Chapter 4
They arrived at the Council room and the doors were opened, the guards standing at attention and the members of the Royal Court bowing as the King passed, murmuring their greetings.
Harveste smiled and bowed his head politely, his cheeks pink and eyes lowered, as the Lords of the council murmured polite greetings to him. The King moved to his chair at the head of the table and settled into it, gesturing to his usual seat to his right and Harveste moved quickly, settling into the chair and cuddling the prince close.
"Your Majesty."
The Council members bowed as they took their seats and the meeting began, the men presenting their findings and ideas for bettering the kingdom, each wanting the Kings approval and praise.
Harveste listened intently as he knew today's meeting focused on helping the commoners like himself, his thoughts on ways to help those less fortunate, and how to improve the lives of those who were poor and struggling.
"As you know, the crown has a duty to care for its citizens, both rich and poor, and we must do everything we can to ensure they are all taken care of. If the lower class is happy and well taken care of, they are less likely to cause trouble and try to overthrow the Crown. We cannot have them rising up in an attempt to overthrow us, it would lead to a war, which we cannot afford." Tom stated, his eyes sweeping across the table.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. If the commoners are given what they want, they are less likely to protest." Lord Chamberlain stated. "Perhaps opening a school for them, to teach the children to read and write, will help keep them occupied and give them a better chance to get better jobs and earn a higher salary."
Harveste bit his lip, a feeling of anger washing over him as several other ridiculous and unhelpful suggestions were made, all the members of the Royal Council eager to please their King and win his favor.
"A school wouldn't help them find better jobs, Your Majesty." He spoke up, his voice soft and demure.
Tom turned to look at him, his gaze inquiring.
"Why do you say that Harveste?"
"You people are not illiterate, Your Majesty. A school for the lower class wouldn't help them, it would be pointless and they wouldn't have the time as children as young as 6 are expected to help with the family fields or businesses. Even if they did go to school, they would have to give up their chores and their families couldn't afford it."
The Council members gasped and a few looked affronted, the King's attention suddenly focused on the lowborn Omega.
"And what do you propose we do, instead?"
Harveste blushed under his gaze, the Kings intense focus on him and he licked his lips, his voice trembling a bit but still clear.
"If you truly want to help the people, to truly make their lives better... The current sewer and water systems in place are not suitable, the filth is poisoning the water, making your people ill. The roads are also full of holes and potholes, making it difficult for the farmers to transport their goods and horses are injured frequently. Your Majesty, the commoners are unhappy for these reasons not because they are uneducated. They have no choice but to suffer and it will not end until you do something about it."
A murmur of surprise went through the council members and a few looked at each other, some nodding and agreeing with the Omega.
Tom watched the Omega intently, his heart racing. Harveste was beautiful, his long, dark hair framing his face and his cheeks pink. His voice was strong and confident, the conviction and passion evident in his tone, and he found himself admiring him more and more, the desire and admiration growing in his heart.
"My goodness." The Duke murmured, his eyes wide. "I never thought I would hear such a thing from an Omega."
Harveste blushed and lowered his eyes, his cheeks heating at the looks of respect that the members of the Royal Court were sending his way.
"Well said, Harveste." Tom praised; his tone approving.
"You have a good point. Perhaps the first thing we should do is improve the infrastructure, the sewage and water system. A new sewer and drainage system should be put in place to prevent the contamination of the water supply and the roads should be fixed to prevent injuries and accidents."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
"I agree. It's a good idea, Your Majesty."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Harveste breathed, his eyes bright.
"Very well. We will start working on that immediately. Lord Chamberlain, please send out inspectors to every village and town in the kingdom and have them survey the sewage and water systems and report back on their condition. We should begin where there is the most damage and work our way outward."
"Of course, Your Majesty. I'll make the arrangements right away."
