My name is Haru Tanaka, and I’m just a seventeen-year-old boy trying to pick the sweetest fruits from our small orchard before my father gets home. With the sun warming my back and the scent of ripe peaches in the air, it’s a rare moment of peace. But then, I spot him.

There’s my father, his face twisted with that familiar scowl, speaking to a man in royal clothes. The fabric glistens, rich and imposing, contrasting sharply with the dirt of our farm. My heart sinks. The man’s posture is proud, but something about the way he glances at my father sends a chill down my spine.

I crouch behind the peach trees, listening intently. My father’s voice, rough and threatening, cuts through the calm. “I’m telling you, he’s worth it. Once you see him, you won’t regret it.”

I can feel my stomach drop. I know what this means. The minute my father discovered I was an omega, my life shifted from mundane to terrifying. I remember my mother—sweet, gentle—who used to say I was like the fruits we picked, destined to blossom. She’s gone now, taken by my father’s rage, leaving me to fend for myself and my younger sister, Mei.

“Please, just consider it,” my father continues. “Once he’s gone, I’ll have enough to feed us for months. You’ll have the perfect servant, and I’ll finally be rid of this burden.”

The words hit me like a slap. I hold my breath, frozen in place, hoping they won’t see me. I know my father thinks I’m just a pretty face, but he has no idea how much I’ve endured. I’ve spent years dodging his fists and his vicious words, desperately trying to protect Mei from the worst of it.

The man in royal clothes raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “An omega? Are you sure he’s trained? They can be quite… temperamental.”

“Not mine,” my father laughs, a cruel sound. “I can break him easily enough. I’m sure he’ll be obedient.”

A laugh? How can he laugh about this? I feel anger rise within me, hot and wild. But there’s also fear—if I confront him, I could end up worse off than before. I can’t let him see me, can’t let him know I’m eavesdropping.

Suddenly, a branch snaps under my weight. The two men turn, and my heart races as I scramble to hide. I can hear my father’s voice, booming now, filled with rage. “Haru! Get over here!”

I stumble out from my hiding spot, forcing a shaky smile. “I was just—”

“Shut up! You’ll be quiet when I sell you off!” His hand raises, and I flinch, ready for the impact. But the royal man intervenes, his eyes narrowed.

“Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere,” he says smoothly, a smirk tugging at his lips as he sizes me up.

I’m paralyzed with fear, caught in a web of uncertainty and desperation. Selling me off like a piece of fruit? What choice do I have? As my father grabs my arm, dragging me towards the man in royal clothes, I can’t shake the feeling that this is just the beginning of something far darker than I ever imagined.

My heart pounds in my chest as my father drags me toward the towering figure of the man in royal clothes. The air feels thick with tension, and a knot of dread tightens in my stomach. I can’t comprehend what’s about to happen, but the sinking feeling tells me it’s bad.

The man produces a stack of papers, crisp and official-looking, from a leather briefcase that gleams under the sunlight. “Here are the papers,” he says, his voice smooth and cold. “I trust everything is in order?”

My father grins, a cruel twist of his lips. “Absolutely. He’ll be perfect for your needs. And once this transaction is complete, I’ll finally be free of this burden.” He nudges me forward with a forceful shove, making me stumble.

“Wait,” I stammer, panic rising within me. “You can’t just sell me like this!”

The man raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “And what do you think you can do about it, boy?” His tone drips with condescension. “You’re nothing but an asset now.”

My father’s hand tightens around my shoulder, and I wince. “Enough! You’re mine to sell. Just sign the damn papers, and I’ll be rid of you.” He thrusts the documents toward the royal man, eager to finalize the deal.

My mind races, replaying the words my mother once whispered to me during those rare moments of kindness. “You have a strength within you, Haru. Never let anyone take that away.” But how can I fight back against the very person who’s supposed to protect me?

The man scans the papers, his expression calculating. “You’ve done well. I’ll ensure he’s trained properly. Consider this an investment.”

