— I accept having my brother as my legal guardian for the next three years. After becoming the sovereign of this nation, I agree to His Majesty's proposal for marriage. The political structure will remain unchanged, and we shall preserve the legacy of my family and my parents. — My voice came out softer than usual. Did I truly want to say that? My brother stood beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder. I could feel a shiver run through my body, and the urge to pull away slowly faded as the negative thoughts about the alpha vanished.
The room erupted in speculation. Everyone began talking at once. The councilors seemed confused by what was happening. William would be my guardian instead of Duke Theodor, and on top of that, we would marry as soon as I was crowned — meaning the crown would never leave the king's head. Everything was going exactly according to William's plan. And I couldn't bring myself to fight it or resist. It was such a numbing feeling. I should obey my older brother and do everything he wished.
I needed to surrender my position and desires to the alpha.
— This is outrageous, — Duke Theodor declared. — Just hours ago, this child was engaged to my son. And now he speaks nonsense. Clearly, His Majesty has done something.
— I will not accept such insinuations, Duke, — William rose from the dais. — Albertin chose what pleased him most — and it wasn't your son. You cannot accuse me without proof.
— What you've done to this boy's mind is intolerable. — The duke tried to continue, but the other councilors silenced him. Everyone was unsettled by my decision. Most had expected things to go as planned. No one wanted William to remain king. It was known that the alpha was a poor ruler, even a tyrant. The people were already speaking out against the burden of taxes and growing scarcity. Fear of retaliation and rebellion was rising.
— What have I done? What exactly are you accusing me of? — William's hand slid down to my waist, squeezing gently.
Alexander stood up, finally drawing my attention. His fists were clenched in fury. I needed to... needed to what again?
Theodor gestured toward his son. The alpha left the meeting swiftly.I followed him with my eyes. I wanted to run after him and say something, but what? My mind was blank.
— Hey, look at me, — Will said, irritated. I turned to him and nodded, like a doll — obedient, hollow. It was uncomfortable. I had no autonomy. I felt like I should rip the necklace off, but my hands wouldn't obey. There was no desire in me to defy that man.
The decision didn't go as smoothly as the king had hoped.
— We will honor Albertin's request for now, — Counselor Markus spoke in a calm tone, — but the assembly will carefully observe the interaction between the two, to determine whether this union is truly viable. We will not tolerate any mistreatment of the future king, nor any form of coercion or manipulation. However, we will entrust His Majesty with the prince's education. To our allied nations present today, a reconciliation ball will soon be held. We hope you feel welcome.
William wasn't exactly pleased, but for now, he accepted the decision.
We left the room. Theodor wanted to speak with me, but he still had to address the other council members.
I wanted to find Alex, but I had to focus solely on my brother. William pulled me away before anyone could approach the king. People seemed more concerned about the consequences of the announcement than the alpha himself.
— Why? Shouldn't they just accept my decision? I'm the king, — William began fuming once we were inside the room. I wanted to snap back, say something sharp, but I couldn't curse the spoiled alpha in front of me — I just sighed. The advisor entered shortly after and closed the door behind him.
— It's an important step. We just need to remove the Belatrinelatrin family from the picture, — the older man commented. They spoke as if I weren't even in the room. I sat down on the chair, bored.
— Damn it. Marrying that... — my brother looked at me with clear disdain. — Only because I need to keep my position.
— It's better this way. Pretend you care about your brother — it'll raise fewer suspicions. At least until we can dissolve the marriage quietly. — The advisor sighed, clearly fed up with William's childish behavior.
— I hate this. Everything was fine before this brat showed up. But it's Alexander's fault for not killing him when he had the chance, — William snapped, pacing in frustration. Before the old man could say anything, the alpha glared at him. — Leave me alone with my brother.
— Your Majesty, I must remind you that Albertin must not bear any marks that indicate violence. And even if you wish to use him as a punching bag, I strongly advise against it. — The advisor sounded alarmed and reluctant to leave me alone with the volatile king.
— Just go. I'm not going to beat my brother, — William waved him off irritably.
The man left reluctantly.
— Here, Albertin. On your knees in front of me, — he commanded.
I stood up, finding all of it absurd, but I knelt before him without hesitation. I felt his fingers on my chin, lifting my face.
— You have no idea how humiliating it is to marry the spawn of a pirate. I already disliked you before — and now? I'll have to put you in your place, as our father should've done long ago. — He examined my face with calculated disdain. — At least... you are beautiful.
