If you are reading this notice, I want to inform you that the story is currently being updated and rewritten to better align with some future plans I have. The epilogues are on the way, and I believe they will be really exciting. Please leave your feedback so I can know if the translation has improved. Remember to be kind. I'm doing my best!

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The Wang Kingdom was in its tenth dynasty and had enjoyed prosperity for over 500 years. This prosperous nation was named after the family that played a crucial role in the revolution and independence long ago. The current queen is Wang Zheng, the omega and sole heir to the throne. At 29 years old, she remains unmarried and is the last living member of the royal lineage.

But there was growing concern among the nobles of the kingdom and supporters of the Wang lineage.

The noble elders were quite worried—perhaps even more than just a little. After all, the queen was getting older and showed no signs of wanting to start a family. This situation was particularly concerning for those in power, especially given that she bore the significant name Wang Zheng, which had already caused numerous headaches. The queen's audacity in remaining unmarried for so long was clearly viewed as a problem by the most influential figures in the government, especially regarding the country's national security.

Bloody Spring was first declared three centuries ago, and it has been called once again now. 

Although the elders wielded no more power than the queen, it was understood that their wisdom and experience made them the best advisors for the royalty and the supreme crown. Their primary authority as a council was to request urgency and, consequently, sanction Bloody Spring.

Bloody Spring is a grand festival during which the entire country comes together to celebrate the youth and prosperity of the royal family. Everyone waits anxiously to learn who will be chosen as the queen's lover and the future parent of the kingdom, someone who will eventually guide the subjects on their journey.

Wang Zheng was not particularly pleased about this situation. She had decided many years ago to live alone and not leave any heirs, fully aware that this choice would result in the throne being without a king.

Perhaps she had been a bit naive in thinking that everything would turn out as she had imagined. With the routine of everyday life, she had overlooked the small detail known as 'Bloody Spring.' Yes, she had likely been innocent, and perhaps even foolish.

She sighed softly as she read through some papers between appointments.

She was resting, but the work never truly ended. Whether in the office or in the bedroom, she was always busy.

A male voice broke the silence in the room, gently drawing the queen's attention away from her work.

"Your Majesty, is there anything else you would like?" 

She placed the papers on the table, attempting to clear her mind a bit. However, she knew that doing so would only lead to tackling more problems. It was worth considering whether the effort was truly necessary. 

"... How are the preparations for spring coming along?" 

The man looked slightly thoughtful, but his answer was straightforward: almost all the guests had already arrived, and those who had not were on their way and would soon join them. 

The main challenge was the logistics of accommodating such a diverse group of individuals within the palace, especially with their varying pheromones and lack of modesty. 

"Four countries are sending their candidates. So far, we have one beta, two alphas, and one omega, but we have yet to receive confirmation from Martana..." 

The queen understood that many sent their heirs primarily to pay their respects to her. 

This was a festival, but it was also about diplomacy and politics. With the event known as Bloody Spring approaching and Wang Zheng being an omega, it was expected that an alpha would be chosen. However, not all allies had alphas available, so betas and omegas were also present out of formality.

Even if you're not getting married, it's important to uphold formalities to maintain appearances and create a peaceful atmosphere. 

"I understand. Please ensure that only the best rooms are prepared for our guests; everyone should feel comfortable and at home. It's also essential to clarify that they are part of a tradition that requires certain protocols to be followed. Don't forget to send official notices stating that no inhibitors or suppressants are allowed during spring." 

"Yes, Your Majesty."

She watched her secretary leave calmly. He was a young man who had barely had the chance to establish himself as an alpha. However, he was a good person. Sometimes a bit silly, but that was the charm of youth.

She sighed contentedly. The young man was the son of her best friend, and he was both efficient and dedicated in his work for her.

From her armchair, she could see the sunset through the window. The days passed quickly when there was so much to do. She still had a substantial amount of paperwork to review, and the days were exhausting.

