As Celestio finished his glass, his sweeping gaze came to a rest on a familiar figure standing near one of the tables. Sabas was there, speaking with a small group of nobles, his laughter seeming genuine with his new friends. The table’s candlelight played across his features, highlighting the sharp angles of his face and the quiet confidence in his posture. Celestio felt himself wanting his gaze to rest on the man for the rest of the banquet, a sensation that left him both intrigued and unsettled.

  Though, more than anything, it was annoying.

  He forced himself to tear his eyes away. He had to focus on maintaining the smoothness of the party. There was still much to do and the night was far from over.

  The lively strains of violins and lutes softened, fading into a gentle melody that settled over the grand hall like a warm embrace, as Celestio took his usual place at Edess’s side. The prince sat at the head of the main table, his presence commanding attention even before he spoke. His high-backed chair, carved with intricate designs and inlaid with gold, served as a not-so-subtle reminder of his station. The advisor’s hands were clasped neatly behind his back, his expression composed as he surveyed the room.

  The guests settled into their seats, the rustle of fine silks blending with the soft clink of goblets and cutlery. Conversations hushed as all eyes turned toward the prince. He rose slowly, the movement deliberate and practiced. The room fell silent.

  “Esteemed lords and ladies,” Prince Edess began, his voice carrying effortlessly through the hall thanks to years of practice. “Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate my birthday, but to recognize the strength and unity of the Kingdom of Soura.”

  He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled guests. “It has been three years since my father, King Conrad, departed on crusade to the south. In his absence, I have taken up the mantle of leadership – a responsibility that I do not bear lightly. The challenges we have faced during this time have been great, but we have endured. Together, we have prospered.”

  A murmur of approval rippled through the room. The prince’s lips curved into a faint smile, the expression both genuine and calculated.

  “I am deeply grateful to each of you for your loyalty, your counsel, and your unwavering dedication to the crown. Your presence tonight is a testament to the strength of our bonds and the shared destiny that unites us all.” He reached for his goblet and raised it high, the flickering light of the candles catching on the crystal. “To the kingdom. To its people. And to the future we will build together.”

  The guests rose as one, their goblets lifted in unison. “To the kingdom!” they echoed, their voices reverberating through the hall. The clinking of goblets followed, a cascade of sound that filled the room with an air of celebration and camaraderie.

  Edess turned to Celestio, struggling to hide his pleased grin. “How did I do?” he murmured, low enough that only his advisor could hear.

  “You were perfect, Your Highness,” Celestio replied. “The speech struck the right balance of confidence and humility. It will be the talk of the kingdom for weeks.”

  The prince’s smile widened. “Good. Now, let’s hope the food lives up to the occasion.”

  “I’ll ensure that it does. I’m going to the kitchen to make sure everything is running smoothly.”

  The prince nodded, his attention briefly shifting back to the table as a servant placed a platter of roasted pheasant before him. “Don’t be gone too long,” he said lightly. “You know I’ll need you before the night is through.”

  “Of course, Your Highness,” Celestio replied, bowing his head slightly before stepping away from the head of the table.

  As Celestio moved through the hall, he could feel the weight of countless eyes on him. It wasn’t unusual; as the prince’s closest advisor, and an Omega in such a high position, Celestio was accustomed to scrutiny. But tonight, the sensations made his skin crawl. Perhaps he should have taken another dose of his suppressant. He kept his gaze forward and his expression unreadable as he passed through the crowds, though his senses were hyper-aware of the Alphas seated at the banquet table.

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  Among them, one gaze felt particularly intense. Celestio resisted the urge to glance back and potentially meet the Alpha’s eyes, but his instincts told him it was Sabas. The memory of their earlier encounter lingered in his mind – the way Sabas had looked at him, as though seeing past the polished mask, and then the bafflement when Celestio reacted to the mention of his scent. It was unsettling, and there was something else he couldn’t quite name. The feeling was starting to drive him insane.

  But Celestio was nothing if not disciplined. He pushed the intrusive thoughts aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. He could try parsing his feelings once Edess’s birthday celebrations were over. The kitchen awaited and there was no room for distraction.

