Chapter 250: 250 — He Believes In Marriage

The warmth of the banquet hall hit Soren first. It felt suffocating after the cold terrace air. Rihaan followed him in silence, head lowered, his steps hesitant—unsure whether to trust the man walking ahead of him.

Zaphyr stood near the imperial table, speaking with ministers. The moment his gaze fell on the two young men, his expression sharpened.

"Father," Soren said, standing beside him.

The Emperor narrowed his eyes and leaned down slightly, offering an ear.

"What is it?"

Soren hesitated, sensing the gazes shifting his way right away.

"We should go somewhere more... private" His gaze flicked toward the surrounding ministers.

Zaphyr nodded, understanding it might be far too personal to be discussed openly. With a wave of his hand, the ministers bowed and stepped aside.

"So? What is it?" The elderly man asked again.

Soren inhaled and lifted his gaze to the taller man.

"Crown Prince Rihaan doesn’t want this engagement."

The Emperor blinked.

"What?"

"You heard me, Your Imperial Majesty."

"You knew?" His father’s gaze narrowed, the light in his eyes dimming.

The red-haired young man lowered his gaze. He couldn’t find words to explain himself.

"I... apologize."

Apologizing was the right thing to appease his father right now.

"You could have told me sooner!" Zaphyr’s voice was controlled, but sharp. "You are not some orphan to marry a man who doesn’t want you!"

"I believed he might change his mind," Soren admitted. "Political marriages aren’t rare. But not everyone is like me—accepting them willingly. Some fear the consequences."

His eyes flicked briefly toward Leon, seated at the royal table.

"They fear being trapped. What happens when one marries for politics while their heart belongs elsewhere?"

Zaphyr followed his gaze, then looked away sharply. He knew exactly what Soren meant. He himself had married Leon for politics, and years later found love in Selena.

Leon had never objected. They had no feelings for each other despite sharing a roof. Leon preferred silence, Zaphyr preferred chaos, which Selena loved as well. It was as if they were a match made in heaven—and no one opposed their love. Not even his Empress—Leon at that time. He was later demoted to the title of Queen when Soren was born.

"The mother of the future emperor should be the Empress," said most ministers and people.

Leon didn’t fight it. He silently accepted it.

Soren continued, his tone soft yet words harsh.

"I would have tolerated it if he merely loved someone else and wished to keep them as a lover. But he believes in marriage, Father."

He rarely used that word. Perhaps this was his attempt to soften his father’s heart, hoping for a decision in his favor.

Zaphyr exhaled heavily.

"It doesn’t matter. Not now."

Soren’s chest tightened. What had he expected? That his father would cancel everything for his sake?

Even if this man loved his children, his reputation mattered more. Zayden often said their father would fight the world for them—but only if it didn’t endanger his image before the Empire or the Empire’s security.

It was a conditional love. One that needed to be earned. At least, that was the way for Soren—an omega—who was to take over the throne one day.

"The engagement will be announced," Zaphyr said coldly. "The Empire is watching. Do not dishonor our family at this moment."

Soren opened his mouth, but Zaphyr continued, "Let the ceremony proceed. After that, you may cancel it quietly—after a few months, or a year."

The Emperor stepped forward onto the stage, taking a glass of wine from a waiting servant. He raised it, cleared his throat, and the music dulled, slowly stopping. Dancing ceased, conversations fell silent.

"Let us begin the engagement ceremony of Imperial Crown Prince Soren of Revhara and the Crown Prince Rihaan of Danshin," Zaphyr announced.

The nobles lifted their glasses, smiling brightly.

Rihaan’s head snapped up at the announcement. His breath caught—as if struck.

"What?" he whispered, staring at Soren with widened eyes.

Soren met his gaze—not cold, but resigned. His expression clearly said: I tried.

Servants stepped forward, carrying golden trays with black boxes that held the rings.

Even so, Rihaan stood in place, his legs refusing to move.

His father frowned before grabbing his arm.

"Move," the older man hissed.

Before Rihaan could react, he was dragged toward the staircase, toward where Soren already stood beneath the chandelier. The red-haired man didn’t move much. He waited calmly, almost like a lifeless doll.

Rihaan reached the steps and leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Why did you do this?" His voice was pressed under his breath, controlling his anger.

Soren whispered back, "I told him everything. He said... we can break it after tonight."

Rihaan froze.

After exchanging rings?

That was practically impossible.

In his kingdom, exchanging rings was like exchanging marriage vows—to commit to a life together and support the other person forever. And it meant betraying Arav, which he refused to do under any circumstance.

Finally—he snapped.

"I refuse."

The words echoed through the silent hall. Every jaw dropped, except Zaphyr’s and Soren’s, who already understood the reasoning.

Rihaan’s father’s grip tightened around his arm.

"What are you—!"

"I said no." His voice rang across the hall once more. "I will not be engaged to this person."

Gasps rippled through the crowd like a wave.

"Heavens!"

"Did he just reject His Imperial Highness publicly?"

"Disgraceful!"

Zaphyr’s brows furrowed, fury masked by years of control.

Rihaan’s father let go of his son. Then, he bowed quickly, apologizing to the imperial family, shame twisting his face.

"My deepest apologies. He has lost his mind. Let’s just finish this—"

"I said no," Rihaan repeated.

The elderly man glared at him, grabbed his hand as if he were a child, and vanished into the exit.

Soren stood alone on the stage, back straight, expression unreadable. Yet his fingers trembled, and his gaze remained fixed on the men who had vanished into the hallways.

Sympathy flickered across the audience, while others scowled.

"Poor His Imperial Highness..."

"He didn’t deserve this..."

"How dare the Crown Prince of Danshin humiliate our Imperial Crown Prince?"

"What a selfish, shameless act!"

"He humiliated him in front of everyone..."

"The Imperial family won’t let this slide, will they?"

Zayden, who had been sitting at the table, shot to his feet.

"What is... this? I kept asking him if he was happy!" he snapped, slamming the table.

Plates rattled and glasses shook from the impact.

"And he kept saying he was fine with it!"

Ren said nothing, just watched Soren quietly. He could see something reflected in the alpha’s eyes—but he didn’t know whether it was pain for his brother or fury for Crown Prince Rihaan.

Enzo exhaled softly, as if he had expected it.

Zayden turned to him sharply.

"What?"

The omega shook his head, leaning on his cane.

"Every time Crown Prince came to visit me with Soren... he never looked happy."

Silence lingered. The music did not resume.

For the first time that night, the Empire had no idea what would happen next. They had come to share happiness, but what unfolded exceeded all expectations. Who refused an alliance on the day of the engagement?

Journal publishers, however, wore bright smiles. They had just found the perfect story for tomorrow’s headlines.