2. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Kalwin

"You have to start taking on more responsibility, Kalwin. That is the end of it."

"Yes, Father," I said, picking up my teacup and taking a sip. Much to my family's dismay, I genuinely preferred coffee out of a large cup rather than this dainty little thing. The way the China clattered against the plate each time I set it down put me on edge. I was too clumsy for the delicate tableware, despite being trained to use it practically from birth.

Plus, I got way too attached to sugar-infused lattes with way too many flavors. Those made tea seem bland. If I suggested having coffee with my father rather than tea, he was likely to put me on trial for treason.

"Where have you been running off to so much lately, anyway?" my omega father, the king consort, Neale Steinhauer Genthner, looked at me with concern in his eyes. Gray hair was peppered in with the auburn, though all of it was combed perfectly. Not a hair or thread was out of place. Was the concern for me or concern for the country? Sometimes I couldn't tell.

My parents loved me and my brothers very much, but they were the king and king consort of Swena. Their responsibilities to the kingdom were very high on their list and often clashed with their concern for their five sons. Like the time they had tried to force my brother to marry, or the fact that they had set up an arranged marriage for their firstborn son when he was just fifteen years old. Of course, those things ended up working out just fine. Cort was happily married to the man he had been betrothed to for his whole life, and Augustus was head over heels in love with his little American, Wendell. Both of them had children now.

Then there was my twin, Iain, who had been somewhat forced to get married to his bodyguard after being found in a compromising position. Of course, that had worked out too. I had meddled in that one.

"No, I'm fine, Father," I said. "I promise."

"Your other brothers have all settled down. I should like for you to do the same."

The teenager in me wanted to let out a groan that would shake the walls and roll my eyes, but the adult prince that I was wasn't allowed those sorts of actions. "Erich and I are still single. It isn't unheard of for an alpha my age to be unmarried."

"What I mean to say is, I'm not asking you to settle down. I have meddled enough in my sons' lives and almost made a mess of things. I'm not looking to repeat past mistakes. But it would be great if you could take on some more responsibility within the kingdom. That way, the responsibility is spread more evenly throughout all of you."

"You want me to take on more so my brothers with their families can have more time? And if it also means I get out there and meet people, well, that's just an added bonus?"

"Exactly." My father beamed at me.

"I'm not making any promises, but I will try." I absolutely would take on more responsibility so my brothers could be with their families. I would not attend balls and charity events while being foisted on every single omega of noble birth. That I would not stand for.

"Thank you."

"I can speak with Gus about what things I can take over for him and Iain as well." I would not approach Cort to see what I could take on for him. He was king now, and those responsibilities were beyond me.

"Perfect, sweetheart. I know that they will appreciate it."

I smiled at my father. He really did mean well, and despite the blunders of the past, he and my alpha father loved us all very much. Now that they had retired, they had begun to relax. "Now, I really must be going."

"Where do you run off to these days? Seems like you are constantly off somewhere, but nothing is on your schedule."

As the last born, and a twin to the only omega in the family, I was used to not being the center of attention—in fact, I loved it. Not being noticed when I slipped away had allowed me to live quite a private life outside of the palace. It was why up until a year or so ago I had owned an apartment in the city that I could slip away to anytime I wanted, without anyone being the wiser. Of course, I'd had to give that up when my brother needed to stay there while escaping my matchmaking parents.

"Nowhere special," I said.

My father narrowed his eyes but didn't press further. He knew when to pick his battles.

I gave a quick bow to my father and a wave to the guards and headed up to my room.

I had a date with a very attractive, bold barista, and I needed time to escape from the watchful eye of the people meant to protect me from harm. Luckily, I was a pro at evading my guards.

I was familiar with the apartment complex in which the barista lived. It was the same complex I had once "lived" in whenever I needed to get away from the palace.

I had two choices for this date. I could show up as Prince Kalwin or just a regular citizen of Swena. The decision weighed on me. The moment I snuck out of my room without my guards trailing me, I knew my decision was made.

Tonight, I would be Calvin. Just a regular guy. Nothing special about me. No titles, no formality, just a regular citizen of Swena.

I lifted my hand to knock on the door when it swung open and there stood the cute barista who had boldly stumbled through asking me on a date.

"Hi," I said.

"Hi."

We stood awkwardly for a moment, so I tacked on my best grin—one meant to charm anyone around me.

"I never did catch your name," I said. I leaned one arm on the door frame and leaned in. The scent of the omega hit me like a ton of bricks. He smelled of vanilla and caramel. My mouth watered.

"Oh, um. It's Bren."

"I'm Calvin," I said. I lifted my arm for him to loop his into. "Shall we?"

He slipped his arm into mine and a zing of electricity shot through me.

"Do you have any preference on where we go for this date?" I asked.

His cheeks turned ruddy, and he averted his gaze. "Not really. I am fine wherever you want to go. Honestly, I was very surprised you said yes. I didn't think much past asking you out, and to be even more honest, I didn't even plan on doing that. My co-worker told me I should, um, date a little before I go back to the States."

"Is that right?" A plan formed in my mind. "How much longer are you here?"

"Just two weeks. I am finished with all my coursework, so it's all free time now, to sightsee or whatever."

"What haven't you seen yet?"

Bren chewed on his lower lip. I kept my eye on him while we walked out of the apartment complex and onto the sidewalk. My face was unshaven, and my clothes were perfectly acceptable, but not princely. I was confident I wouldn't be recognized. As Prince Kalwin, my hair was always perfect and my face clean- shaven. I had also rarely been seen in public not wearing a suit. Citizens wouldn't recognize me.

"I went hiking in the mountains for an afternoon, and I've been to a lot of the city attractions. Well, the ones that I could afford anyway. I really wanted to see the coast, but I haven't had enough time."

"We'll make that our second date." I winked.

He blushed.

Just how far did that blush spread?

"I have an idea… Have you been to the Dravia gardens yet?"

He shook his head.

"Well, you are in luck. This time of night is perfect. And just across the street there is a food truck lot where there are ten or more trucks, so we will have plenty of options for dinner. Then we can walk around the gardens and I'll show you some native Swena plants."

"That's sounds amazing."

It really did. It had been years since I'd been to the gardens, and I had never been there as a tourist. My great-great-grandfather had started the gardens as a way to preserve the botanical history of Swena. My twin brother and I had made sure that the tradition was kept alive. It was a pet project of ours.

With Bren, I let myself relax and enjoy, rather than trying to be royal and perfect.

By the end of the night, I knew that I was hooked. This omega might be leaving in two weeks, but I would spend as much of that time with him as I possibly could.