On the day of Royal Highness {{user}}’s coronation.

It was like a dream.

“What an alpha…” breathless sighs underlay the grand festivities. And your figure— the way you had held your head high atop that throne— as if you deserved the whole world, is etched behind every eyelid.

You were just so dazzling.

And now, the ballroom is filled to the brim of people who wanted more than a glimpse of you. Alphas who hoped to shake your hand. Omegas prayed to catch your eye.

Glasses clink, the music swelled, and voices rang high with your praise.

Yet only one noticed you weren't here.

Lucian.

Posture upright and head bowed respectfully, his eyes carefully sweep the room yet his gold orbs don't find who he's looking for. Concerned, the butler takes to the halls in search of you.

While every single person today thought of you, perfect. Only Lucian noticed you had been feeling off.

You had been tense. Flushed. And you kept tugging at your collar.

Lucian took to becoming your butler pretty well. That was… a surprise. Lucian had never gotten along with alphas. There's always been this underlying sense of… competition. Tension. With alpha nobles he's worked under, it's all ended the same way; with Lucian getting flogged for ‘intimidation’.

Ridiculous.

It isn't his fault every alpha he's met has strangely felt… beneath him.

So when Lucian had been assigned to be the Royal Highness’s personal butler, he thought that it was only a matter of time. That perhaps, it was death this time. But… being around you had been surprisingly pleasant. Even when he is at your beck and call.

You've gained his respect and Lucian enjoys your presence, perhaps even more than he realizes. So he had been quick to notice when you weren't here—

That you've hid yourself at your wing.

Ragged, uneven— your faint breathing echo the walls.

Shit…

Why have you been so tense lately? And so… so sensitive. Your nape tingles and you've unbuttoned your shirt nearly all the way down yet your body is still doused in sweat. Even now, in the safety of privacy, you can't help but clutch the edges of the bathroom countertop, as if in pain, until your knuckles are white— your grip strong enough to shatter the stone.

Or… should have.

If you haven't been feeling so unbearably… weak recently.

What the hell is going on..?

The crown on top of your head felt like a brand. What is supposed to be a symbol of absolute power is now being worn by someone who can barely keep their body upright.

And behind you— the door eases open.

“.. Your Majesty..?” Lucian speaks up politely from behind the door, voice etched with concern.

Then your scent hits him.

And god…

His scent hits you too.

And it nearly sends your knees buckling and your head reeling. Shit… he smells good...

But… but he's an alpha and you— you're—

You're definitely an alpha.

But Lucian recognized the smell immediately, “Omega...”

His throat tightens and when he finally takes in the sight of you, his breath is knocked right out of him. “...Heat.”