The desert sun was unforgiving during the height of day. Francine lounged in the atrium of her brothel, fanning her perspiring face with an ostrich feather fan. It was an indulgent gift to herself in light of booming business. Only a balmy breeze passing through the open windows granted any relief from the scorching heat.
"Mon deus, but it is hot. Be a darling and fetch me my pipe." The omega waiting at attention by her feet quietly left, leaving the beta alone to her troubled thoughts.
The young omega came back quickly with the Madame's pipe knowing better than to be slow when asked for things. He presented the open pipe box to Francine and bowed his head. "Pardon me Madame, but there is a guest at the door requesting to see Emerald. I told him, Emerald was currently unavailable but he insists. What would you like for me to do?"
Francine was quiet. Could it be...? "Bring him in," she said at length. As the omega scurried out she hastily stood, smoothing her silks with shaking hands and hurriedly pouring a second goblet of her finest wine.
The omega quickly returned with the said guest in tow.
"Francine, it has been quite some time. I trust you are well." Alfred greeted pleasantly, smiling as he walked into Francine's office. "What's this about Emerald being unavailable? Is he out on business of some sort?"
Upon the prince's arrival Francine bowed low. As she rose a wooden smile affixed on her face. "Forgive the boy," she gestured to the omega present. "He is new and unfamiliar with faces."
The alpha's question clearly confused her. Her smile faltered before the corners trembled up again. "I-no. No, Emerald is simply resting. All he does is sleep." Then, she said more genuinely, "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous contribution to Arthur's debt. It couldn't come at a better time." The beta sighed, chin perched on the back of her fingers looking down.
"Really, the boy is overreacting. It's time he moved on, but alas I am soft hearted. He has been moping for days." Francine thought it was only polite to sympathize with the alpha considering all he had done. "I apologize for all the trouble he put you through."
"Not at all. Rather it is I who put so much trouble upon him. It was rash of me to send him back before our contract was up. I hope he will forgive my childish behavior." Alfred's smile was gentle and sad as he spoke still doubting he would have anything but a door slammed in his face for his behavior. "If possible I would like a private audience with him. We have much to speak about."
Francine nodded. "But of course. Please, follow me." The madam led Alfred herself to the omegas' bedrooms. The back rooms were nothing of the splendid and rich atmosphere in the entertainment rooms. The decor humble and clean, the wall tapestries and door curtains of simpler material but made from the same talented hands. It occurred to Alfred everything in the house was made by the workers.
As they passed through the halls a few curious eyes peeked out of the door curtains, quickly retreating and whispering to the others within. An alpha in the dorms was rare and the omegas were wary of an alpha invading their private space.
Francine stopped in front of the doorway to one of the sleeping rooms. "If you need anything please call on me or one of the workers." She bowed again and left in a swish of grand skirts.
Inside, the lone omega sitting by Arthur tensed, hearing the madam speak outside the room. The omega jumped up and stormed up to the alpha as Alfred moved the curtain. Fists tight against his sides he glared poison at him. "Y-you have some nerve coming back here!" The omega wailed in a trembling voice. Tears of outrage glistened his eyes. "Go. Just-go!"
"Tino. It's fine. Let him come," a soft, spiritless voice spoke from farther inside the dark room. A shadowed figure sat up from the futon. "Please leave us," Arthur asked with the same toneless lilt.
Tino looked back, conflict anguishing his face. He acquiesced, ducking his head and hiding his face as he rushed past the alpha
Alfred watched as the omega stormed away confusion clear on his features. Perhaps he had been cruel in his words but to deserve that kind of reaction from anyone but Arthur didn't make sense to him. Alfred glanced back at the half open curtains; his stomach was in his throat as a million different scenarios ran through his head. He took a deep shuddering breath before pulling the curtains aside and stepping into the dimly light room.
The room held a light scent of iron and dust causing Alfred's shoulders to slump. "Arthur?" Alfred asked in a weak voice. "Please tell me what I think happened didn't." He fought to get the words out as they stuck in his throat like hooks, "The baby…"
Alfred slowly stepped closer to the omega trying to suppress the tears he felt building up in his eyes. As Arthur slowly glanced up at him Alfred felt a wave of nausea strike him. Dark blood-caked bandages covered the majority of Arthur's face, neck, and the upper half of his torso. The wounds had likely festered as the foul stench of decaying flesh grew more prominent as Alfred came closer. His legs gave out on him as he fell to his knees in grief. Alfred only just managed to choke out, "Arthur… What happened?"
