Page 15 of Throne Off Course

Alexander crossed his arms, glowering. Sebastian couldn’t breathe.

“Wait, wait,” he gasped for air. “What,whatdid she do?”

Alexander rolled his shoulders like a man physically restraining himself from committing a crime. “Sheimmediatelycalled me out,” he said, voice flat and lethal. “Looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘You don’t enjoy seeing me. You find me deeply frustrating, and I make your life harder.’”

Sebastian was wheezing now, barely able to contain himself.

“And then,” Alexander continued, his voice growing even darker, “she reminded me about overhearing my comments about her age and qualifications. Said she wasn’t selected for this project because she’s ‘easily charmed,’ but because she ‘doesn’t fall for performances, royal or otherwise.’”

Sebastian howled. “Oh,thisis my favorite day.”

“She actually asked if I wanted to discuss herPinterest boardsfirst,” Alexander added, his voice deadly quiet. “A direct reference to what she overheard me saying to Davenport. And then she told me she prefers ‘honest disdain to insincere charm.’”

Sebastian clutched his sides, gasping for breath. “She’smagnificent. I need to meet this woman immediately.”

Alexander took a slow step forward, the floorboards creaking beneath his deliberate tread. Sebastian’s laughter abruptly cut off. Because, oh right. Alexander was still murderously angry.

“Ah,” Sebastian said casually, straightening in his seat. “Now, let’s not behasty…”

“You gave meterrible advice,” Alexander growled, voice low and dangerous.

Sebastian held up his hands. “In my defense, you were already acting unhinged about her. I merely…encouragedthe inevitable.”

Alexander took another step. Sebastian swiftly pushed back his chair, standing.

“Now, now, violence won’t solve this—”

Alexander rolled his sleeves up with methodical precision. Sebastian’s eyes widened as he immediately moved behind his desk.

“Listen, listen,” he said, one hand up. “I have plans this evening, my friend. I wouldvery muchlike to attend themwithouta black eye.”

Alexander took another step. Sebastian grabbed a very expensive decorative vase off the table.

“Don’t make me throw this,” he warned.

Alexander arched a brow. “You wouldn’t.”

Sebastian lifted the vase higher. “Try me.”

A long, tense silence. Finally, Alexander exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders back.

“Fine,” he muttered. “You’re notworththe effort.”

Sebastian smirked. “Oh, Ineveram.”

Alexander glared. Sebastian casually set the vase down. Then, just as Alexander turned toward the door, Sebastian couldn’t resist one final jab.

“You know,” Sebastian mused, grinning again, “if you had justdone what I originally suggestedand flirtedproperly, she might not have suspected a thing.”

Alexander immediately turned back around. Sebastian sprinted for the exit.

10

A Malfunctioning Prince

“Heflirtedwith me.”

There was a brief pause. Then, Harper burst into laughter so loud that Emilia had to pull the phone away from her ear.