The heir to the Empire of Helio standing in the desert had to receive a precious companion oracle in front of the imperial people, ministers, and citizens of the empire upon becoming an adult.
The people of Helio treasured the destiny whispered by the gods, the oracle. However, there weren’t many opportunities to hear the whispers of the goddess Tara, who did not interfere in the politics of the country. It was said that her whispers could only be heard when great blessings descended upon the country or when signs of ruin appeared.
But the oracle about the companion who would stand beside the future emperor was an exception.
The desert deity with two faces seemed to enjoy matchmaking, as they had devoted considerable time to finding mates for imperial heirs. They were even kind enough to reveal detailed personal information about their chosen ones to the priests, perhaps hoping for a desired outcome.
However, even the divine companion oracle had become a thing of the distant past.
From Emperor Heset, who currently rules Helio, up to the three emperors before him—none had received a companion oracle from the deity. It had been an absence of 200 long years.
For the ruler of Helio, who has special blood flowing through them, there exists a fated match woven by the absolute goddess Tara.
That sweet and pleasant story was one of Helio’s many symbols, a romance, a joy, and a delight. It was natural for the people of the capital city Acro to gather to bless the marriage of the next emperor, the rising sun. The vibrant festival that continued for a week, starting from the moment the heir of the sun kissed his destined partner, was also something not to be missed.
The imperial household had no choice but to hide the silence of the deity. The absence of the goddess Tara was kept secret, and fake oracles began to take the place where the deity had departed.
Hiding behind the priests, the imperial household joined hands with power brokers inside and outside Helio. They agreed to package loveless political marriages, marriage transactions that benefited both parties, as divine blessings.
Helio’s heirs gratefully accepted the false oracles and performed splendid plays over and over again in front of the gathered people. They kissed their fabricated destined partners while looking down at the citizens gathered in the square. It was a lie that continued for about 200 years.
Assad also had a future promised marriage partner. Heka. A match determined when Assad manifested as an alpha at age 17.
Heka, the second son of Kuram, one of Helio’s ministers, was a beautiful omega nicknamed “the flower of the desert.” Born to loyal servants of the country, he was also vouched for by Assad’s father, the emperor’s consort. Everyone in the imperial household unanimously designated Heka as Assad’s implicit fiancé.
Assad didn’t have many expectations for the one who would become his companion. The concept of marriage in his mind wasn’t a union with a beloved partner but a union with a capable talent.
The former emperor, Assad’s grandfather, had taught his young grandson directly. The enormous teachings he received from the former emperor remained vividly within Assad even after his death. It was thanks to having engraved them deep in his heart.
“Assad, do not let mere pheromones control you.”
“Beware and stay away from childish emotions like love. It will blind your eyes and take away the light of the almighty emperor.”
The teachings about love were the same.
In that sense, Heka was quite an excellent candidate for an imperial consort. He was clever, quick-witted, and knew how to show artificial smiles. He also seemed to have no intention of sharing love with his companion. Moreover, he was beautiful, so there was nothing lacking in him as the future consort of the empire.
But… of all times, in front of him, the deity broke their long silence.
“The mate of the new sun is waiting for his sun to rise in the cold of the north.”
As if wishing for everyone in this world to hear their voice, not just the priest and Assad, the deity announced the fate of the crown prince throughout Helio.
The magician who was about to flow a false divine voice beyond the shrine faced the real voice of the deity and forgot what they had to do. The emperor, who had been wearing a bored face, frowned, and the priest, who was about to recite a prepared speech, knelt down. It was with tears of emotion.
“The deity has whispered fate! True destiny has come to His Highness the Crown Prince!”
Beginning with that exultant cry, the priest conveyed a deeper divine whisper to everyone.
Assad blankly stared at the unfamiliar man reflected in the water filled in the gold plate he was holding. That was his first meeting with his bride, with Cayden.
The first thing Assad did when he finally came to his senses was to curse the deity. After ignoring Helio for over 200 years, they suddenly appeared when it was time for him to marry and attached some insignificant omega as his mate. Assad couldn’t understand the deity who didn’t make a choice that would benefit the empire.
The imperial household was thrown into confusion. But for now, the conclusion was that they should follow the will of the deity first. In the process, Assad’s opinion was lightly dismissed.
Information about his companion was presented to Assad, who had locked himself in the east wing of the palace.
The man called Cayden had such a gloomy background that it made his melancholic face, glimpsed briefly, seem like nothing in comparison. It was enough to make one sigh just reading it, to the point where Assad checked only half of the story that came in, and of that, only about half again, before throwing the paper away. That was despite the fact that detailed content wasn’t even written.
