Fallen General's Omega (BL)
Chapter 63: Banquet

Chapter 63: Banquet

I’m supposed to be paying attention to the droning voices of the sycophants around me, but honestly, their words are nothing but a dull hum in the back of my mind. We’re all standing here like pawns, waiting for the royal family to make their grand entrance. But me? I’m distracted. And it’s not by any of the pomp or the gilded decorations of this blasted banquet hall.

No. My attention is solely on the figure across the room, the one whose back is currently covered in delicate lace that clings to him in all the right ways.

I thought Noelle looked breathtaking when I first saw him tonight. His outfit—light pastel colors that make him look like something out of a dream—made my chest tighten the moment he walked out in it. That pale green silk shirt paired with the light grey high-waisted trousers? It shows off every elegant line of his slender figure. I was mesmerized when I saw him from the front, but now that he’s turned around? Saints help me.

I don’t know whether I should hunt down the seamstress to give her a hefty bonus for making him look this devastatingly beautiful, or fire her for putting him on display like this. The problem is, it’s not just me who’s noticed. I’ve caught several wandering gazes lingering far too long on him, and each one stirs a possessive fury inside me.

If one more person looks at him like that, I swear someone’s going to lose a hand tonight. My fingers tighten around the cane in my left hand, fighting the urge to cause a scene. It takes everything in me to keep my composure.

As if sensing my growing frustration, Noelle turns. His eyes catch the light just right, and the star pinned to his collar reflects a shimmering green that matches the brilliant color of his eyes. He spots me across the room and smiles—soft, sweet, and effortless—and I feel that smile hit me like a blow to the chest. Straight into my heart.

*

For reasons Noelle couldn’t quite grasp, Oliver had taken it upon himself to introduce him to the various nobles scattered throughout the banquet hall. It wasn’t entirely clear what Oliver’s angle was, but at least it was better than standing around alone, watching the evening drag on. Oddly enough, Oliver’s introductions weren’t laced with false pleasantries or insincere sweetness, which made Noelle all the more suspicious. Still, he played along, exchanging polite greetings with people whose names he would likely forget the moment they parted ways.

As Noelle listened to yet another introduction, he felt the unmistakable sensation of being watched. It was a feeling he knew all too well, a heavy, lingering gaze that burned against his skin. Slowly, Noelle turned his head, already knowing who he would find. Sure enough, across the room, Thorne stood like a shadow, his expression darkened into a familiar scowl. His eyes were cold, unreadable to most, but Noelle could see through the thin veil. He could always see what lay beneath the hard exterior.

A mischievous smile crept onto Noelle’s lips, and he sent Thorne a playful look, the kind that always managed to get under his skin. For a brief second, he saw Thorne’s scowl falter, his stern mask cracking before he quickly forced it back into place. Noelle’s grin widened in satisfaction, amused by how easily Thorne’s composure could slip when faced with his teasing.

"Wow," came a voice from beside him, snapping Noelle out of his silent exchange with Thorne. It was a noblewoman, her expression a mixture of awe and curiosity. Like him, she was an omega, but her name had already escaped Noelle’s memory. Omegas were supposed to be rare, yet here he was, surrounded by them, their admiring eyes all focused on him. He found the attention both amusing and slightly bothersome.

"What is it?" Noelle asked, his voice laced with feigned politeness as he turned to face the group.

"The general seems utterly smitten with you," the omega lady remarked, her tone carrying the weight of someone trying to pry into a scandal. Noelle’s lips curved into a more genuine smile this time.

"I can see why," another omega added, this time a young man with freckles who gave Noelle an admiring glance. He was cute in an innocent sort of way, but Noelle couldn’t help but chuckle internally at how obvious their interest was.

Noelle tilted his head slightly, his voice soft yet teasing as he replied, "I’m not sure whether to be flattered or offended. Surely, you’re not implying that Thorne only fancies me because of my looks?" His tone was lighthearted, but there was a sharpness to his words that made the freckled omega falter.

The poor boy began stammering out a response, his face flushing with embarrassment, but Noelle waved it off with a gentle laugh. "Oh dear, it was just a joke," he said, putting him out of his misery before the situation became too uncomfortable. The group shared a collective laugh, the tension dissolving as quickly as it had formed.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of trumpets announcing the arrival of the royal family. The once-buzzing room fell silent, and all the guests bowed low as the royals made their grand entrance. Noelle straightened, his attention shifting to the grand procession that began to unfold.

First came the king, an elderly figure who moved with slow, deliberate steps, his age showing in every gesture. He was guided to his seat by a younger woman, perhaps in her forties, whose presence commanded immediate attention. Noelle recognized her as the queen, her blonde hair meticulously styled into an elaborate updo that glistened under the banquet hall’s soft lighting. Her face, though beautiful, was stiff, as though carved from stone, her gown heavy with layers of fine fabric and jewels that shimmered with every step.

Trailing behind them were the royal children. The eldest, whom Noelle assumed was the crown prince, carried himself with an air of confidence and entitlement that only someone of his rank could possess. He had his mother’s golden hair and piercing eyes, striking features that marked him as the heir apparent. Following him were the twins, a boy and a girl, their identical features softened by their youth but unmistakably regal as they took their places beside their parents.

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