{Third Person}

Zarek did not rush.

He let the silence sit between them for a moment, as though weighing how much to reveal, though in truth, he had already decided.

"I intend to create a situation," he said at last, his tone calm, almost thoughtful. "One that neither of them can easily walk away from."

Lysandra’s eyes remained on him, sharp and expectant.

Zarek leaned forward slightly, resting his arm against the table. "I will have them both drugged," he continued.

That alone was enough to shift the air in the room.

"But not the same way," he added smoothly. "Alexander will be given something that weakens him—something that dulls his strength and control."

Then letting out a breath, he added, "As for the girl... she will be given something that unsettles her, clouds her judgment, and makes her act without restraint."

Lysandra’s brows drew together calculatively.

Zarek watched her closely before continuing. "You know what will follow," he said quietly. "If she, in that state, crosses a line with him... if they are forced into something neither of them chose clearly—"

He did not need to finish the sentence. The implication was already enough.

Lysandra leaned back slowly, her expression unreadable now. She didn’t say anything for a while. Then finally, she shook her head.

"No," she said calmly. "That will not work."

Zarek’s gaze flickered.

"Alexander is already protective of her," Lysandra continued. "You said it yourself. Even if something like that happens, he will not kill her. She is his legal wife."

Zarek nodded slightly, as though he had expected that response. "I know," he said. "I am not counting on him killing her."

That caught her attention again.

Zarek’s expression hardened just a fraction as he went on. "But Alexander will not tolerate being taken advantage of. Not someone as prideful as him. Even if he spares her life, he will not look at her the same way again."

He paused briefly, letting that sink in. "And once that trust is broken... whatever exists between them now will collapse."

Lysandra did not respond immediately. Her fingers tapped lightly against the armrest as she thought it through, turning the idea over from every angle.

Slowly, she nodded. "There is sense in that," she admitted. Then her gaze sharpened again.

"But what happens after?" she asked. "What if Alexander decides to investigate? What if he wants to know who did this... and how?"

Zarek smiled with quiet confidence. "Mother, do you really think Alexander would make this case public?" he asked, almost lightly.

Lysandra held his gaze.

Zarek leaned back, completely at ease now. "Would a man like him admit that he was drugged?" he continued. "That he lost control? That something like that happened to him without his will?"

The answer was obvious.

Lysandra exhaled softly. "No," she said. "He would not."

Zarek’s smile deepened slightly. "Even if he suspects something, his pride will silence him. At most, he might take it to His Majesty privately," he said.

Lysandra’s expression darkened just a touch at that. "And if he does?" she pressed.

Zarek shrugged, entirely unbothered. "There are plenty of scapegoats here in this palace," he said simply.

The ease in his voice made it clear he had already thought that part through.

Lysandra studied him for a long moment, then, slowly, she leaned back. "I did not hear any of this," she said calmly.

Zarek smiled. This was all the approval he needed.

Then, as if remembering something important, he added, "You still need to convince His Majesty about the banquet."

Lysandra’s lips curved faintly. "You think he will refuse?"

"Alexander will," Zarek replied. "Which is why it has to come from Father."

Lysandra gave a quiet, knowing smile before saying, "Leave that to me. I will make sure His Majesty is set on it. Even if Alexander refuses, it will not matter."

Zarek nodded in sheer satisfaction.

---

Queen Lysandra did not allow even a minute to waste after Zarek left her side.

When she arrived at King Sebastian’s private chamber, she was announced immediately.

"Her Majesty, the Queen."

"Let her in."

The doors opened, and Lysandra stepped inside.

Sebastian was seated behind a wide desk, several documents spread before him. He did not look up immediately, finishing the line he was reading before setting the paper aside. Only then did his gaze lift to her.

"Lysandra," he said, his tone neutral but not unwelcoming. "Is something the matter?"

She approached with measured steps, her posture elegant, her expression composed.

"Nothing urgent, Your Majesty," she said smoothly. "But there is something I would like to discuss with you."

Sebastian gestured lightly. "Go on."

Lysandra paused just a few steps before his desk, as though choosing her words carefully.

"Winter is approaching," she began. "And with it... an important date."

Sebastian’s brows drew together slightly, waiting patiently for her to make the revelation.

"The Alpha Prince’s birthday," she added.

That was enough to make him lean back in his seat, his expression shifting into something more thoughtful.

"...I’m aware," he said.

Lysandra inclined her head slightly. "I believe it is time we host a proper banquet in his honour," she continued. "A grand one."

Sebastian did not answer immediately and instead studied her.

"You know he does not like such things," he said after a moment. "Attention... gatherings... he avoids them."

There was no criticism in his tone, just fact.

"And if we force it, he may refuse to attend altogether," he added.

Lysandra allowed a small, understanding smile to touch her lips before saying gently, "That may have been true before, but things are different now."

Sebastian’s gaze sharpened slightly. "In what way?"

Lysandra took a slow step closer. "The court officials," she said, her voice lowering just enough to carry weight. "Many of them are still unsettled about him. His condition. His temperament."

Sebastian’s expression darkened faintly. He knew that already.

"They speak," Lysandra continued carefully. "They question whether he is fit to stand as the future of this kingdom."

A brief silence followed.

Sebastian’s fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of his chair. "And what does a banquet change?" he asked.

Lysandra met his gaze directly now. "It gives them something else to see," she said. "Not rumours or fear, but presence. Stability. Strength."

She let that settle before continuing. "A well-hosted royal banquet would elevate his standing," she added. "It would remind them who he is... and who he will become."

Sebastian did not respond immediately, but his attention was fully on her now.

"They need to be reminded that he is still the Alpha Prince, not a story whispered in the corridors," Lysandra said softly.

Sebastian exhaled slowly as the room fell quiet, his earlier hesitation beginning to give way to consideration.

"You believe this will make them support him?" he asked.

"I believe it will make them think twice before opposing him next time," Lysandra replied.

Sebastian leaned back, his gaze drifting briefly before returning to her. "Alexander will not like it," he said again, though this time there was less resistance in his voice.

Lysandra’s smile deepened slightly. "He does not have to like it," she said. "He only has to attend."

Sebastian studied her for a long moment, then finally he nodded. "Very well," he said. "We will host the banquet."

Lysandra lowered her head slightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Sebastian’s expression remained thoughtful.

"I will handle the arrangements and make sure everything is done properly," he added.

"Of course," Lysandra replied and then turned to leave.

But as she reached the door, her lips curved faintly into a quiet, satisfied smile.