Chapter Text
My family sits around the table. Like we do every evening.
With the jester strumming a lute in the corner while the maids wandered in and out with platters of food.
My father, King Joss of the Duan Qi kingdom, discusses business with North, my older brother.
King Gawin, my mother, talks with Teetee, the middle prince, about the new Duke that’s been appointed.
My aunt Dunk and uncle Joong flirt with each other as always beside me. Uncle Pond boasts about his latest ship investment while aunt Phuwin nods and chuckles to himself.
I look around at my family, a mix of Alphas and a couple Betas, the royal line and Omegas, the ones married into the family.
Me, a beta? That’s what the public thinks. Why? Who knows. It’s what was decided when I was born an Omega, can’t tarnish the Sangngern name.
Thankfully my mother didn’t get too much shame for it as he’d already given the family two Alphas.
A Beta prince was better than an Omega prince anyway.
“Wave.” Fingers click in front of my face. “Come back to earth” Gawin clicks his fingers in front of my face.
“Oh sorry mother, what was it?” I perk my head up and smile at him.
“The trip me and your father are going on, it’s in your heat, will you be okay with that?” He smiles softly.
“I’m nineteen now, mother, I’ll be okay, promise” I reach out and hold his hand, giving it a squeeze.
“Plus I’ll be here” Phuwin gives his brother a grin.
“You’re useless.”
I’m quickly not a part of the conversation anymore.
Teetee kicks my leg under the table and I glare at him.
He giggles and looks away like he didn't do anything.
I notice North steal a look at the two of us and holds back a smile but around the rest of the family he doesn’t mess around.
The jester takes a stand and walks to the end on the table.
“Dessert” he takes a bow, his smile wide and one I’ve seen every day of my life since I was fifteen. “And a song.”
Maids file in with ice cream and cherries and he plucks at his lute.
My mother loves music, so every night with dessert we have music.
“ จิบ Tabara หน่อย (วู้)
คาเฟอีนเริ่มออกฤทธิ์อีกแล้ว
จังหวะที่ฉันทำเมื่อคืน (บีท)
ฉันจะใส่ไว้ในโทรศัพท์แล้วออกไปที่ถนน
พวกเราห้าคนจะหมุนหัวไปรอบๆ
มุมปากของเราจะยกขึ้น ฮิฮิ
ปิดเสียงโทรศัพท์ “
The jester sings in Duan Qi’s traditional language.
I’ve always admired the jester. He’s talented, charming, attractive and people are drawn to him even though he is just a Beta.
He has a good job and is admired by a lot of high ranked people. Well not really admired. He’s just enjoyable to look at for them.
He locks eyes with me. His gaze intense. I feel a creeping in my neck.
I know he knows I’m not a Beta. Though servants are expected to not listen in on the royals' conversations. They do. We all know they do. No point in being naive.
But it does make me feel a bit shy I guess, knowing that he sees who I really am.
His comforting smile I’ve known for years is fake. And he holds information that could bring my family down.
His song ends and he bows again, we clap and finish our meals then he calls in the maids to take our plates.
I take my stand. I’m usually the first to leave.
“Have a good trip mother” I dip my head and give him a kiss on the head.
“Thanks honey” he gives me a hug.
“Bye father” I dip my head to him.
“See you son” he pats my back and Gawin raises his eyebrows at him.
The King awkwardly hugs me and I embrace him back.
“See you in three weeks” he coughs and shuffles away.
Weird guy, my dad.
My mother hugs my brothers and they mutter something about saying bye to father in the morning.
I shuffle away, not wanting to be here for my mother and his siblings goodbyes.
Teetee strides over to me and nudges me out the door. When we step out the jester is there too. Standing by the door, probably listening in to us.
He dips his head to us.
I catch a hint of pheromones.
Alpha ones.
I kick Teetee who yelps.
“What was that for?!” He whacks me.
“Horny bastard” I pinch my nose.
“Hey guys” North sighs and wraps an arm over my shoulder. “God, I’m exhausted.”
He slumps against me and looks up.
“What’re you doing here?” He asks the jester.
“I don’t know sir, I’ll be off” he dips his head and disappears down the hall.
“He’s a funny one” Teetee giggles to himself.
“Yeah yeah, you say that about everyone.”
When I’m released by my brothers and I’m back in my room I curl up on my bed and tuck a pillow between my legs.
I can feel my heat rising.
A long few days are ahead of me.