NOTES: Male omegas can have the title of “Princess” or “Crown Princess” Or even “Empress”
Amun was Cayden’s most trusted confidant and his teacher. He also played a role similar to his cute younger brother. If Cayden learned that Amun was actually his spouse who had changed his appearance to uncover his weaknesses… Cayden would be disappointed and saddened. He would feel betrayed.
Still, it was something that had to be done.
Even if Cayden was disappointed, he had to confess the truth with his own mouth. Even if it sounded like nonsense, it was right to open his mouth and speak. He needed to confess his wrongdoing and sincerely apologize to the one hurt by his actions.
Assad decided to reveal that he had approached his bride with impure intentions, that this impurity was born from a desire to send Cayden outside the imperial palace.
For a new beginning, he needed to reveal the truth without any additions or subtractions. If he defended his falsehood by hiding some things and revealing others, it would be no different from creating another lie.
A person seeking someone’s forgiveness shouldn’t do that. He would ask Cayden for forgiveness on new ground where falsehoods had been weeded out. Even if it took a very long time for Cayden’s heart to soften, he had to endure it.
‘…Before the rainy season ends. Let’s get rid of Amun.’
With a cooler expression, Assad turned around.
Amun’s snow-white clothes, ready to face the Crown Princess, showed no wrinkles. That stiff perfection made Amun, with his upright gait, look even more proper. It was truly a dignified appearance befitting the Crown Prince’s most cherished servant.
- Rain Falling on the Desert
Even in the desert, where every day was hot and dry, a short rainy season arrived.
The time to clean the desert.
That’s what the people of Helio called the monsoon that lasted about ten days. They thought this way because the goddess Tara, who veiled the world’s eyes with a curtain of rain, was purifying the vast desert along with the other gods she commanded.
Throughout the rainy season, the people of Helio were careful in their conduct. They didn’t go outside unless they had to work, and they restrained their speech and movements to avoid committing reckless acts that might reach the eyes and ears of the gods. This was because of their mindset that they shouldn’t interfere with the work of the gods.
The already calm atmosphere of the west wing of the detached palace fell into deeper silence with the arrival of the short rainy season.
Cayden quietly took in the sound of the pouring rain drumming against the world.
The raindrops were fierce, seemingly rough. Yet, strangely, he didn’t feel afraid of the falling rain. As he blankly stared, his mind even became peaceful.
However, it was difficult to remain leisurely. His gaze kept going to Amun sitting across from him. Cayden was concerned about Amun, who was lost in deep thought.
It was rare to face Amun with such a dazed expression. It was the first time seeing such a face since that day when he had passionately talked about the imperial banquet where the Crown Princess was absent. Moreover, today’s Amun looked several times more troubled than he had back then.
Cayden didn’t want to disturb Amun. But it became increasingly difficult to ignore it. His heart was heavy, feeling that he might be included in the reason that had silenced Amun and left him dazed. He also felt sorry, thinking he might have made him hear unnecessary words. Even while knowing he had done nothing wrong, Cayden thought this way.
This morning, Cayden met his personal physician earlier than usual. It was in accordance with the request of Ramon, his doctor.
Ramon was a physician who had recently begun residing in the west wing of the detached palace. He had worked under Emperor Heset and had transferred on the Emperor’s orders.
Now somewhat familiar to Cayden, he had come to see the Crown Princess alone, without a healing magician.
Ramon, who had a private audience with the Crown Princess, smiled ominously, saying he had succeeded in leaving behind “that guy who keeps interrupting.” It seemed he had requested to change the examination time so he could work alone without the healing magician. Cayden too preferred facing just one unfamiliar person rather than two at once, so he had innocently smiled along with Ramon.
However, Cayden’s time alone with Ramon didn’t last long. Thanks to Amun… who appeared by throwing open the reception room door with a knock that was barely better than none at all.
Amun had sought out Cayden much earlier than scheduled. Somehow knowing to come to the reception room rather than the bedroom or sitting room. Neither Cayden nor Ramon could give Amun a proper greeting, just blinking their eyes.
The visitor, no different from an intruder, glanced at Ramon, who was sitting close to Cayden—a man whose complexion was so poor one might think he should be concerned about his own health rather than someone else’s. One of Amun’s eyebrows had risen crookedly as he looked at Ramon.
The strange confrontation didn’t continue for long. The sickly-looking doctor was left aside as Amun gave a brief greeting only to Cayden before entering the reception room with light steps. He closed the door gently, unlike when he had roughly opened it to enter.
