Chapter 112

[ 1,672 words ]

{Third Person}

Barron did not hesitate for a second before pulling out a chair for himself.

Then he dropped into it as if he had always belonged there, already reaching for the food as though the earlier tension meant nothing to him.

“Well, this looks better than I anticipated, even far better than whatever awkward situation I just walked into,” he said, glancing at the table with clear approval.

Amara quickly lowered her head, pretending to focus on her plate, but the heat on her face refused to fade. If anything, it got worse.

Barron noticed and flicked his gaze between her and Alexander, and something amused settled quietly in his eyes.

Then, as if deciding not to make things harder for her, he leaned back slightly and spoke in a much lighter tone.

“So,” he said, turning to Amara, “how are you finding life here?”

It was such a normal question that it caught her off guard.

Amara hesitated, then answered carefully. “It’s… quieter than I expected. Different, but not uncomfortable.”

Barron nodded, as if weighing her words. “That sounds like you’re adjusting perfectly,” he said. “Not bad for someone thrown into a place like this.”

Amara gave a small, polite smile, unsure how much she was supposed to say. Before she could figure that out, Ginger suddenly twisted in her arms and slipped free.

“Ginger—wait—” She managed to say, but it was already too late.

The cat landed lightly on the table and began walking across it as if she owned the place.

Amara froze at that moment. “Oh no…”

Wondering what gave her the ability to walk down the dinner table, she reached forward instinctively, but Ginger had already made her choice.

She stopped right in front of Barron.

Barron looked down at her, one brow lifting slightly. “Well, you’re bold,” he murmured.

Then, he extended his hand slowly, giving the cat space to react.

Ginger sniffed him and paused. Then, to Amara’s complete disbelief, she sat down calmly beside him.

Amara blinked a few times. “That… doesn’t usually happen.”

Apart from Amara and Alexander, Ginger doesn’t really let anyone else hold her for long. So, seeing how comfortable she was with Barron, Amara was taken aback.

Barron smiled, already stroking Ginger’s head with an easy familiarity. “Then I must be special.”

Across the table, Alexander silently let his gaze linger a fraction longer than usual.

Barron noticed that too and added casually, glancing back at Amara, “You seem more relaxed now.”

She hadn’t even realized it, but her shoulders had loosened. But before she could respond, Alexander’s voice cut in smoothly.

“She was not tense to begin with.”

Barron’s hand paused for just a second before he slowly looked up at him. Then he smiled.

“Of course you would know,” he said.

Amara felt the air shift, even if she didn’t understand it. She quickly looked down at her plate again.

“I actually…” she began, then stopped, suddenly remembering why she had come in the first place.

Her hand moved to the letters she had brought.

“I wrote replies to my friends,” she said, turning slightly toward Alexander as she held them out. “I was hoping you could help send them out.”

Barron’s interest sharpened instantly. “Friends?” he asked. “So, you’ve been writing home.”

Amara nodded. “Yes.”

Barron leaned back slightly, studying her in a way that wasn’t intrusive, just observant. “That explains your face earlier,” he said lightly.

Amara looked up, confused. “My face?”

“The kind people make when they are thinking about somewhere else,” he replied.

She didn’t answer that.

Alexander reached out and took the letters from her hand without comment. “I will send them out tomorrow morning,” he said.

Amara nodded quickly. “Thank you.”

There was a brief pause, and then Barron clapped his hands softly, as if deciding something.

“Well,” he said, shifting in his seat, “since I’m staying here for a few days, I might as well make myself useful.”

Then he tilted his head towards Amara, a hint of mischief returning to his expression. “You can show me around.”

Amara blinked. “Me?”

“Yes.”

She shook her head immediately. “I haven’t even seen most of this residence myself. I would probably get lost. I’m not the right guide for you.”

Barron laughed under his breath. “I don’t mind,” he said. “You can get familiar with it at the same time.”

Then he added, a little more pointedly, “After all, this is your husband’s residence.”

Amara’s entire face warmed again. She looked away instantly, clearly not knowing what to do with that.

At the head of the table, Alexander’s expression didn’t change, but his silence felt heavier.

Dinner didn’t last much longer after that. The conversation slowed, then faded, and without warning, Alexander had had enough.

“That’s enough.” He set his utensils down.

Amara immediately straightened, as if pulled back into awareness. “I—yes,” she said, quickly setting her own utensils aside.

Barron leaned back, watching Alexander with mild curiosity, but didn’t comment.

