Chapter Text
Prince Angel of Vincula. Born as the one and only heir to Queen Makima, whose influence bound the entire kingdom like chains, just as the kingdom's name implied. He was named after the heavenly beings, for the queen said that he embodies his name perfectly.
Angel disagreed. If anything, he believes he’s more devil than angel.
Or, perhaps, more of a corpse than a creature.
And right now, he definitely looks like one.
Framed by a gilded mirror, his reflection stares back at him, bloodless. Angel’s skin tone is more on the paler side, but right now, it feels like all the healthy color is drained from his cheeks, his skin almost translucent. Faint shadows rest under his eyes, making him look particularly exhausted.
Since last night, he’s been feeling strange. Headaches came to him in slow waves, sometimes fading enough for him to ignore. But what’s worse is the ache in his lower abdomen, constant as if there’s a persistent hand squeezing from inside.
Behind him, an attendant stood while brushing his hair. Even she noticed the change of his complexion. “You appear somewhat unwell, Your Highness. Is something troubling your health?”
Angel’s gaze stayed flat, empty. “Just a slight fever,” he answered dismissively.
The lady lowered her head. “Understood. I will prepare your medicine.” She gave his hair a few final strokes before finally setting the comb down on the vanity in front of him. “The breakfast is ready and the queen is waiting for you, Your Highness. Please allow me to escort you to the dining room.”
His legs felt weak, but Angel forced himself to stand up. As soon as he’s on feet, he was greeted by a crashing wave of dizziness. Angel paused for a while to suppress it before moving forward.
The attendant led him through the castle corridors, morning sunlight bathes them through the tall windows. The weather today is actually quite nice. Angel would’ve gone out for a walk in the garden if not for his condition.
As the attendant said, his mother was already waiting when he arrived at the dining room. Angel avoids glancing at her for too long, and he quickly took his seat.
Between them, the table stretched almost the entire length of the room. It is absurdly long for merely two people. On top of the wooden surface, silver platters and dishes are meticulously arranged, displaying an extravagant selection prepared by the royal chefs while keeping a great distance separating the mother and son.
“Good morning, my dear.”
“Morning, Mother.”
An attendant poured tea into his cup while another placed breakfast before him. He lowered his gaze and absentmindedly pushed a piece of food around his plate. Despite not having eaten since yesterday evening, his appetite is strangely absent.
The queen studied him from across the table. “You look tired.”
“I didn't sleep well.”
“I can see that.”
His mother continued. “Is something troubling you?”
Hearing that, Angel almost laughed.
As if she didn't know.
As if she hadn't spent the last few months discussing his delayed presentation, searching for ways to hasten it, and consulting physicians, healers, and scholars from across the kingdom.
Honestly, the entire ordeal has been stressing Angel out. His mother is so fixated on it, on what he would become, that it often felt as though nothing else about him mattered. He felt like he was being pressured over something completely beyond his control. He was still trying to understand his own body, yet she seemed to expect answers he didn't have.
The Queen rarely said it outright, but Angel isn’t stupid. He knows that there’s a particular secondary gender she is hoping he would be. Every physician she called in, every question she asked, every conversation she insisted on having seemed to point in the same direction. It was difficult not to notice.
“No.”
“Angel.”
He looked up, and the queen set down her utensils. “You've been avoiding every conversation regarding your presentation.”
There you go, his mother’s favorite topic. How come she didn’t even notice that he’s sick? Angel looked back down at his plate.
“Because I don't have anything to say. And I simply don't understand why everyone is so excited about it.”
“It's an important milestone.”
“For you, maybe.”
You can see a hint of displeasure in the queen’s eyes, but her expression remained calm. “Angel, I hope you understand that everything I do is for the kingdom, and for you.”
Angel's face is stone cold, his heart unwilling to believe Makima's statement. “Really? But it feels like you can’t wait to see which power you’ll gain with my future marriage.” Angel's tone now was getting higher, frustration that had been building for months finally beginning to spill out.
“Watch your tone, Prince Angel. You are now speaking emotionally.”
“You are speaking like I am your business! What if I’m a beta, Mother? Will you still care about my future?”
“Always!” Bullshit.
The prince doesn’t bother to respond anymore, hence the queen continued. “Your future has always been secure, but it will be difficult if you yourself don't care about it. We only have each other here, so I hope you will learn to trust me.”
Usually, he would snap back to argue. But all the words that come out of his mother’s mouth are starting to sound like some indistinct buzz. The pounding in his head was growing worse, and the persistent ache in his lower abdomen continued to twist unpleasantly. Even sitting upright is becoming exhausting.
