After the third day, the bloom was over, and Arlen felt better. Showered with gifts and blessings from his guardians, he tried to be his old self and not make them worry too much.
The next few days brought many challenges. Basma took decisions that split his liberty in half. A change of wardrobe was alright, except now, he had many feminine-coloured patterns and accessories. To an extent, the new omega felt it was too much.
Arlen's time training in combat was reduced to make room for lessons on taking care of a home and basic etiquette for omegas.
No more two peas in a pod lifestyle with Julius; more guards were assigned to him. "You cannot let him do whatever he wants," Basma implanted a command Arlen could not erase or pull out.
'Give me a break.' He cringed whenever he ate with the family. Dining turned into a platform for possible matchmaking for him.
The perk of being a flower as it stood was; no more harsh punishments from Rufus, people were extra careful around him, and he was moved closer to Ari's side of the castle, where he now spends many nights with his cousin, gossiping about their love interest.
**
"A male flower has the form of a man but the purpose of a woman. He must always live and function like a lady and a gentleman. There will be no place for buffoonery or indecency!"
Arlen flinched at the new tutor's reproof. How could he not get caught dozing off when the lessons were exclusive? He lowers his head as a sign of remorse and repentance, appeasing the elderly woman to continue torturing him with what the world demands of him.
"A flower has to stay clear of any alpha that is not his mate- Male or female... Don't be fooled by the females; you'd be surprised at how shameless and cruel they are." The woman edged her eyes. By the smirk on her face, Arlen wondered if a female alpha ever did her dirty.
"Your neck, wrists and ankles are sacred: keep them covered at all times. Do not be swayed by sentiments and flirtatious compliments. We omegas have fickle minds and easily get carried away. If an alpha calls you beautiful and asks to take a whiff, run the other way... Did you get that, Master Arlen?"
"Yes, yes, yes, I'll run," Arlen bobbed his head with a faint smile. 'If he is not a Beaumont with a 'Lu' and a 'ca' attached to his name, I will.' His thoughts humoured him.
"What's funny?" The woman catches the tiny simper in his tone.
"Nothing Madam." The flower lowered his eyes.
"Then read the third paragraph out loud." The tutor decided to let this misconduct slide.
Arlen obliged, flipping several pages to find it. Another boring stanza about how an omega should behave. He sings the words slowly with a mild tone, peeping at the teacher whenever he feels the sentence is ridiculous.
'Who knew being perfect in the eyes of society came with giving up who I am and what I like?' He could barely control his thoughts. Arlen choked when he skimmed over the paragraph concerning bedding activities.
"Go on...read."
"A flower has to give in to his/her mate's sexual desires anytime it is demanded, without delay or complaint. It is for their good. Wait, what? How will that be for my good?" Arlen snapped out of the prim sophistication with a contorted look.
"Sit upright and ask politely!" The woman pitched. "What is the golden rule, Master Arlen?" She held up her chin.
"Obey without complaint...But."
"..."
"Sorry, Madam," Arlen cut it short to avoid more confrontations. He already had three strikes from yesterday's lesson, which made his Aunt very angry.
"We will end it here. Tomorrow's discussion will be on gestation and how to handle children. I hope you take it seriously."
"Yes, Madam." Arlen bowed gently, as taught.
Later in his room that day...
"Do this, do that...don't complain, do nothing but clean after a grown man." The omega stood still while Julius fastened his buttons. At least he could complain and make whatever expression he wanted when alone with his pal.
"You're not going to do that, Master Arlen. You're from a powerful family. Take the Queen, for instance; your Uncle can never refuse her." Arlen's frame rocked forward as Julius tightened the belt on his pants.
"Hmm, you do have a point," said Arlen. The idea briefly has his head in the clouds, painting an image of married life with the perfect candidate in mind.
First scene~
Luca wearing a troubled expression when his mate sweats from running the house. 'Darling, you look worn out; I'll carry you.' He swoops Arlen off the ground.
'Auch, my feet hurt." Arlen lays a palm on his forehead dramatically.
'You work too much, darling. Let me take you inside and rub your feet. You don't have to do this anymore.' Luca holds him close to his chest.
