110: 3.50 Fated Pair?

3.50 Fated Pair?

Oliver let out a quiet gasp. What was Altair saying? Even if he meant it, how could he tell it so blatantly in front of his parents? What if they got furious and intended to punish Altair for it?! Just as he feared, Emperor Vincent's face twisted into a scowl and the corner of Empress Gemma's lips turned down in disapproval.  2

"Altair, my son." The Empress shook his head. "It's not the matter of whether you would do it again or not. But do you know who you have hurt? It's the Princess of Alaze of all people — the kingdom which we are trying to build a cooperation with. Do you know the consequences of your action toward Versatine? Toward me and your father?"

Oliver clenched his fists above his thighs and couldn't help interjecting to defend his Alpha's honor. "U—Um, Father Gemma, please don't blame Altair. It…It's not entirely his fault. It's Rosemane who provoked him first, she tried to force Altair…" He choked on his words, unable to continue his words. Rosemane's act had scarred him even now when Altair had bonded with him. He couldn't imagine what would have happened if Rosemane succeeded. Well, not that he didn't trust Altair but his mind just kept thinking of the worst case scenario. Frustration weighed heavily against his chest, causing a lump to form on his throat. The words were stuck in his throat and he couldn't get it out no matter how hard he tried. Why was he such a useless mate? 

Lu Yizhou gently stroked his back up and down and directed a pointed glare at Empress Gemma. A threatening snarl rumbled from the base of his throat. Stop making him miserable, his dark expression warned. 

Empress Gemma and Emperor Vincent blinked, astonished. Then the Empress promptly threw his head back and broke into a fit of hearty laughter, taking Oliver by surprise that he forgot what he wanted to say. He laughed so hard that he almost doubled over on the table. The Emperor quietly moved the tea cup out of his reach so that there would be no casualties. Still laughing, he slapped the winged Alpha beside him a few times. "Did you see that?! Oh dear, our son has truly grown up. He can even glare at us for his mate's sake! God, Oliver sweetie, I'm so happy that you came into his life."

Oliver blinked. They…weren't angry?

Empress Gemma seemed to read his mind. His eyes softened. "No, my dear. Don't worry, we aren't blaming him for this. Afterall, this isn't something I haven't seen before. Omegas taking advantage of their weaker position to blackmail Alphas is a very despicable move, especially if it involves a decision which lasts for a lifetime." He directed a meaningful glance at the Emperor which earned him a cough. "Even as a bystander, I stand with Altair in this case. He's the victim, but it doesn't mean that he's free of blame either. We just want him to realize the consequence of his actions. That's all."

Turning to Oliver, his smiles became even more prominent. Shudders ran down Oliver's back, he couldn't help but imagine that there was something more to that wicked smirk. "We are here for that exact reason: to defend our son's honor."

"Then—"

"We are still in a stalemate with Emperor Bernard." Empress Gemma leaned back with a huff. "He's one tough and sneaky old man, alright. It's no wonder that his daughter is also like that. I'm so glad that you're nothing like your father and sister, Oliver."

Dread started to coil in his stomach. "...Is there something wrong?"

"Oh, no, nothing at all." Empress Gemma dismissed casually but the Emperor was having none of it.

"Just tell them the truth." He said, turning to Lu Yizhou and Oliver to promptly drop the bomb. "The Princess woke up from her surgery a few while ago. Her life isn't in danger, but there's a 85% possibility that the doctors can't restore her gland. As soon as she woke up, she demanded that you take responsibility and marry her."

"What?!" Oliver's eyes flew wide, flustered. "M—Marry?!"

Lu Yizhou narrowed his eyes and revealed a disgusted look. The rule that prohibited him from killing the protagonists was truly a hassle. This was the first time Lu Yizhou had ever met such annoying people only to let them go again and again. Usually, they would have already ended up three feets underground or traumatized enough to steer clear of Lu Yizhou's way every time they saw him coming. But he couldn't do anything to the protagonists, not on his own. His mind started to consider the possibility of playing his card behind the scenes so that he could get rid of the protagonists without him having to be directly involved but a certain system just caught sight of his brutal plan and screeched,

[666: NO! No matter what form of killing, whether it's direct or indirect, is not allowed!!!]

[But I'm not the one who killed them.] He tried to argue.

[666: Nuh-uh, the system has recorded your brainwave so everything you're thinking of will be projected to deny your claim. Drop it, Host. It's a big no-no. Unless you want to start the world from the beginning again? But this time, 666 can't guarantee that there will still be an error to the time limit…]

Lu Yizhou's face darkened and he cursed under his breath. He was brought out of his argument with the idiot system when Oliver squeezed his hand even more tightly. "You won't marry her, right…?" He asked with a trembling voice. The fear was crystal clear in his eyes and Lu Yizhou felt himself getting angry at that. Oliver should be happy and carefree, Lu Yizhou had vowed to keep him away from whatever and whoever might harm him.

"No." He said harshly. "I won't marry her. Ever."

"Emperor Father." Oliver inhaled and tried to calm himself. "Did Emperor Father agree with Rosemane's request?"

Empress Gemma scoffed. "If he is, then we will decisively cut off the deal we have just signed. Right, dear?" 

The Emperor nodded in consent. 

The words gradually registered in his mind. Oliver perked up in an instant, his eyes hopeful. "So, that means…"

"No marriage." The Emperor stressed firmly. Then feeling that it didn't sound right, he added. "Not between Altair and Rosemane."

"Emperor Bernard also knows better than to marry the Princess to our kingdom. He's just taking advantage of the situation for his own benefit. But we will work it out so don't worry about it." Empress Gemma looked at them back and forth and wondered out loud with a sigh. "Everything will be so much easier if you two are a fated pair. That old man won't be able to bargain with us and Princess Rosemane also won't be able to force the talk of marriage into Altair again…"

Fated pair? Oliver's heart skipped a beat. Every couple in the world wished to be a fated pair and Oliver had caught himself more than often wishing that he and Altair would be a fated pair. If that's the case then his fantasies would come true in every sense of words. Having a gentle, sexy and loving Alpha as a mate, a Crown Prince at that and what, he turned out to be your fated pair? He could write an autobiography and everyone would have taken his story as a fairytale. 

It was said that a unique mark would appear in a random part of your body if you bonded with your fated pair. But Oliver had examined his body in front of the mirror this morning, had scrutinized every inch of his skin yet he found no marks whatsoever that could indicate Altair as his fated pair. As if sensing his dejection, the bite mark on his nape suddenly throbbed. It was a piercing kind of pain, taking Oliver off guard and he grimaced.

Lu Yizhou noticed in an instant and frowned. "What's wrong? Are you unwell?"

"No, it's nothing." Oliver stroked his gland sheepishly. Marked omegas no longer needed to wear a patch so his palm directly made contact with the swollen and bumpy flesh. His movement caused his collar to go askew and Empress Gemma abruptly stood up when he glimpsed upon a small ink mark that was conspicuous against the fair skin of Oliver's neck.

Empress Gemma crossed the table and arrived at Oliver's side in a blink of an eye. Before Oliver had the chance to react, he muttered an "excuse me," then yanked Oliver's collar aside. 

In an instant, he sucked in a breath. 

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