"The mark... it didn’t appear," Alie whispered. "I think..." Her words faded as Gabriel gently pressed a finger against her lips, silencing her.
He slowly lowered his hand, sitting up to et her gaze. "Don’t think anything aningless," he said. "Sotis the mark just... isn’t visible."
It was a gentle lie, or maybe a hope wrapped in kindness. He couldn’t bear to see the sadness in her eyes.
"But I’ve never heard that," Alie replied, her brows drawing together.
"That’s because most don’t know everything," Gabriel said. "I can already feel the magic between us, Alie. That’s what matters."
Her expression softened, though her confusion lingered. "How?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Gabriel’s lips curved into a faint smile. "It’s hard to explain. But it’s I can feel different. The bond between us is deeper than any mark or sign. It’s in the way my heart races when you’re near, the way your voice stays in my head when you’re not."
Alie looked into his eyes, searching them for even a shred of doubt, but all she saw was love full of warmth. She nodded, a small, trusting smile tugging at her lips.
"I trust you," she murmured, hugging him.
~~~~~
Karn still couldn’t locate Louis. It was as if he had vanished completely, slipping off the radar. But Karn knew better, Louis wouldn’t stop here. He had likely already planted a spy to keep track of his movents, waiting for the right mont to strike.
On his way back to the mansion, Karn made a brief stop and picked up a box of sweet muffins. He thought of Katelyn, how the heat cycle might be taking a toll on her, and hoped the small gesture would bring her so comfort.
Upon arriving, he spotted a maid walking through the corridor and approached her.
"Please give this to Princess Katelyn," he said, holding out the bag with the box inside.
The maid took it with a polite nod. "Of course, my Lord."
"Thank you," Karn replied with a faint smile, watching her walk away.
As she disappeared down the hall, Karn’s thoughts drifted to Prince Casaio. ’Was he alright?’
Karn pivoted on his heel the mont he sensed Estelle’s presence behind him.
"Did you get anything out of Zilia?" he asked calmly, though his eyes studied Estelle’s expression carefully.
Estelle folded her arms across her chest. "Not yet. She’s tight-lipped. She has refused to speak."
Karn exhaled softly. "We usually don’t resort to torturing won."
A cold smile touched Estelle’s lips. "Then let’s hope she talks soon. Because if she doesn’t, I might stop caring about traditions. Also, a spy is a spy. We don’t see genders in them."
"You’re right," Karn agreed. "But try a different angle. Don’t push her. There’s always a reason soone keeps their lips sealed. Find it. There must be sothing... soone... that’s her weakness."
Estelle’s brows furrowed slightly, irritation simring beneath her calm exterior. "I’ve thought of that too," she admitted. "Tried to reach her with reason, even offered her protection. But she just stared at blankly. As if my words didn’t matter."
"Then dig deeper," he opined.
"I will," Estelle assured him.
"She didn’t open her mouth!?" Casaio asked as he appeared from behind the large pillar.
Both Estelle and Karn bowed to him in respect.
"No, she didn’t," Estelle confird.
"Your Highness ntioned he saw so photographs of the person who was with Zilia. What if the person is her family mber?" Karn suggested. "Maybe to save them, Zilia has chosen to keep her mouth shut," he asserted.
Casaio didn’t answer right away as he contemplated for a mont.
"You two are dismissed," Casaio said. "Wait till morning for my next order," he instructed his beta before walking out.
"He’s not moved on from Zilia," Estelle murmured.
"It’s not easy to move on when you’ve loved soone for more than ten years," Karn replied.
"I agree. I hope the Prince copes with this betrayal soon," she murmured.
~~~~
Casaio entered the prison and his heart ached seeing Zilia covered in blood. She was still hanging from the ceiling and her wrists were bruised from the shackles.
"If you are here to know the answer, then you are mistaken," Zilia spoke in her faint voice.
"I loved you even though I had many doubts circling in my head whenever you asked not to think of marriage with you. Do you think it’s easy for to see you like this? Why can’t you tell the truth, Zilia? Ten years... I gave you fucking ten years. Why aren’t you choosing ? You know that I’ll protect you if you say the truth about your mission, about everything," Casaio stated. His heart was bleeding seeing her in this state.
Zilia smiled, but her eyes remained close. "Prince Casaio, I am more loyal to my master. You cannot bring the truth out of my mouth. I’m waiting for the mont to die," she stated, her tone has turned formal. She no longer was calling him by his na.
Casaio wasn’t surprised by her words. She was speaking the words a spy should. "Who was the man in those photographs? Your brother? Your cousin? Who? Is he in danger? If yes, then tell . I’ll rescue him," he said in a desperate tone.
"Prince Casaio thinks it’s easy to enter the Blood Dominion. If it was simple, then why you could never find out a pack, stronger than your kingdom is erging right out of your territory? I’m afraid, but you won’t get a single answer from . It’s better for you to kill ," Zilia said.
Casaio clenched his fists. Disappointnt occupied his face and he walked away, leaving Zilia hanging.
But as he walked to a certain distance, he halted.
Looking at the guard in front of him, Casaio said, "Bring a doctor to treat Zilia’s wounds. Also, give her food and water."
The guard was quite surprised, but he simply complied with the orders.
"You can’t die without answering my questions, Zilia," he mumbled.
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