It was no secret that the king had proclivities toward sadism and sexual torture. Omegas whom he finished with were often seriously maimed, and it was even worse when they were in heat and the man had his way with them. One of Arthur's friends was mutilated so badly no clients would take him, and he was put out on the streets. That's what happened when a harem whore "retired."
Arthur would do anything not to end up like him. He hadn't wanted to go to the celebration for just that reason. So as he turned away to refill the prince's wine he took a deep breath to level his breathing.
Alfred could sense the omega's uneasiness; he was young and clearly not as skilled at hiding his emotions as some of his fellow workers. As he turned to fill Alfred's glass the alpha spared a glance towards his father, the man was already quite drunk. Alfred tried to hide his distaste, but from the way Arthur stiffened he could tell he was even less skilled than Emerald at hiding his emotions.
As the omega turned back to him goblet once again full of sweet wine Alfred smiled. "Emerald have you ever seen the palace grounds at night? We have what is likely the only flower garden in the kingdom. My mother was very fond of flowers. They are quite beautiful when viewed by the light of the moon. Would you care to see them?"
Arthur's ears perked. Flowers were hard to keep in the barren soil and shriveling sun. In his homeland vegetation was lush and flowers grew as easily as grass, but his memories of a brighter time was more distant than a forgotten dream. "I would be delighted," the omega admitted truthfully. Even if Alfred decided to do something to him while he was isolated from scrutiny it couldn't possibly be anything worse than what he would do in front of everyone else. He was royalty, after all. Who would dare defy or judge him?
Alfred stood offering his hand to Arthur to help the omega up, which the omega quickly took as was expected of him. Alfred placed Arthur's hand on his elbow and began to lead the omega away from the festivities. They stopped only to grab Arthur a cloak as the omega's clothing did little to keep out the evening cold.
Though he often hated the plainness of his home, Alfred couldn't help but admire how beautiful everything looked under the full moon. The walk to the green house was quick; it was large and housed hundreds of different kinds of flowers. Alfred unlocked the door then held it open allowing the omega to step inside first.
Arthur was in awe. He had never been surrounded by such beauty in all of his life. The omega stepped inside the greenhouse with the utmost caution, as if disturbing the air would break the spell. When nothing happened the omega hurried towards the blood red rose bushes, crouching down to the level if the blooming buds and looking in fascination.
A gentle chuckle slipped from the alpha's lips as he stepped into the greenhouse gently closing the door behind him. "I'm beginning to think you and my mother would have gotten along quite well, those were her favorite also. She liked them best because they reminded her of her home land. One of the reasons I ended up with blond hair rather than black or brown like most people in this land." Alfred moved over to the gardening supplies and picked up a pair of clippers. "You may make a bouquet if you'd like. I think my mother would have liked the flowers to go to someone who would appreciate them as much as she did."
After giving it some thought the omega shook his head resolutely. "They may never be more beautiful than they are now, but I can't bring myself to kill it out of vanity." He gently fingered the silken petal.
Standing, the omega visited every flower variety in the greenhouse, examining them with the wonderment of a child but with the restraint of an adult. Looking above a small shrub, Arthur smiled at the prince. "Thank you for bringing me here."
"It was my pleasure. I do hope you will come by again sometime to enjoy the flowers. I would also enjoy speaking with you again. It has been quite some time since I was last able to have a decent conversation with an omega without wanting to run half way through." Alfred huffed a laugh as he gazed down fondly at the omega. "I don't think there is any omega quite like you, Emerald. I should like to see you again sometime, if you would permit my company."
Arthur blinked. Was Alfred kicking him out? Did he not plan to mount him? Arthur looked down and twiddled with the leaves distractedly. "As you wish, your highness."
Alfred sensed the dejection coming from Arthur, he looked away awkwardly trying to piece together what to say to rid the omega of the stench. "Please don't misunderstand. You are very handsome and I am quite attracted to you, but I would like to get to know you first." Alfred bit his lip a nervous habit he developed when he was younger. "It probably sounds strange to you. I mean considering your profession and all, but putting that aside if you will have me," Alfred nervously ran his fingers through his hair, "I'd like to court you."
