After their private conversation, Shirin joined the other princesses who were on the other end of the room, talking amongst themselves. Bjorn joined the princes who were discussing the training and exercises they did.
"I hear you're good with a sword," Zaid spoke up with a mischievous smile, looking at Benjamin.
Benjamin let out a small laugh and denied it.
"That's a lie right there," Charles said. "But, I did beat him. Two to one."
"Wow," Bjorn said, mocking Charles. "You got beat by a doctor?"
"Shut up, Bjorn," Charles said.
Bjorn laughed heartily. "Doc, do you want to duel with me?"
"Not particularly," Benjamin said.
"Just one round. I'll go easy on you."
"Fine, but don't go easy on me," Benjamin countered. He had no idea why he let Bjorn get the best of him.
"Benjamin, if you don't want to duel with this brute, you don't have to," Zaid said.
"Brute? A brute calling someone else a brute is just ridiculous," Bjorn said, and they broke out in laughter.
Bjorn narrowed his eyes and looked at Charles. He was no longer joking around. "Afterwards, Charles, duel with me. If I win, stay away from Shirin."
"If you can convince Shirin," Charles retorted, exasperated. "Be my guest."
Benjamin looked away, trying to hide the sadness in his eyes.
"That's harsh," Bjorn replied. "I honestly don't know what she sees in you. I'm twice the man you are, and you know it."
Bjorn sighed. "We'll have to duel for fun then. Zaid, the swords."
"Violence in the palace isn't permitted. Even dueling. If you'd like to duel with real swords, you have to go to the training courtyard," Zaid said as he asked the staff for wooden ones.
Bjorn smirked and let out a quiet, mocking chuckle. That is an omega for you, Bjorn thought.
When the wooden swords arrived, Charles saw the nervousness in Benjamin's eyes. "Warm up with me, Ben."
Benjamin warmed up with Charles while the princesses turned their gaze toward them.
"Impressive," Liv said, amazed.
"Charles has always been good with a sword," Shirin bragged.
"Not him. The doctor. I'd love to duel with him. Everyone knows Charles knows his way around a sword."
Ara's eyes were wide. She feared for Benjamin, but her heart skipped a beat.
Sofia patted Ara on the shoulder. "He's the whole package."
The duel soon began. While Bjorn fought with heavy, thundering strikes, Benjamin was lighter on his feet. He danced around Bjorn, weaving through his guard until he saw an opening. With a quick motion, he tapped Bjorn's foot lightly with his wooden sword.
"I yield," Benjamin breathed, stepping back and putting down his sword.
He didn't want to push himself too hard. After all, he wasn't in any shape to be running around, let alone dueling. Everyone fell silent, shocked that Benjamin had tagged Bjorn so easily.
Next, Charles stepped up to face Bjorn. The Prince moved with precision, striking Bjorn's guard a few times before landing a solid blow to his ribs.
Liv threw her head back, laughing at the display. Nearby, Shirin watched with pride as she admired Charles, her future husband.
"My turn," Liv announced as she stepped in front of Benjamin and handed him a sword. She gave him a look that said she wouldn't take no for an answer.
They moved swiftly around one another, but neither could land a hit. Panting, they lowered their weapons, calling a truce.
"You still have Zephyrian blood in you, I see," Liv said, breathless but grinning.
Benjamin chuckled, wiping sweat from his brows. "I'm exhausted. I don't have the stamina for this anymore."
Liv's heart skipped a beat looking at him.
"Benjamin," she said out loud, her voice carrying across the room. "I think I'm attracted to you."
Everyone was amazed and the room went silent. Liv beamed, staring at Benjamin, unbothered by the attention.
Benjamin gave a nervous, confused laugh. "Don't joke like that."
"You can't start trouble the day you arrive," Sofia sighed, marching over. She grabbed Liv by the arm and dragged her away, Zaid trailing behind them like a chaperone.
Charles stood frozen, gripping his sword. Wren, then Ara, and now Liv?Why must I compete with the whole world?
