When the news arrived, Asami and his generals were going over plans to fortify a territory from possible invaders from the north. It was a normal day for Asami, with long meetings with ministers and generals. Going over documents and reading proposed laws or reports from different parts of the ministry. He barely notices Kirishima at first, as his loyal servant does his best to be invisible until he is needed. Asami barely registered Kirishima's deep bow as he was mainly focused on listening to one of his men giving a detailed layout before he heard Kirishima whisper, "Your Majesty, I have distressing news."
Asami doesn't look away from the map before him but he nods to Kirishima to continue. Distressing news is nothing new to Asami, as the Emperor of Sion, he hears "distressing news" weekly. The generals pause to let Kirishima speak as it's possible the news might relate to their discussion. Kirishima doesn't say anything for a moment and Asami finally turns to look at him. Kirishima is dressed in his normal dark robes, his glasses sitting primly on his nose and his mouth is in a tight, thin line. He is looking everywhere but Asami's face and he looks generally worried about what he has to tell Asami. Asami frowns. "What is it?" He asks tensely.
Kirishima bows deep to the floor. "Your Majesty, the Empress has been poisoned."
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Ryuichi never thought he would be Emperor. As the twelfth son of a long and growing line of heirs, Ryuichi was told early in his life that it would take a long shot for him to rise to the top. When he presented as an alpha, his chances increased to the fifth in line to the throne but still, his elder brothers were more accomplished and more favored by his royal father than he was. So Ryuichi had what his brothers didn't have: freedom.
He studied when he wanted, trained in what he wanted and when he wanted, and lived how he wanted. His sire was seemingly always disappointed in him, comparing Ryuichi to his elder brothers at any opportunity. By the time he had reached his mid-teens, Ryuichi had come to realize that he could live a proud and fulfilling life without his royal father's approval. His dam had passed away when Ryuichi was only three and he was placed in the care of his dam's servants along with the supervision of his paternal grandmother, who kept a relaxed eye on him, never encouraging him to try harder or do better as she favored the second prince for the throne.
Ryuichi was never a threat to his brothers and had a content relationship with his brothers for most of his childhood. That was until his sire died unexpectedly when Ryuichi was seventeen years old. Overnight, his elder two brothers began the political war over who would take the throne and who would die for it. Ryuichi did his best to stay out of their path, content with the casual freedom he had grown up with. However, when his paternal grandmother died a few months later, the conflict began to spread through the imperial halls like wildfire.
Soon Ryuichi needed to make a choice on who he was siding with: his eldest brother, the Crown Prince and the Heir Apparent with the counsel's favor, or his second brother, the Empress Dowager's favorite and backed by the generals. The feud of brothers got bloody and dirty quickly and before Ryuichi knew it, he was the only one left standing in the pool of his brothers' blood.
He was crowned by the time he was twenty-one and before he could find stability as the new monarch, he was being handed pretty omegas and betas for his harem. He begrudgingly accepted a concubine wife every other year to appease his counsel as he focused mainly on building his empire, retaining his strength as the Emperor, proving to his followers, his enemies, and the memory of his sire's shadow that he was the right heir all along.
Soon, though, his counsel of advisors began to question when Ryuichi would produce an heir and formally take a wife and Empress and was convinced to pick a wife among his harem. He resisted for a couple more years, finding none of the concubines were suitable enough that he would enjoy calling his Empress, though many were qualified. However, their petty games of seduction and one-upping the other by showing off what they have received or given were boring and insufferable and had Ryuichi put off choosing a proper wife among them.
He did enjoy the casual sex; it was a good relief after a long day with counselors and generals and for some time, he even enjoyed the amount of attention he received from his harem. They clearly wanted him, some even claimed to love him but it was only so deep for him. Overhearing petty, revenge plots and outlandish gossip of members in the harem one afternoon was enough for Asami to keep his distance. For the next few years, he refused to share heats or his ruts with any of the concubines, avoiding their scheduled heats like the plague. He would ignore his advisors who bemoan his lack of an heir anytime a concubine's heat was announced. He did not want to be a pawn in someone else's game. Pups would come when he was ready as he knew that they were easy to make but for the time being, he was content keeping his distance from the harem.
