1.13 Tangled in Deception

Rey Zeno peered out of the car window, her expression marked by a frown. A swarm of reporters and fans eagerly awaited the arrival of the candidates and the supreme commander, standing behind barriers on the sides of the red carpet.

The vexing part was the multitude of signs predominantly displaying Dorian's name. Rey turned to her husband, a question etched on her face.

"How did he survive the drug?"

Micah replied, "I don't know. He was supposed to succumb as soon as he fell asleep. I contacted the biologist who concocted it, and he mentioned a probable delay. Regardless, he's slated to die in a few days. Meanwhile, we must maintain the charade of caring for him."

Rey spoke with intensity in her eyes, "Thanks to him, the entire galaxy despises us. Do you realize how long it took me to meticulously shape our reputation? Now they all view that bastard as a victim, thinking he should abandon us."

Micah explained, "That's precisely why we must continue the act until he passes away, or he might remove Aries from his will. Fortunately, Dorian forgave him. It's crucial to ensure Dorian doesn't distance himself from us. You know how easily influenced he is. Despite everything, he still harbors doubts about whether we genuinely care for him or not. You need to maintain composure, no matter how angry you are."

Rey sighed, resigned. "I know. I'll play the role of the perfect aunt."

Micah nodded in agreement.

Aries hurried towards Dorian as he emerged from his quarters, suitcase in tow. He greeted him with a smile.

"Hey."

"Hey."

As they strolled together, Aries inquired, "What happened to you? I didn't see you the past few days."

Dorian responded, "We were far from each other, so it isn't surprising. Besides, it's not like we saw each other during the first few days."

Aries nodded and probed, "How do you feel?"

Meeting Aries' gaze, Dorian questioned, "What do you mean?"

Aries clarified, "I know that your immune system is weaker than other people's, so I can't help but worry."

Dorian assured him, "I'm fine, just have a cough."

Hearing this, Aries' heartbeat quickened with excitement. After confirming that Dorian was still alive, she discussed the situation with her family in the group chat, and his father mentioned a delayed reaction. The fact that he's starting to become sick seemed like a positive sign.

Aries smiled, expressing his relief, "Good, I was worried."

Dorian reassured him with a smile, "I'm fine."

As Damian approached, Aries's heartbeat quickened, and he greeted Damian with a smile, "Hi, Da-Ge."

Damian, with cold eyes, stated, "Don't call me that and leave."

Feeling his eyes moisten, Aries left, choosing not to cry in front of Damian. Dorian not only succeeded in making the entire galaxy hate Aries, but he also managed to turn Damian against him. Aries couldn't wait to witness his impending demise.

Dorian watched Aries run away, smiling. Damian laced their hands and walked with him, cautioning, "Be careful."

Meeting Damian's eyes, Dorian acknowledged the strange feeling of someone being concerned about his safety. He was certain he would never get used to it.

"I will be."

Damian nodded and said, "I'll send a car tomorrow at 6:15 pm."

Confused, Dorian looked at Damian. Damian reminded him, "You said you would spend one night at the palace. I want to introduce you to my father."

When Dorian's confusion deepened, Damian asked, "You don't want to meet my father?"

In response, Dorian shook his head, saying, "No, it's just I don't understand why you would want us to meet."

Damian looked at Dorian attentively and inquired, "Have you ever been in a relationship?"

Dorian's cheeks flushed, and he murmured, "No."

Damian smiled, "It's normal for someone to want to introduce the person they like to their parents."

Dorian nodded and looked down. He had never been in a relationship even before his curse started.

Once cursed, he was forced to adhere to a specific schedule, making it impossible for him to be in a relationship.

"I see."

Damian found himself genuinely surprised. Dorian stood out as the most beautiful omega he had ever encountered.

However, Damian's childhood was mostly spent on battlefields, and after his father's passing, he grappled with depression.

As they continued to walk, Dorian turned to Damian and inquired, "Will your father be okay with me spending the night at the palace?"

Damian assured him, "He will be."

Dorian mused, "I don't even know why I asked that question. He's probably used to you bringing someone new every night."

They halted, and Damian faced him. Dorian blinked as Damian revealed, "I've never brought anyone home, let alone introduced them to my father. Not even Luna, with whom I spent two years. My father means a lot to me, which is why I want you to meet him."

Dorian met Damian's gaze, a smile playing on his lips. Damian's eyes softened, and they continued walking.

Damian inquired, "Will you be riding home with the Zenos?"

Dorian shook his head. "No, I called one of my drivers and arranged for a small ship. I need to get there before them to set things straight since they believe Micah is the leader of the house. I want them to understand that this is my house by the time the Zenos arrive home."