Angel stood up, unwilling to continue the argument as well as any interaction with his mother. “If you'll excuse me, Mother, I've suddenly lost my appetite.”
“Angel!” His mother called for him, but Angel is already walking away from the table.
He only took a few steps before the waves of dizziness came back.
Angel forced himself to remain on foot.
His room. He just needs to make it there, then he will lock himself inside and avoid everyone for the rest of the day.
One step. Then another.
His movements grew increasingly unsteady as he struggled to keep his balance. The corridor seems to stretch endlessly before him, his room too far. And suddenly, the room is beginning to tilt.
He tried to take another step, but his legs refused to cooperate. They buckled under him without warning. For a brief moment, he felt himself falling.
The last thing Angel heard before consciousness abandoned him was the scrape of chairs and his mother's voice calling his name again—this time stripped of its usual composure.
⊹₊♔₊⊹
11 YEARS AGO
Licking his vanilla ice cream, little Angel stood on a small stool at the balcony, looking down at the grass field in front of his castle. “Please be careful not to fall, Your Highness.” An attendant stood next to him, monitoring his movements. Angel is 9 years old, but his frame was smaller than most of his same-aged friends. Without the stool, he wouldn't have been able to peer over the balcony railing at all.
His face welcomed the gentle breeze of that afternoon, inhaling the carried scent of freshly cut grass across the palace grounds.
“Nii-chan, take a look at this!” Angel heard the voice of a young boy.
Not long after, another followed. “Taiyo, slow down,” the tone slightly deeper.
Curious, Angel leaned forward. The voices soon took shape as the two brothers came running across the grass field, racing toward a nearby fountain adorned with a stone horse statue. “Can I ride the horse?” the younger boy asked immediately, pointing at the statue. “No.” The answer came just as quickly from his older brother.
Angel’s eyes widened at the sight. He had never seen any child around his age in the castle before. Turning his head to the attendant next to him, he asked, “Who are they?”
The attendant answered with some hesitation. “I suppose they’re the children of the new Captain of the Royal Guard. Queen Makima allowed his family to stay here.”
Angel nodded in understanding, his face remained stoic and unreadable. But deep down, he was secretly pleased to have the new companions. The castle is full of older, boring adults, so friends of the same wouldn’t hurt. He looks forward to their future encounters.
A few days later, Angel found himself peeking at the two brothers again. They were playing hide-and-seek. Little Taiyo hid behind a giant vase while Aki counted to ten, eyes closed and leaning against a wall just down the hall.
When Aki finished counting, he immediately spotted a bit of Taiyo peeking out. He tiptoed closer. Taiyo was hiding so well that he couldn’t see properly around him, and when Aki nudged his hiding spot, “found you—” Taiyo shouted in surprise, tripping forward as the vase nearly toppled over.
Angel stepped in instinctively, but Aki was faster, quickly moving and catching the vase before it fell.
“Nii-chan, you surprised me!” Taiyo whined in protest.
“Sorry. Let’s be more careful, okay?”
While the brothers carefully set the vase back in place, Angel decided to announce his presence. “You two are lucky,” he said. The boys turned to him in surprise. “That is one of my mother’s favorites.”
The older brother—whose name Angel was still unsure of—widened his eyes. “Your mother is… Queen Makima?”
Angel answered his question with a nod. The two brothers looked at each other, and soon after that, the younger one suddenly ran excitedly toward Angel. “Wow! You’re the prince? So cool!”
Taiyo leaned in too close to Angel’s face, making him instinctively step back. “And you’re so… pretty!” Angel blushed at the compliment.
The older brother walked over to them. When he reached Angel, he offered his hand.
“I’m Aki.”
Angel took it, accepting the friendly gesture. “Angel.”
“And this is Taiyo,” Aki added.
“Do you want to play with us?” Taiyo asked eagerly.
Already expecting and hoping for the offer, Angel nodded quickly. He didn’t expect that the encounter would become the start of a warm, youthful bond that Angel would cherish more than any other in the palace.
⊹₊♔₊⊹
PRESENT TIME
Angel blinked a few times as consciousness hit him. The bedroom lights started to sting his eyes and reality formed around him, blurry at first before his vision sharpened at the familiar ceiling.
“You’re awake, my dear.” He turned to the source of voice—the sight of his mother, sitting right next to his motionless body laying on bed. Her slender, graceful fingers reached the top of his head, gently stroking soft strands of his vermilion hair. “How are you feeling?”