Until he met Akihito.
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Asami didn't care if it would be frowned upon by the counsel if the Emperor were to be seen running through his palace like a feral wolf. Instinctively, he felt like one, tied to a leash that was held by his entourage as they followed two paces behind him, holding him back and choking him as he walked briskly to the Empress's palace.
To Akihito, his mate.
He didn't bother with the decorum of waiting to be announced by Akihito's servants as they came to greet him with a panicked bow. Asami did not wait for his entourage to arrive, knowing they will wait in the courtyard of the Empress's palace as they always have when they arrive. Asami rushes by the servants, barely listening to the servants as they call out to him in timid voices "...to wait, that the doctor is seeing the Empress now, Your Majesty. Please, let him do his job, Your Majesty, please wait!"
It is insulting that they would shout at him during this time but he pays them little attention. He doesn't stop, he can't. The need to see Akihito, to know what has happened, and to know that he is okay. He needs to scent him, to touch him with rough and soft hands, to scold him for being foolish or adventurous before placing endless kisses on his face for frightening Asami.
The alpha briskly walks through the door to Akihito's bedroom, a familiar doorway that he has passed through many times, for various reasons and no reasons at all. The doorway was always simple and barely noticeable to Asami but now, he slows to a stop near the opening as the scene comes into view.
Akihito is lying on his daybed, the imperial physician diligently examining him. His mate is sickly pale, his eyes closed, and breathing shallowly through his mouth. He is still dressed in his standard finery, no doubt dressed for his own meetings with the palace departments and the daily activities that he takes part in. His servants have removed his royal headdress, letting loose the long dark blond braid against the soft silk pillows. Asami aches to run his fingers through it, to bring the deep gold hair to his nose so he can smell Akihito's sweet fresh scent instead of the somewhat sour tang that hangs heavy in the air.
He watches as the doctor gently checks Akihito's pulse as Asami walks closer to the bed. The doctor looks up calmly as he takes his hand away from Akihito's wrist. He gives Asami a respectful bow. "Your Majesty." He greets softly so as not to disturb Akihito.
"How is he?" Asami asks softly, his eyes never leaving Akihito's slumbering face, and motions the physician to rise from his bow.
"First and foremost, the Empress will recover with adequate rest and herbal remedies that I will provide to the staff." The doctor replies. The relief is instant, Asami finds himself releasing a deep breath, exhaling the fear and anxiety that had crept into his lungs. He moves past the doctor to sit next to Akihito, carefully grabbing his cool hand and placing it in between his own. The doctor continues, "Secondly, Your Majesty, I am afraid that the Empress has been poisoned continuously for several weeks." Asami sharply looks back at the doctor who bows from his waist to hide his face.
"Explain." He commands, careful not to shout so as to not wake his wife as a fire begins to rage from his chest.
One of Akihito's servants, a young omega male that Asami knows is named Kou, makes an appearance when he quickly walks in with a small bowl of water and a towel, giving Asami a short bow but says nothing as he tends to Akihito's side. His petite, pretty face is etched with worry as he dabs the cool cloth on Akihito's face. At that exact moment, Akihito begins to cough, a deep and terrible shutter that seems to come from the pit of his lungs. Kou is there with the cloth, gently covering Akihito's mouth until he stops coughing. Akihito never opens his eyes and seems to sink even deeper into his bed. When Kou pulls the cloth away, it's spattered with blood.
Asami turns away with a sharp breath. He is not afraid of blood. He was born from it, learned from it. As a warrior in his own right, Asami is used to the sight and smell of blood. He had to spill his own and many others before rising as the true Emperor of Sion. He was there when Akihito gave birth to their son, as unorthodox as everyone claimed him to be, never wanting to leave his wife and mate's side as he pushed their child into the world. Not that he could, Akihito's grip was strong on his arms and hands as the pain of labor ripped through him. Akihito has bled for him even before he gave birth and Asami vowed then that he would not let it happen again. Yet, here he is, sick, poisoned by someone in his palace, and Asami is left to watch him suffer.
Knowing that he failed Akihito and that his wife is in danger fills Asami with great sorrow that then stoked the flames of his rage. As he looks back at Akihito's pale face, blood visible on his bottom lip, Asami looks at the physician with an unwavering cold stare and repeats his command in a dark tone, "Explain to me how exactly my wife has been poisoned."
