Chu Yan opened his eyes again and found that the surroundings had changed. He was in a luxurious room with deep red carpets, a lavish and soft European-style bed beneath him, and an ornate crystal chandelier overhead, casting a dazzling light.
[My Lord, are you ready to accept this new world?]
Chu Yan looked around, and the memories started to come back, albeit somewhat hazy. He understood the background of this world, even though it had been a long time since he had last been in such a setting. In this world, the gender system was based on the ABO dynamics, where people weren’t classified as simply male or female but as Alpha, Beta, or Omega, resulting in six different genders in total.
In this world, gender is divided into two aspects: the first gender and the second gender. The first gender, which includes male and female, is inherent, while the second gender can typically differentiate during puberty, usually before the age of eighteen. However, there are exceptions, with some individuals differentiating earlier and others later.
Alpha and Omega individuals hold the main resources in society. Alphas have strong physical abilities and outstanding skills, followed by Betas. Omegas possess the highest fertility but are also the most vulnerable due to their unique heat cycles. As a result, the empire is compelled to provide special protection for Omegas, and many societal resources inevitably lean towards them.
The political system in this world is similar to a monarchy under a European imperial model. The monarch symbolizes unity but not governance, with the actual power center residing in the parliament. Legislative and executive powers are controlled by the majority of noble members of the parliament. Consequently, the royal authority is significantly restrained, and there is a strong hierarchical structure in this world.
However, in the Empire of Yeman, it is still a society ruled by monarchy, so laws passed by the parliament need to be signed by the king to be implemented.
The military power of the empire is held in the hands of Supreme General Osbourne, who has earned many accolades. He has repeatedly led his most powerful seven legions to repel countless invaders from other planets, defending the peace of the empire and its people. He is a hero in the hearts of the people of the empire.
The protagonist of this world is the renowned Supreme General Osbourne.
In this world, the role of Chu Yan is that of the second prince, Prince Iger, who is not highly favored within the royal family. He fully differentiated into an Alpha at the age of fifteen and displayed extraordinary talent in mech design. He has designed powerful mech weapons for combat. However, due to the ambitious Hobek family, the maternal family of Iger, who sought to change the balance of power between the parliament and the monarchy, they conspired to stage a coup. Their coup failed, and all those involved were executed or exiled to other planets, never to be released. Iger’s mother was given a cup of poison, and he, at the age of seven, lost the protection of his maternal family, the Hobek family. He became an awkward presence within the royal family, marked as the offspring of traitors.
Iger had grown up in the royal family, enduring humiliation and hardships. He presented himself as strong, patient, kind, and harmless, but beneath the surface, he was cunning, malicious, and sinister. The script that Chu Yan had received portrayed him as an antagonist, someone who used his extraordinary appearance and combat experience to make the protagonist, Osbourne, fall in love with him, who had no prior romantic experiences. After their marriage, he revealed his true despicable nature, using his influence in parliament and the real power of the military to seek personal gain.
As for the male protagonist, Osbourne, he was undoubtedly handed the role of the hero from birth. As a Beta of noble birth with exceptional abilities, he joined the military at the age of eighteen and, under his father’s guidance, participated in numerous battles. In just eleven years, he became the youngest military commander in the empire.
With his status and power within the empire, Osbourne could have married any of the most noble and beautiful Omegas. However, he chose to fall in love with the least-favored second prince, Iger. Against all odds, he married Iger and provided him with unconditional assistance and support in both the military and parliament. Yet, after their marriage, Iger was cold and distant towards him, a stark contrast to his attitude before their wedding.
In one instance, when Iger was caught meeting with other Omegas privately, they had a heated argument. Shockingly, Iger shamelessly mentioned that Beta individuals couldn’t conceive and that finding another Omega was a necessity for him.
At this point, under normal circumstances, anyone would want to tear Iger, this scoundrel, to pieces and send him as far away as possible. But Osbourne was a hopeless romantic, and he believed Iger’s deceit.
He genuinely thought that Iger’s infidelity with others was due to the pressure of producing offspring, and his true love still belonged to Osbourne. He even went to the Imperial Institute of Technological Research and injected the latest Omega conversion drug. Several months later, he successfully became pregnant.
