☬♛ PART THREE ♛☬

The night after the feast, a heavy storm rolled in over the kingdom. Rain lashed against the palace windows, and the distant rumble of thunder echoed through the halls. In his chambers, Prince Sebastian sat by the fireplace, a glass of wine untouched in his hand.

Alex's words from the night before replayed in his mind.

"Then why do you seek my eyes in every room?"

That had been the first time Alex had pushed back. The first time he had cracked.

And Sebastian wanted more.

_______________________________________

When Alex entered the room, his presence as precise as always, Sebastian leaned back in his chair, watching him carefully.

"I require a favor, Alex."

"As always, My Prince."

Sebastian smirked. "Sit."

Alex hesitated, then took his usual spot standing near the wall.

"I said sit."

Another pause. But then, to Sebastian's quiet satisfaction, Alex obeyed, lowering himself into the chair across from him.

Sebastian leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Let's play a game."

"I do not play games."

"Of course you do," Sebastian countered. "You've been playing one with me for years."

Alex didn't respond, but his fingers tightened slightly on his knee.

Sebastian took a slow sip of wine before setting the glass down. "A bet, then. If you win, I will grant you one request-anything within my power."

Alex finally met his gaze. "And if you win?"

Sebastian smiled, slow and knowing. "Then you must answer a single question honestly."

He could see the hesitation, the careful calculations running through Alex's mind. He was meticulous, cautious, but also prideful.

Finally, Alex nodded. "Very well. What is the game?"

Sebastian's grin widened. "A simple challenge: do not react. No matter what I do."

Alex's expression didn't change. "That is all?"

"That is all," Sebastian confirmed, standing. He circled the chair, trailing his fingers along its back before stopping directly behind Alex.

"You should have refused, Alex."

And then, slowly, deliberately, he leaned down, his breath ghosting against Alex's ear.

Nothing. No reaction.

Sebastian smirked. Good. Let's see how long that lasts.

He stepped around to the front again and lowered himself to Alex's level. Not touching, not speaking-just waiting.

Seconds passed.

Alex's breathing remained steady, his expression unreadable.

Sebastian let out a quiet hum of approval. "Impressive."

He reached for Alex's gloved hand, lifting it between them.

"You serve me so well, Alex," he murmured, tugging at the fabric until it slipped off, revealing calloused fingers beneath.

Still, Alex did not move.

"But do you ever wish to touch, rather than serve?"

Silence.

Sebastian turned Alex's hand over in his own, tracing the lines of his palm, his fingertips barely skimming over the skin.

A muscle in Alex's jaw twitched.

Sebastian's smirk deepened. Ah.

He lifted Alex's hand higher, pressing the bare palm against his own chest, over his heartbeat.

"Still so composed?"

Finally, Alex moved.

Not away.

But forward.

His hand curled slightly against Sebastian's chest before he quickly withdrew, as if burned.

Sebastian exhaled sharply, the moment passing like a sudden gust of wind.

Alex stood, straightening his gloves. "You win, My Prince."

Sebastian grinned, heart pounding. "Then answer my question."

Alex hesitated. Then, in the quietest voice-so quiet that had Sebastian not been so close, he might have missed it-he said:

"I already have."

Then he bowed and left the room.

Sebastian stayed frozen in place, Alex's warmth still lingering against his skin.

He had won.

But why did it feel like he had lost?