The murmurs in the hall grew louder. There were a lot of rumours regarding the Ivory Warlord's face. Some said he was naturally very ugly, some said he had hideous scars from his numerous battles, some said he had a bad case of acne and some even said he had fat red lips he didn't want anyone to see. Now that the Emperor had ordered him to remove his veil, they all stared in anticipation, eyes wide, waiting to see which of the rumours was true.
Hua Ren hesitated, his hands trembling as they reached up to the veil, slowly untying the knots. Everything was already out so there was no use hiding his face anymore. Besides, his future could only go two ways. Either the Emperor believes that he's an Omega and sentences him to life imprisonment or he doesn't believe him amd kills him meaning he had no future.
Hua Ren glanced at his father, wanting to put the blame on him but his father, who was already looking at him, weakly mouthed the words; 'I'm sorry.' That alone made him realise that his father had no choice. It wasn't like he wanted to expose him either but he just wanted him to live and if this was the way then so be it. His mother was bleeding and crying. All because of him. He didn't want to hurt them any more than he already had.
With a resigned sigh, he pulled the veil away, revealing his face to the court.
Everyone in the hall gasped and the Emperor felt his breath catch in his throat, his heart pounding as he gazed at Hua Ren.
They were all stunned by the Ivory Warlord's beauty.
For the second time, a heavy silence fell over the Hall of Heavenly Justice, the rumours completely crushed and thrown out the head of everyone there for the Ivory Warlord was the most beautiful Omega they had ever seen.
His snow-white hair cascaded over his shoulders like a waterfall, contrasting sharply with his pale porcelain-like skin. His light grey eyes, almost white, held a depth that was both haunting and mesmerizing, as though they concealed the swirling tempest of a brewing storm. Those eyes, cold yet alluring, were enough to shake even the most steadfast of hearts, drawing in anyone who dared to meet his gaze. Kneeling there in chains, with that face, he didn't look like a fearful Alpha Warlord. That image was completely shattered, replaced by a vision so vulnerable and pitiful, yet so exquisitely beautiful, that it left everyone in the hall reeling.
Hua Ren's beauty was a paradox—icy and distant, yet irresistibly captivating. Despite the coldness that emanated from him, there was an undeniable allure that tugged at the very core of those who beheld him.
Gazing at the captivating beauty before him, something stirred deep within the Emperor’s heart. He just couldn’t tear his eyes away from Hua Ren.
Nor could anyone else.
One of the high-ranking ministers stepped forward, unable to contain himself. He bowed deeply, his voice trembling as he spoke. "Y-Your Majesty, please, pardon the Ivory Warlord. Such a beautiful Omega should not be killed. He is only 25 and has his whole life ahead of him. Your Majesty, please, reconsider your decision."
The hall erupted into murmurs of agreement. They also began to beg the Emperor to reconsider and pardon Hua Ren. How could they let such beauty go to waste? It didn't matter that Hua Ren was a General. Now that his true identity was exposed, the Emperor would surely strip him of that title. No Omega could be a General. In fact, they couldn't even be soldiers. Omegas were to get married, remain within the house, birthing children, taking care of them and their husbands. They could not have any position in society.
They all thought of it. Should Hua Ren have his title stripped, he would be a normal Omega, free for them to wed and breed.
Hua Chen, Hua Ren’s father, held his wife and watched from his position, sneering inwardly. These people, who had been so willing to let his son die were now pleading for his life only because they had discovered his true nature. He could see the greed and lust for his son in their eyes. They all wanted him to live so they could get their hands on him. Hua Chen chuckled. It seemed that his son's beauty made them forget that he wasn't an ordinary Omega. Hua Ren would kill them before they had the chance to lay a single finger on him.
Another high-ranking minister stepped forward. This one was quite chubby with an oily face and beady dark eyes. He was a popular rich Alpha known to keep many concubines.
"Your Majesty." He called, his voice smooth and confident as he bowed deeply. "As we all know, our Kingdom cherishes Omegas above all. They are like precious jewels which we love and protect. Since it has been revealed that the Ivory Warlord is an Omega, the laws we have in place for Omegas should apply to him and as he has committed murder, we cannot let him go unpunished, I suggest that he be stripped of his title as a General and made to live as all Omegas do."
Everyone began to murmur in agreement.
Hua Ren only scoffed. Before, they all wanted him dead. Now, they didn't even mention life imprisonment and that was because they wanted him. He could feel their gazes on his skin, like slippery snakes and it made him want to vomit.
"Also," the chubby minister continued. "The General has lived his entire life as an Alpha. He has no training whatsoever on how an Omega should be. I, Minister Pei, volunteers to take him in and teach him how to be a proper Omega."
"You, an Alpha, wants to teach an Omega how to be an Omega?" Yin Mei, The Whispering Blade spoke for the first time. She stood up from her seat, glaring at Minister Pei. "That is ridiculous!"
She was shocked like everyone else that Hua Ren was an Omega but even if she didn't like him, he was still her comrade. He was kind and just. They had fought and won many battles. She could not allow Hua Ren to be taken in by a sleazy man like Minister Pei. The things Minister Pei did to Omegas, she knew very well because she was a major client of his. She could not let Hua Ren suffer the same fate.
"Minister Pei," Hua Chen sneered, glaring daggers at the chubby man. "I appreciate your concern but my son does not need your guidance. His mother and I are very much alive. Who better to train him than his own parents?" It was clear that the bastard Minister wanted his son and he would never let that happen.
"I agree!" An official shouted. "How can you, an Alpha, train our beloved General?!"