A Patient Love 9
Title: A Patient Love
Pairing: UKUS
Rating: T
Warnings: Omegaverse, age-gap, Mpreg, and slight historical inaccuracies.
Summary: Prince Arthur has finally been granted a male Omega by his brother, the king. Alfred is soon to learn the treacherous ways of royalty and that adulthood in this world is not at all kind.
Returning Steps
2 years later
The thundering rumble of horse hooves drove Alfred to the window. He saw a servant go the messenger and lead him inside. Within minutes he was at the door, and Alfred was there to take the letter. It had an official seal on it. Alfred didn't even need to open it before he rushed outside, calling to his parents.
Arthur was coming home.
The banner that bore Arthur's emblem, the red and white rose, was raised high above the bushes and young trees. The remaining men that he had gathered for the war rode by his side looking starved, weary, and bordering on collapse. Their eyes were sunken into their war-torn faces. Some were now missing an arm or leg. But not Arthur. He was sitting upright in his saddle, his red scarf wrapped firmly around his neck despite it being summer, and a victorious smile gracing his lips.
The entire household came out to greet their Alpha. Duke and Duchess Jones were first as they were to hand over their duties of caring for Alfred back to the prince. They gave a low bow in unison as Arthur dismounted.
"Sire, it is a wonderful sight to see you once more," Duke Jones said, standing tall once more. Arthur came up to regard him. He removed his riding gloves and smiled. "We have kept your home in fair condition."
"And my Omega? Where is he?" Arthur searched over the heads of the Duke.
"My son is just getting your daughter, sire."
Then, Alfred emerged from the manor holding the now two-year old Amelia. Her pink, pudgy cheeks had a smear of lunch across them and she whined at her mother's insistence on fixing her blonde curls. She squirmed in Alfred's arms until he set her down on the ground where she fixed her blue dress with an irritated scowl.
Arthur moved around Duke Jones, making a beeline for Amelia. He crouched down to her and stared in awe. "H-hello."
Amelia scooted back closer to her mother, gripping at his legs. "H-hello…"
"That's all she knows, I'm afraid," Alfred said. Arthur stood up upon hearing Alfred's deeper voice.
"Why Alfred…! You…" Arthur looked his Omega from head to toe with wide eyes. "You're my height now! You've grown!"
Alfred's cheeks flushed as he giggled. "W-well… I am fifteen now. Almost sixteen… my prince."
Arthur leaned forward, a hand cupping Alfred's chin, and kissed his Omega after two long years. Both men sighed into the kiss, short as it was, and pressed their longing and relief into one another. The household looked on with wide smiles. Everything was back to normal.
A celebration was held in honor of Arthur's return. The men that had come back were invited to stay, but allowed to go home if they wished. Many stayed as it was a means to free food and dancing and drinking. Actors were called in to perform, musicians played for hours, and the wine cellar was broken open as everyone laughed merrily at the end of the French war. No one, though, talked about the outcome.
Alfred wasn't allowed to know what happened. As an Omega, it did not interest him. It did him little good to know anyway, as he wasn't politically involved. Even if someone did tell him, though, he doubted he would have cared. Arthur was home, the Alpha male was in his rightful place, and all was well.
He and Arthur danced for hours, laughing and holding close to each other. Arthur had a new smell to him that Alfred feared was permanent. He smelled of gunfire and blood and a battle that had cost many innocent lives of Alphas that could never go home to their patient Omegas. He smelled of longing and desire, and Alfred feared there were traces of other Omegas on him. Still, Arthur held him close and whispered his desire for Alfred in his ear as the night grew long.
"A-AAAAAAArthuuuuur!" Alfred cried, clenching himself and the bed sheets as he came much too soon. His back relaxed after having arched up from the bed, if only to be closer to his Alpha. "Oh Arthur… I've missed you…"
"And I you, my pet…," Arthur whispered, stroking Alfred's sweaty bangs. He kissed his forehead tenderly. "Ah dear, it has been too long for you. Such an excited Omega you are. You have already come."
