☬♛ PART SEVENTEEN ♛☬

Sebastian stood frozen as the door clicked shut behind Alex.

A heavy silence filled the room, pressing against his chest like a weight he couldn't shake.

Alex had just walked away.

Not out of defiance. Not out of anger.

But because he truly believed there was no other way.

Sebastian exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair.

"Damn it."

Alex was wrong.

He had to be.

Because Sebastian refused to accept a world where he had to choose between his crown and the man he loved.

________________________________________

The next morning, his mother summoned him.

Sebastian entered her chambers without hesitation, finding her seated by the grand window, her expression unreadable.

"You spoke to him," she said softly.

Sebastian clenched his jaw. "You knew this would happen."

His mother sighed. "Of course I did. Your father does not bluff, Sebastian. He will follow through on his threat."

Sebastian sat across from her, fingers drumming against his knee. "You told me you wanted to protect me."

"I do."

"Then help me."

His mother's lips pressed together. "What do you expect me to do? I cannot stop your father."

Sebastian leaned forward. "You may not be able to stop him, but you can delay him. You have influence, Mother. Use it."

She studied him carefully.

"And what will you do in the meantime?"

Sebastian's gaze darkened.

"I will find a way to end this on my terms."

________________________________________

Sebastian spent the day locked in his study, pouring over old royal decrees, searching for any legal loophole that could buy him more time.

But it was useless.

His father's word was law.

And if he refused to marry Gabriel, Alex would be stripped from his side forever.

As the sun set, a thought took root in his mind. A dangerous thought.

If his father wanted to play politics-

Then Sebastian would give him a scandal.

_________________________________________

That evening, Sebastian requested a formal dinner with the court-an unusual move, given the tension in the palace.

When he arrived, the entire room went silent.

His father sat at the head of the grand dining table, already watching him with suspicion.

Gabriel was there too, smirking, clearly expecting some sort of surrender.

Sebastian ignored them both.

Instead, his gaze found Alex-standing near the far wall, stoic as always.

And then-

Sebastian did something reckless.

He walked straight to Alex and took his hand.

A collective gasp echoed through the hall.

Alex stiffened. "Sebastian-"

"You once told me to make a choice." Sebastian's voice carried through the silent room. "Well, here it is."

He turned, meeting his father's furious gaze.

"I choose Alex."

Chaos erupted.

Court nobles murmured in shock. Gabriel's smirk vanished.

And the king-

The king rose slowly, his expression thunderous.

"You dare defy me?"

Sebastian did not flinch.

"I dare to decide my own future."

The king's fists clenched. "You think this stunt will change anything? You think claiming him in front of the court will make me accept this madness?"

Sebastian smirked.

"No." He tightened his grip on Alex's hand. "But it will make it very difficult for you to make him disappear without raising suspicion."

A deadly silence followed.

Because now, every noble in the room had seen.

If Alex vanished-they would know why.

The king could no longer quietly remove him.

He had to be careful.

Sebastian had bought them time.

But at what cost?

Alex stood rigid beside him, heart pounding.

And when he finally looked at Sebastian, his expression was unreadable.

But his grip-

His grip did not let go.