William spoke in a voice that seemed to suppress all emotions.
“That Omega, Daniel Lambert, I’ll make him my bedroom Omega. I won’t need any other lower-class Omegas for the time being.”
I expected him to burst into tears like a child, or go berserk unable to control his anger like the seed of a future tyrant, but William maintained dignity and honor more regally than the crown prince.
Indeed, the seed of an emperor is different.
While I was secretly admiring this inwardly, the heads of the prostrated attendants began to rise one by one. Everyone’s expressions were colored with shock.
Why are they like that?
If they survived in front of the prince who was swinging a sword, they should all be grateful. What’s so unsatisfactory?
“Y-Your Highness…”
One attendant called William with a trembling voice.
So what was that man’s name again? Bae, right. I think it was Behern.
“Behern.”
“Yes.”
“Since the crown prince stopped by, my orders don’t even sound like orders anymore? Judging by how you’re talking back.”
Ah… could it be? Is that attendant named Behern also someone planted by the crown prince’s side?
As soon as I suspected this, an information window appeared.
[Behern is an attendant cherished by William’s mother. So he’s the only person who can be trusted.]
I see. But then why is he acting like that?
Well, even if he’s someone from the mother’s side, she’s already dead. No one would know who betrayed whom after death. Moreover, in a situation like now where the crown prince is desperate to devour the prince… How difficult must it have been for the young prince that he can’t even trust the one person who takes care of him nearby. My heart felt suffocated.
Behern said.
“It’s not like that. Royalty who have begun showing signs of rampage need many bedroom Omegas until they meet their partner Omega. I was surprised because Your Highness wants to bring in only one lower-class Omega.”
The prince snorted and retorted.
“Who said I’d keep such a thing for life? That’s why I said for the time being!”
From here I could only see William’s back, so I couldn’t observe his expression, but it didn’t seem too bad as Behern fearlessly asked back immediately.
“May I ask the reason?”
“Reason?”
William swept his eyes across the now empty front of the prince’s palace.
“You’re looking for a reason even after seeing this mess? They’re all ugly and foolish.”
“In that case, shall we recruit other Omegas…”
“Be quiet! You’re all the same. Every single one of you is stupid. For the time being, have him do all the clothing service and meal service too.”
“…What?”
Behern opened his mouth wide in surprise as he looked at the prince. Right. This one was a bit much, William.
The attendants must have their own work to do, but what if you take all of that away and tell me to do it?
Well, either way, it was actually good for me. Until William ascends to the emperor’s throne, or more precisely, until the day I die at William’s hands passes, it would be good if I could stay close to William and discipline him.
However… the imperial palace wasn’t such an easy place.
Behern prostrated himself flat on the ground and began pleading.
“What wrong have we done again to upset Your Highness? If you tell us, we’ll fix it. Please withdraw your command.”
William answered in an irritated tone.
“How many times must I say it before you understand. I hate you all because you’re all stupid. Do I need to show you me going berserk again for you to come to your senses?”
After finishing his words, William began approaching the sword he had thrown down as if to prove his words.
“No, no! My thinking was short-sighted. I’ll bring that child in right away.”
“Good. I’m tired. I need to go in and take a bath.”
***
I decided to befriend Behern first. My judgment was that if he was the only person the young prince could trust in this place, there would be no harm in making him my ally.
However, Behern treated me coldly.
Could it be because of status? I watched how Behern behaved, but Behern was kind to everyone else regardless of status. Even to slaves whose status was lower than lower-class Omegas.
But why…
“Um, Sir Behern…”
Behern exploded in anger.
“His Highness must be waiting, but you’re not even going in yet and what are you doing? Get in there right now.”
Though I felt wronged by his unreasonable temper and irritation, I decided to endure it for now. It wasn’t like I’d only been in society for a day or two, and the senior teachers at school always got irritated for no reason too. Well, there’s nothing too unfair about it.
I calmed my heart and said what I needed to say.
“I heard that when the bath is finished, I need to serve tea. I haven’t learned where the tea leaves are or how I should prepare and serve them properly.”
Behern cleared his throat with a dumbfounded expression. Then he began calling for someone eagerly.
“Where did Aaron go?”
“Yes. Did you call me?”
“Wash this kid, dress him, teach him basic etiquette, then send him in. Though he’ll probably last a week at most if he’s lucky.”
