{Third Person}
Alexander paused briefly, then inclined his head and took the seat across from him.
Sebastian leaned back slightly, studying him. "You asked to see urgently, I was surprised," he said, his tone carrying mild curiosity.
There was a brief silence. Then, with a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, he added, "You don’t usually seek out unless it matters."
Alexander didn’t waste ti. "My political bride misses her ho," he said plainly. "She wants to be able to reach her friends and exchange letters with them from ti to ti."
A long silence followed. Sebastian blinked once, then leaned back a little further. For a mont, he just stared at him. The disappointnt was clear.
"I left my work halfway for this?" he asked, not raising his voice, but the weight in it was unmistakable. "I thought it was sothing urgent."
Alexander didn’t respond, which sohow made it worse.
Sebastian exhaled, dragging a hand briefly across his jaw before letting it drop. "...And it isn’t even about you."
Another mont of silence followed, then slowly, he relaxed, even though he wasn’t pleased.
"What do you want?" he finally asked.
Alexander lifted the letters slightly. "I want the nas of her friends added to our records. Any letter addressed to them should be treated with importance."
Sebastian’s gaze dropped to the letters, then returned to his son. "You want her letters treated with the sa weight as state correspondence?"
Alexander t his gaze without flinching. "Yes."
There was no hesitation or explanation. Just that one-worded response.
Sebastian went quiet again. Then Alexander added, almost casually, as he slightly waved the letters in his hand.
"And I want these sent out first thing tomorrow morning."
A long breath left the King. He extended his hand, waiting for them. But instead of passing them to the guard standing next to him, Alexander rose slightly and placed them directly into his father’s hand.
A deliberate choice.
Sebastian noticed. Of course he did.
Then, Alexander straightened and bowed lightly. "I will take my leave."
He turned. But before he could take more than a few steps, his father’s voice carried forward.
"When do you plan to return to attending the morning court?"
Alexander stopped just for a mont. "I will think about it."
Then he continued walking. The doors closed behind him.
Silence settled in the room. After a mont, Sebastian glanced down at the letters now resting in his hand.
His fingers traced the sealed wax absentmindedly, then he let out a quiet breath.
"He rarely makes requests. But for her..." His gaze lifted slightly as he murmured, "...he goes an extra mile."
The guard standing nearby remained still. Then, Sebastian turned his head toward him. "Do you think he likes her?"
The guard bowed imdiately, hesitation flickering across his face. "Your Majesty... it is difficult to determine what His Highness is thinking."
Sebastian humd faintly, then shook his head. "It would be better if he doesn’t." His tone was lighter, but there was sothing deliberate beneath it.
Without another word, he handed the letters over. "Make sure these are delivered directly to the Human Parliant. They are to be distributed to the intended recipients without delay."
The guard accepted them with both hands. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Sebastian rose to his feet. And just like that, he turned and walked back toward his study, as though nothing of importance had happened at all.
---
By the ti Alexander stepped out of the King’s palace, the matter was already settled in his mind.
He didn’t look back.
The carriage door was opened for him, and he stepped inside without delay. The wheels soon began to turn, taking him away from the palace grounds.
Alexander leaned back slightly, his gaze unfocused for a brief mont before it sharpened again. He shifted his gaze to Jasper who was sitting across from him.
"The letters," he said.
Jasper straightened imdiately, his brows drawing in attention. "Yes, Your Highness."
"They are to be tracked." Alexander continued calmly, "From the mont they leave the palace until they reach their recipients."
Jasper nodded. "Understood."
"And—" Alexander paused briefly, his fingers tapping once against his thigh, "—no interference."
Jasper inclined his head. "I will see to it personally, Your Highness."
—
Back at the residence, Amara had returned to her room with Ginger. However, the cat had other plans.
The mont Amara set the snack packet down and tried to properly settle with her, the cat wriggled free from her arms and trotted ahead as if it owned the space entirely.
"Excuse ?" Amara blinked, watching it.
Ginger didn’t even look back. It jumped onto the low table, sniffed the packet, then turned its head away with what could only be described as clear disapproval.
Amara stared at it. "You were just begging for this a few minutes ago."
Ginger flicked its tail and sat down, facing the opposite direction like a creature deeply offended by her existence.
Amara let out a small laugh despite herself. "Oh, I see how it is." She moved closer, crouching slightly. "So now you don’t like anymore?"
Ginger shifted just slightly but still refused to look at her.
Amara narrowed her eyes playfully. "Is it because I took you away from him?"
That got her a small reaction. The cat’s ear twitched.
Amara gasped softly. "Ah—so that’s it." Then, she reached out, poking lightly at its side. "You are biased."
Ginger finally turned its head, giving her a look that felt suspiciously judgntal.
Amara laughed again, this ti more freely. "Fine. Go back to him then."
She stood, brushing her hands lightly against her dress. "Let see how long you last without cuddling you."
Ginger blinked. Then, without warning, hopped down and walked straight toward her.
Amara watched it as it circled her once, then sat on her foot.
She stared down at it. "...You are unbelievable."
Just then, a quiet knock interrupted the mont and Mrs. Woods stepped in shortly after.
"My lady."
Amara looked up. "Yes?"
"The outfits for the Hunt have been prepared," she said. "Please co and select the ones you prefer."
Amara nodded. "Alright."
Next, she bent down, reaching for Ginger. The cat imdiately resisted, stretching its body awkwardly as though refusing to cooperate.
Amara sighed. "Don’t start."
With a bit more effort than necessary, she managed to scoop it up anyway, ignoring the faint protest it gave.
"You are coming with ," she said firmly.
Ginger huffed—if a cat could huff—and settled reluctantly in her arms.
Amara adjusted her hold, then turned toward Mrs. Woods. "Let’s go."
And with that, she followed her out, the faint echo of her earlier laughter still lingering in the air.
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