"You should get so rest," Alie said gently, her voice laced with concern as she looked at her sister.
"I’m not tired," Flora murmured, clutching the edge of Alie’s sleeve like a lifeline. Her voice trembled. "Please... I don’t want to be alone."
That single plea pulled Alie back to a distant mory when they were children, no older than six or seven. Flora used to cling to her in the very sa way, always seeking comfort and safety.
But as the years passed, so had the closeness between them, slowly replaced by silence, misunderstanding, and wounds neither of them had dared to address, until now.
"Stay with , Alie," Flora whispered, her tear-streaked face lifting slightly. "I understand now, what it must’ve felt like for you... to be mocked, bullied, ridiculed by everyone, including . I was part of it. I never defended you. I stood there and said nothing when you needed soone the most." Her voice cracked, and a sob escaped her lips. "But today, I need you. I really do. I don’t want to die... but I know what I did to you can’t be undone, not while I’m still breathing."
Alie curled her fingers tightly, trying to suppress the wave of emotion rising inside her. She didn’t want to feel pity. She didn’t want her heart to soften. But seeing Flora so broken, so painfully vulnerable, made it impossible not to feel sothing shift inside her.
"Alex never told you were pregnant," Flora continued, voice shaking. "I found out later, and even then, I didn’t confront him. I should’ve. I should’ve defended you. But I was so consud by envy and bitterness..."
"Let’s not talk about him," Alie said, cutting her off with a soft but firm tone.
Flora nodded, her gaze dropping. "Okay. I’m sorry," she whispered.
"You should freshen up," Alie suggested after a pause, her voice now softer. "Your face is a ss... especially your eyes. They’re completely swollen."
Flora sniffled and nodded again. "I’ll go... but please, don’t leave," she pleaded.
"I won’t," Alie murmured.
She watched Flora walk away, her footsteps slow and uncertain. A deep ache settled in Alie’s chest upon learning the painful thoughts of her sister.
~~~~~
The council eting concluded just as anticipated, but the revelation about Berik sent ripples of disbelief through the room. No one had imagined that Alpha King Raidan’s most trusted advisor would betray him so gravely.
"Berik will face a death sentence, just as we intended," Gabriel said as he turned toward Casaio. "Now, how you decide to use Zilia is up to you. But if you still think you can’t manage it, I’m ready to take control and use her the way I see fit."
"Thank you, Gabriel," Casaio replied. "But let fulfill my duty as the eldest prince. You’ve already shouldered enough."
Dominick, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke. "Zilia was your lover, Casaio. You might not be able to stay rational around her." His eyes narrowed slightly in concern. "The bond may be broken, but feelings... they don’t vanish so easily. Be careful because she might still find a way to seduce you, to get under your skin. And I don’t want to see her break your heart again."
"I understand, Nick," Casaio said, giving him a brief nod. "I’m well aware of what Zilia and I shared, and what we lost. But I’m not the man I once was. All I ask is your trust. If I say I can handle her, then believe that I can."
His gaze shifted between his two younger brothers, wanting them to understand.
"Do whatever you feel is right," Gabriel said. "I’m going to my wife. Don’t disturb ," he added curtly before turning on his heel and striding away.
As he entered the grand hall of the palace, his eyes imdiately caught sight of Lester. The steward was busy instructing the servants, ensuring that Alie’s family received the finest accommodations.
"Where’s Alie?" Gabriel asked, drawing Lester’s attention.
Lester quickly turned and bowed respectfully. "Your Highness. Princess Alie was last seen with Princess Katelyn. As of now, I haven’t seen her return."
Just then, a young servant hesitantly stepped forward, interrupting their exchange.
"Forgive , Your Highness," the servant said, bowing low. "But I Princess Alie is with her sister, Miss Flora."
Gabriel’s brow furrowed in concern. "Show where they are," he ordered.
The servant bowed and quickly obeyed, leading him through the long corridors of the palace toward the guest wing where Flora was being accommodated.