"...Court." He parroted, tasting the word in his mouth. It couldn't possibly mean what he thought it meant. Was that a 'game' the king partook in? Was Alfred the same as the king? "I would be delighted, your highness." Regardless of his fear and uncertainty he bowed gratefully, betraying nothing of himself.
Alfred's face lit up with excitement at Arthur's words. He kneeled in front of the omega taking the other's hand in his and gently kissed it. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Also know this; if you ever decide to do away with me because you no longer enjoy my company you need only tell me and I shall not bother you again with my presence."
"I ask only one thing. What is your name?" Alfred's eyes implored Arthur to tell him the truth, but his face showed he would not be mad if the omega refused to answer.
Arthur stepped back in alarm as Alfred dropped to his knee. For a prince to lower himself before anyone of a lesser station, let alone a contemptible omega whore, was unspeakable to the degree of sacrilege. It would be an outright scandal if someone were to find them like this.
"Yes! Of course, just get up." The omega hurriedly pulled him up by their joined hands. A soft blush dusted his cheeks, and he averted his eyes that were round with uncertainty. Lecherous, crude alphas he could deal with. This alpha, kind and chivalrous, was a whole different animal. "My birth name is Arthur Kirkland, your majesty," the omega said obediently. There were reasons why whores took up pseudonyms in their trade, and it wasn't just to be sexy and mysterious.
A nickname offered the omega a separate, professional persona to use while they engaged with their clients. It built a boundary between the heart and body, as it was an omega's nature to feel attached to their partner during coitus. For omegas sex was an emotional investment, and pretending to be someone else was one way to protect themselves from heartache when their customers inevitably left. Because they all left in the end. Arthur would hear his coworkers cry themselves to sleep at night, and he thought it was pathetic that they would ever believe their customers' promises.
"My name is Arthur..." He said sadly, putting an arm around himself.
"Arthur," Alfred murmured gently a small smile pulling at his lips. He swept Arthur's bangs out of his face fingers lingering there for just a moment. "A beautiful name for a beautiful omega." Alfred brought Arthur's hand up to his lips placing a soft kiss there. "I am anxiously awaiting our next meeting and yet we haven't even parted yet. Tell me where might I see you again."
As the prince blessed his hands with kisses all he could think of was how soft his lips were. "Wherever you desire to see me, my prince." Arthur wasn't the least bit familiar with the city. Because he was fairly new the omega hadn't left the brothel since his arrival. This was his first time outside the gates. The older whores who earned their loyalty to the madam were granted the small freedom of a few hours to run errands under watch of a chaperon.
"I shall meet you at your workplace then. I know my father is not the most comforting man to be around, but that is not to say you are not welcome to come back here any time you'd like." Alfred Placed on last kiss on Arthur's hands. "Would you like to stay here longer or is there another part of the palace you'd like to explore?"
"I imagine his majesty and his guests will be entertained for quite some time." It was only day one of the king's annual indulgences that lasted throughout the week. The omegas will likely be cycled out for new entertainment in a day or two.
"Somewhere comfortable, where we can be alone together?" Away from the party. He didn't wish to catch the attention of other alphas.
Alfred chuckled lightly as he put his hand under his chin in thought. "Comfortable and alone," he hummed trying to pick an idea location to learn more about omega that had caught his interest. "Tell me Arthur, did you perchance ever learn to read?"
Arthur's eyebrows peaked in interest. "I did." He tried not to betray his eagerness, but he was hoping Alfred was hinting at what he thought he meant. When he was a free omega he studied rigorously in the hopes of becoming something of a writer and work at home, so he could still keep house and raise his children. But ever since his family sold him off the closest he came to a book was a ledger slowly ticking down the customers that will eventually pay off their debt.
"Care to join me in the palace library then?" Alfred, though internally shocked and interested at the fact an omega brothel worker's ability to read, smiled sweetly at Arthur offering the other his arm. Alfred was beginning to see Arthur was not the same as his coworkers in fact he was the diamond amongst them.
