The Weight of the Crown and the Silence of Secrets

Chase clutched the handkerchief with both hands, letting out a silent sigh of relief. When Aylen first picked up the pendant, his heart had hammered against his ribs, nearly stopping. However, contrary to his fear of being caught, Aylen believed it was truly Dhalia’s keepsake. It made sense; Dhalia would never have told anyone the truth, so it was only natural that Chase was the only person alive who knew the pendant did not belong to her.

Feeling his mind ease, Chase’s color quickly returned. Since it didn’t seem like God was about to strike him down with a divine revelation to Aylen, his pale face regained its vitality.

“It’s alright. I only kept it because… I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away.”

Aylen looked at him with a puzzled expression, but Chase’s words were sincere. He hadn’t been able to discard the pendant for fear that someone might find it and discover his secret; therefore, whether it was broken or not truly didn’t matter to him.

Though Aylen found the response odd, he saw that Chase looked more comfortable and decided to change the subject.

“So, what were you doing out here?”

“Just…”

“…”

“It’s just that it’s my first time participating in the ritual. I was… overcome with emotion.”

Aylen didn’t sense anything suspicious as Chase wiped away the tears clinging to his lashes with his sleeve. Chase’s face was obscured by the shadows of the altar, and besides, for any citizen of the Empire, participating in the ritual was indeed a joy great enough to move one to tears.

And so, Aylen missed the chance to discover just how much Chase was struggling, or what exactly was haunting him.

“You’ll be participating every year now. Are you going to cry every single time?”

Chase couldn’t answer Aylen’s light, teasing question. Unless he died from being crushed by the weight of his secret, it was certain he would always be moved to tears.

He didn’t mind weeping for the rest of his life, so long as his secret remained hidden. Or rather, even if the whole world found out, he wished for Aylen, and Aylen alone, to never know.

“I suppose so.”

Chase let a single tear drop, his face still somewhat wan. Aylen looked flustered again, but calmed down when Chase managed a small smile.

‘Please,’ Chase prayed silently once more, ‘let those eyes—which look cold but hold a faint warmth—never look at me with contempt.’

After spending a night at the Temple, we rose in the morning and departed for the Imperial Palace. Unlike the journey there, there was no need for a street parade, so we arrived back before lunchtime.

As I was resting after a quick meal, the maids and servants swarmed around me.

“Your Highness, we know you must be tired, but we must begin preparations for tonight’s ball.”

Their tone was cautious, as if they feared I might lose my temper. Since the clothes and jewelry had already been chosen, it was merely a matter of grooming my body, so I placed myself in their hands without a word.

The other boys, except for Chase, had already gone to prepare for the ball, leaving only Chase by my side.

‘Hmm.’

I stole a glance at Chase. I wondered if he wanted to attend the ball. As the Crown Prince, I was allowed to bring one personal servant to attend to me; I worried he might have been expecting that. But even if he felt disappointed, well, it couldn’t be helped.

“Chase.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Stay in the Crown Prince’s palace during the ball.”

I meant for him to rest and not wander around working since he must be tired, but depending on how he took it, it could sound dismissive.

However, contrary to my worries, Chase nodded obediently. He was so unusually compliant that I almost asked him if he was upset.

‘I shouldn’t tease him.’

Even if Chase had said yes, I had no intention of taking him… I swallowed the question, satisfied that he was following orders.

Since the extensive grooming from yesterday still held, my preparations didn’t take long. I had enough time to take a nap on the sofa, and when I woke, the attendants were waiting with my attire.

“Your Highness, we will assist you with your garments.”

Behind the standing partition, the servants stripped me of my indoor wear and dressed me in a shirt and coat. It was the formal uniform the Crown Prince wore for official functions.

The white fabric was adorned with gold thread, the front fastened with sapphire buttons. A red cape covering only one shoulder was draped over my left, secured by a cord connected to the epaulet. Once dressed, I stepped out from behind the partition for the jewelry.

