The Cursed Alpha Prince's Replacement Bride Chapter 148: Their Opportunity

{Third Person}

Later that evening, after spending nearly half an hour convincing herself not to turn around and return to her room, Amara finally gathered enough courage to leave her residence with the gift box in her hands.

The walk to Alexander’s side of the residence felt far longer than it actually was.

The closer she got, the more nervous she beca.

By the ti she reached the entrance, her palms had already begun sweating despite the cool evening air.

She had almost decided to postpone the visit until another day when the doors opened, and Barron stepped outside.

The mont he saw her, his eyes imdiately dropped to the beautifully wrapped box in her hands.

A knowing smile appeared on his face.

Amara instantly felt embarrassed.

"Good evening, Lady Amara," he greeted first.

She slowly nodded and returned the greeting. "Good evening, Lord Barron."

Barron’s gaze lingered on the box for a second before returning to her face. "I see."

Amara had no idea what he supposedly saw.

Barron’s smile only widened. "You ca to see Alexander."

It was not a question.

Amara hesitated before nodding, prompting Barron to step aside imdiately.

"Perfect timing." Before she could say anything further, he gestured for her to follow him. "Co."

Amara blinked. "Oh... alright."

A few monts later, Barron was leading her through the familiar corridors. And the deeper they went into the residence, the faster her heartbeat beca.

She suddenly wondered whether this was a terrible idea.

Unfortunately, it was already too late to retreat.

When they finally entered the living room, Alexander was seated near the fireplace with a book resting in one hand and a glass of wine on the table beside him.

Unlike his usual formal appearance, he looked unusually relaxed. The sight caught Amara slightly off guard.

Alexander looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. His gaze first landed on Barron, then shifted toward Amara.

The mont he saw her, his expression beca unreadable.

For a brief second, neither of them spoke.

Barron looked between the pair and imdiately decided that remaining silent would be far too boring.

"Look who ca to see you."

Alexander ignored him, but Barron looked pleased with himself anyway. "I found her wandering outside with a suspiciously beautiful box."

Amara wished the floor would swallow her whole.

Alexander’s gaze shifted toward the box in her hands; only then did he seem to understand why she was there.

Barron cleared his throat dramatically. "I shall leave the two of you alone."

Without waiting for permission, he turned and walked away.

Amara watched him disappear and silently wondered whether he had abandoned her intentionally.

The answer was probably yes.

The room suddenly felt much quieter. Finally, Alexander placed the book aside.

"What is it?"

Amara nearly forgot why she had co. Then she looked down at the box in her hands and rembered.

"Your birthday is approaching."

The words ca out softer than intended.

Alexander remained silent, allowing her to step forward. "I prepared sothing for you."

Then, she carefully placed the gift box on the table between them. "It isn’t much."

The statent was ridiculous considering the amount of effort that had gone into preparing it.

Alexander looked at the box, then at her. Finally, he reached forward and removed the lid.

A pleasant floral fragrance escaped imdiately, filling the room.

Alexander’s gaze lowered to the contents. Inside rested several carefully folded shawls.

The workmanship was exceptional, and the materials were expensive. But more importantly, each piece was clearly unique, a testant to the fact that it wasn’t sothing casually selected from a rchant’s shelf.

It was sothing designed deliberately for him.

Amara shifted nervously. "I wasn’t sure which one would suit Your Highness best."

Alexander looked up. She imdiately wished she had remained silent.

"So..." Her voice grew quieter. "I thought perhaps you could choose whichever one you preferred."

For a mont, Alexander simply stared at the shawls, then his gaze returned to her. "You designed these?"

Amara nodded, then almost imdiately, quickly added, "The artisans made them. I only provided the designs."

She didn’t want to take the glory for what she hadn’t done, but at the sa ti, she wanted him to know how intentional she was by making the designs herself.

Alexander examined the craftsmanship again. The amount of effort involved was obvious.

Weeks of preparation, countless decisions, considerable expense, all for a birthday gift.

A strange feeling stirred within him. It was unexpected and uncomfortable.

Amara misinterpreted his silence imdiately. "If Your Highness dislikes them—"

"I did not say that."

She stopped speaking.

Alexander closed the box carefully. "They are acceptable," he said to her.

Amara smiled a small, genuine smile. She was imdiately relieved.

For so reason, Alexander suddenly regretted speaking so formally. The smile vanished before he could examine it further.

Amara lowered her gaze. "I am glad," she mumbled.

A brief silence followed, then she gathered her courage and said, "There is one more thing."

Alexander waited patiently, watching as she clasped her hands together.

"Thank you," she finally said.

His eyes narrowed slightly. "For what?"

She hesitated, clearly struggling to find the right words before saying quietly, "For showing rcy."

