Alex.

After Sebastian left the room, I sat there for about 10 minutes, looking at the door, hoping he would come back. But when it dawned on me that he had no intention of discussing what had happened, I got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom.

I wasn't going to act like a 15-year-old girl after her first kiss, even though that's how old I was when I first met him. I wasn't going to lock myself in the room and cry into my pillow, feeling sorry for myself because I had been rejected, kissed, treated rudely, and then kissed again. That's how Rainn described Sebastian's hot-and-cold games. Well, I'll think about it tomorrow, it's already late. It's probably close to midnight; I need to check if Sebastian has reassured Rainn and Lady Price.

I felt surprisingly well, with no signs of backlash or ill effects. I quickly washed up, tidied my hair, and put on one of my casual dresses that I brought from the boarding house. Then I left the room.

The silence in the house was unsettling, with magical lamps flickering in a few places. I stopped at the staircase and listened. Could everyone already be asleep? The only sounds in the house were coming from the living room, so I headed there. I didn't feel like sleeping after everything that had happened.

At the entrance, I adjusted my dress and straightened my posture, giving myself the appearance of a noblewoman at a ball. I entered the room. To my disappointment or relief, only Lady Price was in the living room. I didn't see Sebastian or Rein. The woman was sitting in a cozy chair adorned with elegant carvings, gazing thoughtfully out the window, completely lost in her thoughts.

When I approached closer, the woman snapped out of her reverie and warmly smiled. "Oh, Alex, how glad I am to see that you're feeling better," she said, examining me to make sure everything was alright, and continued, "Sebastian reassured us with Rainn and assured us that you're fine. But he asked us not to disturb you unless you wish to leave the room. I'm very glad you're here. Everyone was so worried; I've never seen the boys so flustered and nervous."

I smiled back and, upon the hostess's invitation, took a seat in a neighboring chair.

"Thank you, Lady Price," I said, smiling warmly, "I'm sorry for causing concern. Everything is fine now." I looked around the living room, showing interest in my surroundings.

Lady Price smiled understandingly.

"He has left, occupied with kingdom matters," she explained. "Rainn is accompanying Sebastian to the border. But don't worry, I'm sure he'll be back to you soon." The woman stood up from her chair and looked at my pale face questioningly. "How about a cup of mint infusion before bed? I'm certain it will be beneficial for you."

I tried to force a smile and got up from the chair. "With pleasure, Lady Price. The day has been eventful and unsettling," I tried to add firmness to my voice. But judging by the indulgent smile from the elderly lady, it was not convincing. The news of the prince hastily leaving Forestsy, without even waiting for morning, disappointed me. Sebastian clearly intended to avoid meeting me after what had happened. It sparked an unpleasant burning sensation between my shoulder blades.

Lady Price and I made our way to the kitchen, where the hostess treated me to the mint infusion. It helped me relax, and I smiled genuinely at the woman, trying to push away thoughts and associations with the prince.

After savoring the infusion, the woman led me to my room and wished me a good night. Left alone, I let out a relaxed exhale. It was hard to believe that all of this had happened in just one day. Well, Rainn was right—I definitely didn't have time to be bored here.

I opened the window, allowing the fresh sea air to enter the room, and stood on the balcony for a few minutes, enjoying the bright moonlight and its serene beauty. The mint infusion brought a pleasant sense of relaxation, and I didn't resist it.

Turning towards the bed, I whispered, "Everything will be fine tomorrow." I happily climbed under the warm covers, letting tiredness envelop me, knowing that tomorrow would bring a new day. I drifted into the realm of dreams with hope that everything would be resolved and perhaps, Sebastian would return soon.

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Sebastian.

De Forest Castle.

Prince's chambers.

Sebastian sat on his bed, resting his forehead on his hands. He breathed erratically and heavily, trying to calm himself down. Bright images and thoughts of Alex refused to leave his mind.

He still felt the taste of her lips and the warmth of her breath on him. The soft moans echoed in his ears, and his hands longed to feel her skin again, to grasp her pliant body. He wanted to tear away that cursed attire from her, under which he could feel every curve as if she were naked. The thirst for her touch consumed him. In that moment of the kiss, they both felt passion and desire.

Sebastian momentarily lost control. The sudden arousal led to unforeseen consequences, and he realized he had made a mistake. But damn the Chaos, if that girl were near him again, he wouldn't be able to resist.

The effect that Alex had on his power came as a surprise to Sebastian. He could feel the power flowing into her, filling every cell of her body. Every touch sent waves of excitement through him, and he had never desired anyone as much as he desired her in that moment. But it was only the influence of magic. Once the power inside him ceased its turmoil, he would regain the lost balance.

