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“What an interesting human. This John Doe impersonator...”
Surna jerked his head in Helia’s direction with suspicion. “Helia? Please leave him alone. I do wish to stay on his favourable side.”
“But you do know that he’s an Omega, no?”
“Of course I know this. That certainly stood out to me despite his attempt to hide it.” Surna smiled with amusement. “The real Doe was a null. So, I noticed it the moment I met him in person.”
“Yet you didn’t expose him and instead allowed him to continue to impersonate your agent?”
“I did.” Surna nodded. “I was-- curious.
“At first, I wanted to wait and see if Doe would return to confront his usurper. Alas, Doe died from his injuries in that attack on the train where the switch was made. But-- from what my own investigations revealed, I believe he would have been honoured his-- hero took his place.”
“Hero?”
“Doe was an admirer of this man.” Surna laughed. “My agent told me he was quite giddy with hero worship to meet this man who apparently changes identities nearly as often as he did.
“A gentleman burglar Arsene Lupin; a great detective Eugene François Vidocq; and the mercenary reputed to have assisted the current Queen of Eutar, Machiavelli. These were the identities Doe mentioned.
“However, I suspect he has taken many more other identities too.”
Helia looked upon her fellow apostle with interest.
“Helia, you do know Omegas are extremely rare among humans, don’t you? With the males being even more so.”
“Yes?” Helia nodded, “At least he’s the only human male Omega I’ve ever encountered in my existence.”
“Right. Which makes him ‘Heathcliff’. The missing prince of the Bretus Empire.”
Helia stared at him in shock. “Oh! This is even more interesting! He’s the illegitimate prince who disappeared from public appearances two decades ago? The one whispered to be an Omega and therefore needed to be hidden from all eyes.
“Wait a minute? He actually escaped them?! And they kept it quiet?!”
“Given how frequently the church tried to poison and assassinate Lumenis’s Holy Grail? Plus, the neglect from his family because he’s illegitimate-- I mean, they even branded the poor child, not to talk about the numerous occasions they’d beaten him black and blue. Who would ever have believed anyone would treat an Omega so poorly?
“Why would it be any surprise he’d run away given the opportunity? I don’t doubt if he had stayed that they would have killed him, if not turned him into a zombie weapon. The Holy King is protective of his power. He would not have wished to compete with a Holy Grail.”
“And yet you’ve not tried to claim him yourself?”
“Helia? Did you not notice that Vampire’s scent mark upon him?”
Helia’s face soured. “I was hoping that I was mistaken. So, she did take him in as her chick, didn’t she?”
“Doesn’t it make sense? Who else could have kept him out of the clutches of both the Lumenis Church and the Brutes agents, till he’d gained his own skill and strength to hide on his own.”
“And it’s a formidable strength at that. He fought Basara and won.
“Not that that’s a huge surprise though, since he is an Omega.” Helia muttered. “Still? What an interesting human.”
“Heeliiiaaa...”
“All right, all right. I won’t mess with him.” She waved him off but hide a mischievous grin after Surna turned away. ‘Much...’
@>;~
As much as he’d hated to admit it, Freuden knew that Professor Ludger was right. He was more than old enough to discard his childish grudge and deal with the brutal truth of the incident of over twelve years ago.
As a child, adults were mysterious. They never told children what was ever really happening around them. People-- servants-- perceived relatives would come and go in their lives, and no one ever told them the truth of why.
He remembered a favourite uncle of his best friend Henry Presto. Henry had worried about his disappearance for years then suddenly stopped. Freuden didn’t press him about it, realising he must have discovered a truth the adults had kept from them as children.
He wondered if that truth was as devastating as what he’d just learned from Professor Ludger. The fact that Lynne, because of her non-elemental magic was dying of a terminal illness. The same illness that drove her mother to abandon her daughter and seek suicide via the man’s hands.
Freuden was well aware that as an Alpha of the Wohlberg line, he could sniff out the truth. Their scent perception was far beyond that of other Alphas and so, they could not be fooled. Liars were easily smelled out, even from across the room. And-- this man wasn’t lying.
His focused perception could even tell that this-- murder was so far outside Professor Ludger’s true nature, it was a trauma that stayed with him, scarring his soul. The man had no more feelings for Lynne besides this guilt and familial need to cure her of this bane, which would cause her pain and suffering enough to eventually take her life-- or drive her to suicide before she reached the age of 30.
On his part, Ludger easily saw through Freuden’s desire to claim the Beta and be her Alpha. A desire that was there when they first met. His pointed challenge for Freuden was therefore to basically ‘grow up’ and recognise all the obstacles which stood in their way.
Freuden was, after all, the heir of the Wohlberg family. He could not simply take a commoner as his wife. And Ludger was direct in asking him if he was considering Lynne as no more than a concubine instead.
They’d made a ‘deal’ then, Freuden would commit what resources he could marshal from the Wohlberg family to feed Ludger the information on non-elemental magic to find a cure for Lynne. And Ludger would support Freuden in navigating the social economic quagmire of having the Wohlberg heir choose a commoner for a wife instead of as a concubine/mistress. However, Freuden also had his warning, that if he gave up and decided to take Lynne as a mistress instead, Ludger was committed to protect her from him.
And so, they were now allies of sorts. However, it didn’t mean Freuden still didn’t burn with jealousy to watch Ludger leading Lynne out on her first ever dance.
“Oh? So, is that young lady the one you wanted to introduce to me?” A huge warm hand rested on his shoulder.
Freuden almost flinched in surprise, having forgotten he’d asked his father to attend the Ceoren ball. This was his first step to begin making inroads to sway him towards giving thought to his son’s wishes, rather than the arranged marriages their staff were trying to broker.