He shifted on the bed with a grimace. He could feel an uncomfortable, tightening cramps in his abdomen, a pounding ache in his head, and heat spreading to his chest, limbs, all over his body. “Warm,” he answered briefly, his voice weak. “What happened, mother?” Angel questioned, tracing his memories before the haze took him.
His mother—the sole ruler of their kingdom—smiled in satisfaction, clearly pleased by the answer she’s about to give. “You’re in your first heat,” she muttered as she rubbed his temples. “Congratulations.”
In contrast with his mother’s expression, the gaze in Angel’s eyes filled with horror. For a moment, he’s speechless, breath caught in his throat.
Not receiving any responses from her one and only son, the queen continued. “Your body couldn't handle the heat because it wasn't accustomed to it,” she explained further. “The sudden onset caused your temperature to spike, making you extremely dizzy. You collapsed earlier this morning and remained unconscious for some time.” She gestured toward the figure standing nearby. “Fortunately, the doctor has already administered the most effective pain relievers at our disposal and prepared a selection of medicinal herbs to ease your symptoms. You are in good hands, Angel.”
With this sudden revelation, Angel no longer cared about the pain. All he could think about was his future. His role in the kingdom. His mother, and how she would treat him. How people would see him. What they would think of him. “Does that mean…?”
The queen leaned closer to his face. Her smile is gentle, but it scares him. “You’ve presented as an omega,” her tone calm but content, “you’re going to be an omega prince, Angel.”
What?
No. No no no. Angel can't believe it. His worst nightmare—the one fate he had always feared—is now happening.
Angel has always wished to be a beta. A beta prince would have been spared much of the scrutiny that followed him from birth, granted a life with a little more freedom and a little less expectation.
It’s not that he hates omegas. There’s nothing wrong with being an omega, but being an omega prince is different. Being an omega prince means becoming a political asset before he was even old enough to understand politics. It means knowing that one day, someone would decide who he’s going to marry, where he lives, and what purpose his life should serve. And worst of all, he’s not just any omega prince. He is the son of Queen Makima.
“You should stay in bed for the rest of the week. Or more, until your heat is over,” her hands traveled down to Angel’s. “The attendants will do daily check ups and take care of you. They’ll report to me if we have anything to worry about. I’m sure you will get through this.” She offered him a reassuring smile, but it did nothing to calm the boy. Angel’s presentation is relatively late, now at the age of 20. But to Makima, the wait is now finally worth it as her son has become the heir she hoped he would be.
The alpha female stood up, now ready to leave her son in pain. Just before she reached the bedroom door, her head turned half back, looking at Angel from the side of her eyes. “And once you feel better, we’ll talk about the arrangement for your debutante ball.”
Trying to suppress his pain, Angel got up and sat on his bed. “Mother!” he half-shouted, trying to stop his mother from leaving. “Please, Mother. Isn’t it too fast?”
The queen turned her head to the front, her hand holding the handlebar. “Angel, we’ll talk about it later,” she emphasized. “Get well very soon, my dear.” And just like that, she stepped out of the room, leaving Angel alone.
⊹₊♔₊⊹
NINE YEARS AGO
The clock is almost close to midnight, and it was way past his bedtime, but Angel is still awake. It’s just one of those nights where he was lost in thought, making it difficult to sleep.
Knock knock. He heard soft thuds against his balcony window. Careful with his steps in the dark, he got out of bed and walked toward it. He could already take a guess who it is.
He opened the window, and he was soon greeted by Aki’s calm face, a small smile resting on his lips. His hair was down, unlike his usual top knot, loose strands falling naturally around his face. Honestly, Angel liked this look better on him. He looked more laid back, more chill, more raw, without any uptight and defensive facade, trying to be put together whenever he was in front of the other castle residents.
It’s been about two years since they had known each other, and Aki had gradually, slowly but surely, begun showing more of himself—his unguarded side—to Angel as they spent time together. Secretly, Angel is happy that the taller boy only shows it to Angel, other than to his family.
Their eyes locked for a moment before Angel broke the silence with a teasing remark. “Sneaking into the prince’s tower at midnight? You’re such a troublemaker.”
“Breaking the rules is okay once in a while,” Aki muttered with easy confidence.
Angel took a step out onto the balcony, the cold night air brushing against him. “Stop trying to sound like me.” Aki let out a soft laugh.
The prince looked around, then down to the ground beneath his tower balcony. “How did you even get here?”
