Free Web NovelChapter 158: Handing the Letter Over
{Third Person}
As the conversation continued, Barron asked harmless questions about her journey and her impressions of the kingdom.
Lila answered easily, appearing every bit the charming noblewoman. She complimented the palace, praised the banquet arrangements, and spoke politely about her experiences since arriving.
All the while, Barron listened and watched.
Most people paid attention to what others said, but Barron preferred watching what they revealed when they thought nobody was looking.
Several times, Lila’s gaze drifted toward Amara, and not once did it soften. Several times, her eyes also followed Alexander.
That interested him even more.
By the end of the conversation, Barron had learned very little from her words. Unfortunately for Lila, he had learned quite a lot from everything else.
Meanwhile, Lila found herself surprisingly pleased by the interaction.
A cousin of the Alpha Prince. A member of one of the kingdom’s powerful noble families.
Someone clearly trusted within royal circles.
Those were exactly the kinds of connections she liked to cultivate.
What she failed to realize was that while she had been trying to make a good impression on Barron, Barron had spent the entire conversation quietly judging her.
And his opinion was not favourable.
---
Elsewhere in the hall, another conversation was taking place.
One of Zarek’s trusted men approached discreetly and bowed. The movement was subtle enough that almost nobody paid attention.
The servant leaned close and whispered something into the Second Prince’s ear, and a slow smile immediately spread across his face.
"Excellent."
The servant lowered his head respectfully. "The preparations are complete."
The words were enough to put Zarek in an exceptionally good mood. Everything was finally in place.
The wine had been prepared. The servants had received their instructions. The final stage of the plan was ready to begin.
Across the hall, Alexander continued speaking with guests while nobles and ministers gathered around him. To everyone watching, the evening appeared to be proceeding perfectly.
Including Zarek.
As far as he was concerned, victory was already within reach.
---
Soon afterwards, Amara excused herself from her friends and returned to her place beside Alexander.
Although she would have preferred to remain with Hazel, Rachel, and Davina a little longer, she knew her responsibilities came first tonight.
As the Alpha Prince’s political bride, her place was at his side during the official proceedings.
The atmosphere inside the banquet hall gradually shifted once more as servants moved through the room, quietly informing guests that the presentation of birthday gifts would begin shortly.
Conversations slowed, and attention gradually returned to the royal tables.
One by one, guests approached to present their offerings.
The Werewolf ministers went first. Some offered rare artifacts, others presented valuable weapons, books, and treasures gathered from distant territories.
Alexander accepted each gift with the same calm courtesy, thanking every guest without showing particular favour toward anyone present.
The mages were among the next to step forward. Their participation immediately drew attention throughout the hall.
Unlike ordinary dignitaries, mages rarely involved themselves in the affairs of kingdoms. They lived according to their own customs and traditions, remaining largely independent from royal politics.
Their presence alone at the banquet had already attracted considerable curiosity.
Now, seeing them present gifts to Alexander personally only deepened the speculation.
Among the Human Kingdom delegation, several ministers exchanged discreet glances.
Anthony Caldwell noticed it as well. "The mages seem unusually involved," one minister murmured quietly.
Another nodded. "I thought they avoided royal affairs."
"So did I."
Anthony remained silent, watching as one of the elder mages stepped forward to present a beautifully crafted crystal artifact to Alexander.
The sight made several questions surface in his mind.
Mages did not attend events like this without reason. Nor did they often make gestures that could be interpreted as political goodwill.
For a brief moment, Anthony found himself wondering whether the Werewolf Kingdom was attempting to establish some kind of formal relationship with the mage circles.
The possibility alone was significant.
If such an alliance ever formed, it would shift the balance of influence across the continent.
Nearby, several other Human ministers appeared to be reaching similar conclusions.
Meanwhile, the mages themselves seemed completely unaware that people were already speculating about their intentions.
After the mages finished, the Human Kingdom delegation was finally invited forward.
Anthony exchanged a glance with Matilda before both rose from their seats. Together, they approached the royal table carrying their gift.
Amara watched them come, and her heart tightened. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Months ago, she would have felt nervous, perhaps even hopeful. Now she simply felt calm.
Anthony and Matilda offered proper greetings before presenting their gift to Alexander.
"It is our honour to celebrate Your Highness’s birthday," Anthony said politely.
Alexander acknowledged him with a nod.
"Our kingdom wishes you many prosperous years ahead."
The formalities were exchanged smoothly. Then Anthony hesitated only briefly before producing a sealed package from within his robes. freewebnoveℓ.com
"I also brought something Your Highness requested."
The statement immediately caught Alexander’s attention. So did Jasper’s. Without another word, Anthony extended the package.
Alexander accepted it. He already knew what it contained.
For a brief moment, his gaze rested on the sealed bundle before he handed it directly to Jasper.
"Keep it."
Jasper accepted it immediately. "Yes, Your Highness."
The exchange lasted only a few seconds, yet it felt strangely significant.
Neither Anthony nor Matilda asked any questions, and neither did Alexander offer any explanations. After another polite exchange, the couple withdrew and returned to their seats.
On the other hand, Amara had noticed the package changing hands. She had no idea what it was, nor did she suspect it had anything to do with her.
Meanwhile, the gift presentations continued. The banquet appeared to be proceeding too smoothly.
At the same time, a faint smile played at the corners of Zarek’s lips. His patience was finally about to be rewarded.
Several servants emerged from a side entrance carrying fresh bottles of wine. Most guests paid them little attention, but Alexander did not.
The moment the servants appeared, his eyes found them. Barron noticed them as well, and so did Jasper.
The three men exchanged no looks and made no comments. Outwardly, nothing changed, yet all three understood exactly what they were looking at.
The game had begun.
The servants moved through the hall with practiced efficiency, refilling glasses and placing fresh bottles upon various tables.
Among them were the specific servants Zarek had carefully arranged. Among them were the bottles prepared for tonight.
From his seat, Zarek watched the process unfold with growing satisfaction as everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
A short while later, he rose from his chair. The movement immediately attracted attention, and conversations gradually quieted.
Then Zarek lifted his glass with an easy smile.
"My brother only celebrates one birthday each year," he began, his voice carrying easily throughout the hall. "It would be a shame if we allowed such an occasion to pass without a proper toast."
