Fallen General's Omega (BL)
Chapter 64: Banquet 2

Chapter 64: Banquet 2

As the banquet proceeded, the nobles began to filter out from their groups, forming a steady line toward the royal family. One by one, they approached the king, queen, and their children, bowing low as they offered extravagant gifts and long-winded blessings. The procession was slow and tedious, each noble seemingly trying to outdo the other in their displays of wealth and reverence.

His gaze swept the room, searching for the one person who had been on his mind all evening. It didn’t take long to find him. Thorne stood near the far wall, his broad frame unmistakable even amidst the crowd. He was leaning slightly on his cane, looking extremely unapproachable.

Without hesitation, Noelle made his way across the hall, weaving through clusters of nobles who were too absorbed in their conversations to notice his departure. He approached Thorne quietly, slipping into his line of sight just as the general’s gaze flickered toward the procession of nobles once more.

"Enjoying the show?" Noelle asked lightly, a hint of teasing in his tone as he came to stand beside him.

Thorne turned to look at him, his scowl still present but softened by Noelle’s presence. "Hardly," he grumbled, his eyes trailing over Noelle’s figure in the elegant attire he wore for the evening. "You’re the only thing worth watching, my beloved star."

Noelle smirked at the compliment, stepping closer to Thorne. "Careful, General. People might start thinking you’re actually fond of me."

Thorne’s lips twitched, but he didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, his hand tightened around the cane, his eyes darting toward a nobleman who had been casting lingering glances in Noelle’s direction for most of the night. His jaw clenched visibly. "Let them think what they want," he muttered darkly, his voice low. "If one more of them looks at you like that, I might just lose my patience."

Noelle chuckled softly, his fingertips gliding lightly against Thorne’s arm in a way that felt both casual and intimate, though charged with a deeper meaning. "You’re far too possessive, you know that?" he teased, though there was an unmistakable warmth in his voice. His words carried no bite, only a fondness that hinted he didn’t mind the possessiveness in the slightest.

Thorne let out a rough exhale, his gaze softening the moment his eyes locked onto Noelle’s. "Can you blame me?" he muttered, voice low as if the mere sight of Noelle left him breathless. "Look at you."

Noelle’s laughter filled the space between them, bright and amused. His lips quirked into a playful smile. "Oh dear, whatever shall I do?" he said with mock despair, placing a hand dramatically to his chest. "My husband is such a possessive man."

In response, Thorne wasted no time. He pulled Noelle close by the waist, his grip firm yet gentle. The subtle intimacy of the gesture drew the attention of several onlookers across the banquet hall, their whispered observations unnoticed by the couple. Thorne leaned in, his breath brushing against Noelle’s ear, voice husky with a teasing edge.

"Like you don’t enjoy it," he whispered, earning a soft, delighted giggle from Noelle.

"Don’t even think about sleep tonight," Thorne murmured against Noelle’s ear, his words carrying a promise that sent a shiver down his partner’s spine.

"Sleep isn’t even that important," Noelle replied with a coy smile, the gleam in his eyes matching Thorne’s intensity.

Thorne let out a satisfied hum before glancing toward the royal dais. "Come on, let’s get this over with," he said, his tone gruff as his focus shifted. "The sooner we’re done here, the sooner we get home."

With that, Thorne guided Noelle through the grand hall toward the royal family, his hand never leaving the small of Noelle’s back, a silent declaration of possession and pride. As they approached, the atmosphere shifted.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Thorne said, both he and Noelle bowing respectfully before the aging king.

"Thorne?" The king’s voice was weak, rasping with age and fatigue, though there was a flicker of recognition in his tired eyes.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Thorne answered solemnly, standing tall as always.

The king coughed into his hand, his frail frame trembling slightly. "It’s been years," he managed, his voice strained but sharp.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. I had... unavoidable circumstances," Thorne explained, his tone clipped, but respectful.

The king’s gaze shifted to Noelle, lingering on him with a slow, discerning look. "Unavoidable circumstances, indeed," he muttered, an odd glint in his eye. "I had almost convinced myself you would never marry, Thorne... especially after turning down the match with my son."

Noelle felt a jolt of surprise but quickly masked it with a neutral expression. Who knew the old king still had such bite?

Before Thorne could respond, the Crown Prince interjected, his voice smooth yet laced with something far less kind. "Father, let’s not dwell on that, it’s a day for celebration. Besides," he said with a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes, "have you seen his omega? With beauty like that, even the stone-hearted general had no choice but to crack."

The Crown Prince’s words cut through the air like a knife, the intended compliment landing with a double edge. Noelle could feel the malice hidden behind the smile, the insinuation clear as day. He held his composure, though it took everything in him not to let his expression falter.

"If these were his standards," the Crown Prince continued, his voice dripping with faux admiration, "it’s no wonder our dear Rolland stood no chance." His smile widened, his gaze flicking toward Noelle with a bright smile.

Beside him, Noelle could feel the shift in Thorne’s energy, a palpable tension coiling beneath the surface. The words may have been dressed as flattery, but the intention was as sharp as any blade.

Noelle felt the weight of countless gazes, the air thick with tension as Thorne’s fury simmered beneath the surface. He tightened his grip on Thorne’s arm, silently urging him to stay calm. The Crown Prince’s words were laced with double-edged mockery, and Noelle could see how easily Thorne might be provoked into action. His own hatred for the Crown Prince had deepened, knowing this was the man responsible for poisoning his beloved.

"Anyway, today is such a joyous day, right, Father?" the Crown Prince interjected, cutting through the moment with feigned cheer. Noelle’s blood boiled, his calm exterior barely holding back his loathing.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.