?

　　The atmosphere in the council room was suffocating to say the least as the alphas entered the room one by one in complete silence. They took their seats, not even looking or greeting me as per usual whereas I just sat at the head of the table, waiting patiently for them to settle. The scene was rather familiar, reminding me of the day I had announced to them that I was going to marry all three of them. Isaiah sat on my right while Augustus and Cassian sat to my left.

　　After they had settled down, I decided to start by telling them why I had gathered them in such short notice but naturally, things hardly went my way.

　　“No guards to keep you company today?” Cassian asked, noting how it was just the four of us in the room and since this was such a last moment gathering, there were no guards outside the room as well.

　　“I was expecting to see that annoying guard of yours since he follows you around like a dog he is.” Isaiah blatantly said while leaning back onto his chair nonchalantly.

　　Cassian let out an exasperated sigh and for some reason I thought he was going to disagree with Isaiah’s rude attitude but of course, that was not the case. “Now, now, Isaiah. Even a dog has a name, right, princess?” he asked innocently, looking at me with anticipation.

　　I had to take a moment to calm my nerves before I snapped at them for insulting Rodrick so openly and casually right in front of me. Maybe they would not be so brazen to insult my people if I had armed soldiers by my side. I leaned back onto the chair and crossed my leg over my thigh.

　　“My guard’s name is Rodrick. It would be best if you would remember that.” I said, voice calm and collected.??

　　“It would seem that we have offended you.” Cassian stated the obvious.

　　I smiled. “I would rather get to the topic at hand but if the both of you want to talk about Rodrick so much then who am I to stop your…passion.” I said sweetly, enjoying how Cassian and Isaiah’s expressions dropped when they understood what I was insinuating.

　　“Why did you gather us here today?” Augustus broke his silence which I was thankful for since I did not want to deal with Isaiah or Cassian trying to defend that fragile masculinity.

　　“Yes, well, since the wedding date is getting closer, I thought that I should set some boundaries between the four of us. Naturally, we are expected to be husband and wife to the public eye so people would not start questioning our relationship.”

　　“So in other words, you want to play house?” Cassian questioned, his fingers tapping on the smooth surface of the table.

　　“Why? Will that be too difficult for you to accomplish?” I sarcastically asked. Cassian just smiled and remained silent. I could tell that he was using every ounce of willpower to not talk back to me. No one else seemed to have any issues with my statement so I decided to quickly announce the final bits of information. “And lastly, I shall bear each of you an heir. That is all, thank you for your time.” I quickly said as I stood up from my chair, wanting to leave immediately.??

　　“Woah, woah, hold up.” Cassian called out. “What do you mean an heir?”

　　“Do you have difficulties understanding the common tongue?” Augustus chimed in with an eyebrow raised at Cassian.

　　Cassian rolled his eyes at the Ghost Prince and turned back to me. “I was under the impression that we were just going to play pretend. And yet here you are saying that you are willing to bear our children for us?”

　　“It would be a hassle to deal with if we are married and without children, I do not want to deal with the problems that might arise from that. Controversies to sway the public’s opinion will only be added fuel for those wanting to claim the throne for themselves.”

　　“Hm, you have a point but—”

　　“And what about marking you?” Isaiah interjected.

　　I fully turned my body towards him and frowned. “I have mentioned it before but I do not see the need to be marked.”

　　“It could technically avoid the situation that you and the Duke of Ashborne found yourself in last week, do you not think so? Marking you would prevent your heat from affecting other alphas after all.” Augustus said, not hiding the fact that he looked absolutely bored to be here.

　　“The downfall to that is that I cannot be marked by all three of you.”

　　“You don’t have to, just pick one of them and do it.” Cassian brushed it off. “Me and whoever isn’t your alpha will just stick around for duty sake.”

　　“What do you mean pick one of them? Why are you ruling yourself out here?” Isaiah questioned.

　　“I’m not really the type to stick to one person so marking an omega is not on my agenda.”

　　“Well what makes you think I want to be bound to her for a lifetime?” Isaiah frowned.

　　“If you don’t want to then that leaves Prince Augustus.”

　　“Sounds like a hassle,” he said monotonously.

　　“Exactly.” Cassian happily agreed.

　　I sighed, hand reached to pinch the bridge of my nose. “I’m starting to think that the three of you are rather inept. What part of ‘I will not be marked’ do you not understand?”

　　“Watch your mouth, princess.” Isaiah growled.

　　I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes at him. “Listen to me and listen carefully, I’m not going to force any of you to do things you don’t want too. If the idea of bedding me is too atrocious then we can avoid that and figure something out when it comes to children. I am here to say that I am not opposed to nightly activities since that is what married couples do but in no circumstances will I be marked by any of you.”

　　Cassian laughed. “So in other words, you are marrying the three of us to be your sex partners?”

　　“See it as you will.”

　　“Omegas truly are frightening.” He mocked. “But I have a question.”

　　“What is it?”

　　“Even though this relationship of ours is just for show, does that mean I’m not allowed to be with other partners?” Isaiah turned to Cassian and scoffed. “What? She gets three alphas to satisfy her nightly needs and we have to share one? I don’t see how that is fair.”

　　“Mind your words unless you want your tongue to be sliced off.” I snapped.

　　Cassian chuckled as he got off his chair. “Oh? But I’m only stating facts here. We have needs too, you know.”

　　“Speak for yourself.” Both Augustus and Isaiah said in unison. Cassian rolled his eyes at them before turning his attention back to me.

　　I thought about his words for a moment and it was starting to make sense. Even though I would rather eat burning charcoal than bed any of them, I was aware that it was what was expected of me as their wife who is also an omega but I am only one person and our relationship was strictly business and not pleasure. Could I really be there for them when their ruts appear? Would they be there for me during my heat cycles?

　　The closer this marriage of convenience plan gets, the more confusing the details and boundaries are getting as well. It would be easy if there were no eyes watching our every move, much easier if I did not need to fill the conventional role of an omega. The four of us clearly do not want anything to do with each other aside from security, resources and power but how would we continue if expectations were placed on us by the people around us.

　　“Stay loyal to me until my coronation.” I spoke all of a sudden.

　　“Pardon?”

　　“Stay loyal to me until my coronation. After that, the three of you are free to do as you please. You want to get a lover or two? That’s fine by me as long as I am secured on that throne. As I mentioned before, I would like to avoid any scandals and controversies that would taint my image even before I am crowned empress to this kingdom.” I told them. They were silent for a moment, exchanging glances with each other as though they could communicate with eye contact alone. “Well?”

　　“Fine by me.” Cassian shrugged. Isaiah muttered an agreement and Augustus nodded.

　　“Good.” I said as I started to turn to the door. I then paused and looked back at them, almost forgetting the most important piece of information. “Oh and before I forget, our wedding will be held five days from today.”

　　“What?” Cassian and Isaiah gawked simultaneously, even Augustus had some sort of emotion showing from his expression. I merely smiled at them and walked out of the room.