He told the others that he was working on mapping out a way to attack the imperial castle. And that took an assessment of the armies' abilities, what it needs, what it has, and what it will have to do without. Captain Roy must've known Enzo was refusing to speak with him and each time he wandered near the barracks, the older man or Luciano appeared to direct him back to his prison.
By reasoning, it wasn't the worst excuse. Those who could be speaking to him are avoiding him and the ones he needed to speak couldn't be spoken to until his work was done.
Which is why in three days of him not appearing, outside of food, it was easy to wave off Beckett's disappearance as anger. Refusing to accept what his father had done and as a man who will only appear when his anger's been meted out.
In all sincerity, by the second day, he almost liked this wanton version of the man. Beckett was never so out of his mind that he acted out of human possibility but there were moments like now--where he told the man, "Lay flat on the blanket and curl up your hips like so." and he listened without another sound.
The dark-haired man lifted up his hips and spread his legs as his head laid on his arms.
Only a day of food and those omega hormones flushing through the soldier's body and what was emaciated sinew under his muscles fleshed out into soft meat. Enzo, of course, was still far more beautiful and mesmerizing with his words and body together, so , all that could be said is that Beckett's form was enough.
He leaned forward and sunk into Beckett's heat with a sigh. With his hands sliding up to his well-formed mounds, filling his hands as he cupped them tightly.
Over these hours, he learned more than a few things from his studies. The omegas that changed were different from the typical omega. Usual omegas are defined by their ancestry and environment, but Beckett's body was changing to fit an ideal omega form.
It was also changing something within himself.
He felt his cock was thicker even when flaccid and he imagined that's why his sack felt fuller than usual those first few times.
Perhaps the alpha hormones were transferring to him, but it felt as though his own body was changing to fit the needs of an ideal omega—as if he were not the ideal alpha. Nature did have its own beliefs. Who was he to argue with the creators of the world?
Truly, alchemy and the sciences are a wondrous adventure.
By the third day, he could yank Beckett on the table flat as he thrust in his heat slapping his balls against his ass until it turned red. Taking great pleasure in seeing his heavy form press down against the table. His heaviness that felt like a stone two days prior had somehow lightened. But it didn't look as though Beckett had lost weight--no.
In fact, he could tell his own body was strengthening and his muscles, perhaps with even more proper exercise, would bulk into a form that could fight on the battlefield.
The other soldier cried as his body rippled from his thrusts but the pleasure, oh, the pleasure wasn't going to end any time soon.
His hands clutched his delicious mounds as he mouth sucked dark bruises across his shoulders and neck. He lapped at the bruises like water and kneaded his chest before pinching them tightly, ignoring the other's purpled cock entirely. Behaviors that he always had kept tucked away inside were escaping but he felt no reason to hold it in now.
Beckett came to lucidity as he came in his body for what must've been the twelfth or thirteenth time.
"It's starting to hurt less," he panted.
And the Prince hummed. "It should end in the next day or so."
This lucidity was where reality struck the simple-minded man. When his sack finally emptied and he slipped free, Beckett twisted around and his eyes searched the room.
"Where is this?"
There was no reason to expect anything less. The Prince pulled one of his chairs over and sat down before crooking his finger towards the man. "Come here. Sit on my lap."
No longer under the compulsion, Beckett didn't rush or trip over himself to do what was asked, but he did make his way to the Prince and sat on his lap with a fully flushed red face. "Is this supposed to do something?"
"It seems," he told the soldier, "that when you're wandering off my strengthening alpha nature doesn't like it."
"So, this is affecting you too?"
The Prince nodded. "I have good control over my baseline nature and won't struggle even if this is permanent for me, but you?"
"What about all these herbs and bottles? Surely you can fix me."
"Nothing about you is broken."
Beckett slumped on his side putting all his weight on the Prince. He said, with his face muffled by the Prince's head, "You would be the first to say so."
"Don't expect compliments," the Prince pointed out. "But taking care of you is not the worst thing I could be doing. It's a win win in many ways for me. Not you."
He felt his cock twitch to attention as Beckett's chest began to heave with exertion and warmth. With a sigh, he lifted Beckett up and onto his hips, dropping him smoothly on his cock. The soldier wrapped his arms around him as he bounced him on his cock. His teeth found aim on his nipples and began biting and sucking along his chest.
"Wait--I--!"
Beckett rolled his hips on his cock until his favorite spot was hit and keened, throwing back his head. The Prince trailed his hand up Beckett's head until he reached his hair. His finger pressed against the soft curls before yanking his head back as he rammed harder hearing that familiar wet slick as he got close.