Flushed with excitement and anticipation, Arthur forgot all propriety and took the prince's arm. Their steps echoed down the halls of the castle, its grand opulence a testament to the royal family's power and wealth. At this time of night everything was cast in twilight, and Arthur thought it was a shame he couldn't see it in all its splendor. They finally arrived at the great doors to the library, Arthur unconsciously squeezing his arms around Alfred's as the prince unlocked the doors with a heavy click of his key.
Alfred opened the door stepping to the side to allow Arthur to enter first, enjoying the delighted expressions on the omega's face. "Feel free to look at whatever you would like. We have the largest collection available in the entire country."
Arthur could see that. He had never seen so many books before in his life. They covered every wall of the grand room from the bottom shelves and reaching the heights of the high ceiling. Rows and rows of bookshelves were lined up into aisles where little nooks of privacy were found in the corners. It was right before his eyes but he couldn't believe it. He was so overwhelmed he couldn't even be jealous of Alfred's wealth of accessible knowledge.
Arthur sighed pleasantly. "It must be so wonderful living amongst so much beauty."
Alfred smiled as he shut the door behind him. "I will admit it is a nice place to escape to when my father becomes too much to bear. My brother likes to hide in here a lot as well as my father never comes in here. This was made for my mother so that she could teach my brother and me to be proper princes." Alfred made his way over to a shelf of books gently running his finger along the spines. "Please if you see something you like take it back with you. I don't mind if you want to barrow them so long as you promise to be careful with them."
Arthur thought about what would happen if he did bring a book from the royal library back with him. They'd never believe the prince sanctioned it, and he'd likely get punished. Justice for stealing property of the crown was worth his right hand. "Thank you, your highness, but I'm afraid I will have to decline your generous offer."
Arthur offered a watery smile before returning to the titles. His heart skipped with each title he recognized from his youth. He would have loved to revisit them again, if only to take him away to a better time. The omega's fingers lingered wistfully over the bright gold lettering before stepping back and letting go. He slowly browsed amongst the titles, gingerly pulling one out and immersing himself in a few passages before carefully returning them.
He came across one book and smiled, taking it down by his tip-toes and kneeling right there and sifting through the pages. He smiled at the prince and returned to the pages. "This is my favorite author," he explained as he turned a page.
Alfred put away the book he was looking at; he glanced over at the book Arthur held admiring the omega's gentle smile as he read. "Perhaps I should read it then. There are so many books in here it's hard to pick the interesting ones from the dull ones. I have a feeling you have excellent taste in literature though." Alfred sat down next to the omega not so close as to make the other uncomfortable, but near enough that it would not feel platonic. "Tell me, what is your favorite book?"
Arthur shifted uncomfortably. Although he read devotionally, his repertoire wasn't by any means nearly as worldly. He suddenly felt embarrassed to speak so openly about his passion to one who was infinitely more knowledgeable and well-read than he. "Just the classics," he replied humbly, turning a page distractedly, "merely limited to my motherland's writers."
"Oh and where is that exactly? I was kept inside the castle for the majority of my childhood as my father was paranoid I would get sick and die like his first alpha son. I never really had the chance to travel so books became a friend of mine as a child." Alfred's eyes were alight with a curiosity reserved for children not grown alphas.
Arthur muted his smile to one of modest closed lips. Alfred's innocence and kind heart was nothing he was familiar with in his experience with alphas. Although alphas were more toward protection than sadism, in his trade he came to expect the worse from them. But the prince was different from all the others, and even in the omega's world-weary cynicism he just couldn't match this kind smile to all the false ones before. Without thinking, he answered truthfully. "I come from the west on a little island. It rains often, but the weather brings forth the most breathtaking green earth. No emerald or dead stone can capture living, breathing green life." For the first time the omega used his hands to illustrate his point. It was rude practice in these lands for a lesser omega to gesticulate as it assumed control of the conversation. But Arthur was swept up in his memories of a happier, better place.
