Chapter 4

Asher spent a lot of time shopping, the SUV was filled to the brim with bags full of suppressor accessories, new clothes that he felt fit his new style. Several pairs of different types of wyvern leather boots, his favorite item bought happened to be a black wyvern leather belt with mithril studs, new earrings to stretch the holes out to at least 10 gauge, a few different navel rings, several different new collars. As he was headed to his last stop the music store, a magic store caught his eye.

Asher made the decision to enter the store, vaguely wondering how this store would compare with the ones in his past life. The store was dimly lit with the gentle glow of flickering candle bulbs. Definitely giving an ambiance to the atmosphere the Asher had found himself in. With book shelves lined with spell books and magical theory, Asher browsed the entire selection.

There was a soft melody playing in the back round, the sound of a woman singing a sad song. As Asher moved through the store he found that the singing was getting louder the closer he got to what may be the source. The song seemed to become less depressing as he got closer to the area where stones and gems were. His eye was drawn to a glass case. As if hypnotized by a spell he moved to the glass case, inside was a soft pink pearl the size of a quarter. The pearl was embedded in some time of rock that Asher had never seen before. He was startled when a voice came from behind him.

"It's beautiful isn't it." The old woman, whom he assumed was the shop keeper.

"It's so much more than beautiful" Asher whispered with awe. "It is completely mesmerizing. Where did it come from?"

"There is a story that goes along with it. Would you like to hear?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye. Asher could only nod, not taking his eyes off of the object.

"The story goes that before kingdoms had risen and fallen, there were only two Empires. The Empire of Land and the Empire of Sea. The two lived in harmony, never bothering the other, as all resources they had were shared equally." The old woman slowly moved so she was standing next to Asher.

"However, war broke out on the Empire of Land. The different races fought for their own piece of land. It was there that a young man decided to discover new lands across the sea. He was a strong and fierce Alpha warrior. Hoping to claim more land for his father the current King. So he set sail, but there was a storm that wrecked the ship." Images were easily weaved inside Asher's mind as he heard the old woman's tale.

"The Princess of the Sea was a beautiful Omega that had hundreds fighting for his hand in marriage. On the night of the shipwreck he took one look at the Alpha Prince and fell desperately in love. In fact you could say that the two were fated mates." Asher scoffed.

"Fated mates? Isn't that a complete fairy tale? Science tells us there is very close pheromone compatibility but no true fated mates." He interrupted the story and in return received a glare from the old woman. "Sorry, please continue." he murmured.

"The Princess rescued the Prince, pulling him up onto an abandoned island. When the Prince woke up, he saw the Princess and he too fell deeply in love. However, their story was not to have a happy ending." The woman said sadly.

"As the two spent more time together on the island, surviving with one another, talking about everything in their hearts, there came the time that the Princess' heat would arrive. That night the forged an unbreakable mate bond. When the Prince was finally rescued, the two agreed to meet back on the island after informing their families of their bond."

"Their families hated the idea of it?" Asher asked, but the old woman shook her head.

"No they families were thrilled with the union. Finding ones Fated is truly a feat of destiny. They reunited on the island and sailed back to the Prince's kingdom where both were celebrated day and night" The old woman had a wistful smile gracing her lips.

"However, tragedy often strikes faster than one can predict. Other Kingdom's were furious with the alliance of the Sea and this small kingdom of humans. How dare they form such an alliance." The old woman sighed, she really was an excellent story teller.

"At this point the Princess was pregnant with their first child, which happened the night of their bonding. He was kidnapped and a cultist put a spell on him that he would never be able to live on land again. His fierce Alpha fought courageously to free him from his captives, but when he tried to use magic to break the spell it backfired. The backfired mana consumed the Prince, leaving the Princess cursed, alone, and with child." Asher could feel tears brimming in his eyes at the tragedy.

"It was said that the Princess gave birth to a beautiful Omega daughter, however due the child was unable to live completely in the water. The Princess made the sacrifice for his child to live by giving him to the Prince's parents. The day the Princess parted with his daughter a single tear fell from her eyes into the sea. The tear settled at the bottom of the sea turning into a pearl and embedding itself into a bed of sea gems. It's said that the pearl was the last of the Princess' will to live. He died after the Prince's parents left with her daughter." Asher swallowed hard.