"I--I can't--!"
His body shook as he release cum over his chest and his sack drew tight, sputtering out cum into Beckett's heat. He lowered himself back in the chair, pulling a plate of bread and fruit off from the table. The dark-haired man slumped over again, but his mouth opened when the food was pushed in. He finished chewing and panting before he spoke again.
"Has it been like this," Beckett breathed out. "Every time?"
"Every time."
"You could've let me starve. And die. No one would've been angry."
"Enzo cares for you," the Prince sighed. He put down the empty plate. "It would be unfair to let you die when you don't need to. And, as I said, I benefit greatly from this experiment. There's also someone in the Zhuong who would love to hear how this went. I can't wait for our conversation and ideas for theories."
"This is normal?"
"No, heaven's no," he laughed. "But, it is natural."
"Wait," Beckett furrowed his brows before he said, "I remember--you said something about Enzo. This wasn't supposed to happen to me."
The Prince could've argued he didn't say it aloud but then he tried thinking it real hard and the former alpha now omega didn't react. So, the change in himself must've started earlier. In the spur of things, he spoke his thoughts out loud. Maybe the true reason why he tucked away in here was for territorial reasons.
Damnation.
He wondered what else the man heard.
"You know Enzo, far better than I do," the Prince said as Beckett squirmed on his cock, once again thickening. "What does he want more than anything?"
Beckett twisted his lips.
"Exactly, and what else but being the Emperor's Consort, bearer of the future heirs of royalty would offer him that?"
"You should ask him first," Beckett groaned as he rolled his hips again, seemingly unthinkingly. "He should have the choice to choose."
"Of course," he said consolingly as the other leaned back on his knees, thrusting his hips on cock. "But anyone who's good at their job should be doing that job, shouldn't they? Like you and taking orders. You're so good at it."
"It's because--"
"Oh, no," he jerked his leg up bouncing Beckett on and off his cock. "It doesn't take you being an omega. You don't like being in charge, making the decision, thinking about the plan, finishing the choice; I don't blame you. I don't like it either. If I had the option, I wouldn't."
"But, Enzo does."
"Enzo does."
Beckett groaned as his release yanked through him again. Sweat plastered his hair against his face. His lips were redder than usual to the Prince. He thumbed his lips a few times before he finally kissed them, as his body kept rolling over his still thickening cock that hadn't released yet.
His tongue twisted in his mouth and he could tell Beckett's temperature was finally lowering. He wondered then if all he had to do was kiss him to end the heat. The soldier clutched him as a dry release pulled him taut and the Prince's sack jerked up, cumming in his warmth, dribbling down over his thighs for the first time.
It appeared what was worrisome before had likely just been proven true and worth worrying. He had read books and knew that it was a possibility but in truth they wouldn't know until they knew.
"Why do you have that look?" Beckett breathed out. "Like something is wrong."
When he thought about it, though, this could most certainly work in his favor, if things with Enzo ever went awry.
He wondered if this is what his father thought, initially.
"No," the Prince said, and his mouth met his, twisting his tongue in and lapping his lips as if to eat him. "Absolutely nothing is wrong."
Xiaotzi had waited for the axe to fall but time had passed and it was already time for their Naming Ceremony. It was to be a grand occasion that Hu'en even invited his husband to join in. He heard Akhutenan would try but his. . . concubine was giving birth.
"There's no other way to call him," Hu'en said as the imperial servants cleaned their feet, oiled their hair and skin, then painted them in the colors of the Malahi clan of deep azure blue and a yellow that meets orange. "He's married in the other Empire and then has a concubine here. Doesn't he get to eat two portions of two separate pies? He can just have two families. Even if they know, neither conflicts with the other and no issues among the political side. I'm sure the wife and concubine will never want to meet but besides that--it's a win win."
"You would call it a win win," Chuli retorts. And she sat off to the corner, courted off to stay away from messing up the hours worth of work by servants. "I couldn't imagine having to tune into two different spouses in one lifetime or juggling between two in-laws. No, thank you. I love my husband and am glad that there is only one I have to deal with."
He wasn't sure if he should be offended or not but had often thought about why Chuli had never gotten a second spouse. A safer, less likely to trigger political strife, kind of spouse.
"Ah but my brother is being awfully silent," Hu'en teased. "Have you ever thought of it?"
"No," Xiaotzi said but he's feared marriage since before he was married and giving birth ever since he gave birth. "But I don't know if marriage was what's best for me."
"That's a fair stance," Chuli answered quietly. She dusted her robe and said, "I will check in with my sister in law, the Crown Princess, to prevent her from burning any worthwhile allies she has."
