Fallen General's Omega (BL)
Chapter 66: Pawn

Chapter 66: Pawn

I fling the cursed teacup against the floor with a sharp crack, watching in satisfaction as it shatters into jagged pieces. The sight of destruction, though small, brings me a fleeting sense of control. But it doesn’t last long. My chest is still tight, and my hands tremble with barely-contained fury. That arrogant bastard! How dare he look at me like that, as if I’m beneath him? I am the Crown Prince. No one—no one—should dare to meet my eyes with anything less than absolute submission. And yet, Thorne, with those cold, disdainful blue eyes of his, has always acted like he’s above me.

I clench my fists, the memory of his impassive gaze taunting me. How dare he dismiss me, as if I were some court jester meant to amuse him?

Five years ago... that was when it all began.

– Five Years Ago –

I had finally arranged to meet the so-called hero of the kingdom. Thorne Alden, the Crimson General. My mother had advised me to win him over. She said a man of his power would be an invaluable ally in securing my future reign. The battlefield may be his domain, but here, in the palace, I rule. At least, I should.

My carriage pulled up to the estate—Seraphina’s Heart, an old and dusty place left to rot until Thorne bought it with the fortune he made from war. Of course, he’d taken it as his own, even though it once belonged to royalty. The arrogance. The audacity.

As I stepped out, the air felt thick with the stench of blood. It clung to the walls, to the floors. Rumors were that he had returned from a bloody campaign just days before.

I was led into his office by a nervous servant. Thorne had his back to me when I entered. His broad shoulders were tense, and though he hadn’t turned around yet, I could feel his presence—cold and overpowering. It’s laughable how men like him think that brute strength and violence equate to real power.

When he finally turned to face me, he gave a slight bow. It was barely more than a tilt of his head, not nearly the respect I deserved. I could feel my blood boil at the insult, but I suppressed it. After all, I needed him then.

"Your Highness, to what do I owe the pleasure?" His voice was low, almost disinterested as he sat down. Those piercing blue eyes locked onto mine with vague curiosity, like I was an insect he’d never seen before.

I took a seat across from him, straightening my posture. "I wished to meet the legendary Crimson General in private," I said, trying to keep my tone light. He didn’t even respond with words, just a dismissive hum. His cold gaze bore into me, as if he was already tired of the conversation.

"You’re as imposing as I’ve heard," I continued, forcing a smile.

His lips twitched in something that barely resembled a smile. "Your Highness, I’m not like the nobles in the capital. I have little patience for small talk. Once again, what do you want?"

His tone was laced with disrespect, and I had to fight the urge to scowl. Who did he think he was, speaking to me like this? Still, I had come with a purpose.

"I’ve heard about your situation with the Robben house," I began, choosing my words carefully.

He shrugged, completely unfazed. "Ah, the bastard child, yes. It’s no secret."

I pressed on. "But you’re the reason the Robbens became a dukedom instead of a marquis house. Despite all your achievements, they still treat you like... like this."

He didn’t react. No anger, no frustration—just a blank, unreadable expression. "How unfortunate, isn’t it?" he said with a casualness that made my teeth grind.

I leaned forward, lowering my voice. "If you were to become one of my people, I could ensure that they pay for their insolence. I could make you the legitimate heir. You deserve more than what they’ve given you."

For the first time, there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Aren’t you a bit too greedy, Your Highness?"

I stiffened. His arrogance was unbearable. "Greed is human nature," I said smoothly. "It’s what drives us to succeed."

He chuckled softly, a sound that grated on my nerves. "Be careful not to choke on your ambition. Besides, I’m not interested in the Robbens. I’m Alden, not Robben, and I intend to keep it that way."

His flippancy was insufferable. I could feel my hands curling into fists in my lap. He was mocking me, belittling me—me, the Crown Prince! And yet he had the audacity to act like he was doing me a favor by sitting in this meeting.

"Are you sure you won’t regret this decision?" I asked, barely containing my frustration.

His smile grew, cold and condescending. "I’m quite content with my current power and wealth. I don’t need anything from you, Your Highness."

– Present Day –

I had left that meeting humiliated, enraged, and determined to put him in his place. No one rejects me—especially not someone like him. I had tried again, offering marriage alliances, titles, even wealth, but he refused it all. Thorne Alden thought he was untouchable, but he was wrong. Pawns that refuse to play their role must be discarded.

I sink back into my chair, the sound of maids cleaning the shattered pieces of the teacup barely registering in my mind. My thoughts are consumed by the memory of his arrogance, his defiance. But this time, I won’t leave matters to incompetent hands. This time, I’ll ensure that Thorne Alden is thoroughly removed from the board.

And as for his omega... that beautiful creature who dared to show disinterest in my presence—he’ll learn his place once Thorne is out of the way. I’ll teach him the respect he clearly hasn’t learned from his alpha.

A slow, wicked smile spreads across my lips. Yes, everything will fall into place soon enough. I’ll see to it personally.

*

The carriage races down the road toward the castle, the sound of the wheels cutting through the wind almost drowning out Noelle’s exasperated sigh beside me.

"He is absolutely insufferable," Noelle mutters, his voice dripping with disdain. I don’t need to ask who he’s talking about. The Crown Prince has been an annoyance from the beginning. I can’t help but chuckle, amused by how quickly Noelle’s patience for court politics has worn thin.

"Missing our little home, aren’t you, my beloved star?" I glance at him, the faintest smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. I miss it, too—the quiet, the simplicity, the lack of insufferable royal brats.

Noelle laughs softly, a sound that always manages to ease the tension coiled in my chest. "I am. We had peace there. Our only real opponent was Grape."

At the mention of that bird, I groan. "That fat, spoiled bird. He’s probably forgotten all about us now that he has that maid feeding him on command. I swear, the last time I saw him, he was even fatter." I shake my head, remembering the plump, lazy creature. For all his squawking and demands, Grape was a simple sort of problem, one I almost miss.

Noelle leans back in his seat, eyes distant as if picturing our quiet life. "As much as I miss our little home—and I truly do—I’m grateful for one thing here, Mr. General."

His tone changes, and I raise an eyebrow, curious. "And what’s that?"

He turns to me with that mischievous smile of his, the one that always manages to catch me off guard. "We can take a bath together in that enormous tub."

I blink, and then a slow grin spreads across my face as the image forms in my mind. The deep, luxurious bathtub in the castle is a far cry from the cramped, rustic one in our old home. I’ve always been a man of discipline, but the thought of sinking into that hot water with Noelle beside me suddenly seems like the most tempting thing in the world.

"Is that so?" I ask, my voice lower, amused by the teasing glint in his eyes

.

He nods, his smile widening. "It’s something I’ve been looking forward to."