"What a sad story." He whispered, almost afraid to break the somber mood.

"Yes, it's called "Mermaid's Tear" and I have had it in my shop for a very long time."

"Why hasn't it sold?" he asked.

"You're the first person who has every found it in the shop." the old woman smiled, and Asher realized that they were in the back room of the store.

"Oh, I am so sorry. I had no idea, I was just...drawn here."

"Hmmm. I always told myself that the first customer to ever find this tear that I would give it to them. So it belongs to you know." Asher tried to protest the woman's words, there was no way he could take something so precious away from the woman.

"Nonsense. This old woman doesn't have much longer, I have no family left. I can see that you will treasure it as I have all these years." Asher just nodded at her words.

"Alright." The woman told him to go back into the main area and wait for her, while he did he started picking up various crystals, a couple of books that caught his eye, and some jewelry. He felt bad about taking the precious pearl without buying anything.

The old woman came out and saw the many items he had pick and could only smile. She had made the right choice with this young man. She rang up the items, bagged them up, and then handed him the silk enchanted bag that she kept the Tear in.

"Thank you so much and take care." He told her before he left the store. As Asher walked out of the store the old woman could only smile, finally at peace.

In this life Asher hadn't really touched musical instruments since he was 13 when Aislinn let him quit learning the piano. A part of his regrets from last life was not following his extreme passion for music.

Asher opened the door to the music store, a soft chime alerted the beautiful young elven girl at the counter to his arrival. She gave him a smile, before returning to her work.

"Let me know if you need anything" Asher just nodded in response to her words.

He perused the store, there were so many instruments in this store that Asher was floored, some of them he didn't even recognize. He headed over to the guitar section, it was made of Raven Wood one of the rare trees that only grow in the Elven Kingdom and the strings were made of mithril which was shocking.

Asher took the guitar down and picked at the strings making sure that it was in tune. He sat down on the stool nearby which is provided by the store for customers to try out the instruments. Taking a slow deep breath, Asher began to play "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas, it was one of the first songs he ever taught himself in the last life.

"Dust in the wind; all we are is dust in the wind." As the chorus starts he can't help but beginning to sing along. His voice lilting beautifully with the soft guitar melody. As Asher looks down to make sure fingers are striking the right chords, his hair falls over his face. Asher can tell that he's slightly rusty at playing. His fingers are stiff and the pads are too soft for prolonged playing. It won't take too long if Asher practices diligently to get calluses on top of calluses.

Finishing the song with the strum of the final chord and Asher's voice trail off. Eyes closed, he took a slow deep breath before opening them. The sound of applause startles Asher out of his reverie. He looks to see several of the elven store clerks along with several customers applauding him.

"I've never heard that song before. Did you write it yourself?" The young elven girl asked.

Asher was stunned, he realized that none of the music from his past life existed in this world. He just smiled at the woman, since copyright laws for it don't exist here it isn't really that big of a deal. He was reminded of the many Isekai novels read on his phone to pass the time when he was in the hospital last life.

"I guess it just came to me just now." He said with a shy smile.

"Wow, it was amazing, you are amazing." Her eyes sparkled at him with interest.

"Ah, thank you. I think I'll buy this. As well as a pack of picks, an extra set of strings, and a tool kit." The girl nodded, and started gathering up everything for him. She took the guitar from Asher, and put it in a hard guitar case. He handed over a black card, and watched the shocked face of the girl as she recognized the card.

"Your nobility?"

"Uh I guess. My sister is the Grand Duke."

"You're Asher!?" she exclaimed. Asher forgot he was already pretty famous in the city, he put my finger to his lips making a shushing sound. He then winked at her and a flush spread over her cheeks.

He waited for his card, as the receipt printed out the girl wrote something down on it. She handed card and receipt to him with a string of numbers, the words "CALL ME" written there with a smiley face. Asher flashed her a flirtatious smile as he grabbed his purchases and headed back to the car. He put those in the front seat, looking at the clock on the dash noticed he needed to head to the restaurant to meet the royals who requested the dinner.

