The Sweet Alpha Crown Prince Loves Me So Much

After James’ departure, Leia Lindbergh seemed unusually relieved.

Adrian Heineken knew that she had made up her mind to sweep away the corrupt nobles.

Which meant that the stench of blood would soon permeate Lindbergh Castle.

It was Adrian’s job to comfort and reassure Carl, who was growing increasingly anxious. However, he wasn’t sure whether it was better to shield Carl from the inevitable bloodshed, or to let him witness it and slowly guide him towards understanding.

Carl, though he seemed to have much to say to Leia, ultimately remained silent and headed towards his room with Marco. Meanwhile, Belfry and Adrian took their seats alongside Leia Lindbergh.

“While I trust you won’t resort to reckless violence, how do you intend to proceed?”

Belfry, mirroring Carl Lindbergh’s anxiousness, questioned Leia.

“Well, what should we do?”

Leia feigned a troubled expression, and Belfry frowned, struck by the contrast between her face and Carl Lindbergh’s, despite their uncanny resemblance.

It was as if they shared the same face, but one was a wailing kitten while the other was a jaguar poised to break free from its cage.

Of course, personality-wise, Carl Lindbergh was more akin to a puppy than a kitten, but both were equally harmless.

Having grown up watching Adrian, Belfry thought he understood the ferocious nature of Alphas all too well. However, the occasional glimpses of Leia’s alpha side felt different from Adrian’s. Perhaps, as his father often said, he still had much to learn.

Leia, smirking at Belfry, turned to Adrian.

“How are corrupt officials dealt with in Heineken?”

Adrian, without needing to consult the Imperial Law, answered immediately.

“It varies depending on the nature of their transgressions. They are subjected to the same level of punishment as commoners, based on the crimes outlined in the Imperial Law. Their immunity only applies in conflicts with those of equal standing. However, considering that most nobles have traits, their status is taken into consideration during trials. That being said, grave and irreversible crimes will be met with appropriate punishment. A life lost cannot be brought back, just as a broken heart can sometimes be irreparable.”

“

.”

So, that’s why finding a mate is considered crucial, especially for those with dominant traits.

Leia Lindbergh finally understood the root of Adrian Heineken’s devotion to Carl Lindbergh.

Betas were driven by a mix of reason and instinct, while Alphas and Omegas often acted on impulse, their instincts dictating around seventy-five percent of their actions.

The Heineken Imperial family and high-ranking officials, who’d inherited dominant traits for generations, likely received rigorous training from a young age, prioritizing logical thinking over their primal urges.

Otherwise, given the strict Imperial Law, there wouldn’t be any nobles left, thanks to various punishments.

Even Adrian, before meeting Carl, rarely made public appearances or kept company.

After enduring years of suppression, finally meeting their fated mate and being able to unleash everything they’d held back—be it love, lust, or both—must be overwhelming for the receiving end.

Leia wasn’t overly concerned, knowing that Carl wasn’t as fragile as he appeared, but she still couldn’t shake off a lingering sense of unease. 

She studied Adrian, who was habitually fidgeting with the purple magic stone hanging around his neck.

He was undoubtedly thinking about Carl Lindbergh, who’d gone back to his room.

Adrian Heineken was probably hoping for Carl Lindbergh to rein him in. As for her naive brother, Leia would be happy if he simply managed to hold on and not get swept away.

She wondered who would be swept away first, Carl Lindbergh or Adrian.

Or perhaps, they’d find a pace that suited them both and walk side by side throughout their lives.

Adrian, constantly striving for restraint, and Carl Lindbergh, who knew his boundaries, seemed well-matched.

Leia didn’t believe in love at first sight for Alphas.

But she did believe in fate, in the serendipitous moments that gently weave destinies together, leading to the fortune of finding one’s soulmate.

She wished the same for herself.

“Princess?”

Belfry, noticing her lost in thought, called out. 

His vivid purple eyes were filled with concern.

Leia could see right through him, this Beta male who was clearly uncomfortable around her yet lingered in her presence, harboring misguided feelings for Carl Lindbergh.

He was a higher hurdle than Carl Lindbergh, who, despite his lack of knowledge about those with traits, had an Omega’s body.

A spark of competitiveness ignited within Leia Lindbergh. 

She smiled, crinkling the corners of her eyes, and Belfry instinctively scooted closer to Adrian.

It seemed he was trying to shield himself.

“I’ve decided. Since we’ve already accepted Heineken’s help, I’ll establish new national laws modeled after the Imperial Law. We’ll lay the groundwork first, determine the punishment for the nobles accordingly, and add further details later. Belfry Hendrick, will you assist me?”

Belfry, taken aback by Leia’s unexpected request, let out a startled, “Huh?”

“I’ve heard that Duke Hendrick himself plays a key role in revising the Imperial Law each year. As his son, surely you must have learned a thing or two. I’m asking you to share your knowledge.”

“But…”

Belfry edged even closer to Adrian, unsure why Leia, who was smaller than Adrian, felt more intimidating.

Instead of siding with Belfry, Adrian simply stood up, chuckling.

“Well, this is perfect timing. Belfry, you’ve always complained about doing my work for me. You grumbled about how magic and military law are useless in your life.”

Belfry silently screamed in his head.

