Chapter 5: The Declaration of War

The throne room exhaled an ancestral coldness. King Leopold I, a man whose face was a map of battles and implacable decisions, sat with his back straight, observing his firstborn with a mixture of pride and deep irritation. Alexander, for his part, showed no respect whatsoever; his posture was that of a predator who knows he owns the territory, even in front of the man who gave him life.

"I’ll get straight to the point, Alexander," the King’s voice thundered, echoing through the stone vaults. "Who is the girl? And why the hell do you have her in your quarters? Do you have any idea how humiliated your fiancée is?"

To one side, near one of the carved columns, Prince Tomás watched the scene with a sly smile, enjoying the spectacle of seeing his brother in the eye of the storm.

"She is the woman you are going to marry!" Leopold continued, slamming the armrest of his throne. "Leticia, Princess of Greece! An alliance necessary for the stability of our borders."

Alexander let out a dry, humorless laugh that chilled the blood of the guards present.

"Don’t make me laugh, old man. That engagement wasn't my decision; it was yours. I told you from day one that I wouldn't marry her."

"Alexander!" the King roared, standing up.

"If you want a wedding and an alliance so badly," Alexander added with contempt, pointing vaguely toward his brother, "marry Tomás to her."

Tomás, finding himself dragged into the conversation, raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, though his smile did not fade.

"Father, I don’t want to marry Leticia either. She’s not my type, as beautiful as she may be. I prefer... fresher air."

"Get out of here, Tomás!" the King ordered, losing his patience. Tomás gave a mocking bow and left the hall, leaving father and son in a duel of wills.

"You will marry Leticia," Leopold decreed, pointing an accusing finger at Alexander, "and you will get that girl out of your quarters right now."

Alexander took a step forward, closing the distance to the throne. His red eyes glowed with a savage fury that made the guards place their hands on their swords.

"You make me laugh, old man. The girl is mine, and no one can touch her. If anyone—and I mean *anyone*—tries to lay a finger on her, there will be so much blood in this palace that you won't be able to walk without slipping. I hope I’ve been clear!"

"Are you threatening me? Me, the King?" Leopold was livid with rage.

"Take it however you want. I’m leaving."

Without waiting for permission, Alexander turned around and walked out of the hall. The King, trembling with ire, shouted toward the corridor:

"Alexander! I am not finished with you!"

But the prince did not return. Leopold, clenching his teeth, called the guard at the door.

"Bring Commander Felix before me immediately!"

Shortly after, Felix entered the throne room, feeling the weight of the charged atmosphere.

"Felix," the King said, trying to regain his composure, "I summoned you because Alexander is worse than ever. Before, he tolerated his engagement, but now he refuses because of some girl he has hidden away. Who is this brat? Where did she come from?"

"Majesty, I apologize for not informing you sooner," Felix replied, bowing his head. "The truth is that three days ago, this young woman appeared mysteriously. A guard found her sleeping outside the palace gates; she wore strange clothes and refused to say where she came from. When I tried to interrogate her, she escaped, ran into the prince, and fainted. He simply... took her."

Leopold frowned, confused.

"Just like that? Alexander is not that kind of man, Felix. There has to be something more."

"The girl is..." Felix hesitated for a moment. "She is very beautiful, Majesty. Her beauty compares to nothing we have seen here."

"No!" the King denied sharply. "Alexander is not swayed by beauty. I have put dozens of beautiful women in his bedroom to prove it, and all of them ended up brutally murdered by his hand. If that girl is still alive in his bed... there is a deeper motive. Find out what it is and let me know!"

"As you command, Majesty."

As Felix withdrew, Princess Leticia entered the hall, wearing a scarlet silk dress that barely concealed her rage.

"Your Majesty... may I?" she asked in a sugary voice.

"Come in, Princess."

"It’s my birthday in two days," she said, forcing a smile. "I was wondering if I could organize a ball at the palace?"

Leopold, seeing an opportunity to force his son to behave, nodded.

"Of course, dear. You are my future daughter-in-law. Start the preparations this very day."

Alexander returned to his quarters, where he found Jana sitting by the window. The atmosphere between them remained tense after the previous day's events.

"Have you eaten?" he asked, his voice softening just a fraction.

"Yes, Liz helped me and brought food," she replied, without looking at him.

Alexander observed her in silence. Despite his rough behavior, the thought of seeing her suffer caused him an unease he didn't know how to handle.

"I have to go out for a day. Do you know how to ride? You were going to come with me, but..." he looked at the marks still peeking above the collar of Jana's dress. "You are still hurt. We will have to go in a week."

Before she could respond, Liz knocked at the door with an urgent message.

"Highness... Princess Leticia will celebrate her birthday in two days. The King requests that you be her official escort."

"I will not be her escort," Alexander growled. "I already have a partner."

"Alex..." Jana tried to say, feeling the conflict escalating to dangerous levels.

"Don’t say a word!" he cut her off. "Liz, dismissed! What are you waiting for?"

The maid hurried out, but as she turned the corner, she was intercepted again by Tomás. The blonde prince cornered her against the wall.

"Well? Did you do what I asked?" Tomás asked in a voice that was cold as ice, contrasting with his appearance.

"I didn't see anything! I’m sorry!" Liz cried, terrified.

"If you are lying to me, I will personally cut off your head," Tomás threatened, bringing his face close to hers.

"What are you doing outside my quarters with my maid, Tomás?" Alexander’s voice cracked like a whip from the doorway.

Tomás stepped away from Liz with a quick smile.

"Brother! Nothing, just asking if she was alright. It seems you scared her with your shouting."

Alexander looked at Liz and signaled for her to go. When they were alone, Tomás crossed his arms.

"Father says you have to escort Leticia to the ball. If you want, I can escort the lady you have in there."

"Tomás, get lost before I run out of patience!" Alexander grabbed him by the shirt collar. "She is going with me to the ball. You go with Leticia, marry her if you want, but stay away from Jana."

Tomás let out a bitter little laugh. Although he loved his brother, the fact that Alexander always got what he wanted—even a woman as fascinating as the foreigner—fueled a jealousy growing inside him.

"Alright, brother. Don’t get angry. I’m leaving."

Alexander returned to the room and looked at Jana with one final warning.

"Stay away from Tomás. If I see you near my brother, you will pay for it. Understood?"

"Yes..." she whispered, tired of the threats.

Alexander left the quarters and, for the first time, did not return all night. Jana was left alone, wrapped in the silence of the great bedroom. She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling and sighing deeply.

"Why did I want to be with this animal?" she asked herself aloud, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "How did I fall into this place? My whole body hurts... but he is just so, so handsome. Those long lashes, those red eyes that look like rubies, his muscles... but he has a temper like a dog."

Jana closed her eyes, trying to ignore the beating of her own heart. Leticia’s ball was approaching, and she knew that her official entry into 1540 society would not be a fairy tale, but a declaration of war.

"I need to rest," she murmured to herself. "I hope tomorrow is better."

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