Strong hands gestured to the corner of the balcony, where a rope was tied and falling down toward the ground.
Angel raised his eyebrows. “And when did you even tie that here?”
“I always find my ways,” Aki said, a little smirk tugging on his lips.
Angel scoffed. “See? Troublemaker. The old ladies should stop labeling me that and put it on you instead.”
Aki ignored him and started climbing down the rope. “Stop ranting. Come on down. You can climb a rope, right?”
A bit of fear flashed in Angel’s eyes. His tower was not that tall, but he had never done anything like this before. But when he stopped looking at the height and focused on Aki instead, the dark-haired boy looked him in the eyes from below, his fingers gripping tightly at the rope. Aki gave him a soft, reassuring smile, full of ease. It gave a bit of confidence to Angel too. He nodded.
And when Aki reached the ground, Angel climbed down after him. He moved slowly, each step careful as the rope swayed slightly under his weight. Unfortunately, just as one of his feet was about to meet the ground, his balance wavered. His grip slipped from the rope, and he fell forward.
Aki reacted instantly. He caught him before he could hit the ground, arms firm and steady as they wrapped around Angel’s body, absorbing the impact completely despite his young age. For a moment, Angel was just there—held securely in Aki’s arms, his breath caught, the world briefly still.
Before Angel could thank him, Aki returned to their usual banter, as if he can't stand a moment too soft. “Clumsy ass,” he teased.
Angel huffed, his reddish bangs lifting slightly before falling back into place. He stood up properly now.
Aki started walking and motioned for Angel to follow. They walked for a few minutes, and from the route, Angel knew where Aki was taking him—down to the lake. Lake Cavalier, a landmark near the castle. They called it that because from above, it was shaped like a riding boot.
It became Aki’s favorite place. They had only gone there a few times without Taiyo around—Aki feared that getting near a large, deep lake was still too dangerous for him. But they had only visited it during the day, so Angel had never seen it in the dark night before.
And when the view finally opened before his eyes, Angel was mesmerized. The lake, mirror-like, reflected the countless stars above them. Silvers, blues, and faint greens blended together like a painting come alive. His steps faltered until he stopped completely, taking in the sight and keeping it safe in his memory.
Aki, already a few steps ahead, noticed his friend's sudden pause. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled when he saw the wonder shining in Angel's eyes. “Beautiful, right?”
Angel nodded slowly, unable to look away from the lake. Under the moonlight, the water was perfectly still, reflecting the stars above like a giant mirror. “So this is how it looks at night?”
“Come here,” Aki said. “Let's get closer to it.”
They walked to the edge of the lake and sat on a pair of stones. The night was quiet, only filled with the occasional chirping of crickets and the gentle breeze brushing through the grass. For several minutes, neither of them spoke. Angel simply took it all in—the shimmering lake, the cool air, the peaceful silence surrounding them.
“We should do this more often.” Aki's voice broke the silence.
Angel turned to him, eyebrows lifting slightly. He didn't say anything, but the question in his eyes was obvious. Usually, Aki is not this sentimental. Angel found himself studying him.
Aki looked back at him. “Sneaking out at night.”
Angel let out a soft scoff, disbelief hinting at the sound. Aki, the goody-two-shoes who was always reminding him of palace rules, was suggesting midnight adventures? What a rare sight.
“I'll be starting my formal training soon, so I might not get to see you as often.”
Oh.
Right.
Angel fell silent.
“I mean…” Aki rubbed the back of his neck. “I won't be able to play around with you and Taiyo as much,” he added, as if correcting himself.
Angel nodded. “Right... When do you start?”
“Next week.” Aki sighed. “I've already had some introductory lessons from Dad about guard responsibilities, plus a bit of physical training. But now it will be much more intense. My dad won't go easy on me anymore.”
“That sounds tough.” Angel's mood dimmed a little as he imagined Aki spending countless hours training while he remained stuck inside the palace.
“It probably will be,” Aki admitted. “But I have to get through it, don't I?” He turned toward Angel. “After all, once I become a guard, I'll be the one protecting you.” The smile on his face was gentle and sincere.
Angel felt something tightened in his chest. His heart suddenly felt too fast, and warmth traveled to his cheeks.
Not wanting Aki to notice the change in his expression or the way his heart was racing, Angel decided to change the topic a little. More about Aki, and less about himself. “Did you ever expect this?” Angel asked quietly. “That one day you'd become a royal guard?”
“Not at all.” Aki chuckled. "Not until your mother saved my family. And not until I realized how strong my dad is. I want to be like him."
