{Third Person}

Night had already settled fully over the palace by the time Alexander finally returned to the residence.

The cold outside had worsened significantly. Frost clung faintly to the stone pathways, and the sharp winter wind swept through the palace grounds.

The moment Alexander stepped into the residence with a servant behind him, Barron looked up from where he had comfortably occupied one side of the living area with a cup of hot tea in hand.

"You’re finally back," he said lazily.

Alexander removed his gloves without much interest in conversation.

Then Barron suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right," he said casually. "Your wife was looking for you earlier."

Alexander’s movements paused slightly.

Barron noticed and continued, watching Alexander carefully, "She said she wanted to discuss something with you."

Alexander glanced at him briefly. "Did she say what it was about?"

Barron shook his head. "No. But she looked serious enough."

A brief silence followed, then Alexander handed his gloves to the servant before calmly saying, "Call Jasper."

The servant bowed immediately and hurried off.

Barron watched the entire thing with poorly hidden amusement.

"You know," he drawled, "you’ve become surprisingly responsive whenever the matter concerns your human bride."

Alexander ignored him completely. He didn’t want to waste a second defending himself against this cousin of his, who looked ready for attacks.

A moment later, Jasper arrived.

"Your Highness."

Alexander spoke simply. "Go see if Amara is still awake and inform her that I’m back."

Jasper nodded immediately. "Yes, Your Highness."

As Jasper left again, Barron leaned back comfortably into the sofa with a faint smirk still lingering on his lips.

"I wonder what she wants to discuss so late at night," he mused aloud.

Alexander shot him a cold look.

Barron only looked more entertained.

---

On the other side of the residence, Amara was still awake.

Truthfully, she had spent the past hour unconsciously waiting.

The sealed envelope rested carefully beside her while she sat near the fireplace pretending to read, though her attention had long drifted elsewhere.

Every now and then, she found herself glancing toward the door without realizing it.

Ginger eventually grew tired of her restlessness and curled herself back up to sleep.

Then finally, a knock sounded on the door.

Amara straightened immediately.

Mrs. Woods opened the door first, allowing Jasper to step inside respectfully.

"Your Ladyship," he greeted.

Amara quickly stood up. "Did something happen?"

Jasper shook his head calmly. "His Highness has returned and requests your presence," he informed her.

For some reason, hearing that made her heartbeat quicken slightly.

She glanced instinctively toward the envelope lying on the table before quickly nodding. "I will come now."

Jasper bowed slightly before leaving to wait outside for her.

Mrs. Woods approached quietly after he left. "You look nervous," she observed gently.

Amara sighed softly. "A little."

Mrs. Woods smiled faintly. "You have nothing to worry about."

Amara hoped so. After taking the letter properly, she finally left the room.

---

The walk toward Alexander’s side of the residence felt strangely longer tonight. Perhaps because she had too many thoughts in her head.

The closer she got, the more aware she became of her own nervousness. Especially after remembering the strange way Alexander had spoken to her the previous evening.

By the time Jasper opened the study doors for her, she had already mentally rehearsed her words several times.

Still, the moment she stepped inside and met Alexander’s gaze, half her confidence disappeared.

He was seated near the fireplace rather than behind his desk tonight, dressed more casually than usual.

The warm firelight softened the sharpness around him slightly, though his presence still carried that same quiet intensity that always unsettled her in ways she could not explain.

Barron was nowhere in sight. And for some reason, that made the atmosphere feel even quieter.

"You wished to see me?" Alexander asked calmly.

Amara nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Highness." She stepped forward and carefully handed him the envelope. "This is another letter for my friends."

Alexander accepted it without comment. But as his fingers brushed lightly against hers, Amara’s thoughts stumbled briefly again.

Unfortunately, her friends’ shameless teasing immediately resurfaced in her mind.

She quickly forced herself to continue before embarrassing herself further. "There is also something else I wanted to ask."

Alexander looked at her silently, waiting.

Amara tightened her fingers together slightly. "My friends..." she began carefully. "Would it be possible for them to attend your birthday banquet?"

For the first time since she entered, Alexander’s expression shifted slightly. He stared thoughtfully and asked, "You want them here?"

Amara nodded honestly. "Very much."

Alexander studied her quietly for a moment before replying, "I can arrange it."

Relief instantly brightened her face. "Really?"

Alexander gave a small nod. "I will have express invitations prepared."

Amara’s happiness was so immediate and sincere that Alexander found himself watching her a second longer than necessary.

"Thank you," she said softly. "They will be very happy."

Alexander leaned back slightly in his seat, still looking at her. "They are important to you," he observed.

She smiled faintly. "They are like family to me."

Something unreadable flickered briefly across Alexander’s eyes before he looked away toward the fire.

Then suddenly, Amara shivered lightly. The movement was small, barely noticeable. But Alexander noticed immediately.

His gaze returned to her at once. "You’re cold."

Amara instinctively shook her head. "I’m alright."

Alexander did not look convinced. Without another word, he stood up and crossed toward a nearby cabinet before retrieving a thicker fur-lined cloak.

When he returned, he held it out toward her calmly.

"The weather will worsen from now on," he said. "Wear this whenever you leave your rooms."

Amara stared at the cloak for a moment before accepting it carefully. "Thank you, Your Highness," she said sincerely.

The material felt incredibly warm against her fingers. And somehow, the warmth spreading quietly through her chest at that moment had very little to do with the cloak itself.

Alexander gave a small nod.

"Then... I won’t disturb you any longer."

Alexander looked at her for a moment before humming in response.

Then, after offering him one final polite bow, she turned and walked toward the door with the cloak draped carefully over her arms.

The moment she stepped outside, the cold air from the corridor rushed against her immediately.

But strangely, the warmth lingering inside the cloak seemed to block most of it away.

Amara lowered her gaze briefly to the thick fur lining and smiled faintly to herself before disappearing down the corridor.