The Cursed Alpha Prince's Replacement Bride-Chapter 49: Arrival of the Princess

{Third Person}

Werewolf Clan.

A Few Days Later...

The low hum of engines filled the palace courtyard as a sleek black vehicle rolled to a smooth stop.

Servants stationed nearby straightened immediately, their attention drawn toward the car. A guard stepped forward and opened the door.

A slim leg stepped out first—elegant, confident, then she followed.

Elowen Thornfield emerged with effortless grace, one hand lightly brushing against the door as she stepped onto the polished stone ground. Her presence alone seemed to shift the air around her.

She was dressed nothing like the traditional women of the palace. A fitted cream blouse tucked neatly into high-waisted trousers, tailored perfectly to her figure, paired with a light, flowing coat that swayed gently with her movements.

Her heels clicked softly against the ground, deliberate and unhurried. Minimal jewellery adorned her—just enough to catch the light without overwhelming her look.

Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, styled but not rigid, giving her an easy, modern charm.

She looked... free.

"Welcome home, Princess." The servants quickly bowed.

"Thank you," Elowen replied with a smile.

Then her eyes swept across the courtyard briefly, taking everything in with quiet familiarity before she turned to the nearest servant.

"Where are Father and Mother?" she asked, her tone light and natural, as though she had never been away.

The servant bowed immediately. "They are in His Majesty’s residence, my lady."

Elowen nodded once. "Good."

Without wasting another second, she turned and headed toward the waiting carriage. A servant quickly moved to assist her, but she was already stepping in with practiced ease.

"Take me there."

The carriage set off almost immediately.

—

The moment the carriage arrived at the King’s residence, Elowen stepped down before it had fully settled, her energy barely contained.

She didn’t wait to be announced. She walked straight in.

Inside, King Sebastian and Queen Lysandra were seated together, mid-conversation, when the doors opened. Their attention shifted.

For a second, neither of them spoke, then King broke the calm.

"Elowen?"

The surprise in Sebastian’s voice was unmistakable.

Elowen smiled. "Father. Mother." She stepped forward gracefully and performed a proper curtsy, her posture flawless despite the ease with which she carried herself.

But the formality lasted only a heartbeat. The next moment, she closed the distance and embraced them both, her arms wrapping around them with genuine warmth.

Lysandra’s composure melted instantly. "My dear child," she said, her voice filled with relief as she held her. "You are finally back."

Sebastian let out a small breath, his earlier surprise giving way to quiet happiness. "You’ve been away far too long this time."

Elowen laughed softly as she pulled back. "I was studying, Father. You say that every time."

"And I will continue to say it," he replied, though there was no real reprimand in his tone.

They settled back into their seats, and Elowen joined them, her presence filling the room with a different kind of energy—lighter, easier.

She spoke freely, telling them small things about her time away, her tone animated but not excessive. At some point, she gestured for the servant behind her to step forward.

"I brought gifts," she said casually. Then, a few neatly wrapped boxes were presented.

"For you, Mother," she added, handing one over herself.

Lysandra accepted it with a pleased smile, her eyes soft with affection. "You didn’t have to."

"I had to," Elowen replied simply. "How could I not bring anything for my own mother?"

Another was handed to Sebastian.

"For you too, Father."

Sebastian nodded, clearly satisfied, though he did not make a show of it.

For a while, the room remained warm, filled with light conversation and quiet laughter. Then, Elowen stood.

"I’m going to find Alexander," she said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Lysandra’s expression changed almost immediately, though she masked it quickly. "You just arrived," she said gently. "Why not freshen up first?"

Sebastian nodded in agreement. "Your brother isn’t going anywhere."

But Elowen only smiled, bright and unbothered. "I heard the political bride is here," she said. "I want to see her."

There was a brief pause. Lysandra’s fingers tightened slightly around the gift in her hand. "You can meet her later—"

"Let her go," Sebastian said calmly, cutting in.

Lysandra turned to him, but he simply looked at Elowen. "Do as you please."

Elowen’s smile widened. "Thank you, Father."

She gave them a quick, playful wave before turning on her heel and heading toward the door without another thought.

The doors closed behind her.

Silence lingered for a moment. Lysandra’s smile slowly faded, though she quickly composed herself again.

’Of all the people she could go to first—It had to be him.’

But she said nothing more regarding the matter.

---

The carriage barely came to a complete stop before the door was opened from the inside.

"Prin—my lady, please—"

The guard didn’t even finish his sentence before she stepped out on her own, her heels hitting the ground in quick, confident beats.

Unlike her composed entrance at the King’s residence, this time she didn’t slow down, didn’t wait, didn’t care to be announced. She was already moving.

"Is he inside?" she asked over her shoulder.

"Yes, my lady—His Highness is—"

"Good." That was all she needed.

By the time the remaining guards at the entrance realized who she was, she had already passed them.

The doors opened, and Elowen walked straight in like she owned the place—which, in a way, she did.

Inside, the atmosphere was as it always was. Quiet. And then, she broke it.

"Alexander!" Her voice rang out before anyone could announce her.

The servants froze. One almost dropped the tray he was holding.

Footsteps echoed as she moved deeper into the residence, her energy spilling into every corner she passed through.

She didn’t wait. Didn’t slow down. Didn’t ask for permission.

Then she found him. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Alexander was seated in the living area, a document in his hand, his posture relaxed but focused. At least until she arrived.

"Elowen."

He didn’t look surprised, but the faint shift in his expression said enough.