Dron stepped back from the large gate. His eyes getting wider and wider as the figure walked in his direction flanked by several large alpha guards. None of which looked very happy to see Dron and Tempest.

When he got the invitation the other day he was sure it was one of the lower level royals who reached out to him. Turns out he was wrong.

Prince Jaqen rushed in their direction. Well, more like walked slowly with a purpose. He was the crowned prince there was no reason for him to rush. His entire palace could be on fire and he still wouldn’t have to run anywhere.

"Bow." Dron whispered to Tempest.

"What?" She replied clearly not understanding what was going on.

"You have to bow. That’s the prince."

She scoffed. "I didn’t bow the last time I met him."

Dron’s eyes whipped in her direction. She’d met the prince before. That was new information to him.

"It’s only proper." Dron hissed at her.

This wasn’t the time for her to show how much of an attitude she could have. In fact, Dron was feeling a little foolish that he didn’t have this conversation with her before. The royals expected a little extra in the form of manners. Something that Tempest wouldn’t know unless she was told.

He hoped that whatever was about to happen it wouldn’t damage her reputation or his own too badly.

Finally the door to the gate swung open and Prince Jaqen stood in front of them.

"Oh how happy I am to see you two. I was beginning to wonder if my invitation was being ignored." He eyed Dron with a passive look on his face.

"No, your highness. I would never ignore an invitation." Dron finally raised from his deep bow but continued to keep his space from the royal and his eyes cast down. He didn’t want to do anything that was considered disrespectful.

"Funny how, you’re the one who invited us but your guard here seems to stop at nothing to make me and Dron feel unwelcome." Tempest snapped from the side of him.

Dron groaned but didn’t do anything to stop her. If she was going to act out, he was going to have to be on his very best behavior.

Prince Jaqen gasped, his mouth opened for a second before he closed his mouth and shrugged his shoulders once hard.

Instantly, the guard who was standing at the gate was gathered up by the other guards and dragged off.

"Wait!" Tempest stepped forward. It was only then that Dron put his arm out to stop her. "What are you going to do with him. I was only complaining. I didn’t mean for anything bad to happen to him."

"Don’t you worry, he knew the risks associated with disrespecting anyone in this class. Once he figured out that you two were invited here he should have acted accordingly. Disrespecting a guest of the crown is the same as disrespecting the crown himself. The guard will be dealt with."

"But—" Tempest started but Dron grabbed hold of her arm and squeeze a little. It wasn’t enough to hurt but just enough to bring her back to reality.

"If that’s your wish, we respect it." Dron shrugged his shoulders softly.

Prince Jaqen blinked at both Dron and Tempest before he turned on his heel and walked back toward his carriage.

Tempest looked at Dron, Dron looked back at her. Neither of them had any idea what to do. This was the first time being in this class for both of them.

"You are to follow the prince. Do not make him wait." The guard closest to them stepped to the side. Dron and Tempest nearly took off into a run so they could catch up to the Prince before he made it all the way back to his carriage.

"You have a very nice community here." Tempest said as they all loaded into the carriage.

"I’m happy you are impressed." Prince Jaqen pulled open the drapes to all the windows in the carriage so Tempest was free to look out.

"It is very impressive. Especially the contrast between this class and the other classes I’ve seen so far. Seems the other classes could use some assistance and your class has more than enough to do that."

Jaqen huffed as he continued to stare at Tempest.

"I was told you were a different type of Omega. Turns out my advisors were correct." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Dron could feel the tension in the large carriage. He didn’t want things to go bad but he feared they were already too far gone. Still he had to try.

"I apologize your highness. Tempest isn’t used to being around royalty. They don’t have the same customs where she is from." Dron rushed to speak.

Prince Jaqen waved his hand as if to erase the words from the air. "Don’t you worry Dron. I’m well aware. In fact I find it a bit refreshing to have someone go against me for once. All my life, the people around me have been trained just to tell me I’m perfect, to find someone who is willing to tell me I’m wrong. It’s different. Different but still a little unpleasant." Prince Jaqen tilted his head at Tempest but she simply huffed and looked away.

