Chapter 25: Face to Face
The palace had started to feel quieter at night.
Not peaceful.
Just… controlled.
Monica sat in one of the private lounges near the east wing, a book resting unopened on her lap while soft piano music played somewhere in the background.
She hadn’t read a single page.
Her thoughts drifted too easily now.
To Kian.
To Alexander.
To herself.
And that was the problem.
Because the more time she spent here—
the harder it became to separate pressure from comfort.
Control from care.
A quiet sound pulled her from her thoughts.
She looked up.
Alexander entered the room calmly, dressed simply tonight compared to his usual formal appearance.
Yet somehow—
he still carried that same impossible presence.
“You’re awake late,” Monica said softly.
“And you’re prete
