Claude darted to the guest room when he heard that Luca was awake. He would not wait for the young man to come to him.
"Your Majesty." Axel drew close on sight. " We were heading to your place," he said after saluting.
"It's good that I came sooner, then. How is your brother?"
" He woke up this dawn. So far, he seems perfectly fine. Please, come in." Axel stepped aside.
Luca stood immediately after Claude walked into his room. "There's no need, child, sit. I'm glad to see you up and running," Claude said. Luca moved from the spot to let the man sit at the head of the small table, then found a place next to Axel.
Claude: "You were planning to see me this morning?"
"Yes, my brother has been having some stalking issues." Axel glanced at Luca.
"Stalking?" A stern look flashed on Claude's face.
"Someone has been spying on me for days. I have not seen that person's face, but I am certain it is a male with no secondary distinction," Luca said.
Claude: "A beta? You are not a stranger in this land; it could be a servant that adores Beaumont's fame. Nonetheless, it is a security matter; I will look into it immediately."
"I doubt that this is a mere servant Master Claude. This intruder comes and goes as if he had the blueprint of your Castle at his fingertips." Luca was unconvinced. "There is another matter I also believe needs attention." Luca lifted his head. "I saw something unusual in the river that day. The ghouls were afraid of it."
Claude's eyes widened and narrowed almost suspiciously when he said, "What do you mean?"
"The creature was not like the rest. It appeared as a person with bright scarlet eyes and had an alarming cry, shrill like a flute or whistle. The last thing I remember is being grabbed," said Luca.
"That is strange indeed. If your statement is true, it must have taken you to land. I'm told it's a miracle you got out unscathed." Claude nodded thoughtfully. Axel marvelled at his brother for keeping quiet about this.
Claude's features tensed up slightly. He averts his gaze, hiding in his mind. But before confirming his suspicion, he has to clear the air.
"Luca, sirens and ghouls are independent creatures. And there's never been a sighting of the siren you described in our waters. Although the mind has a way of playing tricks at such dire moments, rest assured that I will also take care of it. I trust there is no other issue."
"..." Luca shook his head, unsatisfied with the response but mindful of where he was. This was not his territory; he could not do as he pleased.
Claude: "Alright, are you strong enough to join the family for lunch?"
"I suppose so," Luca said.
"Then I will leave you two alone. Please let me know when you need anything." Claude rose.
"Thank you, your majesty." Axel accompanied Claude to the door.
*
Julius P.O.V
I did not complain much when Arlen wanted to go to the library. As the servant, I could have selected books from the isles my Master needed, but he said it was unnecessary.
I still need clarification as to why he's here, reading so seriously. Arlen hates staying in the library; he calls it the most boring place in the Castle. But here he is, keeping me five feet away to comb through a pile of books.
"Master Arlen, do you need to memorize something? I can help you." I leaned forward, attempting to get a glimpse, but he waved his hand and told me to give him privacy.
Privacy?! This person does everything in my presence. I'm like his shadow.
I wanted to know more than ever what he was trying so hard to hide from me.
"Arlen, there's something on your face." My brows knitted, squinting at him so thoughtfully. He fell for it and quickly touched his cheek.
"No, no, let me get it for you." I jumped up and fell before him. "Jules!" He covered the open book with his body, but I got a peek. "You're reading about omegas and mating rituals?" It was far from what I expected.
Arlen slowly sat up, pouting as if he had been caught stealing. "Master Arlen, are you curious about adult stuff again?" I said. That had to be it.
It was quite a sight seeing my master gape and stutter in search of an answer. Arlen was an intelligent kid, but he knew absolutely nothing about mating. Telling him about self-love would be daunting; God forbid I teach him more than he should know. But seeing him look for pleasure in an anatomy book was just too hard to bear.
"If you want to see how people do it, then this is not the book," I said.
"Do what? What evil things are you thinking?" His face became twisted with shame.
"*Sigh* Let's go back to your room; I'll show you," I packed the books and got on my feet to return them.
Arlen P.O.V
Jules sat me down and told me to wait. "I hid them in my room," he says as he runs out of mine. He returned with a wooden chest big enough to fit ten full books, but when he opened it, there were many booklets with few pages covered in plain coloured sheets.
"Today, I will show you my secret stash. You can pick three to read for the night." He grinned.
"Why would I need three?" I said. He appeared too excited, so I had to ask.
"Open it." Jules flipped the metallic lock. I picked the one with a green cover cause it reminded me of fresh grass, yet I tossed it aside after crossing the first page.
"There's nothing to be shy about, Arlen. You're old enough to watch." Jules tapped me on the shoulder.
"Jules, you're supposed to be the innocent one. How come I'm learning this from you?" I was in a state of denial.
"I'm still innocent, but your lack of knowledge in this field baffles me. Besides, your cousins won't teach you about this." He had a point. "I will make the last two selections for you. I might add this since you often talk about the pretty female omegas." Julius pulled out the pink book. "Hmm...what to take next." He strokes his chin, narrowing his eyes at the collection.
"Do you...do you have one with male omegas?" Why was that so hard to say? He did not know yet that I had changed. Again he looked at me as if I was behaving strangely. "I'm only curious," I said in haste.
"That's okay. It's this, the yellow book." He placed it on top. "Do you want to read them now? Get it out of your system?"