Each day blended into the next, filled with the same routine as she worked hard to find peace within herself and honor the legacy built by her ancestors. 

Her adult life had been dedicated to the royal hospital, where she served as both a doctor and the director, as well as to her office in the palace, managing the official affairs of the kingdom. 

The Wang kingdom was one of the most modern and progressive countries regarding royalty and industry. Many consider the nation governed by Wang Zheng to be the best place for an omega to live, and she wholeheartedly agrees.

This is the truth. As long as omegas are undervalued, she felt a strong need to stand firm in her beliefs to set an example for others. She dedicated many years of her life to providing the best for her subjects and for people like herself.

She ascended to the throne at a very young age; her father passed away when she was only 14. Despite having been prepared for this moment throughout her life, she still felt young and immature when her time finally came. 

No one can truly prepare for war or the premature death of a parent. Although she had spent time studying to ready herself for the throne, the reality of the day was overwhelming. 

However, it's important to acknowledge that she did her best during those years. In fact, she stands out as one of the most prosperous queens of her dynasty and has likely accomplished much more for the kingdom than several of her predecessors combined. 

The kingdom is close to perfection, not entirely so, but Wang Zheng liked to believe that she was getting closer to creating what she might someday consider the ideal place to live. 

This ambition, however, has come at a significant personal cost: the queen's love life. 

Despite her generosity and the unwavering love of her subjects, it's impossible to silence the rumors that inevitably arise. Many believe that Wang Zheng is actually a beta and lacks certain physical attributes. Others speculate that she remains single because she prefers a more promiscuous lifestyle and spends her nights with a distinguished alpha, a notion that becomes increasingly ridiculous to her each time she contemplates it. After all, she lacks the patience for constant romantic entanglements. 

These are merely rumors, yet they spread like wildfire and are challenging to contain. Wang Zheng often learns what is said about her behind her back, particularly from those she instinctively dislikes. It's difficult not to be aware of such gossip when you are the queen.

I looked out of the window once more, only to see that the sunset was barely visible, and it was almost full night with just a hint of orange on the horizon. 

Wang Zheng was wearing a long navy blue dress made of light fabric. Her exposed shoulders revealed her soft, milky skin. The thin, smooth material accentuated her beautiful curves. Despite her slim waist, she was not an extremely delicate omega; she had firm, well-distributed muscles that gave her a strong, attractive profile. She possessed a distinctive beauty.

Her long black hair added to her serious and elegant appearance. Almost every night, before going to sleep, she made it a point to write in her diary while sipping tea. She tried to maintain this ritual daily, understanding that it helped her keep her mind clear. 

As she ran her fingers over the blank pages, contemplating what to write, she suddenly heard a soft knock on her door. This nightly ritual was one she always remembered to uphold, especially when she felt stressed. She needed to share her thoughts, either with someone or within the pages of her diary, to avoid exploding under the weight of her emotions.

She wrote down half a dozen words and stared at them for a few moments, lost in her thoughts about everything she had been going through recently. The friction with the other nobles was increasing, and she was running out of the little patience she had left. She scribbled softly for a while, but eventually, she lost interest in exploring her feelings.

Feeling a bit lazy and tired, she set the notebook down next to some papers she had discarded earlier. She closed her eyes and leaned back gently in the armchair, only to be interrupted by Huan Yang. "Your Majesty, the committee of elders is waiting for you."

She glanced at her tea, which had been steaming just moments before, but now it had cooled. Realizing she had lost track of time, she sighed in boredom and mild annoyance. However, she understood there wasn't much she could do about it. "Let's go then".

The queen quickly draped a long, thick cloth over her shoulders as she made her way to her office. This was the place where people gathered to air their grievances and voice their concerns, and where the queen often lost what little patience she had.

She was a calm woman, but she lacked patience, and those who meddled too much in her personal affairs always got on her nerves. After all, it was difficult to accept that being a queen meant her personal life was part of her job and that her choices needed to reflect that reality.

