{Third Person}
The next morning, the Queen’s palace was as composed as ever, its calm exterior giving nothing away.
That calm was broken the mont Alexander walked in. His presence alone shifted the atmosphere.
The servants who had been moving about slowed, their voices and their heads lowering instinctively as he passed. No one dared to stop him as he made his way straight into the receiving hall.
Lysandra was already seated. She had been inford of his arrival.
By the ti he entered, she had composed herself, a teacup resting between her fingers as though this were nothing more than a routine visit.
"Your Highness," she acknowledged, her tone smooth. "What made you take such a long walk over to my place this early morning?"
Alexander did not return the pleasantry. "I’m here for the cat," he said.
He was direct and totally unbothered by formalities.
Lysandra paused briefly, then set her teacup down with deliberate care. "So soon?" she asked lightly. "I thought the punishnt was still ongoing."
"That punishnt concerns her," he replied as his gaze held hers. "Not the cat. Return it."
There was no room for negotiation in his tone.
For a mont, Lysandra said nothing. Her expression remained composed, but the air between them tightened.
Before she could respond, footsteps approached from outside.
"Princess, you can’t—"
The doors opened, and Elowen stepped in, slowing slightly as she crossed into the hall. The mont her eyes landed on both of them, she dipped into a small, proper curtsy.
"Mother," she greeted first, then turned slightly. "Brother."
Lysandra’s gaze sharpened. "What are you doing here?"
Elowen straightened, her hands folding neatly in front of her. "I heard that Brother was here, so I thought I should co and greet you both," she said calmly.
Her tone was light, but there was intention behind it.
Lysandra studied her for a mont, clearly aware that her daughter hadn’t co here without reason.
"This is not a matter that concerns you," she said.
Elowen lowered her gaze slightly in acknowledgent, but she didn’t leave. "I understand, Mother," she replied gently. "But... if I may speak—"
Lysandra did not grant permission, but she did not stop her either. Elowen continued, choosing her words carefully.
"The cat belongs to Brother’s residence. If it was taken without his knowledge, it might cause unnecessary misunderstanding," she stated.
Her voice remained soft and respectful. "I only thought it would be better to resolve it quickly."
The hall descended into silence.
Lysandra’s expression didn’t soften, but there was a pause—just enough to show that Elowen’s words had landed.
Then, with a faint scoff, she waved her hand. "Bring it."
It didn’t take long.
A servant returned, carrying Ginger.
The cat looked different from her usual self. Her movents lacked their usual energy, and the mont she was set down, she let out a distressed ow that echoed softly through the hall.
Alexander’s expression darkened instantly. The shift was subtle, but unmistakable.
The servant quickly stepped forward and handed the cat to him.
The mont Ginger was in his arms, she let out another soft sound—this ti, in recognition.
She settled almost imdiately, pressing closer to him as if seeking comfort.
Alexander’s hand steadied her without hesitation. Then his gaze lifted, first to the servants, then to Lysandra. The temperature in the room seed to drop.
"Your Majesty, I don’t want a repeat of this," he said, his voice calm but edged with sothing far more dangerous beneath it. "If this happens again, I will escalate the matter further."
The warning was clear, but impossible to ignore.
Without waiting for a response or so sort of acknowledgent, he turned and walked out of the hall.
The mont he left, the tension in the room shifted again.
Lysandra’s gaze moved slowly to Elowen. "You stand there and support him against your own mother?" she said coldly.
Elowen t her gaze without hesitation. She wasn’t smiling this ti, but she wasn’t intimidated either.
"I supported what was right," she simply replied.
Lysandra’s expression hardened. But Elowen didn’t wait for her to continue. Instead, she let out a small breath, as though the matter no longer interested her, and turned slightly, her posture relaxed despite the weight of the mont.
It was clear she wasn’t fazed by the scolding or the tension. And certainly not by choosing a side.
---
anwhile, at the other end, Amara had been pacing about in her bedroom.
She had tried to sit. Tried to distract herself. But her thoughts refused to settle. Every small sound made her glance toward the door, hoping—
Then the door opened.
"My lady... His Highness has returned."
Amara didn’t wait. She was already moving.
By the ti she stepped into the living area, Alexander had just walked in from the entrance. Ginger was still in his arms, calr now, her earlier distress replaced with quiet stillness.
Amara stopped for a brief second as her eyes fell on the cat. Then she walked forward quickly.
"Ginger..." Her voice softened as she reached out.
Alexander didn’t say anything as he handed the cat over.
The mont Ginger was back in Amara’s arms, she let out a soft sound and pressed herself against her, as if finally recognizing where she belonged.
Amara held her carefully, her hands gentle as she ran them over Ginger’s back, checking her without even realizing she was doing it.
Her throat tightened. For a while, she couldn’t even speak. When she recovered, she looked up at Alexander.
"Thank you... Your Highness," she said, her voice sincere, carrying more weight than just gratitude for the act itself.
He glanced at her briefly, then looked away as if it was nothing worth acknowledging. "Take better care of it next ti," he said.
Amara nodded quickly. "I will."
As there was nothing more she needed to say, she turned and left for her bedroom with Ginger in her arms, her steps lighter than they had been the entire day before.
The mont she was gone, the atmosphere shifted again.
Alexander turned and left. As soon as he stepped outside, he spoke to Jasper, his expression unreadable. "I want those servants to disappear."
Jasper paused. There was no confusion about his aning. Still, he hesitated as he offered a kindly reminder, "Your Highness... Her Majesty will not let this go."
Alexander turned his head slowly, his gaze settling on him. "Do I look like I give a damn about her emotions?" he asked.
The question wasn’t loud, but it carried enough weight to silence any further concern.
"They are irrelevant to my existence."
Jasper lowered his head slightly. "I understand, Your Highness. Forgive my negligence."
—
Unaware of what was happening outside, Amara sat on the bed with the cat.
Ginger shifted slightly, then settled, her body relaxed now, as though she finally felt safe again.
Amara let out a quiet breath, her fingers moving gently through her fur.
"You’re back..." she murmured softly as the tightness in her chest finally eased.
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