The woman disappeared down the stairs of the palace and Hu'en promptly slapped him on the arm.
"Ouch!" Xiaotzi rubbed at the hit. "You'll mess up the paint."
"And you'll deserve it," Hu'en said pointedly. "I may not like Chuli but as far as things go she is the best thing that's ever happened to you. And you're replying with, 'uh, I don't know, marriage isn't great' isn't what she should hear. Whether it is or is not true. God forbid you had a spouse like Babatu. You'd be fucked."
The servants giggled at the curse word as they wiped the last drenches of oil and began burning incense in preparation for the walk.
"She's simply worried about Yusun and it was in poor taste to speak that now, knowing her mood," Xiaotzi said and reminded himself that the further away that child was, the better it was for all of them, but, on a day like today, he would've liked to see her face. "I will apologize tonight."
The servants wrapped them in thick blue fabric and placed them in a headdress with multi-colored gems and heavy beads. They led them down the stairs and into the courtyard where the Naming Ceremony, in part public and later on private, would commence.
Diamonds hung from the sides of the palace with scented herbs revitalizing the air. Servants, civilians, ministers, nobles, and royals all looked up when spiraling yellow smoke filled the sky.
Zamora was the soothsayer for the ceremony and with a makeshift platform she spun smoke into bright colors as she recited the writs of good wealth, good health, and a happy mind. The twins sat beside her with their head bowed as their omega father, in a similar dress but with the patterns of royalty sewn in its fabric, raised their chins and kissed their forehead.
"Imperial Noble Consort tells me that he kept your baby strands of hair," Zamora opens her arms wide and shouts loudly. "We will begin as if the hair has already been shaven! Hand me the pieces, my brother."
Their omega father pulled out from beneath his robe two bundles of hair tied neatly and tightly. Zamora places it on the table where her smokes and incenses waft out of a smoky bowl.
The woman continues to recite the writs and pours something in a goblet that as she motions to hand to the twins, their omega father takes it first with careful sips before handing it Xiaotzi and then Hu'en to drink.
"You will now be adopted in the Molokhiyya Dynasty as children of the blood who have the rights and their children have the rights to marry into the royal family."
Zamora takes the goblet from Xiaotzi and states, "The Empress has named you Khnum-Khufu. Your name Xiaotzi means to be have high ambitions. What higher ambition is there then to live a long life.".
A servant dressed draped in silk where nothing but her eyes could be seen carried in two golden headresses with crystals dangling down their sides. The woman removes the headdress and places the headdress with what looks like teeth on its upper rim and painted a glossy green or molded of green wood on his head.
"Your name means to be blessed by the river and may your life run long as it does."
She turned to Hu'en and took the goblet from his hands and said, "The Empress has named you Seneferu, he who has been made in thine good and honest image. You completed a blood pact between generations and this name is in reference to that."
The headdress with its top curved like a falcon's beak and painted of a glossy black with similarly dangling crystals.
"Welcome to the family, children," Zamora tells them as she pats them both on the shoulders. "You've already done this family proud in fighting for your dignity. Well done." She clapped and music began to play outside of the palace. The shouts of civilians who weren't allowed entry and gleeful dancing could be heard from the courtyard.
Aino, their omega father, clutched them tight and shuddered into what he imagined were tears. He kissed their foreheads again and with watery eyes said, "Welcome to the family, Khufu and Seneferu."
Lawali and Sylas walked upon the platform. Lawali shuffled forward and kissed their foreheads too. She repeated, "Welcome to the family!"
"Welcome to the family," Sylas said blithely and sighed.
Hu'en had told him earlier that Sylas felt like a kindred spirit so when he walked forward, Xiaotzi trusted that he knew what to do, as he kissed his forehead, he said, "I wish I had seen your naming and welcomed you as you've done us, baby brother."
Embarrassed, Sylas retorted, "It's fine. I'm going to go see what platters are finished," and ran out before Xiaotzi could do the same.
Heirut had been tucked behind Sylas but the little shadow clutched the back of their omega father next. So, Xiaotzi took this as his turn, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Thank you for welcoming me into the family." and the young girl clutched his robe in turn. Calculating but open, she said, "What was it like living on the border?"
Xiaotzi spent the night laughing, eating, and drinking with people he could call family but as the night escaped him. Someone had been missing the entire while.
Cushions and carpeted displayed over the courtyard where the three of sat cross-legged drinking and nibbling on fruits in the breezy, starry night.
As the celebration winded down and servants began to clean, few people were left except Hu'en, him, and Lawali, who wanted to be their protector and guard for the night.
