{Third Person}
Later that evening, the Alpha Prince’s residence had finally fallen into a rare kind of peace.
The cold breeze drifting through the veranda carried the faint scent of approaching winter, brushing lightly against the curtains and rustling the trees beyond the courtyard.
The sky above had already darkened, leaving only the warm glow of the hanging lanterns to light the space.
Alexander sat comfortably on one side of the veranda, leaning back with one arm resting against the chair. His posture looked relaxed, but the faint look in his eyes suggested that his mind was far from quiet.
Across from him, Barron was doing what he did best. Talking endlessly.
"I’m telling you," Barron said enthusiastically, crossing one leg over the other, "winter hunting is completely different. It’s more difficult, which makes it more fun."
Alexander’s brows twitched faintly.
"Gas are scarce during winter," he reminded him calmly. "Most animals hide deeper in the mountains this season."
Barron waved a dismissive hand. "That’s exactly why it’s exciting," he argued. "You actually have to work for it."
Alexander exhaled quietly through his nose. "You enjoy unnecessary stress too much."
Barron grinned imdiately. "And you enjoy living like an old man."
That earned him a cold glance. Barron only laughed harder.
"I’m serious," he continued. "We should go hunting together before the heavy snow starts. Just the two of us. No guards. No palace politics."
Alexander looked away toward the dark courtyard ahead of them. "It sounds troubleso."
"But fun," Barron insisted.
Alexander chose not to argue further because there was no point. This cousin of his was just very determined to win. He would continue talking whether anyone responded or not.
And true enough, only seconds later, Barron had already moved on to describing so exaggerated hunting story from years ago.
Alexander barely listened.
Just then, the telephone inside the residence rang. The sound cut through the veranda sharply enough to make both n pause.
Alexander’s gaze shifted toward the house imdiately.
anwhile, inside the residence, Jasper stepped into Alexander’s study and picked up the call without delay.
"Yes?"
He listened quietly for a few monts, his expression gradually becoming more attentive. Then he straightened slightly.
"Yes, Sir," he replied respectfully. "I will relay His Majesty’s ssage."
The line disconnected shortly after. And Jasper placed the telephone back down before leaving the study.
A mont later, he stepped onto the veranda.
"Your Highness."
Alexander turned his gaze to him.
"His Majesty sent for you," Jasper reported. "He says there is sothing important he wishes to discuss."
Alexander’s expression barely changed. If anything, he looked mildly uninterested. Still, after a brief silence, he pushed himself to his feet.
Barron imdiately stood as well. "In that case, I should co along," he said smoothly.
Alexander glanced at him briefly, waiting for so kind of reason why he thought to escort him.
Barron smiled easily. "I’ve yet to properly pay my respects to His Majesty since arriving at the palace."
Alexander did not object. That alone was permission enough.
Not long after, the two of them stepped into the sa carriage and moved deeper into the palace.
---
By the ti Alexander and Barron arrived at the King’s palace, the night had deepened fully.
The palace servants moved quickly at the sight of them, bowing respectfully as they were led through the grand halls toward Sebastian’s private receiving chamber.
A guard opened the doors.
"His Royal Highness, the Alpha Prince. Lord Barron Langford."
"Let them in."
The two n stepped inside.
King Sebastian was seated near the fireplace instead of behind his desk this ti, dressed less formally than usual, though his presence still carried the natural authority of a ruler.
The warm light from the fire softened so of the harshness around him, making him look less like a king in that mont and more like an aging father carrying too many responsibilities.
His gaze first landed on Alexander before shifting to Barron and imdiately softened.
"Barron," he said.
Barron smiled easily and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty."
Sebastian gestured toward him almost imdiately. "Co here and let look at you properly."
Barron obeyed without hesitation, the smile never leaving his face. "You’ve grown thinner," Sebastian remarked after a brief look.
Barron placed a hand dramatically against his chest. "Your Majesty, that is impossible. I ate enough on the journey here to feed a small army."
Sebastian let out a short laugh. Alexander remained silent, watching the exchange with little interest after finding a seat for himself.
"You still speak too much," Sebastian said, though there was clear amusent in his voice.
Barron grinned. "And yet you still tolerate ."
"That is because your mother would bla if I threw you out."
At the ntion of Barron’s mother, sothing quieter settled briefly in Sebastian’s expression.
Valerie’s family.
Even after all these years, that connection remained.
Sebastian’s voice softened slightly. "How is your father? And your mother?"
"They are both doing well," Barron replied as he settled down as well. "My mother still complains that my father works too much, and my father still ignores her complaints."
That earned another laugh from Sebastian.
"And your younger siblings?"
"Causing trouble as usual."
"Good," Sebastian said with a faint smile. "At least so things remain unchanged."
For a brief mont, the atmosphere beca unexpectedly light. Even Alexander’s expression eased slightly, though only faintly. Then Sebastian’s attention shifted back to him.
The warmth in his gaze dimd just enough for the room to grow serious again. "I asked you here tonight because there is sothing important we need to discuss."
Alexander already looked uninterested. Though his father noticed, that did nothing to stop him.
"Your birthday is approaching," he said. "This year, I intend to host a royal banquet in your honour."
Alexander’s face did not change, but the silence that followed was enough.
Barron glanced at him from the side while secretly wondering why he wasn’t happy.
Sebastian continued carefully, "It will be a grand gathering. The royal family, court officials, noble houses—everyone important will attend."
Alexander finally spoke. "That sounds troubleso."
Sebastian’s brows furrowed faintly. "It is necessary."
"I don’t want it."
The refusal ca calmly and directly without hesitation.
Sebastian exhaled slowly, clearly expecting resistance but still irritated by how quickly Alexander dismissed the matter.
"This is not simply about what you want," he said. "You are the Alpha Prince."
Alexander looked away slightly, already losing interest in the entire conversation.
Sebastian saw it imdiately and hardened his tone. "You have stayed away from morning court for months now," he continued. "You avoid the officials, ignore public appearances, and leave state matters increasingly to your brothers."
At the ntion of Zarek and Rowan, Alexander’s expression cooled further.
"You are allowing them to stand where you should be standing," Sebastian added.
Alexander remained silent, and that silence only frustrated Sebastian more.
"Do you still care about this kingdom?" he asked suddenly. "Or have you already abandoned your responsibilities entirely?"
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