Chapter Text
Prince George stood to the right of his father's throne, watching as the big, wooden doors opened to welcome his suitor along with family and entourage. He himself was dressed in a fine, white robe, a bright teal cape that perfectly matched his icy blue eyes hanging off his shoulders, fastened with nothing less than gold buttons.
His father, King Toto, had been on the hunt for a suitable omega for years, but he had not met a single one that he deemed to be of befitting status for his son. That was, until a few weeks ago, when he had made his venture to a foreign land, returning with the announcement that he had finally found a match worthy of their name. George had been immediately intrigued, his father was after all a man of power and impeccable taste, but he had refused to give him even the slightest of hints regarding his future betrothed.
"I know you will like him, there is no need to know more at this time," is what he had said, and as much as George would have loved to pry further, he did have a reputation to uphold.
At night, George had often fantasized about the match his father had picked. He knew that he was an extraordinarily beautiful alpha, and his betrothed would surely have to be of equal beauty. Not that this was possible, but he had seen and heard of some pretty omegas that would have made for a good mate.
Once the palace doors were fully open, the usher announced the name of his future mate.
"Prince Max Verstappen of The House of the Sanguine Bull!"
The House of the Sanguine Bull? That name took George by surprise. He had expected someone from a closer country with better connections to their family, but marriages across foreign regions had always been a strategy of securing ally ship. Empress Maria Theresa had done it successfully, why not them too?
When he saw his chosen mate emerge, George had to take a moment to keep his composure. He was nothing like he had imagined. To his salvation, the court had schooled him at keeping his expression neutral at all times, and his father had reminded him countless times to warmly welcome his suitor. George forced a small smile on his lips, but his icy blue eyes stayed cold.
The omega was shorter than him, his stature broad and stocky, much closer to that of a farmer than that of someone with royal status. He had a slight beard, which, although well-groomed, George immediately detested. His blond hair was combed neatly to the side and his dark blue suit seemed to be made of cotton and silk. At least that was befitting for someone of his status, but his general appearance was closer to that of a simpleton, especially with the way he carried himself. There was no trace of elegance to be found in his step, not even as he knelt down in front of the King to officially ask for George's hand.
"Your Majesty," the omega spoke with a thick accent, his voice rough and coarse. "I would herewith like to ask you for the hand of your son, Prince George of The House of Sliver Arrows. My fealty have brought the agreed upon dowry, and I humbly wish for your blessing of this union."
At least the omega was somewhat well-spoken, but George did wonder what on earth they could have offered his father for the marriage. It certainly couldn't have been the omega's charm that did it. As he looked up the first time from where he was kneeling, Max met George's eyes for the first time, a sly grin on his lips. Something about it sent a cold shiver down George's spine, and for some unknown reason he got the impression that the omega was just putting on an act.
"You shall receive my blessing," Toto spoke, and the whole room erupted into cheers at the joyous announcement. Now that everything had been settled, Max's entourage came forth with the promised riches, handing them over to the servants of the royal palace. "The wedding will take place tomorrow," Toto further added. Everything had already been prepared, and George was secretly happy that he did not have much time to get to know the omega. He did not like him already, he would agree to the marriage as was expected of him and partake in marital duties, even if he had no desire to engage further with his chosen mate. Frankly, George wondered what his father saw in the omega; he would have to ask him about that later. For now, he had a reputation to uphold, smiling benignly at the crowd.
He would have a few hours until the banquet, where he would get to know his fiancé. While everyone was busy showing the Verstappen's along with their entourage around the castle, leading them to their chambers, conveniently close to George's own, the alpha used the opportunity to speak to his father in private.
"Father, I do not wish to be insolent, but may I ask what has led you to the decision to pick this particular omega as my mate?" he asked, trying to find out what his father had seen that he was currently missing.
"George, I expected better of you than to doubt my decisions. Your entire life you have gotten nothing than the best of the best, have you not? What makes you believe that I would choose someone that does not adhere to my standards, even surpasses them, as your mate?" Toto asked in return, evading a clear answer in that typical way of his. It was a habit that George found particularly infuriating, as he could never get a proper answer without seeming like an ungrateful, spoiled little brat. "However, I can assure you that my choice was not without reason, I am sure you will find out soon enough what I mean by that," Toto added, and George was dangerously close to pulling out the hairs on his head if they weren't so beautiful.
"Fine, I shall see for myself then," he spoke through gritted teeth, storming off to his bed chambers to change into formal attire for the dinner.
The Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, Alex, already stood prepared with the robes, black with the characteristic teal accents, as another servant helped George de-robe.
"Is everything alright, Sir?" Alex asked, sensing the sour notes of George's usually cool, glacial fresh scent.
"No, Alex, it is in fact not," George spat. At least he could be honest with the servants. They were sworn to secrecy, and although George knew that they loved to talk amongst themselves, he was sure that his hatred for his future betrothed would not stay secret for long anyway. "Have you seen the omega my father has picked for me? Frankly, I almost feel insulted by his choice, but Father will not tell me what has led him to this decision. I am starting to suspect that he may have fallen off his horse during the voyage, injuring his head and subsequently leading to a loss of taste."
Alex couldn't help but laugh at George's outburst. They had known each other for years now, and although George had been intimidating at first, especially with his reputation as the 'Ice Prince', Alex had come to learn that he really was not as cold as people liked to make it seem. It didn't help that he was unfathomably beautiful, every single inch of his body graced with fair and unblemished skin.
"He does seem…I don't quite know how to put it, Sir, but he does look surprisingly unconventional for an omega of his status," Alex carefully elaborated his thoughts. By no means did he want to risk insulting his master's betrothed, but he had grown to know George well enough that he felt comfortable enough expressing his opinion openly without fear of repercussions.
"He looks more like a farmer than a prince," George commented bluntly as he slipped into the black satin robe. "Father has hinted that there is some aspect of him I shall enjoy, but whatever it is, it has evaded me so far. It can surely not be his otherworldly good looks," he added sarcastically, ridding himself of his feelings before he had to face the abomination of an omega again at the banquet.
When he was fully dressed again, George made his way to the Great Hall where a feast had already been prepared at the table. The entire Verstappen clan-ship was already waiting for them, along with his own, the only two people missing were him and Toto. George silently took his place at the King's right side, right next to his fiancé.
"It's nice to finally meet you," the omega whispered in his ear. George instinctively wrinkled his nose, the omega smelled of fire and ash, the stench of it clouding his senses and ruining his appetite. He tried not to let that deter him from enjoying the meal, giving a polite nod in response, hoping that his father would soon appear so they could begin with the feast. If he had his mouth full, he did not have to talk, and that was George's plan for the evening.
When Toto finally entered the room after what felt like hours, gracing the table with his presence, dressed in a dark grey robe with an ermine coat around his shoulders, George couldn't wait to stuff his mouth with all the good food the kitchen had prepared. To his demise, his father went on in his usual fashion, giving an endlessly long speech on how overjoyed he was about the engagement of his son as if he had not orchestrated it himself.
After his final words, everyone lifted their crystal glasses to toast the new couple. They turned towards each other to celebrate their union, and Max looked straight into George's eyes with an intense stare. "To us." George pursed his lips, moving his glass to meet that of his soon-to-be wed.
Something about the omega was off. For one, he did not look like one at all. No soft and supple lips, no broad, child-bearing hips and frankly, no grace at all. George's appal only intensified when he saw the omega eat. It was barbaric, like he possessed no manners, and George could barely focus on his own food despite the hole in his stomach. What further deterred him was that the omega tried to make conversation with him with his mouth full, a habit which George found nothing short of disgusting.
"You should really eat more, you look like you're starving," Max commented between bites, picking up some root vegetables and turkey from his own plate, guiding his fork to George's lips. The alpha looked at the fork like it was a foreign object, unsure what to do. Usually it was the alphas who fed their omegas, not the other way around.
Tentatively, aware that all the attention was on them, George opened his mouth, taking a big bite. He chewed on the food until it was an indiscernible blend of mush, schooling his expression as he swallowed it down. The omega watched him throughout the entire ordeal, and George wanted to crawl out of his skin just so he could escape his watchful gaze.
After the last course had been brought out and eaten, everyone was free to retreat to their bedchambers. George graciously excused himself, claiming that he did not feel well and wanted to ensure he would be in good spirits for his wedding the next day.
As he laid in his bed, alone for the last time in his life, he couldn't help but wonder whether the omega's unusual habits were the result of his lack of training on how to behave at a royal court, or whether they were the result of a blatant disregard for social etiquette. He hoped it was the former, then it would only be a matter of time until he could be trained and beaten into shape. If it was the latter, however, George worried he might have to take on the disciplining by himself.
He would surely find out soon enough, after all, they were to be wed tomorrow. What a dreadful thought! George sighed as he closed his eyes, trying to enjoy the last night without the headache that would come to be known as Max Verstappen.