  The kitchen was a flurry of activity, the air thick with the aromas of meats, vegetables, and freshly baked bread. The chefs and servants moved with practiced efficiency, their voices blending into a symphony of orders and responses. Platters were carried to and from the ovens, and the sound of knives against chopping boards created a backdrop to the controlled chaos.

  Celestio entered the space quietly, but the head chef noticed him immediately He wiped his hands on his apron and bowing slightly. “Sir, everything is proceeding as planned. The next course is nearly ready.”

  “Excellent,” Celestio replied, looking around the room. Everything was as it should be, but Celestio knew better than to let his guard down. A single mistake could disrupt the entire evening.

  He moved through the kitchen, offering quiet words of encouragement to the staff and addressing minor issues that the servants brought to his attention. By the time he was satisfied, the next course of dishes was already being carried out to the banquet hall.

  As he turned to leave, an unfamiliar young servant approached him hesitantly, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “Sir Celestio,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “The guests… a few have been asking about you.”

  Celestio raised an eyebrow. “What are their concerns?”

  She glanced down, her cheeks flushing. “They… the Alphas have asked about you. They have questioned why you never leave His Highness’s side and… I-I did not have a satisfying response for them.”

  Celestio’s chest tightened, though his face betrayed nothing. He reached out, ignoring the servant’s flinch, and rested his hand on her shoulder with an assuring firmness. “Let them wonder,” he said softly. “It is not their place to know. If they truly believe they are entitled to an answer, they can raise their concerns with myself or His Highness directly.”

  The girl nodded quickly, bowing and thanking him before scurrying off. Celestio lingered for a moment, his thoughts churning. The hall was full of powerful Alphas, each one a potential threat if they decided to take advantage of the night’s organized chaos and act on their instincts. Walking the fine line between duty and vulnerability was a game he had no choice but to play perfectly.

  Squaring his shoulders, Celestio left the kitchen and made his way back to the banquet hall. The music had resumed, the soft strains of a harp weaving through the air as the guests dined. The various pheromones from the Alphas filled the hall in a mixture of scents that ranged from acceptable to detestable, and he could only hope that the other Omega servants could handle the odors with grace.

  After hours of being in the heart of the chaotic energy, Celestio’s energy finally began to waver and the oppressive air wore at his nerves. The weight of hundreds of watchful eyes pressed down on him. He needed a moment to breathe.

  He slipped out of the grand hall and into a dimly lit side corridor, the flickering candles in the wall sconces casting long shadows. The air was cooler here, carrying the faint scent of polished wood and aged stone. The muffled sounds of the banquet faded, replaced by the soft echo of his footsteps on the stone floor.

  Celestio leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes and exhaling slowly. His shoulders relaxed slightly as he allowed himself a brief reprieve. The evening was going smoothly and the prince’s speech had been well-received. Still, the night wasn’t over. And once Edess retired to his bedchambers, Celestio could go home and wash off the stink of all the Alphas in the castle; and for once, he would relish the taste of his pheromone suppressant.

  Still, he felt more tired than expected, and his face was flushed. Celestio’s hand drifted up to his collar, pulling it away from his neck while he breathed, trying to maintain his composure. The seconds ticked by and his racing heart calmed as he stood with his eyes closed, the back of his hand pressed to his face to cool his skin.

  He didn’t know how much time passed. The music drifting from the banquet hall changed genres a few times, then silenced. Some chatter and laughter then came in through the windows, and he guessed that those were the nobles who had an early bedtime.

  The sound of the banquet hall door broke the comfortable stillness. Celestio’s eyes snapped open, his pulse quickening again as he straightened, his composed mask slipping back into place. A noble entered the corridor, his silhouette framed by the light spilling in from the banquet hall.

  The man was tall and broad-shouldered, his garments hinting at his extensive wealth and status. His dark hair was slicked back and his sharp features carried an air of arrogance that immediately set Celestio on edge. There was a gleam in his eyes, predatory and calculating, as his gaze locked onto exactly what he was looking for – Celestio.

  An Alpha.