"Ah! I'm sorry!" Alfred reached down to grasp at Arthur's still hard penis. "You are not done. I can…"
"Calm yourself." Arthur put a gentle hand on Alfred's wrist. "I am quite fine. My lust for you has been years forthcoming. I can wait until you are ready again. Just let me lavish my tongue over your body. Oh, how it has grown. My dear Omega."
Alfred leaned his head back into the pillow. He closed his eyes to let Arthur's rough tongue trail a line down his sternum, stopping to swirl at his nipples and belly button, before diving down between his legs.
"Oh… I have missed your scent…"
The last thing Alfred remembered before falling down into a pit of pleasure was Arthur's tongue going into places an Alpha was not expected to go.The summer days were long and warm. Arthur and Alfred were hardly apart, and Amelia was always in tow with them. She was Arthur's new delight, and he was quite fond of his daughter. He found ways to make her squeal in delight from tickling her tummy to chasing her through the gardens to reading fairy-tale novels while she sat in her mother's lap.
With the return of Arthur, Duke and Duchess Jones took their leave. It was much easier for Alfred to say good-bye this time, although they did not leave empty handed. Arthur bestowed many gifts to them, and even sent an additional income to them for the next five years. The two were extremely grateful, proud of the mate for their son and the father of their grandchild.
Arthur oversaw how his daughter's nursemaid cared for Amelia and spent a lot of time in the nursery. Alfred, though, was already quite used to spending all of his time there.
"You don't need to worry," Alfred said soothingly. He put a hand on Arthur's. They sat next to each other at the far side of the nursery as Amelia finished up her daily morning prayers. "The queen has already recommended us a brilliant tutor to send to us should Amelia be an Alpha."
"She will be an Alpha," Arthur said firmly. "But we needn't send for any tutor the queen offers us."
"Arthur," Alfred started, his tone disappointed. "The war is over. You should put aside your angry feelings for the queen."
For a moment, it was as if Arthur hadn't heard Alfred. Then, he turned sharply and lowered his voice to a whisper. "There is a reason we came home when we did. It was not because we had lost the war."
"I heard rumors that…we have lost all of our lands in France."
"We still hold Calais," Arthur snapped. Alfred pulled away. "However, Parliament saw fit to stop sending us money. Those bastards. Scott was very embarrassed that his own Council voted down any more funds to come out for us, no doubt highly influenced by that woman. At times, it was like we were sitting ducks, waiting to be slaughtered. I tell you, it was horrifying to know I had to send my men out to do nothing more than to march outside and be shot at by arrows or cut down by their swords. The French didn't win. We were betrayed."
Alfred put his hands on Arthur's. His eyes, wide at the dark tone of Arthur, stared at him in fright. "A-Arthur… My prince, please calm down. I've never heard you talk like this before."
Remembering himself and where he was, Arthur sat upright and cleared his throat. "My apologies, dear. I've been away from you for too long. The war is over, yes. I look forward to happier times now that I am back home."
Alfred smiled slightly. "And my heat is in a few weeks."
Arthur's sharp green eyes penetrated Alfred's with all the vigor of an Alpha. He grinned, almost wickedly. "Yes… I have let you deal with two heats on your own. I shall not let that happen again. And you shall have another baby, and this time I will be there to care for you as any proper Alpha should."
With a red face, Alfred ducked down and hid his smile. Amelia soon tottered over to them with bright blue eyes and a wide smile. Arthur commented on how much she looked like her mother.
Alfred's heat came and went, and Arthur felt satisfied at having performed his duty again after two years. Alfred refused to get out of bed for days, preferring to keep a hand on his swollen belly and smiling joyfully at what he hoped was a new baby taking hold of him. However, once the couple was out of confinement, an announcement came to the house.
Arthur found Alfred in the nursery playing cards with Amelia. He closed the doors and moved to order Amelia's nurse.
"Arthur?" Alfred stood. "Is something wrong?"
"We must go to London, now. Amelia is to stay here. She will be under the protection of your brother." Arthur hurried to Alfred's side. "We must go as soon as we can. Pack your things."
"Wait, my brother?! My brother is coming here?! I must see him!" Alfred's face broke into an elated smile at the prospect of seeing his brother after three years of separation. "When will he be here?"
"It does not matter!" Arthur hissed. "We are under orders to come to London immediately."
