This review was first published at The Beat.

Unfortunately, Ilia’s new life continues to be tumultuous—his husband has been assassinated, and a civil war has erupted in his new home country. But after eight long years of fighting, an encounter with a mysterious yet familiar young man will change his future forever.

War has ravaged the country of Hanu. Ilia, the omega husband of King Khalid, escapes to a safe haven after hearing rumors of Khalid’s death and of Khalid’s older brother Zayn usurping the throne. Ilia dedicates himself to protecting the people of Hanu, and eight years pass, until one fateful day Ilia recognizes a mysterious young man as his beloved Khalid. 

Their reunion feels sweet and brings a sense of relief, as both Ilia and Khalid have suffered years of tragic separation. During that time, Khalid grew from a boy into a man. The divide between them should be enormous—not just because of the years apart, but because of the roles each must play—yet the love between them has quietly endured. However, they cannot truly be together until King Zayn is deposed, Khalid reclaims the throne, and peace is restored to Hanu.

Palace of the Omega reads like a fairy tale. Villains are villains with a capital ‘V.’  There’s a cute animal companion (a tiger!), loyal servants, a united people rallying behind their true king, betrayal, separation, reunion, true love, and of course, a happily ever after. Palace of the Omega checks every box for a fairy tale romance. Yet even with these familiar elements, it still manages to feel unique and satisfying.

Volume one moved at a brisk pace, and that momentum continues in volume two. The story offers just enough context to keep things moving, sometimes leaving questions unanswered. Some readers might prefer a fuller, more detailed narrative, but like many fairy tales, Palace of the Omega invites the reader to fill in the blanks. Personally, I didn’t mind not knowing everything, because the manga focuses on what matters most: the characters and their journey.

The romance is incredibly sweet. The pining! The integrity! The waiting!  Khalid clearly loved Ilia from the start, while Ilia slowly comes to realize how deeply he loves Khalid in return. When they finally find a moment to breathe, their emotional reunion and unwavering devotion shine.

Because Khalid and Ilia spend much of the story apart, and Kahlid is still a boy during part of that time, there’s not a lot of spice in this series until a long-awaited coupling in volume two. (Fair warning: the scene is uncensored, but it’s depicted with tenderness.)  The romance throughout is grounded in compassion, and it’s easy to root for these two to find their happily ever after.

If there was anything to critique, beyond a few unanswered questions, it’s how cleanly the military conflict and Khalid’s reveal play out. There isn’t much resistance or complication; conflicts resolve quickly, and the story misses an opportunity to dig deeper. Still, Palace of the Omega is a love story, not a war epic, and I understand why the mangakas chose to keep the focus where, in my opinion, it belongs.

The art continues to be gorgeous, with beautiful bishonen men, ornate costumes, and rich backgrounds. The story draws you in, making you long for Ilia and Khalid’s love to endure, and for the kingdom of Hanu to find peace. A solid example of a fairy tale romance, Palace of the Omega delivers a satisfying taste of the Omegaverse in a lush fantasy setting.

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Palace of the Omega volumes 1 and 2 are currently available in digital and print formats from SuBLime, and can be purchased at a variety of online and physical bookstores.

There is a volume 3 currently released in Japan, but it has yet to be licensed or officially translated in the United States. One can only hope SuBLime will pick up the third volume. I’m dying for a completed story!