In order to announce the alliance between the West and the North to the nobles, Arabelle decided to host a grand Western Crest ball. The main guest of honor was none other than Duke Craige Evron Seravelle. This celebration was not only a formal announcement but also a
signal to the nobility that the two Duchies, long divided, had finally reconciled.
"Now that we can show them that the North and West are united, some of the nobles who
oppose the King might finally rethink their stance," Arabelle said, her voice firm yet hopeful.
"The strongest families are now in alliance," Keith added while swirling the wine in
his goblet. "No one would dare to interfere. The Duchies of the North and West, along with the Imperial family, form the most powerful trio in Seravelle. If these three truly join forces, they will be unstoppable."
The ballroom glittered with gold and candlelight. Nobles dressed in vibrant silks
and jeweled masks twirled on the polished marble floor. In the center, Craige and Luren danced gracefully, drawing admiring glances from all around.
"I still can't believe Craige actually fell in love," Arabelle said with a soft laugh as
she watched the pair with amusement.
"Yeah, I never imagined it either," Gab replied, though his eyes drifted toward Cassian, who stood silently at his side, his expression unreadable.
"But…" Arabelle leaned a little closer, lowering her voice to a more serious tone, "I
wonder what will happen to the North Duchy if Craige doesn't produce an heir?
If Cassian were to find a man as well, it wouldn't be an issue, since he already has Codie." She gave Gab a knowing look and winked.
Gab nearly choked on his drink at her teasing. Arabelle had always known the truth, ever since they were teenagers. She knew Gab had carried feelings for Cassian, even after Cassian married the Duchess. And even after all the pain, Gab had
remained by his side. Deep down, she hoped Gab might still have a chance with
her stubborn brother.
"Well…Luren can get pregnant," Keith said casually, without even looking up from his
glass.
The three of them froze mid-sip. If they weren't noble-born, they would have spat their wine out across the table.
"Are you joking right now?" Cassian snapped, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
"I'm serious," Keith said calmly. "Luren is an omega, a man who can get pregnant."
Arabelle blinked, stunned. "Omega? I've only ever heard of them in whispered rumors… I can't believe my cousin is one. That's… incredibly rare."
Cassian, still trying to process the news, chuckled dryly and shook his head. "That
bastard's luck knows no bounds," he muttered, glancing toward Craige with a
grudging smile.
He didn't notice the look his sister gave him.
"You could be lucky too," Arabelle said, almost too casually, her eyes flickering toward Gab. "If you'd only look around you."
Craige and Luren stopped dancing and walked over to join the group.
"Where's Clara?" Luren asked, scanning the crowd but not spotting her.
"She's talking to my husband," Arabelle replied with a smile. "They seem to know each other."
"They're here," Gab announced, drawing everyone's attention.
Beside Clara stood a tall, handsome man with sun-kissed skin and a calm, night
presence.
"That's Matthew!?" Luren said with wide eyes, his face lighting up with surprise. "I can't believe it!"
Arabelle chuckled. "Small world. You know him too?"
"Yeah!" Luren nodded enthusiastically. "We met during one of our missions. He told us
he was a knight who got exiled to a distant land. I had no idea he ended up here or that he was your husband!"
Laughing warmly, Arabelle replied, "Well, my brother exiled him when he found out about
our relationship. But he came back… because I was already pregnant with our
child."
Luren's smile softened as he looked at the couple, admiration in his eyes.
Craige placed a hand on Matthew's shoulder in greeting, while the rest of the group
stepped forward to warmly welcome Arabelle's husband, each offering their
congratulations and respect.
They all talked and drank through the night, laughter echoing, and sometimes the couples would sway gently to the music in each other's arms.
"Cassian is really drunk, can you assist him, Gab?" Arabelle said with a teasing wink.
Gab rolled his eyes but said nothing, ignoring Arabelle's playful tone as he walked over and helped the Duke stand.
"Cassian's always had a low tolerance for alcohol," Craige chuckled. "Some things never change."
Luren, equally intoxicated, giggled softly while spinning his drink in slow circles.
"Luren's drunk too," Clara noted, trying to hide her amusement.
"I think we should call it a night," Keith suggested.
With that, they each retreated to their rooms, laughter fading into the quiet corridors of
the estate.
Gab guided Cassian down the hallway. He had done this many times before, supporting the Duke's weight as he staggered unsteadily, but tonight felt... different. Maybe
it was the wine, or maybe it was Arabelle's teasing still ringing in his head.
Cassian's scent, a mix of spice, cologne, and something warm, wrapped around Gab like a
trap. He looked so effortlessly handsome, even like this. Gab's cheeks flushed.
He told himself it was just the alcohol.
Once inside, Gab gently laid Cassian down on the bed. The Duke's chest rose and fell
with deep, slow breaths. Gab lingered, frozen in place. He couldn't stop staring.
His heart pounded. Maybe it was foolish, maybe it was wrong, but something pushed him forward. A sudden rush of courage. Gab leaned in and pressed a soft, hesitant
kiss on Cassian's lips. It was light. Brief. Meant to be a secret moment only for him.
But then, Cassian responded. His lips moved against Gab's, slow but sure.
Gab's breath hitched. Did he think I'm someone else? One of the women he usually shares his nights with?
Still, the warmth of Cassian's mouth against his was enough to unravel him. Gab deepened the kiss, unable to stop himself. One hand slid gently over Cassian's shoulder, then up to cup his cheek.
Cassian's hand moved too, gripping Gab's waist, pulling him just a little closer. The
kiss grew more urgent, more consuming. Gab felt as though the room had
disappeared and all that remained was Cassian, his lips, his scent, his presence.