"May I come to Won…Wondon?" Amelia asked, tugging on Alfred's tights. "I want to be with mummy!"
Alfred bent down to Amelia and caressed her head tenderly. "I'm sorry, baby. You cannot come. London is a dirty town. You don't want your dresses and dolls to be dirty do you?"
"But… I will be wonewy without mummy and daddy!" Amelia cried. Alfred scooped her up into his arms.
"Oh no, shh, it's all right. Your uncle, Matthew, will be here to care for you. He looks just like mummy." Alfred rocked his daughter while Arthur stood nearby, impatiently fuming at Alfred's ministrations. "And we will not be gone long. Why, you'll hardly notice we'll be gone!"
"Alfred," Arthur hissed. He nodded to the door. "Now."
With a kiss and a reassuring touch to her cheek, Alfred left Amelia to pack.
Amelia cried and cried the day her parents left for London. She threw a fit until Arthur snapped at her to behave. Alfred wondered what it was that had Arthur so angry and insistent when normally he was quite soft towards his daughter. However, he was a good Omega and made no mention of it. He simply got on his horse and, with a wave to his daughter, took off after his Alpha for London.
Alfred had only been to London in the winter when it was snowing and bitterly cold. In the summer, it was humid and smelled horribly. There were offered a boat ride down the River Thames to the Westminster palace. Alfred was delighted to know they weren't to stay in the Tower this time. Perhaps Arthur's two years in France with his brother had helped raise them up in his views of the king.
"Alfred, I forgot to mention, but my brother and sister will be here as well." Alfred was startled by Arthur's sudden words. The prince had been so quiet during the majority of their travel. "As they are Omegas, like you, I expect you will have to see them quite often. I will be very busy."
"Arthur, tell me, what's going on?"
Arthur remained silent.
The barge that they took in was resplendent with velvet draperies and plush pillows on the seats. Alfred enjoyed the ride as he watched people staring at them from the shore. He watched in amazement as the London Bridge passed by overhead. The people waved from the bridge. Alfred wanted to wave back, but he worried that Arthur's sour mood might leak into even a simple gesture like that.
As their barge neared Westminster, Alfred instantly knew something was wrong. Throngs of people were gathered near the gates, shouting and calling. Many seem angered while others didn't look like they belonged there as their vacant eyes looked to the heavens for answers. Alfred moved closer to Arthur, grabbing his arm in hopes of feeling secure just by being near.
"I'm sorry," Arthur murmured. His voice was barely discernible over the crowd. "I should not have brought you, but the queen was insistent that you come. She is under great distress."
"Why?" Alfred asked. Arthur could only shake his head.
The palace's towering spires and grand towers and curved windows was a glittering gem on the waters, but inside was a glorious crown of splendid rooms. It was a shame that normal people could not witness such a sight. If it wasn't for his mating to Arthur, Alfred might never have stepped foot inside the building. Its magnificence shocked the Omega with its large tapestries, brilliant paintings, and imported rugs from the Orient. Spices littered the floor to hide the choking scent of the city outside. Musicians seemed to be in every room, reciting poetry like troubadours, and Omega females wearing dazzling dresses with powdered faces turning every Alphas head.
With his limited knowledge of the Court and his lack of amazing attire, Alfred was like a sore spot on the Court. Luckily, he was able to escape to his chambers to change out of his simple outfit to something more appropriate. Arthur impatiently stood outside his room until the Omega appeared once more.
"Come. The queen is waiting. She is incredibly persistent. That woman…"
The couple was shown to the throne room. People bowed at Arthur's presence, straightening up as Alfred walked by. Near the throne was Prince of Wales, Rhye, and Princess of Ireland, Halle. Arthur hadn't seen either sibling in years, especially Halle. They stuck to their respective lands to govern them as was decreed by their father when he anointed them their titles. Scott had been Prince of Scotland before being crowned King of England.
Rhye had a serious face and kept his head low. His hair, much darker than Scott's red or Arthur's blonde was almost black. The smudges on his face looked permanent, as if he was unable to cleanse himself. However, he had the same green eyes Arthur and Scott shared, but even those seemed darker. It was incredible how different he was to Arthur. Alfred could almost see a cloud over the prince's head as he stood beside his mate. Perhaps it was because of her? Alfred had heard rumors that his Alpha princess was quite ruthless.
