[BL] Alpha, You've Got the Wrong Mate!

Chapter 64: 64 — Living in a Fantasy World

Sitting on his chair, Zayden stared at the reports his knights sent after investigating the omegas who requested a bond-breaking process.

”Why does the emperor want me to deal with these?” he groaned, flipping back and forth between pages.

His gaze fell on Ren’s reflection against the window’s pane. He stood a few steps away, like always. Just then, a thought crossed his mind.

”Attendant,” he grinned, gesturing to Ren to come closer.

The servant obeyed mechanically without hesitation.

”Read these out loud,” he picked up the stack of reports and extended them his way.

Ren took the weighty papers, looking at his master in disbelief.

”My Lord, how can I?—”

”Why can you not?” Zayden interrupted, arms folded.

”I am a servant. I should not read these. They are important.”

Zayden didn’t listen to his words, rising from his seat.

Then, he pushed Ren into his chair, Zayden’s hands on the armrests. Their faces were close, their gazes locked into each other.

For a moment, Zayden forgot why he did this until Ren shifted his head to the side.

The General coughed, stepping away before straightening his composure.

”Read these,” he stated, pushing aside the remaining stack of files on his desk, making some space.

Then, he sat on the table, taking Ren aback.

He blinked—he knew the General wasn’t one to care much about etiquette. However, to sit on the table—

”I can already guess what you are thinking. You know how Eiran climbs trees? I used to do that when I was younger,” Zayden winked before pressing a finger on his lips. ”But that is a secret. So make sure you do not spread it across the mansion.”

”Do I seem like the kind who is interested in gossiping?”

”How would I know? You barely ever answer any of the questions I ask you. If not for your: yes and no.” He mimicked Ren, putting on a poker face only to let out a small laugh.

”That is not how I sound, My Lord,” Serious, Ren frowned.

”Is that so?” Zayden chuckled.

It seemed he succeeded in provoking a reaction from his servant, even if it was brief.

Ren nodded before parting his lips.

”You did not ask me what these are about.”

”Do I need to?”

Zayden pressed his lips tight. It was not important—however; knowing his attendant was suspected to be an omega, he was suddenly unsure if he wanted him to read these reports. They could state some horrible things.

”Are you sure you are not an omega?”

Ren froze, his gaze flickering upwards.

”Why do you ask?..” His heart pounded against his chest as if it would burst.

I made sure I took the suppressants, sprayed rose perfume to cover the scent... Does he know that I am an—But how? Since when?

He gripped the documents tightly in his hands, trying to keep his calm.

”Answer me,” Zayden’s gaze sharpened, his voice suddenly colder.

He sensed Ren’s occasional anxious movements although his face was undoubtedly serious, stripped away from any emotion.

This was his chance to make him accept it. Then, he could interrogate him—learn the truth: was he a spy? If so, if not, why hide his second gender?

James, as an omega, was accepted into the mansion after he stated that his life was in danger. Although back then, Zayden was more lenient, letting anyone into his mansion despite their second gender until that incident happened.

”No, My Lord.”

A steady voice. Controlled movements. A blank face.

His gaze met Zayden’s, sharp and unyielding, as if speaking a prophecy straight from the Gods.

Once again, Ren succeeded in making Zayden doubt himself. He was certain—yet when he met such an unyielding gaze, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was mistaken.

”I will read the reports now,” Ren lowered his head, now looking at the documents as he began reading their contents.

The reports detailed the suffering of omegas who had requested bond breakings. Some had been mistreated by their mates, left to endure their heats alone as their pheromones became uncontrollable and unstable. Others had been violated against their will, beaten until they nearly died.

The more Ren read, the more certain he became—the world was not safe for omegas.

”One of them was violated by a group—”

Zayden grabbed the papers, taking them away from Ren.

The servant looked up, perplexed.

”I apologize if I read incorrectly. I am still learning—”

”No, no. You read perfectly,” Zayden said, pausing.

He remembered Hannah once telling him she was teaching Ren to read, so it would come in handy when Zayden needed it. She had said he could read these horrific reports without faltering. But he didn’t believe it until now.

Ren read as if he already knew. As if he had experienced it himself.

Then it clicked. Perhaps the reason he hid his second gender was that he had endured something similar.

Zayden’s blood ran cold at the thought. This man—who looked like an alpha, who could wield a sword flawlessly, who appeared unbreakable—could cry over an alpha.

It unsettled him.

But who would do this to him? His partner? Did he run away after enduring all the abuse?

Then he stopped his thought mid-way.

Why does it matter to him? It shouldn’t matter what a mere servant went through. And all these omegas were the same as him.

”My Lord?”

He swallowed hard, coughing softly as if to clear his throat.

”How can you... read these?” He demanded.

Dwelling upon it wouldn’t solve anything. He needed to question if he wanted answers.

”I learned how to read from the headmaid.”

”No. No,” Zayden shook his head. ”That is not what I meant. I mean... How can you read these without even frowning?”

”Is it not simply how the world works?” Ren blankly said, tilting his head.

At the very least, that was what they said.

He bit the inside of his cheek.

”Of course not,” Zayden argued. ”In Revhara, omegas have rights. They can request to leave an alpha the moment they mistreat them. Unlike any other territories, here, they can work, own properties, marry the one they love—” Zayden paused to catch his breath. ”They are free.”

Ren let out a soft laugh.

Free.

The word simply didn’t fit to describe an omega, like a piece of puzzle forced at the wrong place. They were bound by countless shackles.

Then, he looked up at Zayden.

”Is that so? Then how come all these omegas are being mistreated by alphas, My Lord? Are you living in a fantasy world, perhaps? Where omegas are treated well, and so on, and so on? Because these reports,” Ren glanced at the documents on the desk before shifting toward the General. ”States otherwise.”

Even if Ren’s voice was steady, Zayden felt the mocking tone lacing with every word.

”You have not met those I met.”

”And you have not seen what I have.”