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Takaba Akihito was only seventeen when he entered the palace's harem. Akihito would tell him that when he formally presented as an omega shortly before his fifteenth birthday, his sire had already moved his attention to his half-sibling who was showing signs of being an alpha and therefore the rightful heir to his sire's line. He had been eager to give Akihito away to the harem as it gave him grace with Asami and his court but also was a way of getting rid of Akihito as his presentation disappointed his sire greatly.
Hearing this for the first time, in the quiet hours of the night while Akihito is curled into Asami's arms, his temples still damp with sweat, his skin flushed a rosy pink from their recent lovemaking, had Asami wanting to call Kirishima to ask for the head of Lord Takaba immediately. He blinked in surprise when Akihito started laughing.
"Asami, what good would it be to bring his head to you, hmm? Aside from ruining your breakfast, it would bring you nothing but grief from the ministers." Akihito said, running his hand up and down Asami's back and shoulder to soothe him. Asami doesn't want to admit that he pouted when he came back down from his protective alpha headspace but Akihito's small grin and the glint in his eye told him that he saw but thankfully would say nothing. "Besides, becoming the Empress and your lawful wife is enough of an award for me and a slap in the face to my sire."
Asami raised an eyebrow as he laid back down in Akihito's awaiting arms. "Is it what you always wanted, then? To have the power of being Empress?" For a moment, Asami worried that he chose the wrong person to be his wife and partner in this path of sovereignty. That Akihito had managed to trick him into believing that he wasn't as power-hungry as the ministers, the lords, and the concubines. That he lied when he whispered softly to Asami under the sunset-painted sky that faithful spring night at the lake that he loved him.
Akihito places his thumb on the center of Asami's forehead, rubbing slightly at the bridge of his nose. "Stop." He whispered, his breath soft against Asami's cheek. "Your mind is already thinking of all the ways I could betray you, isn't it?"
Asami doesn't like being seen so clearly by someone so young but he can't help but feel bashful that Akihito knows him so thoroughly. Akihito sat up on his forearm to look at Asami and said, "It is not the power of being Empress that I wanted. It is knowing that my sire sent me here to fail at being happy. He thinks my status as an omega is at the fault of my dam's, who abandoned both of us in my early years. My sire never wants me to be happy because he is never happy." Akihito released a sigh before he continued, "When I first came here, I had to learn hard lessons very quickly. Your harem was and still is a death trap despite being crowned. So many of your concubines want a place in your bed for their own reasons, be they good or ill intentions. For me, however, I simply wanted to live my life in peace and hope to find the happiness my sire kept stealing from me."
Akihito smiled then and looked back at Asami, perching his chin on his shoulder, his long hair falling around him making Akihito look like a heavenly being sent down to bless Asami, "Oddly enough, my king, that is where you came in. I never imagined that you would be my happiness. Believing that seemed like a fool's dream and one that would cause more hurt than I was willing to take. I was content to simply be one of your many concubines, pretty and unspoiled yet invisible." Akihito's smile grows coy as memories begin to trickle in. "But then, it rained…"
Asami is immediately brought back to the moment when he and his entourage were walking in between palaces, heading to another meeting with ministers and advisors when the skies opened up. He was guided to the nearest building for cover, only to be greeted rather apathetically by Akihito and his servants. It was Asami's first time truly meeting Akihito since he and two other concubines arrived at the palace, a blurry image of the wedding ceremony in Asami's memory and one he regrets never remembering correctly.
Akihito brought them to the small tea room and had a servant bring a small lunch for Asami once he revealed that he had not eaten since breakfast. He remembers Akihito scolding him, reminding Asami that he is Emperor and should take care of himself to take care of the kingdom and its people. From there, Asami found himself enraptured by the omega, who seem to be unafraid with giving Asami a true piece of his mind once Asami gave him the chance. The bantering back and forth was refreshing, especially when Asami found that poking at Akihito was akin to annoying a spoiled housecat. Hissing and yowling but refusing to move or back away from its chosen spot.