There weren’t many pieces: gold-trimmed white gloves, a ring set with a large ruby symbolizing the Crown Prince’s status, and finally, the small crown. I felt its solid weight settle on my head.

“Let’s go.”

I turned to look at Chase before leaving the room. I considered telling him once more not to leave the palace, but I kept quiet, fearing I’d look strange. Chase wasn’t the type to ignore my orders.

Swallowing my words, I simply said I’d be back. Chase bowed with a faint smile, wishing me a safe return. Yet, for some reason, a bud of unease sprouted in a corner of my heart.

The ball was held in the Emerald Hall. Since it was quite a distance from the Crown Prince’s palace, we had to travel by carriage.

Through the carriage window, I could see the pillar of light piercing the sky in the distance. While watching the light that would shine throughout the festival, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Emerald Hall.

“His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince enters!”

As the servant at the entrance announced my arrival, everyone turned toward me and bowed. Looking down at them, I took my seat beside the still-empty thrones of the Emperor and Empress. Only then did the guests begin to raise their heads.

“Brother!”

Ethan, who had arrived early, ran up to me. Behind him, the Duke and Duchess of Berringen were approaching with smiles.

“Your Highness, it has been a long time. I am relieved to see you in such good health.”

“Yes. Have you been well, Uncle?”

“I have also been—”

“Brother! Dance with me, please?”

Ethan pestered me with a slightly huffy face. It seemed he disliked even his own father receiving my attention. The good-natured Duke of Berringen looked embarrassed by his son’s rudeness, but he didn’t seem truly angry. The Duchess scolded Ethan instead, but he just pouted.

“He is quite ill-mannered… I apologize, Your Highness.”

“Ethan is still young; it’s understandable. Very well, let’s go dance.”

Perhaps out of joy for securing my first dance, Ethan beamed and pulled me along. As we stepped onto the floor, the musicians changed the music. It was a piece that could be danced regardless of gender.

Usually, dance music is gender-specific, but since I am an Omega who can dance with anyone regardless of s*x, they often played neutral pieces to match my partner. If my partner were a man and they played a gendered piece, it could be awkward to decide who leads and who follows.

As the music shifted, some people left the floor while others took their places. Since the dance was gender-neutral, most of those joining were women. Young ladies, seemingly friends, laughed as they held hands and stepped in time. It was the same for Ethan and me.

Small and slight of frame, Ethan was pretty enough that the onlookers smiled warmly at us. Even if they knew his personality wasn’t exactly saintly, his looks held a charm that outweighed his flaws.

Holding my hand, Ethan laughed, his cheeks flushed pink. As we were spinning in circles, an attendant shouted:

“Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and Empress enter!”

The music cut off instantly, and everyone bowed. As the two walked between the crowds and took their seats, the Emperor spoke.

“Everyone, raise your heads.”

Only then did the people look up. The music resumed, but Ethan and I had to withdraw. As the Crown Prince, I had to join the Emperor and Empress to greet the distinguished guests.

“Brother, will you dance with me again later?”

“I will.”

At my answer, Ethan finally let go of my hand with a lingering look of regret. As I sat in my chair, positioned slightly lower than theirs, the Emperor glanced down at me briefly.

Retracting his gaze immediately, the Emperor did not speak to me. Only the Empress offered a benevolent smile, asking if I had been well. After finishing a conversation that felt strangely hollow for a family, I composed my expression to face the approaching crowd.

“I greet the one and only Imperial Prince of the Empire.”

The Viscount serving as the envoy from the Siren Kingdom offered his greetings. Though simpler than the flowery introductions involving the sun and other metaphors, it wasn’t impolite. If one used long-winded titles in a ballroom meant for enjoyment rather than a formal private audience, it would only exhaust the speaker, the receiver, and everyone waiting in line.

The greeting ended after a brief exchange of well-wishes and the presentation of a gift brought as tribute.

“Next…”