The castle was quiet in the early afternoon, the usual hum of activity muted in the private corridors leading to Prince Edess’s chambers. Celestio’s footsteps echoed against the polished stone floor, his mind preoccupied as he headed to the meeting between himself, the prince, and Sabas. It would be the first chance for Sabas and Edess to interact personally, and Celestio couldn’t help but feel anxious over how it would unfold.

  As he turned a corner, he nearly collided with someone coming from the opposite direction. He stepped back quickly, startled, only to find himself face-to-face with a familiar member of the court. The local aristocrat was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair pulled back neatly, his eyes widening in recognition as they landed on Celestio.

  “Ah, Celestio,” the Alpha said with a polite smile. “What a surprise to see you here. I was just on my way to deliver some documents to His Highness’s Minister of Correspondence.”

  Celestio returned the smile, though his own was more subdued. He recognized the man as someone who had been more active in court before the king left for the current crusade, though he couldn’t remember his name. “Good afternoon,” he said politely. “I hope I didn’t get in your way.”

  “Not at all,” the Alpha replied. “It’s good to see you after the excitement of His Highness’s birthday.”

  “It has certainly been an interesting few weeks,” Celestio agreed. “But my work is never done.”

  “Your dedication to His Highness is admirable.” He hesitated, his expression shifting to curiosity. “So I must admit, I was surprised when I heard the news of your engagement. I never thought you would accept a marriage proposal, especially after what happened a few years ago.”

  Celestio blinked in confusion. “A few years ago?” he repeated, his voice careful. “I’m afraid I don’t recall what you are referring to.”

  The Alpha’s own smile now faltered. “Oh? I proposed to you.”

  Celestio’s breath caught and he stared at the Alpha, his mind racing. “You… proposed to me?” he asked. “I don’t recall ever receiving such a proposal.”

  The Alpha’s expression shifted to one of mild discomfort, and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Well, I didn’t propose to you directly,” he admitted. “I thought it would be more appropriate to broach the topic with His Highness, given your relationship with him. I suppose I should have made a spectacle of it if I wanted you to accept,” he added with a laugh.

  Celestio’s stomach dropped. “You went through Prince Edess?”

  The Alpha nodded. “Yes, I spoke to him about it, and he said he would pass my intentions along to you. When I didn’t hear a response, I assumed you had rejected me. His Highness confirmed that you didn’t believe our pheromones were compatible, and that was the end of it. I admit, I was rather embarrassed and took on some business for my father a few towns over.”

  Celestio’s heart pounded in his chest. He forced a smile onto his face, his voice steady as he replied, “I see. I’m sorry that I did not have the courage to speak directly with you back then. It is as His Highness said – our pheromones simply weren’t compatible.”

  “No need to apologize,” he said warmly. “I must not have made much of an impression on you if you’re struggling to remember me. Your fiancé must be quite the Alpha to win your heart. I hope I can be that Alpha for someone one day.”

  Celestio’s smile wavered slightly, but he inclined his head politely. “Thank you. I appreciate your kind words.”

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  The Alpha offered him a final nod before continuing down the hallway, his footsteps fading into the distance. Celestio remained where he was, his mind racing. Edess had known about a proposal, and he had chosen not to tell Celestio; instead, he had taken it upon himself to reject the Alpha on Celestio’s behalf. Celestio’s mood darkened as he considered the implications. How many other decisions had the prince made for him without his knowledge? How many opportunities had been denied to him because Edess had decided they weren’t worth Celestio’s attention?

  He exhaled slowly, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. Edess was always straining to be in control of everything around him, but this was something else.

  The sound of a grandfather clock chiming down the hall pulled him from his thoughts. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to focus, smoothing his expression into one of calm composure.

  The heavy wooden doors of the prince’s chambers loomed ahead. Celestio hesitated for a brief moment before knocking and then letting himself in, his expression carefully composed. Inside, the room was warm and richly appointed, the usual scent of incense and the prince’s distinct pheromones lingering in the air. Edess stood by the window, gazing out at the courtyard below with his customary air of quiet authority.

  Celestio’s entrance drew his attention, and he turned, his piercing gaze settling on the Omega. Celestio strode towards him, sitting on his customary plush chair across from the prince’s sofa. He lifted his own gaze to meet Edess’s.

  “Before he arrives,” Celestio began, his voice calm but firm, “there is something I would like to ask you.”

  Edess raised an eyebrow. “And what might that be?”

  Celestio took a deep breath, his expression remaining steady despite the tension simmering beneath the surface. “I ran into someone in the hallway,” he said. “An Alpha. He mentioned his surprise that I accepted a marriage proposal, considering I had rejected his proposal several years ago.”

  “Did he, now?” Edess said. “Do you want my congratulations on your popularity?”

  “He said he made the proposal through you,” Celestio continued. “And that you told him our pheromones weren’t compatible. Is that true?”

  The prince let out a soft laugh, turning back toward the window as though the question didn’t merit his full attention. “What does it matter?” he asked. “You didn’t even know about it until now.”

  “That’s not the point,” Celestio said sharply, his knuckles tightening on his knees. “Edess, you made that decision for me without my knowledge. Why?”

  Edess turned to face him, scowling despite the bright day behind him. “Why?” he repeated, his tone dripping with incredulity. “You’re the royal secretary. My personal advisor. You’re too important to be compromised by some half-baked marriage proposal from an Alpha who couldn’t even approach you directly.”

  Celestio’s lips pressed into a thin line, his hands clenching tighter.

  “Why are you so angry?” the prince went on. “You didn’t need that Alpha, clearly. You don’t even remember his name. And now you have Sabas – your so-called ‘fated Alpha.’ You have no need to be upset.”

  Celestio hesitated, his chest tightening as he processed Edess’s words. He wanted to argue and demand answers, but the prince’s unwavering confidence left him feeling off-balance. After a moment, he exhaled slowly, forcing himself to focus.

  “I suppose you are right,” he said finally, his voice carefully measured. “Any Alpha would expect me to marry into their family and bend to their will. We are fortunate that Sabas wants to marry into my family instead.”

  Edess’s expression shifted, softening a little as he leaned back against the windowsill. “It is fortunate,” he agreed. “Quite convenient, don’t you think?”

  Celestio’s chest tightened further, the prince’s words planting an unwelcome seed of doubt in his mind. “Sabas hasn’t given me any reason to doubt him,” he said quietly. “He has been nothing but kind and supportive. You have kept your guards close to him. I’m sure he has not given you any reason to doubt him, either; considering he is still alive.”

  Edess tilted his head as he eyed his advisor. “Indeed. And maybe he really is everything you think he is. But you’ve spent your whole life being wary of Alphas, Celestio. Don’t let your guard down just because this one happens to smell nice.”

  Edess pushed himself away from the window and crossed the room to stand in front of him. He stopped just close enough to tower over him, his piercing gaze locking onto Celestio’s. “Don’t look so tense,” he said. “I’m just looking out for you. Hasn’t that always made you happy?”

  Celestio held the prince’s gaze for a long moment, then said, “Sabas will be here soon.”

  Edess’s smile widened but he said nothing, stepping around Celestio to call for a servant to serve their tea. Celestio closed his eyes and breathed, shaking the gnawing uncertainty that had taken root in his chest. He knew Edess had his best interests at heart, but he couldn’t deny that Sabas would be part of his future.

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