After the dueling ended, Charles wanted to speak to Benjamin, but he watched as Benjamin and Ara left together. He shook his head in resignation. Shirin caught the look on Charles's face. She was jealous and, at the same time, threatened by Ara's presence.
If Bjorn is right, Charles's only flaw is his taste in women, Shirin thought. She had also noticed that in the past few days, Sofia and her brother were oddly close. Too close, she thought bitterly. Another problem to handle.
Bjorn approached her. "Shirin, may I escort you back?"
She offered a polite smile. "Charles will be escorting me. But, thank you."
However, to her dismay, Charles invited him to join them.
In Ara's chambers, her governess and ladies-in-waiting and stood outside anxiously with the guards. Ara and Benjamin discussed his assignment. She went over everything the Emperor had told her. After she had told him everything she knew, Benjamin sat in thought for some time.
"I see that the Emperor has given you a brief overview… I can't tell you everything yet, Ara. I understand that it must be frustrating. But, I can tell you that whoever is appointed to the committee must be impartial, without allegiance to any one kingdom, only to the Empire as a whole. Someone just and compassionate who believes in true equality. Whatever knowledge they lack can be taught."
Ara nodded. "I understand the gravity of the situation, Ben. I agree with you. The committee will initially consist of five members to start planning and… for that.
"I've already found seven candidates from different fields of work. Initially there were about twelve, but after running background checks, we're down to seven. After the ball is over, I will begin interviews immediately. The time consuming part is the travel. They're from different kingdoms."
"That's good news, Ara. You are incredibly capable."
"I just want this to be over as quickly as you do. I'll do my best." She paused, studying his face.
Benjamin smiled. " Thank you for your concern, but you don't have to worry about me. I've been doing fine all these years."
Ara could tell he was lying, but she decided not to press him further. She tried to lighten the mood instead. "By the way, where did you learn to use a sword like that?"
"There were some schools in Xenos. I practiced during breaks... and I was required to master it for this assignment. I was personally trained." He looked down at his hands, ashamed.
"You looked really cool," she said softly.
"So," she said, changing the subject again. "Have you decided to go to the ball?"
Benjamin let out a quiet, defeated chuckle. "It would be rude of me not to. I'm here already, aren't I?"
He didn't want to go to the ball. He couldn't stomach the thought of standing there while Charles's engagement was announced to the world.
"But why Charles?" Benjamin asked, remembering Ara saying earlier that she was relieved Charles had been chosen as Shirin's partner.
"Well, look at the eligible candidates," Ara said. "There's Charles and Bjorn. Isadora has always remained a neutral and peaceful kingdom. They have no hunger for power. But Zephyr? The only thing they care about is the power and strength to dominate. They worship their military like a god, and King Bo and Queen Ingrid's ambition knows no bounds.
"If the Zephyrians secured a direct bloodline to the Imperial throne, the rest of the kingdoms wouldn't stand a chance. It would create a massive power imbalance that would threaten the stability of the Empire. Well, no one can say for sure what would happen. But, it's exactly why every other kingdom dreads the idea of Zephyr marrying into the Empire."
After his conversation with Ara that night, Benjamin lay awake. It was the eve of the Mid-Autumn Ball. A part of him wanted to run—to return to Aster immediately. The sooner he left, the more time he would have to process the chaos in his mind.
He found himself missing Madam Wagner and the attendants. He imagined sitting with them over tea, telling them about the princes and princesses. He knew they would enjoy hearing all about it.
He was just drifting off when there was a soft knock at the door. He opened it to find Charles standing in the hallway.
"What brings you here at this hour, Charles?" Benjamin asked, keeping his voice polite, like a distant acquaintance.
"I just wanted to check on you. May I come in?"
Benjamin stepped aside.
"You've looked unwell since Aster," Charles said, stepping into the room. "Is everything alright? Is it your pheromones? When I saw you dueling today, I was terrified you'd collapse. But... you did well."
If Shirin had known Benjamin was an omega and had stood his ground against two alphas, she would have been shocked, Charles thought.
Benjamin closed the door. "Charles... there is something I have to tell you," he said quietly.