☬♛ PART FOURTEEN ♛☬

The night air was thick with tension.

Sebastian stood by the window of his chambers, staring at the darkened palace gardens below. His father's words echoed in his mind-You are a disgrace.

It didn't matter.

He had chosen Alex. And he would choose him again and again, no matter the cost.

Behind him, Alex stood stiffly, hands clenched at his sides.

"Sebastian," he murmured. "You cannot keep provoking the king like this."

Sebastian turned, arching a brow. "Would you rather I let him dictate my life?"

Alex exhaled sharply. "This is not just about your life. This is about the entire kingdom. Your decisions have consequences."

Sebastian strode toward him, closing the distance between them. "And what about you?" he asked, voice low. "Do my decisions have consequences for you, Alex?"

Alex's breath hitched.

Sebastian reached up, fingers grazing his jaw. "Because I do not regret my choice. But if it puts you in danger-"

"Sebastian."

Sebastian froze.

Because Alex had just-

He had said his name.

Not "My Prince."

Not "Your Highness."

Just Sebastian.

Alex's dark eyes burned with emotion, something raw and terrifyingly vulnerable. "You are asking the wrong question."

Sebastian frowned. "Then tell me the right one."

Alex hesitated-just for a second.

Then he whispered:

"What happens when your father decides I am the problem?"

The words sent a chill through Sebastian's spine.

Because Alex was right.

The king would not let this stand.

He would not allow his son to openly defy him.

And if he couldn't control Sebastian-

He would target Alex.

Sebastian clenched his fists. "I won't let him touch you."

Alex gave a small, tired smile. "Even you have limits, Sebastian."

Sebastian hated hearing that.

Because it meant Alex had already considered what might happen next.

And-worse-it meant he had already accepted it.

_________________________________________

A knock at the door broke the heavy silence.

Sebastian turned sharply. "What now?"

Alex immediately stepped back, regaining his composure.

Sebastian opened the door-

And found himself face to face with his mother.

The queen's gaze flickered between him and Alex before she sighed. "We need to talk."

Sebastian's jaw tightened, but he stepped aside.

The queen entered the room, closing the door behind her.

"Sebastian," she said quietly. "Do you understand what you've done?"

"Yes."

"Then you must understand what comes next."

Sebastian exhaled slowly. "Father will try to force my hand."

His mother nodded. "And if you resist, he will take matters into his own hands." Her gaze flickered toward Alex. "Starting with him."

Sebastian's chest tightened.

"What will he do?"

The queen hesitated.

Then-softly, almost reluctantly-she said, "He will remove him from the palace."

Sebastian stilled.

Alex's expression didn't change.

Like he had already expected this.

"No," Sebastian said flatly.

His mother sighed. "Sebastian-"

"No." His voice was sharp. "He will not take Alex from me."

The queen's face was unreadable.

Then she looked at Alex again.

"And what do you say to this?" she asked.

Alex hesitated.

Then he bowed slightly. "I have served the prince for years, Your Majesty. I will continue to do so, if he allows it."

Sebastian clenched his jaw.

His mother studied Alex carefully.

Then she turned back to Sebastian. "I may not agree with your choices, but I do want to protect you."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "Then do not let Father touch him."

The queen exhaled, pressing a hand to her temple. "I will do what I can. But I can only hold him back for so long."

Sebastian's stomach twisted.

His mother stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his arm.

"Be careful, my son."

And then-without another word-she left.

_____________________________________

The room fell into silence.

Sebastian exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. "Damn him."

"Sebastian."

He turned to Alex.

Alex's expression was unreadable.

"You need to let me go."

Sebastian froze.

"No."

"If I leave now, the king will not punish you as severely-"

"No."

"Sebastian-"

Sebastian moved.

He grabbed Alex's wrist, holding him there.

"You are mine, Alex." His voice was quiet, but filled with steel. "And I do not let go of what is mine."

Alex's breath hitched.

Sebastian stepped closer, his grip tightening. "So if you truly wish to leave me, say it."

Alex's lips parted-

But no words came.

Because he couldn't.

Because leaving Sebastian wasn't something he wanted.

And in that moment, Sebastian knew-

Alex wasn't fighting for himself.

He was fighting for Sebastian.

Sebastian reached up, fingers grazing Alex's jaw.

"We will find a way," he whispered.

Alex swallowed hard.

Then-softly-

"We don't have much time."