“Duke Lumos is also here, as is the emperor, my son. Are you sure I shouldn’t instead be speaking with them?”
“Father...”
“She seems already quite taken with her professor, you know?” Duke Wohlberg chuckled a bit as he also recognised his son’s jealousy and frustration. “What is his name? Ludger Cherish...”
Freuden’s gaze darted towards his father as the man’s voice uncharacteristically trailed off. Inexplicably, the older man’s eyes had widened slightly, and his nostrils flared as if he was taking in a scent of something interesting. Given that his father was looking in the direction of the Professor and Lynne, Freuden was feeling a growing alarm for the reaction.
“Father?”
“Interesting...” Duke Wohlberg didn’t seem to have noticed his son’s worry for his intense focus upon the pair of dancers.
“Er-- father? She’s a year younger than I am...” Freuden gulped.
“Eh? Is she now?” Wohlberg began to move.
“Father?” Freuden wanted to reach for his father’s arm, but the growing aura around him...
The Wohlberg Wolf had appeared among them, and he was on a hunt. The other dancers and people surrounding them unconsciously left a clear path for him.
@>;~
With the ending of the song, Ludger led Lynne to a graceful stop and gave her an elegant bow of thanks for the dance.
“Prof-- Professor... Thank you.” Lynne blushed as she tried to mimic as graceful a curtsey in return.
“Thank you for the dance, but this is your night, Lynne.” Ludger gave her a gentle smile, having sensed the approach of an Alpha. “I’m sure there’s a significant other who would like to dance with you.”
He turned towards the presence but was surprised to see Duke Wohlberg bearing down upon them instead of Freuden. A quick glance behind the approaching man had the expected Freuden meet his eyes in a hapless gaze of worry.
“Duke Wohlberg?” Ludger gave the Alpha a slight bow of greeting. “I believe your son had wished to introduce you to my student?”
“W--why yes indeed.” The man’s intense gaze slipped for a moment from Ludger to Lynne.
The nervous girl nearly ‘eeped’ at the sudden attention. “Y-- your Grace.”
“But I was actually hoping for a dance.”
Ludger’s quick glance at Lynne told him the Beta was not at all prepared to be faced by as powerful a personality as this Alpha. “Sir, perhaps--”
“Oh. Forgive my miscommunication, Professor Ludger. My son is most taken by this young lady; I wouldn’t dream of intruding.”
Ludger’s gaze returned to him in puzzlement as he released Lynne’s hand, subtly letting her hide behind him.
With the beginning strains of a new dance piece delicately tinkling in the air, the duke’s smile turned wolfish. Before anyone realised what was happening, his left hand reached for and grabbed Ludger’s right, forcefully pulling the startled man into a quick twirl. The move ended with Ludger’s right hand elegantly extended in the duke’s left, his left hand automatically resting on the duke’s right shoulder, and the older man’s right hand at the small of his back.
“Ahh, so you have had the appropriate dance education.” The Alpha made a pleased rumble at this perfect dance stance.
Ludger blushed, quietly cursing his omega instincts which automatically had him take the submissive positioning with an Alpha as if it was completely natural and expected for him to do so. “Sir! I--”
“No need to make a scene. It’s just a dance, Professor Ludger.” The duke told him soothingly as he led his partner gracefully through the steps of a waltz. “I missed the last festival and just wanted to meet the young man who had been making quite a name for himself since his arrival at Ceoren.”
“I-- that is--” Caught completely off guard, Ludger decided that it would probably be best to stop talking and just enjoy the dance for now. After all, it wasn’t all that often he’d allowed himself to stop masquerading as a null and let someone else lead.
@>;~
Freuden couldn’t close his mouth as he stared at his father dancing with Professor Ludger. He barely noticed Erendir and Lynne hurrying to his side.
Erendir took pity on him to use her hand to lift his chin, closing his mouth for him. “Well-- that took a surprising turn.”
“I-- I don’t understand. Why is Duke Wohlberg dancing with Professor Ludger?” Lynne asked her. “Isn’t it more usual for a man to dance with a woman?”
Erendir grinned at Freuden’s still shocked expression and wickedly wanted to tease him. “It’s not uncommon in noble balls, Lynne, for men to dance with other men, and women with women.
“It’s-- well, it is common knowledge that Professor Ludger’s from a fallen family. It’s not uncommon for the upper noble class to take a concubine from these families.”
Freuden spluttered at her words. “No. My father would never--”
“No worry about illegitimate children when it’s the same sex, you know?” Erendir’s eyes sparkled at Freuden’s aghast look while Lynne blushed with hands over her mouth at the scandalous thoughts filling her mind.
Flora Lumos and Sherrill made their way over to the trio while many other eyes were admiringly fixed upon the Duke of Wohlberg elegantly leading Professor Ludger across the dance floor.
“Well-- and I thought your father was here to meet mine about uniting our families.” Flora told Freuden with a tiny smirk on her face.
Flora had to admit disappointment to see Professor Ludger dancing with another man when she’d hoped to have a dance with him herself. However, she also couldn’t resist the delightful opportunity to tease the clearly freaked out Wohlberg heir for this unexpected turn of events.
Lynne was staring at the dancers in confusion. “How is Professor Ludger able to dance so well? Aren’t the steps different when being led as compared to being the leading partner?”
“Professor Ludger must have received the training when he was younger.” Erendir shrugged. “He’s never spoken about his family, but seeing how well he’s dancing? He must be the younger among his siblings. It’s not uncommon for these children to be given this sort of instruction.”
“Still, that’s not a position that younger nobles find attractive. It’s probably why he escaped into the military. That’s where most young men would rather go, than be a bargaining chip for their family.” Flora explained further as she frowned at the dancers.