Near Prince Rhye was Princess Halle. She had lived the majority of her life in Ireland. The clans had been battling for years, and even with the princess and her mate intervening and trying to govern them, it was heavily rumored that all was lost. It seemed England would never settle anything in Ireland. The land was regarded by many to be lost, and yet, Halle stayed with her Irish Alpha.
Queen Franҫoise rose to her feet. Arthur and Alfred stopped to bow. "Arthur, Alfred. It is an honor to have you both back at court. We have missed you. I only wish it was for happier occasions. Shall I take you to see the king? Alfred may stay here with your siblings until we return."
Arthur nodded. He didn't even say good-bye to Alfred as he left his side. Alfred watched them leave through an ornate rosewood door before he realized he was standing awkwardly in the middle of the throne room with eyes trained on him, as if expecting him to do something.
Suddenly, the Omega felt weak, and he fell to his knees. Within moments, his Omega-in-waiting was rushing to his side. Prince Rhye and Princess Halle stayed where they were. Their eyes bore into Alfred's stomach. They could sense it.
Alfred was pregnant again.
News of Alfred's fainting spread outside to London where the Londoners feared the Omega was sick. They had not known that he was with child. Not even that could reach Arthur. Not yet.
Time was stagnating at Westminster. Alfred felt suffocated as Omega upon Omega waited upon him. He needed an Alpha there to smarten him up or gently coddle him. Mainly, he just needed Arthur back to hold him in his arms, stroke his forehead so his bangs were pulled to the side, and his heart beating in his ear. However, Arthur's attention was completely tuned to the king. By now, Alfred had heard of just what was happening.
The king was dying.
Hoshiko2's notes: The original London Bridge was more than just a bridge. "Shops, houses and a chapel were crowded along its sides, and the central thoroughfare was only eight feet wide" (153, The Wars of the Roses, Alison Weir). Also, while London was quite the hub of activity in Tudor England, it was still filthy and disgusting. I can't even imagine how badly it smelled.
Pairing: UKUS
Rating: T
Warnings: Omegaverse, age-gap, Mpreg, and slight historical inaccuracies.
Summary: Prince Arthur has finally been granted a male Omega by his brother, the king. Alfred is soon to learn the treacherous ways of royalty and that adulthood in this world is not at all kind.
Returning Steps
2 years later
The thundering rumble of horse hooves drove Alfred to the window. He saw a servant go the messenger and lead him inside. Within minutes he was at the door, and Alfred was there to take the letter. It had an official seal on it. Alfred didn't even need to open it before he rushed outside, calling to his parents.
Arthur was coming home.
The banner that bore Arthur's emblem, the red and white rose, was raised high above the bushes and young trees. The remaining men that he had gathered for the war rode by his side looking starved, weary, and bordering on collapse. Their eyes were sunken into their war-torn faces. Some were now missing an arm or leg. But not Arthur. He was sitting upright in his saddle, his red scarf wrapped firmly around his neck despite it being summer, and a victorious smile gracing his lips.
The entire household came out to greet their Alpha. Duke and Duchess Jones were first as they were to hand over their duties of caring for Alfred back to the prince. They gave a low bow in unison as Arthur dismounted.
"Sire, it is a wonderful sight to see you once more," Duke Jones said, standing tall once more. Arthur came up to regard him. He removed his riding gloves and smiled. "We have kept your home in fair condition."
"And my Omega? Where is he?" Arthur searched over the heads of the Duke.
"My son is just getting your daughter, sire."
Then, Alfred emerged from the manor holding the now two-year old Amelia. Her pink, pudgy cheeks had a smear of lunch across them and she whined at her mother's insistence on fixing her blonde curls. She squirmed in Alfred's arms until he set her down on the ground where she fixed her blue dress with an irritated scowl.
Arthur moved around Duke Jones, making a beeline for Amelia. He crouched down to her and stared in awe. "H-hello."
Amelia scooted back closer to her mother, gripping at his legs. "H-hello…"
"That's all she knows, I'm afraid," Alfred said. Arthur stood up upon hearing Alfred's deeper voice.