The alpha would find himself in Akihito's presence for more than an hour before the rain finally lets up and he tried to come up with excuses to stay but found nothing except the constant worried and impatient looks from Kirishima.
Asami smiled softly. "When Kirishima told me about the tea ceremony later that month and that all the concubines were to attend, I nearly had it moved up days earlier because I wanted to see you. I nearly gave him a stroke at the idea."
Akihito laughed as he fell onto Asami, moved his face into Asami's neck, and softly nuzzled the freshly bitten bondmark that Akihito reclaimed just an hour before. Asami felt a thrum of heat slide down to his groin and the idea of grabbing Akihito to pin him underneath his body for another round of sex was very appealing but he held back as Akihito began to speak again, "Mmm, the harem was abuzz as the ceremony grew near as they all wanted your attention. I heard many wanted to replicate our fated meeting for themselves, but at best it failed as you never showed or wouldn't fall into their "trap". At worst," Akihito snickers into his hand, clearly remembering something, "Their plan would find themselves literally falling on their face in the mud."
Asami felt like there was more to the story but he doesn't get a chance to ask as Akihito continues with a soft sigh.
"I did my best to keep myself out of anyone's warpath once the news that you showed up outside of the palace. I didn't think I made much of an impression with you after the rain incident." Akihito lifted his head up and placed his chin on Asami's shoulder and pouted at Asami. "I kept waiting for a prize and everything! That's what Emperors are supposed to do!" He teased.
Asami chuckled as he knew now that winning Akihito with extravagant gifts is a long road to failure. The omega prefers personal trinkets found in the market rather than jewelry or gold. One of Akihito's most beloved courting gifts is a wonky handmade pot that leaks at the bottom that Asami gifted him when they crafted their own pottery together. Akihito fell in love with pottery making and added it to his many accolades of artistic talents. Asami, while good with his hands in many avenues, discovered that the delicate and patient hands needed to make exquisite vases or plates are not where his talents lie.
"I wasn't sure what gifts to give you yet," He said after a moment. "However, I think I convinced myself that what I had experienced with you was a fluke." Akihito tilted his head to the side, silently indicating for Asami to continue. Asami rolled his eyes and sighed. "After all, seeing you and spending that short hour with you felt like a fever dream. I couldn't imagine falling in love because I had told myself long before you that love would be used against me and I should avoid it at all cost."
Akihito frowned at the statement.
"But then when I saw you again at the tea ceremony…" He trailed off as the vision of Akihito in the deep blue kimono looked like an ethereal water spirit that had seemingly crashed his royal tea ceremony, Asami knew that his self-imposed denial was a lost cause. "I knew I was infatuated with you then."
"Yes, and then I couldn't shake you even if I tried," Akihito says with a dreamy sigh. "I had what everyone in the harem wanted: your attention. And that is something I hold very dear to me, Ryuichi. I want nothing from you but the happiness you'll give me." Akihito using his first name is uncommon, seeming to only use it in tender times like these but it still sends a jolt of warmth into his stomach when he hears it. "You could have even named anyone of the concubines as your lawful wife as long as you continued to make me happy. I am content to simply be next to you knowing that you love me most."
The alpha tsked in disgust at the idea. "I would not sully your reputation by making you come in second or worst, third place. If anyone argued, be it your sire or the harem, or even the gods themselves were to claim that anyone else is to be my wife other than you, I would have their throat in my claws as payment for their ignorance."
Akihito laughed even as he scolds Asami for his blasphemous speech.
He reached for Akihito to pull him into a soft kiss that quickly became deeper as Akihito pressed against him. Soon, Asami pinned Akihito to bed again, his cock becoming hard against Akihito's stomach before he reached for Akihito's pale legs and spreads them open, exposing Akihito's wet, pink cunt to him. Asami could feel the leftover seed gradually leaking out from his hole and carefully uses his fingers to rub it in between his folds while coating Akihito's pussy white. He took the head of his cock, scooping the remaining cum and pushing it back inside. Akihito's head falls back as Asami presses in deeply until he bottoms out with little resistance from the omega.