For all his elegance and grace on the dance floor, Flora could see the uncomfortable aura around Professor Ludger that told her he wasn’t pleased about being held in Duke Wohlberg’s arms. And-- the duke was holding him rather familiarly close.
“Flora? Isn’t that your father approaching them?”
“What?!” Her eyes went wide in horror as she watched her father’s resolute stride towards the two men. His Alpha aura of determination was even clearing the path before him.
@>;~
Cayden hadn’t intended to be at the ball. After all, he’d already done his part in making sure his daughter was given a dress that wouldn’t embarrass their family.
However, he had heard that Duke Wohlberg was in attendance, and he did want to speak with the man about their children’s possible marriage. If there was one good thing about Flora’s existence, it was the connections she could build for them in political marriage. For that, Cayden would take the risk that he’d encounter that irritating, dangerous professor again.
Speaking of the man?
‘Hello?’ Cayden’s eyes widened in shock to see Ludger Cherish on the dance floor with-- with David Wohlberg? Why in the world--?
They swirled past him, and a delicious scent was carried in their wake. Cayden’s nostrils flared as the Alpha sucked in the enticing fragrances.
Well! This was unexpected.
Cayden stared at the pair with great interest. “Why Professor Ludger Cherish? What an unexpected prize you’ve turned out to be.”
@>;~
“Oh. So, you’ve really no objections that your son is enamoured with a commoner.” Lunger asked conversationally as the duke continued to lead him gracefully across the ballroom floor.
“And risk him having an illegitimate child down the line? No. If this is the woman he loves, he will fight for her. I won’t get in his way if this is really what he wants.”
“Still, you will make him fight for it?”
“But of course. That way I know he’s serious about it.”
Ludger hummed in agreement.
“But enough about my son, how about we talk about us?”
“About-- us?”
“We’re moving in sync quite nicely, aren’t we?”
“Er--” Ludger’s brain was short circuiting.
The duke sent Ludger twirling out with the clear intension of pulling him back in a tighter hold. Fortunately, they were interrupted. Or maybe that should be considered unfortunately?
“Mind if I cut in?”
For the second time that evening, Ludger felt his hand caught in an iron grip which pulled him unexpectedly into the arms of another man. “D--Duke Lumos?”
“Cayden!”
“Haven’t you monopolised this man long enough, David?” This Alpha was apparently no less practised on the dance floor, easily leading Ludger into another dance set.
‘What in the world-?!’
@>;~
“Flora? Flora?” Sherrill called worriedly. “Can you hear me?”
“Fa--father?” Flora squeaked behind the hands held over her mouth.
Freuden smirked at her. “Not so funny now, is it, Lumos?”
Flora locked gazes with him. “Why are our fathers sudd-- suddenly courting Professor Ludger?”
Erendir was enjoying herself. “But is it really that surprising? Professor Ludger has quite a pedigree in achievements.
“He has the Source Code; That mana boosting research that he’d presented in the Arcane Chambers; He was awarded a medal for his efforts in that terrorist attack at the Capital; Then there’s also his contributions at the latest Geheimnis Nacht where he’d fought alongside the Elemental Monarch of Earth.
“He is quite the catch.”
“Is that why the emperor’s also approaching him?” Lynne asked quietly.
“What?!”
@>;~
“Our previous encounter was hardly cordial, Duke Lumos?” Ludger asked cautiously as the Duke gracefully led him across the dance floor.
“And we cannot let bygones be bygones?
“The Lumos family never forget their enemies.” Ludger blandly repeated their mantra.
Cayden felt once more the chill that went down his spine when faced by Ludger’s gaze at the festival when he’d stepped in to defend his daughter Flora from her siblings. And he was reminded in the gaze currently upon him that this was a dangerous man. This was not a man to be trifled with.
However, at least in dance, he was responding very well to all his subtle Alpha cues and directions. It would be worth it to explore how else his biological nature could be used to control him. That made Ludger Cherish a prize Cayden wasn’t willing to let go of so easily. After all, if he became family instead...
“I paid for Flora’s dress.”
Ludger gave him a raised eyebrow indicating he was willing to listen. “I cannot undo the past, Professor Ludger. But-- when I heard how we almost lost Flora to a demon in the Capital... I had many regrets.
“Thank you for saving her life.”
“She is my student. And under my responsibility to educate and keep safe.”
“Yes...
“It is admittedly late. But rebuilding trust will take time. She doesn’t know I paid for the dress. I left it to Sherrill to provide it to her.”
Ludger gave him an unreadable look. However, he still moved smoothly with Cayden in the dance. In beautiful, perfect partnership with him, in fact.
“You’ve had a good teacher in dance, Professor.”
This gentle praise brought a tiny blush to the man’s cheeks. Ahh, so that’s what it takes. The Alpha saw a path forward--
“Cayden! Ludger!”
‘Damn it! Not now!’
@>;~
“What’s he doing? What’s he doing? Did my father just pass Professor Ludger a glass of champagne? Why is he taking Professor Ludger aside for a walk in the gardens? Why is mom giving them a friendly wave?”
Erendir looked like she was about to have a nervous breakdown.
“Are our fathers actually following to spy on them?” Flora stared at Freuden in horror.
“I-- I had no idea my father was even--” Freuden brain was shutting down on him.
“Are *all* our fathers courting Professor Ludger?!” Flora asked weakly, staring at the other two.
Sherrill and Lynne exchanged looks as the three continued to freak out.
“Hey, hey? Maybe we should move them to somewhere a little more private?” The two students looked upon the approaching Henry Presto.
“They’ll probably still want to have a view of that garden door.” Sherrill reminded this man who was a Wohlberg vessel and Freuden’s friend.