"Good. Now, as for the roads, Lord Black, please contact the Minister of Public Works and have them prepare a proposal for a new road system. I want it on my desk within the week."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Now, as for the education of the lower class, what do you propose, Harveste?" Tom turned to look at him, his gaze warm and curious and Harveste blinked and shifted uncomfortably as the attention was once again on him, the Royal Court looking at him eagerly.
"Um... well, Your Majesty, as I said it is not that the lower class is uneducated, Your Majesty. Many are well educated, having learned from their families, neighbors and friends. I believe a school to teach practical things such as taxes, trade and other essential skills, would be more useful and the classes could be held in the evenings after the children are done with their chores. I think if they are able to learn these skills, then it would be more beneficial to them and the kingdom."
"Hmm, an interesting idea. We should definitely consider it. Lord Chamberlain, contact the Ministers of Finance and Trade and have them come up with a list of possible subjects for the classes. We'll need to decide what will be covered and who will teach the classes."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Council members murmured their assent, the discussion turning towards other issues and Harveste let out a soft sigh of relief, his heart racing. He had no idea how he'd gotten the courage to speak up but he was glad he had. He'd spoken his mind, something he'd never done before and it felt good, a warm feeling of pride filling his chest.
The meeting continued and he listened carefully, his mind racing as the discussions turned to trade deals and other things that the King needed to be aware of. It was fascinating and he couldn't help but feel excited about the prospect of improving the kingdom, making life easier for his fellow citizens.
"We will reconvene tomorrow. The next topic will be the requests made to be my second wife." Tom stated, rising and Harveste and the Royal Council rose with him, the members bowing respectfully and murmuring their thanks and farewells.
Tom gestured for him to follow and Harveste bowed his head politely before trailing after him, the King heading towards his rooms and the door was closed behind them, the guards posted outside.
"Your Majesty-"
"Please, sit." Tom gestured towards the armchairs by the fireplace and Harveste sank into the soft, plush seat, the prince sleeping soundly in his arms.
Tom took a seat across from him, his gaze intent as he studied the Omega, his dark hair and pale skin glowing in the light of the fire, his lips plump and cheeks flushed.
"You did well today, Harveste. Very well. I am impressed and your ideas are quite innovative."
Harveste blushed prettily and looked down, his long lashes fluttering as he gently rocked the baby.
"Thank you, Your Majesty..." He murmured. "I am not used to speaking in front of a large group of people, I apologize if I was too bold."
"You are not too bold, Harveste, nor should you apologize for speaking up." Tom murmured, rising from his seat and crossing over to the Omega, the pair staring at each other intently. "I value honesty, especially when it comes from those who are loyal to me. You are very intelligent, Harveste, and your thoughts will be a great asset to the kingdom."
Harveste blinked and flushed even more, his lips parting and he ducked his head, his hair falling around his face like a veil, jolting lightly in surprise as Thomas woke with a mewling cry and the King reached out, his hand coming up and brushing his hair back.
"He's hungry."
"Oh! Yes, yes, of course."
Harveste easily untied the laces of his dress, the fabric falling open and exposing his breasts. The prince cooed and his tiny hands reached up, grabbing at the exposed flesh and he latched onto one nipple, suckling hungrily.
"Such a sweet boy. Such a hungry little prince." Harveste cooed, stroking the prince's cheek and he blushed at the look the King was giving him, the Alpha's eyes dark and intense. "You are a lucky man, Your Majesty."
"Hmm? How so?"
"You have a beautiful, healthy son, and he'll grow into a fine, strong Alpha."
"He is." Tom murmured, his fingers tucking a lock of hair behind the Omega's ear. "He has a kind and beautiful Omega looking after him. You are a gift, Harveste, and I am glad that you came to us."
Harveste's breath hitched and he blinked, his eyes meeting the King's and his heart skipped a beat at the sincerity he saw in them.
"You are the perfect Omega for my son, and I am honored to have you in my home." Tom murmured, his voice soft and low, his thumb tracing the line of his jaw.