Wordlessly, Asami continues to fuck Akihito with tight, quick thrusts, taking in the soft mewls and cries pressed up against his mouth as the omega clenches tightly around him with every other thrust. Asami takes Akihito by the mouth as he hears the familiar hitch in Akihito's throat that tells him his mate is close, wanting to swallow down Akihito's moans as he comes.
He reaches down to thumb at Akihito's clit, wrapping his small cock between his index finger and thumb as he rubs the wet, tender flesh in time with his thrusts. He feels Akihito's pussy sputter around his cock before Akihito comes and Asami fucks into him harder, barely letting his cock leave Akihito's hole as he fucks Akihito through his orgasm. Akihito moans into his mouth, arching his back as he continues to take Asami's harsh thrusts. Soon, Asami feels his knot thicken, making it harder for him to pull out. Not that Akihito would allow him to leave as his legs tighten around Asami's hips, holding him close as Asami fucks into him.
Eventually, with Akihito clenched around him, Asami cums as his knot catches inside Akihito, filling up his omega with another load of his seed. Asami is quick to find his bondmark on Akihito's neck and latches onto it as he rides out the waves of euphoria, tasting the blood on his tongue as he reseals their bond once more. Distantly, he hears the soft cries from Akihito as he comes again, feeling a gush of slick around him as Asami continues to fuck into Akihito, though with smaller, softer thrusts now. Asami would continue pumping more cum into Akihito until his knot goes down all the while Akihito continued to clench around Asami's length with every swipe of Asami's tongue in his mouth, milking the alpha for every drop of his seed.
That was the night they conceived their son.
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Asami listens as he softly holds Akihito's petite hand as the doctor explains his wife's symptoms and including a recent discussion they had just yesterday. Akihito had come to the doctor in secret to explain what he believed were symptoms of pregnancy. Asami feels his breath catch in his ribs.
Akihito had been hinting at wanting another pup as their son was nearing his third birthday. Akihito's heats haven't returned to normal as he still nurses their pup but he did have a minor one only a few weeks ago. It was weak and ended in less than two days but Asami was able to get away from his duties to reclaim Akihito again though it wouldn't be necessary as Asami reclaims Akihito daily. Tasting the sweet, fresh scent on his tongue is addictive like it's the first time all over again for Asami and what's best is that Akihito doesn't complain about the rough treatment like he would normally. Instead, he's begging for Asami to claim him, even if the heat wasn't as strong this time. It was during the final hours of Akihito's heat that his wife made his wishes for a second pup known.
Asami can hardly say no to Akihito. If Akihito wants twenty pups, Asami will give him twenty and more. Somewhere in the back of his mind, the more primal part of himself wanted nothing more than to provide his mate with the wish of a new pup. The desire that he craves during his ruts of wanting to chain Akihito to his bed and make him his one and only broodmare, to fuck and impregnate Akihito again and again. With a swollen stomach full of his pups, his tits full of milk, leaking over his naked form, and his cunt and ass stuffed full of his seed only to beg for more…it's a sight that has pushed Asami over the edge more than once when he could not immediately be with his wife.
Knowing that Akihito had hoped to be pregnant again, the thrill he must have felt at the idea of carrying Asami's second heir only to find out that the weak heat didn't take as he had wished. And now there is a possible reason why Akihito's heat was weaker than expected and why he has not conceived yet.
"Did you know then that he was being poisoned?" Asami asks, staring at the floor, still holding Akihito's hand but feeling his mind sink away. "And if you did, why did you not say anything to me?"
The doctor dutifully bows his head as he answers. "I was unable to examine His Majesty at the time as I was being called to a different appointment. His Majesty understood and had made it clear he wanted me to arrive at his palace tomorrow after his morning schedule. I was on my way to His Majesty's palace when the call that he had collapsed was made. Before leaving yesterday, His Majesty did give me symptoms that would appear as pregnancy-related but…"
Asami looks up as the doctor hesitates to continue. "Go on."
The doctor nods. "The Empress mentioned that his symptoms had been present for several weeks but with his recent heat only three weeks ago, I had my doubts that he was suffering from early pregnancy symptoms. And while I didn't outright examine His Majesty, I did notice that he was lethargic and pale. He mentioned he did not sleep well the night before but was pushing through for the sake of his duties and overall seemed to be in good spirits. I tried to assist but His Majesty waved me off, saying that it could wait until tomorrow." The physician frowns. "I was on my way to the palace to meet with His Majesty when the call came out for a doctor. I am thankful I was nearby."