"Why Alfred…! You…" Arthur looked his Omega from head to toe with wide eyes. "You're my height now! You've grown!"
Alfred's cheeks flushed as he giggled. "W-well… I am fifteen now. Almost sixteen… my prince."
Arthur leaned forward, a hand cupping Alfred's chin, and kissed his Omega after two long years. Both men sighed into the kiss, short as it was, and pressed their longing and relief into one another. The household looked on with wide smiles. Everything was back to normal.
A celebration was held in honor of Arthur's return. The men that had come back were invited to stay, but allowed to go home if they wished. Many stayed as it was a means to free food and dancing and drinking. Actors were called in to perform, musicians played for hours, and the wine cellar was broken open as everyone laughed merrily at the end of the French war. No one, though, talked about the outcome.
Alfred wasn't allowed to know what happened. As an Omega, it did not interest him. It did him little good to know anyway, as he wasn't politically involved. Even if someone did tell him, though, he doubted he would have cared. Arthur was home, the Alpha male was in his rightful place, and all was well.
He and Arthur danced for hours, laughing and holding close to each other. Arthur had a new smell to him that Alfred feared was permanent. He smelled of gunfire and blood and a battle that had cost many innocent lives of Alphas that could never go home to their patient Omegas. He smelled of longing and desire, and Alfred feared there were traces of other Omegas on him. Still, Arthur held him close and whispered his desire for Alfred in his ear as the night grew long.
"A-AAAAAAArthuuuuur!" Alfred cried, clenching himself and the bed sheets as he came much too soon. His back relaxed after having arched up from the bed, if only to be closer to his Alpha. "Oh Arthur… I've missed you…"
"And I you, my pet…," Arthur whispered, stroking Alfred's sweaty bangs. He kissed his forehead tenderly. "Ah dear, it has been too long for you. Such an excited Omega you are. You have already come."
"Ah! I'm sorry!" Alfred reached down to grasp at Arthur's still hard penis. "You are not done. I can…"
"Calm yourself." Arthur put a gentle hand on Alfred's wrist. "I am quite fine. My lust for you has been years forthcoming. I can wait until you are ready again. Just let me lavish my tongue over your body. Oh, how it has grown. My dear Omega."
Alfred leaned his head back into the pillow. He closed his eyes to let Arthur's rough tongue trail a line down his sternum, stopping to swirl at his nipples and belly button, before diving down between his legs.
"Oh… I have missed your scent…"
The last thing Alfred remembered before falling down into a pit of pleasure was Arthur's tongue going into places an Alpha was not expected to go.The summer days were long and warm. Arthur and Alfred were hardly apart, and Amelia was always in tow with them. She was Arthur's new delight, and he was quite fond of his daughter. He found ways to make her squeal in delight from tickling her tummy to chasing her through the gardens to reading fairy-tale novels while she sat in her mother's lap.
With the return of Arthur, Duke and Duchess Jones took their leave. It was much easier for Alfred to say good-bye this time, although they did not leave empty handed. Arthur bestowed many gifts to them, and even sent an additional income to them for the next five years. The two were extremely grateful, proud of the mate for their son and the father of their grandchild.
Arthur oversaw how his daughter's nursemaid cared for Amelia and spent a lot of time in the nursery. Alfred, though, was already quite used to spending all of his time there.
"You don't need to worry," Alfred said soothingly. He put a hand on Arthur's. They sat next to each other at the far side of the nursery as Amelia finished up her daily morning prayers. "The queen has already recommended us a brilliant tutor to send to us should Amelia be an Alpha."
"She will be an Alpha," Arthur said firmly. "But we needn't send for any tutor the queen offers us."
"Arthur," Alfred started, his tone disappointed. "The war is over. You should put aside your angry feelings for the queen."
For a moment, it was as if Arthur hadn't heard Alfred. Then, he turned sharply and lowered his voice to a whisper. "There is a reason we came home when we did. It was not because we had lost the war."
"I heard rumors that…we have lost all of our lands in France."
