{Third Person}
The room grew quiet.
Barron's gaze shifted between the two men carefully.
Alexander finally looked back at his father and spoke evenly, "I never asked to be paraded around court officials who already decided what they think of me. Whether they support me or fear me changes nothing."
"It changes everything," Sebastian replied sharply.
Alexander's jaw tightened faintly, but Sebastian was not finished.
"The court needs stability," he said. "They need to see their future king standing before them, not hiding inside his residence while rumours spread through the palace."
Alexander gave a faint, humourless scoff. "And if they still dislike me?"
"Then you make them respect you," Sebastian shot back immediately.
A tense silence followed. Then Sebastian spoke again, this time calmer. "The mages will also be arriving before the banquet."
That made Alexander's gaze shift slightly.
