The morning after their intense confrontation, Arion was summoned. He had dressed in the practical, high collared training tunic dark, unadorned leather and linen that affirmed his role as a working guard, not a courtier's pet.
The severity of the uniform contrasted sharply with the exhaustion in his eyes, but it served as a defiant visual boundary against Cassian's attempts at humiliation.
He left the nursery only after ensuring Aiden was awake, fed, and settled with the quiet nurse. He gave his son a specific command: "You will not leave this room. You will not talk to anyone about the mountains. You will be silent." Aiden, sobered by the recent fever and the intimidating new environment, nodded in perfect comprehension.
Arion found Prince Cassian not in the parlor, but in a small, secure war room dominated by a massive, current map of the Western Capital, marked with red and blue pins charting the skirmishes of the Brother's War. Cassian, dressed in his military uniform, was all alpha commander—sharp, focused, and radiating a controlled intensity.
Cassian didn't acknowledge Arion's presence directly. He simply pointed to a large, ornate chair opposite his own, a gesture both dominant and demanding. "Sit. Your five minutes of fatherhood are over. You are now my spymaster."
Arion sat, his spine rigid, his posture betraying none of the turmoil raging inside. The air was thick with the scent of paper, ink, and Cassian's potent alpha pheromones, which Arion fought hard to ignore.
"Your first task is simple," Cassian stated, leaning forward, his blue eyes cutting into Arion. "Tell me Kyon's most crucial, exploitable weakness that is unknown to me. Something you learned after your... change."
The request forced Arion to make his move. To speak was to officially betray his past, his King, and the man who was Aiden's father. But to refuse was to put the dagger back to his son's throat.
Arion took a slow, deep breath, his voice cold and steady. "Kyon's greatest weakness is not military or political. It is his obsession with the Jade Heart."
Cassian raised a skeptical eyebrow. "The amulet? It grants him political power, yes, and some minor influence. But a weakness?"
"It is more than an amulet, Cassian," Arion explained, leaning forward, his expertise taking over. "When Kyon used the chemical agent on me, he spoke of its necessity to stabilize his own biology. He uses the Jade Heart not just as a symbol, but as a continuous suppressant. It controls his ALPHA and omega's sub-nature."
Cassian's face remained impassive, but his eyes widened with dawning comprehension. "Kyon...is an alpha! Impossible. He radiates pure omega's submission," he seems to think."father never say something about it huh!" Cassian smirk .
"A manufactured omega ," Arion corrected, the words bitter on his tongue. "The chemical agent that turned me into an omega was perfected by his own research team. He uses a similar, superior compound to suppress his true nature and amplify his omega's nature . The Jade Heart is a focus. He wears it always. If that amulet is removed for any period of time, his composure will break. His suppressed alpha nature will surface. It is the key to his entire persona and his power base."
The information was explosive. It invalidated Kyon's alpha claim to the throne, confirmed his treachery, and provided Cassian with a target far more vulnerable than any military objective.
Cassian stared at Arion, a slow, predatory grin spreading across his face. He began to applaud softly, his hands tapping together once, twice, three times.
"Excellent, Arion," Cassian praised, his voice laced with triumph. "That is information worth a thousand troops. Now I understand why my foolish brother insisted on parading his manufactured omega's dominance everywhere. You truly are the most dangerous weapon in this kingdom."
Cassian rose, walking around the table to stand directly behind Arion's chair, placing his hands on the stiff leather of Arion's shoulders. The touch was possessive, but not sexual . (for once ) it was the touch of a master claiming his property.
"The plan is set, then," Cassian murmured, his breath warm against Arion's ear. "We will use your existence to draw Kyon out, and we will use the Jade Heart's weakness to destroy him. Your duty is to remain close to me, serving as my most visible, most beautiful advisor. Every move Kyon makes, every document he signs, every rumor, flows through you, Arion."
Arion endured the touch, the soldier in him taking over the betrayal. "I will do what is necessary to ensure Aiden's safety and Kyon's downfall," he stated, his voice flat.
Cassian squeezed his shoulders once, a gesture that was both rewarding and menacing. "Then let the game begin. Your first assignment is to draft a comprehensive dossier on Kyon's current guard captain. I need to know every loyalty, every weakness, and every secret fear."
Arion nodded, reaching for the parchment and quill. I was officially a traitor, selling my knowledge and my suffering for the life of my son. The revenge was now in motion, but i was trapped, a silent puppet in Cassian's vengeful, controlling hands. What a pity I can't do much for now . It make me seems like a fail main character of a story. How funny.
Cassian looked back. " just know that if you are lying. your son's life will be ruined!. You know kyon was foolish but not stupid . He did not wear any jade over all these years." Cassian eye narrowed.
What else could I say . I simply stayed quiet.
Then he walk away without saying anything more.