Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Something's off, and it's been putting Kishiar on edge for a while now. He simply can't pinpoint the cause, which is peculiar enough, yet foresight tells him one thing: it has something to do with his dear assistant.

Now that they're sharing the same quarters, the Imperial Duke knows that Yuder had been feeling ill lately. Lethargy seems to cling to Yuder's lithe countenance since then, which annoys the man greatly, since it leads to frequent afternoon naps.

Yuder doesn't do naps. He's a man of schedule, much like his partner.

The Imperial Duke can't be too careful when it comes to him, though. Too many times, the assistant has had to step in during emergencies and has ended up injured. Once, he needed to be confined to bed due to the depletion of his awakener powers. Enon nearly pulls his hair in frustration from that incident alone, and he readily torments Kishiar about indulging one's reckless partner. Even his own brother and sister-in-law have their own choice of words for him, too.

A familiar knock disrupts his thoughts.

"Enter," he says.

The door gives way to Nathan bowing his head in salute. His adjutant immediately hands over several pieces of parchment bearing Peletta's crest. Crimson eyes skim the letter, and a smile decorates his lips as he continues, "It looks like that recent training with my dear assistant provided the knights great insight when dealing with monsters."

"Ah yes. Sir Welliven expresses his thanks for the chance to be guided by the Hero of the Awakened," Nathan says. He pauses briefly, then continues, "Should an opportunity arise, the captain wishes for the Baron to conduct another training on Peletta grounds."

Kishiar laughs, shaking his head in mock defeat.

"Oh, Enk wouldn't be happy with this development. Have they managed to repair the training grounds within the castle grounds already?" He asks, referring to that mock battle between the Northern Cavalry Branch and the Knights. The Imperial Duke remembers his adjutant handing over the missive to Yuder, and the assistant... well, he requested to be dispatched immediately to the North under the pretext of disciplining the Northern Cavalry.

"If you are curious, I suggest that you and Sir Aile seek His Majesty's permission to visit the Duchy," Nathan offers. "Autumn is nearly here, Your Grace. Your subjects in Peletta will surely wish for their Lord to celebrate the good harvest this year with them."

"Should I?" The Imperial Duke chuckles good-naturedly. The invitation to his partner suggests that everyone sees Yuder as part of the duchy. Knowing that everyone he holds dear silently acknowledges that Yuder will be spending his life with Kishiar fills him with joy. "Hmm, I might need to convince my dear assistant a bit more. I notice that he's been feeling under the weather lately, no matter how hard he tries to hide it from me."

"Sir Aile does look unwell when I saw him earlier for morning training," Nathan adds, watching his master. The Duke sighs in deep contemplation. The adjutant blinks. "Oh. The Baron refuses medical aid, then?"

His Liege smiles, though it doesn't reach his eyes. Kishiar leans back in his seat while tapping the open missive with his finger. Before he can open his lips, frantic footsteps reach their sharpened hearing and stop in front of the commander's office.

Two quick knocks, and Ever bursts in after receiving Kishiar's permission to come inside. Based on her attire and the way she heaves for air, his Deputy must have run from the training grounds. Ever's gaze falls on the adjutant first before shifting to her Commander, petrified.

In his head, alarm bells are already ringing.

Yuder.

Kishiar's already by the door when Ever wheezes out, "Yuder collapsed during training. I-" She gulps, hitting her knees for strength, and follows her commander into the hallway with Nathan. "Gakane and the others are overseeing Yuder's transport to the med bay. Sir Enon is requesting your presence, Commander. Immediately."

Kishiar sees the Cavalry crowding by the door before he hears Lusan's frantic pleas and Enon's cussing in obscure language. Whatever's happening inside, the rest are scared to approach but determined to step forward in case the pharmacist or the priest calls for help.

Gakane turns his head the moment he detects an intense yet anxious scent in the air, sighing in relief when the Imperial Duke arrives. "Commander!" he greets. Everyone leans against the wall and salutes the man.

Kishiar nods, muttering his thanks towards his men. Then his gaze falls on the door. "Can anyone tell me what has happened?"

