Hua Li took a deep breath, his voice shaking with emotion. “Your Majesty, our son... Hua Ren... he is not what he appears to be."
"Mother..." Hua Ren called weakly, wanting him to stop talking. Once his secret gets out, he might live but he would never be able to see the Emperor again. To Hua Ren, this was an even bigger punishment.
Apart from that, the entire Hua family would be punished for hiding such crucial information.
The Emperor motioned for Hua Li to continue and Hua Li began to cry. His tears mixed with the blood dripping from his forehead, making him look miserable and pitiful. "Y-Your Majesty, please, believe me, we didn't mean to keep this from you for this long. It's just that....that...."
"It is my fault, Your Majesty." Hua Chen declared moving forward and shielding his wife from the Emperor’s probing gaze. "I'm the one who made the decision. I'm the one who stopped them from telling you. If anyone should be punished, it is me."
The Emperor frowned, getting frustrated. "You're already taking the blame but I still do not know what for."
Hua Chen let out a ragged breath. This wasn't how he wanted things to play out. If it weren't for him and his stupid mouth, his precious son's secret would not be on the verge of being revealed. He turned to look at Hua Ren who was gazing at them, his eyes pleading then he turned away, gritting his teeth. It was also Hua Ren’s fault.
The boy enlisted in the army and went through the entire process in secret. It wasn't until the Emperor had approved the final list of candidates that he found out and at that time, it was too late. If only Hua Ren had just listened to him and gotten married. He would not have been in such deep trouble. Now, the only way to save him was to tell the Emperor the truth. At least, he wouldn't be given a death sentence.
Hua Chen could not bear to see his precious youngest child die. He didn't want to be one of the parents burying their children. It was supposed to be the other way around.
Having made up his mind, he faced the Emperor. "Your Majesty, it is as my wife said. My son is not what he appears to be. He is not an Alpha."
"Father!" Hua Ren cried, shaking his head. "Don't...don't do this..."
The Emperor was now extremely curious, his body tense. What could make the usually calm General so disturbed? He wanted Hua Chen to spit it out already.
"Nor is he a Beta, Your Majesty." Hua Chen continued, ignoring his son. "My son, Hua Ren..... is an Omega."
A stunned silence fell over the Hall of Heavenly Justice. For a full minute, no one could utter a word.
Everyone stared at the Hua family in disbelief, their eyes wide with shock. The Ivory Warlord, the fierce and undefeated general, was an Omega?
The Emperor, seated on his throne, felt his pulse quicken as he tried to process what he had just heard. His usually composed expression faltered, and his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Hua Ren.
His General, the Ivory Warlord, was an Omega?
Hua Ren remained on his knees, his heart pounding in his chest, his mind spinning as silent tears streamed down his face, making his veil stick to his skin. It was over. It was all over. He would never be able to see his Emperor again, to work for him, to stand by his side. He would never be able to hear his voice, to receive his praises and be looked upon with pride. His heart felt like it was being crushed. He was going to be locked away in a cell forever, never to be able to look at his Emperor again. He hadn't even had the chance to confess his feelings.
The hall began to buzz with whispers as the officials and ministers exchanged shocked glances. What was with this sudden twist? How could such a powerful general be an omega? Omegas were known to be extremely weak. Many omegas could not even lift a full bucket of water without turning red and sweating. How could a man who had killed countless enemies and subdued Rebels be an omega?
The Emperor had the same thoughts as them. Even the voice in his head, the voice of that sword, thought the same thing. He felt the Hua family was playing with his mind.
The Emperor glared at Hua Chen. “You lie,” he accused, his voice cold and sharp, dripping with disdain. “You think you can save your son by spinning such an absurd tale? Do you take me for a fool?”
Hua Chen, still on his knees, shook his head desperately. “No, Your Majesty, I speak the truth,” he pleaded. He knew it would be hard to believe considering his son's strength but he had to convince the Emperor. It was the only way Hua Ren could be saved. “Hua Ren has been a defective Omega since birth. He cannot percieve or release pheromones. He has never even experienced his heat. That is why no one knows that he is an omega. As for his strength, we do not know why he possesses such power. Believe me, Your Majesty. This is how he was born. We took him to so many physicians but none has been able to find out why he is . The reason we were able to determine his gender are the scent glands on his neck and the fact that he has a womb. Your Majesty, we can bring you all his health records. The royal physicians can even examine him right now. Your Majesty, I swear with my life, that all I have said is true."
Hua Chen’s voice trembled as he kowtowed; "Your Majesty, I am sorry, for things would have have escalated to this degree had I kept an eye on my son. I should never have allowed him to join the Celestial Army. I did not discipline him as I should have and allowed him to decieve you for years. I have entirely failed as a father. Please, Your Majesty, spare my son’s life and punish me instead, for it is I who am at fault. I beg of you.”
The Emperor’s gaze shifted from Hua Chen to Hua Ren, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and confusion. How could any of this be possible? Hua Ren being an Omega was extremely difficult to believe. How can an Omega possess such explosive strength which was more than enough to kill an Alpha? It was totally absurd!
He glared at the kneeling general. "Does your father speak the truth?"
Everyone went silent, waiting with bated breaths to hear the Ivory Warlord's answer.
The cat was already out of the bag. There was nothing Hua Ren could do but acknowledge the truth.
"Yes, Your Majesty." He answered, his voice trembling. "I am an Omega."
A collective gasp echoed through the hall and everyone began to murmur again. So it was true! He truly is an Omega!
The Emperor was stunned. He had so many questions. There was a lot he didn't understand. A thought suddenly occurred to him and he commanded; “Remove your veil.”