Alfred blinked at the way Arthur spoke and acted it was not something he was used to, though it didn't bother him. Most omegas were very soft spoken; they rarely looked an alpha in the eye unless the situation was deemed socially acceptable for them to do so even then their heads remained bowed. No, Alfred wasn't bothered by the omega's behavior at all he much preferred seeing this lively side of an omega. They were not as he had been taught; omegas were so much more than society allowed them to be. "It sounds lovely should I ever get the chance I would like to visit such a place. The desert may be beautiful at times, but I would like to see natural green outside of the green house."
It was the prince's voice carrying the smooth lilt of the desert sands that tore the omega from his green lands. Arthur's pallor turned ghost white, and his shoulders hunched to make himself smaller. "Forgive me, your highness. I forget myself," he said with a pitiful lilt that begged mercy. He didn't cry; he learned it made the retribution worse. It wasn't the dread of punishment that made his shoulders shake as it was how he ruined such a lovely evening by imposing his culture's norms in the very home of his adopted country.
"Forgive you? What for?" Alfred looked at the omega confusion plain on his face. Alfred gently lifted the omega's chin so the smaller man would look at him again. "I see nothing wrong with your behavior or words."
Alfred momentarily considered his next actions before pulling the omega to his chest. He held Arthur's head against his shoulder gently with one hand so if he wanted to Arthur could pull away and gently rubbed the omega's back with his other. "Do I smell angry to you?"
To his surprise there wasn't even the hint of anger or outrage. Arthur was well acquainted with the acrid stench that preluded an alpha's terrible wrath, especially at the beginning of his internment when the omega was inoculating into the culture by trial and error. Instead, Arthur found the alpha's smell to be calming and comforting. The omega pressed closer, turning his face against the prince's throat. He breathed in Alfred's scent, closing his eyes and relishing the safe and protected feeling one of his nature felt when comforted by his alpha.
Alfred could smell the change in scents from fear to comfort. He continued to rub Arthur's back enjoying the way it felt to hold the omega in his arms. Alfred rested his head on the omega's enjoying the fresh flowery natural scent Arthur gave off. "You must be tired after all that dancing. You can rest if you'd like. I won't do anything and no one will interrupt us in here."
"I wouldn't mind." Arthur rested his palm over the prince's heart, imagining the warm skin underneath the airy clothes. It was his duty, after all, to serve the clients, and there wasn't anyone he'd rather choose to surrender his body for another night than this alpha who showed him such kindness. Even if Alfred wasn't his client the omega's body was the only payment he could offer.
"Now how am I supposed to earn you trust if the first thing I do after meeting you is bed you?" Alfred ran his fingers through Arthur's hair enjoying the feeling of the silken lock slipping through his fingers. "Rest Arthur. Know that when you're with me I will give you whatever you want. Whether it be books or sleep."
A smile flickered to life on his lips. He let his eyes slip shut and allowed himself to indulge in the fantasy, just this once. But he was curious, and the alpha made him feel at ease. "Your grace, forgive me for speaking so freely, but why me? Surely there are more bewitching, desirable omegas who would please you better than I." Arthur was hardly the best of them with his thick eyebrows and crude mouth. He was exotic by the merit of his heritage, but that was as far as it went. He was young, and foreign.
"As I mentioned earlier, the look in your eyes it's different from other omegas. You have a fire in you I can sense it. Also you're a male. That actually plays a large part in it. I've never been fond of female omegas; the only one I've ever loved was my mother." Alfred sighed and glanced down at Arthur smiling at the way the omega curled against his chest. "You look mostly at me, not my title. Also while I am an alpha and do sometimes succumb to my nature; I am not the type to be overbearing. I meant it when I said all you need to tell me is to leave you and I will go. I want to love my future mate, not suffer through a political marriage with some female omega my father chooses for me. I'm sure I'll come up with more reasons as I begin to learn more about you, but that's all the explanation I can provide for now."
