The Masked Royal

Chapter 5 - Doubts

Aedion is already in the great hall waiting for Liam to come back. He has spent most of his afternoon reading in the library and he just realized that its almost dark when he looked outside the window.

He stood up when he smelled the scent that he missed during the whole afternoon, he is like a typical wife who is waiting for his husband to return from his long day work.

A group of men entered the great hall and without so much thoughts, Aedion run towards his alpha and instantly clinged around his body.

"Whoa! You missed me this much baby?" Liam effortlessly cought and whispered to Aedion who instantly snuggled on his neck.

Liam havent got a reply from Aedion who continued to nuzzle in his neck and inhaled his scent. Liam just smiled and held Aedion tightly while he walked towards the stairs to have some privacy with his omega after a long afternoon in the forest.

Those who are in the great hall are all watching them with curiousity but no one dared to ask.

"How are you this afternoon? Did you enjoy your book?" Liam gently asked Aedion when they have entered their chamber. He slowly take a seat on the couch while Aedion is straddling him.

"Yes I enjoyed reading but I missed you" Aedion whined with his lips pouting cutely.

"I missed you too, but I need to makr sure that you will be safe here baby. Lets sacrifice a little for your protection" Liam carefully explained to his omega.

"I understand" Aedion smiled timidly, feeling a little ashamed of what he acted. Liam has been ensuring his safety but he has the audacity to whine.

"Im sorry, I know you are tired Liam" Aedion added while gently caressing and tidying Liams hair.

"Im fine baby, Im so happy to know that you missed me and that you waited for me" Liam carefully explained while he gently pinched Aedions nose with a big smile in his face.

"Yes I missed you, I dont know why. I dont miss someone, only mother and father but now I missed you so much, its hard to breath Liam when I missed you" Aedion explained while looking so lost in understanding what he felt.

"Its okay to miss me Aedion, Im your alpha and we are one" Liam explained and tried to calm Aedion by rubbing his hand up and down his back.

"I regretted when I let you go alone earlier, I could come with you, I want to protect you Liam" Aedion looked at Liam with his intent look.

"Aedion I will be the one protecting you, Im your alpha" Liam gently explained to the flustered omega.

"No Liam... I can protect you, I dont want you to get hurt, I dont want you to die protecting me, I will be alone again, I will die of a broken heart if you will be gone. I can protect you Liam, just like I can protect mother and father but they did not allow me to protect them, they send me away"Aedion's eyes became dazed and fearful as he kept on talking about it.

"Hey baby, I will not die because I will still be protecting you, we will be together for a long time Aedion, I wont leave you, thats a promise. I am Liam of Rieka, no one can destroy me" Liam pacified his worried omega.

Aedion gaped at Liam with his innocent eyes as he listened to everything that Liam is saying to him.

"I am Aedion of Araceli...for now" Aedion whispered softly but Liam heard it. Liam dont know what it implies but he wont bombard Aedion of questions that he knew too well that its also making Aedion confused.

Aedion has something in him that he himself dont understand and Liam is determined to be with Aedion to discover all of it. He will be at Aedions side in every step of the way.

*

That night after dinner, they were summoned by the great alpha.

"Someone in the palace is really searching for the heir of Araceli clan. In any way, are you connected to the palace Aedion? Did your parents told you anything about the palace?" the great alpha carefully asked Aedion who is beside Liam and holding his hands tightly.

Aedion just stared at the great alpha with his calm eyes but did not answer the questions that the great alpha have asked.

"The palace is making an aggresive move in finding the heir of Araceli, our men inside have sent his latest report. The king's health is deteriorating and his sons have taken over and ruled everything. The council is worrying because there are a lot of palace rules that have been changed without the councils knowledge"

"No one dares to question because the seal of the king is used in every document. This situation may worsen if not preempted" the great alpha explained seriously.

"War may broke anytime at any clan that the sons are not good with and although we are ready for any unforeseen, going against the palace is still unwarrantable. The people will not know that we are fighting against a specific person, they will all see that we are fighting against the palace and that would be chaotic" the great alpha announced while looking around the people in the room and his eyes focused on Aedion.

"Rogues are sent to attack the Araceli clan, but our men in the palace knew that the order came from there. Our men's movements are already limited since they dont want to trigger doubts of those who are at the sons side"

"We have to strengthen our defense and whatever information that could help with the situation is much needed" the great alpha intently looked at Aedion who is also looking at him with his calm eyes.

Everyone are waiting for Aedion to speak and Aedion knew that he has to say something.

"What you do not know will protect everyone" Aedion mumbled softly and lower his eyes on the floor and kept his silence.