The fact that the one who would become the sun’s companion was not only from a far northern kingdom but also had no family, no property, no title… just an ordinary omega below ordinary, only older than himself. Assad felt despair.
But the crown prince was merely the heir who would inherit the emperor’s crown, not the country’s highest authority.
“Take this opportunity to learn patience.”
As always, with an expressionless face, the emperor told Assad. He even patted him on the shoulder, pretending to be affectionate in a way that didn’t suit him. It was a warning that he wouldn’t let it go if Assad added any more unnecessary words.
And so Assad, having come of age, came to meet his destiny, his companion.
The fortunate thing was that the fact that the empire’s crown prince consort was a man so unremarkable as to be disconcerting was kept secret. The Kingdom of Elba, which had sent the man in the oracle, also obediently kept silent at the emperor’s command. Even his mother, who didn’t care about others’ gazes, seemed to think it was shameful that her son had become a spouse to such a man.
But that was it. The emperor did nothing more than create a secret.
Assad believed that his mother would step in to settle the strange event that had occurred in the imperial household even before he could grasp his head in worry. However, the emperor remained silent. No, he didn’t show even the slightest interest in the crown prince consort. He didn’t lay a hand on him or make any moves. It seemed like he had decided to just wait and see for now.
Could I… spend a lifetime with that man?
Assad placed his palm on his forehead. He was genuinely starting to worry.
In another sense, he was even afraid. He was concerned about his first heat cycle, which had not yet come. Since he had never shared a sexual encounter with anyone, he didn’t know what it would feel like, but if that man was the partner… it surely wouldn’t be a good feeling. The more he thought about it, the more disheartened he felt.
“You’re silent again today.”
Assad, leaning against a soft cushion, picked a needless fight with Cayden sitting across from him. But it was in vain. Usually, he didn’t get an answer.
“Is my bride a man of few words, or a man who cannot speak?”
Even after hearing such words, Cayden just blinked stupidly with his mouth shut. He also seemed a bit troubled.
Ah, this is really annoying.
Assad was distressed by the realization that he had become a spouse to a man who looked more like a weed from the north than the flower of the desert.
Would it have felt better if that man had been so small that his head would only reach Assad’s chest or head? No, that would have been irritating in its own way. Assad grumbled inwardly.
“…I’m sorry.”
But for some reason, he got an answer. The voice of Cayden, who had opened his mouth, was calm and settled like his pale face.
“No, well, you don’t need to be that sorry.”
He hadn’t spoken with the intention of hearing an apology. Assad, feeling awkward, let his words trail off.
And then.
“The desert language is still… still difficult for me.”
Cayden’s slow follow-up words surprised Assad once more.
He had an “aha” moment.
He had assumed too naturally that that man would be able to speak the desert language, the imperial language. He had judged based on the standard of kingdom nobles who were proficient in both the kingdom language and the imperial language. There was also no one who informed him that Cayden was not proficient in the imperial language. No, it was closer to the truth that he had been told but hadn’t listened.
Assad remained silent. He wanted to hit himself on the head. But soon after, he pulled himself together and barely maintained his expressionless face.
He did know that that man was receiving a few simple lessons. But he didn’t know he was learning to speak like children.
Assad, clicking his tongue inwardly, tried to choose what to say to Cayden. I was lacking in consideration, I should have spoken in a language familiar to him. But somehow, that simple statement just wouldn’t come out of his mouth.
For some reason, he didn’t want to let him know that he could speak the kingdom language. There wouldn’t be any reason for that man and himself to become close anyway. If he wanted to avoid troublesome situations, it would be better if they couldn’t communicate. Perhaps he didn’t want to appear as if he was being kind to that man. Cowardly as it may be.
Feeling an unsettling regret, Assad hastily chose to rise from his seat. The elaborate ornaments on his neck and arms sparkled as they caught the light coming through the window that wasn’t covered by glass.
“Tomorrow. I will visit again.”
In the imperial language, Assad conveyed his intention to Cayden.
Turning his back on the man who wore a dumbfounded expression, Assad immediately left the reception room on the first floor of the west wing. It was an incredibly childish act.
Assad also knew that he was throwing a tantrum like a twisted child. In fact, he was half a child. That is, if one set aside the fact that he was the crown prince of the empire.
Click. The sound of the door engraved with sacred flames closing reverberated inside the reception room.
“…”
Cayden, who had been watching the back of the departing man, exhaled the breath he had been holding.