"Fuck." Asher grumped, driving to the noble only district. He showed his ID to the gate guard, and was let in without a fuss. He drove towards the Grand Duchess Ashley Hotel and Spa. The hotel got its name from his four times great grandmother, whom he just so happen to be named after. Well honestly it was a tradition to name all children in the family starting with an A.

Asher drove up to the valet parking, waiting for the valet to open the door. After all his family owned the hotel. The Grand Duke and her family was always given super VIP treatment. Droplet, a dragon kin human, that serves as a personal assistant to my sister, approached me.

"Their royal highnesses and the Duke have already arrived." Her reptilian eyes narrowed on the outfit. He could see her displeasure flash briefly across silvery blue scaled face. Droplet thought Aislinn spoiled Astor and Asher way too much. He was sure she will be lecturing Aislinn about what is and isn't proper for an Omega of his status. Asher didn't care at this point, he just wanted to live life embracing joy. Following behind, he was led to the VIP dining room that was reserved specifically for their family.

"His Ladyship Asher Blackrose, Omega brother of Grand Duke Blackrose of the Southern Province." The man announcing his full title bowed. Even though Asher was just the Omega brother, he still got quite a bit of respect, after all if this obnoxious Crown Prince dies, the title will go to Aislinn. Our father was the current Emperor's brother. Asher entered the room after the introduction, slightly inclining his body down offering the royal couple a bow.

"Your Royal Highnesses, it is a great honor to have been invited to dinner by you this evening. I hope we can have a wonderful evening."

"Asher is that you? What did you do to yourself? Where's the uptight spoiled brat who hasn't once addressed me properly?" Julian said with a sneer.

'Ugh I always fucking greeted him properly, it wasn't until he pissed me off with his relentless bullying that I would stop with the niceties.' Asher thought to himself. Although Julian did suffer a lot by my actions as the youngest and Omega in the family. There would be times Julian would get into trouble because I would burst into tears just when he walked by. Julian's parents would scold him and comfort Asher, which would always result in Julian beating Asher up after.

"Why my dear cousin I'm quite upset!" with a face full of distress "I have always treated with the respect that is your due." Asher watched as Julian narrowed his eyes in anger. Asher did just kind of gave Julian backhanded compliment. At least it wasn't an equivalent of bless his heart.

Their eyes were locked in a battle of wills, even though Julian was an Alpha, and a dominant one at that. Now that Asher had presented the pheromones that Julian was emitting didn't have as large of an effect as they once did. Asher smirked at Julian, which only made Julian frown more and release more pheromones to attempt to subdue Asher.

The gentle clearing of a throat had me breaking eye contact to look at the stunning female elf next to Julian. She was slender and almost frail looking, her long silver blond hair looked like a halo around her. She offered Asher the softest smile.

"I don't believe we've been introduce, Lady Blackrose." Her voice was like the tinkling of silver bell. Asher momentarily wondered if she was using entrancement magic to calm the situation. Julian suddenly stopped his attention on Asher and profusely apologized to the Princess next to him.

"I'm so sorry my dear. Let me introduce you. This is Grand Duke Blackrose's little brother and my cousin Asher. Asher this is my fiancée and future mate Liliania Riversong." The Princess offered her delicate hand, Asher took her hand with a slight bow giving a soft kiss to the back of her hand.

"Such an honor to greet you Princess. I hope that we can be well acquainted in the future" Asher gave the Princess one of his most flirtatious smiles accompanied with a wink.

"Oh my!" She blushed at my words, and gracefully placed her hand on her cheek. "What an absolute cutie." She then giggled and Asher smiled. Julian huffed in frustration, but she turned towards him and placed her hand on his cheek. "But not nearly as admirable as my future mate." For the first time in life Asher saw Julian blush, 'ok either he is entranced or she is his fated' Asher thought. Except fated mates are simply fairy tale, so he highly doubted it.

"Come sit by me Asher." Aislinn called him over, having been waiting for greetings and introductions to end. She pulled Asher out of his thoughts of the Elven Princess using magic on his cousin. 'Oh well, not my circus not my monkeys' he thought as he kissed Aislinn's cheek.

