The Cursed Alpha Prince's Replacement Bride-Chapter 53: Something Else Apart From Killing

{Third Person}

The afternoon passed quietly until the sharp ring of the landline cut through the calm. Mrs. Woods was the one who answered it.

"Hello... yes—Princess."

Her tone shifted instantly, respectful and attentive. She listened without interrupting.

"I understand, Your Highness... I will inform her."

She gently placed the receiver back, then turned and made her way toward the dining area, where Amara was having lunch.

She stopped a few steps away. "Lady Amara, the Princess just called."

Amara looked up.

"She says she has confirmed with her friends. They will be meeting tomorrow evening," Mrs. Woods continued, "but she would like to take you out earlier in the day, after breakfast. She mentioned showing you around... and perhaps some shopping before the evening gathering."

"Okay." Amara nodded. There was something in her expression, lighter than usual.

Mrs. Woods hesitated briefly before adding, "However... you will still need His Highness’s permission to leave the palace."

Amara didn’t seem concerned. "Then help me inform him."

Mrs. Woods blinked, a little surprised at how easily she said it, but she nodded. "Yes, Lady Amara."

It didn’t take long for Mrs. Woods to make her way over to the Alpha Prince’s side. She met Jasper first and quickly informed him that she would like to see Alexander and make a report to him.

"This way," he simply gestured and led her into a waiting room. Moments later, the door opened, and Alexander stepped out.

Mrs. Woods immediately bowed. "Your Highness."

He acknowledged her with a short hum.

She didn’t waste time. "The Princess will be taking Lady Amara out tomorrow. I came to seek your permission."

Alexander’s gaze rested on her for a moment. "Tell her to come see me," he said calmly.

Mrs. Woods nodded. As she turned to leave, his voice came again. "No need to go round. Let her come through the connecting door."

Mrs. Woods paused slightly. "Yes, Your Highness."

When Mrs. Woods returned, Amara had just finished eating.

"His Highness has asked to see you," she informed.

Amara hiccupped. The reaction was so sudden it caught even her off guard. "...What? Why?"

"He did not state a reason," Mrs. Woods replied.

Amara hiccupped again and reached for the glass of water in front of her and took a few quick sips, as if that could somehow steady her. Then she set it down, and a long breath escaped her.

"Of course, he did not," she muttered under her breath. Then she pushed her chair back and stood. "Let’s go."

Mrs. Woods nodded and led the way. They walked past the dining area and into a quieter corridor Amara hadn’t paid much attention to before. The space was narrower, less decorated, almost like a passage meant to be forgotten.

Mrs. Woods stopped in front of a door. Next, she reached into her sleeve, brought out a key, and unlocked it. The soft click echoed faintly.

"This door connects both sides of the residence," she explained, pushing it open.

Amara stared at it. For a second, she didn’t move. Then she glanced at Mrs. Woods. "You’re not coming with me?"

Mrs. Woods shook her head gently and stepped back. "His Highness only called for you."

Amara looked at the open doorway again. Then back at Mrs. Woods. She didn’t want to go see Alexander alone. She didn’t have the confidence since she wasn’t even aware of the reason he sent for her. But there was no escaping this.

"...Right," Amara mumbled as she squared her shoulders slightly, then stepped forward, crossing through the doorway.

Behind her, Mrs. Woods quietly retreated.

"Come here." The familiar voice came from somewhere ahead.

Amara paused for only a second before following it, her steps quieter as she moved down the short corridor and stopped in front of a closed door.

For a moment, she wasn’t entirely sure if this was where he was, but she raised her hand anyway, knocked softly, then pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The sight before her caught her off guard.

Alexander sat behind a wide study table, papers spread out in neat but overwhelming stacks. His sleeves were slightly rolled, a pen moving steadily between his fingers as he wrote. A pair of reading glasses rested on his nose, and for once, there was no sharp edge to his presence. He was just calm, composed, and focused.

Amara blinked a few times. This side of him was very new to her. Then a thought slipped into her mind.

’So he can do something else apart from killing?’

Just then, Alexander lifted his gaze and met hers "Why are you still standing there?"

She snapped out of it immediately and walked in, closing the door behind her before taking a seat without waiting to be invited.

Her eyes drifted back to the table. She tried subtly to peek at what he was writing, but his hand moved faster. He covered the page and frowned at her.

Her lips twitched slightly. ’Why so secretive?’

Out loud, she said, "Mrs. Woods said you sent for me."

"Yes." His tone was simple. Then, without looking away from her, he added, "I heard Elowen will be taking you out tomorrow."

Amara nodded. "Yes."

"Where?"

"She said we will go shopping first," Amara replied, "then meet her friends in the evening."

Alexander’s pen stilled. "Where will you be meeting them?"

Amara shrugged. "I don’t know."

Alexander just stared blankly at her. "And you don’t want to know?"

Amara’s brows drew together slightly as she met his gaze. For a second, irritation flickered through her.

’Is he simply looking for a reason to pick at me again?’

"Next time, find out every detail before agreeing to anything. What if you end up not liking the location?" he asked.

Amara let out a quiet breath, not knowing what to say to him. She hadn’t thought that far, or maybe she just hadn’t cared.

As if reading that from her silence, he continued, "If you get uncomfortable at any point, tell the Princess to send you back immediately."

Amara nodded this time. "Alright."

The room fell quiet again. Seeing that he had nothing more to say, she pushed her chair back and stood up.

"Thank you," she said, then turned and walked toward the door. But just as her hand touched the handle, she paused.

Something lingered at the edge of her mind, something she had planned to ask. She hesitated for a moment before turning back slightly.

However, before she could speak, he said to her, "His Majesty gave you some money the other time. Use it. You earned it." Then, he added. "Don’t worry about spending it. No one will ask you to refund it."

"...Oh." That was all she managed, because that was exactly what she had been about to ask. Before she could even gather her thoughts, he continued.

"Even if they do, I will refund it," he said casually. "Go spend your money in peace."

Something shifted in her chest. The way he said it, like it was already hers and not like a loan or a favour.

Her own money.

Suddenly, she remembered why she got it in the first place. She was wronged, and she had endured it.

Right then, a small, almost unnoticed change settled in her posture. Her shoulders straightened just a little.

"Thank you," she said again, this time more firmly. Then she turned and left.

For a moment, Alexander did not move. His pen lazily rested between his fingers, his thoughts elsewhere entirely.

Then, after a moment, he blinked as if snapping back. He lowered his gaze, opened the book again, and carried on writing.