“I'm sure you'll do great,” and Angel meant it. He might not know much about what made a good guard, but after spending years with Aki, he knew the boy embodied everything one should be—honor, courage, and unwavering loyalty.
For the next fifteen minutes, they talked about the training Aki would undergo—the combat, endurance, weapons, and everything else that awaited him.
Eventually, it was time to return. Aki escorted Angel back to his tower, making sure they stayed hidden from wandering guards. When they reached the window, he held the rope steady while Angel climbed.
“Pull the rope up and hide it,” Aki instructed.
The prince did exactly that. When he looked down again, Aki was still standing there. He lifted a hand and waved. His lips moved soundlessly, but Angel knew exactly what he was saying.
Good night.
Angel smiled and waved back.
Aki pointed toward the room, silently telling him to get inside before someone spotted him. Though reluctantly, Angel obeyed. He closed the balcony window, letting the glass come between them once again.
When he finally slipped beneath his blankets, the lake's reflection still lingered in his mind. But somehow, it wasn't the stars he kept thinking about. With the memory of Aki's smile warming his chest, Angel drifted into a peaceful sleep.
⊹₊♔₊⊹
PRESENT TIME
It’s the third day of Angel’s heat. The first two days have already been difficult. It was his first heat, after all. The fever, the aches, the constant exhaustion—at least those could be somewhat eased by herbs and medicine prescribed by the royal physicians.
But the third day was different. It felt like the peak. The heat burned through his body, settling on his skin and refusing to leave. His limbs felt heavy, his mind disoriented. Even the soft light filtering through the curtains irritated his eyes.
Worse than the pain was the loneliness. Throughout his heat, Angel has always been alone. The attendants came once in a while, checking his temperature, changing his sheets, bringing medicine and meals. But eventually they all left, and Angel is alone again. The room felt too large. The bed felt too empty. And after some time, the painkillers no longer seemed to do much, neither did the herbs.
Several attendants suggested heat suppressants, but the royal physicians have strongly advised against it. Taking powerful suppressants during a first heat—especially after such a late presentation—could affect future reproductive health. So of course, Queen Makima has refused.
Angel had no choice but to endure it.
By the afternoon, another attendant entered for a routine check-up. The young omega barely noticed her presence. While the lady was focusing on her work, the prince’s eyes remained closed and his body shifted restlessly under the blankets.
"...Aki..."
The attendant froze.
Angel's brows were furrowed, his cheeks flushed from fever. "...Need you… Aki..." The name left his lips again, weak and unconscious.
The attendant quietly finished her examination before excusing herself. Not long after, she stood before Queen Makima's desk. "The prince's condition has worsened, Your Majesty," she reported carefully. "His fever remains high, and he appears increasingly distressed. It seems like he hasn’t slept through the night. I would like to once again suggest heat suppressants."
Makima did not look up from the report in her hands. "No." The answer came immediately.
The attendant lowered her head. "I understand, Your Majesty."
Silence settled between them. The attendant hesitated. Then, carefully, she spoke again. "There may be... another solution." The attendant swallowed. "The prince has been calling for Captain Hayakawa."
For the first time since the conversation began, Makima set down the document.
The room grew quiet. The feeling of unease has overtaken the attendant’s body.
A few moments passed before the queen stood from her chair. "Let me talk to my son."
When Makima entered Angel's chambers, she found him curled under his blankets. His hair clung slightly to his forehead from sweat.
“Angel,” the mother called his son.
Angel slowly opened his eyes. For a brief moment, hope flickered across his face. Only to fade when he realized it was his mother. His expression crumpled.
"Mother..." His voice trembled. "I can't take it anymore."
Makima sat beside the bed and brushed a damp strand of hair away from his forehead.
"My dear," she said softly, "please endure a little longer."
Angel shook his head. "No..." His fingers tightened around the blanket. "I need..." The words caught in his throat. He knew what he wanted, he was in the urge to say it, but he couldn't. He doesn’t have the courage. Saying it aloud in front of his mother felt impossible.
“You understand that attaching yourself to something is dangerous, right? It is a sign of weakness, Prince Angel.”
Angel opened his mouth to argue. “That's not—” But another painful twist cut him off. “Ngh...” He grimaced and curled further into the bed, one hand instinctively pressing against his abdomen. “Mother, please just let me take the suppressants.”
Makima watched him for a long moment, then she sighed. And with her composed gracefulness, she stood and quietly left the room.