As the prince closed in the intruder's smell swamped the air Arthur breathed. The omega tensed and shifted away to make distance. "What are you doing here?" He asked plaintively, unable to summon the energy to feel upset. His dull eyes were weighed to the floor, defeat in his steeped shoulders. "Did you want to see for yourself? I did not know you to be so cruel."
"Arthur surely you can't think that I would have wanted this. I was upset and said stupid things in that cabin that I have come to regret but never would I have wished for this. Not to you not to anyone." Alfred reached out to Arthur only to have the other flinch away; the way in which Arthur shied away from him panged Alfred's heart. Arthur was afraid of him and that broke his heart.
"Who did this to you?" He growled, "I swear I'll make them pay, for you, for the baby." His voice hitched as he spoke as angry as he was at Arthur's attacker the grief was too much to bear. "God, Arthur, I can't even express how sorry I am. I was stupid to send you away. I'm so sorry."
At the mention of the baby the omega choked back a sob. He covered his mouth to muffle the noise. "Who do you think did this? Who else could get away with it?" Tears beaded at the corner of his eyes and spilled down his cheeks. They fell silently like strings of pearls. "Alfred...he killed my baby. My little girl. I begged him to stop because he was hurting the baby. Instead he..." Arthur suddenly covered his face and sobbed harder.
"Alfred...I was your /omega!/ You were supposed to take /care of me/!" His shoulders shuddered with the force of his sobs. "My child is dead. I have nothing."
His heart clenched painfully knowing Arthur was right. He had always been right. Alfred had to stop his father's torment and torture like this could not go on any longer. He would face his father but not today, today he would mourn the loss of Arthur's baby of the child that could have been his daughter. He would call Kiku to tend to Arthur's injuries and ensure the omega was in overall good health after the incident. His father could wait just one more day.
Alfred loosely wrapped his arms around Arthur not wanting to put pressure on the omega's injuries. "I know. It's my fault. I'm sorry." He hid his head gently in the crook of Arthur's neck as he finally let his own tears fall.
Gasping in fright Arthur pushed Alfred away and cornered up against the wall. The prince's alpha scent triggered the omega's instinct to escape.
Alfred's arms hung empty in the air longing to comfort the omega and perhaps selfishly seek his own comfort. His tears did not stop when Arthur pulled away rather they seemingly increased in volume. He quickly tried to wipe the tears away as he slowly stood not wanting to scare Arthur any more than he already was. "I'm sorry," he choked out mournfully, "I can tell when I'm not wanted. I won't bother you again." Alfred slowly made his way back out the door wishing Arthur would ask him to stay, but knowing it would never happen. He barely made it half way down the hall before he collapsed into a fit of tears not caring who may see him.
Arthur didn't know what was wrong with him. He was at a loss. He didn't understand the meaning behind Alfred's visit. The alpha's tears spoke a thousand words but he needed to hear it from his mouth. It wasn't real until Alfred said it.
But no words would soothe Arthur's fears. No words would give Arthur his baby back. It happened two days after he was dumped on the front steps of the brothel, torn and bloody. He knew what the spasming cramps meant but there was nothing he could do. The baby was already dead. He could feel it. When Arthur gave birth to his dead daughter he cried for days. She was so small in his hands. They buried her in the field on the fringe of the city limits.
Arthur felt like died along with her. Since that day the omega couldn't feel much of anything. There was a barrier between himself and the world muting everything out. He couldn't care less about the lacerations on his face, the king's guarantee that no one would employ him anymore.
.oOo.
Tino wasn't sure how to react to Alfred's emotional reaction on the one hand he wanted to ensure Arthur was alright, but judging by the alpha's tears Arthur was fine. His heart ached as he recalled one other alpha he once knew so very well such a long time ago. He looked so strong and poised from the outside, but his heart was as fragile as an omega's.
