The palace exploded with rumors by morning.
Aarav knew this because three different servants tripped over themselves trying not to stare at his wrist.
He glanced down at the faint sigil that shimmered just beneath his skin. "Is it glowing more than usual, or am I imagining things?"
Kaelith, walking beside him, didn't bother hiding his amusement. "It reacts to attention. The more people sense the Claim, the more it becomes visible."
"That's incredibly inconvenient," Aarav muttered. "I didn't consent to becoming a mood ring."
They entered the council chamber to find the full court already assembled. Every noble head turned toward Aarav in near-perfect unison.
The effect was unsettling.
One Beta noble coughed. "Your Highness… is it true?"
Kaelith took his place at the head of the chamber. "The Claim has been made."
The room erupted.
"An Alpha from another world—"
"Without council approval?"
"An Enigma choosing without a treaty—"
Aarav leaned toward Kaelith. "Your people are loud."
"They are emotionally constipated," Kaelith replied quietly.
A tall Omega noblewoman stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Your Highness, with respect—this choice destabilizes bloodline planning."
Aarav raised an eyebrow. "I have that effect on rigid systems."
Gasps.
Kaelith didn't stop him.
The Omega noblewoman studied Aarav more carefully. "You speak boldly for a foreign Alpha."
"I speak plainly," Aarav replied. "Your system treats partners like chess pieces. That might be stable. It's not humane."
Silence followed.
Kaelith's voice was calm but carried authority. "The Claim does not nullify future alliances. It affirms my personal choice. The two are not mutually exclusive."
That did not calm the room.
Commander Thorne cleared his throat. "With respect, Your Highness, the soldiers are already calling him 'Storm-Consort.'"
Aarav blinked. "I don't like that."
Kaelith's lips twitched. "They mean it as respect."
"I still don't like it."
Later, as they escaped the council's thinly veiled panic, Aarav exhaled hard. "That went well. I think one of them mentally tried to stab me."
Kaelith chuckled. "You survived worse."
They passed through the palace gardens. Several Omegas bowed to Aarav with shy smiles. A group of young Alphas whispered excitedly.
Aarav leaned closer to Kaelith. "Your kingdom is treating me like a celebrity disaster."
"You disrupted centuries of tradition," Kaelith said. "They will adapt. Or complain loudly while adapting."
A messenger ran up, breathless. "Your Highness! The temple seers request an audience. They say the Claim has altered the threads of future sight."
Aarav groaned. "Of course it did. I cross worlds and break prophecy optics."
Kaelith waved the messenger away for later.
They stopped near a koi-like mana pond, shimmering with soft light.
Kaelith studied Aarav's reflection in the water. "Do you regret it? The Claim?"
Aarav met his gaze in the reflection. "No. I regret that your world makes personal choice feel like rebellion."
Kaelith was quiet for a moment. "You are teaching this kingdom a new language. One it resists."
Aarav smirked. "Every system resists change until it meets reality."
Kaelith turned toward him, voice softer. "I am glad reality summoned you."
Aarav's chest warmed. "Don't get sentimental. I might start believing you like me."
Kaelith smiled, unguarded. "I do like you."
Aarav blinked. "You weren't supposed to say that out loud."
They stood there, surrounded by whispering gardens and scandalized nobles in the distance.
The kingdom buzzed with unease.
But between them, the chaos felt… manageable.
And for the first time, Aarav realized that being chosen by an Enigma wasn't what changed everything.
Choosing Kaelith back was.