Chapter 1 - You May Leave
“The Golden Tail Empire?” My eyebrows knit together in disbelief as Hikaru delivered the news of our unexpected visitors, arrived at the gates before the sun had even fully cleared the tree line.
“Yes, Akira-sama. They’re requesting an audience with you — say they’ve traveled a long way, and won’t leave without seeing you personally.”
“Don’t entertain them,” Xavier said flatly, licking a paw, sprawled comfortably across my seven-month belly — his doing, entirely, and the reason sleeping or moving freely had become a small daily war.
I hadn’t spent proper time with Rei in longer than I could track, not since he’d delivered our first child Haru and I’d found myself carrying Xavier’s soon after. “They’re the worst kind of people. Should never have been allowed anywhere near this kingdom.” He added.
“He’s right, Akira-sama,” Ryuu said, Rei helping settle Ryuu with nine-months-round belly into the seat across from us. “The Golden Tail Empire is infamous — brutal, cruel, built its whole reputation on enslaving people and trampling anyone weaker. They tame dragons and act like that gives them the right to rule the world.”
Tora sat nearby, freshly delivered of our second son, Sora, cradled against his chest, his own beast eagle perched on one shoulder, the tortoise settled on the table in front of him, while the griffin played somewhere outside with Aster.
Haru — my son with Rei, nine months old and already sharp as a blade — came barreling in, clinging to Tora, trying to wrestle the tortoise into playing along. He could only manage “papa” and “daddy” so far, but the determination in him promised more was coming fast.
Mikoto chased after him with a bowl, settling into the next chair, patiently spooning rice porridge into Haru’s mouth despite the chase.
“Don’t run around Mikoto,” Rei scolded gently. “you’re carrying too — three months now, make him chase you, let him come for food to you for once.”
“I don’t mind, Brother Rei,” Mikoto said, smiling, unbothered. “I love this.”
The house was warm, full, alive — right up until the unwelcome knock at the gates. I sighed. “Fine. Let them in. I’ll keep it brief and send them off.” Rei helped me to my feet, and we made our way toward the guest room together, Xavier settled comfortably in my arms.
Inside, I took my place behind a wide table covered fully with silk cloth from top surface to bottom legs hiding everything below my chest, our side draped in curtains enough to hide everything— arrangements Ayaka and Nozomu had put in place specifically to keep my pregnancy hidden from outside kingdoms and empires, on Xavier’s strict, insistent orders.
I still didn’t fully understand why it mattered so much to him, but I trusted him enough to follow it without pushing.
Rei sat beside me, Xavier stretched across the table itself, as our guests were shown in — a tall, imposing man and one companion, both taking the seats set out for them while kitchen staff laid out a spread of good dishes in front of them.
Hikaru stood guard just outside the curtain, making the introductions. The second man rose first. “This is our Crown Prince, Riu, of the Golden Tail Empire. I’m their Minister of War, Towa.”
Riu stood next, “It seems only right to speak without a curtain between us. We’ve traveled a long way, and I’m no minor royal from some backwater kingdom — I’m the Alpha Crown Prince of the Golden Tail Empire. I’d prefer to speak to you face to face.”
Xavier hissed, claws bared, angling himself squarely toward Riu at the sheer audacity. I glanced at Ayaka, seated behind us, and she bowed before drawing the curtain back, allowing the room to see each other fully.
The moment it lifted, Riu’s smirk deepened, chin tilting upward. “So the rumors were true. The King of the Kingdom of Harmony really is a striking Alpha — delicate, even — with a beautiful Omega at his side.” His gaze drifted, deliberate, toward Rei.
Xavier purred, low and dangerous. I slammed my palm flat against the table, forcing a pleasant smile onto my face anyway. “What exactly brings you to our kingdom, Prince Riu?”
“Of course.” He met my eyes again. “We’d like to establish formal trade relations between your kingdom and our empire. We’ve heard a great deal about your exotic crops, your medicinal herbs, your food — quite the reputation you’ve built.”
I lifted my chin. “Then I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. We already maintain trade agreements with several kingdoms, including the Solmire Empire. I don’t believe we’re in a position to take on your needs as well.”
“You could simply sever those ties,” he said, unbothered. “Far more beneficial to align yourselves with a real power like our empire than with those lesser kingdoms you’re currently propped up by.”
Heat rushed to my face, and my grip on Rei’s hand tightened without thinking. He squeezed back, steadying me.
I forced my voice level, loud enough to carry. “We’re sorry. We won’t be establishing any relationship with your empire. Our hands are already full, and we’re not seeking new alliances at this time. You may see yourselves out.”
Something dark passed over Riu’s expression before his smirk returned, colder this time. “I imagine you’ll feel differently the next time I visit.” He gave one last look, thick with quiet menace, before rising and leaving the guest hall, exiting the palace grounds entirely.
The moment he was far enough away, a scream tore out of me — sharp, sudden, and full of pain.
