{Third Person}

Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floors as they moved toward Alexander’s private living area.

Barron walked beside him with an easy confidence, occasionally glancing around as though reacquainting himself with a place he already knew well.

"This place hasn’t changed much," Barron remarked lightly.

Jasper allowed himself a faint, polite response. "His Highness prefers consistency."

"That sounds exactly like him," Barron said with a small smile.

They reached the door, and Jasper stepped forward to push it open. "His Highness is inside."

Barron nodded. "Thank you."

Jasper stepped aside, allowing him to enter first before following in briefly.

Alexander was already seated when they walked in. He looked up at the sound of the door opening, and the moment his eyes fell on Barron, something in his expression shifted.

"Your Highness," Jasper said, inclining his head.

Alexander didn’t respond to him immediately as his gaze remained on Barron.

Jasper noticed it and, without further instruction, he spoke again. "I will take my leave."

Alexander gave a slight nod, and Jasper exited quietly, closing the door behind him.

The room fell into a brief silence before Barron broke it.

"Well," he said, spreading his arms slightly, "are you just going to stare at me, or have you forgotten how to greet people?"

That did it.

Alexander stood without hesitation for once. He walked forward and pulled Barron into a brief embrace. It wasn’t overly emotional, but it was familiar.

"When did you return?" Alexander asked as he stepped back.

"Yesterday evening," Barron replied with an easy grin. "I would have come sooner, but I thought I would give you time to prepare yourself."

Alexander exhaled faintly, something close to a smile touching his lips before he turned away. "You haven’t changed."

Barron chuckled. "And you have," he said, looking him over. "You have somehow managed to become even more handsome."

Alexander ignored that completely and returned to his seat. Barron followed and dropped into the seat next to him, leaning back comfortably.

"Why are you here?" Alexander casually asked in a calm but direct tone. "Is everything alright?"

Barron waved a hand dismissively. "There is no emergency. Relax." Then, he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.

"I just came to see you and to check how you’ve been surviving in this... trap you insist on living in," he said.

There was a teasing edge to his voice.

"Ever since Aunty passed, someone has to look after you," he added. "You moved back into the palace like it’s a wise decision."

Alexander’s expression didn’t change much, but his gaze shifted briefly. "There was no need for you to come all this way for that."

Barron snorted softly. "There absolutely was."

He studied Alexander more closely now, his tone losing some of its lightness. "And you look terrible," he said bluntly.

Alexander’s eyes lifted to meet his, but Barron didn’t look away.

"I take back what I said earlier about you looking handsome. If anything, you look worse than before," he continued. "What have you been doing? Still scaring people?"

Alexander leaned back slightly, his expression cooling. "Do you want to test it?"

Barron scoffed immediately. "Not in the slightest." But instead of backing off, he moved closer to Alexander. "Stay still," he said.

Before Alexander could react, Barron reached out and pushed his hair back slightly. His fingers stilled the moment they reached the strands of white.

The change in his expression was immediate. The teasing vanished as he said quietly, "...It is spreading."

He leaned in a little, studying it more carefully, his brows pulling together. "It wasn’t this much the last time I saw you."

Alexander lifted his hand and removed Barron’s hand from his hair without force, but with clear intent.

"Keep your hands to yourself."

Barron leaned back, but his concern didn’t fade. "The curse is getting worse," he said.

Alexander said nothing. The silence was enough.

Barron let out a slow breath, running a hand through his own hair before looking back at him.

"Are you still searching for your mate?" he asked.

Alexander answered without hesitation. "Yes, unfortunately, there is no sign of her."

Barron let out a slow, heavy sigh, leaning back in his seat as though the weight of what he was about to say had been sitting on his mind for a while.

"It’s been years, Alexander," he said, his tone quieter now, stripped of its earlier playfulness. "You came back to the palace all that time ago, and still... nothing."

Alexander did not respond, but Barron continued while watching him carefully. "Maybe it’s time you consider leaving again. Go back to the city and search properly this time."

There was no mockery in his voice now.

"The most important thing is finding her," Barron added. "Ending this curse should come before everything else."

Alexander’s expression hardened slightly. "I’m not leaving the palace." His response came without hesitation.

Barron frowned. "And why not?"

Alexander leaned back, his gaze shifting as he spoke. "This place makes it easier. When the curse breaks out, I can manage it here. In the city, I would be restricted," he explained.

Barron studied him for a moment, then shook his head slightly. "Still, you should think about it," he said.

Then, almost casually, he added, "I almost thought you were worried about your Alpha Prince title if you left again."

Alexander’s eyes flicked back to him immediately. "That has nothing to do with it," he said flatly. "I don’t even attend morning court anymore."

Barron let out a soft scoff before shifting closer and dropping into the same seat as him, far too comfortable for someone speaking about something this serious.

"Well," he said lightly, "it’s not like anyone is going to steal your position even if you disappear again."

Alexander didn’t respond, so Barron tilted his head slightly, his confidence unwavering.

"His Majesty would still hold it for you."

That earned him a quiet look, but one sharp enough to question his certainty.

Barron noticed and didn’t back down. "No matter what anyone else does, the King won’t let anyone take your place," he continued with a steady tone now.

A brief pause followed, then he added, almost as an afterthought, "Well... unless you die."

The words hung in the air for half a second before Barron immediately clicked his tongue.

"So, make sure you stay alive," he added quickly. "Don’t give your enemies the chance to finish you off."

Alexander looked away, his jaw tightening just slightly. "How can I let them succeed next time?" he said quietly.

Barron watched him for a moment before nodding in satisfaction.

"Good. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear." He leaned back again, though his tone remained firm.

"Then start planning. We can’t sit here and wait until that white spreads across half your head before you make a move. There is no time to waste," he said.