“Whatever, but this isn’t a good look right now.” Henry placed a hand on Freuden’s arm to gently nudge the numbed Wohlberg heir towards a less well-lit area of the ballroom.
Sherrill and Lynne took the hint to take Flora and Erendir in hand as well to steer the dazed nobles towards the shadows.
@>;~
Ludger was eyeing the deeper shadows of the garden as he walked beside the emperor. Honestly, if the emperor’s hand wasn’t so firmly holding onto Ludger’s arm, he might have made a run for it with Ahteru Nocturnes’ assistance. But he didn’t want to be rude to the emperor.
At the least, the emperor got him away from Duke Lumos... who got him away from Duke Wohlberg...
Ludger didn’t understand what was going on. First, he was accosted by Duke Wohlberg and dragged onto the dance floor. Then Duke Lumos stole the dance from under Wohlberg to have a twirl with him across the ballroom too.
What in the world was going through the two men’s mind?
Was his cover blown as a null? They did purposefully exert an Alpha aura on him that his cursed Omega nature naturally responded to before he could control it. Did they now think he was a Beta? Was this just Beta Bullying? They couldn’t have sussed his true nature as an Omega, could they? Ludger was sure he’d freshly applied his scent blocker spells that morning.
At the least, Ludger was quite sure Freuden didn’t sick his father on him over Lynne. They did come to an understanding after all.
As for Lumos? Ludger did get the feel that the man had sensed he was no match in a skills duel. Was he just trying to play nice after rumours spread that Ludger saved Flora from a demon? Had he just now realised that he could seize an advantage by a non-threatening exertion of his Alpha aura upon him.
This was of great concern to Ludger if he couldn’t get his head sorted out. Unfortunately, while he was fine when facing down Alphas in battle or when faced with challenge or adversity. It wasn’t the same in social or casual environments.
And the two men were now following him and the emperor?! Did they have some sort of long-term plans for him beyond this Beta Bullying at the ball to exert their authority over him?
What was going on?!
And-- They made piss poor spies.
Ludger couldn’t believe the emperor didn’t notice them with their stumbling in the bushes. But why didn’t the emperor have his usual guards about him to send them away? Did he dismiss his guards?
Wait? Did he dismiss them just to have a private talk with him? What did he want to talk about that needed that kind of privacy?
@>;~
Auvistas gave Ludger an encouraging smile as they walked towards a pavilion in the estate’s garden. It was a novel idea, to have a parent-teacher conference about his younger daughter. He was glad Eileen suggested it since he was at Ceoren to see Erendir show off at their first ball of the year anyway.
What more, he really wanted an opportunity to speak privately with Professor Ludger. After all, he’d seen Eileen take him aside for a private conversation several times when he was last in the Capital. And this man was a pivotal presence in the various skirmishes against that terrorist organisation which almost caused a terrible disaster.
He had dismissed his guards for this little talk, but Auvistas didn’t think he was in any danger that Ludger couldn’t handle anyway. His daughter clearly trusted him. And he knew Eileen liked him too. However, Auvistas wanted to take his own measure of this enticing man.
...
‘Wait-- what? Enticing?’
Auvistas thoughtfully took a deep breath. ‘Oh... Oh! This-- this was an unexpected treasure! Did Eileen know?’
He tried to be nonchalant about it as he guided Ludger to the pavilion. Unfortunately, he must have done something disquieting as the Professor was giving him an impression of a shy deer that was ready to bolt at the slightest provocation.
@>;~
Ludger sipped from the glass of champagne nervously as he took the seat the emperor guided him towards. He tried not to be too obvious about it, but he could not help but notice the gentle though quite firm hold upon his left wrist.
Clearing his throat to distract himself from the feeling of disquiet. He embarked upon more familiar territory. “You wanted to talk about your daughter?”
“Oh, yes. An ordinary parent teacher conference, I thought.” The emperor told him brightly. “No need to stand on occasion. I am a father here, and I thought this would be a good opportunity for us to talk about Eileen.”
“Ei-- er-- I thought-- we would be talking about Erendir?”
“Oh! Right, yes. You taught Erendir. But you’re friends with Eileen, right?”
This put Ludger on guard. The emperor wanted to talk about Eileen. Was it because he knew they had met privately more than a few times? But-- that was work?
“The First Princess just found it convenient to seek my opinion.” Ludger told him cautiously. “I’ve spent far more time with her Knight, Sir Facius.”
“Oh! That’s-- a pity... It is so hard to be a father sometimes. My elder daughter is already quite marriageable, you know? And since I did hear you are still quite the eligible bachelor...?”
Ludger carefully placed the glass of champagne on the table. He knew he would be well on the way to breaking the delicate stem on the glass if the emperor continued with this preposterous line of thought.
“You are very kind to say that your majesty. Unfortunately, my lineage would hardly be commendable enough to be a match for the First Princess.”
The grip on his wrist tightened almost imperceptibly, causing Ludger a bit of alarm. ‘He’s disagreeing? Is he trying-- to trap me?
‘Dear god, no. If I’m too easily reachable, Eileen would work me to an early grave.’
“Then how about my son?”
“Ex-- excuse me?”
“Evelon is of a much softer nature, does that sound more appealing?”
“Er-- y-- your majesty?” Ludger could feel a drop of sweat starting to drip from his brow. “Marriage is a decision by two parties. What are the opinions of your daughter and son?”
The emperor waved his hand airily. “Unfortunate as the case may be, we who are in power often cannot make our own decisions about who we wish to marry.”
“B-- but as a father, wouldn’t you wish to let your children be happy? That they are able to marry for love. You should speak with them first, right?”
The emperor looked at him with an ever-broadening smile. “You are a good man, Professor Ludger.