The atmosphere changed instantly. Alexander’s expression hardened.

Amara imdiately realized she had said the wrong thing and regretted it. So, she quickly waved her hands. "That is not why I did it."

The answer ca without hesitation.

Alexander looked away as though irritated by the entire conversation. "You should return before it becos too late."

The dismissal was obvious.

Left with no choice, Amara nodded, although she still did not fully understand his response.

"Good night, Your Highness."

"Good night."

Amara picked up the empty gift box lid, gave a small bow, and left.

The mont the door closed behind her, silence settled over the room once more.

Alexander’s gaze drifted back toward the gift. Eventually, he reopened the box to examine the shawls carefully.

---

Later that night, after dinner had concluded, Jasper arrived carrying a report.

Alexander and Barron were both present when he entered the study.

Jasper offered a respectful bow before handing over a docunt. "One of our n has returned with information."

Alexander accepted the report. His eyes moved across the contents. And the further he read, the colder his expression beca.

Beside him, Barron remained perfectly relaxed. "What is it this ti?"

Alexander placed the docunt on the desk. "Zarek."

Barron imdiately beca interested. "What did that troublemaker do?"

"He intends to drug both Amara and I during the main banquet."

Barron blinked, a little lost, but when the idea clicked, a grin slowly spread across his face.

"There it is."

Alexander looked up.

Barron folded his arms comfortably. "Our opportunity."

Alexander understood imdiately. Since that day in his study when Amara confessed, they had been discussing possible thods of turning his enemies’ sches against them.

Now one had practically delivered itself.

After a mont, Alexander nodded. "Looks like I will have to drink the wine."

Barron shrugged. "If it needs to look convincing."

"It does."

The plan was already beginning to form inside Alexander’s mind.

Jasper remained silent while the two n discussed the matter. Finally, Alexander looked toward him again.

"When will the mages begin arriving?"

"The first group is expected tomorrow morning, Your Highness."

Alexander nodded thoughtfully.

The birthday banquet was drawing closer. Guests were arriving. Enemies were preparing their sches.

And soon, every piece would begin moving into position.

---Top of Form

Elsewhere within the royal palace, the atmosphere could not have been more different.

Queen Lysandra was in an exceptionally good mood.

Seated at the head of a beautifully decorated dining table, she enjoyed her evening al in comfort while soft music drifted through the spacious dining chamber.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated the room with a warm glow, while servants moved quietly in the background, ensuring that every dish was served perfectly.

A satisfied smile had remained on her face for most of the evening.

Her maid-in-waiting approached and stopped beside the table before bowing respectfully. "Your Majesty."

Lysandra lifted her wine glass elegantly. "What is it?"

The woman kept her head lowered. "Lord Zarek asked that a ssage be delivered to you."

That imdiately captured Lysandra’s interest, so she set down her glass. "Go on."

The maid straightened slightly. "His Lordship wishes Your Majesty to know that all preparations have been completed. He is now simply waiting for the birthday banquet."

The smile on Lysandra’s face widened. "Excellent."

The maid lowered her head again while Lysandra leaned comfortably against her chair.

Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.

For years, Alexander had enjoyed a reputation that irritated her endlessly. No matter how many obstacles appeared in his path, the Alpha Prince always seed to erge stronger than before.

Every failed sche only made him appear more competent in the eyes of the court.

This ti would be different.

Very different.

The thought alone improved her mood considerably. She picked up her wine glass once more and took a slow sip.

A banquet attended by nobles, ministers, foreign dignitaries, influential guests, and distinguished visitors from both kingdoms.

There could hardly be a better stage.

The more she imagined it, the more pleased she beca. She could already picture the scene unfolding before her.

Alexander suddenly realizing sothing was wrong with his drink, the effects of the drug taking hold, his self-control disappearing in front of everyone, his temper erupting, his dignity shattered before hundreds of witnesses.

Perhaps he would lose control completely. Perhaps he would destroy furniture. Perhaps he would attack soone.

The possibilities were endless. And each one would be equally devastating.

Lysandra smiled into her wine glass. No matter how powerful Alexander was, reputation remained important.

Especially for a man expected to lead an entire kingdom one day. One public scandal could undo years of carefully built prestige.

That was precisely why she had approved Zarek’s plan the mont he presented it.

A ruler who could not control himself would quickly lose the confidence of those around him. And once doubt appeared, it spread rapidly.

Lysandra found herself genuinely looking forward to the upcoming celebration.

’Unfortunately for Alexander,’ she thought with amusent, ’this will be a birthday banquet he will never forget. Nor would the kingdom.’

With that pleasant thought in mind, Lysandra returned her attention to her al, completely unaware that Alexander already knew exactly what she and her son were planning.