That's how the prince tried to calm himself when he broke free at night and headed to de Forest. He urged his horse forward, ignoring the dense twilight, under the contemplative gaze of Rainn, who didn't ask unnecessary questions, understanding that his friend was at his limit.

Only at the very border did he throw a remark over his shoulder to the prince, "Don't worry, I'll take care of her." Sebastian just nodded. He trusted Daniel, confident that while the prince regained his composure and realized the consequences of what he had done, Rainn would watch over the guardian.

Questions and doubts swirled in his mind. Sebastian realized that he could lose himself, his power, and his sanity if he allowed passion to take hold of him. He tried to calm himself and understand his feelings. He knew he needed time and space. He wished to regain control over himself, which would allow him to resist the emerging attraction and weaken the bond.

The prince realized that he had made a mistake by succumbing to desire and that he could have done even more if it weren't for Alex's intervention. The girl had shattered his self-control to its core.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't immediately notice that he was no longer alone in the room.

___________________________________

Sebastian slowly returned to reality as gentle female hands enveloped his back and began unbuttoning his shirt. He turned around and saw a beautiful blonde woman with graceful features and eyes full of intrigue and passion. It was Alicia Lindwood, seductive and mysterious. Her long, glistening golden hair framed her face in soft curls, accentuating her tenderness and femininity.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Her figure was slender and graceful, with appetizing curves. Her entire appearance embodied the art of seduction, and she skillfully wielded her allure, creating an atmosphere of passion and romance around herself.

Sebastian, surprised, whispered, "Lis?"

Alicia gracefully rose from the couch, circled Sebastian, and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "I missed you, Basti. You disappeared for a few days, and my father went on a mission for the king and brought me to the castle." As she spoke, the girl played with his hair, running her fingers through the locks and gradually descending from his ear to his neck, planting light kisses on his skin.

Sebastian closed his eyes in pleasure. Alicia was skilled in seduction and knew how to please the prince, as she had proven many times during their nights together.

Alicia Lindwood, the daughter of the chief advisor to the Forest King, Count Lindwood. Her father was trusted by the count, and Alicia had spent a lot of time in the de Forest castle since childhood when the count fulfilled the king's will and was absent on his travels. She was passionate and breathtakingly beautiful, the most envied bride and the kingdom's foremost beauty. Sebastian noticed her when he returned from the Academy. Alicia shone at all the balls, and he had no chance of resisting her passion and allure. That's how their connection began, leading them into a world of passion.

But behind all her beauty and passion, Alicia was not just a beautiful lover but also the daughter of an influential count. Marrying her would bring stability and additional influence to the royal family, and Sebastian was well aware of that.

Sebastian's father had long hinted at the possibility of a marriage with Alicia. As the chief advisor to the Forest King, Count Lindwood saw Sebastian as a worthy candidate for a son-in-law. The king also couldn't help but notice the connection between Sebastian and Alicia and had considered Alicia as the unofficial fiancee of the prince for several years.

The de Forest castle already considered Alicia as a member of the royal family, awaiting only the official announcement of their marriage. Alicia's father and the king saw not only love but also political advantage in this union. Their marriage would make both families even more influential and strengthen the positions of both sides.

Sebastian gently disentangled himself from Alicia, freeing himself from her embrace. He looked at her with a serious expression on his face. "Lis, it's not the right time. I've just returned, let's meet in the morning."

The girl pouted in offense and stood up, adjusting her dress. "Our tiredness never bothered us before, Basti. What happened?"

Sebastian sighed thoughtfully and gently took Alicia's hand in his. "Yes, circumstances have taken an unexpected turn, and everything has become a bit more complicated. My father has asked me to assist with an important and delicate matter outside the kingdom. It wasn't planned, and I will have to leave for several months to resolve it."

Alicia looked at Sebastian with surprise. "But my father didn't mention anything about this, and the king had no plans to send you anywhere. Sebastian, what is this matter and how does it affect us?"

Sebastian paused, his gaze wandering into the distance as if searching for the right words. He didn't want to deceive Alicia, but he couldn't tell her the truth about Alex.

Sebastian hardened his voice, showing that he wouldn't justify himself to her. "This matter, Alicia, is related to important political issues that require my personal presence in another city." Then, with a softer tone, seeing how his lover's spirits dropped, he added, "Lis, I just need time. I can't explain everything to you right now, just trust me."

Alicia sighed heavily, approached closer, and reached for a kiss. She understood that pressing Sebastian further would be futile, and not wanting to leave him in such a mood, she seductively arched her body and whispered, "I believe you, but remember, you are mine, Sebastian de Forest."