Damian smiled. As they reached the doors, everyone cleared a path for the supreme commander.

Luna's eyes darkened at the sight of Dorian and Damian's intertwined hands. She couldn't fathom Damian's current behavior.

Not only had he become subservient to Dorian, but he was showcasing everything Luna had hoped he would to her. Today was meant to be their engagement day, but Dorian had shattered those plans.

Upon landing, the doors opened, and the crowd eagerly anticipated the supreme commander's appearance. Damian led the way, hand in hand with Dorian.

They disregarded the barrage of questions from reporters and the crowd's ecstatic screams. Luna and Aries, witnessing people holding signs with Dorian's name, felt their eyes darken.

Soon, the cheers turned into boos, and their cheeks flushed as insults were hurled at them. Dorian glanced back, his eyes flashing with amusement.

Reaching the end of the red carpet, Dorian spotted Micah and Rey, who were smiling. He reciprocated with a warm smile.

Rey inquired, "How are you doing, Dorian?"

Dorian responded with a gentle smile, "I'm okay. What about you?"

Rey's eyes flickered with irritation at the question. The entire world despised her; how did he expect her to be fucking doing? Nonetheless, she forced a smile, replying, "I'm alright."

Micah welcomed Dorian, stating, "We're glad you're back. Let's get in the car."

Dorian expressed, "I called a driver to arrange for a ship to take me home. I'm tired and want to rest quickly."

Observing one of his drivers approach Dorian and take his suitcase, Micah smiled and said, "We'll see you at home."

Dorian nodded, when his head was turned, he playfully raised an eyebrow at Damian.

Damian threatened, "You better answer all my texts and calls."

Dorian smiled, adding, "I will." He kissed Damian's cheek and left with his driver. Damian couldn't help but grin as he watched him go.

On the other hand, Rey felt a surge of frustration. She couldn't believe the way Damian acted, especially after being with Luna for two years.

When Damian glanced at her, she forced a smile, but he responded with a cold look before leaving.

Luna and Aries hurriedly got into the car, seeking refuge from the boos and insults outside. Rey and Micah entered, and the car began to move.

Luna, seething with rage, exclaimed, "The entire world thinks I'm a witch, and I shouldn't be general anymore when I've worked incredibly hard to get to where I am."

Aries rolled his eyes and remarked, "Dorian is already feeling the side effects of the drug."

All eyes turned toward him. Micah inquired, "Is he sick?"

Aries nodded, stating, "He has a cough for now."

Micah's eyes brightened. "The biologist said that it would be a good sign if he did. It means in a few days, he'll die."

Smiles spread across their faces. Rey placed a comforting hand on Aries and said, "I'm sorry you didn't take first place. I knew how much you wanted to be trained by Damian."

Luna immediately directed her gaze at Aries, who, sensing the look, responded, "If I want to become the best, I need to be trained by the best. But Dorian took that from me. I can't wait to see his dead body."

Micah and Rey felt a pang of sympathy for their son. Rey added, "Once you see your new suite, you'll feel better."

Excitement bubbled within Aries. "How is it?"

Micah grinned, "It's great, they did an incredible job. You're going to love it."

Aries beamed. When the driver parked at the side of the road, Micah lowered the partition and inquired, "Why are you stopping?"

The driver explained, "The car is malfunctioning. It stopped on its own. I'll call another driver to pick you up."

Micah felt annoyed. Detecting the driver's frown, he questioned, "What?"

The driver replied, "I don't have a connection. Could you call with your cellphone?"

Micah, with disdain, remarked, "You're useless."

He pulled out his cell phone, only to find he had no connection. Asking his wife and children to check, they confirmed they had no connection either.

Aries suggested, "We just need to change spots, and we'll be able to make a phone call."

Micah directed the driver, "Unlock the doors."

The driver pressed the button, and Micah attempted to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. Impatiently, he inquired, "Did you unlock it?"

The driver assured, "I did."

Trying again, Micah and Aries both struggled with doors that refused to open.

The driver explained, "I think the car is malfunctioning. It's still on, but it's not responding. We just need to wait a moment, and it should work again."

Rey couldn't contain her frustration, yelling, "Do you think we don't have anything better to do than stay here?"

Micah responded, "We don't have a choice. I'm sure the problem will fix itself quickly. You know that when there's an issue, the car sends a signal to the road assistant."

Rey remained irritated. Dorian, in contrast, smiled and closed CS before exiting the ship. He glanced at the butler, who took his suitcase, and commanded, "Tell the entire staff to come to the living room right now."

The butler nodded and left to gather the staff. Dorian took a seat on the couch, leaning back with determination. He was ready to assert his authority and show them who was the real master of this house.