Second scene~
Luca kisses Arlen's neck, purring for affection at night. 'Please honey, just the tip,' he cooed.
Arlen looks away with a superior frown on his lips, eyes half-lidded with a sassy tone. 'Not tonight. You do it too much, sleep!'
'I'll just brush," Luca sulks.
'Go to bed, now!' Arlen points to Luca's side of the bed.
Third~
Luca sees another alpha flirt with his omega on their romantic getaway. He had turned his back for a minute to buy sweets for his mate.
Pulling Arlen behind him, he unsheathes his sword and swings it the stranger's way. 'Die!' Luca growled.
"Hihihi! Fantastic." Arlen enjoyed the time travel while Julius put the outer coat on him to complete the look.
"You look good in pink, Master Arlen...Hmm, I've never noticed how thin your waist is." Julius scratched his chin, pleased with the final results.
"Stop playing; I'll be late for supper." Arlen runs to the mirror to take a look. "Not bad; let's go." He pranced- cheerfully snatching the other's hand.
"Don't run; you'll trip on your coat," Julius cautioned.
Arlen only slowed down abruptly when he saw the other servants outside.
*
Beaumont Castle... Damaris.
The King surrounded himself with his family in the formal gardens, serenading the night with music and poetry. Each piece carried a knowledge unique to itself. No matter how similar they sounded, they were different.
The drinks kept coming, and important figures got their turn sharing their stories and speaking of what Beaumonts did best: conquering their foes and revolutionizing technology.
Luca stays silent, sitting by his brother. Being present was compulsory, even if he hated it. His mother used to be in charge of such gatherings. It was the only period she gave less attention to him.
'We do this to keep the bond with Family Luca. Go and play with your cousins,' she used to say. Luca lost the light in his eyes when she died an untimely death.
Axel grasped his brother's shoulder tenderly, earning Luca's gaze. He understood his brother's feelings best and stayed strong for him. After the ministrations came interacting with others. They stayed together, receiving greetings and compliments from distant relatives.
"There are many flowers here tonight. You should mingle with them." Axel grinned, knowing what the other's reply might be. "I'm not interested." Luca did not like being teased for a thing that happened some years ago.
It was on a night like this. The Moon was complete, and so was the ball. An omega made advances at Luca, luring him with a classic twisted ankle charade. Believe it or not, the first Prince refused to help the lady. It was Axel that convinced him not to be mean.
Luca took her to the guest room and bid her goodnight, but the lady cried about walking to her bed, so he took her inside. That was when the whole drama unfolded, and he was pounced on. Luca's innocence would have been taken that night had his brother not intervened.
He came out panting like a horse, his hair dishevelled with nail marks on his neck and wrists. If only the girl had not spread lies about it afterwards.
"Did you forget that I have someone? You should not be afraid to help a flower because of one person's obsession." Axel hid a smirk as he sipped from his glass.
Luca turns to him." Zip it."
Axel buttons his lips on the issue. Luca being distracted was enough for one night.
The brothers stared at their folk with some form of awe. This is the reality- they were no longer kids. Most of their cousins were paired up and living their own lives. Others ventured out of the kingdom to explore. There were little ones amongst them, and the life cycle began again. Soon it will be Luca's turn to ascend the throne.
"You can't deny it, brother; you may have to choose a mate to please our father. You're not getting any younger." Axel honestly looked to the future.
"I'm going to my room," Luca said.
"So soon?" Axel was sure he didn't cross the line like the last time.
"I have a few scripts to review; Aunt will be upset if it's not done carefully."
"Okay, Sir Works-a-lot, do not stay up too late. You're leaving in two weeks. It's not advisable to strain yourself."
"Hm," Luca hums monotonously as he walks away.
Regardless of people desperately trying to catch the first Prince's attention, Axel watched as he slowly disappeared. All his brother indulged in was helping Roxanne run the finest university in the kingdom, hunting, and taking on risky missions. At this rate, Axel doubted if anyone out there could slow his brother down.
***
"What?" Arlen quaked when his Uncle gave him the letter.
Claude had invited the omega to his study after supper, telling him there was something important to discuss. The teenager was excited when the King spoke of his coming of age but never expected it to double as his send-off party.