Amun chose to stand behind Cayden, whose wrist was being held by Ramon. Having settled into his position, Amun just smiled silently. He quietly took in their conversation.
Ramon seemed uninterested in Amun’s visit. A brief glance was all he gave. He focused only on raising his voice, annoyed that the sound of rain was trying to devour his words.
“According to schedule, your heat cycle should come within this month… but you’re taking suppressants, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Cayden had answered awkwardly, glancing back at Amun to check his reaction. He was perplexed about whether Amun should be hearing such talk. He also wondered if he should speak comfortably to Ramon in front of Amun. However, he couldn’t speak casually to someone at least 10 years older than himself.
Hearing Cayden’s answer, Ramon clicked his tongue. He looked indifferent, as if he didn’t care whether the man before him lowered or raised his speech.
“Ah, if only Your Highness the Crown Princess had been my sibling. I could have told you right away to stop those suppressants and whatnot. I’m terribly sorry you’ll never be related to me by blood.”
And yet you just said it anyway… Cayden thought inwardly with an embarrassed smile.
Ramon, who seemed to have just entered his late thirties, had a face coated with fatigue. He was always like that. It was the same when he came to see Cayden.
At first, Ramon with his cold expression had been difficult to deal with. When he examined various parts of Cayden’s body and poured out an overwhelming number of questions, Cayden became completely confused. Lihet had even translated Ramon’s imperial language for him, as he couldn’t understand well what the doctor was saying.
But now, he had somewhat adapted to Ramon. It was thanks to Ramon’s efforts to speak as slowly as possible for Cayden. Although there were still times when Lihet’s translation was needed.
Ramon was a contrarian who wanted to oppose everything in the world and a pessimistic grumbler. But at the same time, he was also a kind person to the weak and a terrible chatterbox. Despite his somewhat rough tone and expression, Cayden quickly realized that he deeply cared for and cherished his patients.
It was the same now. Ramon was genuinely concerned for Cayden.
“Hmm… I can’t tell someone who receives a salary from His Majesty the Emperor to break the implicit laws of the palace. I also understand well that this is a problem Your Highness the Crown Princess cannot avoid, so I won’t add any unnecessary words.”
Perhaps because of Amun standing guard behind Cayden, Ramon’s nagging didn’t continue in an endless chain. It was fortunate for Cayden.
However, the conversation didn’t completely end. Amun suddenly interjected into the conversation between Cayden and Ramon.
“Heat cycle suppressants?”
Amun asked Ramon.
“Ah. You must be… Amun from the rumors. The left arm or right arm of His Highness the Crown Prince. Well, one of those.”
Ramon responded, grabbing his heavy glasses that kept sliding down.
“Enough with the wordplay. Since arriving in Helio, has His Highness the Crown Princess been continuously taking suppressants? Just answer that.”
“Not just heat suppressants. He takes contraceptives very well too. Every day. Without missing a single day. But don’t worry. No, it’s not something for the right arm to be relieved about. Please assure His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness the Crown Princess is following the secret laws of the imperial family very well.”
Hearing Ramon’s answer, Amun suddenly furrowed his brow. Looking up at such an Amun, Ramon shook his head as if tired. Then he continued speaking, languidly sarcastic.
“Suppressants are necessary. They can be very helpful at times. Wow, but taking medicine every cycle, no, beyond that, taking medicine every day to prevent any possibility… Whew. It’s extremely bad for health.”
“…”
“Especially, Your Highness the Crown Princess had a later manifestation than others. The trait is immature and incomplete. That’s why suppressants should be avoided. I think that’s common sense, but many people don’t seem to know. Is that why they make you take, well, such a variety of medicines?”
Cayden closed his mouth, bewildered by the sudden verbal battle between Amun and Ramon. He was also surprised to see Amun confused, when he had thought Amun would know everything related to him.
“But what can I do? I’m a person who moves according to the orders of my superiors. All I can do is watch with sad eyes as His Highness the Crown Princess’s incomplete trait is pickled in strong heat suppressants.”
With eyes that didn’t look sad at all, filled with heavy irritation instead of sadness, Ramon shook his head.
Amun’s face had turned red and blue upon receiving Ramon’s sarcasm. He seemed to want to say something more to Ramon and to ask him something. But in the end, he chose to keep his mouth firmly shut.
And that… remained the same even after Ramon left the reception room.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