“I’m sure whomever you’re matched with would find you easy to love.”
Ludger coughed into his hand uncomfortably. “Er-- thank you?”
“But here, I’ve made things awkward. I do apologise.
“Come then, we’ve been too long away from the ball.” The emperor came to his feet still holding onto Ludger’s wrist.
Ludger seriously contemplated forcefully shaking off the emperor’s grip to make a run for it. But that would be too rude.
@>;~
Having noticed Ludger glancing in their direction suspiciously, the two Alphas dared not to approach any closer to eavesdrop on the conversation between him and the emperor. As it was, they settled in the bushes watchfully to see if the emperor might make a move.
“So-- what do you suspect?”
“His original family does not deserve him.” Cayden sniffed disdainfully.
David initially gave him a puzzled look for that statement until he connected the dots. “Ahhh, you felt that-- terrible energy on the small of his back.”
“The Lumenis brand of an illegitimate child.” Cayden snarled. “Even I gave in to refused it upon my daughter. For it to be inflicted upon an Omega child. And a male Omega at that.”
“You do agree that we must not let this be revealed?”
“Seriously? Do you want more competition? He’s already done his best to hide it. Even taking on the charade of being from an obscure fallen family.”
“Ha! So, you think that’s a false identity too?” Wohlberg bumped a fist with Cayden agreement.
“With all his newly revealed achievements? Why haven’t we heard about him sooner, even in rumour? He must be feeling comfortable in Ceoren to be letting down his guard.”
“Then we are agreed. Whoever wins. We keep this secret.”
“He escaped his original family. It wouldn’t be good for us to draw unwanted attention upon him.” Cayden shook a hand on this. “We’re lucky to be the only Alphas to notice thus far. His scent blocker is usually effective. I hadn’t noticed at all the first time we met.”
“Then it’s just our luck that it’s a tiny bit off today. Enough that we were able to detect it.”
“You actually sniffed it out from across the room?”
David grinned wolfishly, “Once a Wohlberg Wolf catches the scent of its prey, we can track it anywhere.” He then frowned at Cayden. “But how did you catch it? It’s very subtle.”
“You danced mere inches of me. I caught a tiny whiff. Enough to pull me in to check for sure.”
“My fault for my inattention then.” David grumbled.
“Do you suppose he’s in heat now and that’s why his scent escaped the blocker?”
The two Alphas turned to stare intently at the Omega who looked like he was squirming upon a question from the emperor. It seemed fortunate his attention was thus taken, and he didn’t notice their intense gaze.
“Not a hint of distress about him though, so he must have at least gone through first rites with an Alpha.”
“He would have burned out and died long ago without first rites. Though who is servicing him now?”
“Hmmm... You suspect Elisa Willow?”
“No. I doubt there’s an Alpha in Ceoren who is doing that for him. They’d never have let him out of their sight to allow us to get close.
“If he has an Alpha, it’s not his destined Alpha. Or at least he hasn’t met his destined Alpha yet.”
“True, it could be he’s keeping this secret within Ceoren too. After all, he’s apparently quite stand offish.”
“To keep up his masquerade. From what I’ve heard, acknowledgment of his skills and prowess are easily brushed off.
“But you’ve seen him blush at the slightest gentle praise, haven’t you?”
“It’s-- quite adorable.” Cayden admitted reluctantly.
“Indeed. Quite a prize indeed.”
Then the two Alphas tensed as they noticed the emperor stand to pull Ludger to his feet and lead him back to the ballroom. They exchanged glances again. Neither willing to give an inch.
“May the best man win.” They exchanged significant looks on it again before following the two men back to the main hall.
@>;~
“A concubine’s life is not one of ease or security.” Henry told Lynne flatly as they watched the emperor lead Professor Ludger back to the ballroom and take him in his arms for a dance. “I don’t envy Professor Ludger for this attention.”
“They-- they won’t treat him well?”
“Oh, they will for maybe a decade or two... But that’s all most concubines can hope for.” Henry was blunt as he looked away to stare at the drink in his hand.
Lynne stared at him, knowing there was more to be said.
“I had a favourite uncle once when I was a child.” Henry told her softly. “I never understood why he disappeared one day after he’d an accident.
“We were playing, I fell on him. My shoe-- I thought the cut on his face wasn’t even that noticeable...
“Didn’t learn the truth till years later. He was cast out on the streets. Died not too long after in a homeless shelter from an infection-- from the cut.”
Lynne stared in alarm at the nobles who couldn’t meet her eyes. “That’s-- that’s horrible...” She said in a shocked whisper.
“It’s-- not an institution that we’re proud of.” Freuden told her softly.
“Professor Ludger already has a good career, and I’m sure he has enough wealth for his needs with the salary Ceoren pays him. He *doesn’t* need to be anyone’s concubine.” Flora told them firmly.
“If not a concubine, what else could they be courting him for?”
Contrary to his earlier grim frown, a mischievous smirk pulled on Henry’s face. “Marriage?”
Erendir, Freuden and Flora simultaneously gasped and choked.
“Hey, he is quite a catch you know. All your families already have an heir, so what’s a little fun especially if there’s no worry of creating an illegitimate child or competition?
“Second wives, and husbands for that matter, aren’t uncommon. I’d bet the Professor would make a great Stepdad.”
Freuden was wheezing so bad, Lynne was concerned he was going to fall over.
Sherrill was glaring at Henry as she held Flora’s trembling hand. “Slowly, Flora. Deep breaths now, slowly. Easy does it.”
Erendir pointed an accusing finger at Henry threateningly. “F--fa-- father loves my mother. H--he isn’t about to set her aside.”
“True enough.” Henry conceded thoughtfully. “But your sister’s at a marriageable age, isn’t she? Your father might be looking for a suitable consort for her.”
