Maridawn has been dating a lot of men before coming to the palace but not once has she ever felt the humiliation of an old woman doing the "unspeakable". Flustered due to both anger and embarrassment, she gets herself dressed and glares at Madam Ping.
"It's for your own good, young lady." Strict and without any constraints, the old woman doesn't hesitate to rile her up. "As the omega concubine, it is a tradition that all belong to the king. Since you came here late, we have no choice but to do other means to make you desirable."
If it means inserting goo from her long bony bare fingers, Maridawn doesn't know if there are any changes at all.
Magic has been long gone ages ago since technology has taken over during the modern-day and wolves rely more on science now that they continue to appreciate it in the name of progress.
This is why the Silverfang family tries to keep maintaining such traditional beliefs to continue being the strongest wolves among other families.
So the experience wasn't exactly enthralling or painful but it was downright embarrassing for her.
She blames Dimitri for coaxing her to have an old woman's fingers in her, and she swears to lock this experience and make it a distant memory.
"Now, the young master has told me you have no knowledge before your arrival here. Let alone you were an alpha—"
"Were?" Maridawn arches a brow, weary of correcting people from left to right. "You meant it in the present tense, is that right?" She crosses her arms.
The old woman can only sigh and recalls Dimitri's warning about their omega's denial. Madame Ping is already at the age when she doesn't have to deal with brats.
And Maridawn is acting like one.
"All right, young mistress. Perhaps I should have explained to you thoroughly how the palace works here. Would you like some tea since this might be a lengthy lecture?" Kneeling down to sit in a seiza, she takes the teapot which was neatly placed on the bamboo tray.
"I'm comfortable listening without any tea, thank you for your offer," Maridawn says before Madame Ping decides to brew tea.
Stern eyes lift into a vivid surprise before she reverts back to her frown. "Are you sure you're not thirsty after you were screaming bloody murder earlier?"
Maridawn slightly shakes her head as she kneels down in front of her as well. She doesn't fancy Asian tea as they're either bland or bitter for her liking.
Not to mention, she would rather make this discussion quick as she felt embarrassed being next to Madame Ping in this same room. The humiliation earlier was not too long ago.
If anything, she wants to go back to her bedroom and rest.
The old woman continues to observe her like a hawk and Maridawn knows that she might have been rude for refusing an offer.
But then again, they are living in western society and she has the freedom to refuse.
"You see, each wolf serving under the king has a purpose." Madame Ping decides to start the lecture. "A concubine's purpose is to please the king and bear him children who are worthy to take over the throne. After all, the king has ruled without the presence of the queen and this made our country worried for the future of this palace."
Why the king doesn't find his queen is still a question the nation has been wondering. But due to his lack of presence in the media, all they can do is rely on theories for such matters.
"As you know, once an omega steps into the palace, they are not allowed to leave the premises unless they are promoted to become the king's favorite."
"Dimitri mentioned the king already has favorites. How would a new concubine be any different?" Call it curiosity but Maridawn wonders why the king or even the past kings before him want the omegas all for themselves.
A part of her is hoping that the country goes back to its democracy before it changes into a monarchical leadership.
But that was all in the past.
Moving on.
"Well, you will be surprised, Miss Silverfang. There are only two of his favorites so far since he took the throne. One is an omega from a low-ranking beta family and the other…" she pauses and coughs a bit. "...is from the Blackwell family."
This startles Maridawn. The Silverfang family has closer ties with the Blackwell and she has never heard of their kind being an omega.
"I'm friends with their daughter, Felicia. All I know is that she's an alpha female like me."
Madame Ping almost wants to correct her but decides to ignore that statement. "Indeed, their only daughter is the alpha and the heir of their family. But what the media didn't know is that she's the youngest of the family."
Maridawn has never heard of this before. Does her father know about this as well?
"The eldest had a mistaken status just like you." Fortunately, Maridawn is too shocked to even refute what Madame Ping said. Even if it was a slip of a tongue, the old woman couldn't care less, seeing she's trying to absorb the news.
"And at the age of sixteen, he had his first heat during his high school."
"He?" Maridawn raises her brow.
"Yes, he. The king's favorite is the rarest kind of all: a male concubine, Orga Blackwell."
<<<<>>>>
"This is the third time you've transferred houses, Orga. One more time and the king will behead me in a public execution!"
Whiny and a crybaby are the two things that come to his mind. Orga rolls his eyes, ignoring his alpha attendant's complaints as he brings the large boxes to his room.
"Hey are you listening to me?!" Frieda pulls his ear which startles him before he almost trips. He has great reflexes so he quickly adjusts his balance.
He gives Frieda a death glare before he carefully places the box on the floor.
Frieda sighs. Orga has been an exceptional beauty even despite being a man. But he practically ignores her whenever he's not in the heat or whenever he needs something from her.
Sun-kissed tanned skin that illuminates the light within the room, he has long dazzling dark hair that can be envied by many women. His eyes are bright blue which is regrettably being marred by his constant glares.
If only he had been nicer, Frieda wouldn't question why she started working as an alpha attendant instead of taking over one of her family businesses.
'Oh right, because I like a dose of eye candy and Orga is the one I call hot, hot hot!' She thinks before she sighs.
Maybe she should just marry one of the alpha families but they weren't her type. Orga just happens to be too handsome and too beautiful when she had first seen him at the palace entrance and that's why she quickly applied for the alpha attendant position.
Which is rare since most of the alpha attendants are male.
"Good afternoon, Miss Frieda."
'Oh here's another hot guy!' She immediately knows who owns that voice as she turns with a smile.
"Hi, Dimitri! How's it going?"
Contrary to what she thought earlier, even if she hates alphas because they're all dominating-looking and brimming with arrogance.
Dimitri is none of that!
"Well, I'd like to give you some great news. I'm finally assigned to the newest concubine."
"Awesome! Congratulations!" She knew about this but she just wanted to show her happiness for him.
Dimitri smiles with his usual professional one as he looks at Orga before giving a slight bow. "Good day to you, Mr. Blackwell."
Orga just turns to give an acknowledging look at Dimitri before he replies, "Greymund, huh? What brings you here?" He places the last box as he wipes the sweat on his forehead.
Dimitri wonders why the omega is doing all the lifting but then again he's aware that Orga is known for his pride.
He isn't sure if his rarity as a male omega is the reason why the king made him his favorite or perhaps it only piques his interest.
He needs to be careful with his words as Orga Blackwell is known to be intuitive and hot-headed.
"I've heard you recently transferred pavilions because you blew up your pavilion this morning."
He just shrugs. "All for the sake of experiment."
Experiment? Dimitri raises his brow and looks at Freida.
"He's trying to create a drug that can transition from omega to alpha."
"What?!" Dimitri's eyes widen as he looks at the two back and forth as if they are lunatics.
Orga just gives a frustrating sigh. "If you babble one more time, alpha female, I'll swear that I'll bring you to the king."
She gasps as she kneels before Orga. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" She wails as she clasps her hands in front of him.
'Where is your alpha pride, Frieda?' Dimitri just smiles wryly. After finally recollecting himself, he stares at the male omega concubine.
If this is his way to revert back to being alpha, is it possible and if so, does the king even knows this?