Sebastian tenderly and quickly kissed Alicia, immediately pulling away. He could sense that she wanted more, but after the ritual with Alex, he still felt her presence, and not even Alicia could dispel those feelings.

Alicia stepped back, her eyes filled with disappointment, but she tried to smile. "Goodnight, Basti," she said and left the room.

Sebastian felt mixed emotions from Alicia's kiss. What used to arouse desire in him now felt wrong. He valued the Countess, her loyalty, and love. She forgave him for numerous affairs and never caused scenes of jealousy. Alicia Lindwood always seemed like the perfect candidate for his wife and, later on, queen. Intelligent and beautiful, she would effortlessly handle court intrigues and never throw tantrums over favorites. But now, all her merits seemed dull. Alex, with her childlike naivety and inner strength, had unexpectedly penetrated deep into his soul, leaving a faint trace. Sebastian now had to wrestle with this internal conflict.

___________________________________________________________________

Morning at the de Forest Castle was stormy. With the sunrise, the King summoned Sebastian to his study.

The King of the Woods, the head of the de Forest dynasty, was an impressive figure, combining grandeur with youthfulness. Despite his many years, he remained slim and energetic. His gaze was penetrating and confident, reflecting wisdom and experience, yet there was a youthful spark in it.

He had black hair that cascaded gently onto his shoulders like silk whirls. The King of the Woods' face was adorned with thick eyebrows that added expressiveness, and his bangs, slightly swaying in the wind, added a playful touch to his appearance.

The powerful figure of the King of the Woods was dressed in luxurious garments made of soft green velvet, adorned with precious jewelry symbolizing his high status and power. A ring with engravings depicting symbols of nature and magic gleamed on his finger, a hereditary artifact.

There was something familiar about him, reminiscent of Sebastian. Their facial features and mannerisms bore a resemblance.

Sebastian entered his father's study and bowed slightly. "You summoned me, Your Majesty?"

Frederick looked at his son with a cold gaze. "I was considering sending people to search for you, Sebastian. You were out of contact for several days. But we'll discuss that later. Are you aware of the situation in the Kingdom of Seas? Christoph de Seen's niece, Alessandra de Savoyar, has gone missing. She's the last of the de Savoyar lineage."

Sebastian listened attentively to his father and nodded, indicating his understanding of the situation. "Yes, Father, I'm aware of Alessandra's disappearance. The case is complicated by the fact that she is the last of the keepers. As far as I know, Roger and Celeste de Savoyar have also disappeared under dubious circumstances. Officially, Alessandra is a subject of the Kingdom of Seas. What do we know about this so far? Your Majesty, do you think we should intervene?"

Frederick sighed, realizing the complexity of the situation. "Yes, Sebastian, Alessandra's disappearance is of great concern to us. She is not only the last of the keepers but also holds significant importance for the security and balance of our kingdoms. Our dynasty's involvement in this matter would be justified if we see that the government of the Kingdom of Seas cannot resolve this issue on their own."

He looked at Sebastian with a serious expression.

Frederick: "Your knowledge and connections in the Kingdom of Seas can be valuable in this investigation. I want you to travel to the Kingdom of Seas and gather all the information, not only regarding Alessandra's disappearance but also what happened to the Duke and Duchess de Savoyar. Act discreetly, without drawing attention or engaging with local authorities. Above all, be vigilant and monitor events that may lead us to Alessandra. It's better if we find her first." The king's voice was tense, with hints of poorly concealed anger, revealing his extreme concern.

Sebastian took a deep breath. The events were taking an interesting turn. But it was still too early to reveal all the cards to his father. At least now he had his hands untied, and no one would ask unnecessary questions about his absence from the Kingdom of the Woods until Alex reached adulthood.

Sebastian confidently looked into the king's eyes. "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I will do everything possible to be the first to find Alessandra. I will establish contacts with loyal individuals in the Kingdom of Seas to uncover the mystery of the disappearance of the Duke and Duchess de Savoyar."

Frederick nodded, expressing his approval. "You will have all the necessary support and resources, Sebastian. And remember, it's better for your involvement to remain in the shadows. We don't need an open conflict with Moray at this point. Your task is to find the young duchess and bring her to de Forest. If you cannot convince her to come willingly, use other means. Good luck."

Sebastian tensed at the formulation. He expected his father to be interested in gaining influence over Savoyar through the heiress. But he didn't expect to be offered to forcibly take the duchess away. The prince pushed aside the strange feeling that arose when he saw the king's extreme concern. He bowed gratefully to his father and turned, heading towards the exit of the study.

The game had now escalated, and the stakes were higher. The risk of exposing Alex's whereabouts became even more dangerous.