However, Iger, the ultimate scoundrel, did not change his ways. Even after Osbourne became pregnant, he continued to be unfaithful, and their meetings resulted in arguments. Yet, even in the face of Iger’s cruelty, Osbourne refused to give up. In the end, during a political conspiracy to assassinate Osbourne, he selflessly protected Iger and, as a result, was gravely wounded and died. In his final moments, he saw Iger’s indifferent gaze, and he finally understood that Iger had never loved him. Their supposed beautiful past was nothing but a calculated approach and manipulation by Iger.
He didn’t see any value in Iger now, so he didn’t even bother disguising himself for this person.
The protagonist had died, so wasn’t it all over? But it wasn’t over because this was a rebirth story…
All that had happened so far was just laying the groundwork for the story’s beginning. The real action was yet to come. After his rebirth, the protagonist, Osbourne, had completely repented. He had cast aside his foolish romantic notions, picked up the mantle of exposing the scoundrel for what he was, and wholeheartedly sought to make amends with the true love of his previous life. Then the two of them would ascend to the pinnacle of their lives, a storyline that readers always enjoyed because it was so satisfying. Of course, if Chu Yan weren’t the cannon fodder who got exposed, he would have enjoyed it immensely too.
[How do you feel, Host?]
Chu Yan shifted his gaze to the Omega sleeping beside him. The person lay on his side, and the bedsheet revealed a small, exquisite collarbone in the shadows. His delicate face had a faint blush, and there was a sweet, alluring scent of pheromones in the air.
[I feel the overwhelming malice of this world.]
Right now, the person lying beside him is his lover in this world, Lord Lowell, the younger brother of Duke Leicester.
[Couldn’t it have been a little earlier? I can accept the rebirth, but couldn’t I have been reborn to a point before all of this happened? Can’t I have a chance to start over?]
This world was particularly different. Iger not only deceived Osbourne but also manipulated Lowell’s feelings, continuing to be ambiguous with him even after their marriage.
Lowell, as the Empire’s most beautiful Omega and the only brother of Duke Leicester, had been a star since he was young. He held an exceptionally privileged status, with numerous suitors pursuing him. Originally, his pride wouldn’t have allowed him to make such a humble plea. However, Chu Yan had a deep understanding of the essence of “toying with the prey before the kill.” Despite countless arguments, Lowell couldn’t bring himself to truly break up with Iger, who continued to maintain an ambiguous relationship with both of them throughout their two-year marriage.
And just moments ago, Lowell, who was in his heat, was temporarily marked by Iger…
Chu Yan didn’t want to say anything anymore. In his previous world, he had been alone. And now he had leveled up to deal with two people at the same time?
As he moved, Lowell, lying next to him, woke up and saw Iger. His neck gland was still slightly warm, and the potent, enticing scent of his pheromones made it almost impossible for him to restrain his self-control. And he had been so incredibly proactive just now. Looking back, it all felt unbelievable.
“Iger, big brother…”
Iger stood up and straightened his slightly disheveled shirt from earlier. He then looked down at Lowell. Under the bright lights, his gaze appeared gentle yet cold and emotionless as he said, “You should stay inside for a while, Lowell. You need an Alpha now, but you know that person is definitely not me.”
Lowell stared at Iger’s attractive lips, completely stunned. His face, which had been blushing, turned completely pale after hearing what he said. After a moment, he spoke in a low voice, “Iger, what are you saying? Why?”
Iger remained silent, just looking at him, and didn’t speak for quite some time.
Lowell’s lips trembled, and he lowered his head, saying softly, “Iger, I don’t understand.”
Lowell waited for a long time, but Iger didn’t come to comfort him. His heart gradually sank, and he began to feel anxious. He knew it was wrong, and he should have realized it when Iger got married, but he couldn’t bring himself to let go.
Growing up with Iger was an integral part of his life. He loved Iger and had never considered that they would ever part ways. He couldn’t accept the fact that Iger was now married to someone else and that he would eventually leave and spend his life with another person.
The more he thought about it, the sadder he became. A sour taste welled up, and Lowell couldn’t hold back his tears. They fell onto the velvet blanket, creating wet spots.
Finally, he raised his head, looking at Iger with a pitiful and helpless voice. “Iger, I like you so much. I like you more than he does. You said you liked Lowell too. Can’t you choose me? I’m willing to give up everything for you. Can he do the same?”
He hesitated for a moment, his voice growing quieter and more choked with emotion as he continued, “It’s different, Lowell. I did have feelings for you, but it was just brotherly affection. Do you understand?”
Lowell, a young aristocrat with golden hair and sapphire-blue eyes, gazed at him with a helpless and pitiable look. He looked stunned.
