☬♛ PART FIVE ♛☬

The days following Alex's quiet confession felt different.

Sebastian carried himself the same way-smirking, teasing, entertaining nobles who sought his favor-but his mind was elsewhere. The words Alex had left him with echoed in his head.

"Wanting something does not mean it is mine to have."

It was infuriating.

Because Sebastian had spent his life being given whatever he desired.

Yet here was the one thing he did want, standing just beyond reach.

Prince Gabriel had not given up his pursuit.

At another evening banquet, he cornered Sebastian near the grand staircase, offering him a glass of wine.

"Tell me, Sebastian," Gabriel murmured, "why do you allow yourself to be caged here? A prince as radiant as you should be ruling beside someone who appreciates him."

Sebastian arched a brow. "You presume much, Gabriel."

Gabriel smiled knowingly. "Perhaps. But I must wonder-do you stay because of duty? Or is it because of him?"

Sebastian tensed.

"I watch the way you look at your butler," Gabriel continued, swirling the wine in his glass. "You think you hide it well, but I know a man in love when I see one."

Sebastian's smirk faltered.

Love.

He had never allowed himself to put a name to it.

Gabriel leaned in slightly. "Tell me, Sebastian... if you were not a prince, and he not a servant, would you have already claimed him?"

Sebastian said nothing.

Because he already knew the answer.

And it infuriated him.

Across the room, Alex stood near the entrance, watching.

Sebastian met his gaze.

And, in a moment of reckless defiance, he turned back to Gabriel and smirked.

"Perhaps you should show me what life outside a cage would be like, then."

The moment Alex entered Sebastian's chambers that night, the air was heavy with tension.

"Your Highness."

Sebastian smirked from his seat. "You disapprove again, Alex."

"My thoughts do not matter, My Prince."

Sebastian stood, stepping closer. "Then why do you look at me as if you want to strike me?"

Alex inhaled slowly. "You should not toy with him."

"Why?" Sebastian pressed, tilting his head. "Are you jealous?"

Silence.

Sebastian's pulse quickened.

"You are."

Alex remained silent, his jaw tightening ever so slightly.

"Say it," Sebastian demanded.

"What do you wish me to say?" Alex's voice was controlled, but his hands were clenched.

"That you hate seeing me with him."

Alex's breath hitched.

Sebastian took another step forward, close enough that their chests nearly touched.

"That you think of me at night, the same way I think of you."

A pause.

A sharp inhale.

Then-

"It does not change anything."

Sebastian's smirk faded.

"Does it not?"

Alex finally lifted his gaze, and for the first time, there was no mask, no restraint.

"You are a prince," he said quietly, "and I am your servant."

Sebastian swallowed.

"So?"

Alex exhaled sharply, looking away. "So, I will never allow myself to cross that line."

Sebastian's chest ached in a way he hadn't expected.

"Then I will make you cross it."

Alex stilled.

Sebastian lifted a hand, brushing his fingers along Alex's wrist-the same spot where he had pulled away last time.

But this time, Alex didn't move.

Sebastian's voice dropped to a whisper.

"You are mine, Alex. And I am yours."

Alex exhaled shakily.

For a moment, it looked like he might break.

But then-

He stepped back.

"Goodnight, My Prince."

And once again, he left.

Sebastian stood there, heart pounding, fists clenched.

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.