Gakane begins to stutter, his cheeks turning red. He then decides that the floor seems well polished. The Duke tilts his head in wonder. Turning his body, he sees a few scratching their heads in contemplation. Some are nudging Steiber as if prompting him to step up. The Sul Deputy Commander himself purses his lips. The way he pivots his feet looks like he would like to be anywhere but there, where he is offered by his comrades. Traitors.

"Uhh, Commander," Steiber begins. He sighs and gestures toward the door. From the hisses coming from it, Enon sounds like he has found something to lash out his anger on. "For your best interest, I'm humbly requesting that you hear the news from Sir Enon or Priest Lusan yourself."

"I concur." All gazes drift towards the now-open door, where an upset Enon is leaning against the frame, one hand on his hip and the other holding a test tube with clear liquid inside. The Cavalry members move at once. Gakane positions himself in front of the Duke, including Steiber and Ever. The rest ready themselves in case things escalate... whatever this is.

Enon's face darkened further. "I'm not going to do anything to your commander."

"We apologize, Sir Enon, but the look on your face ain't convincing anyone here," Ever replies.

"As if I can do that! Besides, Yuder will be cross with me once he awakens and finds out that I nearly punched his beloved commander." Enon glares at the Duke and gestures inside the room. "Your Grace, we need to talk. As for you lot," he eyes the rest of the Cavalry with a mean glower, "the patient needs plenty of rest. Scram! You all can coddle him later."

"But-"

Kishiar addresses the Cavalry first. "Everyone, thank you all for your assistance. I'll make sure to update you once Yuder's awake." Gakane and the rest look perturbed, yet they bow in acknowledgment. Then he calls for his adjutant. "Nathan, reschedule the rest of my appointments tomorrow."

"And your lunch arrangement with Their Majesties?"

The Duke smiles and taps his breast pocket in assurance. Nathan bows and follows the retreating backs of the Cavalry. Once they are out of sight, Enon leads the commander inside.

The ward smells of dried peppermint and lemon balm. Scattered books are everywhere. Multiple test tubes, all varying in colors, are lined up across the pharmacist's desk. Some herbal leaves are left on the counter, half crushed. The pharmacist guides the Duke past the mess toward the farthest bed. Lusan, who has been observing their patient, stands at attention the second Enon draws the curtain slightly and sees the commander.

Crimson eyes tremble at the sight of his beloved's mien as Kishiar sits on Yuder's bedside, fingers caressing a few strands of loose hair. Yuder looks so pale now compared to when he left their shared chambers this morning. His forehead is mottled with sweat, and his breathing comes in short pants. Lusan must have changed Yuder's clothes too, for he is wearing a loose shirt now.

While the assistant agrees to partake in meals with him, albeit begrudgingly, Kishiar should have pushed for Yuder to rest. Even if he has to exercise his authority as his Alpha. An aggravated snort snaps Kishiar from his own musings.

"I'd say that the Commander and this guy here really are a match in whatever heavens there are! You two sure love to break the societal norms." Enon huffs in displeasure as he pushes a trolley. Arranged one after another are three cylindrical glasses filled with liquid. Two of them are already showing identical pink. The pharmacist pulls out a vial of blood from his pocket and pours it into the third tube. The fluid immediately turns pink. Lusan blinks while Enon curses once more. "For what it's worth, this situation is not unheard of, but it's definitely the first considering that second genders manifested after the Red Stone fell."

Kishiar's gaze turns sharp. "Whatever this is, it is connected to Yuder experiencing severe lethargy and loss of appetite, I presume?"

"It is not the main cause but merely a fraction of it." The pharmacist agrees, still glaring at the glass cylinders as if waiting for any change. The liquid remains pink. "In his current condition, this troublemaker of yours should be generally looking after his health rather than overseeing the training. From your boys' account, Yuder was giving them direct instructions under the extreme summer heat, which led to his collapse."

While the capital sees its fair share of heat spells during summer, the empire is experiencing the most prolonged heat wave now. Both the East and Western territories are the most affected, considering that they are the main producers of grains and fruits. Several letters requesting him to dispatch Awakers who can summon water-based abilities have found their way to his desk for a while now.