They finally stopped outside a modest yet well-appointed guest chamber. The servant motioned toward the closed door.
"This is the room, Your Highness."
Gabriel nodded. "You may go," he said curtly, his gaze fixed on the door.
The servant bowed once more and stepped away. Gabriel knocked on the door and lowered his hand.
Alie opened it and a smile ford on her lips.
"What are you doing here?" asked Gabriel, his eyes scanning her body from head to toe as he grabbed her arms. He was scared thinking Flora might’ve hurt her.
Alie opened the door, a gentle smile appearing on her lips when she saw who it was.
"What are you doing here?" Gabriel asked, his voice low but laced with concern. His eyes instinctively scanned her from head to toe as his hands gripped her arms gently. Fear flickered in his gaze, imagining the worst that Flora might have hard her.
"I’m fine," Alie reassured him softly. "Why are you so worried?"
Gabriel’s expression tightened. "Why are you here?" he asked again, this ti with a frown tugging at his brow.
Flora stood silently near the bed, her head bowed as she listened to their conversation, clearly aware of the tension in the air.
"I just wanted to spend so ti with Flora," Alie said, tilting her head slightly. "The council eting ended earlier than I thought."
"It did," Gabriel confird, still watching her closely.
Suddenly, Alie’s face went pale, and a nausea washed over her. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
Without a word, she turned and rushed into the room, one hand pressed to her stomach.
"Alie!" Gabriel called after her, imdiately following, his worry now doubled.
Inside the washroom, Gabriel stood beside Alie, gently patting her back as she leaned over the basin, vomiting. He held her hair out of the way with care, his eyes shadowed with worry.
When she was done, Alie turned on the tap, rinsed her mouth, and straightened slowly. She reached for the towel but Gabriel was already there, offering his handkerchief and dabbing the corners of her lips before she could speak.
"I’m fine. Don’t worry," she said softly, placing a hand on his wrist to lower it.
"You’re not fine," Gabriel countered with frustration. "I told you to rest."
"It’s normal," Alie reminded him, offering a faint smile despite her pale face. "We’ve talked about this."
Gabriel exhaled sharply, sliding the handkerchief back into his pocket. "Normal or not, I’m still worried," he muttered, then reached for her hand and gently led her out of the washroom.
As they stepped back into the room, Gabriel’s expression hardened the mont his eyes t Flora’s.
"Don’t disturb your sister while we’re here," he said firmly. "And don’t try to emotionally manipulate her or take advantage of her vulnerability. I won’t tolerate it."
Flora stood near the bed with her head lowered. She didn’t speak or defend herself.
"Gabriel, she didn’t—" Alie began, but her words were cut short as he pulled her along with him, unwilling to argue.
He didn’t stop until they were inside their private quarters in the eastern wing.
Gabriel gently guided Alie to sit on the bed. Just as he turned to walk away, she reached out and caught his hand, stopping him.
"Flora is suffering hell in the pack," Alie said softly.
Gabriel turned to face her, his jaw clenched. "And what exactly do you expect to do about it?" he snapped. "Whether she’s living comfortably or in tornt ans nothing to . She’s still breathing, and frankly, she should be grateful for that much."
He was truly annoyed because Alie was too good to Flora.
Alie looked at him for a long mont, searching his face, not with anger, but with pain.
"Zander told so things on the call," she said, her voice quivering. "I know what Flora did... is unforgivable. I’m not asking you to excuse it. I’m not even saying she deserves kindness. But I don’t want her to die, Gabriel."
She paused, tears welling in her eyes. "Maybe it’s foolish of , maybe I’m too soft, but I can’t just stand by and watch soone suffer like that. Even if it’s Flora. Even after everything. I just... I can’t be heartless."
Gabriel simply watched her, and didn’t say anything. He felt his fingers curling around his hand.
"Flora was talking about dying. I felt I should sit with her," Alie murmured.
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