My father’s eyes glint with greed. “And the payment?”

“Once the transfer is complete, you’ll receive your gold,” the man replies, folding the documents neatly and tucking them back into the briefcase. “Now, let’s get this done.”

With a flourish, he produces a quill and signs his name, followed by my father, whose signature is shaky but hurried, as if he can’t wait to rid himself of me.

In that moment, everything shifts. I feel a sense of finality wash over me, a crushing weight that I can’t escape. I’m being sold like livestock, reduced to a mere commodity. My dreams of escaping this life slip away like sand through my fingers.

The man closes the briefcase, a satisfied smile on his face. “Welcome to your new life, Haru Tanaka.” He steps forward, inspecting me with a predatory gaze. “I trust you’ll behave.”

I stand frozen, my thoughts spiraling into darkness. My father’s grip loosens, and I catch a glimpse of Mei in my mind—her innocent face, blissfully unaware of the chaos that’s about to unfold. “No…” I whisper, panic clawing at my throat.

“Enough!” My father yells, shoving me towards the man. “Get moving! You’re his now.”

As I stumble forward, the world around me blurs. I’m about to lose everything. I could feel the tears in my eyes as I left home

Tears flow freely down my cheeks as I climb into the carriage, the weight of my fate pressing heavily on my chest. I force a laugh, a hollow sound that echoes in the confined space. How much did he pay for me? Five hundred silver? That’s what I’m worth? A paltry sum for a life? I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand, trying to regain some semblance of composure, but it’s futile.

The carriage jolts as it starts to move, and I lean against the plush seat, surrounded by the rich fabric that feels so foreign to me. The reality of my situation crashes over me like a wave. I’m being carted off like some prized possession, sold to the highest bidder. My father’s face flashes in my mind, a mask of satisfaction as he counts the coins, oblivious to the life he’s ripped from me.

The man in royal clothes sits across from me, a smirk playing on his lips. “You’re lucky, you know. Prince Riku has a taste for quality. You might find your life here much more… comfortable.” His eyes gleam with a mix of arrogance and amusement, as if my suffering is merely entertainment.

Comfortable? The word tastes bitter on my tongue. I try to push the thought of my sister out of my mind, but it lingers like a shadow. What will happen to Mei without me? Who will protect her from our father’s wrath?

As we approach the palace, the grand structure looms ahead, its spires piercing the sky. The carriage comes to a halt, and the royal man gestures for me to step out. I hesitate, my heart racing. This isn’t just a new place; it’s a new life—a life where I’m nothing but an omega, meant to serve.

I step out into the courtyard, and my breath catches. The opulence of the palace is overwhelming. Golden statues, lush gardens, and fountains glimmering in the sunlight surround me. But my eyes are drawn to the imposing figure standing at the top of the grand staircase.

Prince Riku.

He’s handsome, that much is undeniable. Dark hair, sharp features, and a confident posture that commands attention. But as I meet his gaze, a shiver runs down my spine. There’s something unsettling in his eyes—an intensity that hints at darkness, a promise of control.

“Welcome, Haru Tanaka,” he says, his voice smooth and velvety, yet laced with an edge that sends chills through me. “I hope you find your accommodations to your liking.”

I swallow hard, my throat dry. “Accommodations?” I echo, feeling the weight of his gaze. It’s both captivating and terrifying.

“Of course.” He steps down the stairs, closing the distance between us, and I can’t help but feel small under his scrutiny. “I have plans for you.”

My heart races as I struggle to meet his eyes, trying to hide my fear. What does he mean by “plans”? My mind whirls with possibilities, each one darker than the last.

“Don’t worry,” he adds, a hint of amusement in his tone. “You’ll find that life here is… enlightening.”

I take a shaky breath, bracing myself for whatever comes next. The life I once knew is slipping away, and I can only hope that beneath the surface of this princely facade lies something less sinister. But deep down, I fear I’m stepping into a world where my innocence will be tested, and my spirit will be pushed to its breaking point.