"Mate?!" In his clumsy haste he pushed off the alpha to get a good look at him. He saw no deception in the prince's eyes, but this talk about marriage and permanency frightened him. "I-" Arthur clamped his mouth shut, instead choosing to turn away. His eyes skirted around the library as if seeing it for the first time, or rather through the lens of reality.
"I /am/ male," the omega carefully parsed his words, "but I have my place and you have yours. N-no alpha would marry me after what I've done and what's been done to me." He swallowed past the knot tightening his throat. It was true; even after his family's debt was paid by his years in servitude, he would live in disgrace for the rest of his life. Used, diseased, broken. He belonged in the dirty secrets of the city, not in the palace.
Suddenly it occurred to him. "You're mocking me!" He rounded on the prince and stood up to him at full height, which wasn't much against the alpha who was a good head taller than him. "You rescue me from that /disgusting/ rape den you call your entertainment hall to show me everything I missed about my home a-and-" the omega clapped his hand over his mouth, terrified of what he was doing but outraged on behalf of what was left of his spirit. "How could you..." He starting sobbing; he couldn't help it. The last of his strength left his body, and he collapsed to his knees at Alfred's feet.
Alfred hated the smell of an omega in pain be it physical or emotional and knowing the omega gave off the stench because of him made Alfred feel even worse. "I would never- I mean everything I say. Your life is not something you chose for yourself, circumstance put you there." Alfred gently placed a hand on the omega's back not wanting to startle the other. "You are worth so much more than your profession. Even if I'm not the one, any alpha would be lucky to be your mate."
It was too much. He wouldn't hear any more of the alpha's lies and deceit. It was cruel how words could bring a man to his knees, and reduced him to the bone dry pipe dreams of what his life could have been. As the prince's hand touched his shivering bare skin the omega violently wrenched away and scrambled to his feet, the jangle of bells loud and clanging. He practically snarled, throwing all the passion of a dead man into his first and last chance to make his voice heard to the man of the nature that put him in this hell.
"I may be a whore and an omega male but I bleed just the same as you. When you alphas finish with me and return home to your mates and children, just remember you're just as filthy as me. I wouldn't be here if you didn't want me. It is /you/ who put me here, not I!" He spat in the prince's face; the worst and most demeaning offense, but he didn't care. The damage was done.
Alfred's eyes blew wide at the omega's words and actions to speak to an alpha like that let alone a prince, Arthur had guts that much was sure. His hands balled into fist at his side as he willed himself to control his temper. After a few deep breaths Alfred calmly asked, "Do you think me the same as every alpha you have ever serviced?"
"Do I seem to you the type to lie and trick an omega into coming into bed with me? I could have whatever I like with merely a word, yet I choose not to do that. If you do not wish to see me again simply say the words and leave. Here I offered you everything and you choose to spit it back in my face. If you wish to be treated like a whore, rather than a human being then so be it." Alfred slowly stood up wiping the spit off his face. He walked past Arthur to the library doors holding one open for the omega. "If you wish to leave then go, rejoin your fellow whores."
Arthur felt no threat from the alpha prince but Alfred's calm yet stern voice commanded attention and obedience in the omega, who stood stock still. He half-expected the alpha to grab him and violently exert his dominance over the omega, but the alpha proved his worth by doing nothing. Through his tears Arthur stared at the gaping doorway leading out of the library, then at Alfred who stood expectantly at the door. With his head bowed low and lips pressed white he passed by the alpha prince on his way out.
Alfred had half-hoped Arthur would simply apologize and sit down again allowing what was a pleasant evening to return, but instead the omega left him. Alfred took that as his sign, Arthur wasn't interested in being pursued romantically. He doubted the omega would ever show his face at another party again preventing Alfred so much as a glimpse of the beautiful omega.
With a quiet glance out the door Alfred saw the omega round the corner heading back toward the party. The door closed with a soft click leaving Alfred alone in the library, with stumbling steps Alfred made his way over to an empty chair. His body collapsed onto the piece of furniture and his breath came out as a weary sigh. Why did he ever bother trying? No male omega could trust an alpha, let alone a prince. Alfred let his head fall back as he covered his eyes with his arm hiding the tears that clung to his eyelashes.