Huan Yang performed the honor of announcing the queen's arrival, though it wasn't as if anyone was looking forward to it. Everyone in the room seemed to be there under duress. But this was an emergency meeting, and formality dictated that both the queen and the council be present.

"Please rise and greet her royal presence, the second of her name and queen of the kingdom of Wang: Wang Zheng." 

Hastily, several men stood at the sight of Wang Zheng entering, and in moments, the strong scent of pineapple filled the room, creating an extremely uncomfortable atmosphere. It was sour and unpleasant.

The queen glared at some of the men and felt increasingly unhappy. Most of them were despicable and wanted to dictate the rules inside the royal palace, which she detested. Many were her father's enemies or pretended to be, and after his death, she had watched them act like starving animals desperate for power. Fortunately, she was still queen and still had the people's support; even after her father's death, she had accepted that the throne belonged to her.

However, there were always disagreements, especially with those who supported rival lineages that might succeed the Wang family dynasty. 

"Sit down. What's the reason for this meeting?" she asked.

"Yes, we've reviewed the confirmed list for Bloody Spring, and the two alphas look promising…" 

"Good. I'll take my leave then." 

Wang Zheng rose from her armchair and headed for the door without sitting for even a minute. She had no interest in listening to speculation about who she should marry. 

While some felt relieved that the pheromone would soon dissipate, others were dissatisfied with the queen's stance. They thought to themselves, You may not value the power you have, but I do.

"Queen, please take our advice seriously; the priests have warned us: immense glory in a kingdom without heirs is a bad omen. Fate will demand a high price," said Hui Xu.

Wang Zheng thought that this man would always be a problem, no matter the circumstances. He was like a burden. She turned her head to address him but didn't bother to give it too much thought; he wasn't worth much effort.

"With all due respect, Elder, I think you've forgotten who I am. I accept Bloody Spring out of respect for your advice. But as you said yourself, it's simply advice; perhaps I should just ignore it." 

She left in quick strides without looking back.

In the wake of her departure, the palace fell silent, with staff members working diligently to ensure the event proceeded perfectly. Huan Yang, in particular, was extremely busy. It was essential to consider every small detail when so many different people were congregating in one place. Conflicts needed to be avoided at all costs.

Time passed, and with only a few days left until Bloody Spring, the queen became increasingly convinced that she could find a way to escape the wedding. Her thoughts turned to exploring options that would allow her to enter the competition on her own terms.

If there's no one better than me, then I can only make everyone accept that I am the only one worthy of myself. 

Of course, it's a selfish and snobbish thought, but she didn't mind too much, considering that when she died, she probably wouldn't have any worries about the future. It wouldn't be her problem.

She looked at herself in the mirror as she finished touching up her makeup for another ordinary day at work. Huan Yang, despite his busy schedule, was helping her with her appointments. 

"Most of the guests have already arrived and are waiting for the queen's presence".

"Okay. Are the guards in position?".

She nodded in satisfaction, knowing that everything should meet her standards. She would welcome her guests and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.

"Yes. Every room has at least two betas to prevent major issues with pheromones".

It was still early afternoon, and the weather was pleasant. The royal garden was filled with flowers and trees. Next to some century-old trees stood a large pergola covering a table set for twelve. Most of the participants in the Bloody Spring event were waiting for Her Majesty.

As the Queen approached, one of the guards bowed and announced, "Please rise and greet Her Royal Majesty, the second of her names, Wang Zheng." Everyone stood up and responded in unison, "Long live the Queen..."

Although the table was round, everyone understood that if there was a center, the Queen belonged there. An empty chair awaited her arrival. She walked to her seat with a friendly smile and joined the others. "Make yourselves comfortable. I apologize for not welcoming you properly upon your arrival; I've been very busy lately."

Everyone watched the Queen's movements with anticipation. Her beauty surpassed all expectations and left everyone in awe, especially the alphas, who were attempting to suppress their natural pheromones. Despite their efforts, they found it challenging to resist the instinctive urge.