Erendir turned so pale, Lynne was afraid she would faint.
@>;~
Ludger was near ready to damn the consequences and call upon Ahteru Nocturnes to steal him away. The evening couldn’t get more absurd!
How did he end up dancing with the emperor too? And the two Dukes were on the sidelines watching them ready to pounce the moment they had a chance.
Ludger thought he got over being hunted when he’d left his Master to explore the world on his own. This was ten times worse!
@>;~
“Henry! Stop messing with us.” Freuden sucked in a deep breath and stood up straight to glare at his best friend.
He shrugged at them. “Hey, the professor’s still dancing with the emperor and your dads are watching them like a hawk. We’re just standing around trying to figure out why.”
“Yes, though...” Lynne looked thoughtful, “They’re Alphas. So, co-- could they-- force Professor Ludger into a m--?”
Freuden quickly interrupted her to avoid the horrifying word. “Not. A. Chance.”
“You’ve seen him fight, Lynne.” Erendir reminded her. “He’s fearless.”
“Professor Ludger is stronger when he’s facing opposition or a challenge.” Flora told her confidently. “No one can force him to do something he wouldn’t want to do.”
“But-- Why is he letting them bully him now then?” Lynne ventured timidly. “Professor Ludger doesn’t look like he’s-- like he’s exactly enjoying himself too. So-- Why isn’t he walking away?”
That got everyone’s attention.
“You know, Flora?” Sherrill said thoughtfully, “Lynne’s right. Professor Ludger had no fear standing up to your father to protect you. So, why did he let Duke Lumos dance with him just now?”
Freuden also frowned. “My father can be intimidating, but-- Professor Ludger has fought werewolves and-- I did hear he faced down a demon to save you, Flora. I don’t think my father could be as scary as a demon.”
Erendir frowned as well. “My father’s too soft hearted to be forceful. If anything, it’s my sister Eileen who is-- well-- it’s no secret that father means to abdicate in her favour in a couple of years.”
“So, Professor Ludger may have been caught by surprise, but why is he staying dancing with them then?” Lynne asked them. “Is there-- is there something more about the concubine thing or-- or the fact that they’re all Alphas?”
“But Professor Ludger’s a null, isn’t he?” Sherrill reminded them.
“It’s in his teacher’s Bio. And nulls can’t sense anything from Alphas.” Henry agreed. “Isn’t that why he’s not at all intimidated by Alphas?”
“He’s not an Alpha?” Lynne was surprised.
“Given how good he is at fighting and defending us, you’d think he’s an Alpha. But no Alpha would let another put him in a submissive position on the dance floor.” Flora’s frown grew deeper.
“And he-- dances in that position way too well to be an Alpha. Or even a null really.” Freuden looked thoughtful. “A null couldn’t follow an Alpha’s cues as easily as Professor Ludger does. And-- and they were testing him. Trying him out... Could he actually be a Beta in hiding?”
“Why would you hide being a Beta?”
Henry winced. “They’re more easily bullied by Alphas as compared to nulls. Because-- nulls don’t notice, but Betas do.”
“Oh...” Lynne looked down.
“Yeah...” Freuden admitted. “Think-- you can understand now why-- why Professor Ludger and I-- well us lot really look out for you so much.”
“Thank you for that.” Lynne said shyly at the Alphas with her.
Flora quietly gave Sherrill a pat on her back too.
“You know? If-- if it’s because he’s really a Beta and-- and is actually being bullied... Professor Ludger’s always saving us. Co-- couldn’t we somehow return the favour?” Lynne asked them softly.
Flora looked up determinedly. “Can anyone see where Principal Willow or Professor Chris is?”
@>;~
The three Alphas were quite effectively keeping him off balanced. If he hadn’t been the victim, Ludger might have even admired them for their timing and judgement.
It was like a game that the three Alphas were playing in stealing him as a partner in the middle or between dance numbers. This was-- Ludger finally caught on that the three men were trying to court him.
But why?
His students were probably horrified. And having glimpsed the little crowd of them huddled at the corner of the ballroom, Ludger hoped that they were planning to do something about this, since he was too off balanced to.
@>;~
“Principal Willow? Professor Chris?”
The two were beside the buffet table chatting when one of Ludger’s students approached them. Interestingly, they noticed that there were five more students standing a slight distance behind her, apparently for moral support.
“Flora Lumos? How can we help you?” Elisa Willow gave her a welcoming gesture to approach.
“Principal Willow? Professor Chris? I-- don’t know if you’ve noticed the bit of bother Professor Ludger has got into...”
“Oh? What--”
They both turned in the indicated direction towards the dance floor where the emperor was now waltzing with Ludger across the ballroom. While hovering near by, with an aura of Alpha heavy jealousy and hostility, were the two dukes poised and ready to steal a dance. It was clear to them from the subtle glances Ludger threw at them that he was very aware of them.
“Duke Wohlberg started it, and my father took a turn. And then the emperor cut in... They’ve been passing-- or rather stealing him from each other in dance every given chance...”
As if to demonstrate the action, Duke Wohlberg had just cleverly stepped in to swirl Ludger away from the emperor and into his arms, and additionally avoided Duke Lumos’s attempt to intercept them. If Ludger was less of an accomplished dancer, that might have turned into a disaster on the dance floor. However, he admirably kept up most elegantly. Enough to even draw an admiring round of applause from the audience watching them.
“Maybe they’re--” Flora coughed. “You know Professor Ludger has that-- ailment on his back. So, they’re-- maybe-- taking advantage-- of him?”
Flora appeared gratified to see their expressions harden. Though the student wasn’t to know the deeper concern Elisa and Chris had for Ludger.
