The Dignity of the Omega

#27



#27

Chapter 4

“Goodness… I can’t help but marvel every time I see this one.”

Pol admired the horse next to Enrique. His eyes filled with wonder as he surveyed the horse’s figure. Enrique chuckled and gently stroked the horse’s neck. Seemingly enjoying the touch, the horse with an almost golden coat color nuzzled Enrique.

“Casto. Shall we go for an exciting run after so long?”

Enrique said, patting Casto affectionately. As if understanding, the horse whinnied softly.

This beautiful golden horse named Casto was Enrique’s new favorite mount. Born four years ago from Rotesha, the golden mare gifted by the Ruben prince years ago, he fortunately took after his mother completely. While Enrique hadn’t touched Rotesha, Anture’s gift, he had cherished and raised this one since he was a foal. He thought it was fine since this one was born from a stallion in Shamier, unlike Rotesha who was left behind by Anture.

After encouraging Casto with a few pats, Enrique swiftly mounted the horse. Pol looked up at Enrique with a regretful expression.

“I should be the one accompanying you… I’m worried whether the others can serve you attentively without displeasing you, Your Highness.”

Pol spoke worriedly, glancing at the servants who would be accompanying Enrique in his place. Then he hesitated.

“Perhaps I should come after all…”

Enrique tapped Pol’s shoulder lightly with his riding crop.

“Your wife could give birth any time now. How could you leave for days? Don’t worry unnecessarily and just stay by your wife’s side.”

“Hmm…”

A look of anguish appeared on Pol’s face. He seemed anxious about leaving his heavily pregnant wife, but also uneasy about not being able to accompany Enrique.

“You might be a father by the time I return.”

Enrique said playfully.

“Surely not in just those few days. But if it does happen, you must return to name the child, Your Highness.”

Pol said, as if trying to extract another promise. Enrique chuckled and nodded. Pol lightly patted Casto’s neck as if entrusting Enrique to the horse, then stepped back a few paces.

Seated on the horse, Enrique surveyed the group waiting for him. Even with just Enrique’s guard knights, soldiers, attendants, and servants, it was quite a large group. Add to that the young nobles joining the hunting trip for a few days and their attendants, and the number exceeded 200 people.

Enrique looked up at the sky. His white breath rose towards the clear blue sky. The fine weather seemed to bless this hunt.

“Your Highness, we’re ready to depart.”

Count Damiel approached on horseback and reported. Enrique nodded.

“Let’s depart.”

“Departure!”

As Enrique spoke while urging his horse forward, Damiel shouted loudly towards those who had finished their preparations.

At the front, knights bearing Shamier’s flag lined up in formation and began to move out in succession. Enrique slowly rode his horse behind them. Behind him, a line of mounted riders followed. Then came the soldiers, and finally the wagons and carts loaded with various equipment and hunting weapons formed the last column.

It was a bright winter morning.

Enrique leisurely rode his horse, gazing at Shamier’s flag fluttering in front of him.

Over the past four years or so, Enrique had grown a lot. Thanks to his formal heir training, he had now become quite adept at assisting his father in handling state affairs. As his position as heir became more secure, the people’s support for the royal family naturally strengthened. He had become quite skillful in politics, playing his part well in state council meetings.

“Enrique!”

The sound of hoofbeats grew closer from behind, and soon a familiar voice called out. It was Julian, one of his longtime friends.

“Where did you leave your husband to come all the way here?”

Enrique glanced at Julian as he approached. Julian snorted.

“Why would I stick with that husband all the time? For me, friendship always comes before love!”

Julian declared loudly. But judging by how he kept glancing back, he seemed to be concerned about his husband. In fact, Julian, who had married Viscount Jares a few years ago, was known as part of a loving couple in Shamier.

“If you’re that concerned, why don’t you go back to your husband?”

Enrique said with a chuckle. Julian immediately shook his head.

“We’re going hunting together after so long, I can’t do that. I can see my husband every day, but it’s hard to spend time with you. Ah… it was nice when we were young. Now friends are scattered after getting married, and even you, who’s in the same capital, are too busy with state affairs to have time to meet.”

A faint bitterness crossed Julian’s complaining face. It seemed Enrique wasn’t the only one who felt the absence of childhood friends they had grown up with.

“Well, Kisha will come up to the capital for your wedding next year, so we’ll be able to gather again then.”

Julian said, quickly brightening up. Enrique nodded.

“Then we’ll be able to see Kisha’s son’s face too. In his letters, he kept boasting that the boy looks just like him.”

At Enrique’s words, Julian’s lips protruded in a pout.

“That guy always said he’d have children late, but ended up having one first. He brags so much in his letters, imagine how much he’ll show off when he comes with his son in his arms… Hmph!”

Julian snorted. He seemed a bit jealous that Kisha had given birth to an Omega child right away.

“If you’re that envious, why don’t you have a child before then? It would be fun to show up with a swollen belly in front of Kisha.”

It was meant as a joke, but Julian immediately looked intrigued. He looked ready to pounce on his husband tonight. Enrique clicked his tongue softly.

“Ah… Anyway, it’s so nice to go on a hunting trip like this after so long.”

Julian said, his eyes sparkling with a sense of liberation.

“I hear rumors that you’re sweeping through every party in the capital, yet you’re talking like someone who’s been cooped up at home.”

Enrique snorted. Julian, who was particularly fond of entertainment like drinking and card games, hadn’t been able to shake off that habit even after marriage.

“That’s different from this. Even those parties are getting boring now, losing their charm.”

“If it’s not fun anymore, just tone down your partying. You’re not a kid anymore.”

Enrique nagged Julian, but he felt the same sense of liberation at the thought of riding horses and hunting for several days.

“Want to bet on who catches the biggest game after so long? The winner takes all the loser’s catch, how about it?”

Julian proposed.

“Sure. Just don’t whine to your husband later when all your game is taken away.”

Enrique immediately nodded and agreed.

“Oh! Great. I’ll take all of Your Highness’s catch. Don’t ask me to go easy on you just because it might hurt the prince’s pride.”

“Hmph.”

Enrique snorted, thinking of the new crossbow he had specially acquired for this hunt. After a brief consideration, he was absolutely certain he wouldn’t lose to Julian.

It took about half a day of travel before they arrived at the royal hunting grounds. Located a bit away from the capital, this hunting ground was perfect for hunting, consisting of a vast forest.

After dismounting, Enrique sat in a chair quickly prepared by servants and leisurely drank tea with Julian. All around them was bustling activity as people unpacked, set up tents, and moved equipment.

“There’s quite a bit of snow piled up.”

Julian said, looking at the winter forest spread out before them.

The trees that seemed to pierce the sky wore white snow caps. Unlike the palace where snow was swept away as soon as it accumulated, here the traces of snow remained untouched, creating quite a picturesque scene.

The two savored their tea and snacks while appreciating the snow-covered forest landscape. Sitting here with his friend, looking at the forest, Enrique suddenly felt sentimental.

After this winter passes and spring comes, Enrique will be getting married. Four years of marriage and divorce with Anture. Then the subsequent marriages and divorces, with childbirth during each marriage period…. The beginning of a long 8-year journey was just around the corner. He only had a few months left to live with a carefree body.

“Enrique.”

Julian suddenly called. Enrique turned his gaze to Julian. Julian glanced around once, then leaned in and asked in a whisper.

“Don’t you regret it?”

“Regret? What?”

Enrique guessed what Julian was asking about but pretended not to know.

“You’re getting married next year. After that, you’ll be repeating divorce and marriage for a while.”

“…”

“So… don’t you regret the sacrifice you have to make?”


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