"We don't need guards."
"Oh, sweet summer child," Lawali said as she patted his head. "You don't know how this city is at night."
"Weren't we born in the fall?"
"That's what I heard."
Lawali repeated herself, "Oh, sweet autumn child, is that better?"
"Marginally."
"Not really."
"I don't appreciate that neither of your spouses are here," Lawali points out. "I'm not your guard, per se, but your alpha guardian. And in a few days, I'm not sure when we'll ever meet again."
The two brothers agreed. Their marriages were difficult in the beginning but not as difficult as them being separated with an ocean between them.
"I'm not sure why Chuli isn't here or why Nasir hasn't--"
Imperial Noble Consort Malahi with a few guards entered the courtyard, he said, "I believe Seneferu's husband has, albeit late, arrived."
"Speak of the devil," Xiaotzi said under his breath and Lawali tossed him a questioning glance that he waved off. "I'm only--being dramatic."
Nasir had tried to bring concubines into the household multiple times but since none of them became pregnant, it was realized the issue wasn't with Hu'en but himself. The embarrassment would've shattered his standing. Now that Hu'en is pregnant, he knew as soon as he returned home, it would be dangerous for him but that's why Xiaotzi sent the letter acknowledging his brother's pregnancy to a missive carrier that wouldn't arrive for a another month, as his brother planned his next moves before his belly began to show. False accusations and ruling wouldn't be the reason for his dismissal.
"Imperial Mother's scribe has family in that country," Lawali said, her eyes jumped between the two brothers, "The Wons, I believe."
Hu'en began blinking quickly and then said, "Who? The Wons? You're sure?"
"Brother," Xiaotzi held him steady and asked, lowly, "would they be able to help you?"
"One of them has married into the Crown Prince's house as the main Imperial consort," Hu'en sucked in a breath. "I do believe so."
Lawali clicked her tongue. "I will make sure the fastest messenger arrives when the scribe sends word."
"You're sure we can trust them?"
"They're one of my main supports," Lawali said brimming with a confidence that Xiatzi and Hu'en were unsure of but--.
"There's no reason not to try."
Nasir Song swaggered into the courtyard greeting the Imperial Noble Consort but unaware of her status. He asked, "I'm looking for Prince Hu'en, my husband."
XIaotzi clutched Hu'en's arm before he could move and their omega father's eyes iced over. He returned, coldly, "My son deserves the respect of his spouse, celebrating his naming day in a proper fashion. What excuse could you possibly offer for such a transgression?" His eyes veered to the side as if the man wasn't worth his attention and shook her robe as if to clean it. "And how would you greet the Imperial Noble Consort in your own kingdom? As wretched as the bow you gave me."
The man's face paled as he saw the encroaching guards and fell to his knees in a proper bow required for a man to do for an imperial family member.
"Mother-in-law, my apologies for my disrespect."
Their omega father huffed and then swiveled around with a sigh. "It seems your people don't have the strength of mind to keep my son safe," he snapped his fingers and three of the guards knelt on the ground. "You three will travel with my son. Keep him and my grandchild safe, or I'll have you three and your entire family executed. Am I understood?"
Xiaotzi winced at the cruel threat but by the coldness in their omega father's eyes, it was not a faked one.
"Ah, father, it's surely not so serious," Lawali broke group and greeted Nasir with a clap on the back and a hand up off the wet grass. She dusted his robes but they were stained beyond repair. "We have more than enough robes to replace these, ah, traveling clothes, I take it. No worries, brother, welcome to the family!"
Xiaotzi and Hu'en shared a look. There was no way Lawali didn't know his blue robe, lined in gold, sewn of Zhuong silkworm silk wasn't worth its weight in gold.
The three guards huddled around Hu'en as Xiaotzi waved goodbye to his brother and his carriage rolled away towards the docks. He hoped this meant his brother's days of suffering under the Songs were over.
"Had they always treated him so?" His omega father asked softly. "He was unbearable. Mean."
He didn't want to explain what had happened and how or why things went wrong. All he said was, "Yes."
Lawali clenched her fists at her side and then exhaled a steady breath. She said, easily, "Well, it won't happen again."
"No," he said. "It won't.
He imagined in this moment that their burdens would finally lighten up.
This was the day.
"Imperial Noble Consort," a guard rushed in but it was a Legionnaire and a few soldiers from the Campgrounds, "We're looking for the Prince Xiaotzi."
He stepped forward and shared equally confused expressions with his omega father and sister. "This is me."
"My condolences," the guard said. "We believe your wife has been murdered."