Married into Alpha Lord

Chapter 37

"It should cover the most visible one," Clara said, "...I hope," she added her remarks in a whisper. Clara button-up my collar shirt, after applying some concealer to mask the marks Darren left around my neck. She didn't seem surprised nor questioned the sight she saw on my body when she helps me prepare for tonight's party. She just made sure I sit a little longer for an extended makeup session. 

I never bother to cover it before as I rarely met people when I stay in the mansion. Those who I met on a day-to-day basis never say anything about it. Unfortunately, we are going to attend a formal party at the palace, so it should be appropriate to do so.

"You ready?" Darren asked me while putting his suit on. We wore a matching suit, same color, different style, which I deemed unnecessary but Darren insisted. I still think that objecting him on small stuff is a waste of energy. I stood up, then grabbed his offering hand. 

"Let's go."

We arrived at the palace only twenty minutes after leaving the house. It was short considered how vast the palace is. As Marvis is the prime minister, they got a good housing location in the capital. Darren's parents and Aria already went there first. 

After handing the invitation letter, the guard immediately let us in. Like everyone could expect, our entrance draws people's sight, inviting talks. As the heir of Sealgair's house, Darren is well known among nobles. Both his looks and reputation. Many would be curious if he enters with a partner beside, especially as our wedding held in private. Very rare circumstances considering Sealgair's status. Also, knowing the fact that both of us rarely attend high society gatherings, they must be really curious.

"Is that... Darren's partner?" "Wow, I never thought he would bring him here" "Isn't he a Beta?" "What? Are you serious? How come? He's a man!" "It's understandable if he's an Omega... but a Beta?" "Where is he from?" "He's one of Earl Reed's son. It should be the youngest son, but as you can see, the youngest is Prince Ethan's mate " "Eh? Reed family from the South?" "Why a Duke's heir marry a mere Earl's son? A Beta at that? Why don't they just find another partner?" 

The chattering is too loud for me to ignore. I gave a silent long sighed as we walk passing the crowd. Nobles in the capital are surely different. They don't only just show their dislikeness but also question the reasons. Their commotion is understandable, but I can't say I'm comfortable with it. Hearing them already burn my energy. I immediately block their sounds so the chatters would become a background noise in my ear.

It seems Darren also notice the commotion as he fasten our step to the front. Our first task in this party is greeting the royals, it's only natural as they are the host of this party. The King and Queen are sitting down on their throne. As Darren bows to them, I follow him. After uttering our greeting, they asked us to rise. I've seen the King, on the meeting with delegation from Dorsenburg before. We don't exchange talk much and I found them okay, just a common royal who wants to protect and continue the lineage on their serving time. No comment to be made for now. After a light talk, which mostly only Darren and the King, we head to the main attention.

From the distance, I could see a man standing next to the other one who was seated. A baby crib was placed near them and people are gathering around while still taking some distance. I'm not sure whether I want to meet them or not. This would be my first time meeting Caden's family. Also, the one who made him involved in this weird situation in the first place. 

This is inevitable. I know that.

As we walk closer, I manage to see their faces better. The man who is standing, the second prince, shares a similar appearance with his father. Blonde hair, blue eyes, a typical prince charming with a smile on his face. Then, I saw my little brother. We share the same brown eyes and brown hair, but his hair is lighter, with a glimpse of pinkish color. He also has a smaller figure and feminine looks, making him appear beautiful and charming. I'm not sure but he has that seducing aura around him that attracts people around. His small face filled with joy while looking at the baby in his embrace. 

Without warning, the memories storm in.

We run in the garden, playing together like a close friend as both are the youngest two of the family. Then, the scene of Caden being tested as Beta while he was an Omega. Father distances him from our other siblings as most of them are Alpha to preventing any unnecessary tragedy. I remember sneaking to his room while escaping my class to play with him. He always welcomes me with a smile whenever I visit.

Then, I heard his first heat comes and he becomes isolated from the rest even more. No one can come close to him other than his maids and butler. Even the family members need to have permission to visit him.

Once, Caden sneaks to meet him... at the wrong time. I remember peeking inside a room which emits a strange sweet smell to find my little brother in the most unsightable situation. He twisted around on the messy bed, caressing his own nipples, playing with his hole, struggling to satisfy himself. Founding his little brother behaving like a slut gave Caden a trauma. To make it worse, their eyes met at that time and Caden ran away from there. The shock brought him to keep himself in his room for several days, trying to forget what he saw. Since then, they started to grow apart. They both never mention the accident but they both feel the change in their relationship.

The family's actions towards them also become the source of the problem. While Caden got 'freedom' as nobody cares what he's doing, his brother got all the attention on how he should behave so he could be married into a proper family. They long had planned on whom he would be married into, with all the agreements ahead. When the news of his little brother found his mate, making Caden be his replacement, it really becomes the end of their relationship. Caden resents him, taking all the hatred towards his brother for his own misfortune. Caden stops talking to his little brother at all.

That was so stupid and ridiculous!

I can't think about Caden any lower than now. It just doesn't make sense to me how he blindly blame his brother. I sighed, these sudden rush of memories only gave me a headache and now I need to face him.

"Congratulations on the birth of your son, Prince Ethan, Lord Gwynn," Darren congratulates the new parents. I silently follow his bow, acting respectfully in front of the royal family. "Thank you, Lord Darren. It's nice to see you here," Ethan said. "Congratulations," I followed Darren in congratulating them. "Thank you," Ethan simply replied. "Thank you for coming, brother. I'm happy to see you here," Gwynn suddenly talked to me. I look at him. He is not the same old Gwynn Reed from Caden's memory. He looks dignified and confident. I gave him a sincere smile, feeling unfair if Caden kept blaming him for nothing. "It's my pleasure, Lord Gwynn," I replied to him. He looks a little surprised upon my reply but manages to mask it quickly. "Please, called me Gwynn like we used to. You are still my brother," he said. I gave him a simple smile as the answer. "How's your life as a new parent?" Darren tries to small talk. "It was still hard for me to differentiate Ed's cry, but I enjoyed every moment of it," Ethan answered. "I hope I can meet your child soon, brother. They could be close friends like we used to," Gwynn commented. 

I know Gwynn is as dark as I was about Caden's condition. Only my father and a few others know about it. So, his world really has no double meaning behind it. I can't blame him for it. I just gave them another smile and didn't say anything.