{Third Person}
The tension in the council hall stretched thin.
Thirty minutes had elapsed. The murmurs had beco more restless and sharper with impatience, yet the King’s absence persisted entirely.
But just as the atmosphere threatened to boil over, footsteps echoed from the entrance. A palace attendant stepped in, and all eyes turned.
He bowed respectfully before speaking, his tone formal and neutral. "Royal Ministers, His Majesty is currently occupied and will not be able to grant an audience at this ti."
Then, before anyone could respond, the attendant bowed once more and turned, leaving as quickly as he had co.
Then the hall erupted.
"So this is it?"
"He refuses to see us?"
"After everything that happened last night?!"
Voices overlapped, rising in frustration. The earlier unity in their anger now splintered into heated exchanges.
One of the senior officials stepped forward with a dark expression. "His Majesty is deliberately avoiding us," he said, his voice low but firm.
Another nodded imdiately. "Of course he is. He already knows why we are here."
A third scoffed. "And he has no intention of complying."
That realization settled heavily over the room. Their gathering and petitions were all in vain.
"Then what are we to do?" soone asked bitterly.
No one answered imdiately because they all knew His Majesty had made his stance clear without saying a word.
He would not move against the Alpha Prince. At least, not in the way they wanted.
The dissatisfaction remained, thick and unresolved, but there was nothing more they could do here.
One by one, the officials began to calm, their anger simring into quiet resentnt.
"We should prepare for tonight," one of them said finally, his tone clipped. "The second banquet is yet to be held."
Reluctant agreent followed, knowing that there would be no resolution today. No justice—at least, not in their eyes.
With heavy steps and colder expressions, the officials began to disperse, leaving the council hall behind.
---
By evening, the palace stirred back to life.
Servants moved in quiet coordination, torches were lit along the pathways, and carriages lined the courtyards once more.
The second night of the banquet carried a different atmosphere—less celebratory, more restrained—like everyone was still walking carefully around the mory of what had happened the night before.
Amara stepped out of the residence.
She was already dressed. Her gown was just as elegant as the night before, her hair styled neatly, her jewellery carefully chosen.
But no amount of effort could completely hide the fatigue on her face. The swelling in her eyes had gone down, yet the faint redness and dullness remained.
She looked... worn out.
Mrs. Woods walked beside her, attentive as always. "Careful," she said softly, guiding her down the steps and toward the carriage waiting in the courtyard.
Amara simply followed without uttering a word.
Mrs. Woods helped her into the carriage first, making sure her dress settled properly before stepping back.
"I will be right back," she said suddenly, as if rembering sothing. "I prepared a mint sachet for you—it will help calm your nerves, but I forgot to grab it on our way out."
Amara gave a faint nod, then Mrs. Woods turned and hurried back into the residence.
At that exact mont, from the other side of the courtyard, Alexander stepped out, already dressed for the banquet.
The sight alone was enough to surprise anyone who saw him.
After everything that had happened the previous night—being forced to attend, the public punishnt—no one would have expected him to show up again, especially when no one had co to summon him this ti.
Yet here he was, composed and imposing. And this ti, he wore his crown.
The Alpha Prince’s presence was truly unmistakable.
Without hesitation, Alexander walked straight toward the carriage stationed in the courtyard. His expression gave nothing away, his steps steady despite the injuries hidden beneath his clothes.
He opened the carriage door and stepped inside.
A mont later, Jasper stepped out from the residence. His eyes landed on the carriage just in ti to see Alexander disappear inside it.
"Your High—"
He stopped himself as it was already too late. Then, he exhaled slowly, lowering the hand he had instinctively raised.
"...Wrong carriage," he muttered under his breath, already knowing there was nothing he could do now.
anwhile, inside the carriage, silence reigned.
For a second, Amara and Alexander froze as their gazes t.
Amara hadn’t expected anyone else besides Mrs. Woods, and Alexander definitely hadn’t expected Amara to be inside the carriage.
Surprise flickered—brief and fleeting—then it disappeared.
Amara reacted first. She imdiately drew back, hugging herself slightly as she turned her face away from him, her expression closing off completely as if his presence alone irritated her.
Alexander only glanced at her once more, then scoffed quietly and looked away.
The air inside the carriage turned stiff and unwelcoming.
—
Outside, Mrs Woods returned, holding the small sachet. She nearly walked past Jasper before he stopped her.
"Mrs. Woods."
She turned. "Yes?"
Jasper then gestured subtly toward the carriage. "His Highness is already inside... with Ms. Caldwell."
Mrs. Woods blinked, then froze. "What?" she asked, startled. "How?"
Jasper kept his voice calm. "Our carriage has not yet arrived. His Highness mistook this one for his."
Mrs. Woods stared at the carriage for a mont, her thoughts racing. ’Inside... together?’ Her brows furrowed slightly. ’Lady Amara must be furious...’
And judging by what she knew of the Alpha Prince, he would not step out now.
Mrs. Woods finally let out a quiet sigh. "Well... there is nothing we can do about it now."
Jasper nodded. Without further delay, they signalled the driver, and the carriage began to move. Behind it, the rest followed.
Tonight’s banquet would be held in a different part of the palace grounds—an open arena prepared for combat displays and performances.
And within the carriage, neither Amara nor Alexander spoke. The silence between them was heavier than anything waiting ahead.
Amara kept her gaze fixed ahead, refusing to even spare Alexander a glance. Her fingers were lightly clasped together on her lap, her posture stiff, her mind unsettled.
Across from her, Alexander sat still, equally uninterested. He didn’t look at her, didn’t speak, didn’t acknowledge her presence in any way.
It was as if they were strangers forced into the sa space.
When the carriage finally ca to a stop, Amara noticed that Alexander made no move to get down. That alone told her enough, so without waiting, she reached for the door and stepped out first.
Mrs. Woods was already there to receive her. "Careful, Lady Amara," she said softly, helping her down before guiding her away from the carriage.
Amara followed without hesitation.
"What bad luck," she muttered under her breath with a tinge of annoyance in her tone.
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