Alpha Begged Me to Stay

As the days unfolded, Celes found herself increasingly absorbed by her new role as Old Sage’s apprentice. The knowledge she was gaining from the esteemed healer filled her with a sense of purpose she had not felt in years. Each day brought new lessons and insights, and the work rekindled a spark within her that had long been extinguished by the weariness of her troubled marriage.

Yet, the satisfaction she found in her new position was marred by the growing tension between her and Andros. He had begun to show an overt disdain for her apprenticeship, a resentment that simmered beneath the surface. His discontent was palpable, though he masked it with a veneer of indifference.

One afternoon, as Celes was studying in the healer’s quarters, she received a mindlink from Andros. He mentioned that he would pick her up later and that they would go somewhere. When she asked where he was now, he replied that he was still at the Consul's meeting and that the investigation regarding Faelan was still ongoing. Celes, feeling indifferent, simply said okay and cut the link.

Later, Ales called her to say hello, her voice cheerful as always.

[Hey, Celes! How are you? Are you okay now? Sorry, I haven't visited you at the Healer's. My brother just fill me. Hope he's not stressing you?]

Celes chuckled.

Oh how I miss this girl.

"Thank you, Ales. I feel so much better now that you call. I've been feeling lonely."

[Me, too. I just call because I want to hear your voice so I can relax. Ugh, I just remember why I'm so pissed. I saw that Szarina at the Consul's meeting today.]

Celes's heart sank a little but she tried to keep her tone light. "Oh? What was she doing there?"

Ales sighed. [You know, the usual. But get this—she interrupted a conversation about what gift brother should get for you. Just barged in and asked him to go with her somewhere.]

Celes forced a smile, even though Ales couldn't see it. "Really? That's unexpected."

[Ugh, it was!] Ales groaned. [I can't believe how easily he complied. He always does that because of his stupid sense of duty.]

Celes's smile turned bitter as she thought to herself, It's not only duty driving Andros. Feeling suddenly disappointed, Celes tried to divert their conversation and sighed in relief when Ales did not notice. They catch up for a long while, but the heavy feeling did not even go away long after their call ended.

That evening, as Celes returned from the healer’s quarters, her hands full of medical journals and notes, she was met by Andros’s barely-contained frustration. He was sitting with a bouquet of flowers, his eyes expectantly happy.

Why is he here?

"What's the occasion?" she asked, her voice neutral.

Andros went pale. "Today is our wedding anniversary," he said, his voice tight.

Celes realized why he had been asking Ales about what gift she would like.

"Oh. I'm sorry. It slipped my mind," she admitted honestly.

Andros's expression darkened.

"Of course it did. Too busy with your damn job to remember our anniversary," he snapped.

What seemed like a sweet moment quickly devolved into another argument.

His impatience and irritation stung, but Celes’s calm demeanor only seemed to fuel his ire. He accused her of neglecting her duties at home, of prioritizing her work over their relationship. The accusations cut deep, and Celes struggled to keep her composure as she faced his anger.

Now, as she stood in their home, the weight of his accusations felt like a cruel echo of that past humiliation. The thought of how she had once tried to make their anniversaries and birthdays special, only to be dismissed as trivial, weighed heavily on her. She had meticulously planned dinners and decorations, her efforts a testament to her love for him, only to have her gestures belittled as unnecessary and uncomfortable. The memories of her attempts to celebrate their life together, only to be rebuked for them, were a painful reminder of the futility of her past efforts.

The argument ended with Andros grudgingly offering to take her out for dinner to celebrate their anniversary. The offer was half-hearted, a feeble attempt to patch over the cracks in their relationship. Celes accepted, clinging to a faint hope that the evening might provide some solace.

They went to a quaint restaurant, where the atmosphere was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the coldness that had settled between them. For a while, they managed to maintain a semblance of peace, sharing a meal in silence. Andros seemed ill at ease, his glances at his watch betraying his preoccupation with something else.

As they finished their meal, Andros' phone rang. Without glancing at the screen, he turned it facedown and continued eating. But after a few seconds, it rang again.

"You won't answer that?"

"They can wait."

It rang again.

"You can answer it. Maybe it's an emergency."

Andros sighed loudly and took his phone. But his expression changed upon seeing the caller's ID. And judging from his expression alone, Celes knew who the caller was.

“Szar. What's wrong? You sound worried."

Szar?

[Andros, it’s Reign. He’s developed a high fever and it’s not going down. I’m really scared. Can you come over?]

It was not on loudspeak, but it was loud enough to hear from her frantic voice.

“What’s his temperature? Have you called the doctor?”

[It’s 39°C. Almost 40! I’ve called the doctor, but they’re not available right now. I’m doing what I can, but I’m so overwhelmed.]

“Okay, stay calm."

Andros looked at Celes as if to gauge her reaction, and Celes nodded.

"Go," she mouthed, before bringing the slice of steak unto her mouth.

"Okay. I’m on my way. I’ll handle it. Have you tried any remedies or given him any medication?”

[I’ve given him some fever-reducing medicine, but it hasn’t helped so far. I’m really worried, Andros.]

“I understand. I’ll be there as fast as I can. Try to keep Reign cool and hydrated until I arrive.”

[Thank you, Andros. I’m just so worried about him.]

Andros looked at Celes, filled with awkwardness and guilt. Celes nodded, understanding what would come next.

"Go," Celes replied, her voice steady. "He needs you."

“I’m sorry for having to leave suddenly, Celes. I didn’t expect this.”

“It’s okay. Duty comes first. I hope Reign feels better soon.”

Andros' lips tightened into a thin line.

“I’ll make it up to you.”

“There’s no need to worry about that right now. Just focus on Reign.”

"I’ll see you later at home, then?”

Celes did not bother to reply.

Andros left quickly, leaving Celes alone at the table. She continued to eat in silence, her anger simmering. The sight of the empty chair across from her stung deeply, her heart sank as she thought about Szarina, the Luna, and Faelan's heir, whom Andros had claimed to have unrequited love for.

As long as there's Szarina, I will always come second.