"Is it because I became a flower? I don't want to go." Arlen's pupils dilated with salty tears. He blinks it away as his head hangs low.
"I have yet to make Caeser aware of your transition. You're growing older, and so is your father. He wants you by his side, and I support it." Claude's ways were simple and precise.
"But this is my home. Uncle, I'll do anything you want; just don't kick me out." Arlen shifted closer to the father figure he grew up with.
The news hurt Claude more than the youngster could imagine. It felt like giving one of his children away. "No one is kicking you out, Arlen." He frowned. " You are my son; this place will always be your home. You can visit anytime you get the chance, but right now, Caeser needs you more," he said.
Arlen primmed his lips, clumsily wiping the tears on his face before bowing at his Uncle's feet.
"Please reconsider." Those words said softly made Claude's heart clench. He grasped the boy's shoulders and drew him up. "We knew the day would come. Do not despise it, my child; embrace it with pride," said Claude, his kind eyes fixed on his nephew.
*
The Next morning...
'Arlen!...Arlen!...'
The castle turned upside down when the youngest was nowhere to be found. His favourite servant noticed this after meeting the empty bed in his room at dawn.
Ari was the first to receive the report after the other guards expressed their cluelessness.
"Mother will be furious if we don't find him before his lessons," She confided to her brother. Rufus rallied a few men to check all the places Arlen liked to hang out.
Soon men were roaming the dock and lakes, searching for him. The King took others to neighbouring towns, suspecting that this was a reaction to last night's discussion.
By afternoon Basma was on everyone's neck. It was not uncommon for her nephew to slip out in the past, but this would be the first after his bloom. "You're all useless! Pray nothing happens to that boy!" She yelled at everything in sight. She could not sit still, knowing that Arlen was no longer untouchable. They speculated that his late bloom might make him a recessive, but it was too early to confirm.
Julius took a different path after searching for hours. "Where are you, Arlen," he muttered in exhaustion. The sun had not been kind with its heat, but seeing its light dim as it was about to set made him anxious.
He wandered into the woods far from the markets, the pier, and their home. There was nothing but trees and hills where he treads. He won't be able to defend himself if some wild animal attacks him.
Julius kept his eyes on the trees. His Master loved climbing.
There was one spot left to check after roaming. He had a hunch about the small stream hidden by the forest, one of Arlen's favourite swimming spots.
"..." His hope dwindled at the silence when he got there. There was no sign of Arlen.
*Splash!*
Julius spun at the sudden noise.
"Master Arlen!" He ran for the water as the youngster swam to the bank, naked.
"How long have you been holding your breath? Where are your clothes?" Julius looks around frantically.
"Behind the rock over there." Arlen raked his hair with his fingers and squeezed the water out. He pokes his ear to clear the drops of water.
"Here." Julius drapes a coat over him. "Have you eaten? Should I catch some fish?" He massaged the youngster's face with his constant brushing.
Julius could not shake off the sadness in his Master's demeanour. Arlen averts his gaze briefly, churning his conscience with those glossy eyes. "Jules, why did it take so long to find me?" He said with a sunken voice. Yes, the tears came quietly.
"..." Julius joined him by the rock and sat him down. He then embraced his Master, allowing him to sob louder. "Everyone at home is worried sick about you, Arlen. They think you run away. Is it true that you're leaving?" He strokes the omega's wet hair, sighing when he feels the nod against his chest.
"I do not wish to return." Arlen creased the servant's clothes with his fists.
"Hahh, Master Arlen, you won't be alone. They say your father adores you and is dying to meet you. I'm sure he'll be pleased to know you're a flower, just like your mother wanted," said Julius. But then Arlen shook his head at that assumption.
"Come on, Arlen, you're the son of a beastman other kingdoms fear. I wish I had such a person for a father. One who loves no matter the gender." Julius rubs Arlen's back lightly. He, too, could have had a good life if his father wanted him.
Arlen bit his lower lip once Julius' little speech sank in. His friend was right; people would kill to be in his place. "Jules...my Julius." Arlen lifted his head, hands resting on the servant's waists. "I need you, Jules...you must save me; I can't go back there- not where my mother was killed. Please don't let them take me." Arlen wept.
