{Third Person}
The next morning, the atmosphere in the royal court was far from ordinary.
The great hall was already filled by the ti Alexander arrived.
Tall pillars lined the chamber, their shadows stretching across the polished floor, while the high throne at the far end commanded quiet authority.
King Sebastian sat there, his presence steady and imposing, his expression unreadable as his gaze rested on the proceedings before him.
The court officials stood arranged in careful order, their robes and insignias marking their ranks, but their attention was unified.
They were focused and waiting.
Zarek stood among them, positioned slightly forward, his posture relaxed but deliberate, as though he had every right to occupy that space. There was a faint ease in his expression, but beneath it lay sothing sharp and watchful.
Beside him stood Rowan, more reserved, his expression neutral as his gaze shifted briefly toward the entrance.
Then, Alexander stepped in.
The doors opened without announcent, but his presence alone drew attention. Conversations, however quiet, died instantly.
He walked forward without hesitation, his steps asured, his expression cold and composed.
There was no sign of weakness from the previous days, no trace of the instability that had been whispered across the palace. There was only control and stability.
Jasper followed a step behind him, silent as ever.
Alexander stopped at the appropriate distance before the throne and gave a slight nod. "Your Majesty."
King Sebastian did not respond imdiately. His gaze remained on Alexander, steady and assessing, as though asuring more than what was visible. After a mont, he finally spoke.
"I have been hearing... unsettling reports." His voice was calm, yet carried weight. "It is said that you lost control within your residence, and that, in that state, you entered the chambers of your political bride."
A faint murmur stirred among the officials, but Alexander did not react.
Zarek, however, tilted his head slightly, as though listening with interest rather than surprise.
The King continued, his tone unchanged. "Is this true?"
A brief pause followed, then Alexander answered, "Yes."
He acknowledged the truth straight away, without denying it or making any attempt to soften it.
The response shifted the air in the room. So of the officials exchanged glances, while others straightened, clearly ready to speak. Zarek was the first.
"Your Majesty," he began smoothly, stepping forward just enough to be noticed, "if I may."
Sebastian gave a slight nod, so Zarek’s gaze flicked briefly toward Alexander before returning to the King.
"While we all understand the burden my brother carries, such incidents cannot be taken lightly." His tone was reasonable, but intentional.
"The political bride is not rely a mber of his household," he continued. "She represents an alliance. If her safety cannot be guaranteed within the palace itself..."
He let the words trail off without needing to finish, as the implication had already settled.
A few officials nodded subtly, then monts later, others followed.
One of the elder ministers stepped forward next. "Your Majesty, Lord Zarek raises a valid concern. The stability of the Alpha Prince is directly tied to the stability of the Kingdom."
Another added, "If such loss of control becos frequent, it may raise... doubts."
The carefully chosen words, doubts about Alexander’s ability, his rights, and his position lingered.
Alexander remained still, his expression unchanged, but his gaze had sharpened slightly.
Rowan finally spoke, his tone more restrained. "The incident should not be exaggerated. There was no reported injury."
His words were balanced, neither defending nor accusing.
Zarek glanced at him briefly but did not interrupt. Instead, he continued, his voice still calm. "No injury this ti. But what of the next?"
The room quieted again. The officials were no longer simply listening; they were aligning. And it was clear where many of them leaned.
With Zarek.
King Sebastian watched all of this in silence, his fingers resting lightly against the arm of his throne. Then, slowly, his gaze returned to Alexander.
"You have said nothing further," the King noted.
Alexander finally spoke. "There is nothing further to say."
His voice was steady and unmoved. The simplicity of it caused a subtle shift in the room.
Zarek’s smile thinned slightly. "That is unfortunate," he said lightly. "One would think an explanation would be necessary, given the circumstances."
Alexander’s cold gaze moved directly to him. "You seem particularly invested." Though his tone was not loud, they cut cleanly.
A faint tension rippled through the court.
Instead of losing his composure, Zarek even managed a faint smile. "As a prince of this Kingdom, I am invested in its stability."
Alexander held his gaze for a mont longer before looking away. The exchange had been brief, but enough.
King Sebastian exhaled quietly. "That is enough," he said.
The room fell silent imdiately.
"This matter concerns not only personal conduct, but the integrity of the crown," the King continued. "I will not have it reduced to court theatrics."
Then, his gaze swept across the room, briefly settling on Zarek before returning to Alexander.
"You will provide assurance that such an incident will not repeat," he said, his demand lingering in the air.
All eyes returned to Alexander. The silence in the hall stretched as they remained fixed on him.
Finally, after a brief silence, Alexander spoke, "I cannot guarantee that."
His statent landed without hesitation or apology.
A ripple moved through the court almost instantly. Low murmurs began to rise, restrained at first, then growing as the aning settled in.
Alexander did not look around or acknowledge them. He simply continued, his tone as steady as before.
"It is not as though I choose when, where, or how I lose control."
That only made it worse.
The murmurs grew louder, no longer contained. Several officials exchanged looks, so shaking their heads, others already leaning forward as if waiting for the chance to speak.
One of the ministers stepped out, unable to hold back. "Your Majesty, this is unacceptable," he said, his voice firm. "Such disregard—"
Another followed quickly. "If the Alpha Prince cannot even assure the safety of those within his own residence, then what are we to make of this?"
"And his attitude—" a third added, more boldly, "—he speaks as though it does not concern him at all."
The voices began to overlap quickly and sharply.
King Sebastian’s expression hardened slightly as he listened. His gaze returned to Alexander, and this ti, there was clear dissatisfaction in it.
User Comments
0 comments from readers