☬♛ PART TWELVE ♛☬

The court fell silent.

All eyes turned to the king and queen.

And to Sebastian.

He clenched his fists, steadying his breath, willing himself to stay calm.

"Prince Gabriel," his mother finally spoke, her voice measured. "This is... an unexpected request."

Gabriel smiled, ever composed. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, it should not be." His sharp blue gaze flickered toward Sebastian. "I have made my intentions clear. And your son has yet to refuse me."

Sebastian gritted his teeth.

It was a trap.

If he rejected Gabriel now, in front of the entire court, it would be seen as an insult. A political slight.

But if he hesitated-if he so much as wavered-his parents would agree to the match before he could stop them.

He needed to act.

But before he could speak-

"This is highly irregular."

Sebastian's head snapped toward the voice.

Alex.

The entire court turned as well, eyes narrowing at the audacity of a mere butler speaking out of turn.

Alex remained perfectly still, unreadable.

"Marriage proposals are typically made in private," he continued, his voice calm, collected. "Yet Prince Gabriel brings his before the entire kingdom. Why is that?"

Gabriel smirked. "I have nothing to hide."

"No?" Alex's tone was polite, but Sebastian could hear the sharp edge beneath it. "And yet, one might think you intended to pressure His Highness into an answer he is not ready to give."

Murmurs rippled through the court.

Gabriel's smirk faltered.

The queen frowned. "Prince Sebastian," she said slowly, "is this true? Are you not ready to give your answer?"

Sebastian's pulse thundered.

He could feel Alex's gaze on him.

Waiting.

Begging.

And for the first time-

Sebastian hesitated.

Not because he doubted his decision.

But because the weight of everything came crashing down at once.

His duty.

His parents.

His kingdom.

And Alex.

The man he loved.

The man he was risking everything for.

And for just a second-

He was afraid.

_________________________________________

The silence stretched.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Well, Your Highness?"

Sebastian clenched his fists.

He had never been afraid of anything in his life.

But this-choosing Alex over everything else-was terrifying.

Because he had no guarantees.

No assurances.

Only a gamble.

But then-

Alex's hand curled into a fist at his side.

And Sebastian realized-

He wasn't afraid of losing the throne.

He was afraid of losing Alex.

That fear was unbearable.

So Sebastian took a deep breath-

And smiled.

"Apologies, Gabriel," he said lightly. "But I am afraid I must decline."

The court gasped.

His father's expression darkened.

His mother's eyes widened.

Gabriel exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Sebastian-"

"I appreciate the offer, truly," Sebastian continued, "but I have decided I will not marry for politics. I will marry for love."

The words rang through the hall like a bell.

Gabriel's entire body tensed.

The queen opened her mouth to object-

But Sebastian turned to his parents, his voice firm.

"This is my decision."

And for the first time in his life-

The prince had defied the crown.