"We still hold Calais," Arthur snapped. Alfred pulled away. "However, Parliament saw fit to stop sending us money. Those bastards. Scott was very embarrassed that his own Council voted down any more funds to come out for us, no doubt highly influenced by that woman. At times, it was like we were sitting ducks, waiting to be slaughtered. I tell you, it was horrifying to know I had to send my men out to do nothing more than to march outside and be shot at by arrows or cut down by their swords. The French didn't win. We were betrayed."
Alfred put his hands on Arthur's. His eyes, wide at the dark tone of Arthur, stared at him in fright. "A-Arthur… My prince, please calm down. I've never heard you talk like this before."
Remembering himself and where he was, Arthur sat upright and cleared his throat. "My apologies, dear. I've been away from you for too long. The war is over, yes. I look forward to happier times now that I am back home."
Alfred smiled slightly. "And my heat is in a few weeks."
Arthur's sharp green eyes penetrated Alfred's with all the vigor of an Alpha. He grinned, almost wickedly. "Yes… I have let you deal with two heats on your own. I shall not let that happen again. And you shall have another baby, and this time I will be there to care for you as any proper Alpha should."
With a red face, Alfred ducked down and hid his smile. Amelia soon tottered over to them with bright blue eyes and a wide smile. Arthur commented on how much she looked like her mother.
Alfred's heat came and went, and Arthur felt satisfied at having performed his duty again after two years. Alfred refused to get out of bed for days, preferring to keep a hand on his swollen belly and smiling joyfully at what he hoped was a new baby taking hold of him. However, once the couple was out of confinement, an announcement came to the house.
Arthur found Alfred in the nursery playing cards with Amelia. He closed the doors and moved to order Amelia's nurse.
"Arthur?" Alfred stood. "Is something wrong?"
"We must go to London, now. Amelia is to stay here. She will be under the protection of your brother." Arthur hurried to Alfred's side. "We must go as soon as we can. Pack your things."
"Wait, my brother?! My brother is coming here?! I must see him!" Alfred's face broke into an elated smile at the prospect of seeing his brother after three years of separation. "When will he be here?"
"It does not matter!" Arthur hissed. "We are under orders to come to London immediately."
"May I come to Won…Wondon?" Amelia asked, tugging on Alfred's tights. "I want to be with mummy!"
Alfred bent down to Amelia and caressed her head tenderly. "I'm sorry, baby. You cannot come. London is a dirty town. You don't want your dresses and dolls to be dirty do you?"
"But… I will be wonewy without mummy and daddy!" Amelia cried. Alfred scooped her up into his arms.
"Oh no, shh, it's all right. Your uncle, Matthew, will be here to care for you. He looks just like mummy." Alfred rocked his daughter while Arthur stood nearby, impatiently fuming at Alfred's ministrations. "And we will not be gone long. Why, you'll hardly notice we'll be gone!"
"Alfred," Arthur hissed. He nodded to the door. "Now."
With a kiss and a reassuring touch to her cheek, Alfred left Amelia to pack.
Amelia cried and cried the day her parents left for London. She threw a fit until Arthur snapped at her to behave. Alfred wondered what it was that had Arthur so angry and insistent when normally he was quite soft towards his daughter. However, he was a good Omega and made no mention of it. He simply got on his horse and, with a wave to his daughter, took off after his Alpha for London.
Alfred had only been to London in the winter when it was snowing and bitterly cold. In the summer, it was humid and smelled horribly. There were offered a boat ride down the River Thames to the Westminster palace. Alfred was delighted to know they weren't to stay in the Tower this time. Perhaps Arthur's two years in France with his brother had helped raise them up in his views of the king.
"Alfred, I forgot to mention, but my brother and sister will be here as well." Alfred was startled by Arthur's sudden words. The prince had been so quiet during the majority of their travel. "As they are Omegas, like you, I expect you will have to see them quite often. I will be very busy."
"Arthur, tell me, what's going on?"
Arthur remained silent.
The barge that they took in was resplendent with velvet draperies and plush pillows on the seats. Alfred enjoyed the ride as he watched people staring at them from the shore. He watched in amazement as the London Bridge passed by overhead. The people waved from the bridge. Alfred wanted to wave back, but he worried that Arthur's sour mood might leak into even a simple gesture like that.
