The Emperor's Omega Is An Extra-Chapter 264: Initial History (6)

Perhaps the first time that Arren got a crush on the emperor was mainly due to his appearance and his dominant stature, but as he got to know him deeper, it went beyond just liking his appearance.

The emperor might be serious most of the time, but Arren could feel that he cared to some extent. If not, how could Arren continue to visit the palace and meet him?

Arren also wasn’t hoping for too much. He knew that delusions and fantasies couldn’t magically come true just because he wanted them, no matter how he pushed them.

Still, a part of him, perhaps his impulsive side, rushed in and decided to confess his feelings.

The party, which became even more formal and lively with the appearance of the emperor, started. Arren also greeted the emperor, but he couldn’t be casual about it, and he was also conscious of all the prying eyes in the venue.

He still knew as much. Arren couldn’t be overly friendly with the emperor, and their somehow good relationship was better kept under wraps.

It started with some necessary ceremonies and messages from his father and a few others he knew. The party went smoothly, and he also danced with the noble youths who invited him.

The emperor’s presence also assured him that he was happier and enjoyed his night more than in previous years. Arren also dealt with the few of them who made their advances obvious.

His bland reply, though, made it clear he wasn’t interested. However, of course, their advances wouldn’t necessarily stop anytime soon. Arren already prepared himself for it; his status made it even harder for him to enjoy a normal life.

Still, he was also thankful that the emperor’s appearance made those who came for the sake of increasing their connections milder. So, Aren didn’t become annoyed with talking with noble youths with the same intention.

As the party ended and the attendees gradually departed, the emperor remained in the banquet hall. The royal guards were securely spread out behind him.

Arren, with the Duke, greeted the emperor again.

"Your Majesty, thank you for coming to my son’s birthday and formal ceremony," the Duke said in genuine gratitude and bowed before the seated emperor.

The emperor gave a small smile and motioned, "It’s fine. I’ve already promised; if I’m not busy, I’ll come." His eyes then landed on Arren.

Arren sheepishly smiled and met his eyes. Now that they were the only ones left, he didn’t want to act like he didn’t know the emperor. Although it was still moderate as his father was still around, even though his father knew, Arren was still conscious of his reactions for some reason. He had the hunch that his father knew about his feelings.

"I’ll go now, Duke."

"Then I’ll see you off, Your Majesty."

However, Arren held his father’s arm and intervened. Smiling, he asked, "Dad, can I do it instead?" pausing, he looked at the emperor. "Your Majesty, can I see you off in my father’s stead?"

His eyes carried his expectations. Arren was already a formal noble who had just undergone his coming-of-age ceremony, but in a sense, he still didn’t have the qualifications to do so. However, with enough permission, what things couldn’t he do?

The Duke cleared his throat, looked at the emperor with an uneasy gaze, and held his son’s hand.

"Uh, if His Majesty is fine with it."

Arren stared and waited for the Emperor’s answer.

A few seconds later, he answered. "It’s fine, if you really want to."

This answer was almost customary when it came to dealing with Arren’s request in the past year. Arren had already heard the same notion many times, but this night, his heart swelled by a bigger margin than he already had.

Perhaps the night and the joy the party held still lingered around him, and Arren felt more intoxicated. Although he wasn’t drunk, technically, Arren wasn’t an adult yet, but for some reason, it seemed to have the same effect on him. Not like Arren experienced being drunk before.

Arren, with the emperor, then walked silently to the gate of the mansion. Their pace was extremely slow. Arren deliberately did it; otherwise, they would have reached the gate in no time. Fortunately, the emperor seemed to not mind and followed his pace.

The royal guards were also at such a distance from them that it was technically only the two of them. Arren had been fiddling with the hem of his suit, trying to think of a conversation starter, but his mind seemed to focus more on the fact that the emperor was next to him than anything else.

The drunken sensation seemed to get over his head, and his heart was skipping a beat more than necessary. His hands touched his already hot nape, and he thought of something as he stopped.

Seeing him, the emperor also came to a halt and turned towards him.

"What is it?"

Arren lifted his head and looked at the emperor before averting his eyes and bowing. He suddenly felt his courage dwindling down upon seeing him up close.

"Your Majesty... You seemed to have forgotten something." Arren managed to utter some words despite his mind becoming a mess because of how much his feelings were being overwhelmed for the first time.

He had never experienced this. Sure, there were times that he got giddy or became happy whenever he was with the emperor, but it became apparent that night.

Hah, I like him. I really do.

The emperor raised one brow and asked with curiosity, "What did I forget?"

Arren returned his gaze to the emperor and let out a huff of laughter, concealing his haywire emotions.

"Your Majesty, where is my greeting? And... my gift?"

After hearing him, the emperor’s expression slightly changed, and a realization seemed to dawn on him.

Arren shrugged and grinned. To be honest, he didn’t care about it too much since he only raised it because he didn’t have anything to say at the moment.

Still, as the baritone voice sounded, his eyes still opened widely, briefly startled.

"Happy Birthday, Arren," the emperor greeted and continued. "About your gift... I’ll have it delivered tomorrow."

Arren stared deeply at the emperor; the echoes of his heart became louder as they somehow overtook the emperor’s voice. He didn’t know if the emperor could hear the beating of his heart or not.

He swallowed in difficulty; the flickering of his eyes somehow gave the clear meaning of his thoughts, which he never concealed.

He didn’t care too much about the greeting or the gift. At this moment, he only cared about one thing.

With his eyes glittering as he stared directly into the emperor’s eyes, all the reasons seemed to be consumed by his emotions as he uttered his first confession.

"Your Majesty... I like you." The straightforward confession seemed to linger for a few seconds around them.

The emperor, for some reason, seemed not to be surprised. He only opened his mouth and indifferently answered.

"I know."

Hearing this, Arren laughed. "Am I too obvious?"

The emperor didn’t answer this time.

Arren licked his lips, averted his gaze, and looked ahead, hiding his face; otherwise, the emperor might see the reddenedness of his eyes.

"Then... Am I rejected?" He wanted to laugh in mockery since it was to be expected. In the first place, he didn’t hope for anything.

Looking at him, the emperor sighed and patted his shoulder.

"Go back first; you should rest."

With a resentful tone, Arren spoke. "At least give me an answer."

"I’m sorry. I don’t see you that way." The emperor’s words were especially sincere.

Arren, expecting it, still choked and swallowed. He took a deep breath and looked up. He didn’t want his tears to fall.

"Arren, you’re still young. You’ll have plenty of time to meet a lot of people." While these seemed to be comforting words, Arren only felt painful hearing them.

"Then, if I’m not young?" Arren couldn’t help but push it.

The emperor seemed to know what he meant by that.

"You’re a good kid, Arren," he answered, something Arren hated for some reason.

He bowed and bit his lips.

"Your Majesty, can I still visit you?" freewebnøvel.coɱ

The realization that his confession might be the reason the emperor would avoid him dawned on him.

However, as always, the answer was the same.

"If you want."

Arren nodded. Even if he wasn’t especially relieved, at least it wasn’t truly hopeless.

It wasn’t.