Several attendants were waiting outside. Makima's gaze swept across them before settling on one. "Call Captain Hayakawa. But make sure he comes to me first before entering the prince’s chamber."
The attendants immediately bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
⊹₊♔₊⊹
Deep in his efforts to endure the pain, Angel only faintly registered the knocks on his door. His body felt unbearably heavy, as though every limb has been weighed down by iron. He didn't have the strength to answer. Still, he heard the door open and someone entered.
Angel kept his eyes closed, but his sense of smell is sharper than ever. Suddenly, his room is filled with alpha pheromones. One that he is too familiar with. He always finds this pheromone pleasant to his senses, but now, the effect is much stronger. It must be because he’s in heat.
Knowing exactly whose scent is this, he doesn’t dare to open his eyes.
He heard footsteps approaching, Angel's fingers tightened around the blanket on him. It takes everything he has not to move toward that warmth, not to bury himself in it and finally escape the loneliness that has consumed him for the past three days
The figure stopped next to his bed. He whispered, as if not wanting to wake Angel up in case he’s asleep. “Good afternoon, Your Highness.”
At last, the prince opened his eyes.
There he is.
Hayakawa Aki.
Aki stood there straight-backed and composed, the perfect royal guard. All with the uniform, the posture, the careful distance he maintained between them. The blend of wool and silk threads in his uniform hugged his body tightly, giving him a dignified and commanding presence.
For a moment, Angel simply stared. Just earlier, his mind has been consumed by thoughts of this man. In the haze of fever and exhaustion, he had wished for his presence. But now that Aki is actually here, standing only a few feet away, even looking at him made Angel's chest ache.
“What are you doing here?”
Aki’s gaze is calm and restrained, unreadable. “I’ve heard about your condition. Your mother instructed me to help.”
Of course. Of course it’s always his mother’s orders. Of course Aki doesn’t come here because he cares. Of course Aki doesn’t care about Angel.
Hayakawa Aki is the person Angel wishes to be by his side right now, but not this Aki. This is not how Angel wants him to be. Not how Angel wants him to act. Not how Angel wants him to talk.
Angel wants the Hayakawa Aki who used to come secretly to his room during midnight. His childhood friend. His Aki. Not this stranger wearing the face of someone Angel used to know.
“My mother asked you to help me? While I’m in heat? That’s very funny of her.” Angel’s tone was sharp, full of bitterness.
“I’m not here to do anything to you, Your Highness. Fear not, I won’t touch you.”
Angel doesn’t know how to feel. All he knows is that if Aki ever touched him for no reason other than his mother’s orders, Angel would rather have him stay away.
“Just bring me some heat suppressants. I’ll be fine.”
Angel turned his back to Aki, unwilling to see his face.
Because of the exhaustion clouding his mind, the prince didn’t immediately notice the items Aki brought with him. Several folded articles of clothing, a spare guard cloak, a thick wool blanket, and a small pillow
Without saying a word, Aki set the items down and began arranging them around the bed.
Angel frowned. What exactly is he doing?
“Aki—” The protest died on Angel’s tongue.
Suddenly, Aki's scent overtook the air around him, filling his senses with something warm, familiar, and unbearably comforting. It wrapped around him like a blanket, quieting the panic in his chest. Almost instinctively, Angel leaned into it.
Quietly, Aki explains what he is doing. “Back then, when my mother was in heat and my father was away, we helped make her nest. We used my father’s belongings, things that carried his pheromones. It helped her a lot. She became calmer and was able to rest.”
After Aki finished arranging everything, he stepped back to inspect his work, seemingly satisfied. “That’s all.”
Angel glanced around the bed. All the things that belong to Aki surround him forming some kind of nest.
“You should try to sleep now, Your Highness.” Aki pulled a chair closer to the bedside. “I'll stay here.”
It was a brief, simple statement, but the three words gave Angel a sense of relief. He shifted further into the blankets, trying to find a comfortable position.
Outside, the castle continued on with its usual bustle, but the sounds felt distant. Muffled by the thick walls and the cocoon Aki had built around him. Further softened by Aki's presence, simply sitting there beside him, keeping him company without asking for anything in return.
Every now and then, Angel could hear the rustle of paper as Aki reviewed reports. Sometimes the creak of the chair when he adjusted his posture. But the sounds gradually blended together into a gentle background hum, steady and reassuring.
A reminder that Aki was still there.
A reminder that he wasn't alone.
The tension slowly drained from Angel's body. His eyelids grew heavier with each passing minute, and before long, the sounds around him faded into nothing at all.