I did not picture the day going this way. "No, any news about the Widower of Beaumont Castle? You were upset because he was..."
"He woke up, Arlen." Julius didn't let me finish. He shut the box and fastened the lock.
"When, why didnt you say something?" I gaped. I had not seen Luca all day.
"Cause it's not your problem. Let me hide these for when you're ready." Jules reached for the books.
"No! On second thought, I'll read them. That means you must leave now." I snatched them from him. He would have given me a hard time if I said I wanted to go to Luca.
"Will you be alright on your own?"
"Do you want to watch me do it?" I raised a scrutinizing brow.
"Oh heavens, god no. I'll be outside." His face turned red instantly.
"Pfft! Please stay far away from the door. I don't want you to hear me!" The way he hid his face had me rolling on the floor.
"I'll be at the courtyard," his voice was faint.
"Okay!" I went to the door to check briefly, calling his name to be sure. Jules was gone. I wouldn't keep long; I just needed to see that Luca Beaumont was fine. I escaped after shoving those pornographic materials beneath my pillow.
***
Days Later...
Julius was happy to see his Master sketching with so much zeal. "Arlen, I know it will come out as beautiful as always. Let me see." He leaned over, expecting an image of himself. "Why are you painting that alpha when I'm sitting here?" He plunged back onto his seat with a frown.
"It's a gift. Do you think Luca will like it?" Arlen chuckled.
"..." The servant refrained from commenting lest he dimmed the light in his Master's eyes.
Arlen dipped the paintbrush into wet ink, carefully tracing an outline as he reminisced about Luca's appearance. A smile grew on his face each time he got a feature right. "I had a dream about him last night."
"About Luca Beaumont?"
"Mhn. I was climbing up a tree. Getting so high up in the sky was exciting, but then I slipped off a branch." Arlen's brow knitted. Julius' hands slowed down on grinding colour as he listened attentively.
"I knew I would fall on the hard ground, so I shut my eyes and prepared to break many bones. Yet out of nowhere, someone catches me." Arlen drew the alpha's lips, and his face softened again. " When I opened my eyes, it was him. 'As long as I live, you never have to be afraid of falling,' he said. Haha, isn't that silly?" The young Master heaved a sigh- shaking his head to denounce his madness as he stared at the painting.
Julius watched him helplessly. Arlen was dragging himself deeper without realizing it, and he was bound to get hurt if he continued on this path. "Hey, Arlen, are you sure you don't have feelings for Luca Beaumont?"
"Pfff! No, I simply find him interesting." Arlen chuckled.
Julius shifts closer to speak, yet his words are cut short when the head of the family is announced. The young ones stood rapidly, hiding the damp sheet from Claude.
"Uncle!" Arlen bowed in greeting and received a positive response. It was only some days Claude had time to visit his nephew. Arlen loved the man as his father and often got babied by him.
"Son, have you not missed me?" Claude held up a kind smile.
"I've missed you an awful lot, Uncle. Ari said you had visitors." Arlen walked up to him to claim a pat on the head.
"Indeed. Were you painting again?" Claude noticed the messy table.
"I was about to, but I'm glad you're here." The youngster beamed.
" You've spent so much time cooped in your room. Care to have some tea outside?"
"Sure." Arlen nodded.
Julius took a few paces back to give them space after serving the tea.
" Arlen, have there been any interesting events these few days?" Claude took the first sip, minding the garden view and the plain blue sky.
"Not really. Everyone is so busy I've become invisible," Arlen chuckled.
"You must hate being unseen. I understand it gets lonely without your siblings. Rufus is not here, and Ari has to help her mother."
"I'm alright, Uncle Claude; I have Julius," said Arlen.
"Hmm, not to worry. The Beaumont brothers will be gone in two days," Claude said. Arlen's head shot up, confused. "One of them caught the eye of my precious nephew, and I am not happy about it." Claude taps the empty teacup on the table and stares at the boy.
Arlen bit his tongue in dismay, his gaze falling on the table when he felt his Uncle's eyes peer through his soul. He clenched his hands, keeping them tucked in his knees. Suddenly it became clear that he had been found out. "Uncle, I'm..."
"Following him around, using dark magic on him. I know you were at the lake that day; what were you thinking?" Claude stressed. Although he was upset, he refrained from yelling. "Naturally, you wish to make friends, Arlen, but a Beaumont is the last person you should think of befriending. When the darkness hit, Damaris suffered a great loss. One death they never saw coming was that of the Queen. Pandora paid that price in cold blood, but it was never enough! The Beaumonts took your mother from you, Arlen." There was no easier way to put it. "To date, the Beaumonts still grieve, vowing to eradicate the evil that caused the dreaded plague... and whom do you suppose that evil is?"
"My...my father?" Arlen answered timidly.
"Not just your father but his entire bloodline, which is you. They think your father is the real deal; what will happen when they uncover that you, Prince Arlen of Ingram, are the only one that can bend the power of the moon stone, not Caeser?" Claude painted the worst-case scenario.
"..." Arlen sat there, speechless and shattered.
"Do me this favour, don't put yourself in any more danger, Arlen." Claude was that voice of reason and safety.
"..." The young man bobbed his head once, then forced a smile for his Uncle, making it seem he was unbothered. But Julius knew that Arlen's heart would indeed be bruised.