Sebastian grinned—the first genuine smile he’d managed since that morning. “Where’s your sense of adventure? We’re rewriting royal protocol in real time.”
“My sense of adventure died somewhere around the third constitutional law briefing,” Alexander replied. “But I figured if we’re going to break tradition, we might as well do it spectacularly.”
“Now you’re talking like a proper monarch,” Sebastian said, standing and straightening his jacket.
He paused at the door, his expression growing more serious. “Alexander… thank you. For what you did out there.”
“You’re my brother,” Alexander said simply. “It’s what brothers do.”
Sebastian nodded, understanding passing between them without need for further words. Whatever came next, they’d face it together—with all the complications, protocol breaches, and precedent-setting it demanded.
“Try not to break the monarchy while I’m gone,” Sebastian said, reaching for the door handle.
“I make no promises,” Alexander replied. “It’s been rather exciting, actually.”
Sebastian left, grinning despite everything. In the hallway outside, he paused to collect himself, the smile fading as the weight of what lay ahead settled on his shoulders. The real fight was just beginning—but for the first time in years, he wasn’t facing it alone.
Charles Hawthorne had wanted to make this about family scandal instead of financial corruption. He was about to learn that some families were stronger than his ability to divide them.
Later that evening, as Alexander was reviewingstate papers, Thomas entered the study.
“A letter for you, Your Majesty. Delivered by hand.”
Alexander took the envelope. The stationery was heavy, the handwriting crisp and unfamiliar. No signature flourish, just precision.
He broke the seal and read.
Your Majesty,
I am not a man given to flattery—especially when it comes to royals. I’ve seen too many wear the crown and forget what it means to serve.
But I watched your press conference. I saw you stand beside your brother—not out of pity or politics, but with conviction. You didn’t flinch. You didn’t hide. And more importantly, you didn’t let him be hidden.
I won’t pretend to admire the monarchy. I won’t pretend I’m not still furious for what it took from my sister.
But I will tell you this: You’re a better man than your father. And for what it’s worth, you have earned my respect.
—Jérôme Rousseau
33
Sebastian Breaks the Internet
Within minutes of Alexander’s press conference ending, social media erupted. Charles Hawthorne had intended to make his son a pariah; the internet, in its infinite and chaotic wisdom, made him an icon. They didn’t just accept him; they began connecting the dots, digging through archives, and crafting a narrative far more compelling than the one Hawthorne had offered.
@ChaoticGoodTimes:He did it. He actually did it. Walked in a Viscount, walked out Mr. Rousseau. Dropped the name, dropped the title, honored his mum, and basically told his evil fake dad to go to hell on live television. I AM UNWELL.
@ArmchairDetective:Okay let’s be real. The Chronicle quotes an ‘anonymous source with intimate knowledge of the family’s operations.’ Then, hours after Part 1 drops, his father outs him in the most dramatic way possible. He’s totally the source, right? No way Charles reacts like that unless he knew.
@TabloidTruths:I have an entire folder of pics of Sebastian Hawthorne falling out of clubs. Now it’s an archive of a dead man. RIP Viscount Disaster. Long live Sebastian Rousseau.
@RoyalTeaFan:So let me get this straight.The hot, rebellious viscount is now a hot, rebellious commoner named Rousseau who is ALSO a royal bastard AND he just took down his corrupt father? The writers are really outdoing themselves this season. #SebastianRousseau
@RealRoyalWatcher:I just KNOW Charles is somewhere in a velvet smoking jacket muttering “ungrateful whelp” into a glass of mid-range cognac.
Top Comment:Why does every modern monarchy moment feel like the pilot episode of an HBO miniseries? I’m already casting this in my head.
While half the internet was busy creating fan edits, the other half demonstrated that it could walk and chew gum at the same time. The fawning over Sebastian and the speculation about his role as the source didn’t erase the crime that brought him to light; it amplified it.