“Didn’t His Majesty instruct you to learn such things? Consider this a chance to serve a different master. It won’t be considered disloyal if it’s just for a short while. Do your best.”

Adrian stretched languidly and exited the room.

Belfry reached out after him, a forlorn expression on his face, before Leia Lindbergh’s words snapped him back to reality.

“In exchange for your assistance, I’ll grant you full access to explore the castle grounds.” 

Belfry, a history enthusiast with a particular fascination with castles, especially those of royal lineage, couldn’t hide his excitement.

Leia, suppressing a chuckle, had cast her line perfectly.

“You’re aware that Lindbergh Castle, much like the Imperial Palace of Heineken, boasts a rich history, yes? I hear every ornament holds a symbolic meaning, but I’m not well-versed in such things. Why don’t you take this opportunity to explore and conduct your research?”

Belfry’s heart raced.

Leia drove the point home.

“It would be wonderful if you could even oversee the castle’s renovations.”

“…..!”

Belfry had always lamented the state of the castle, its elegant facade, dating back to the Lindwyer Empire, now riddled with age and neglect.

Furthermore, the castle’s current interior decorations were nothing but gaudy trinkets that undermined the grandeur it was supposed to embody.

Forgetting for a moment that his own father was the one who’d sold those tasteless ornaments, Belfry swiftly moved his chair next to Leia Lindbergh.

“So, where do we begin?”

He donned his monocle and dipped his pen in ink, ready to get to work. 

Carl Lindbergh’s room remained unchanged.

A thin layer of dust had settled on the spot where the ‘Handsome Sculpture’ had stood before vanishing after helping Carl in his time of need. Marco had spent the entire day cleaning and dusting, struggling to maintain the room’s original state.

In a forgotten corner of the abandoned castle, Heineken soldiers had set up a temporary shelter, their presence solely to safeguard the building.

This was in accordance with Glenn’s order to preserve the castle’s original state as much as possible until Leia Lindbergh’s official return.

Kitchener’s mercenary group had long since disbanded, and the Queen, initially confined to the tower where she’d encountered Carl, had been transferred to the King’s chambers after his health deteriorated, effectively imprisoning them both.

The building remained the same, but it was devoid of its former inhabitants.

The servants who’d been exploited within the castle walls had all returned to their hometowns.

With no one to pay their wages, they’d packed their belongings and left without hesitation.

“Why are you so downcast, Your Highness?”

Marco, noticing Carl’s gloomy demeanor, asked him what was wrong. Carl had been so energetic when they’d left the room.

“I can’t help but think that Leia will have to resort to bloodshed in the end.”

“Bloodshed, Your Highness?”

Marco was startled.

“The nobles have committed so many heinous crimes, most of them will likely be executed.”

As Carl explained, Marco sighed and continued with his task.

“What’s wrong with that? It’s only natural, Your Highness.”

“Natural?”

“Yes, Your Highness. While those nobles indulged in their wickedness, countless commoners suffered and died. They’re getting off easy if they pay for their sins with their own lives. Don’t you think so?”

Marco clicked his tongue, implying that Carl was being naive to expect any form of redemption from those criminals. Carl shook his head.

“Redemption isn’t even a possibility, and imprisoning them forever isn’t feasible either.”

“Then what, Your Highness?”

Carl, scratching Elizabeth behind the ears as the dog settled comfortably in his lap, replied, “I’m just worried about the guilt Leia will carry afterwards. It’s not like she’s wiping out entire families, but what if their remaining relatives resent or curse her?”

While those nobles deserved to die for their crimes, the thought of Leia being responsible for their deaths left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Carl Lindbergh felt conflicted. He initially believed stripping them of their titles and handing down appropriate punishments would suffice, seeing as their status as nobles was the only thing that elevated them in the first place. He looked at Marco, who was staring at him blankly.

“Am I being too soft? I know this is wrong, but I can’t help but think this way.”

“So, all you want is for Princess Leia to not be directly involved in the punishment, Your Highness?”

Marco asked, and Carl nodded.

“It’s selfish, I know. But wouldn’t it be nice if they just disappeared somewhere quietly and vanished without a trace?”

Though he knew it was wishful thinking.

Carl gritted his teeth. However, Marco simply said, “Then that’s what we’ll do, Your Highness.”

“They’ve committed such monstrous acts that they’ve incurred a lot of resentment. If we paraded them through the town square right now, they’d be stoned to death. Princess Leia wouldn’t be held accountable for that, would she? Oh, and I hear the Mibari Forest is full of such places. Places where even a single step can lead to an unfortunate… accident, Your Highness. Wouldn’t that be tragic?”

Marco spoke so casually that Carl felt a shiver run down his spine. But at the same time, a light flickered in a corner of his mind.

“…Marco. Let’s keep today’s conversation under wraps for now.”

Carl, torn between his aversion to killing and the thought that maybe an ‘accident’ was acceptable, felt ashamed of his own wavering morals.

Marco covered his mouth with his hand, feigning shock.

“Oh my, Your Highness. Let’s focus on examining those magic stones. It’s the only thing I’m good at anyway.”

As Carl rummaged through the sack, muttering to himself, Marco asked, “But Your Highness, why did you bring the Prophet girl back with you?”

“His Highness doesn’t seem too happy about it,” Marco added. 

Carl Lindbergh’s shoulders slumped slightly.