Not ready to go back but with nowhere else to go, Arthur found himself tracing their steps back to the green house. There encased in its pristine glass walls the omega wandered as he dried his eyes and collected his thoughts. He revisited the flora, touching its petals and wondering where on earth they were spirited away from and left here to flourish in a strange land for the voyeuristic pleasure of prying eyes. His wanderings returned him to the blooming rose bush indigenous to his homeland he pointed out to Alfred. As the omega stooped to share in its sweet perfume for a moment he wondered what the alpha prince's favorite flower was, or if he had one.
What a strange thought. "It's time to go back," the omega sighed to himself. He didn't expect to see the prince at the entertainment hall, but Arthur's reappearance without the prince was definitely noticed.
The omegas bustled in their corner whispering words amongst each other as Arthur rejoined them. One of the older omegas smiled slyly at Arthur as she walked over to him. "Couldn't manage to keep the Prince's attention, I see, Emerald. Maybe your little friend, Bello, will have better luck with the King. They just disappear not too long after the prince whisked you away."
"Less for us to worry about now though I do feel bad for the little guy, he's so young." Piped up another omega whose clothing was already shredded from the grabbing hands of alphas.
"Let's just hope his Majesty is satisfied with just one omega this evening. I'd rather not have to figure out who should pick up the slack of two or three injured omegas." The den mother quietly added as she gently rubbed the back of one of the youngest omegas there trying to comfort the boy. Barely fourteen and already forced to comply with the sick perversion of alphas at parties like these.
Since Alfred and Arthur's clandestine escape the entertainment moved to the more private quarters of the palace. It was in this more intimate setting that the king and his closest companions continued the festivities. The king demanded the minstrels abandon their instruments and dancers shed their bell shawls. He wanted no distraction from the real melody of their voices when he made /them/ sing.
Arthur's footfalls were muted amid the debauchery as the omega stole into the back corner with the other omegas. It was perhaps out if pity that the omegas, who saw the wrecked state he was in, refrained from berating him but instead exchanged a silent, knowing look amongst themselves and returned to their business. Whatever the alpha prince did to make the spitfire omega cry like that must have been terrible.
But not all omegas were that compassionate. Arthur's jolted in alarm hearing his friend's name. "Bello?! Is there nothing we can do?"
"Such as? Barge in and demand the King release Bello?" A female omega replied dryly, not looking up from her goblet. "Madam brought us here to attract a richer clientele. She'll more than kill you if you disgrace her."
"Arthur I know he is your friend, but there is nothing we can do now the king has chosen. You may help tend to Bello when he is released from the King's service. I suggest you keep your head bowed lest another Alpha decides to have his way with you." The den mother gave Arthur a stern look before moving her attention back to the younger omegas.
A pained yelp turned everyone's attention to the closed doors. Arthur balled his fists defiantly, shoulders tense and shaking. Feliciano was on the other side of the door. He was older than the blond but childish and weak. The boy would definitely struggle. Arthur remembered what happened last time to his friend and he didn't want that happening to Bello. "C-can we not do anything?" The omegas turned their heads; as fond as they were for the boy it wasn't worth their skin.
He jumped hearing a louder shout, and then pitiful wailing. He rushed to the door but was stopped by a rough hand snatching his arm back. "You're a little spitfire, aren't you?" A dark voice chuckled, and Arthur looked up to see a new pair of the royal family's blue eyes, bearing down at him. Arthur winced as his jaw was grabbed. "Nice eyes. My nephew has good taste. You want to see how my brother plays with his omegas?" He chuckled as the omega's pupils blew wide in fear. "Come on." The king's brother, Alfred's uncle, barged through the doors.
A/N: So here's this… Updates might be a little sporadic my new full time job is kicking my butt a bit. My RP partner and I made this based off a picture we saw on tumblr while we were writing Melamin. Hopefully you guys like it. Idk how many of the people who like my other stories like omegaverse so even if you don't want to read this one I promise the next one isn't omegaverse. Until next time then…