After a moment of contemplation, Iger reached out and gently touched a strand of Lowell’s raised hair before pulling his hand away. He sighed and said, “I’m sorry… Forget about me, Lowell.”
But before Iger could withdraw his hand, Lowell, as if driven to madness, grabbed his wrist and ruthlessly sank his teeth into Iger’s hand, biting down with brutal force. It was as if he wanted to tear his flesh apart.
Due to the intensity of his bite, Lowell quickly tasted the faint taste of blood in his mouth. Even though he was venting his frustration, the throbbing pain in his heart only intensified, and tears streamed down uncontrollably.
Unable to bear it any longer, Lowell released his grip on Iger’s hand and looked at the nearly bone-deep wound, tears streaming down his face as he repeated in a murmur, “Iger, I’m sorry…”
Iger stood still for a moment and didn’t say another word. He then turned and left the hotel room with long strides.
*
Upon leaving the hotel room, the waiter in the hotel lobby noticed the wound on Iger’s hand and exclaimed, “Your Highness, what happened? Would you like me to attend to that for you?”
Iger stopped and looked at the wound on his hand before saying, “It’s not necessary.”
His private hovercar was waiting at the entrance. Y City, as the political and economic center of the Empire, had a comprehensive aerial rail network to accommodate the large population and improve transportation and the city environment. Countless silver-metal buildings filled the city, making it vibrant and full of life.
Chu Yan had a medical kit in the car, so he tended to his wound. Afterward, he remembered that there was a banquet to attend soon, where he would likely meet Osbourne. He decided to unwrap the bandage and simply covered the wound.
[Didn’t you have an ambiguous relationship with Lowell for many years? Is it really okay to say you just have brotherly affection?]
[I haven’t done anything yet, and I’m still pure and innocent…]
[Host, I have to remind you that the scent of Lowell’s pheromones is quite strong on you.]
[So why couldn’t I have started over a little earlier?]
[…]
As far as he knew, Osbourne should have already injected the Omega transformation serum, and his reputation as a scoundrel was deeply rooted. It didn’t matter whether he had actually done it or not.
The banquet was held at the Duke Leicester’s castle. As the Empire’s Minister of Finance, the Duke held significant economic power in the Empire. In addition to overseeing the production of critical military technology, such as mechs and advanced weaponry, the Duke owned two highly prosperous planets, Aquablaze and Tuya. These planets were rich in minerals and new energy sources, capable of supplying the Empire’s armed forces for a year.
Furthermore, much of the Empire’s trade with other planets was under the Duke’s control. This made the Duke’s status in the Empire highly visible.
In front of the castle, a massive fountain sparkled with the glow of yellowish bronze lampposts lining the well-groomed grass on both sides. As night descended, the entire castle was wrapped in a dreamy and romantic ambiance.
The car passed through the intricately wrought iron gates, surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges. The sound of elegant violin music filled the air as Iger parked the car in the garage and stepped out with a gift in hand.
Today was the Duke Leicester’s birthday, and many nobles from the royal family had received invitations, making the event quite lively.
“Your Highness Iger.” A footman in a tailcoat stood at the entrance, placing his left hand over his chest as he nodded slightly and greeted Iger.
Iger returned the nod, handed over his gift, and then walked into the grand banquet hall.
The hall was filled with joy and laughter as elegantly dressed ladies and socialites gathered, wearing tightly laced, voluminous gowns reserved for formal occasions. The banquet was filled with opulence and extravagance.
In addition to the nobles attending the celebration, several mainstream Imperial media outlets were present, and the event would be live-streamed on several media platforms for the entire galaxy to watch.
But these journalists were different from the entertainment media, which usually focused on celebrity gossip; they knew what to film and what not to.
Iger scanned the room and finally found Osbourne near the glass window. Today, Osbourne swapped his gray military uniform for a tailored suit, showcasing his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Even in this setting, he effortlessly drew attention. His black hair shone with a subtle sheen under the crystal chandeliers, and his sharp features, honed by years of battle, gave him an extra layer of icy coldness.
It seemed he noticed Iger’s gaze, and Osbourne turned his head, his eyes piercing through the bright lights and noisy crowd of the banquet hall, to fixate on Iger.
However, the look in his eyes was different from before. Instead of softening when he met Iger’s face, his pupils constricted slightly, revealing a cold and chilling gaze.
Support me on ko-fi ʚ(´꒳`)ɞ
