The Omega’s Second-Chance Mates

Emerald Dorm

Chapter 5

"Your Highnesses...?" I fluttered my eyelids in surprise, wondering why they were here. I intended to add a question, but the librarian hushed in our direction, causing Prince Alistair and Prince Alejandro to snicker softly. "Why are you here, Your Highnesses?" Lowering my head to steer clear of the flippant librarian, I looked at them with a hint of curiosity lingering in the depths of my amber eyes.

Prince Alistair rested his elbow on the desk before leaning forward. "Is there something wrong if we are here?" He was captivating because his sheepish smile and little disheveled hair could swoon any lady. "Are we not allowed here?"

I jolted in my seat at his words, striking me with my rubbish words. "T-That is not what I mean, Your Highness." My heart caught a pit from my carelessness. "What I mean is..."

How must I tell them that I did not use to see them coming here to the main library? All I knew then was that they were residing in the east library, not the main one to study.

Was this a change of heart? Were they going to study here this time?

"Well, care to have tea with us, Lady Czerie?" Prince Alejandro asked with a polite tone. His well-groomed hair, brushed back to perfection, added to his already striking appearance.

"Huh... Tea?" They nodded while I was astonished as to what was happening right now. "C-Certainly, Your Highness." There was no way that I could make an excuse, right? Seeing them made me shiver because of their immense presence.

Ultimately, I discovered myself trailing behind them, clutching a peony flower in my hand, secretly sniffing it, and wondering if they had brought this flower from Alfonso. They led me to the dormitory from the east called Emerald Dorm, which was a dormitory only for students who were royals, aristocrats, and elites. It was said that the whole dorm was permeated with luxurious amenities that we, commoners, couldn't have.

And they were right as soon as I set foot in there, inviting me to the rumored spacious courtyard that was blessed with heavenly luscious freshly cut grass, a fountain in the middle, vines of sweet pea excreting a lovely, mild scent and Virginia creeper creeping in the walls to institute the bewitching place, and some bush and shrub sculptures of small animals. Some patio sets settled in every corner of the courtyard where the residents could have a small talk over some cup of tea.

We settled there as it bestowed me an opportunity to roam my eyes around in awe, succumbing to the sublime of this place.

One thing that stood out the most was the fire tree nestled beside where we were. With such fern-like leaves and flamboyant exhibit of its red-orange flowers, it would seem like this tree was flaming in passion from a distance.

As soon as their servants served us some tea, confusion was written on my face as I caught a whiff of a floral aroma with a hint of honey or perhaps because of the nectar of the dried flowers. Curiosity swallowed me as I took a sip and inhaled a sharp gasp from the mildly sweet with a hint of buttery warmth.

"That's chrysanthemum tea."

I lifted my gaze to His Highnesses, who always spoke in unison as if they were just one person. "I-Is it?" A nod came from them. "Oh..." I had no words, unable to describe what I must say.

Chrysanthemum tea, they say... The tea was so luxurious that only the affluent could indulge in its exquisite flavors.

"Did you like it?" This time, it was Prince Alejandro who asked.

"I love it, Your Highnesses." My hands wrapped around my cup, cradling it like a baby pup. I smiled, seeing the chrysanthemum maintaining its fluffy shape, similar to a skirt gracefully buoyed by a petticoat's support. Yet, I nearly lost sight of the purpose that brought me here, prompting me to gently cradle my tea cup against its saucer. "Um... May I ask why I have to be here? Is there something we must discuss? Perhaps... Alfonso?"

That was only the plausible reason. Their cousin and his welfare for certain. They wouldn't just invite me over for tea if it weren't for him.

But there was something I must bestow on them since I did not get to see them again ever since Alfonso and I were getting know each other.

Before a smile graced their faces, their eyes locked in a meaningful gaze. "Just because we invite you does not mean it is because of our cousin, Lady Czerie." It was Prince Alistair who reclined on his seat.

"T-Then... what else?"

"Is it bad that we can talk to our future cousin-in-law for tea?" Prince Alejandro asked.

His term absolutely made my face creep in color.

Future cousin-in-law...

They already welcomed me to be called like that. It delighted me if that was the way they were thinking.

"Not at all." Although it was still bizarre for me, I shunned it away for quite some time. "Also, please accept these, Your Highnesses," I said politely before taking the two handkerchiefs from my bag, which I had embroidered when I had spare time. Their expressions turned to surprise as they accepted it, noticing the presence of embroidered flames on each one. "I embroidered them myself. All I can do is express my gratitude that you two brought Alfonso and me together because of your expertise. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to have a mate." I softened. "Perhaps, this must be a fate since the last time I asked you two, you did not heed my request."

"Request?" they parroted, slightly tilting their head in puzzlement.

I nodded, but I had to smile wryly since it looked like they did not remember I asked them. Even though last year's encounter was an embarrassing one, it vanished away just by remembering my Alfonso.

"Oh... We did not remember you..." There was a dejected tone smeared in their tone with their gazes still on my handkerchief as if they were drawn to the embroidery design I did. "Why did we not remember her before?" they asked each other and shrugged simultaneously.

