Chapter 36
Arwena von Dietrich was a woman who lacked for nothing.
As the only daughter of the Duke of Dietrich, a house so powerful it stood near the peak of the Crocus Kingdom’s noble hierarchy, anything she desired had always ended up in her grasp.
All but one thing: Crown Prince Russell Ed Crocus.
Arwena had pursued him endlessly and obsessively for years. And yet, every time, she had failed.
That proud, cold, beautiful man had never once allowed her close. His status as an apex ultra-dominant Alpha, a rarity even among the elite, was merely another barrier. Because she, unfortunately, was a recessive Omega.
The duke’s family influence was enough to suppress any rumors of her biological disadvantage, keeping her status intact. But even the most carefully curated lies could not change the truth of her body. Nor could they make her pheromones irresistible to an ultra-dominant Alpha.
It was a disgrace.
‘You can’t do this, Russell. Do you have any idea what I’ve done, what I’ve sacrificed, just to make you mine?’
Year after year, she clung to that burning obsession, feeding it with crafted rumors and a carefully constructed image. The young betrothed of the Crown Prince had died, after all. That left only her, the duke’s daughter, as the obvious choice for Crown Princess.
Everyone believed as much. And with each affirmation, Arwena’s pride grew sharper, higher.
But then, the impossible reached her ears.
“What did you just say?!”
Crash. Porcelain shattered against marble. Her voice rose, barely human, as her face flushed an enraged red.
“You’re telling me Russell brought in a courtesan?”
Tell me it’s a lie!
Despite the threat in her voice, the maid could only speak the truth. The rumors had already spread throughout the capital.
She was said to be quite beautiful, yes, but of low birth, the impoverished daughter of a near-common baron. And worse still, a recessive Omega.
“That’s absurd! Don’t be ridiculous! What miserable wretches are spreading such vile nonsense?!”
KyAAAA! Losing control, Arwena began to hurl whatever she could reach.
“No, no, no! A mere recessive Omega — why?! Russell, why would you bring her in when you have me?!”
The Crown Prince, usually so composed and so reserved in all things physical, had been heard through the palace walls nearly every night since taking in that courtesan. Rumor had it their nights were so frenzied, no servants save for the royal guard could remain anywhere near their quarters.
After a prolonged tantrum that left the room looking half-ruined, Arwena stood panting, rage tightening her voice.
“I will see her. That little tramp. I’ll decide what to do with her after I’ve taken a good look. No doubt this is some political performance, nothing more.”
Her crimson eyes flared with malice. Sweaty strands of black hair clung to her temple as she tore through a stack of invitations. There. A royal ball. The Crown Prince would be in attendance tonight.
Normally she wouldn’t deign to appear at every function hosted by the palace, but tonight was different. Tonight, she had to go. She had to see the Omega with her own eyes.
“Get me dressed. Summon every maid in this damn household. I need to be the most beautiful woman in the kingdom tonight. And send for a runner — I want that woman investigated. Find out where she met Russell, how they got involved, everything. Don’t just stand there like idiots — move!”
“Y-yes, my lady!”
With a scream like tearing silk, the maid fled in terror. A storm had begun to gather.
* * *
The nobility murmured among themselves, eyes sparkling with unspoken delight. Nothing delighted them more than a little scandal.
Crown prince Russell.
He was the heir to this shining kingdom, the one prize every highborn family had tried and failed to secure. The ultra-dominant Alpha coveted by all.
And now, he had arrived at the ball with a woman on his arm.
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