While the instinct to mark and procreate was still present, it was considered outdated in Wang Country. The guests were expected to maintain decorum.

A palace maid approached to serve the Queen's tea, followed by others who did the same for each guest. 

"Anyway, thank you all for being here and for agreeing to participate in Bloody Spring. The event was named after an incident that occurred three centuries ago. King Wang Zan, who was also an omega and well-known for walking around with roses in his hair, faced a near-marking situation with one of the participating alphas. Fortunately, he only experienced a strong estrus but was overwhelmed by intense emotions. As a result, he ordered that the alpha who attempted to use force be punished by having 1,000 roses affixed to his skin for three nights..."

Whispers floated among the guests, surprised by the King's choice of punishment. "That was a long time ago, and it has since become just a part of history. Ultimately, the alpha returned home completely healthy, but the friendly relations between the two nations did not last, and the alpha became sterile.

For pheromone-related reasons, the guards inside the palace are all betas. They have the authority to act in any situation that feels out of control and requires force to protect me. So, I hope you can understand that in the event of punishment, I won't be as romantic as Wang Zan."

Everyone present was aware of the country's tradition regarding omegas. After all, it was known for having the lowest rate of violence against them. The alphas felt the weight of this expectation; they had to conduct themselves appropriately.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wang Zheng's movements were delicate and graceful; even slicing a small piece of cake seemed to showcase her wisdom. "Well, as you know, the Bloody Spring consists of three stages. The first is a meeting between me and the candidate. You must choose something you wish to do with me or a place near the palace you'd like to visit."

"Good. The second stage involves demonstrating your skills and aptitudes—it's the ideal time to show off."

"Finally, the third phase is an intimate evening. However, don't confuse intimacy with sexual intercourse; it's more about trust and the compatibility of our pheromones... Any questions?"

The guests exchanged glances and appeared satisfied with her explanation, but one of them raised his hand, requesting permission to speak. 

Wang Zheng recognized him as a beta; there were no pheromones emanating from him, and he had most likely been sent without much intention from his country. Given her reluctance to marry, she considered the possibility of being paired with a beta or an omega, though options seemed limited.

She could easily identify her own scent, and some were far more appealing than others.

The beta was a man in his thirties with reddish hair. "Only alphas have a chance to share the throne with Your Majesty, right?!"

It wasn't a question; it was a statement.

Wang Zheng found the man's behavior amusing. He was simply implying that she would have to marry one of the two available options. 

With some luck and effort, she hoped to remain single by the end of this process. 

However, she wasn't surprised, as she already knew who he was. 

The beta was the second prince in his country's line of succession—an important judge.

"Why do you think that, Your Excellency?" 

He smiled at the queen, a mix of wryness and amusement on his face, convinced that the whole scenario was a waste of time. 

In his mind, it was obvious that an omega would seek out an alpha; it was only natural, right? 

"That's what the elders would advise."

"Do you think I'll follow what they say?!" 

She paused from drinking her tea and requested a refill. Tension filled the air; it was true that no one knew how she would react to certain confrontations. 

The man said nothing and simply nodded dismissively. 

Wang Zheng found it interesting to be confronted like this; he was either brave or crazy. 

"Well, I'm the queen, and my decision is final. I can even choose a beta like you. You just have to bring out the best in yourself; the rest is up to me..." 

"I understand." 

The man seemed satisfied and somewhat surprised by the response. Perhaps he could risk something and secure a good marriage. It sounded like a good deal. 

The queen, feeling a little bored, added, "In fact, everyone has an equal chance, whether they are alpha, omega, or even beta..." 

She glanced at her small wristwatch, which was usually hidden by the sleeve of her blouse. 

She needed to return to her duties. 

Standing up gracefully, she was followed by everyone else at the table, who also stood to show their respect. She bowed her head slightly to the remaining guests and walked slowly toward the palace, immediately accompanied by Huan Yang, who briefed her on her appointments for the rest of the day. 

It was going to be a busy day.