Reborn as a villain:Claim the omega, Kiss the beta, Kill the dukes-Chapter 135: Embarrassed

Chapter 134

Ciel

I’m awkward.

Painfully so.

But, on the bright side, so is Nolan.

There’s something almost comforting about it—about the way we both hover just a little too stiffly in rooms that were never meant to feel lived in.

The palace is... a lot. Too big. Too quiet in the wrong places. Too full of eyes even when no one is looking.

Everything echoes here. Footsteps. Voices. Thoughts.

I sit on the edge of the sofa, hands folded in my lap, trying not to fidget. Nolan stands near the window like he’s guarding it, or maybe guarding himself. He keeps adjusting his sleeves, then stopping, then starting again like he’s forgotten what to do with his own body.

On the bright side, I’m not the only one spiraling.

We’ve barely processed anything. The reunion, the fear, the fact that we almost lost everything,and now we’re here. In the palace. About to meet the king.

Jack’s father.

Which would already be terrifying enough if Jack’s family didn’t also happen to be the monarchy of Solmere.

Oh dear.

I tug at the hem of my shirt, suddenly acutely aware of how soft the fabric feels, how informal I look compared to... well. Everything.

The room alone feels like it’s judging me,high ceilings, gold accents, polished floors that reflect light like mirrors.

I feel very, very small.

"Dada!"

Lanny’s delighted shriek cuts straight through my thoughts like a lifeline.

I turn just in time to see Jack walk in, and my chest loosens despite everything. He looks... different.Not just because he’s dressed properly,pressed trousers, tailored shirt, dark coat—but because he carries himself differently here.

At home, he’s always in joggers. Sweatpants. Barefoot half the time. This version of him feels unreal, like someone borrowed my Jack and dressed him up as a prince.

Which, I suppose, is exactly what happened.

Behind him walks the king.

He isn’t wearing the ceremonial clothes I’ve seen on television. Of course he isn’t, it’s his home after all. And yet, standing side by side, the resemblance is undeniable. It’s almost unsettling that I didn’t notice it before.

I stand up too fast and immediately regret it, wiping my damp palms against my trousers like that will somehow make me more respectable.

Nolan’s back is stiff as a board. He takes a few steps forward and nearly trips over his own feet.

It’s almost comical.

Almost.

My legs feel like they don’t belong to me as I step forward as well, heart hammering so hard I’m sure everyone can hear it.

What if he hates us? What if he disapproves? What if—

"Father," Jack says smoothly, stepping between us without meaning to, without even realizing it.

"These are my partners."

The king’s gaze locks onto us instantly.

It’s sharp. Assessing. Like we’re being weighed.

"Nolan Harlow," he says.

Nolan manages a clumsy bow.

"Ciel Rosengarde."

The king’s eyes meet mine, and every instinct in me wants to disappear.I hold his stare, even though my pulse is racing.

"This," the king says slowly, eyes still on me, "is the omega?"

Jack flinches.

It’s subtle. Barely there. But I see it. The brief tension in his shoulders before he schools his expression into something calm and neutral.

"Yes," Jack says evenly. "Ciel is my partner, my omega."

The air feels thick. Heavy.

Before the king can respond, Lanny babbles loudly from the floor, slapping his palms together with no regard for the tension in the room.

Jack exhales softly, relief flickering across his face, and crosses the space to scoop him up.

"And this," he says, voice warming instantly as he lifts our son, "is my son. Lanny."

The change is immediate.

The king’s expression softens for the first time since he walked in.His gaze drops from us to Lanny, and something gentler settles in his eyes.

Lanny blinks at him, utterly unimpressed by titles or power, then grins.

The king’s shoulders loosen, his gaze softening as Lanny squirms in Jack’s arms, tugging at his collar with curious fingers.

That earns the barest curve of the king’s mouth. He steps closer, not quite reaching out, but close enough that Lanny’s attention locks onto him.

"Strong," the king murmurs. "Healthy. That’s what matters."

I breathe for the first time in what feels like hours.

After that, the conversation turns mercifully to neutral ground. Travel. The weather. The palace renovations that never seem to end. It’s polite, measured, distant but no longer hostile.

When the king finally excuses himself, the room exhales with him.

The door closes.

Nolan and I release our breaths at the exact same time.

I drop back onto the sofa, legs suddenly boneless, heart pounding like I’ve just run miles. Nolan mirrors me, slumping beside me, dragging a hand down his face.

"I’ve never been so nervous," he mutters.

I reach for his hand instinctively, squeezing. "I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest."

Jack stands in front of us, Lanny perched on his hip, watching us both with something like fond amusement.

"You did great," he says simply.

"We hope so," I reply, rubbing my thumb over Nolan’s knuckles.

There’s a pause.

Then Nolan straightens, his jaw tightening just slightly. "You know," he says, voice careful, "why did you introduce me as your partner, Jack?"

Jack tilts his head. "What’s wrong with that?"

"Well—" Nolan gestures vaguely.

"There are... several reasons why not. You could have just introduced Ciel. I wouldn’t have minded."

My stomach twists. I stay quiet, suddenly very aware that this is not my lane, a conversation I definitely should not get involved in.

Jack frowns. "What? I would have."

Nolan’s hands curl into fists on his knees. "Jack. It’s just— I’m a beta, and—"

"Stop." Jack’s voice cuts through the room, calm but immovable.

I freeze. Jack never uses that tone unless something is absolute.

Nolan flinches, eyes dropping, then lifting again slowly.

"I’m not embarrassed," he says quickly, quietly. "I just don’t want you hurt because of me. You’re a prince now. You have... expectations. Pressure. I don’t want to be another complication."

Jack looks at me then, wordlessly handing Lanny into my arms. My son settles against me easily, warm and solid and grounding.

Then Jack kneels in front of Nolan. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Nolan," Jack says, gently but firmly, cupping his cheek. "What would hurt me is pretending you’re not mine."

Nolan swallows, eyes glassy.

"I will not hide you," Jack continues. "Not from my father. Not from this palace. Not from anyone. You are my lover. That is not a weakness."

Then, softer and teasing"Don’t worry about a thing, little doggy. Just sit here and look pretty for me."

"I’m not pretty," Nolan grumbles automatically.

"Impossible," Jack replies without hesitation. "You are very pretty."

I bite back a smile.

Jack presses a brief kiss to Nolan’s lips, then another to his forehead. Nolan melts into the touch, well isn’t he just a big softie.