Harveste's cheeks flamed and his heart raced, breath hitching and lips parting as the King leaned in, his mouth hovering mere centimeters away from his before the door burst open and the pair jumped apart, Bellatrix storming in, her expression furious.
"What the fuck are you doing here again?!" She shrieked, glaring daggers at the Omega.
Harveste's eyes widened and he quickly tied up his dress, the fabric covering him and the baby whimpered, his face scrunching up as the milk flow stopped abruptly.
"Your Majesty, I-I'll excuse myself to the nursery now, thank you for allowing me to be a part of the council meeting." He stammered, bowing his head and hurrying past Bellatrix and down the hall, his face burning.
He had no idea what had happened and why the King had leaned in, the intensity in his gaze had been breathtaking and his words, his touch had been so intimate.
He could almost feel the ghost of the Kings lips against his, the warm breath, and his heart skipped a beat. The look in his eyes, it had been the same look that he'd seen in his dreams.
✤✤✤
"What are you doing, Tom?!" Bellatrix shrieked, glaring at him furiously. "You're bringing that whore here, allowing him to parade around the castle, showing off his tits for everyone to see!"
"Don't you dare call him that." Tom growled, his eyes flashing. "You have no right to question me or my decisions. If I wish for him to be at my side, then that is where he will be."
"You cannot be serious! He is just a lowborn Omega! I am your wife, your Queen! It is me you should be showing off, not him!"
"You are my wife in name only." He replied coldly, his expression hard. "You know this already and yet you continue to disobey me. What makes you think that you are in any position to demand anything from me? You have shown yourself to be a weak, spineless, pathetic excuse for a Queen and I have no use for someone like that."
Bellatrix's face drained of color and her eyes widened, her breathing growing heavy and uneven.
"What- what are you saying?" She gasped, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides, her chest heaving.
"I am saying that as soon as I take a second wife, I will be stripping you of the title of 'Queen' and have you removed from the palace. You are no longer welcome here."
"You can't do this, Tom! I have given you an heir! I am the one who should be standing at your side! You're making a mistake!"
"No, Bellatrix, you are the one who has made a mistake. You have disobeyed me one too many times and now, you will pay the price." He stated coldly.
Bellatrix's eyes widened and she paled, her hands trembling and she shook her head, her eyes filling with tears.
"No... no, please, Tom, I can make it up to you. Please, I love you." She pleaded, her voice cracking.
"If you loved me, you wouldn't have disobeyed me."
"Tom-"
"Silence. You have proven that you are unworthy of being my wife and therefore, I have no use for you. Once I take a second wife, you will be sent away. Is that clear?"
"You're making a mistake." Bellatrix sobbed, tears spilling down her cheeks and she fell to her knees, her hands reaching out to grasp his robe. "Please, Tom, I love you. I've always loved you."
"Enough."
"I'm begging you Tom, please. Don't do this, don't send me away. Please."
"I will not repeat myself. Get out." He stated coldly.
She trembled, her fingers clenching the fabric of his robes, and she bit her lip, her eyes closing and she took a deep breath.
"If- if you send me away, I-I'll make sure that everyone knows." She whispered.
Tom raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I'll make sure everyone knows about how much of a bastard you are. You'll be a laughingstock, an embarrassment to the Royal Family."
"Oh, Bellatrix, you have no idea how foolish you sound." He chuckled, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you really think anyone will believe the ramblings of a bitter, jealous woman? I have no need for a Queen who cannot control herself and cannot obey her husband."
"I-"
"Enough. You are not welcome here. I have spoken."
"I'll make you regret this, Tom. You'll see."
"Get. Out."
She glared up at him and rose, her eyes blazing.
"Fine. But you will regret this. Mark my words, Tom, you will regret this." She hissed, spinning on her heel and storming out, slamming the doors shut behind her.
Tom sighed and shook his head, his expression darkening as he thought about what she had interrupted.
His conversation with Harveste had been going so well, the Omega had seemed so willing and eager, his cheeks flushed and lips parted and he'd leaned in, ready to taste him.