No doubt, she was aware they knew about the Lumenis brand of an illegitimate child on Ludger’s back. And that was why the other students were made to stand no closer where they could have eavesdropped on this quiet conversation. This secret was probably what she thought the dukes and the emperor were holding over Ludger’s head to keep him submissive to them. With their right hands positioned on the small of his back in dance, it wasn’t unthinkable that these Alphas were sensative enough to feel the presence of the cursed band on Ludger’s back.
However, the shameful brand aside, they knew Ludger’s greater secret was that he was an Omega. And it was quite clear to them that the three men on the dance floor had discovered this natural biological submissiveness in Ludger and were exploiting it.
In battle, adversity, and stressful situations, Ludger could somehow set aside his true nature to prevail and be as aggressive as an Alpha. However, in social and casual settings? He couldn’t completely suppress his natural Omega congeniality with Alphas.
Whether the secret of his Omega nature was completely blown was debatable. After all, it could be that they only suspected he was a Beta. However, the three man at least realised Ludger wasn’t a null.
“Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Flora.” Elisa looked around her for a moment before she found another duke to help them.
“Duke Heibech? If we could have a bit of assistance, please?”
“Oh ho? What are we--” The old duke followed their gaze to the dance floor. “Oh! The dear boy has got quite the suitors after him now, has he?”
“May we count on you to take care of Duke Lumos?” Elisa asked him. “I’ll take the emperor.”
“Freuden Wohlberg?” Chris waved the young man forward. “We trust you can distract your father?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I’ll get Professor Ludger out of here.” Chris told them. “He looks like he’s on his last legs.
“How long has he been on his feet?”
The students exchanged glances. “Three hours? There was a little break when the emperor brought him to the garden to talk. But they started dancing almost at once when they came back to the ballroom.” Lynne volunteered.
Chris winced, “Then he’s certainly about ready to drop.”
@>;~
Safe in his Rederbelke hideout, Ludger groaned as he leaned back on the sofa in his office and gingerly peeled the socks off his aching feet. If he never danced again, it would be too soon.
He thought he owed Chris one for stealing him away from the ballroom after first Elisa interrupted the emperor, then Duke Heibech took charge of Cayden Lumos and Freuden ambushed his father. But the man only gave him a wink as he left with Bellaluna for a late-night supper.
Well, Ludger was at the least going to give Flora, Freuden and his other students points for their timely intervention. But what the hell happened this evening?
Arpa appeared with a steaming foot bath for him, ahead of his Master and Pantos who came to check on him.
“Oh, thank you, Arpa.” Ludger gratefully slipped his feet into the warm water.
The two Alphas sniffed the air and gave him a huge frown.
“You haven’t been this careless since you were twelve, Disciple. Your scent blocker is very poorly done this evening.”
“It’s what?” Ludger turned to Pantos in bewilderment. “But we checked it before I left. And I did apply it fresh this morning.”
Grandair frowned.
Pantos took a deep sniff. “It’s broken now. But fortunately, you were well over your heat.”
“Good. So, you’re not absolutely clearly identifiable as an Omega.” Grandair told him encouragingly. “If anyone noticed, you could probably still masquerade as a Beta.”
Lunger groaned as he lay back on his couch. “Wohlberg, Lumos and the emperor won’t be fooled. If my scent seal was broken, they were close enough to get a good whiff.
“It-- explains why they practically danced my feet off.”
Pantos sat on the couch beside the suffering Omega, pulling him into a gentle embrace of comfort. “Even if they know, they can’t force you to do something you’re not willing to do, Cub.
“It’s not like they can make you offer them your heats.”
“Let them bribe you.” Grandair grinned at him. “I’m sure Principal Willow will be very pleased.”
Ludger snuggled into Pantos’s embrace. “I suppose you could also scare them into dropping their pursuit if it starts getting out of hand?”
Pantos petted him on the head, “Just tell me when, Cub.”
@>;~
The following days were deeply upsetting to Erendir, Freuden, and Flora as their respective fathers flamboyantly sent gifts, hoping to win Professor Ludger’s attention and favour. The deluge of gifts was only slowed after Principal Willow banned the entry of the delivery companies. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop the personal hand deliveries by the men’s various vessels.
Further frustrating Ludger was a clandestine visit by the hapless Facius, who carried a letter from the First Princess Eileen, asking Ludger what was bedevilling her father to prompt this flood of gifts to him. Facius could only give him an embarrassed shrug for the tiny hopeful note that the emperor was delivering marriage proposals on her behalf with the gifts.
Ludger did not want to reveal to Eileen that he was an Omega, as he knew it would make her pursuit of him more fervent. And so, he only told Facius that the emperor discovered he wasn’t a null, and left it at that.
The flirty probes from his three suitors about when he was expecting his next heat, when he was nearing his next period, finally got to Ludger. Erendir, Freuden and Flora were to find themselves jointly called to Professor Ludger’s office.
Given the mountains of gifts piled on the floor, the students went quite pale at the sight. Ludger was pleased that they were suitably apologetic to the beleaguered Sedena who was doing her best to wangle some order in the professor’s office.
“Please tell your fathers that they are failing very badly in their courtship efforts. Because they’ve only succeeded in getting me very annoyed with them.”
“Erm...”
“No, it does not mean I want them to succeed either.” Ludger assured them. “Look-- I doubt any of you want me in your father’s chambers.”
Ludger silently congratulated himself for the excellent choice of words. All three students practically turned green with nausea at the thought it provoked.
“But first things first. The flood of gifts needs to stop. There has clearly been a complete lack of thought behind any of these beyond the price tag. And I do NOT appreciate it.”