Tino sighed tiredly before walking up to Alfred and kneeling beside him. His features softened as he took in the baby-faced alpha eyes rimmed red from his tears, he gently patted Alfred's head gaining the attention of the glassy-eyed alpha. "There, there, come on let's get you something warm to drink. I there are a few things I think we should talk about." Tino smiled gently, offering his hand to the young alpha his mothering nature too strong to ignore.
Alfred sniveled as he looked at the omega who had been ready to fight him a short time prior. He looked at the hand extended toward him as if it would catch fire any moment. After several seconds he finally took it and followed after the omega like a young child would its mother.
Tino led Alfred to the kitchen and motioned him to a seat around the low table. The omega busied through the cupboards. "Arthur said you liked coffee, but we only have tea. Is that okay?" Tino peeked over the cupboard at him.
Alfred hummed noncommittally as he stared down numbly at the table willing himself not to think too deeply about Arthur. The tears came slowly and quietly as he listened to the soft sounds of Tino preparing tea in the kitchen.
Tino returned with two cups and a steaming kettle of an exotic floral blend. Rather than sit across the omega gingerly kneeled on the cushion beside Alfred. He poured the alpha a cup.
"Alfred," Tino started, firm but gentle, hands clasped around his cup. "How much do you know of what happened?"
Alfred fiddled with the handle of his cup trying to force himself to speak. "Not a lot, he wasn't very detailed as to what exactly happened. I know my father hurt him and that he lost the…" Alfred bit his lip fighting back a fresh wave of tears, he steadied himself with a deep breath, "and he hates me now. And that I deserve every ounce of that hatred."
Tino worried his lip. He didn't like seeing people in pain. "I know you're a good person, Alfred," Tino admitted with more compassion. He didn't use Alfred's title; right now they were equals. "And I care about Arthur. I grew up with him. He helped me, too." The omega watched his finger delicately circle the rim of his cup. "From what I understand Arthur was taken by surprise at the city gate and sent directly to the king. He didn't tell me what happened, but I know enough from seeing what /he/ did. The king held Arthur for five days doing heaven knows what. He was half-dead when they left him out in the street. He was /covered/ in blood, Alfred." The omega shook his head. "The king mutilated his face. He was covered in knife lacerations. Of course it was deliberate...so he's no longer marketable.
"A few days later Arthur miscarried. It's no surprise. Arthur was devastated. He told me she was his shining hope. He said even if you hated him and the baby he would have made sure she had every opportunity in the world." Tino glared into his cup. "I agree with Arthur. You should have protected him. If you were a real alpha you would have loved his daughter /because/ you love Arthur. He didn't cheat on you. If anything, he stepped out of line by falling in love with you."
Alfred bowed his head and did not refute Tino's words because they were right he should have stood by Arthur, but instead he childishly sent him away. "You're right. This is my fault. It was immature and irresponsible of me to send him back like that. If only I had come back sooner or had never sent him away this would have never happened."
He stared down at his hands running a finger over the lip of the cup. "But instead I took a week longer than expect with my side trip to England. I was going to try and make it up to him. I was going to free him from his brother and debt and then maybe I thought just maybe he would forgive me." Alfred looked up and finally faced Tino eyes red. "Now he's free and I come back to this. I almost wish I had stayed unaware. I finally started to get excited about Arthur's pregnancy, about the idea of being a father, but I was too late and she's dead and I only have myself to blame. I might as well have been the one to strike the killing blow."
"What will you do now?" Tino gazed at him sadly. "The king knows. Arthur isn't safe." He took a small sip. "Maybe it wasn't meant to be. But you can at least give him a place to stay? He's a free omega now, so he can go anywhere. Francine is going to put him out soon." Arthur was as good as dead alone on the streets. The omega didn't know how to take care of himself. Feliciano heard about what happened and offered to take him in, but it was too dangerous with the king having his eye on Arthur.
"Of course I will help him find lodging and anything else he might need." Alfred practically snapped at the omega. "I'm not so heartless as to toss him aside now. Injuries or not he's still Arthur. I still love him."
"As for the king," Alfred's eyes grew dark at the mention of his father, "Any ruler who toys with his subjects lives as he does is not worthy of the title of king. I will remove him from the throne he sits upon so comfortably."