Looking at them, I knew I was not really significant to them. "It is fine, Your Highnesses. There is nothing—" I quickly paused as my body shuddered in delight while smelling the familiar alluring sandalwood.

"Czerie."

As a deep baritone voice resonated, causing my spine to straighten involuntarily, my inner wolf stirred with restlessness. I followed the direction of my gaze, fixing my eyes upon the entrance of the courtyard.

There.

The handsome man I had ever met was walking in our direction, radiating some rays of sunlight around him, drawing the most beguiling smile I had ever seen in my entire life.

Unable to resist, I rose to my feet, for my heart seemed determined to escape the confines of my ribcage. "Alfonso..." I muttered, feeling ecstatic since it had been three days since we last saw each other.

Alfonso was not studying in the royal academy anymore. He was helping with some matters to their cousin, Alpha King Azarius. But even though he was not studying here, he came to visit me whenever he had time to ponder.

"Come on! You are back already?" Prince Alejandro asked, frowning.

"Czerie..." Alfonso said softly, ignoring him. He took my hand before planting a soft kiss on the back of it. "My apologies for I took so long to come back."

I almost fainted at his action and the words he uttered. Smiling to hide how it made me feel giddy, I gently squeezed his hand. "N-Not really. T-Three days are not that long." I lowered my gaze, feeling bashful for being honest.

Throughout our conversations for the past few weeks, I was starting to be more open with more words, still getting the gist of reciprocating my feelings for him, while Alfonso never failed to make my heart flutter with his unforeseen actions.

And I really missed him. Honestly. The absence of his presence for three days, as he tended to affairs in the royal palace, intensified my longing for him.

Alfonso's face flushed with a gentle hue, and to my surprise, he proceeded to do something that left me utterly stunned: he kissed me.

My eyes widened in disbelief, my mind struggling to comprehend the unexpected turn of events. I even heard loud gasps from the Twin Garnets, which I did not mind. It seemed like our world faded away as the warmth of his lips pressed against mine, sending a wave of astonishment and a rush of emotions cascading through my entire being. In that surreal moment, time stood still, and I couldn't help but surrender to the surprising intensity of the kiss.

My wolf communicated with his wolf, who was attempting to communicate with us. His plump lips, my first time tasting them, had already scored in my mind. There was no way that I could ever forget them.

Alfonso broke our kiss while I had to peel my droopy eyes and gazed at him with so many emotions. His eyes were glinting desire, assuming that was the same case as mine.

"Gross!"

The whining of Prince Alistair and Prince Alejandro snapped me back to reality. A warm flush spread across my cheeks as I instinctively sought refuge in Alfonso's embrace, seeking solace from the embarrassment that engulfed me.

Alfonso only laughed and draped his arm over my shoulders while Prince Alistair and Prince Alejandro had this revolting expression.

Alfonso arched his eyebrow. "Yeah? Why on earth did you bring my mate here? What are you trying to do, Alis, Alec?" he asked suspiciously.

Alis was Prince Alistair's nickname, while Alec was the nickname of Prince Alejandro. However, for the Twin Garnets, they called each other Ali and Ale as their nicknames for each other.

Observing Prince Alistair and Prince Alejandro, I witnessed a condescending smile slowly etching its way onto their lips.

"My, my..." Prince Alistair said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why are you accusing us, Alfie? It is not like Ale and I are doing something against Czerie's wishes." He shrugged, glancing over me.

My eyes widened slightly when the honorific was not included. Since when did they start calling me by my name only? Would this mean I could call them by their names without addressing them, 'Your Highness?'

"Indeed." Prince Alejandro kept nodding. "That's bad, dear cousin. And what is wrong with trying to get to know her? Mind you, if it were not for us, you wouldn't be able to meet Czerie."

Again. I was being called by my name, which they only called me earlier with an honorific.

Alfonso's lips curled into a disdainful sneer as he retorted, "Keep your distance from her. Trusting you two, even if we share blood ties, is out of the question." His words dripped with spite, revealing the depths of his distrust.

"Oh?" Their lips curled into smug smirks, betraying their satisfaction. "Oh dear, oh dear... Be careful what you are saying, Alfie," they said in unison.

I flinched when Alfonso tightened his hold on me as if he was... protecting me from them. "Alfonso...?" The situation of seeing Alfonso glaring at Prince Alistair and Prince Alejandro was starting to get me worried.

Alfonso did not say anything, but his eyes were burning in their direction before his forest-green orbs met mine and softened. "We must go now, Czerie. I cannot have you stay here with them."

That was all he said before he gently dragged me out of the courtyard, perplexed about what had just happened. When I looked back, Prince Alistair and Prince Alejandro were grinning while waving the handkerchiefs I bestowed to them.

I inclined my head in a slight bow, a polite smile gracing my lips. As I turned my gaze back to Alfonso, a rush of emotions surged within me when I caught sight of his furrowed brow and his intense gaze fixed upon mine. My heart fluttered in response to the unspoken connection between us.

That left me wondering.

Why was he cautious around his cousins? Did they do something to him that made him act like this? If so, what could that be?