Once the queen and prince had exchanged their final words, the tension in the room was thick enough to be cut with a knife. Queen Melina's sharp gaze swept over the assembled courtiers and maids, her voice carrying a cold authority. "Everyone out," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. "This matter stays within these walls."
The courtiers and maids quickly filed out of the chamber, their eyes cast downward, fear gripping their hearts. No one dared to look back. The door closed behind them with a heavy thud, leaving the queen, prince, and a few trusted guards alone in the room.
Marius, who had been standing at the back of the hall, hesitated before turning to leave with the others. But before he could fully retreat, his eyes once again caught sight of the guard walking closely beside the prince. Before he had even realized it inside the Queen's quarters, there had been something familiar about the way he moved, about the set of his shoulders. Marius's heart skipped a beat when Rem finally revealed himself inside and that was all that consumed his mind when he saw an old friend. So much that he momentarily forgot his current predicament.
"Rem," he called out, the name escaping his lips before he could stop himself.
The guard froze in his tracks, and Prince Kylian, noticing the interruption, also came to a halt. The room, which had just begun to empty, seemed to hold its breath. Kylian turned his head slightly, his gaze locking onto the Omega who had dared to speak out.
"You know the Omega?" Kylian asked, his voice edged with curiosity.
Rem's throat bobbed as he swallowed, clearly caught off guard. He turned slowly to face Marius, his expression carefully blank. "Yes, my name is Rem," he said cautiously, his voice betraying nothing. "Do I know you?"
The smile that had briefly lit Marius's face faded quickly, replaced by a look of confusion and hurt. For a moment, he stood there, dumbfounded, as the reality of his situation sank in. He was just an Omega now, a status far below even the lowest sentinel. The realization stung, and with it came the awareness that he had just approached the prince—a mistake that could cost him dearly.
Whispers began to ripple through the hall, the other servants and guards casting curious and suspicious glances in Marius's direction. Panic gripped him, and he quickly bowed his head, lowering himself in a gesture of submission. "Forgive me, Your Highness," he stammered, bowing repeatedly, his voice trembling with fear. "I didn't realize..."
Kylian watched him for a moment, his expression inscrutable, before stepping closer. Marius remained bowed, his forehead nearly touching the floor, his heart pounding in his chest. The prince's shadow loomed over him, and he braced himself for the worst.
But instead of anger, Kylian's voice was calm, though it carried a hint of warning. "You should learn the laws before you do something like this in front of someone who isn't as forgiving as I am," he said, his tone almost gentle.
Kylian reached down and placed a hand under Marius's chin, lifting his face so their eyes met. The smile that played on Kylian's lips was unsettling, a forced softness that only served to amplify the danger in his gaze. It was the smile of a predator, trying to appear less threatening to its prey.
Marius felt a chill run down his spine, but he nodded quickly, his voice shaking as he spoke. "Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you for your kindness."
Kylian released his grip on Marius's chin, and the Omega quickly bowed again, backing away with hurried, unsteady steps. The prince watched him go, his eyes following Marius until he disappeared from the hall.
Once outside, Marius leaned against the cold stone wall, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He pressed a hand to his chest, trying to calm the frantic beating of his heart. The encounter had left him shaken, and as he replayed the events in his mind, he couldn't shake the strange, hollow feeling that had settled in his gut.
"Rem didn't recognize me," he murmured to himself, confusion lacing his words. "But Isla said he begged her to protect me. Why would he act like he doesn't know me?"
The question gnawed at him, and his thoughts turned to the clothing Rem had worn—the uniform of a palace guard. He had achieved his dream of working in the palace, a position of respect and authority. Perhaps the presence of the prince had something to do with his behavior, Marius mused. Maybe Rem couldn't acknowledge their past connection in front of someone as powerful as Kylian. Still, the sting of being treated like a stranger by someone he once considered a friend was hard to swallow.
Marius pushed himself off the wall, trying to shake off the unease that clung to him. He needed to get back to the kitchen, to resume his duties before someone noticed his absence. But as he made his way back, he noticed a group of six Omegas approaching, their expressions dark and hostile. The unease he had been trying to push away surged back with full force.
Marius quickened his pace, heading for the only blind spot he could see, hoping to slip away unnoticed. But as he turned a corner, two more Omegas stepped into view, blocking his path. One of them sneered at him, malice gleaming in his eyes.
"If it isn't the Omega bastard who came to burn us all to the ground," the Omega said, his voice dripping with contempt.
Marius raised his hands in surrender, his pulse quickening. "You mistake me for someone else," he said quickly, trying to keep his voice calm.
The Omegas advanced on him, their expressions growing darker. "Your old name used to be Marius, didn't it?" one of them snarled. "Aren't you a Favier? A traitor to this kingdom?"
Marius's heart pounded in his chest, fear coiling in his stomach like a snake. "I've never done anything to any of you," he pleaded, his voice rising slightly in desperation.
One of the Omegas stepped closer, his lip curling in a sneer. "As long as you live, we'll be picked off like chickens," he spat. "One of the royals clearly wants you dead, and it's better we do their job for them. No one will miss another dead Omega."
Marius's eyes darted around, searching for any possible escape, but he was surrounded. The wall of hostility closed in on him, the group pressing closer, their intentions clear.
"Please," Marius begged, his voice trembling. "I don't want any trouble. I'm just trying to survive."
The Omegas ignored his pleas, their hands tightening into fists, their faces set with grim determination. The leader of the group stepped forward, his eyes filled with cold resolve.
"Survival?" he hissed. "That's what we're all trying to do. But as long as you're here, we're all in danger."
Marius's breath hitched in his throat, and he could feel the walls closing in on him, the reality of his situation crashing down like a wave. He was alone, outnumbered, and without any allies. The truth was stark and brutal—no one in this place cared about an Omega's life, least of all his.
The Omegas began to move, tightening their circle around him, their intentions clear. Marius felt a surge of panic, but there was nowhere to run, no one to call for help. His thoughts raced, but they led nowhere, trapped in the same cycle of fear and desperation.
As the first blow struck, Marius's world spun, his vision blurring as pain exploded through his body. The hits came fast and brutal, each one driving him closer to the edge of consciousness.