The Cursed Alpha Prince's Replacement Bride-Chapter 21: Attraction Towards Death’s Jaws

{Third Person}

Alexander didn’t react to her tone. "That depends," he said.

"On what?"

His eyes locked on hers. "On whether you are simply unfortunate... or something else entirely."

The words lingered heavily.

Amara looked away first. Her appetite was entirely gone this time, so she nudged the plate slightly, then let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh but wasn’t.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Alexander did.

"I like cases like yours."

Amara’s gaze snapped back to him. He had already picked up his fork again as if he hadn’t just said something strange.

He continued, his tone calm, almost thoughtful. "They tend to test my intelligence. And I always see them through to the end."

The words settled heavily between them. Suddenly, Amara wanted him gone from her sight. There was something unsettling about his sudden attention that made her feel unsafe.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t just push her chair back and leave either.

’Who knows what else I would be accused of this time,’ she thought to herself as she clenched and unclenched her fists.

She couldn’t wait to see him leave.

Alexander wasn’t just dangerous because he could kill. He was dangerous because once he fixed his attention on something, he didn’t let go.

And somehow, Amara had become that something.

Alexander finished his meal in silence, then reached for the napkin and wiped his lips slowly, almost absentmindedly.

Amara noticed immediately. For a brief moment, relief crept into her chest.

’He’s leaving.’ She kept her posture straight, her expression neutral, but inside, she was already counting the seconds.

Then he looked at her and spoke again. "The welcome banquet," Alexander said evenly, "will be held in two weeks."

Instantly, the relief vanished. Amara held his gaze, waiting.

"There are expectations," he continued, his tone calm but firm. "Especially during formal events of that scale. Our customs are not the same as yours."

Amara said nothing, but her fingers curled slightly at her sides. ’Your Highness, can you please speak faster?’

"There are etiquettes you will need to learn," he added. "What to say. What not to say. When to speak. When to remain silent." His gaze sharpened just a fraction. "You will not embarrass this palace."

The words were quiet, but they carried weight. Then, just as calmly, he continued, "Now that you have recovered, you have the stamina to be instructed."

Amara’s jaw tightened slightly.

"Mrs. Woods will arrange teachers for you," he said, briefly glancing at the housekeeper before returning his gaze to Amara. "She will also guide you personally on everything you need to know for the banquet."

That was it.

Finally, he stood to his feet.

Amara rose immediately after him. He held her gaze for a moment longer—unreadable—before turning to leave.

The servants bowed deeply. Amara offered a small bow, just enough to be proper, then she waited until his footsteps faded completely. Only then did she lift her head and release a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding.

"I hope he doesn’t come here again," she muttered under her breath.

But even as she said it, she knew it was pointless. Now that he had noticed her, he wouldn’t look away.

The thought unsettled her, and almost immediately, her mind drifted to something else—her healing.

Her expression shifted. Without another word, she turned and left the dining hall.

Inside her room, she kept going until she reached the bathroom and turned on the tap. Cold water poured out. Swiftly, she rolled up her sleeves and slipped her arms under the running water, her eyes fixed on her skin as she observed, waiting.

Seconds passed, but there was nothing—no change or the usual strange reaction that usually showed back then. Her skin was normal.

Amara exhaled slowly, relief washing through her. Following that, she turned off the tap and leaned lightly against the sink.

"I was almost scared to death..." she murmured.

---

Alexander stepped into his quarters moments later. He had barely taken a few steps when a small creature limped towards him with a soft meow. He halted and looked down.

The cat was now clean. Its ginger fur was soft and bright under the light, no longer matted with dirt. The bandage around its leg was neatly wrapped.

Alexander frowned. But the cat didn’t hesitate. Instead, it moved closer as if it belonged there.

He ignored it and walked past, but the cat followed, its uneven steps quiet yet persistent. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Alexander removed his outer layer and continued inward, the faint sound of its limping steps trailing behind him. When he reached his bedroom door, he stepped inside and shut it immediately behind him.

A brief silence fell, then a soft, aggrieved meow sounded from the other side once, then again.

Alexander closed his eyes briefly, annoyance flickering across his face, but the meowing continued. Left with not much choice, he turned, walked back, and pulled the door open.

The moment it opened, the cat stopped. It looked up at him, hesitated, then suddenly jumped toward him. Alexander’s brows knitted.

The cat missed, dropped back down, paused, then tried again. This time, it reached him, clinging awkwardly to his leg before scrambling upward, its small claws catching onto his clothing as it climbed until it reached his arm and settled there as if it belonged.

Alexander went still. His jaw tightened. However, he slowly closed his eyes and exhaled. When he opened them again, his voice was calm.

"Jasper."

Jasper arrived quickly. He stepped in, then paused when his eyes landed on the cat. His gaze flicked up to Alexander’s face, and the deep frown there said enough.

"Your Highness..."

Alexander didn’t look at him. "Why is this thing not being watched?"

Jasper stiffened, then stepped forward immediately. "My apologies, Your Highness."

Following that, he carefully took the cat from Alexander’s arm. The cat shrank slightly in his hold, suddenly aware.

Alexander’s cold gaze followed it, unimpressed.

"I will make sure it is properly kept," Jasper added quickly.

Alexander said nothing. He simply turned away and slid the door shut behind him firmly.

Jasper stood there for a moment as the quiet settled back into the hallway. Then he glanced down at the cat in his arms.

It looked back at him, wide-eyed, as if nothing had just happened.

Jasper let out a small breath and adjusted his hold on it before turning to leave. As he walked down the corridor, he poked the cat gently on its side.

"What is it that’s in you that keeps pushing you toward death’s jaws?" he muttered under his breath.

The cat only responded with a soft meow. It stared up at him with innocent, unbothered eyes.

Jasper shook his head lightly. "Unbelievable."