☬♛ PART THIRTEEN ♛☬

The throne room erupted into chaos.

The queen rose from her seat, her face pale. The king's expression hardened, his jaw clenched in barely contained fury.

"Sebastian," his mother said slowly, her voice tight, "this is not a decision you can make so carelessly."

"It is not careless," Sebastian countered smoothly, hands clasped behind his back. "I have thought about this for a long time."

"And you choose love over duty?" the king snapped.

"I choose both." Sebastian met his father's gaze without flinching. "Because a ruler who does not love cannot rule with wisdom. And a ruler forced into a loveless marriage will never be truly loyal to his kingdom."

The queen inhaled sharply, but she said nothing.

The murmurs among the court grew louder.

Then-

"Who?"

The question cut through the noise like a blade.

Sebastian turned his head toward Gabriel, whose expression was unreadable.

"If you refuse me for love, then tell us-who is it?" Gabriel asked quietly.

The court fell silent.

Waiting.

Sebastian's pulse pounded in his ears.

Because he knew what Gabriel was doing.

He wasn't asking out of curiosity.

He was challenging him.

If Sebastian answered-if he admitted the truth-then there would be no turning back.

But that was what he wanted, wasn't it?

To stop pretending. To stop hiding.

To finally choose Alex.

So he took a breath, turned toward Alex-

And froze.

Because Alex was shaking his head.

Not visibly.

Not obviously.

But just enough for Sebastian to see.

"Don't," his eyes begged.

"Not like this."

Sebastian's heart clenched.

Alex was afraid.

Afraid of what the court would say. Afraid of what the king would do.

And for a moment-Sebastian hesitated.

Because if he spoke the truth now, if he said Alex's name, then he wouldn't be the only one paying the price.

Alex would suffer, too.

And that-

That, Sebastian could not allow.

So he exhaled slowly, forcing a smirk onto his lips.

"Now, Gabriel," he drawled, tilting his head. "You don't expect me to spoil the mystery, do you?"

The court murmured again, now filled with curiosity instead of shock.

Gabriel's expression flickered.

He knew.

He knew Sebastian had just avoided the question.

But he didn't press further.

"Very well, then," Gabriel said smoothly, stepping back. "I withdraw my proposal."

The king exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. "Leave us. All of you."

The nobles hesitated.

"Now."

And just like that, the throne room emptied.

All except for the king, the queen-

Sebastian.

And Alex.

________________________________________

The moment the doors shut, the king exploded.

"Do you have any idea what you have just done?" he roared, slamming a fist onto the armrest of his throne. "You humiliated Gabriel in front of the court! You insulted his kingdom!"

Sebastian remained silent, his hands steady.

His father stood, storming down the steps.

"You are reckless, impulsive-" The king's eyes narrowed. "And I am beginning to suspect that this is not merely about defying us."

Sebastian's breath caught.

The king's gaze flickered-just briefly-toward Alex.

A slow, terrible realization spread across his face.

"It's him, isn't it?"

Sebastian tensed.

Alex immediately lowered his head, hands clasped tightly behind his back.

"Father-"

"Do not lie to me, boy." The king's voice was low, dangerous. "You would refuse a powerful alliance. You would throw away your future. All for a servant?"

Sebastian clenched his fists.

"Say it," the king demanded. "Say it so I may hear how much of a fool you truly are."

Sebastian lifted his chin, staring his father in the eye.

"Yes."

A thick silence filled the room.

His father inhaled sharply, nostrils flaring.

Then-

"Get out of my sight."

Sebastian didn't move.

"Now."

Alex took a step forward, bowing low. "Your Majesty, if I may-"

"You may not." The king's gaze snapped to Alex, his voice like ice. "You will remain silent, butler."

Alex stiffened.

Sebastian's rage boiled over.

"Do not speak to him like that," he snapped.

His father turned back to him, eyes burning with fury.

"You are a disgrace."

Sebastian smirked coldly. "Then I suppose we finally agree on something."

His father's hand twitched-just slightly-like he wanted to strike him.

But instead, he exhaled sharply.

"You are dismissed."

Sebastian hesitated.

But then he turned on his heel, storming out-Alex following close behind.

________________________________________

They walked in silence through the halls.

Only when they reached Sebastian's chambers did Alex finally speak.

"That was reckless."

Sebastian turned sharply, eyes blazing. "Would you have preferred I denied you?"

Alex's lips parted-but he said nothing.

Sebastian exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair.

"I meant what I said, Alex," he murmured. "I will not marry anyone else. I will not choose anyone else."

Alex swallowed hard.

"But the king will not let this go," he whispered.

Sebastian knew that.

Knew that by choosing Alex, he had declared war against his own family.

Knew that things would only grow harder from here.

But he had made his choice.

And he would not go back.

Sebastian reached forward, cupping Alex's face.

"Then let him try to stop me."