"I-what? Do you know what you're saying?!" Tino asked voice lowered in a hiss. "You're talking about royal patricide, Alfred!" Tino was beside himself with exasperation. Alphas were impulsive and reckless with their feelings, usually acting out on their anger and aggression. The omega shook his head. "Clear your head, Alfred. Think on it."
"I have thought on it. For years I've thought on it as a mere passing thought never thinking I was strong enough to pull such a thing off. I'm through with thinking, this was the final straw. I cannot let him continue on like this any longer." Alfred squared his shoulders determined to end his father's reign of terror on the lower classes. "I will be fair about it. I am better than he, I will challenge him to a dominance fight, winner takes all. It would bring shame to the family name if he refused."
Tino perked his brows, leaning back. "Really." He was impressed. This was Alfred in a whole new light.
"It's the least I can do to make it up to those who have suffered my father's wrath. The time to be complacent is long past, the nobility is in desperate need of change and I will be its driving force." Alfred slowly stood up from the chair. "Speaking of my father's wrath, I need to call Kiku to examine Arthur's injuries. I can't be sure but I believe they may be infected."
Tino nodded, collecting Alfred's cup. It was unsafe to overtly condone or encourage Alfred's plan, but the omega's modest smile was clearly pleased. "I am hopeful, Alfred. For all of us. And, I will talk to Arthur. He loves you. He talked about you all the time; your favorite coffee, your ticklish spots, everything. He said you had honest eyes. I believe it, too." The omega reached up on his tip-toes and kissed the prince's cheek. "I will tell Arthur about the doctor. Thank you." He left.
Alfred reached his hand to touch the cheek Tino had kissed momentarily shock at how motherly the gesture had felt. He smiled to himself softly before leaving to grab Kiku himself, he could use the walk to relax himself some.
.oOo.
Tino found Arthur fussing with the bandages on his face. They had fallen like ribbons around his face. Tino sighed and took over as Arthur gave up with a huff.
"Sorry. I never was good at this," Tino tried tucking in the loose ends. He apologized as Arthur flinched in pain.
They were silent, both thinking about Alfred with different sentiments on mind. Tino had to break the ice. "Alfred-"
"Tino, please." Arthur shut him down before he finished.
"/Alfred/ is going to kill him," Tino persisted at a whisper. "I know," the omega said seeing Arthur shocked speechless. "I'm not telling you to forgive him. Only that you should know."
Arthur said nothing, looking out the window. Francine gave him until his injuries healed and then she would have to let him go. There were a lot of things on his mind, but he was mostly preoccupied with his child.
"Arthur," Tino sigh softly knowing Arthur's mind went right to his child as it had for weeks now, "I know it hurts right now. Believe me, I know better than most here how much it hurts right now, but you can't mourn forever. There will always be a small part of you that will miss your child, but you can't let that be the ruling factor in your life."
Tino gently placed his hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Trust me, there's not a day that goes by in which I don't think of my little Peter and my gentle giant of an alpha, but if I spent each day mourning for them then I would never be able to talk and smile with my friends here. It's okay to hurt like this for awhile, but you can't plan your life around your pain. I spent so many years learning that the hard way."
Arthur braced himself for a deep, cleansing breath. "I'm tired of weakness." He wiped his red and swollen eyes. The useless tears would not stop. "All I do is cry. My child was murdered. All of them were, but still I feel at fault. I miss them. I love them so much. Not a day goes by when I don't think of my children." When Tino edged closer he gladly rested his head on his friend's shoulder. "I just hope one day they will forgive me."
"Arthur there is nothing to forgive. You did nothing but love every child you were blessed with, but the world is not so kind and ripped each one away from you. I believe you will find a way to smile and be happy again. Once you do I believe the gentler side of the world will be kind enough to bless you again, but you must be patient until such a time comes. When it does, show that babe enough love for it and all its siblings that did not have a chance to experience it." Tino gently placed a kiss on the crown of Arthur's head. "Until that time comes what will you do?"
Arthur shook his head, cheek rubbing on Tino's soft shoulder. "I cannot stay on Francine's coin. I hope Feliciano's mate will take me in." He didn't know what to think about Alfred's bold declaration. And while the alpha may have returned with the courage and humility to beg forgiveness he was ignorant of the severity of his condition. The mutilation would leave him scarred for life.