Amara reached for Ginger, who clearly had no intention of leaving. “Come on,” she whispered, gently lifting her despite the resistance.

Ginger let out a small, displeased sound but settled reluctantly in her arms.

Amara stood, clutching her carefully. “Goodnight, Your Highness,” she said softly. Then she turned to Barron. “Good night, Lord Barron.”

Barron smiled at her, warm as ever. “Rest well.”

Though Alexander didn’t say anything, his gaze followed her as she turned and walked out, and did not leave her until the door closed behind her.

Barron watched the door close behind Amara as well with a faint smile still lingering on his lips. Then, slowly, he leaned back in his chair and let out a quiet chuckle.

“Well,” he said, dragging the word out slightly, “that was… interesting.”

Alexander didn’t respond. His posture remained unchanged, and his expression as unreadable as ever.

Barron turned his head, studying him openly now, the amusement in his eyes growing. “I didn’t know you already had such a good relationship with her,” he added casually.

That got a reaction out of Alexander. His gaze shifted toward him with a sharp warning.

Barron only smiled wider. “Oh, don’t look at me like that,” he continued, completely unfazed. “You invited her to dinner. That alone says enough.”

Alexander said nothing and simply reached for his glass of water. Then, Barron leaned forward slightly, resting his elbow on the table as his curiosity took over again.

“And the letters…” he added, tilting his head. “You send them for her too?”

Alexander lifted the glass and took a slow drink, deliberately ignoring him.

Barron watched him, unimpressed. “Since when did you learn to humble yourself?” he asked, his tone light but probing. “You? Of all people?”

No answer came to him, so he clicked his tongue softly.

“I remember a time when the mighty Alpha Prince didn’t even acknowledge people beneath him,” he went on, clearly enjoying himself now. “Your presence alone had everyone standing at attention. No one dared to breathe too loudly around you.”

Alexander lowered the glass still silent.

Barron leaned back again, shaking his head with a quiet laugh. “And now look at you,” he said. “Running errands, sending letters…”

He paused just long enough to make it land, then added, “How the mighty has fallen.”

Alexander’s grip on the glass tightened slightly, but Barron wasn’t done.

“He now bows to a human woman and does her bidding.”

That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. In the next instant, Alexander moved.

The remaining water in his glass was thrown straight at Barron’s face.

Barron reacted, but it was a second too late. The water hit him cleanly, splashing across his face and collar.

A long silence followed.

For a brief moment, Barron just sat there. Then he wiped the water from his face with one smooth motion, pushing his damp hair back as he exhaled softly.

“Well,” he said, blinking once. “That was uncalled for.”

But, at least he had finally stopped teasing him.

Alexander stood to his feet without another word. Then se picked up the three letters from the table.

“Have a good night,” he said flatly.

Barron glanced up at him, still dabbing at the remaining water on his sleeve.

Then he smiled again. “Good night, Your Highness.”

—

As soon as Amara returned to her residence, Mrs. Woods greeted her.

“Welcome back, my lady.”

Amara nodded lightly, still distracted, but before she could head further in, Mrs. Woods added, “The Princess sent word earlier.”

Amara’s attention was caught. “Elowen?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Woods confirmed. “She asked that I inform you that the two of you will be going out tomorrow morning for shopping.”

Amara’s entire expression lit up almost immediately. “Tomorrow?” she repeated, her voice lifting with surprise and excitement.

Mrs. Woods smiled faintly. “Yes, my lady.”

“Okay,” Amara said, turned, and hurried into her room with Ginger in her arms, her steps noticeably lighter now.

“I’m finally getting out of here,” she murmured to herself, unable to hide the smile spreading across her face.

The moment she stepped inside, she set Ginger down gently and moved straight to her wardrobe.

“What should I wear…” she said aloud, already scanning through her clothes.

Her fingers moved quickly from one outfit to the next, pulling a few out, then putting them back. She paused every now and then, tilting her head as she imagined different combinations.

A soft hum escaped her lips, unconscious and steady.

Behind her, Ginger circled around her feet, brushing lightly against her legs as if trying to keep up with her shifting energy.

Amara glanced down and laughed softly. “You’re excited too, aren’t you?” she said.

Ginger let out a small meow in response.

Amara crouched slightly and picked her up again, holding her close as she smiled.

“Don’t worry,” she said gently, her tone warm and full of anticipation. “I will take you out tomorrow too.”

Ginger meowed again, this time louder, as if in agreement.

Amara laughed and rose to her feet.

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