Chapter 192: A Different Thought
{Third Person}
Alexander gave a small nod.
Normally, this wasn’t a gesture he would easily give. But for some reason, his countenance was soft, and the aura he exuded was peaceful.
Amara’s heart lifted. Soon, she would leave behind the palace, with its endless formalities, constant tension, and suffocating atmosphere. The thought alone felt liberating.
Then another thought struck her.
She looked up at Alexander again, her gaze different now—filled with understanding. "You asked me those questions because you wanted to know what kind of place I would prefer."
Alexander did not deny it. Though he gave no answer, Amara’s smile deepened. That small detail touched her more than she expected. He had cared enough to ask—and more importantly, he had listened.
A warm feeling settled in her chest.
Alexander watched her quietly, then he said, "Go and prepare."
Amara nodded almost immediately. "Yes, Your Highness." She rose from her seat, but the happiness on her face had become impossible to hide.
As she turned to leave, Alexander’s voice stopped her. "Amara."
She turned back. "Yes?"
Alexander met her gaze briefly before saying calmly, "You should be happier than this."
A thoughtful look appeared on Amara’s face. She looked a bit confused at first. But the next second, her smile widened completely. This time, she could no longer hide it.
"I am happy."
And indeed, happiness was written all over her face.
She bowed politely before leaving.
By the time she returned to her own residence, the excitement inside her had grown too big to contain.
The moment she entered, Mrs. Woods and Sonia immediately noticed the bright expression on her face.
"You look happy," Mrs. Woods acknowledged with a small smile.
Amara could not hold back anymore. She turned to both women and announced, "We are leaving the palace."
Mrs. Woods blinked. Sonia looked equally stunned.
Amara quickly continued, unable to hide her excitement. "His Highness is moving to the city in a few days, and I will be going with him."
At that revelation, joy spread across both women’s faces.
Sonia smiled first. "That’s wonderful news, my lady!"
Mrs. Woods also smiled warmly. "It truly is." She agreed.
Amara nodded eagerly. Her happiness was contagious. "The city will be quieter, and there will be fewer people."
Sonia laughed softly. "That sounds perfect for you."
Amara smiled in agreement. Then, suddenly, a thought crossed her mind, and her expression shifted. She shifted her gaze to Mrs. Woods.
"Wait..." She started, but hesitated before asking quietly, "Will you be coming with us?"
The question made Mrs. Woods pause. The warm smile on her face faded slightly. "It is unlikely." She sighed softly.
Amara’s brows furrowed.
Mrs. Woods continued gently. "I am the housekeeper of the Alpha Prince’s residence." Her gaze moved briefly around the room. "If His Highness is moving to live in the city, then someone still needs to take care of this residence."
The words made Amara fall silent.
Mrs. Woods gave her a small smile. "There is also another matter."
Amara listened carefully.
Mrs. Woods continued, "It is very likely that His Highness will not take the concubine living at the back residence with him either."
Amara slowly nodded. That part, at least, did not surprise her; she already understood why.
That woman had never truly been wanted here. She was merely a former maid whom Queen Lysandra had cunningly and forcefully pushed into Alexander’s residence about a year ago.
Knowing Alexander, it was indeed highly unlikely he would take her along.
Still, Amara’s thoughts remained on something else. Mrs. Woods. Her smile had completely faded now.
Amara suddenly realized something. She did not actually know much about this move at all. She had only focused on the excitement of leaving and had not stopped to think about the details.
Who would go with them?
Who would stay behind?
What would truly change?
The happiness inside her softened as guilt quietly crept in. She looked at Mrs. Woods and felt unexpectedly bad.
She had grown attached to the woman, so the thought of leaving without her suddenly did not feel good at all.
---
That same evening, after the storm of emotions in her chambers had finally settled, Queen Lysandra dismissed everyone and sat alone in her private sitting room.
The shattered decorations had already been cleaned up. Fresh wine had been poured. The room had returned to its usual elegant appearance, as though nothing had happened.
But Lysandra’s mind remained far from calm.
She sat silently, holding a glass of wine and gazing emptily as her thoughts shifted cautiously. Previously, she was consumed by anger, but now it had subsided. In its place, a more perilous feeling had emerged: calculation.
Slowly, she took another sip of wine and leaned back.
The more she thought about Alexander’s decision, the more her mind began shifting away from emotion and toward strategy.
At first, she had been furious that Alexander would still retain his title even after leaving the palace. Now, however, she was beginning to see the matter differently.
A slow smile appeared on her lips. Perhaps this was not entirely bad.
Inside the palace, Alexander had always been difficult to touch. No matter how much she hated admitting it, the royal palace offered him too much protection.
Even with all the chaos during the banquet, Alexander had survived. And worse, Sebastian was now more cautious than ever.
Lysandra lightly tapped a finger against her glass. Inside the palace, making a move against Alexander had become nearly impossible. But outside?
Her smile deepened.
That changed everything. The city was different. It was far less controlled and secure. Outside the palace walls, danger could come from anywhere through an accident, an ambush, a poisoned meal, or a carefully arranged attack.
The possibilities were endless.
Lysandra’s eyes narrowed slightly. Perhaps Alexander had mistaken freedom for safety.
Foolish child. He had spent too much time under Sebastian’s protection. Did he truly think the city would be safer than the palace?
No. If anything, he had just made himself more vulnerable.
A soft chuckle escaped her lips. She swirled the wine in her glass slowly. "Yes..." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "This may work in our favour after all."
The anger that had nearly consumed her earlier had now transformed into cold purpose.
She had sworn to herself that Alexander would lose that title. Now, she simply needed patience and the right opportunity.
One thing was certain. If Alexander truly intended to live outside the palace, then she would make sure his freedom became his greatest mistake.