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Viola
The gallery was packedwith omegas. On either side of me, my sisters. Behind me, our mother, one of the few alphas permitted as chaperones in the omega gallery. Below, the murmur of Parliamentary members taking their seats.
Beatrice, dressed as ever in men’s clothes, took my hand in hers. She did not look at me but down to the floor where our fates were being discussed by men and women, who thought they had our best interests at heart without bothering to ask what those interests might be.
“All will be well,” she said with her clear voice. “We were born to see this work done. Papa would be proud of you.”
“Papa was always proudest of his little politician,” Hippolyta sniffed. “You were making bargains before you could walk. Though why you needed to arrive late and wearing breeches when you had that lovely gown picked out...”
“Hush,” Mama said as the Speaker stood.
I cannot remember who spoke or of what. My ears rushed as I waited.
“Uncle spoke well,” Beatrice observed, and I nodded despite not hearing a word of what he had said.
“Today I speak to the Omegas!” A clear and beloved voice rang through the chamber. Every eye turned in our direction, but it felt as if it was me they were looking at. There were faces on those benches who had known me as Iris. Ones I had dined with, played cards with. Ones who knew my deception and could with a word destroy my reputation.
“It is Orley,” Mama said as if I did not recognise the voice I knew as well as my own. I’d been working with him almost daily on perfecting this speech. I did not know what would happen yet. At least not step by step. I would marry him. He would make me his mate. The last weeks had proved to both of us how well we fit. And how difficult it was to maintain some professional distance rather than fuck all over the library. Usually some poor beta servant had to sit with us.
After I spoke my words before the packed house and gallery, his promise would be fulfilled. My only fear is that we would be thwarted… I did not know what to do if that were the case.
“I have a speech, which I will give. But first… Ladies, Lords. I think we can all agree that omegas are the fairest of dynamics. Not just in face and form…”
There was laughter.
“But also in the manner of expressing themselves. They rarely lose control of their tempers or speak above a whisper…”
Ironic silence from the gallery.
“We claim natural superiority when we assert authority over them and their interests. Alphas, Lords, Ladies… and the Gallery! I say to you:
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants…Or so you said yourself Prime Minister ten years ago… Do you not believe those words today as we discuss the tyranny of alphas?
What necessity when omegas already run your households? What necessity when they can put forth their views so clearly as to convince a room of alphas?”He smiled. “I had the supreme pleasure, the opportunity to expand my understanding when speaking with one such omega. She spoke thus,”
He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and frowned for a moment. Was he having problems reading without the spectacles I’d bullied him into purchasing?
“This omega said,Consider, dispassionately, these observations, see the truth through your own reason. First, to see that the human race is equally born male and female and we make no distinction between the two. Wherefore then do we distinguish between dynamics? Second, if you can accept that thought into your thick skull…”
Laughter rang out. I choked on my laugh and felt a tear fall down my cheek. He had remembered, word for word, our conversation. Had written it down as I spoke… My friend.
“Come! Let me finish!Second, if you can accept that thought into your thick skull then take this. Amongst all dynamics, sexes, creeds, races, and professed faiths, there are to be found the good and the bad and the middling of society. An alpha might be as weak in thought as you profess omegas to be. And there are omegas whose ability could rival any alpha’s in body or mind. If you can agree that there are good and bad alphas, why not the same amongst omegas? You alphas profess that omegas are the rarest dynamic, and like precious stones are hoarded and jealously guarded. But in shutting the omega away, the beauty withers as a jewel left in a box grows dull. To truly be appreciated, a jewel must be worn in the sunlight.
“I say to you, my fellow alphas. To the omegas who have joined us.” He bowed to us, and I inclined my head. Acknowledging every one of his words. “I say that I believe this to be true. Join me today in voting for this Bill which we have rammed down the throats of the government. Consider your omega mates and children who are subject to the whims of alphas, cruel and kind… Now to my prepared remarks…”
This was my cue. I stood on legs that trembled, my speech clutched in my hands, my eyes locked with those of the perfect alpha for me. We’d discussed how he could give me what I’d asked—the opportunity to give my speech before Parliament. Syon, my alpha, nodded, and we began, together in all things, to read out my words. There were no objections—who would dare interrupt a duke? Who would make an enemy of Orley’s future duchess?
I wish I could remember those minutes more clearly. That one day I’d be able to tell in vibrant detail how I'd been the first omega to speak in Parliament. But all I remember is the stillness that followed. Syon bowed to me. I answered him with a tremulous nod. Silence. Silence ruled the alphas below me. The Prime Minister caught my eye, a small smile tugging at his lips, a gracious nod in acknowledgement. He knew now who he’d spoken to at Syon’s dinner all those weeks before.
“Your Papa would be so proud,” My Mama said, the sound of tears in her voice. “Our little politician.”
* * *
“Division! Clear the chamber! Omegas out!”
“What does that mean?” asked an omega behind me.
I turned to see Olivia and smiled. I had not seen her enter, had not seen her since the day in her drawing room, but it gave me hope that she was here and speaking to me. “It means that there is hope. It will be close, but they must now cast their votes since there was no clear majority. All we can do is wait.”