At Behern’s words, a female attendant named Aaron let out a long sigh. Everyone seemed anxious about young me.
However, the hostility Behern showed me was more than just dissatisfaction toward a young person. Really, why is he acting like that?
Led by Aaron’s hand, I was forcibly undressed and bathed. It was refreshing since it had been a while since I bathed in good facilities, but while my body was that of a child, my mind was that of an adult, so this was quite awkward in various ways.
After finishing preparations and putting on clothes that attendants wear, I thought I would finally enter the prince’s room! But Behern grabbed my wrist. Only after hearing Behern’s words could I understand the true nature of the hostility he showed me.
“Listen here, kid, I don’t know what ulterior motive brought you here, but if you’re thinking of harming His Highness the Prince, you’d better give up that thought. Your neck will be separated by my hands before that happens.”
“H-harm? I have no such intention…”
Behern snorted at my excuse.
“No such intention? That can’t be true. When His Highness the Prince, who has begun showing dominant Alpha characteristics, was swinging his sword, you were the only child who didn’t run away and stayed in place. Is that an attitude a ten-year-old child would show? It can only be explained as having a purpose.”
Ah, I see. Hearing it, Behern’s words made sense too. And at the same time, one side of my chest felt reassured. I thought it was fortunate that William’s closest attendant was such a wise man.
Anyway, this meddling nature is the problem. In a situation where I’m being suspected, am I thinking about William’s safety! Now is the time to only look after my own path ahead.
“I-it’s not because I had a purpose, but I just froze because I was so scared. And… I’m an orphan, so I spent all the money from selling my house on travel expenses, so even if I ran away, I had nowhere to go.”
It was true. Daniel Lambert, a lower-class Omega who was an orphan with nothing but a strange book, had to sell his house that seemed ready to collapse at any moment to get travel money.
At my words, the suspicion in Behern’s eyes seemed to fade slightly.
“I see. Well, it’s not surprising that there are poor orphans in this country, but the young child has good courage.”
Behern paused and looked me up and down. Then he sighed again.
“Poor thing. I can’t say that staying here is better than running away penniless. Even I, who have worked long in the imperial palace, sometimes find Prince William difficult to handle.”
Right. I understand what you mean. But Behern, that’s natural since you don’t have a teaching certificate. From what I’ve seen, William is a very intelligent person, so depending on how he’s educated, he’ll be completely different in the future. So don’t worry.
“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll be careful not to go against His Highness’s mood.”
Behern’s eyes narrowed upon hearing my answer. Emotions like bewilderment and surprise flickered across his expression. Behern, who had just been staring at me for a while, finally opened his mouth.
“You said ten years old? Same age as His Highness the Prince.”
“…Yes. Why?”
“Hmm, somehow you seem precocious. Omegas usually feel younger than their age, which is strange.”
Gasp, could I have been found out? No, that can’t be. Anyone can see I’m ten-year-old Daniel Lambert.
To erase Behern’s suspicion, I replied with an awkward smile.
“Hehe, I’ve heard that a lot because I grew up with so much hardship. I… thank you for worrying about me.”
When I bowed my head, a large hand touched the top of my head. It was a completely different, affectionate touch from when he was giving me suspicious looks. Indeed, everyone seems to feel sad about a young child having lived a difficult life. I felt like tears might come at the first warm affection I’d received since coming here.
After saying thank you several more times, I went to Aaron.
She handed me a silver tray containing a teapot with fancy patterns and teacups that I might have seen in movies.
“Carry it carefully, dear.”
“Yes.”
As I turned to leave, words of concern followed.
“Let’s see each other alive.”
“Yes, yes. Don’t worry.”
Even if he’s a dominant Alpha, he’s still a ten-year-old kid.
Thinking that the adults were all overreacting, I went to William’s room. But something was strange. Shouldn’t there normally be guards in front of the room where a prince stays?
It was curious that the guards I had seen in front of the prince’s palace weren’t in front of the room where he actually was. Moreover, there were no attendants either…
As I was looking around suspiciously, Behern, who had approached closely, whispered lowly.
“What are you doing instead of going in?”
I answered while rolling my eyes.
“No, something seems suspicious. This is in front of the room where His Highness stays, but there are no guards or attendants. What if something goes wrong?”
“Indeed… you’re not an ordinary child. To notice such things.”
“What exactly is going on?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