Asami waits to see if the doctor has anything else to say before speaking. "So you knew something was wrong with my wife and did nothing?"
The doctor's eyes widen as he stutters out. "No, Your Majesty. That's not what I meant. I–"
"Are you not at my disposal, doctor?"
"I am, Your Majesty."
"Then should I dispose of you for negligence?" Asami asks, looking blankly at the doctor, watching the color drain from the old man's face. The calm air was seeping away as the beta sank to his knees.
"Your Majesty, I was only doing as the Empress said. I did not think–"
"The Empress does not tell you when he has a cold. Or when he goes into labor. Or when he sprained his ankle. That I can excuse you from because that is what Akihito does. He thinks it's not a big deal until it's nearly too late. It's adorable as it is frustrating." Asami says, a small smile appearing on his face for a moment before he continues. "But my wife came to you and you saw that he looked unwell. But because you had another appointment that seemed more important than my wife's health despite the fact that my wife came to you for your guidance. My wife is kind, doctor, he will take your comfort over his own even at the expense of his own health. And now…"
Asami stops to look at Akihito, laying still and pale and sickly. It stings deeply that his beloved is hurting and that nothing was done to prevent it. That no one knew or guessed. That it happened right in front of him and he was just as blind as the rest of them. He feels a burning sensation start behind his eyes and Asami has to look away. Clenching his jaw and stabbing his nails into his palm, feeling the blood underneath his skin threaten to spill from his hand, he waits until the urge to shed tears fades before speaking again.
"And now, my wife lays in bed, poisoned because you didn't do what you are here to do: care and heal the Imperial family." The doctor is now in a full bow, quietly pleading for his life but Asami ignores him. "So, I will ask again: should I dispose of you for your negligence?"
"Please, Your Majesty, have mercy…"
"Mercy?" Asami laughs darkly. "I don't have mercy. It's lying in the bed beside me, unconscious due to being poisoned." He stands to kick the man for his insolence. He wants his guards to come to drag the man to the Hall of Discipline but before he could bark the order, Akihito's maid darts forward and bows deeply in front of the doctor before crying out.
"Your Majesty! Please hold your fury! It is not good for the Empress who needs peace and quiet to heal." Kou shouts, careful to keep his voice from being too loud. "It is true that the doctor did not examine His Majesty and that Akihito-sama dismissed him quickly but as you have said, Akihito-sama does not like to trouble others with his burdens and he would not want you to harm someone that did save his life."
Asami glowers at the omega. It is not the first time this servant has stepped in to quell Asami's temper. "You may be Akihito's favorite servant but you are not above punishment." He warns but sits back down if only for Akihito's sake.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. If it would please you, please wait to give the doctor his rightful punishment. As you have said, it is best to not give out punishments when one is blinded by strong emotion." Kou says formally but Asami feels a prick of irritation at the servant's words. He can hear Akihito's voice in Kou's words which is probably what irks him. He will need to remind Akihito to keep his servants in their places. It's just like Akihito to have a mouthy servant on hand to silently spite Asami during moments like this.
Asami rolls his eyes. "Thank you for your concern about my temper, Servant Kou, but you are not the one that decides how I run my court." He looks to his guards, still standing patiently outside of Akihito's room, calmly waiting for their Emperor to give his command. "Get him out of my sight," Asami demands, nodding his head to the doctor. Two men, both alphas, quietly and efficiently gather the old doctor in their arms and take him away. At least the beta had the dignity to not beg for his life while being taken to the Hall.
"Sire, if I may continue to be so bold," Kou says, still in the deep bow, being careful not to rise up from his place on the floor before Asami.
"You already are," Asami comments but says nothing more, waiting for the cheeky servant to continue.
"To utter these words would be treason," The servant states and waits for an objection. Receiving none, he continues. "But I believe I know who poisoned the Empress."
The room is silent at the omega's words, the air growing cold as the sun drifts behind the clouds as if it hides wants from the Emperor's rage. Taking a deep breath in, Asami asks: "Who?"