Arlen P.O.V
I won't say I slept soundly; letting this day pass meant that I was leaving the castle. Okay, I'll be honest, I couldn't sleep a wink.
Julius, being my right hand, got the chance to give his blessings before Senior Sister at dawn. They were super excited about the party.
I'm sure this won't be like my fourteenth birthday, where I sneaked into the woods to celebrate with ghosts and corpses. Julius peed his pants twice that night, trying to find me. Haha, such good times.
The Queen came to my room before breakfast. "I'll be helping you get ready today," she said. My Aunt may be quick-tempered, but that's because she loves too strongly and hates nonsense. On days like these, she was extra.
In the evening, the hall came alive. I was surrounded by loved ones and people who saw me grow. It dampened my mood watching them celebrate. Were they happy I won't be here by this time tomorrow? Luckily Uncle Claude agreed to let Julius come with me.
I smiled and laughed, but my blood was boiling silently. I retired to bed early that evening and let the night pass painfully fast...
***
The plan was simple, Arlen would meet his father's men just outside the borders of Candor. To avoid drawing attention to themselves, they would make the journey in disguise. Just a simple carriage crossing kingdoms.
The send-off ended in tears and unsatisfied hugs. Basma stood by her husband after holding Arlen dearly. "Don't embarrass me," she said.
"Yes, Aunt." Arlen clung to her a little longer. Saying he recalled all the scary and beautiful time spent with this woman is a small fraction of what it was. Suddenly all the effort the Queen put into moulding him came to light, and he didn't want to let go. He was the baby of the house because this sophisticated omega allowed it.
The Loughty siblings refused to say goodbye, enclosing the youngest in warmth, prayers, and pheromones. Rufus was the glue keeping their promises strong.
"Guard him with your life," said Rufus to his men. Julius pays respects to the Loughtys after Ari tells him to take care of Arlen. In the end, they had to split.
As soon as the cart moved, Arlen's smile slowly faded. Julius took his hand, whispering encouraging words to him. Now more than ever, all they had was each other.
After several days of moving from town to town, they made it past the borders of Candor into Tremania, where they lodged at a designated brothel and lay low. Arlen was locked in his room with Julius for safety reasons while the guards kept watch at vantage points.
The room was different from the ones at Candor. It was smaller and less colourful. The walls were dark redwood, and the floors were pale brown. A simple table in the outer room and a bed big enough for two people- shelved in a squared frame. There were a few decorations, a vase or two, but everything was fine.
Julius prepared a warm bath for his Master. The tub was fixed in a corner, enveloped with a paper wall.
*knock*
"Your Highness, your father's men are here. Their pack leader wishes to see you." A guard interrupted his bath. Julius had his hand in Arlen's hair, massaging his scalp gently. "Tell him we leave in an hour. I have no desire to stay here any longer than I have." Arlen relaxed.
"Understood," the guard responded. That said, he excused himself to deliver the message.
And so it came to pass that young Arlen met his father's men in an hour. They did not refute his command to set off at night, and his Uncle's soldiers were relieved of their duties.
As they continued the journey and made it closer to Kellet, Arlen clutched Julius' hand like he would fade away if he let go. The world around him was about to change, and he would face it alone. Behind the veil, the true nature of their bond would soon be tested, and a beautiful curse will be born.
Arlen was ready, and Julius had no reason to refuse him. Slowly, he undid the belt holding his bright clothes together and folded them neatly. He wrapped his hair into a simple messy bun, befitting the status of a lowly servant.
Arlen grinned to lighten the tension between them when Julius shuddered. He pressed his palm on the servant's neck before focusing on his grey uniform.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Julius needed to prepare.
It took some time for Arlen to respond after the silent nod. "I want this," he said.
(Flashback to weeks ago, when the entire castle went in search of Arlen.. )
"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.
"Shhh, it's okay, Master Arlen." Julius wiped his tears. "What could an ordinary beta like me do to save you?" He lamented.
"You have to... you have to take my place." Arlen peered at him.
Julius' brows came together. He rechecked his Master to ensure that there was no lump on his head- maybe Arlen hit his skull on a rock while swimming.
"My father will not know what I look like. If you go in my stead, he will treat you well. You can command his men and live the life you've always dreamed of- you can finally have a father."
"But that's insane. We are too different."
"You know everything about me, Jules; I have shared my life with you. There is no question you can't answer."
"I can't control darkness, and look at you. You grow beautiful by day whereas I look like a..."
"You are handsome, Jules. My father will not care about that. I can share a portion of my abilities with you. You can conjure resentment at the tip of your fingers. We...we can make a fake replica of my divine weapon. Please, Jules," Arlen rushed with words.
