Chapter 23: Chapter 12.1

Three years had passed since Calrad ascended to the throne. However, he still didn’t withdraw his decree. Most of the nobles knew the decision was made so that Askan’s privileges were completely stripped off – the Emperor’s anger at his ex-fiancee was alarming.

Seira Askan never appeared within the social circles of high society. Half of a year she’d spend on the battlefield and the other half shut in her territories. When necessary, she used Aven Helford as deputy to communicate her opinions.

Still, high-ranking nobles continued to keep an eye on Seira Askan.

Her bloodline was a powerful force. She proved their views even more when she became a master-class slayer in just four years. And to think she only took the sword in her adulthood too!

In addition, there were no Omega of marriageable age in the Viseltium imperial family, except for Askan, Jeff, and Franto. If Seira should fail to revive the barren land of Askan and eventually renounce her dukeship, then she’ll become the most coveted bride of the empire.

But if she didn’t give up to the very end and still married, the family that would get mixed with them would have to shoulder Askan. Because of this, powerful families were trying to figure out whether she would give up the duchy or not.

Among them, was the head of the Glad family. Instead of his eldest son, Kirill Glad, he sent his second son Damon to spy on her.

“I’ve come to see you since you don’t show yourself much in high society,” he spoke to Aven. “I must say, it is rewarding to see you in person.”

It seemed that the reason why the Knights of Glad joined late was for this.

Aven looked down at Damon who was smirking impishly. He wondered – how many men would be looking at Seira in this way?

The problem was that he wasn’t sure how she would react to idiots like Damon. Would she really accept a marriage proposal with saving Askan as one of the main reasons?

‘It’s nonsense,’ Aven thought at the back of his mind.

Seira was the only pure-blooded Omega of this generation, and was a precious person. According to the treaty, she should have been the Empress of the empire. The second son of the Marquis was not a person who can talk as recklessly as if he was pure-blooded like the Alphas of Viseltium, Jeff, and Franto.

“Her Highness is not in the barracks now,” came Aven’s short reply.

“Hmm? Where did she go?”

“She went on a reconnaissance mission.”

“Oh, my God, I came at the wrong time,” Damon murmured afterwards with a troubled face.

Noticing this, Aven added, “I’ll send someone to inform you when she gets back.”

“Oh, will you?” the noble grinned. He was obviously pleased with Aven’s submissive attitude. “Then I’ll ask you a favor. I’ll return to the barracks for now and wait.”

Aven slowly blinked as he observed Damon’s back while he retreated with his bottle of wine. A ferocious darkness fell over his eyes, where only indifference would have been normal.

“Nell,” he called out, his voice low and barely a whisper.

Instantly, a dark silhouette stepped out of the shadow next to Seira’s barracks.

“Did you call me?” the person asked.

Aven’s eyes were still following Damon Glad’s footsteps.

“Put him to sleep and search him. Take everything that’s suspicious, including the bottle he brought with him, and then bring them back immediately,” he instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

The dark figure lowered her head, and then took another step back as she disappeared once again into the shadows.

Aven stood in front of Seira’s barracks, waiting patiently for her return. The vast plains that lead far into the forest were already turning orange. Night was soon to come.

* * *

“If you don’t say anything, that would only mean I’m right.”

Unlike her calm and indifferent appearance, Seira’s mind was in disarray.

‘Great…’ she grumbled in her head.

The scars left on her body were actually aftereffects of her power, a weakness that she had to bear as an Omega. If she had been a pure-blooded Alpha like Baron, she would’ve been able to handle the immense destructive power of a master-class slayer without having to use her own powers.

‘I can’t admit to Baron my weakness.’

If she was to be honest with him, as commander-in-chief, she and the Askan Knights could’ve been excluded from future battles. Baron was a commander who valued both performance and due process and was the type that didn’t leave a single element of uncertainty during important missions.

However, Seira didn’t want to remain mum and letAven be misunderstood too. Her precious vassal was not worthy of being treated as trash so that she could bury her weakness with a convenient lie.

‘I can never do it,’ Seira made up her mind.

The corners of her mouth lifted as she said, “This can happen when we play together. Most of my alpha’s are a little too full of energy.”

“Alphas?” Baron’s bright yellow eyes shook wildly.

“Yes, Alphas. Is there a problem with that?” she asked back, tilting her head to the side as if challenging Baron.

Was there a noble Omega in Viseltium who didn’t fool around like this? Because Seira was sure there had been something like it in the past.

“…I see,” Baron finally replied.

The look of confusion in his face instantly disappeared. It was to be noted that he even agreed to the idea with a calmer demeanor.

“If that’s your preference, there’s nothing you can do,” he commented.

“Well, now that that was cleared, just wash up,” Seira waved him towards the water, “Don’t bother yourself with useless things.”

It was a lot different in the past when she cared about her behavior to maintain the flawless crown princess image. Seira didn’t give a damn what Baron thought of her. It would be better if he believed in her promiscuity and totally stopped asking her to spend more time together in the future.

With that in mind, Seira picked up her bag again, but then suddenly heard a sound of something heavy falling to the ground. She turned around and her eyes widened with surprise.

“…what are you doing?” she asked Baron in disbelief.

Even with just his cape off, Baron’s figure was eye-catching as he slowly stripped.

“Are you bothered by it? You have seen a lot of Alphas bodies anyway,” he spoke with a hint of an evil tease in it.

His eyes looked dead straight into her face as he continued to unbutton his shirt. It was as if he was testing if what Seira said was the truth or merely a convenient excuse.

“Are you asking me to score you and your boulder-like muscles?” Seira asked in a mocking tone.

“Will you?” he playfully retorted.

Seira frowned and crinkled her nose, but she did not look away entirely. She had no intention of falling for the same provocation or boosting his ego. She was just curious in the first place.

‘The head of Jeff’s body has unrivaled power,’ Seira noted.