The meeting with the Emperor went unexpectedly well. He neither scolded Soren nor showed a hint of disappointment when the young man announced his wish to marry Prince Rihaan of Danshin. If anything, he looked as though he had been expecting it all along.
Zaphyr smiled, rising from his seat before pulling the omega into a firm embrace.
"I am glad to know you chose yourself for once," he said quietly. "I kept telling you to value yourself more, but… I suppose some things simply take time."
It was a private conversation—no ministers present to whisper rumours, no voices raised in opposition to Soren's decision.
When the omega voiced his remaining worries, the Emperor only frowned and waved them aside, telling him his sole concern now should be the wedding. This time, there would be no engagement. It would be a direct marriage.
