(TheRuFumi) Royalty Au + Omegeverse
In the great year of The Hunter, the Sikul Empire was a powerful and flourishing nation that few would dare to face.
Sitting on the throne was the kind and respected Emperor, L'arc Berg Sickle. Beside him was the beautiful and devoted Empress, Therese Alexandrite-Sickle.
It's said that the two were originally comrades-in-arms and close friends before eventually falling in love and later marrying.
However, the two have been married for roughly three years now. In those three years of marriage, there has been no signs of an heir.
This has caused a stir within the imperial palace.
Why has no heir been born yet? It's been three years with no results. What is taking so long?
Some of the officials within the imperial palace have even begun to whisper that the Empress may be infertile.
Of course, any fool who dared to even suggest such a ridiculous thing was swiftly and harshly punished by the Emperor. However, this only seemed to make the rumors and whispers worse.
It eventually got to the point where talks of the Emperor finally taking on a concubine were thrown around.
At the time, L'arc had been the only Emperor in the empire's history to not have any concubines. It was commonplace for emperors back then to have hundreds, if thousands of Concubines within the inner palace.
L'arc's father, the former emperor, in particular was known to a very large number of concubines, with a harem of over 500 women and Omegas.
However, the former emperor also had the reputation of being a rather licentious man. Sleeping with any pretty thing he came across and would rather spend all his time with his concubines, than, actually perform his duties as emperor.
As a result, the former emperor sired numerous children, especially sons.
It's said during his reign, the former emperor sired twenty children. Of those twenty, thirteen were sons and of those thirteen, eight were Alphas. L'arc, of course, was one of those eight sons.
Unfortunately, the former emperor harem was also fraught with in-fighting and conspiracy. Concubines and consorts fought constantly and viciously. All of them fighting to gain the emperor's attention, or, to ensure the child they supported would sit on the throne.
L'arc was the son of the reigning Empress at the time, so by imperial law he should have been named crown prince and heir by default. However, because of his dislike of the Empress, the Emperor was reluctant to name L'arc his successor. Yet, he could not name any of his other Alpha sons as heir either. Such a thing would have no doubt caused an uproar within the imperial court.
Not only was it a violation of imperial law, but of the eight Alpha princes, L'arc was the most favored among the people as well as the court.
However, in the end, it didn't matter.
By the time L'arc turned 20, most of his siblings were dead.
One of his Alpha brothers was killed in a hunting accident. Two were poisoned by another brother and his mother, who were later caught and promptly executed. Another was killed in battle by an enemy soldier. Another's mother was involved in a plot to kill the Emperor, so he and his mother's entire clan was executed. This unfortunately included one of L'arc three Beta half-brothers and one of his sisters. His last Alpha brother ran off with some low ranked maidservant he had been having a secret affair with and is presumed to have left the country.
As for his sisters, three of them were also poisoned as a part of some scheme by the Emperor's consorts and another of them managed to run away and escape the imperial palace. Her whereabouts are still unknown to this day.
By the end, only 7, L'arc included, of the Emperor's children remained.
L'arc's two remaining Beta brothers both left the imperial capital, giving up their rights to the throne entirely. Both just didn't think the battle to become Emperor was worth it and were frankly tired of having to constantly dodge assassination attempts and scheming plots. Last L'arc heard, both Betas went to live with their respective maternal clans.
His two remaining sisters and two Omega brothers were all married off into political marriages to various clans and kingdoms.
Due to this dangerous upbringing and his devotion to his Empress Therese, L'arc had sworn off ever taking on any concubines or consorts.
This obviously caused quite the stir in the imperial court when L'arc first made this declaration as it was pretty much unheard of for an Emperor to be faithful to only one spouse.
As such, there were many against L'arc's marriage to Therese. Not only because it went against tradition, but also because of Therese's initial status.
Before marrying L'arc and becoming Empress, Therese was a simple common girl who made a living as an adventure.
Despite gaining the reputation of a strong and capable adventure and companion to a vassal hero as well as a powerful magic user, many within the imperial court believed Therese was unworthy of being Empress.
And none held that belief more than L'arc's own mother, the Empress Dowager. She detested that her son took such a low-born woman as his Empress and a Beta no less! Didn't even have the decency to choose an Omega woman!
So, when talk of bringing in a concubine due the current Empress' lack of pregnancy, the Empress Dowager practically jumped at the chance.
The Empress Dowager brought in several different Omegas, all very beautiful and hailing from various high ranking noble clans. However, she quickly grew frustrated as L'arc rejected each and every one of them.
The two got into an argument every time L'arc sent the potential concubines away.
L'arc stood fast in his decision to remain loyal to his Empress. While the Empress Dowager argues that since Therese has failed in her duty to produce a child, L'arc NEEDS to bring in a concubine. One that can give L'arc and the empire an heir.
All this pressure for an heir, unfortunately puts a strain on L'arc's and Therese's marriage.
Therese has begun to blame herself for being unable to conceive a child, despite her desperate desire for one. She has seen doctors and healers alike, but they all say the same thing. That there is nothing wrong with Therese. That her womb and body are perfectly healthy and capable of carrying a child.
SO THEN WHY CAN'T SHE GET PREGNANT!?
L'arc assures her that everything is fine and that they'll figure it out together. But she's finding it harder and harder to believe that as the days go on.
It certainly didn't help that Therese had the Empress Dowager whispering in her ear. Telling Therese that if she had any love for L'arc she'd step back and let someone who can actually provide him with an heir for his empire take her place. After all, L'arc is an Emperor first and a husband second.
