{Third Person}

The room was quiet after Amara returned, the kind that made her thoughts louder than they ought to be.

She sat on the edge of her bed, still in the clothes she had worn earlier, her fingers loosely clasped together as her gaze remained fixed on nothing in particular.

The laughter from the field still echoed faintly in her mind, blending with memories of her friends.

Amara exhaled slowly and leaned back slightly, but the feeling didn’t ease. If anything, it pressed deeper.

After a while, she pushed herself up, having had enough of it. If something could be done, she would find out.

She walked over to the mirror, pausing just long enough to study her reflection. Her expression had softened, but there was still a trace of something unsettled beneath it. She adjusted a loose strand of hair, straightened slightly, then turned and stepped out.

Mrs. Woods was just outside, speaking quietly with a servant. She turned immediately when she noticed Amara.

"My lady?"

Amara didn’t waste time. "Is His Highness at home?"

Mrs. Woods paused for a brief second, then nodded. "If you want to see him, I can check for you."

Amara nodded immediately. "Please."

Mrs. Woods didn’t delay. She turned and made her way toward Alexander’s side through the front, her steps measured but quick.

—

On the other side, Jasper was the first to meet her. "Mrs. Woods."

She bowed slightly. "Is His Highness free?"

Jasper considered for a moment, then nodded. "He is. But I will have to confirm."

She inclined her head. "Lady Amara wishes to see him."

Jasper gave a short nod and turned, heading inside.

—

Alexander was in his study, resting.

He sat back in his chair, one arm resting loosely against the armrest, his posture relaxed in a way that didn’t match the usual sharpness people expected from him. At his feet, Ginger was curled comfortably, unmoving.

Jasper stepped in quietly. "Your Highness."

Alexander didn’t move much. "What is it?"

"Lady Amara wishes to see you."

"Let her in," he approved after a brief silence.

Jasper nodded and withdrew.

—

Mrs. Woods returned shortly after, finding Amara exactly where she had left her. "His Highness will see you."

Amara didn’t hesitate. "Thank you."

Without wasting another second, she moved toward the connecting door. Mrs. Woods unlocked it and stepped aside, then she walked through.

Jasper was already waiting on the other side. He bowed slightly. "My lady."

Amara returned the greeting with a small nod.

"This way." He led her down the short corridor and stopped in front of the study, opening the door for her before stepping aside.

Amara walked in, and the first thing she noticed was that Alexander looked... different. His face was as composed as ever. But something about the way he sat—the slight looseness in his posture, the way his shoulders rested instead of held tension.

He looked tired.

Amara paused for just a fraction of a second before stepping forward. "Your Highness."

He gestured lightly toward the seat in front of him. "Sit."

She did. Behind her, the door shut softly as Jasper left, leaving them alone.

Then, a small sound broke the silence. The cat stirred, then got up and padded toward Amara, letting out a soft meow as it reached her side.

Amara’s expression softened immediately. She bent slightly, reaching down to touch it, her fingers brushing gently against its fur.

"Ginger." The softness in her voice was undeniable. But just as she made to pick it up, Alexander’s voice cut through.

"You wanted to see me."

His tone was lazy and flat, but it pulled her attention back instantly.

Amara straightened at once, abandoning the cat. Ginger blinked up at her, then sat down quietly. Her nervousness returned just as quickly as it had left.

"Yes... Your Highness." She clasped her hands lightly together, gathering her thoughts before speaking. "I... I wanted to talk about something."

He didn’t interrupt, so she continued.

"I haven’t been able to reach my friends," she said, her voice steady at first. "The telephone on my side only works within the palace... and the letter I sent before... the message didn’t reach them."

She paused briefly, inhaling softly. Then, more quietly, she added, "I miss them." The words felt heavier when spoken aloud. "I just... want to hear from them again."

Her voice softened further, almost betraying her. "And I don’t know how."

Her vision blurred slightly. Before she could even stop it, a tear slipped down. She wiped it away quickly, lowering her gaze, as if that would erase it.

Silence settled in the room. Alexander didn’t speak immediately. He just watched her for a long moment before finally breaking it.

"Is that all you want?"

Amara nodded without lifting her head. "Yes."

He exhaled slowly, leaning back slightly. He studied her for another second, then said, almost to himself, "I’ve never seen anyone cry over missing their friends."

Then, he added, "You are the first."

Amara didn’t respond. What else could she say? And it’s not like his statement needed any response.

Alexander straightened. This time, he was more attentive. "Listen carefully," he said.

Her attention snapped back to him immediately.

"The telephone in your residence is restricted. It only works within the palace for security reasons."

She listened, her earlier emotions slowly settling into focus.

"My line can reach anywhere within this kingdom, but not yours," he continued. "And no one here can contact your kingdom through a phone. The same applies in reverse."

Amara’s brows knit slightly.

"The connection hasn’t been established. The relationship between both kingdoms may be peaceful—but it is still controlled," he finished.

Amara went still as everything clicked into place. Even if her father had not seized her phone, and she had brought it with her, it wouldn’t have mattered.

She would still have been cut off.

The realization settled heavily, but strangely it also cleared something—the confusion, the frustration and the helplessness.

Alexander watched her expression shift, then continued. "As for the letter," he said, "you cannot write directly to your friends."

Her gaze lifted slightly.

"You are the Political Bride. Any correspondence you send must go through your family," he reminded her.

Another clear realization dawned on her. "Now, I know why Mrs. Woods had insisted on my father’s house address.’

Amara exhaled softly, her emotions steadying. She understood everything completely now.

For a moment, she just sat there, absorbing everything. A moment later, she asked, quietly, "Is there truly no way I can reach my friends?"

Alexander didn’t answer immediately. He stared at her long enough for her to start wondering if she had overstepped.

Her fingers tightened slightly as she prepared to apologize. But before she could speak, he moved.

Without a word, Alexander reached for a stack beside him, pulled out three sheets of parchment, and placed them in front of her. Then he set a pen beside them.

Amara blinked as her brows lifted slightly in confusion.

His gaze remained on her. "Write to your friends."