Has the Crown Prince Ascended the Throne Today?

1. On the day Lanxia was proclaimed Crown Prince, his sworn enemy Hezeli suddenly returned to court. He had taken enemy high ground in three days, captured a city in five, and annexed the Northern Federation in thirteen.

It was no exaggeration: deep down, Lanxia acknowledged Hezeli's abilities.

But Hezeli had been at odds with him since childhood. He was also the emperor's adopted son and one of the heirs, so there was no way he had rushed back just to congratulate Lanxia.

With his sash still hanging untidily across his chest, Lanxia watched the old emperor go out to welcome the returning hero. A sudden sense of danger struck him, as if a light had switched on in his head.

Hezeli was going to fight him for the throne?!

Lanxia casually lifted his head and looked down his nose at the protagonist, surrounded by his admirers.

Hezeli's ever-present smile, and the way his eyes narrowed, struck Lanxia as a clear act of provocation.

After all, he and Hezeli were the only ones in the whole empire who had yet to present as adults, and Hezeli was far more popular with the people.

Lanxia tugged at the corner of his mouth and swore he would become an Alpha before Hezeli, and keep his throne.

Later, he did present as an Alpha: a noble serpent eagle, the purest bloodline in the imperial family.

The only catch was that he presented while sprawled across Hezeli's enormous bed, just as he was preparing to make his move...

And that wasn't the only humiliating part. He discovered that Hezeli was actually an ordinary beta.

He was the Alpha, the empire's Crown Prince, and yet a beta had him gasping for breath.

2. Back then, Lanxia spent a full three days laid up at Hezeli's estate before returning to the palace in a fury.

Enduring his discomfort, he still thought to himself that the man clearly wanted him to die young so he could usurp the throne.

After considering every possibility, Lanxia had one last plan: he might as well marry Hezeli.

It was perfectly proper for an Alpha to marry a beta.

He absolutely would not give up the throne, but the position of Crown Princess would suit Hezeli just fine.

He had no intention of actually going through with it. He only wanted to warn Hezeli.

But the old emperor issued the decree in no time, and Hezeli knelt at Lanxia's feet and kissed his ring without the slightest hesitation.

From start to finish, it took less than a day.

Lanxia watched Hezeli, who had once been decisive and merciless on the battlefield and treated him with indifference, give him a tender smile. He was so horrified he nearly fainted.

He had walked right into a trap.

Hezeli didn't just want to inherit the throne. He wanted to inherit Lanxia, too.

Pairing: arrogant, mischievous serpent eagle Alpha bottom x devious bald eagle beta top

Reading Guide:

1. Written for my own tastes. A personal indulgence for those who like nonhuman characters and old-fashioned melodrama.

2. Amateur writing. Plot? No. A two-person drama? Yes.

3. A huge wave of melodrama is coming. Passengers, please protect yourselves!

4. One-on-one, happy ending, Alpha bottom and beta top.

5. Everything serves the story. Expect plenty of headcanon.

Theme: Love and peace