The great alpha sighed in defeat when he saw the intense gaze of his son, Liam. His eyes spoke of everything and his father can hear him loud and clear.

"You dont need to protect your omega against me. I am not the enemy here" the great alpha answered in his mind.

"He will talk if he is ready...no need to impose father" Liam reminded his father.

"We need to act quick if we dont want to be surprised of the palace's actions and Aedion might be the answer that we are all looking" Vidarr joined their unspoken discussion.

"But I dont want him to feel pressured, he is also afraid father. We will just do what we can to ensure the safety of our people but leave Aedion alone. Please let me deal and protect him" Liam begged his family.

"Dont argue with your father Liam, he is just thinking of what is best for us and the clan" Aedion suddenly say out loud for everyone to hear. He has been listening with everyones thoughts about him and their situation.

All eyes turned to him gaping in surprise.

"I can hear all of it" Aedion lower his eyes again feeling so awkward under the intent gaze of everyone.

"I told you, I was born with peculiar ability" Aedion whispered to Liam trying to justify his action.

Liam smiled at him and tenderly kissed his forehead.

"Yes I remembered, dont worry" Liam whispered back and warmly looked at him with his warm smile as he caressed Aedions handsome face.

"Father, I will be returning to the city in a couple of days, I wanted to bring Aedion with me" Liam announced while already holding Aedions body closer to him.

His father looked at him while pondering with what he just said.

"I can protect him father, I have my men with me there" Liam tried to convince his father and he looked at his mother for support.

"Whatever you deemed would be best for your mate Liam. He is yours to protect and we are just here to ensure that both of you are safe" Ariella announced with her warm smile.

"Thank you mother" Liam smiled and nodded at his mother.

"You will bring me with you Liam? We will be together always? Really?" Aedions eyes sparkled in excitement like a child with a new toy.

"Yes baby, you will come with me. You might miss me so much so I wont leave you here" Liam teased Aedion.

"Yes I will really miss you if you will leave me here, actually I have already planned to follow you secretly if you will go back to the city. No one will know if I have disappeared from here" Aedion innocently told Liam his plans which made the latter felt so appalled. He was just teasing when he said that Aedion might miss him, he wasnt expecting that its really what Aedion would feel and to the extent that he will do what he just said to control everyone.

Even everyone are gaping in amusement while looking at the two young souls who are obviously too smitten than just mates. In a short period of time, they can clearly see that its not just a pull of Liam and Aedions scents thats been binding them as mates but theres more than to it and its something great and significant.

Everyone are silent for a moment when a loud gasped came from Aedion and he abruptly stand up to face Liams parents and brother.

"Im so sorry if I have ill plans. I just realized that I will be unfair to all of you. Please forgive me" Aedion bowed down low and totally kneeled down in front of the three people who are all stunned and shocked on their seats.

"Aedion, please stand, you dont need to do that. Please stand up" the great alpha instantly held both of Aedion's shoulder to help him to stand up from kneeling. He can clearly feel that Aedion kneeling to them is so wrong.

"Im so sorry great alpha for my shameless plans" Aedion still insistent with his remorse.

"I pardon you Aedion. You are still young and you tend to do things on impulse and we understand so well. No need to worry too much" alpha Quinn patiently explained to the worried omega.

"Thank you so much, I promise I wont do it again" Aedion raised his right hand for a promise. He looked so adorable looking so serious.

Ariella smiled warmly while looking at the young omega who has been forced to grow up ahead of his age because of his difficult situation. He should be studying and having fun for his teenage life but he was face with uncertainty instead.

Maybe Liams decision to bring him to the city is the best decision for him. He can enjoy despite his situation. They will just do anything in their power to ensure the childrens safety while they are in the city.

"Aedion will be nearer to the palace if you will bring him Liam" Vidarr exclaimed.

"No one will know me in the city. They will be looking at the clans bordering Araceli, they wont look around the palace" Aedion smartly explained which is very possible. Whoever is looking for the heir of Araceli will not look near the palace. Aedion would be safe for the time being.

"Then you will leave as early as possible, if you can leave tomorrow that would be best" Ariella suggested.

"Liam leaving will not raise suspicion since he is expected to return to the city for his study" Vidarr added while nodding.

"Prepare to depart tomorrow Liam. You will leave as normally as you usually do. Aedion use your ability to hide your identity while you are travelling with Liam" the great alpha ordered while looking confidently at his son and Aedion.

"Take care of each other" Ariella with her teary eyes hugged Liam and Aedion and the two men also followed.

"We will send guards to the city to protect you" the great alpha added while patting his son's shoulder.

"Thank you father" Liam mumbled softly.

*****tbc*****