"Hi sis." Asher gave his sister a bright smile, to which she returned with on of her own. A waiter pulled a chair out for him to sit in and he settled himself at the table.

"Did you get everything you needed for the Academy?" she asked

"Yes, I even got the several types of formal outfits that was on my list so don't worry."

"Mmm, I want to see them before you leave to determine their appropriateness."

"Really? Come on Aislinn I at least know how to pick out formal wear." Asher protested.

"Yeah we can all see that from what you are currently wearing Asher" Julian smirked.

"I don't judge your drab outfits, so don't bother me about my awesome ones." Asher picked back.

"Enough squabbling! Julian you said grandmother and Uncle sent you to give Asher instructions?" Aislinn said

"Let's order first, as this could take some times" Liliania said with her bell like voice.

Everyone glanced over the menu, but Liliania, she was really the only one who had never been here before. The three of them had favorites from the chef here. After a few minutes they had all placed orders, and gotten drinks.

Asher sipped his flavored seltzer water, enjoying the feel of the carbonation tickle his throat and nose. They talked lightly with one another about various situations in the Province and in the Kingdom as a whole. Honestly it was more Aislinn, Julian, and Liliania chatting about seriously boring matters of state that really didn't mean much to Asher because he will never be part of the government anyways.

Something about the upcoming flood season, working on reducing the amount of brush fires that start next summer, something about some random disease cropping up randomly, and blah blah blah. Asher was grateful when the waiters finally delivered their meals, the beautiful steak before him, with creamy potatoes and steamed vegetables made Asher's mouth water. Waiting for Julian to start as the highest rank among them, after Julian's first bite they all dug into their meals.

"Grandmother and Father have a task for you Asher." Julian said suddenly in a serious tone.

"Me? Wait. Why?"

"You will be the only member of the royal family attending the Royal Academy this year. Therefore it is your job to represent the Kingdom of Solas." He slid a large envelop across the table so that it rested in front of Asher. The seal of the Emperor emblazoned on the front, he flipped it over and right there in wax was the Emperor's sigil, making sure the information inside wasn't tampered with. Suddenly Asher was very nervous about what the conversation was going to be about.

"See I just wanted to have a carefree Academy life. Why couldn't you be my age Julian?" Asher groaned at the heavy weight on his shoulders of having to represent not just the Kingdom but also the royal family. Asher looked at Julian and he had a devious grin on his face.

"Oh and we are also granting you the title of Princess." He dropped the sentance like a bomb. He was clearly enjoying this.

"What? Princess? No! No no no no no. I refuse!" Asher felt a sharp pain at the back of his ear which sent shooting pains down the neck.

"Ouch!" He clapped a hand over the injured ear, and glared at Aislinn who flicked it.

"Stop acting like a brat. Our Kingdom hasn't had a Princess since our four times Great Grandmother, you are the *only* Omega in the royal bloodline, you had to have known once you presented you would get this title. We've talked about it!" It was rare for anyone to see Aislinn angry, and she was honestly scolding Asher in front of their cousin.

Asher was shocked by that fact than anything else, although she wasn't wrong. In the past he was aware that he would receive this title if he truly presented as Omega. Sometimes the blood tests get it wrong, it's why Asher tried so hard in the past to act like an Alpha.

"Guess it's harder to hide your true self when you're really upset. Huh, Princess?" Julian smirked.

Asher wanted to slap that smirk off of Julian's face, as he mocked him and his new title. Suddenly as it all sank in, Asher watched his carefree life of no responsibilities that would be filled only with things that brought him joy, vanish. He took a sip of water, took a deep steadying breath, and sighed.

"As the King commands, so shall I receive." Asher said trying to stay strong in the face of it all. Julian just smirked, Aislinn ruffled his hair, and Liliania seemed pleased with it all. Asher vaguely wondered why she would be pleased that he would become a Princess. The only thing he could think is that it must involve trying to sell him off as a bride to her former country to cement the alliance. 'Fuck, now I'm a fucking marriage pawn.' Asher screamed inside. He wanted to bang my head on the table several times. 'Fuck!'