Chapter 157: The Birthday Banquet (IV)
{Third Person}
As the evening continued, the banquet hall grew steadily livelier.
Conversations overlapped throughout the room as nobles, ministers, and distinguished guests moved freely between groups. The formal portion of the celebration was over, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy themselves.
Servants circulated constantly with trays of wine and refreshments, while musicians filled the background with elegant melodies that blended naturally into the atmosphere.
Alexander remained where he was, receiving a steady stream of guests who wished to offer birthday greetings.
Although he responded with his usual courtesy, his attention was not entirely on the conversations around him. More than once, his gaze drifted toward a particular corner of the hall.
Amara was standing with her friends.
For perhaps the first time since she had arrived in the Werewolf Kingdom, she appeared completely at ease. The tension that usually lingered around her seemed absent tonight.
She was smiling, laughing, and speaking freely with Hazel, Rachel, and Davina. There was no hesitation in her expressions and no careful restraint in her movements. She looked comfortable, happy, and entirely herself.
The sight held Alexander’s attention longer than he cared to admit.
He found himself remembering the young woman who had first arrived at the palace months ago. Back then, she had been cautious and nervous, constantly watching her surroundings as though expecting danger from every direction.
The woman standing with her friends now looked very different. She carried herself with more confidence, and there was a warmth in her demeanour that had been absent for a long time.
Unfortunately, Barron noticed where Alexander was looking.
The corner of his mouth twitched upward as he followed Alexander’s gaze toward Amara and her friends.
"I think that’s the most relaxed I’ve ever seen her," he remarked casually.
Alexander lifted his glass and took a sip of wine. "Perhaps."
"Interesting." Barron’s smile widened slightly.
Alexander already knew what kind of conclusions Barron was trying to draw and had no intention of encouraging him. Fortunately, Barron’s attention soon shifted elsewhere.
Or rather, to Lila.
The more he observed her, the less he liked what he saw. Even from across the hall, her reactions were becoming increasingly obvious.
Every time attention shifted toward Amara, a trace of irritation crossed her face. Every laugh Amara shared with her friends seemed to worsen her mood.
The contrast between the two sisters was becoming impossible to ignore.
Barron was studying her when he noticed a change. Lila had finally lost patience.
Straightening her shoulders, she began making her way toward Amara’s group.
Barron’s eyes narrowed immediately. "Well now," he murmured.
Alexander followed his gaze and immediately understood.
Meanwhile, Amara was listening to one of Davina’s stories when she noticed movement approaching from the corner of her eye. Her smile faded slightly as her gaze fell on Lila.
Rachel noticed next. Then Hazel. Then Davina.
The shift in the group’s mood was subtle but immediate. Only Elowen appeared unaware of the tension.
Lila stopped before them with a pleasant smile on her face. "Big Sister."
Amara met her gaze calmly. "Lila."
The exchange was perfectly polite, yet something beneath the surface felt strained. Hazel, Rachel, and Davina certainly felt it. So did Elowen, although she did not yet understand why.
Lila maintained her smile. "I am glad to see you’re doing well."
"Thank you," Amara replied politely.
"Father and Mother were worried about you."
Amara simply inclined her head in acknowledgement.
The response was so measured and neutral that Lila found herself with little room to manoeuvre.
She had approached expecting something from Amara, perhaps resentment or discomfort, but there was nothing. Amara remained calm and composed.
At that moment, Elowen stepped into the conversation. "You must be Amara’s sister."
"Yes, Your Highness." Lila immediately turned toward her. "Forgive my rudeness."
"Hmmm." Elowen smiled warmly. "I’ve heard very little about you."
The statement was innocent enough, yet something about it caused Hazel to lower her head quickly to hide a smile. Rachel became suddenly interested in her drink, while Davina looked away entirely.
For the first time, Lila’s smile faltered.
Fortunately, another guest approached Elowen at that moment and diverted the Princess’s attention.
Realizing she was no longer accomplishing anything useful, Lila offered a few final pleasantries before excusing herself.
The moment she was gone, the entire group visibly relaxed.
Davina released a long breath. "That was painful."
Hazel immediately nodded in agreement as Rachel looked toward Amara.
"You handled that much better than I would have,’ she said.
Amara smiled faintly. The truth was that she no longer had the energy to fight with Lila. Too much had happened over the past few months, and tonight was not a night she intended to spend arguing.
Across the hall, Barron had observed the entire interaction. By the time it ended, he had made up his mind.
Setting his glass aside, he adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves and glanced toward Alexander.
"What are you doing?" Alexander asked, already suspicious.
Barron’s expression was far too innocent. "Making an acquaintance."
Alexander looked at him for a moment before returning his attention to the noble currently approaching him.
Barron took that as permission, or at least he decided to.
Making his way through the crowd, he eventually arrived where Lila stood speaking with a pair of young noblewomen from the Human Kingdom.
The conversation ended naturally when the women noticed someone approaching.
Lila turned as well. For a brief moment, curiosity flickered across her face.
The man standing before her was handsome, well-dressed, and carried himself with the ease of someone accustomed to authority. But more importantly, she had noticed him standing near Alexander several times throughout the evening.
Clearly, he was someone important. Unfortunately, she had no idea who he was.
That alone made him worth paying attention to.
Barron stopped before her and offered a polite smile. "Lady Lila, I presume?"
Lila returned the smile smoothly. "Yes."
"My apologies for interrupting."
"Not at all."
Barron inclined his head slightly. "My name is Barron Langford."
The name meant absolutely nothing to her. Barron noticed immediately, and amusement flickered briefly in his eyes.
"I am His Highness’s cousin."
That changed everything.
Lila’s expression brightened almost at once. "You mean, the Alpha Prince’s cousin?"
Barron nodded. "Our mothers were sisters."
"I see." The smile she offered him became noticeably warmer. Internally, however, her thoughts moved in a different direction.
Another werewolf. Of course.
Still, unlike the rough, intimidating warriors she had expected to find in this kingdom, Barron was surprisingly refined, well-dressed, well-spoken, and most importantly, connected to power.
That last part interested her far more than anything else.
"Then we are very pleased to meet, Lord Langford," she said.
Barron almost laughed. ’We?’
He found her choice of words interesting. But outwardly, however, his expression remained perfectly pleasant.
"The pleasure is mine."
