The Cursed Alpha Prince's Replacement Bride-Chapter 40: Third Prince’s Origin

{Third Person}

A few seconds later, Alexander stepped out. Jasper was already waiting for him.

The moment Alexander’s feet touched the ground, his gaze shifted to Jasper, cold and displeased.

"You are becoming careless," he said flatly. "Since when did you begin sending me into the wrong carriage?"

Jasper froze. For a moment, he didn’t even know what to say. "...My mistake, Your Highness," he replied finally, lowering his head slightly.

There was no excuse he could give that could explain that this matter wasn’t his fault. There was none.

Alexander walked ahead without responding further. Jasper followed behind him in silence.

—

With the Alpha Prince’s arrival, the entire banquet ground shifted. One by one, everyone rose to their feet.

The Werewolf court officials, the Human ministers. Even the servants. No matter what they thought of him in their hearts, they all bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness."

At the front, Zarek and Rowan both looked at him. There was clear surprise in their eyes.

After the heavy punishment Alexander had received the previous night, neither of them had expected him to show up today. Yet not only had he come, but he had also come on time—and wearing his Alpha Prince’s crown.

Zarek scoffed inwardly. ’He is here to show off his position and authority,’ he thought.

On the other hand, the Werewolf court officials and the Human ministers maintained their composure on the surface, but inside, their thoughts were far from calm.

None of them were pleased to see him. None of them wanted him here because they didn’t know what he would do tonight. And that uncertainty made them wary.

Once again, Alexander and Amara were seated at the same table.

As soon as he sat down, everyone else followed and took their seats.

Amara sat upright, trying to maintain her composure, but her posture betrayed a clear discomfort. Even without looking at him, she could feel him there, and it unsettled her. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Still, she tried to hide it.

On the Human side, Lila observed everything from how Amara was feeling to her reactions, and she smiled a quiet, satisfied smile.

As long as Amara was uncomfortable... as long as she wasn’t having a good time... she felt at ease.

As long as Amara was in distress, she had peace.

Not long after everyone had settled, the royal presence was announced.

"His Majesty, King Sebastian Thornfield... Her Majesty, Queen Lysandra."

Immediately, the entire arena rose to their feet and bowed their head.

The King and Queen entered together, their presence commanding as ever. Their gaze swept across the gathering, and as expected, both of them spotted Alexander. There was a brief flicker of surprise.

The King masked his reaction almost instantly, his expression returning to calm authority as if nothing was out of place.

They ascended to their seats and sat, and only then did everyone else follow, settling back into their places.

Servants moved swiftly, pouring wine into each guest’s cup. A moment later, King Sebastian rose to his feet, and the murmurs died down.

"I welcome you all," he began, his voice steady and carrying across the arena, "for honouring this second day of the welcome banquet."

There were nods of quiet acknowledgement.

Then, his tone shifted slightly. "As for what transpired last night... I offer my apologizes."

The air grew still, then a soft murmur spread faintly among the Humans.

"The Alpha Prince is... impatient by nature, and takes certain actions more seriously than intended," he continued as his gaze remained forward.

"While the dancer’s behaviour was indeed punishable by death under our laws, it was inappropriate for such a sentence to be carried out in the presence of our guests, and at such an event."

Another subtle murmur followed.

"I have already held the Alpha Prince accountable," the King added. "In accordance with our laws, he was punished immediately after the banquet."

This time, the reaction was more noticeable. Low whispers moved across both sides.

Amara’s brows drew together slightly. She turned her head just a little and stole a glance at Alexander.

’He was Punished?’ She was in disbelief.

Her eyes lingered on him for a second. He didn’t look like someone who had been punished. He didn’t look like someone who had suffered anything at all.

He had the same cold expression and composed posture. Nothing about him suggested consequences.

Her lips pressed together faintly as she looked away again.

At the head, King Sebastian did not look in Alexander’s direction once. He didn’t ask him to speak or even demand that he apologizes to everyone because he already knew it wouldn’t come.

And so, he spoke on his behalf.

Among the Werewolf officials, the shift was immediate. Their earlier dissatisfaction found a wall.

The King had already acted, and the punishment had already been carried out, which was the reason he didn’t give them an audience in the morning. Their petitions suddenly held far less weight now.

At their right, Zarek’s expression tightened slightly. ’So this is it... Father truly shields him well.’

His eyes flickered with annoyance before he quickly masked it.

Beside the King, Queen Lysandra remained composed, but her mood was unmistakably good. Witnessing the punishment was enough for her. But what pleased her even more was watching the King carry it out himself.

King Sebastian continued. "I assure our esteemed guests," he said with a firm voice, "that such an incident will not occur again in any future gathering."

The Human ministers listened carefully.

"And as for the political bride," he added, "her safety remains our utmost priority. She stands as the symbol of peace between our kingdoms."

A few nods followed. Then, the King continued, shifting the tone of the moment.

"Many years ago," he said, "I, too, formed a union with your people. A Human woman, who bore me my third son."

His gaze shifted slightly. "Rowan."

All eyes briefly moved toward the Third Prince.

"Unfortunately, she passed due to illness before he reached his second year," Sebastian continued. "But the Queen took him in and raised him as her own."

There was a pause. Then the Human ministers nodded in recognition. They remembered what happened back then. The Third Prince was indeed born of a Human woman.

Right then, the tension among them eased. If a Human woman had once been a royal consort here... If her son still stood among them, then perhaps Amara would be safe... Perhaps the children she might bear would be accepted.

At her seat, Amara was visibly surprised. Her gaze shifted briefly toward Rowan, processing this new information.

’A Human... had given birth to a prince here?’ she thought to herself. She hadn’t known.

At the centre, King Sebastian lifted his wine glass. "To peace," he declared.

Immediately, everyone rose to their feet and lifted their glasses. "To peace."

Then they drank and sat down. The music resumed.

Shortly after, the spokesperson for the Human Ministers stood. He bowed respectfully to King Sebastian and spoke cordially, expressing gratitude for the reassurance.

Then, with a gesture, he signalled forward. Gifts—carefully prepared offerings brought from the Human Kingdom were presented.

King Sebastian nodded, clearly pleased. "You have my thanks."

The exchange was smooth and diplomatic.

As the moment passed, the atmosphere eased further. The music continued, and the first set of entertainers for the night entered the arena and took their positions.