Kishiar already approves his assistant's recommendations for that, yet he fails to understand how this correlates to his beloved's condition.

"I know what you're thinking, Commander, which is why I prepared these specific tests.” Enon directs his gaze to the trolley. "First, I had Lusan initiate divine healing with his powers for an initial prognosis. It is shocking considering that Yuder rarely leaves your side unless he's on a mission, yet his power reserves are unusually depleted. We have no choice but to trace his flow of power from its source, only to find it here."

The Duke holds his breath, staring at the spot the pharmacist is pointing to.

Enon studies the man before them in silence while the priest continues with his own tangent. He knows Kishiar La Orr as an outstanding yet cunning man. A man who hides his fangs behind beauty and grace; a man who delivers impossibility into truths. He's a man of power who could have chosen anyone. And yet.

Yet, here he is- Imperial Duke of Peletta, Commander of the Legion, and Master of the Dawn reduced to near tears as he grasps his partner's hand and, together, lays their hands on his Omega's abdomen.

Enon huffs and vows quietly; If the day comes that this man hurts his brother, Kishiar La Orr will pay. Lèse-majesté, be damned!

"In short, Your Imperial Highness, Yuder's blood work all came back positive." Kishiar lifts his trembling eyes, lips quivering. Oh, this man is truly and hopelessly in love with Yuder Aile, the pharmacist thinks, and it pains him to admit it to himself. "The gestational age is estimated at exactly eight weeks. We got ourselves a strong, viable fetal heartbeat. We will be requesting Alik's aid to develop something in order for us to monitor everything until we pass the first trimester."

Both pharmacist and priest bow in respect. "Congratulations, Commander. May the Sun God's favor be upon you and the Imperial Family."

Clank, thud!

"Your Majesty!"

Yuliver hurries to the Emperor's side, removing the teacup that rolled away on the table while Faria wipes her husband's hand with her handkerchief gently.

The couple just finished their luncheon and are having their tea at the Emperor's private office within the Second Palace. They are supposed to be accompanied by Baron Aile and Kishiar; however, a missive arrived via pigeon mail. In Nathan's familiar scrawl, he states that both men are unable to meet them due to an emergency.

"I'm fine, my Empress," Keilusa assures, patting the Empress' hand in comfort. Faria gives him a long look. The Emperor sighs in defeat and allows his wife to pivot his hand to check for any burns.

Yuliver returns with an ice pack and hands it over to the Empress, who tuts at Keilusa disapprovingly when he tries to pull away. "Is it the Crown Prince?" She inquires.

"No, dear. It's not the Crown Prince or Diarca but my brother and Baron Aile." The Emperor purses his lips, mulling over the information he overheard before he smiles at his wife and butler. The Empress squints at her husband. "What is it? Did something happen to Kishiar and the baron?"

Keilusa shakes his head, chuckling. Faria couldn't help but pout, grace befitting of an empress forgotten momentarily.

"You're being a tease, Your Majesty."

"Apologies, dearest; however, it's not my story to tell. Surely my own brother will bring us news of it soon."

That same evening, another pigeon mail arrives just in time for dinner. Yuliver scans the note once, no, twice, and looks up in shock. Admittedly, Keilusa shares his wonder, too, when he taps into his powers and stumbles upon the conversation with the Cavalry's medical personnel. Yes, it will change their plans to some extent, but he will welcome it. This alone will expedite their plans.

His younger brother wouldn't give their enemies the chance to strike back.

Faria stills when the butler hands over the letter. The soft chimes of the clock fill the quiet, with every click a second passing until she reaches the end. Tears trickle down her rosy cheeks as she sets the parchment down. Her hands find Keilusa's and squeeze them tight.

"This is wonderful news, Your Majesty." The Empress weeps, not of despair but joy. She remembers the child chosen by her husband- innocent, beautiful, and full of childlike wonder. A young boy who resembles His Majesty but with eyes like those of the Empress; they promised to love and cherish. Young but gone too soon as a result of someone's machinations.

A long time has passed since then. The pain lingers, for his death speaks of their failures.

This time, the ending will be different.