There was a tremor in his voice. One that Julius likened to fear. But this is not the fear of being scolded by Rufus or Queen Basma; it was worse...
**
"Rufus, must you search his room?" Ari tailed behind her brother. Night had fallen, yet Arlen had not been found. At this rate, they were beginning to fear the worst.
"It's necessary, Ari. Arlen may have left a note or a clue about where he went." Rufus barged into the omega's room, untouched since his absence was discovered.
"Okay...I'll help." Ari swallows the emptiness, wiping her face with a handkerchief. She heads for the drawers while Rufus scatters the bed. He removed the bedsheets, shaking them rigorously for a note.
His eyes follow the 'clank' sound after an object falls to the ground. One so loud it gained Ari's attention. "Is that...Moon?" She spoke as the metal hit the bed frame and rolled underneath.
"..."
"Thank heavens. If Moon is here, then Arlen will return home, right?"
"Yes, but it could also mean he's in trouble. He's an omega, Ari. He may be vulnerable without his weapon." Rufus set out to retrieve the object.
"..." Ari sunk back into her disturbed state. Rufus made a lot of sense. What if their youngest did not run away? What if he had been harassed by an alpha or attracted the wrong kind of crowd?
"Do not panic, sister; Arlen is not completely handicapped. He can take care of himself," Rufus pointed out. "This bed is weak; I'll ask Father to change it." He knelt, stuck his hand under the bed, and searched for the crescent-shaped metal. Just when he grabs it, he feels something bulky prick his finger.
Rufus eventually pulls out the object but becomes suspicious. "Hold onto this for me, Ari; there's something else down there." he moved the bed entirely.
"What's that?" It was Ari's first time seeing the special box.
"Not sure, but it must belong to Arlen." Rufus set it on the naked bed and opened it.
The coloured books were the first to be inspected. The alpha's brow went up after the first few flips, and he prevented Ari from watching, stating it was useless.
Skipping the pornographic materials takes him to a collection of paintings and drawings gently tucked under. Arlen's initials sat calmly at the bottom of each artwork.
"Have a look at this." Rufus handed a drawing to Ari. The outline had been sketched, yet it needed to be completed.
It didn't take long for Ari to recognize the drawing. "This must be Arlen's love interest." A gentle grin appeared on her lips, recalling Arlen's description of the female alpha.
"A love interest? How come I don't know of this?" Rufus scowled. A love interest could mean his assumptions were wrong, and Arlen could be with that individual.
"Pay no attention to it, Rufus. The person is a ghost that Alen is infatuated with. We always talk about her, the alpha in a blue uniform...what's wrong?" Ari catches Rufus massaging his temple.
"Look at this one; tell me if it's the same person." Rufus realizes an upsetting truth as he observes the other paintings.
Ari checks a more refined image with bolder features. "They seem to have the same outfit. Blue uniform with gold broaches. But this does not look like a...girl."
"Look closely, Ari." Rufus presents another paper almost furiously. "Do they not resemble a certain prince from Damaris? The blonde hair, those medals in this painting and the sword's hilt should tell you who it is!"
"Luca Beaumont?" Ari's eyes went wide. "But how? They've never met before."
"Ari!" A familiar voice echoes behind them just in time. They were too distracted to hear the door shut in the outer room.
"Arlen." Ari turns with the evidence in her grasp.
Julius stood behind his Master like a shadow, even when the omega softened at the mess in his room.
"Explain why you have these hidden under your bed. How the hell do you know the man in this painting?!" Rufus' tone was a clear signal that he was about to blow.
"It's just a random painting." Arlen's gaze did not stay up for long.
"Don't play smart with me!" Rufus moved.
"Rufus, be gentle; you'll frighten him." Ari stepped before the alpha.
"I don't care if he cries; he better tell me how he knows Luca Beaumont before I lose my temper," said Rufus with a heavy breath. Ari looked at the youngest with confusion. 'Oh, Arlen, what did you do?' She wondered.
Arlen swallowed his spit, bracing himself for the worst confrontation with his siblings.
While the Loughtys focussed on the youngster's face, Julius could only see those trembling hands clinging to the coat for support.
He felt sorry for his Master. Why wouldn't Arlen want to run away when he can't even love whom he wants to?