He scoffed and sat on the bed. I stayed where I was, knowing there was no point in reacting. And yet, my emotions could never stay quiet for long.
— It's amusing how you became such a troublemaker. You were always a stray who didn't know his place. Skipped etiquette classes, couldn't focus on anything that didn't spark your curiosity. Always running off to train with a sword or ride horses in secret — thinking no one knew. I never understood why our father had so much affection for such a careless boy. — William stared at the ceiling. — That's probably why your mother couldn't stand you. I think she hoped you'd die or something. Doesn't matter now. That woman was worthless.
Why did I have to listen to this monologue as if it were the most fascinating tale, when it was just a string of cheap insults aimed at my very being?
— Now tell me — how did you make it to the castle? Did you really lose your memory? — William reclined slightly, still watching me like I was the most curious artifact in a royal gallery.
I couldn't help it. Everything spilled from my lips — from my arrival in Raviera to meeting Alexander. All I knew. How I had planned to escape but eventually decided to stay. I knew I should've kept quiet, but it was impossible to disobey William. There was even a strange satisfaction in giving him all the answers he craved. The alpha, however, didn't seem surprised.
— So that bastard really meant to let you live all along, — William tsked as if scolding a child. — He'll be the first to go, once the opportunity arises. Then Theodor.
No, no, you vile bastard... but I couldn't speak it aloud, and the wave of rage quickly dissolved.
— And you'll be the one to kill him. But only after our wedding ceremony. That way, no one will suspect a thing. Alexander will let his guard down completely, thinking you're still his. I just don't get what makes you so special. — William paused, then seemed to have an idea. — Undress completely. I want to see what all the fuss is about.
I stood up and began removing each layer of clothing. It didn't particularly bother me — modesty was never one of my virtues. But William's gaze made my skin crawl. I tossed the garments onto a chair. The corset took a bit longer, but soon, I was entirely bare.
The marks — faint bites and lingering kisses — were still visible and clearly caught his attention.
— Interesting. Alexander doesn't look it, but he's quite the libertine. Seems he didn't want to wait until marriage. — William chuckled as if it were the cleverest thing he'd said. — So noble, isn't he? A loyal gentleman who honors his vows. And yet, a hypocrite who believes himself superior to his king. But now I have his omega — and with that, any chance he had at the crown is gone.
William wasn't exactly pleased, but for now, he accepted the decision.
We left the room. Theodor wanted to talk to me, but he still had to meet with the other council members.
I wanted to look for Alex, but I had to focus only on my brother. William pulled me away before anyone else could approach the king; they were more focused on the consequences of the announcement than on the alpha himself.
— Why? Shouldn't they just accept my decision? I am the king, William fumed inside the room. I wanted to say something sharp, but I couldn't insult the spoiled alpha right in front of me; I only sighed. The advisor entered soon after and closed the door.
— It's an important step. We just need to remove the Belatrinelatrin family, the elder said. They talked as if I wasn't there. I sat bored.
— Damn it. Marry that... my brother looked at me with disdain. — Only because I have to keep my position.
— It's better this way. Just act like you care about your brother; it won't raise so many suspicions. At least until we can quietly end this marriage, the advisor sighed, clearly tired of William's childish behavior.
— I hate this. Everything was fine before that troublemaker arrived. But it's Alexander's fault for not putting an end to it when he had the chance, William snapped, having a meltdown. Before the old man could speak, the alpha glared at him. — Leave me with my brother.
— Your Majesty, I remind you Albertin should have no visible marks of violence. And though you want to use him as an outlet, I don't think that's wise, the advisor warned, reluctant to leave me alone with the impulsive king.
— Just go. I'm not going to harm my brother, William waved him off irritably.
The old man left reluctantly.
— Here, Albertin, kneel before me, William ordered.
I stood up, thinking it ridiculous, but knelt without hesitation. I felt his hands lift my chin.
— You have no idea how humiliating it is to be tied to the child of a pirate. I already disliked you, and now? I'll have to remind you of your place, he said, inspecting my face. — At least you have some beauty.
He sat on the bed, and I stayed put, knowing resistance was pointless. Still, my feelings never stayed quiet for long.
— Funny how you became such a rebel. Always a vagabond who didn't know his place. Skipping etiquette classes, unable to focus on anything that didn't interest you. Running off to train or ride in secret, thinking no one noticed. I don't understand why our father cared for such a careless boy, William stared at the ceiling. — That's probably why your mother couldn't stand you. Maybe she wished you gone. Doesn't matter now. That woman was worthless.