The Empress Dowager's words echoed in Therese's mind. She knows she should tell L'arc, but she fears creating a wedge between him and his mother. She'd hate to be the reason for their relationship being ruined. Besides, the Empress Dowager already dislikes her and Therese didn't want to risk angering the older woman more. Especially, since the Empress Dowager has a lot of influence within the imperial court.
Things finally hit a boiling point, when one day, L'arc is called upon by the Empress Dowager.
L'arc is taken to a secluded room in a separate part of the palace.
"Where is my mother?", L'arc had asked the guards as he stepped into the room. However as soon as he did, the door was abruptly slammed and locked behind him.
"What is the meaning of this!?", L'arc had shouted as he banged on the door.
"Your majesty?", L'arc is suddenly startled by another voice in the room with him.
L'arc turns to find a young man around his age, maybe younger sitting on top of the large bed that sat in the center.
He was quite beautiful with short, black hair styled in a way that elegantly framed his face. Dark green eyes that had this hidden sharpness to them. Smooth, fair skin that seemed to glow in the dim light.
However, what truly caught L'arc's attention was the fact that the man was wearing nothing, but a sheer robe.
Too late does L'arc notice the distinctly sweet scent of sweet grass and honey that has completely filled the room.
L'arc covered his nose as he began to bang on the door once again demanding to be let out.
"You will not leave this room until you have mated that Omega, L'arc...", His mother's voice came through the other side of the door.
"You can't be serious!? I know you are not fond of Therese, but I didn't think you'd despise her so much that you'd pull such a cruel and underhanded trick!"
"Don't be so childish, L'arc. My personal feeling for your Empress has nothing to do with this. This is for the empire's future and the assurance that our line will continue. Therese cannot do that, so i've given you someone who can."
"This is going too far! I refuse to just go along with this! I will not betray Therese like this!"
"You will whether you want to, or not. As I said before, you will not leave this room until you bed that Omega..."
But it's no use. L'arc can do nothing, but listen to the sound of his mother retreating steps as they grow further and further away.
L'arc continues pounding and banging on the bedroom door, calling out for his guards, the eunuchs, a passing servant, anybody!
But no one came. His mother must have blocked off all the entry ways leading to the room to ensure no one would free him.
"Poor little Emperor. You seemed to be in a bit of a bind. Perhaps you'll allow me to lend you a hand?", L'arc's back hit the door as he jumped back startled.
The Omega was now standing before L'arc. He didn't even hear him approach!
"No need to be so guarded, my Lord. I won't attack you, or anything.", The Omega offers the Emperor a friendly, polite smile. However, L'arc can't help, but notice the smile doesn't reach his eyes.
"Stay back! I don't know what my mother has told you, but I have no need for a concubine! I have already made my stance clear! I will NOT be bedding you!", To L'arc's surprise, the Omega began to laugh.
"Forgive my insolence, your majesty. But you are mistaken. I am not offering you my body, but rather...a way to get you out of your current situation..."
L'arc stared at the Omega with caution, but also mild interest.
"And what solution are you offering exactly?"
"Make me your official concubine."
"How is that-", The Omega held up a hand.
"I am not finished. I would be your concubine in name alone.", The Omega then lays out his full plan.
L'arc would pretend to have given in to the Empress Dowager's whims and take the Omega as his Concubine. This will all be a trick to fool the Empress Dowager and get her off L'arc's back, at least for the time being. Apparently the Omega knows of a way to convincingly fool others into thinking the Alpha has bedded him.
The Omega will act as the perfect little vessel that the Empress Dowager wants so desperately. All the while, helping L'arc and his Empress from behind the scenes.
L'arc is surprised to learn that the Omega is apparently a master at creating medicines and potions. So, he can easily create something that will surely improve the Empress' fertility issue and help them produce a child. This way, neither the imperial court, nor, the Empress Dowager can interfere with the Emperor and Empress's marriage.
The plan sounded good, but L'arc couldn't true this Omega.
He didn't understand why he was even offering his help in the first place. What did HE gain from helping L'arc and Therese? Cause it obviously isn't the title of Imperial Consort or The Empress Seat he's after.
However, when asked, the Omega gives a vague answer of "Looks just call it a mutually beneficial agreement and leave it at that for now."
It was clear the Omega was reluctant to give an actual reason. So, L'arc pivoted.
WHY should L'arc go along with the Omega's plan? How can he trust that the Omega is actually on his side?
To this, the Omega let a loud, almost mocking laugh.
"You can't~ For all you know, I could be working with the Empress Dowager to get between you and the Empress, or, I could be a spy sent by another country to collapse your empire from the inside. Who knows~ Guess you'll have find out and see~"
"You seem quite confident i'll agree to work with you."
"Oh, I know you will~ After all, what other choice do you have? You could reject my proposal and simply send me a way, but then what? The Empress Dowager has already proven she's willing to take drastic measures to get what she wants. Even if it means forcing her own son to mate with one he does not wish to. Furthermore, I highly doubt the next Omega that is brought in will be as forthcoming as I am. The rank of an Imperial Concubine or Consort is a highly coveted status after all and there are many Omegas out there that will do anything to acquire that title. Even if it means using rather...unsavory methods. So really, cooperating with me is in your best interest."
Despite how much he hated it, L'arc couldn't deny that the Omega was correct.
After giving it a bit of thought, L'arc let out a long sigh.
"Alright. I guess we have a deal then?"
The Omega smiled. "A wise choice, your majesty."
L'arc help the feeling of unease he felt I his stomach, even as he shook hands with the Omega.
"Oh, I guess I should probably know the name of the person i'll be working with for now on..."
Ah, right. Where are my manners?"
"My name is Naofumi. Naofumi Iwatani."