His scent had been intoxicating, sweet and milky, and he had wanted nothing more than to press him against the chair and claim him, to mark him as his.
But Bellatrix had interrupted and he cursed her lack of self-control, the way she ruined everything.
'You will regret this.'
He snorted and shook his head. As if he had any regrets.
✤✤✤
Bellatrix paced angrily, her hands clenched and her breathing heavy.
Tom was being unreasonable, she was the one who should be by his side, not that little slut. He had no right to keep her away, to ban her from his bed and her room. She was his wife and his Queen, not that whore.
"My lady."
She turned, her eyes wide, and saw her maid standing there, her expression drawn and tired.
"What do you want?! Can't you see I'm busy?"
"Yes, my lady. But the King has asked for me to inform you that the servants have been instructed to pack your things."
"What?!"
"He has instructed the guards to escort you out of the palace, my lady. They will be here in a few moments and will be escorting you to the northern palace."
"That bastard!" She shrieked, her chest heaving and the blood rushing in her ears. "I'll make him pay for this; he can't get away with this."
"My lady-"
"Get out! Get out, all of you!" She screamed, her hands clawing at her hair.
The maid bowed and backed out, the guards entering and waiting for her.
"Come, my lady. We have orders to escort you to the northern palace. You are not permitted to stay here."
"Like hell I will. Guards, I order you to leave immediately!" She cried.
The guards ignored her and two grasped her arms, guiding her towards the door.
"No! No, let me go! Let me go, you bastards! I order you to stop!"
They continued dragging her along, her screams and cries echoing through the palace, her voice cracking and hoarse. The doors opened and they dragged her out, the setting sun blinding her and the heat stifling.
"Stop! Let me go, I will not allow you to treat me like this! I am the Queen, damn you!"
The guards ignored her and placed her into the carriage, closing and barring the door before getting into their own.
"Move out!"
The horses whinnied and the carriage began to move, the wheels rolling over the gravel and dirt, and Bellatrix shrieked and clawed at the wooden slats, her eyes wild.
"No! No, stop! Let me go, I am your Queen!" She screamed, her chest heaving and tears spilling down her cheeks.
"No... no, you will regret this, Tom." She whispered, her fingers trembling and her heart racing. "I will make you pay; I swear."
✤✤✤
Harveste sighed and leaned against the balcony railing, his heart heavy.
It had been three weeks since Bellatrix had been banished to the northern palace at order of the King and Harveste had been spending a lot more time with the King and the Prince.
He'd found himself enjoying the Council meetings, his voice growing stronger and more confident, and his ideas were listened to and valued, his input considered and the members of the Council treated him with respect, his thoughts and suggestions taken seriously.
It was exhilarating and he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment as he walked the halls, his head held high and a smile on his lips.
But his heart ached as well. The King had not mentioned that moment between them, that almost kiss, and he could feel the tension building between them, the air thick with anticipation and desire. He wanted the Alpha, his body craving him and his scent, but he was scared.
He had slowly but surely fallen in love with the King, and with his son, and he was afraid of being rejected. Afraid of the dossiers of eligible Omegas and Betas sitting ignored on his desk, the stack growing larger each day.
He swallowed and sighed, his chest aching and his eyes closing as a breeze blew over the balcony, the cool air ruffling his hair and he turned, heading back inside, the doors closing softly behind him.
He was dressed in a simple, white nightgown, the fabric soft and thin, and his feet were bare, his toes sinking into the plush rug as he made his way to his bed. He'd been feeling weak and feverish since the day before, and he'd found it difficult to keep his food down, his stomach roiling and his skin flushed.
The prince had been restless and cranky, the little one's skin sensitive and his teeth cutting, and he'd barely been able to calm the baby. He sighed and crawled into bed, his head pounding and eyes heavy. He'd have to let the king know he was ill tomorrow morning and have a maid watch the baby.
He curled up under the covers, his body shivering and his eyes closing, the warmth of the blankets and pillows surrounding him.