☬♛ PART SEVEN ♛☬

Sebastian regretted his decision the moment Alex walked away.

The weight of it settled in his chest like a stone, heavy and unrelenting. He had let his pride-his need to push Alex into breaking-lead him straight into a game he did not want to play.

But it was too late now.

Prince Gabriel was officially courting him.

And Alex... Alex had not spoken a word to him since.

_________________________________________

For days, Alex remained distant.

He still fulfilled his duties flawlessly, still dressed Sebastian each morning, still poured his wine at dinner. But he no longer met Sebastian's eyes. No longer lingered when their hands brushed.

No longer gave anything away.

It was infuriating.

Sebastian had expected something-a reaction, a confrontation, anything-but instead, Alex had shut him out completely.

And Sebastian hated it.

_________________________________________

Prince Gabriel, on the other hand, was relentless.

He sent extravagant gifts, left flirtatious notes, and found every excuse to be near Sebastian. At court, he made his intentions painfully clear, speaking of Sebastian as if he was already won.

"You are exquisite when you are stubborn," Gabriel mused one evening, swirling his wine. "But even the fiercest of creatures can be tamed, given the right touch."

Sebastian smirked, sipping his drink. "How fortunate, then, that I have no desire to be tamed."

Gabriel only chuckled.

"We shall see, my prince."

________________________________________

The night it finally happened, Sebastian had been waiting.

He dismissed the palace attendants earlier than usual, leaving only one person to undress him.

Alex.

The moment the door shut behind them, Sebastian turned. "How long do you plan to ignore me?"

Alex did not react. "Your Highness, it is late. Allow me to-"

"No."

Sebastian stepped closer, his eyes burning. "You do not get to do this, Alex. You do not get to disappear when you are still standing in front of me."

Alex finally met his gaze. "I am your butler, My Prince. Nothing more."

Sebastian's jaw clenched. "Liar."

Alex exhaled, turning slightly, but Sebastian reached for him, grabbing his wrist-firm, desperate.

"Do not turn away from me."

Alex stilled.

Sebastian's grip tightened. "Tell me, Alex-does it not drive you mad? Watching him stand beside me? Hearing him claim me as if I am his to have?"

Alex said nothing.

Sebastian pulled him closer. "Say something. Anything.""

And then-

"What do you wish me to say?" Alex's voice was quiet but sharp. "That it is unbearable? That it consumes me every time he touches you? That I wish to rip his hands away from you and-"

He stopped himself.

Sebastian's breath caught.

Alex closed his eyes, as if in pain.

"That is why I stay silent, My Prince." His voice was hoarse. "Because if I do not, I will say something I cannot take back."

Sebastian swallowed hard.

Then he did something reckless.

He let go of Alex's wrist-only to reach up, grasping his collar instead, yanking him down.

Not for a kiss.

But close.

Their noses brushed. Their breaths mingled.

"Then say it," Sebastian whispered. "Because I have no intention of taking this back."

Alex exhaled sharply.

His hand came up, gripping Sebastian's waist-tightly, possessively.

Sebastian shivered.

For a second, he thought Alex might finally break.

But then-

Alex pulled away.

Not abruptly. Not harshly.

But deliberately.

"I cannot," he murmured, voice strained. "Not yet."

Sebastian's hands clenched.

"Then when, Alex?" His voice was raw, desperate. "Tell me, when will you allow yourself to have me?"

Alex met his gaze, and for the first time, Sebastian saw something he had never seen before.

Hope.

"Soon."

Then he bowed his head and walked away.

Leaving Sebastian with only the promise of soon.

And for now-

That would have to be enough.