As their barge neared Westminster, Alfred instantly knew something was wrong. Throngs of people were gathered near the gates, shouting and calling. Many seem angered while others didn't look like they belonged there as their vacant eyes looked to the heavens for answers. Alfred moved closer to Arthur, grabbing his arm in hopes of feeling secure just by being near.
"I'm sorry," Arthur murmured. His voice was barely discernible over the crowd. "I should not have brought you, but the queen was insistent that you come. She is under great distress."
"Why?" Alfred asked. Arthur could only shake his head.
The palace's towering spires and grand towers and curved windows was a glittering gem on the waters, but inside was a glorious crown of splendid rooms. It was a shame that normal people could not witness such a sight. If it wasn't for his mating to Arthur, Alfred might never have stepped foot inside the building. Its magnificence shocked the Omega with its large tapestries, brilliant paintings, and imported rugs from the Orient. Spices littered the floor to hide the choking scent of the city outside. Musicians seemed to be in every room, reciting poetry like troubadours, and Omega females wearing dazzling dresses with powdered faces turning every Alphas head.
With his limited knowledge of the Court and his lack of amazing attire, Alfred was like a sore spot on the Court. Luckily, he was able to escape to his chambers to change out of his simple outfit to something more appropriate. Arthur impatiently stood outside his room until the Omega appeared once more.
"Come. The queen is waiting. She is incredibly persistent. That woman…"
The couple was shown to the throne room. People bowed at Arthur's presence, straightening up as Alfred walked by. Near the throne was Prince of Wales, Rhye, and Princess of Ireland, Halle. Arthur hadn't seen either sibling in years, especially Halle. They stuck to their respective lands to govern them as was decreed by their father when he anointed them their titles. Scott had been Prince of Scotland before being crowned King of England.
Rhye had a serious face and kept his head low. His hair, much darker than Scott's red or Arthur's blonde was almost black. The smudges on his face looked permanent, as if he was unable to cleanse himself. However, he had the same green eyes Arthur and Scott shared, but even those seemed darker. It was incredible how different he was to Arthur. Alfred could almost see a cloud over the prince's head as he stood beside his mate. Perhaps it was because of her? Alfred had heard rumors that his Alpha princess was quite ruthless.
Near Prince Rhye was Princess Halle. She had lived the majority of her life in Ireland. The clans had been battling for years, and even with the princess and her mate intervening and trying to govern them, it was heavily rumored that all was lost. It seemed England would never settle anything in Ireland. The land was regarded by many to be lost, and yet, Halle stayed with her Irish Alpha.
Queen Franҫoise rose to her feet. Arthur and Alfred stopped to bow. "Arthur, Alfred. It is an honor to have you both back at court. We have missed you. I only wish it was for happier occasions. Shall I take you to see the king? Alfred may stay here with your siblings until we return."
Arthur nodded. He didn't even say good-bye to Alfred as he left his side. Alfred watched them leave through an ornate rosewood door before he realized he was standing awkwardly in the middle of the throne room with eyes trained on him, as if expecting him to do something.
Suddenly, the Omega felt weak, and he fell to his knees. Within moments, his Omega-in-waiting was rushing to his side. Prince Rhye and Princess Halle stayed where they were. Their eyes bore into Alfred's stomach. They could sense it.
Alfred was pregnant again.
News of Alfred's fainting spread outside to London where the Londoners feared the Omega was sick. They had not known that he was with child. Not even that could reach Arthur. Not yet.
Time was stagnating at Westminster. Alfred felt suffocated as Omega upon Omega waited upon him. He needed an Alpha there to smarten him up or gently coddle him. Mainly, he just needed Arthur back to hold him in his arms, stroke his forehead so his bangs were pulled to the side, and his heart beating in his ear. However, Arthur's attention was completely tuned to the king. By now, Alfred had heard of just what was happening.
The king was dying.
Hoshiko2's notes: The original London Bridge was more than just a bridge. "Shops, houses and a chapel were crowded along its sides, and the central thoroughfare was only eight feet wide" (153, The Wars of the Roses, Alison Weir). Also, while London was quite the hub of activity in Tudor England, it was still filthy and disgusting. I can't even imagine how badly it smelled.