Julius stops him when he tries to kneel. Arlen was asking another man to give up his life so he could walk free. It was the most selfish request the Prince had ever made.
Julius had his head in the clouds. Indeed it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but what would happen to him if the King or Arlen's father found out the truth? Certain death for sure.
"But where will you go? It is dangerous for omegas to wander off alone, Master Arlen."
Arlen fumbled. He had not thought it through. "I do not know. But I will be safe, Jules. I can survive on my own. I can be happy and not be bound to the past or the future everyone wants for me," Arlen confessed. "Please, Julius." His throat dried up.
"Give me time to think about this," Julius said as he tried to get up.
"No, no time...if I'm going to make you my replacement, then we have to decide now." Arlen pulls him back, giving him no space.
"Be reasonable, Arlen! This is not child's play. We'd be deceiving the entire world. What if you regret it? Would you be willing to return?!" Julius felt backed against a hard wall.
"I won't regret it. I know I won't." Arlen shook his head frantically.
"Is this about Beaumont?!" Julius broke free from Arlen's hold, raising his voice mechanically.
"No...no, it's not!" Arlen squeaked in his defence.
After nervous hesitation and pacing the place back and forth in burning thoughts, the servant returned to his Master's side.
"I'll do it." Julius gave in.
Arlen sprung from the floor and embraced him. Indeed it must have been tough to decide; Julius was upset.
"You must swear this to me before anything else. I'm doing this for your happiness, my Prince. If you don't find what you're looking for, swear to me that you will return to take your rightful place. Swear it on my life, Arlen!" Julius spoke sternly. This was a vast, dangerous leap they were both taking.
Arlen nodded, drawing nearer to hug his servant. As they clung to each other, easing their distress and tension, Julius tapped Arlen on the shoulder to point out his current clothing situation.
"Could you stop hugging too tightly? I may not be an alpha, but I can still get turned on by a naked omega," Julius said.
Arlen found the strength to chuckle in that heavy moment. "If you were an alpha, *sniff* I would have begged you to be my mate."
"Really?" Julius arched his neck to spy on him.
"No, are you crazy? I'd still like Luca." Arlen kept his head on the beta's shoulder, giggling.
"Pfft! Arlen," Julius whined.
"But seriously, I would have fallen for your charms immediately if you were an alpha. Our bond would have been absolute." Arlen stayed in his servant's arms.
"Then maybe in our next life, we could be soulmates," said Julius.
"Yes... Maybe," Arlen replied with a calm voice.
(Flashback ended...)
Arlen adjusted the coat on Julius. "Remember, he has no idea I'm a flower. Uncle wanted it to be a surprise. The chances of him finding out are close to none, so just be yourself. I will visit Candor sometimes so they don't get suspicious." Arlen tilts his head as Julius aims to fix his lapel.
"Master Arlen, the guards saw your face. Are you sure they won't be able to tell?" Julius pulls out the fake crescent-shaped metal Arlen gave him.
"What they saw was a mirage of your image. I had to do it so my Uncle's men would not catch on. Do you not trust my spells? Fine, I'll show you. Ask them about our location." Arlen sat upright. Julius pursed his lips, nervous to the core.
He clears his throat and parts the veil separating them from the rider. "You there? Can you tell me where we are?"
"We are on the mountain roads, closer to old Elery." The man saw his face, but Julius was not entirely satisfied.
"Tell him to stop the carriage," Arlen whispered.
"Stop the carriage; I wish to stretch my legs," Julius' voice stuttered this time.
"My lord, this place is near No-Man's-Land; it is unsafe even during the day."
"I said to stop at once!" Julius put more sass into his command. Arlen muffled a laugh as he gave the other a thumbs up. He never spoke to his subordinates authoritatively, but he thought it suited Julius.
The men behind halted with their horses, and so did those in front when they noticed the wagon stop. The alpha leading the pack, Owen Reed, approached. "Is something wrong?" He had a calm yet intimidating demeanour.
Julius tunned down when Owen lifted the veil. "We've been travelling for days; I'm tired," he said.
"I understand. There should be a town an hour and a half away. I can allow a twenty-minute rest stop, but nothing more for your safety, your Highness," the tall redhead said. When Julius agreed, Owen gave the order and got off his horse to assist.
As Arlen came out afterwards, some men narrowed their eyes slightly. But they turned their heads as soon as the one ahead of him gave them a hard stare. The omega smirked, strolling around with confidence.
"It worked," Julius whispered.