The Cursed Alpha Prince's Replacement Bride-Chapter 10: Desecrating the Queen’s Palace

{Third Person}

The Queen’s receiving hall was calm.

Queen Lysandra sat elegantly on her seat, her posture relaxed, her fingers resting lightly on the armrest as she regarded the man before her.

The male head servant of her palace stood with a slight bow, his elaborate uniform clearly marking his status. His expression carried a practised humility, his smile carefully measured.

"Has the message been delivered?" Lysandra asked. Her tone was light, almost pleased.

The servant bowed deeper. "Yes, Your Majesty. Your instructions have been conveyed without delay."

A satisfied smile curved her lips. She nodded once, then again. "Good." Her gaze softened with approval.

"That human girl should never have been given the chance to take us for granted," she said calmly. "If she has entangled herself in conspiracy, then she must learn what it means to offend the Werewolf Crown."

The servant nodded eagerly. "Your Majesty speaks wisely."

Lysandra leaned back slightly. "This is for the greater good," she continued. "Our laws are not like those of humans. We do not tolerate deception so easily."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Silence settled briefly, then her expression turned thoughtful. ’This human girl has no real value to me. She is at best a disposable pawn. At worst... an inconvenience.’

Then something crossed her mind. "Has Alexander gone to see her?" she asked suddenly.

The servant shook his head with a faint smile. "I believe His Highness has been otherwise occupied," he said lightly. "Recovering from his... condition."

The moment the words left his mouth, the air shifted. Lysandra’s gaze hardened instantly.

"Mind your tongue."

The servant froze, then quickly dropped to his knees. "Forgive me, Your Majesty—I spoke carelessly."

She held his gaze for a moment longer, then waved her hand dismissively. "Get up."

Relief flooded his face as he rose quickly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lysandra exhaled lightly, her expression smoothing out again. "Well," she said, almost idly, "this is my palace. Words spoken here will not travel."

A faint smirk touched her lips. "Otherwise, that mad dog would not let me off so easily."

The servant lowered his gaze, saying nothing.

Lysandra’s mood lifted again. "Fortunately," she added with a soft laugh, "he has no spies here."

Her laughter had barely faded when hurried footsteps broke the calm. The doors opened abruptly, and her female attendants entered quickly, led by the one who was always standing closest to her.

They bowed hurriedly. "Your Majesty—"

The woman hesitated for a fraction of a second, then quickly revealed, "The Alpha Prince is approaching."

The smile on Lysandra’s face disappeared. Her expression immediately darkened. "What does he want here?" she asked, annoyance creeping into her voice.

Before anyone could answer, a presence entered the hall.

Alexander stepped in unannounced and unbothered. Behind him, a guard followed, carrying a stainless tray covered neatly with a round lid, as though presenting a meal.

The room fell silent. Every servant lowered their head at once.

Queen Lysandra’s gaze flicked briefly to the tray, then she looked back at Alexander. Her lips curved into a polite smile that did not reach her eyes.

"Alexander," she said smoothly. "What brings you to my inner palace today?"

Alexander returned the smile with an equally measured one. "I hunted a game for you," he said calmly.

For a moment, Lysandra thought she had misheard him, then her brows lifted slightly.

"How... thoughtful," she replied, though the faint disbelief in her tone was impossible to hide. "And what have I done to deserve such a grand gesture from you?"

Alexander tilted his head slightly. "Do you believe you are undeserving of it?"

Lysandra let out a soft, controlled laugh. "I would not dare accept such kindness from you."

The smile on Alexander’s lips deepened. He took a slow step forward, his voice lowering just enough to carry a sharper edge.

"Why?" he asked. "Do you feel guilty about anything?"

The words struck her, and her smile vanished. The calm in her eyes cracked, but before she could respond, Alexander had already looked away.

His gaze landed on the male head servant. The man stiffened, then quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Take it," Alexander instructed.

The servant obeyed immediately, lifting the tray from the guard and carrying it carefully toward the Queen. Even before the lid was lifted, the unmistakable scent of fresh blood reached her heavily.

Alexander gestured lightly. "Go on," he said. "Take a look. See if it suits your taste." His tone was almost pleasant. "Then, you may enjoy it for your evening meal."

The Queen’s fingers curled slightly against her armrest, then she gave a small nod. Her maid-in-waiting stepped forward and lifted the stainless cover. The moment the contents were revealed, a scream tore through the hall.

"Arrghhhh!"

The severed head rolled free as the servant flinched in shock, dropping the tray. It hit the floor with a dull clang before the head tumbled across the polished tiles, leaving streaks of fresh blood in its wake.

It finally came to a halt in the centre of the hall. Face upwards. Lifeless. Recognizable.

Queen Lysandra’s breath hitched violently. Her hand flew to her chest as she turned her face away, her composure breaking for the first time. Around her, the servants recoiled in horror.

Alexander closed his eyes briefly. He exhaled and waited for the chaos to settle and the screams to die down.

And when silence finally returned, he opened his eyes. Lysandra was already looking at him. Her glare was murderous.

She rose to her feet, her entire body trembling with rage. "How dare you!" she screamed, pointing directly at him. "How dare you desecrate my palace like this?!"

Alexander didn’t react. He simply stared at her, calm and unmoved. "Oh," he said lightly. "You don’t like my present?"

Then, he paused briefly before adding, almost thoughtfully, "That’s a pity. I put a lot of thought and effort into it."

Her lips trembled with fury. "You—!"

Before she could finish, a voice echoed from outside. "His Majesty, the King has arrived!"

Both Alexander and Lysandra stilled. ’Perfect timing.’ They thought to themselves.

Moments later, King Sebastian entered with two guards and two attendants following behind him.

His presence instantly filled the hall. He was tall, broad, and imposing with authority as his gaze swept the room once.

Lysandra curtsied at once. "My King."

The servants dropped into a kowtow.

Alexander inclined his head in a respectful bow. "Father."

Sebastian gestured for them to rise. Before anyone else could speak, Lysandra rushed to his side. Tears had already gathered in her eyes. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"My King," she said, her voice trembling, "you must uphold justice for me."

Sebastian’s gaze shifted from her to Alexander. Without needing to ask, he already knew he was the cause. Still, his eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of surprise flashing when he noticed this eldest son of his standing there.

’What could have possibly brought him here of all places?’ He thought to himself.

Lysandra spoke quickly. "The Alpha Prince killed one of the palace guards and brought the head into my hall!"

Then her hand pointed sharply toward the floor.

Sebastian followed the gesture. His gaze landed on the severed head and the blood. His expression darkened immediately. Then he looked back at Alexander.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. His voice carried authority and displeasure.

Alexander said nothing. He just stood there, calm and composed, as his father continued.

"This is insolence," Sebastian said sternly. "You overstep your bounds."

The scolding continued, measured and heavy. Alexander listened patiently without interruption until—

"Apologize!" the King commanded firmly. "Apologize to the Queen right now!"