The hush of the door curtain pulling aside alerted them to Kiku's presence. Tino stood. "I'll return with tea and herb shortly." He turned to the doctor. "Please take care of him."
"To the best of my abilities." Kiku bowed. Tino left.
.oOo.
Kiku's verdict of Arthur's condition wasn't ideal, but it wasn't devastating either. The scars would mar the omega's face for the rest of his life, but he would heal well enough given time. With the situation between them as is it was the best Alfred could hope for. Alfred hoped after he dealt with his father he would have a chance to try and receive Arthur's forgiveness for the wrongs he had committed against the omega.
He sighed tiredly as he walked down the hall towards the throne room in which his father was having an important business meeting. The more people there to bear witness to Alfred's challenge the better. As he neared the doors nausea built up in his stomach from nervousness and anger, if Alfred won the duel then he would become king. He wasn't sure he was ready for such a responsibility, but he couldn't go back on his word now. Slamming open the doors so as to draw the attention of everyone in the room.
There on the tall and lavish throne sat the king in all his regality. He donned blue, the color of his house, shades taken from the lightest sky to the deepest sapphire. His midnight eyes, honed in on his son the moment he barged through the doors. He made no move from his relaxed seat.
The man kneeling before him looked up in surprise seeing the prince march up the lush velvet carpet. All in attendance were in surprise. The servants, courtesan guests, and everyone else could hear the dark foreboding in the weight of his brisk steps. Sitting close by the omegas of the king's harem scurried out of the way.
The king simply watched his son approach.
Alfred stood what could barely be considered a proper distance from the throne steeling himself in his father's unimpressed gaze refusing to let his anger be undone. "I have had it with you. I have looked the other way far too many times." Alfred threw his arm towards the people sitting in the room watching the spectacle unfold. "We have all looked the other way far too many times, and I for one am through with covering up your horrid habits. You do not deserve the throne you sit upon. And so I present to you a formal challenge, father," Alfred spat the word bitterly, "for rights to the throne. It shall be a fight to the death, champion takes all."
Only those who knew the king well noticed the minute annoyance furrowing his brow. Otherwise he remained unfazed for a time, showing how unthreatened he was of the spectacle his son was making.
"If you choose a filthy whore over your own blood so be it. I will remove you from this earthly existence." He abruptly stood drawing his sword with a keen tin of the finest metal. He closed on his son standing fast, sword pointed out. The tip stopped inches from his son's throat. "Do you think I won't kill you because you are my son? I will take your life and produce another legitimate heir. You are expendable, Alfred. Just like your whore. Although," he cocked his head in mock consideration, "he does play well. Best head I've had in years."
Fire burned in Alfred's eyes as he stared down his father hand twitching for the sword at his side, but there were traditions to follow if he wanted to be taken seriously by the nobles he would rule over. He gripped his father's blade at his throat forcing it away from his vulnerable neck. "Save it for the arena." Alfred growled refusing to take a step back before the king.
"Hmph. We'll see, my son." The king addressed Alfred by his relation for the single purpose of antagonizing. Lowering his weapon he turned heel and returned to his throne. "Until then, /Prince/ Alfred, you are interrupting an important meeting. Be gone."
Alfred bristled at the way his father treated him like a child, but he had better things to do than dispute with his father. He turned away and made for the doors his much too expensive robes flowing behind him. As per tradition the fight would take place at noon in the royal arena one week from the issued challenge. His father may have aged, but his skills with a blade had not diminished along with him. Alfred had much practice to do before the match.
A/N: Come on people for those who have read our stories in the past how could you not see this coming. Also sorry it took awhile to update I just started a new job, full time, so I've been a bit busy with that. Anyways only 2 chapters left hope you guys enjoy them!
As we won't go into detail about Tino and his past here's a small summary of what happened to him. Tino was happily mated to an alpha named Berwald but one day thieves came in and ransacked their home killing Berwald and Peter, their infant alpha son, and then selling Tino into slavery as omegas fetch a high price. Francine is good to him but Tino has no hope to ever get out thus he has sort of taken on a maternal role in the brothel of taking care of the younger omegas.