“Sorry, Professor.” Freuden was truly embarrassed about his father’s behaviour. “Should we get some students to help you sort--”
“No. I’m fed up enough about this whole affair to give your fathers a warning about pissing me off any further.”
On that mid-day, an ominous black hole appeared in the offices of the two noblemen and one emperor. Before the men could react beyond a gulp of surprise, a deluge of unopened gift boxes flooded out to half bury each of them at their desk.
As a last ‘punctuation’ to this firm rejection, one final mid-heavyset gift box was bounced on their head before the black hole winked out of existence. The men realised they could probably count themselves lucky the chosen gift box was only heavy enough to bruise and not give them a concussion.
In his once more clean and neat office, Ludger helped Sedena to her feet and sent her to her assistants’ room to rest before taking a seat behind his desk again. Facing the three open mouthed students, who were fearfully stunned by his precise spell manipulation skills, he gave them a warning.
“You can tell your fathers that this time it was just their gifts I returned to their offices. Keep pissing me off, and I will deliver an ocean.”
@>;~
The gifts wisely stopped. The attempts to visit, however, started. But Principal Willow curtailed these to only be allowed after office hours, ending two hours before curfew, and by appointments arranged via her assistant, Wilford.
However, when they appeared at these appointments, the Alphas were to discover Ludger had brought Pantos in as his chaperone. One look at this massive polar bear beastman told the Alphas who was servicing this Omega’s heats. It was an obstacle none dared to challenge.
Of course, Ludger had to then accept his colleagues’ teasing when the rumours spread of Professor Lunger’s hunky Alpha boyfriend. But at the end of the day, Ludger thought it was worth the peace it brought him.
Unfortunately, Pantos refused to attend the stuffy balls and academy events. And so, Ludger still found himself fair game for the three Alphas who would continue to try and persuade him that he’d be better off with a human Alpha. Fortunately, Ludger still had Principal Willow, Chris and Duke Heibech to run interference for him, and offer succour as needed.
Also fortunately, Pantos agreeably appeared, when the night grew long, to save Ludger and escort him to his townhouse. Of course, none of the Alphas would dare to object when the huge beastman strode right up to them to pluck the Omega out of their midst to bride carry him away from the event.
Unfortunately, it meant Ludger had to be resigned to having pictures of himself and his dreamily hunky alpha boyfriend flooding the students’ Akashic Records for the next week or so. Not that the principal, teachers, and other staff of Ceoren didn’t also have their own clandestine album of shared pictures of their now infamous couple. It was far too romantic to resist. The Owens certain had fun viewing Sedena’s copies together with Bellaluna’s contributions by way of a (secretly not) reluctant Chris Benimore.
Ludger had threatened them about hell to pay if they dared share the pictures with the Old Kids printing press. However, he couldn’t exactly control the whole population of Ceoren Academy. He also couldn’t begrudge the little pulp magazines selling like hot cakes whenever they slipped in a couple of pictures of him shyly blushing while held in Pantos’s arms. Old Kids even had to print several additional editions to keep up with the demand.
However, Ludger put his foot down on the suggestion of a couple spread of just him and Pantos. Sedena tried her hardest to sway him, gushing over how beautifully photogenic he and Pantos were in even these amateur pictures. This was in no small part helped along by Violetta, who dressed Pantos up in warrior prince garb which subtly matched whatever suit she had made Ludger for that night. Pantos was even quite happy with the expansion of his wardrobe.
Unfortunately, Ludger reminded them that his three unwanted suitors were rich enough to take the high-quality magazines and engage a skilled art mage to easily replace Pantos’s image with theirs and thus feed their unwanted obsessions even further. And besides, it was far easier for Erendir, Freuden and Flora to confiscate and hide the pulp magazines to keep them out of their fathers’ hands. It would be near impossible to keep out of their clutches a dedicated magazine collection.
@>;~
Ludger would swear that he’d never hated his Omega genes more in any other period of his life untill now. At the least, his students were smart enough to display exemplary behaviour in his classes after these events. However, this was a stringent challenge to his students.
Because his pictures were popular, a lot of students would tear out the pictures from the pulps to use as bookmarks. And if Professor Ludger caught a glimpse of these pictures, he would instantly breakout in an adorable blush even in the middle of class. It was very painful for the students to bite their lips to stifle their squeals of delight. But they desperately needed to or the whole class would suffer.
Fortunately enough for them, Professor Ludger was gracious enough to ignore the incidents and let it go. But if that same student was careless with their picture collection again? They could count on the whole stack going up in a conflagration while their textbook remained intact. After all, it was very well known that Professor Ludger had phenomenal precise control of his magic.
As for Erendir, Freuden and Flora the standing state of affairs was not ideal at all. Especially as it was extremely clear to them that Pantos was not Professor Ludger’s destined Alpha.
If they scrutinised the pictures, it was clear that the two were close with utmost trust between them. However, there was a tiny smidgen of romance completely missing in their shared gaze. The beastman was clearly only Professor Ludger’s Alpha protector, who could waltz in to rescue him whenever he needed succour from unwanted attention.
Their fathers obviously knew this as well. And so, they’d decided among themselves that they’d actively secure Professor Ludger a decisive destine Alpha who would permanently curtail their fathers’ still hopeful endeavours.
They unanimously looked upon Chris Benimore for this Alpha candidate. After all, he had often demonstrated the appropriate protective instincts for Professor Ludger’s health and mental wellbeing. Plus, his current fiancé, the Beta Bellaluna, was clearly sweet on the Professor too. Now they just needed all three to recognise this.
As for the troublemaker who caused the whole brouhaha. Halia was to receive a visit from Grandair who sweetly told her that if she dared mess with her disciple again? Surna would have to look for another replacement First Order candidate.
~owari~