The Rightful King

Scott | 014

            "The majority has agreed to your request to appear before the Council," Scott announced reluctantly as those of his Council lowered their hands.

The Princess of Lockmere smiled gracefully, an air of confidence surrounding her easily as though it was a second skin. It had taken him years to replicate that. To reject his instincts, to be confident in the fact that he deserved to be in the same space that Alphas thrived in. It took him even longer to be comfortable, and even now there were still times when he was sick to his stomach at the end of a meeting, angry Alpha pheromones nipping as the edges of his mind and making him dizzy.

It made him beyond angry that Emeline had never once questioned her place in the world. She never would, because their society was built with Alphas at the top, and there they would stay.

"Thank you. It is an honor to stand before the highest of Othebia's court," She said as though there was a possibility they might have refused her.

"The pleasure is ours," Scott replied cordially, "The Council will heavily consider what you have to say today, Princess."

"It's refreshing to hear you say that Your Majesty." Emeline straightened her already perfect posture, and Scott felt the first bout of unease trickle down his spine. He had foolishly hoped that perhaps this was simply about Lockmere's ever growing need for weapons as they waged war against Guitia, but no, he knew her intentions before she'd hardly opened her mouth. "As I'm sure everyone in this room is familiar with, the King and I grew up rather closely, as Othebia and Lockmere have been close allies for nearly a century. I have been infatuated with King Scott since we were young, and that love has only grown as he has flourished into the man he is today."

Scott opened his mouth, perhaps to call her out of her lies, but James spoke before he could, "I'm not entirely sure that this is appropriate, Princess Emeline. Surely, a confession of love should be a private affair?"

"I am not saying anything that is unknown to his Majesty." Princess Emeline assured, "I am here because I'm requesting to mate with the King."

Scott felt like he'd just been punched in the stomach. A punch that he'd been anticipating for years, but still stole the air out of his lungs regardless. "On what grounds are you requesting this to my Court? They do not hold power to make such decisions."

"You have no legitimate Alphas in your bloodline to make mating decisions for you. Despite your position as monarch, you are still an Omega. It would only be logical that the responsibility falls on your Advisors, especially with such a serious matter. Regardless of my feelings, a mating between us would mean a lot of political change, which is something your Council would undoubtedly be involved in."

"Which is still a moot point, Princess, his Majesty is a courting Omega. The Council has approved of his courting partners, and we have no say in who he chooses among them." James argued, and Scott was only slightly comforted that one of his Council members seemed to be on his side.

Princess Emeline stood up, "I do not wish to argue. I think I have made my request known, so I will leave it up to the Council to discuss. I am sure that you will all come to a proper agreement." She curtseyed to Scott, giving him a pleading look, "I hope that you see reason, King Scott. I would be a good mate to you, and our alliance could bring a new era to both of our Kingdoms." Then she turned back to his Council, "I do believe this is not a normal courting situation, so surely courting rituals would be neglected during such... delicate circumstances."

She left then, skirts swishing as she went.

Silence stretched out after the door shut behind her, his advisors holding their breath to see how he would react. Scott didn't know how to feel. Princess Emeline had made her intentions perfectly clear, as though Scott was some sort of object to be obtained. Like he was a particularly lush piece of land that she was bidding on. He supposed he was, in a way. Omegas hardly had autonomy as it was, and while he was still unmated, Scott was just a small obstacle in gaining power over an old, highly fortified kingdom. Scott supposed he should be glad in a way, that no other nations had tried to make any moves yet. It would only be Lockmere he went to war with, rather than a plethora of other kingdoms whose princes he'd rejected.

He could always accept, but the mere thought had his stomach twisting in knots. He wasn't about to hand over Othebia to Lockmere's care, not willingly. Princess Emeline surely knew this, though he didn't understand why she would ask this of him anyway. It was idiotic, throwing herself at him when Lockmere had been at a near standstill with Guitia for months.

Not that he was ever going to submit to an Alpha anyway. Alphas took, whether it be things or people, and she was no different from the rest of them. The throne was his birthright, and he wasn't about to let some cocky Alpha butt into places they didn't belong.

"Someone please call the general. I suppose we should prepare for the possibility of Lockmere declaring war." He said finally, "All weapons currently being exported to Lockmere will cease, effective immediately. Othebia hasn't known war since before my grandfather's time, and I want the Kingdom to be prepared."

"Ceasing trade with Lockmere will start a war before your rejection will. I think we should at least wait to see how Lockmere responds before we start making rash decisions." James was scowling, they all were.

"Princess Emeline's disregard for my position as King is most offensive. Her entire visit was inappropriate, and how she thinks inciting something with one of her closest allies will help her Kingdom is beyond me. I want respect, and if that means going to war, then so be it." Scott could feel that pressure in his chest again, the one that threatened to suffocate him. He looked at the faces of his Council, the youngest one still ten years his senior. They were supposed to be Scott's voice of reason, but at this moment, he realized just how weak they were. Years of leading with a soft King had weakened them, and now they quivered in fear at the idea of responding to slights accordingly. Once he established his place on the throne, he would get rid of them, he decided. "I want Princess Emeline sent home with a declaration of war in her hands."

"If you're dead set on sending your people to die for you, then I suggest that you choose a mate. You won't garner any respect from other kingdoms if your own citizens think you're a joke." James growled.

"Consider it done. I'll have a mate chosen by the end of the week."