Dron groaned softly and tried his hardest to will her to be on her best behavior. Except he knew this was her best behavior. This was as good as it was going to get.

They stayed silent for a while. Tempest’s attention was focused on what she was seeing outside and Dron simply kept his eyes glued anywhere that wasn’t directly on the prince.

"How many people live here?" Tempest asked. There was a slight twinge of wonder in her voice.

"Seventy two." Prince Jaqen answered quickly.

Dron felt Tempest stiffen and her body move as if she were staring at Prince Jaqen, "Seventy Two? Like in total? Or is that just the Royal family?"

"In total. Twenty one of the royal family and the rest are the royal guards. There is a permanent army station right outside the gates but they aren’t allowed inside unless there is a need."

"As it should be." Dron offered up simply because he knew that Tempest was about to lose her mind. She was a very opinionated woman. Usually Dron appreciated that but now it felt as if they were going through a verbal minefield. He was just waiting for her to say something that would get both of them thrown into the black cells.

Tempest huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. She leaned hard against the back of the chair and didn’t say anything else.

Thankfully.

A few moments later, the carriage came to a stop and Prince Jaqen clapped his hands once. The door to the carriage was opened and a small step was placed in the doorway.

Prince Jaqen waved his hand as indication that Dron and Tempest should exit first.

Dron stepped out and then offered his hand to Tempest to help her out. She took it without hesitation.

Prince Jaqen exited the carriage last with a strange confused look on his face.

"What?" Tempest questioned.

"You touch him so freely."

"She doesn’t know any better." Dron offered up.

"I do so know better. I know better than to let other people’s ignorance and prejudice dictate how I see him. Dron is the best man I’ve come in contact with here in this land. Present company included."

Dron nearly passed out. Not just for how she championed him but for the mere fact that she said that he was better than the prince. If he wasn’t so damn nervous about the fact that what she’d just said he was better than Prince Jaqen. If he wasn’t sure that it would be considered in poor taste, Dron would lift Tempest up off the ground and kissed her silly.

His heart was full and it wasn’t the first time she’d made him feel like this.

"Interesting. I guess that means I have a lot to learn." Prince Jaqen didn’t address what she said past that.

The grounds around the palace were absolutely magnificent. Dron had heard of the beauty of the royal class but it was all third hand. He’d never seen any of this himself.

There was a large life nectar fountain in the middle of the largest manicured expanse of land. There were several omegas just lounging by the large fountain. When they saw Dron, most of them simply sneered and looked away.

Dron didn’t care. When he looked over at Tempest she smiled at him. That was all the attention that he could need.

It took him a second to realize that Prince Jaqen was talking. Going over what the royal class had to offer. Dron had completely clocked out as he took in everything that was going on around him. He did his best to focused on the crowned prince and what he was saying.

After a long while, the prince stopped in front of a large metal and marble combined door. It led to what looked like a large closed in colosseum.

"Dron, This is the best training facility in all the land. Only the best and strongest Alpha’s train here."

"I’ve heard stories about it. Some very good soldiers have come through here."

That in itself was a lie. He never met any of the soldiers who came through this colosseum. All of the soldiers that were trained there stayed on as a member of the royal guard. There was no way that the royal family would ever allow anyone that they considered to be one of the best to go anywhere that wasn’t in benefit of the crown.

"True, I’ve also heard that you are a great soldier. Though I’ve never seen you in action. It’s a shame." Prince Jaqen tilted his head and looked over Dron.

There was something more going on in his mind. Dron could practically see the cogs turning in the prince’s brain.

"Maybe you should give me a demonstration? There are daily matches and I’m sure the leaders would be more than open to letting you join in on the fun.

"Join in on the fun?" Tempest snapped out.

"So you agree. We would love for Dron to put on a show for us. Dron you are willing are you not?"

So this is what he was called here for. To fight and die? Dron shook his head and felt all the respect drain out of his body.

There was no way that he could say no and go against the crowned prince, but Dron wasn’t dumb enough to think that if he’d said yes he’d make it out of this in one piece.

This was going to be his end and there would be no one around to care for Tempest.

No one but the man who orchestrated this entire ruse.

Prince Jaqen.