CHAPTER 16.Why do I need a handicap?

>>>>>Why do I need a handicap?

A couple of minutes later, Akira followed Dominus inside the Northern main palace.

Once she stepped into the place, she couldn't stop looking around at how sophisticated it was. She used to think her father's palace was the best, but seeing this now proved her wrong. She narrowed her gaze at the walls and the maids flowing up and down the hallway, each one bowing their heads in respect for him.

Dominus moved gracefully through the palace, his presence commanding without a word. His gaze was fixed on Akira as she walked in front of him,he couldn't stop looking at her, from her head down to her legs. He was almost certain that it was his lost Akira, but his doubts stemmed from the fact that she had been brought in as a rogue two years ago. His Akira hadn't died two years ago,she had died just a week ago in Nightvale after she fell into the waters and sharks ate her remains.

But the shape of her neck, her small eyes, and pointed nose were unmistakably hers,he was so certain of that.

As she continued to walk in front of him, his eyes sized up her figure just the same way his Akira had been… not too big, not too small, just the perfect size. Looking at her, all he saw was his late Akira.

Meanwhile, Akira walked slowly, her heart racing,she couldn't shake the feeling that his gaze tracked her every move. She nervously swallowed hard, praying that he wouldn't recognize her.

Of course, he wasn't supposed to. Madam Estelle sealed the fate of him finding out about his Akira after she lied about her.

After a while, Dominus moved forward, walking ahead until he stopped at Rex's room. He pulled the knob and pushed the door open before gesturing for Akira to go in. Once the door was open, Rex, who was still on the bed, twirled his head and let out a long sigh immediately he saw his father.

"D-Daddy," he managed to sit up. "What is it this time?" His eyes darted from Dominus to Akira, who was standing next to him. She was still in awe of how the kid was talking to his father.

She blinked rapidly, expecting Dominus to shun him immediately, just as she had grown up witnessing. But he didn't. Instead, he flashed Rex a smile. "Rex, sit up. We have something to discuss."

Rex grumbled under his breath before standing up from the bed and settling into the chair next to his father. Akira stood still, trying to hide her surprise,it was clear he was a pampered child, and his first reaction towards Madam Estelle wasn't in a fit of rage or irritation….. It was typical for him.

Akira couldn't understand how cocky Rex was. She was a royal as well and back then, when she still had a family, she wasn't given any preferential treatment despite being the only female. Her father never let them look down on omegas or talk to lowborns harshly,he taught them to always be respectful and kind, unlike Rex, who was the complete opposite.

Either way, she rolled her eyes and looked away,she was only here to serve him and nothing else. His attitude had nothing to do with her.

“This is Miss Nia,she is going to be serving you from today and taking care of all your needs,” Dominus announced.

Rex's eyes darted to Akira, sweeping over her from head to toe in a very condescending manner. Then he scoffed, turning back to Dominus.

“Dad…….Miss?” He chuckled softly. “That's a slave, not a miss. Look at those clothes.”

“Rexxx” Dominus groaned in a low voice.

Rex leaned back in his chair, a smirk plastered on his face. “A slave, not a ‘miss,’ Dad. Look at those clothes,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “She looks like she was pulled out of a hole. What kind of joke is this? Why do you bring her in to serve me?”

Akira felt a flush of anger rise within her,her jaw tightening but she looked away. She had endured worse in her life than to let a little insult like that get to her.

“Rex, that’s enough,” Dominus scolded in a firm voice. “Nia is here to help you. Treat her with respect.”

Rex rolled his eyes, clearly unfazed. “Respect? For a commoner? Please. She’s not worth my time. Find someone else, I don’t want her.” He turned to Akira, his gaze condescending. “What’s your name again? Nia?....Cute. But I think ‘slave’ suits you better.”

Akira clenched her fists at her sides, fighting the urge to retort. If things weren’t what they were now, she would have smacked his face. She knew he wasn't that old,even if his body, mind, and brain matured twice as fast as his age, that was always the case for Northern pups. But she took a deep breath,she wasn't going to let this spoiled brat get under her skin.

“Why don’t you tell her what you need?” Dominus suggested, trying to diffuse the situation. “Tell her whatever you need, and she will be at your beck and call.”

Rex leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his expression shifting to one of forced curiosity. “Alright then, Nia. What can you do? Can you wield a sword..Can you swim…Can you transform into your wolf form?” He chuckled mockingly. “Come on, do you even have a wolf?”

“Heard lowborns don’t have wolves,” he averted his gaze to Dominus. “Right, Dad?”

Dominus chuckled awkwardly. “Rex, she can't do that. Wielding swords and changing forms isn’t for women like her—”

“Lady Cierra, my aunt, fights and can also transform.”

A deep, frustrated sigh escaped Dominus's lips. “Those are highborns. Slaves like her don't possess those attributes.”

“So why the hell do I need a handicap?” Rex roared. The disdain in his voice was loud.