Why did I have to listen to this monologue as if it were the most fascinating story, when it was just cheap insults about my personality?
— Now tell me, how did you get to the castle? Did you really lose your memory? William leaned back, watching me like I was some curious exhibit.
I couldn't help it. Everything spilled out — from my arrival in Raviera to meeting Alexander. My plans to escape and then stay. I knew I should've kept quiet, but disobeying William felt impossible. Strange as it was, I enjoyed telling him what he wanted to hear. The alpha didn't seem surprised.
— That bastard really meant to let you live from the start, William said, shaking his head as if scolding a child. — He'll be the first to die when the time comes. Then Theodor.
No, no, you filthy bastard... but I kept silent, and the anger faded.
— You'll kill him, but only after the wedding. That way, no one suspects. Alexander will drop all his guards, thinking you're still his. I don't know what you have over him, William mused. — Strip completely. Show me what's so special.
I stood and began shedding layers of clothing. It didn't bother me much — modesty was never my strongest suit. But William's gaze made me uneasy. I tossed clothes onto a chair. The corset took longer, but soon I stood bare.
The faint marks — kisses and traces left on my skin — caught his attention.
— Interesting. Alexander may not seem it, but he's quite the rogue. Seems he couldn't wait for marriage, William laughed as if it were a clever joke. — So noble, isn't he? A loyal gentleman who honors his promises, yet a hypocrite who thinks himself above his king. And now, I have his omega — any chance he had at the throne is gone.
William reached out his hand toward me. I walked without hesitation and took it. The alpha sat down, pulling me onto his lap. He gently touched the cheek I had slapped a few hours ago.
— For a pirate, you're surprisingly soft. — He traced the tip of his finger over the collar, then to the mark Alex left on my chest. — Do you like that?
— Yes. I like the intensity. — At that moment, I felt strangely warm. The collar glowed faintly, reacting to the other. A part of my mind tried to resist the magic of the amulet, but I was completely subdued by this man's commands.
— Hmm. So you like feeling pressure? — William seemed more interested now, running his hands over the tattoos covering my back, neck, and arms. — I don't understand why you haven't dared to wear piercings elsewhere.
He noticed my vulnerability and laughed softly.
— Let's fix that.
— I don't feel... comfortable with that. — I tried to pull away, hesitant.
— You want this, Albertin. — His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. — Your body will respond to my touch, surrender to whatever I give you. In the end, you'll thank me.
William squeezed my nipples firmly and pulled. A low moan slipped out, soft and pleading. I was very aroused now.
My body started burning, every pulse syncing with his dominance. He slid his hand to a more sensitive place, exploring with his fingers. Even though I knew something was very wrong, I couldn't help but arch toward his touch.
— How many alphas have been with you? — he asked, provocative, as his fingers moved.
— I don't know... I've been intimate since I was seventeen... — I tried to answer, but a sharp slap interrupted me.
The alpha threw me on the bed, irritated.
— You're such a rogue. — He pulled off his leather belt and began striking my backside rhythmically, a punishment that was more tantalizing than painful, sending shivers down my spine. That cruel alpha was excited, watching me lie there, hurt and wet.
William was panting, his arousal fierce between his legs. He bent down, pulled me close, and took me quickly, without warning or preparation. Actually, he didn't last two minutes. He seemed frustrated with himself for his impatience.
— Already? — I asked, excited, about to say something foolish, but my brother grabbed my chin firmly.
— Shut up and let me continue. — William was so angry that he resumed. I ended up climaxing from the stimulation, but the alpha seemed like a desperate teenager chasing pleasure, constantly trying to feel my warm body. He touched me without shame.
William liked to control and overwhelm me. He did it to show power, but never in obvious places — mostly on my backside or a few slaps on my sides. Honestly, I just tried to enjoy the pleasure he was giving me.
When we finished, I realized I'd been moved to the wing where Alexander and his family usually stayed. Exhausted, I went to my new room. I felt lonely and, although I wished to sleep next to Alexander, the feeling faded, leaving only the persistent solitude. The emptiness told me something was very wrong.
I was isolated. The next day, I had no appetite and didn't want to leave the bed while servants took care of everything.
William was solving his own problems and said no one—not even Alexander—was allowed to see me. Only the council's representative could check if I was well or if there was something wrong with my health. Nothing more.
To be continued...