{Third Person}
Zarek’s tone was calm, but the warning beneath it was clear.
"Do not raise your voice at unless you are prepared to bear the consequences," he continued.
Julia’s hands clenched at her sides. Her gaze flicked from Zarek to the woman beside him, then back again.
For a mont, it seed like she might say more, but she didn’t. Instead, she turned sharply and walked out, her steps rigid with anger.
Zarek watched her leave without the slightest reaction. He just continued eating as though he hadn’t done anything wrong.
A few minutes later, a knock sounded on the door, then one of his n stepped in after being permitted.
Zarek leaned back in his chair, resting his arm lazily against it. "What news do you bear?" he asked.
The man bowed. "Your Highness, the Alpha Prince has just left his residence in two cars. It appears he is heading into the city."
Zarek paused as a thoughtful look crossed his face. "He must be going to look for his mate," he said lightly.
The guard hesitated before asking, "Should we follow him?"
Zarek waved his hand dismissively. "He is too observant. He will notice," he replied. Then a slow smile ford on his lips. "And what are the odds of him finding her today?"
He tilted his head slightly. "Zero to none."
The guard nodded. "Understood."
Zarek’s expression sharpened just a little as he added, "Stay focused on your real task."
The man straightened. "We will continue watching for her. Once she appears, we eliminate her," he assured.
Zarek gave a small nod. "Good. You are dismissed."
The guard bowed and left.
The silence settled around Zarek for a minute, then a quiet chuckle escaped his lips.
"Tsk... my dear brother," he murmured under his breath. "It seems you don’t intend to let the curse end you."
His gaze shifted slowly and landed on the woman beside him.
She froze slightly under his attention, her hands trembling just enough to betray her unease.
Zarek smiled and reached out, gripping her jaw and tilting her face toward his. "Who do you belong to?" he asked softly.
Her voice shook, but she answered. "You."
"Good." He released her just as easily, as though the mont ant nothing.
Then he picked up his cutlery again and resud his breakfast, his mood visibly improved, leaving the tension lingering in the air around her.
---
Amara finished freshening up and made her way to the dining room with Ginger comfortably settled in her arms. The mont she sat down, the servants began to serve her breakfast.
She looked a little more refreshed than she had earlier, though there was still a faint trace of tiredness lingering in her eyes.
As she began to eat, Ginger shifted slightly, nudging her arm.
Amara smiled faintly. "Alright, alright... you want so too?"
She broke off a small portion and fed the cat with her fingers. Ginger, unusually calm and obedient today, ate without fuss, staying settled in her arms instead of darting around like she usually would.
The quiet mont eased her mood.
For a while, it was just her, her al, and the soft presence of the cat. But it didn’t last long.
A few minutes after she finished eating, footsteps sounded from the front of the residence. Mrs. Woods had gone to attend to it.
When she opened the door, she imdiately recognized who stood there—the Queen’s maid-in-waiting, accompanied by a lower servant. Without hesitation, Mrs. Woods greeted her respectfully.
"Court lady."
The maid-in-waiting gave a slight nod before stating her purpose. "Her Majesty requests Lady Amara’s presence."
Inside the dining room, Amara heard enough to understand. Her expression shifted slightly.
A summon from the Queen?
She didn’t expect anything good from it. Still, she rose to her feet as refusing wasn’t an option.
As she adjusted her hold on Ginger, she considered leaving the cat behind. But the mont she tried to set her down, Ginger clung tighter, letting out a small, protesting sound.
Amara paused, then sighed softly. "Fine. You’re coming with ."
Mrs. Woods, who had returned inside, hesitated. She clearly wanted to inform Alexander, but there was nothing she could do—he had left the residence nearly an hour ago.
After a brief mont of thought, she spoke. "I will accompany you, my lady."
No one objected.
Relief flickered briefly across her face before she turned to Sonia. "Watch over things. We will return shortly."
Sonia nodded quickly. "Yes, Mrs. Woods."
Soon after, they stepped outside.
The Queen’s attendants entered their own carriage, while Amara and Mrs. Woods entered another.
The journey was quiet, the wheels rolling steadily as they made their way toward the Queen’s palace.
—
Seven minutes later, Amara stood inside Queen Lysandra’s receiving hall.
Mrs. Woods had been stopped at the entrance and made to wait outside, so Amara stood alone with Ginger resting calmly in her arms
Lysandra sat comfortably, a cup of tea in her hand. She did not speak imdiately. Instead, she blew lightly on the surface of her tea before taking a slow sip, completely ignoring Amara’s presence as though she had all the ti in the world.
The silence stretched deliberately.
Amara stood still, her fingers lightly adjusting around Ginger, who remained quiet in her arms.
’She really called here just to do this?’ Amara thought, her patience already thinning. ’She is definitely looking for sothing today.’
Finally, Lysandra set her teacup down. Her gaze lifted and landed on Amara. "Do you know why you are here?" she asked calmly.
Amara almost frowned. ’How would I know?’ she thought. But outwardly, she answered respectfully, "I have no idea, Your Majesty."
Lysandra clicked her tongue softly. "Even now, you refuse to admit your wrong."
Amara’s brows drew together slightly. ’Wrong?’
Her mind imdiately began searching, but nothing ca to her. Before she could speak, Lysandra sighed, as though dealing with sothing tireso.
"You are truly clueless," she said. "Even when you go against the rules of the palace."
Amara’s confusion deepened. ’Which rule?’
Then Lysandra continued, her tone still calm but laced with quiet displeasure.
"At the Hunt yesterday... you could not remain seated like the rest. Instead, you walked about as you pleased."
The accusation landed.
Amara blinked once, clearly caught off guard. ’That? That was the issue?’
Her fingers tightened slightly around Ginger as she stood there, processing the Queen’s words, realizing that this was only the beginning of whatever Lysandra had planned for her.
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