{Third Person}

The next morning...

Amara stirred in her sleep, her brows knitting slightly before she shifted under the covers. A soft, persistent movement against her arm pulled her closer to wakefulness.

Ginger had already made herself comfortable, nudging, ruffling, and pressing insistently against her as though determined to drag her out of sleep.

Amara let out a soft groan before finally opening her eyes.

For a moment, she simply lay there, staring ahead, her body feeling far more exhausted than she expected. It didn’t make sense.

She hadn’t done anything strenuous the day before—she had only watched the Hunt—yet her limbs felt heavy, and her head carried a faint weight that refused to lift.

Ginger let out a small sound and pushed closer.

Amara exhaled softly, her expression easing as she turned slightly and wrapped her arms around the cat.

"Good morning to you, too," she murmured.

She stayed like that for a while, holding Ginger close, letting the quiet moment settle her. The warmth, the softness—it helped, even if just a little.

A soft knock sounded on the door after some time.

Mrs. Woods stepped in shortly after, her presence calm as always. She offered a respectful greeting before walking a little closer.

"My lady, you are awake."

Amara nodded faintly, still seated on the bed with Ginger in her arms.

Mrs. Woods observed her briefly, then added, "I allowed you to rest a little longer this morning because I thought you would need it. And you did."

"Thank you." Amara gave a small nod in appreciation, but before she could say anything else, Mrs. Woods continued.

"Ms. Nora is here to see you."

Amara blinked as her brows slightly furrowed. "Nora?" she repeated, her confusion clear. "Who is that?"

Mrs. Woods answered without hesitation. "She is the concubine residing at the back of His Highness’s residence."

Amara’s eyes widened immediately. "His Highness’s concubine?"

Mrs. Woods nodded.

It took Amara a moment to process that. Then her brows drew together slightly. "What does she want with me?"

Mrs. Woods clasped her hands calmly. "Since your arrival, she has not come to greet you. It is likely she came today to pay her respects and make herself known to you."

Amara shook her head almost instantly. "I don’t want to see anyone," she said, her tone firm despite the lingering fatigue in her body. "I just woke up. I haven’t even brushed my teeth."

Then she added, more decisively, "Please send her back."

Mrs. Woods nodded without argument. "I understand." She turned and left the room thereafter.

—

Outside, Nora was still waiting.

She stood quietly, her posture reserved. She was of average height, slim, with features that did not particularly stand out but carried a certain softness.

Her hands were folded neatly before her, her expression composed, though there was a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

Mrs. Woods stepped out and approached her. "Lady Amara just woke up," she said politely. "You cannot see her now."

Nora’s expression shifted slightly, but she nodded. "I see." There was a brief pause before she asked, "When should I return?"

Mrs. Woods regarded her calmly. "You may check back later."

Nora nodded again, more slowly this time. "Alright."

She turned without another word and began to walk away, her steps quiet as she left the front of the residence.

---

On the other side of the residence, Alexander stepped out of his bedroom already dressed in a fitted long-sleeved shirt that clung neatly to his frame, paired with dark trousers that gave him a sharp, composed appearance.

His long black hair, faintly streaked with white, was tied back neatly, revealing a calm but distant expression on his face.

Jasper was already waiting in the hallway.

He, too, was dressed and prepared, standing with his usual quiet attentiveness. The moment Alexander appeared, he inclined his head slightly.

"Your Highness, the car is ready. It is parked outside."

Alexander gave a small nod and walked past him without delay. Jasper followed.

They stepped out into the courtyard, where the guards immediately straightened and greeted him.

Alexander acknowledged them with a brief wave, not breaking his stride as he continued forward.

Two sleek black cars were already waiting outside his residence.

One of the guards stepped forward quickly and opened the rear passenger door of the first car. Alexander entered without a word, settling into the seat with the same composed ease he carried everywhere.

Jasper moved to the front passenger seat.

Within moments, the doors closed, and the engines came to life. The cars rolled forward smoothly, leaving the residence behind.

—

At the Second Prince’s residence, the atmosphere was far less composed.

Zarek sat at the dining table, already halfway through breakfast. And beside him sat his new concubine.

Gone was the plain appearance of a maid. She had been dressed differently—more refined, more deliberate. She sat close enough to serve him, carefully placing food onto his plate, her movements cautious but practised.

Just as she reached forward again, footsteps approached.

Julia entered, but stopped the moment her eyes landed on the scene before her.

For a second, she simply stared at them, her eyes moving from one person to the other, then to the table. Then her expression hardened.

"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded, her voice sharp as she looked directly at Zarek.

Zarek didn’t respond. He continued eating as though she hadn’t spoken at all.

The concubine, however, immediately stiffened. Alarm flashed across her face as she instinctively moved to stand, but before she could, Zarek’s hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back into her seat.

"Continue," he said calmly.

The concubine hesitated, then quickly nodded, lowering her gaze. She offered Julia a brief, respectful nod before turning back, forcing herself to resume serving him.

Zarek leaned back slightly, watching her. Then, with deliberate intent, he guided the fork in her hand toward his mouth, eating from it as though it were the finest meal he had ever tasted.

The gesture was unmistakable. It was meant to provoke.

Julia’s anger flared. "You turned a maid into a concubine overnight?" she said, her voice tightening.

This time, Zarek slowly turned his gaze to her. "Have you forgotten your place?" he asked.