Late at night, Alie quietly slipped out of the bedroom, careful not to wake Gabriel. Her sweet cravings had beco more frequent lately, especially at odd hours like this.
Padding softly through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, she reached the kitchen. The cool tiles t her bare feet as she opened the refrigerator, then pulled open the freezer. Her face lit up at the sight of a familiar treat.
"Red velvet," she murmured with a smile, pulling out the small ice cream box and hugging it like a stolen treasure. She gently shut the fridge door.
"You should’ve asked to bring it for you," ca a deep voice from behind her.
She nearly dropped the box, but caught it.
Alie spun around, her heart thudding in her chest. Gabriel stood in the doorway, his hair tousled, eyes half-lidded with sleep and his shirt’s buttons were half-opened.
"How did you wake up? I made sure not to disturb your sleep," Alie spoke in a hushed tone, not wanting anyone, especially the servants in the palace to wake up.
Gabriel appeared beside her in the blink of an eye. He got on his knees and put the slippers before her. He lifted his head,
"I have decided to stay more cautious. Also, you ca to the kitchen barefeet," he muttered and stood up. Her heart fluttered more with that sweet gesture. Then, he gently took her hand and guided her to a chair. After washing his hands, he pulled out a glass bowl and a spoon, placing them in front of her.
Alie opened the ice cream box with a soft smile. "I wasn’t expecting it to be here," she said, scooping two generous spoonfuls into the bowl. "And... I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep."
"You didn’t," he replied, watching her with a fond gaze.
She dipped her spoon into the ice cream and took a bite, the cold sweetness lighting up her face. Her tongue swiped over her lips, catching the remnants. "You can eat too, if you want," she offered.
Gabriel gave a small shake of his head and let his face rest between his arms on the counter, his eyes still fixed on her.
Alie finished half the ice cream and carefully placed the rest back into the refrigerator.
"Let’s go back," she said softly, linking her arm with Gabriel’s.
As they walked through the quiet, dimly lit palace corridor, a figure erged in the distance, just a silhouette under the flickering lampshade.
"Who’s there?" Alie whispered, instinctively slowing her steps.
"Casaio," Gabriel replied after a brief glance, recognizing his older brother’s tall fra and solitary stance near the archway.
"Huh? Why is he awake at this hour?" Alie frowned, then quickly pieced the answer together. "Gabriel... I think you should go to your brother."
He hesitated. His grip on her arm didn’t loosen.
"I don’t think—"
"I’ll go to bed, don’t worry," Alie said, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. "I think Brother Casaio will feel better if soone from his family spends a little ti with him. Maybe he wants to be alone... but sotis, it’s in those quiet monts that a kind presence matters most. He may not say it, but it could an a lot if you go."
Gabriel hardly cared for his siblings and their private lives had nothing to do with him.
"Go," Alie said with a soft smile, letting go of his arm. She gave him a small wave before turning toward their room, trusting he would do the right thing.
Gabriel followed her to the room. And only after that did he turn and head toward the colonnade where they had seen Casaio earlier.
His steps gradually slowed as he caught sight of his elder brother leaning heavily against one of the stone pillars, a half-empty bottle of alcohol dangling from his hand.
Gabriel approached him, stopping beside him.
"I proposed to Zilia for the first ti under a moon just like this," Casaio said without looking, having sensed Gabriel’s presence. He tilted his head slightly, the faint glint of moonlight reflecting off his eyes.
"You’re drunk," Gabriel said he reached for Casaio’s arm, wanting to drag him back to the room.
Casaio let out a soft laugh. "I tried sleeping... but it wouldn’t co. So I thought maybe alcohol could help. They say it dulls the pain, maybe even enough to sleep through it."
He gave a bitter smile before taking another small sip, his eyes fixed on the sky as if trying to find answers in the stars.
"Alphas have high capacity to stand such kind of intoxication. It will only ss up your head, nothing more," Gabriel said.
"Why are you here? Don’t leave Alie alone," Casaio said, bringing the bottle again to his mouth. But Gabriel snatched it from him.
"We saw you here earlier. She was worried for you. That’s why I’m here," Gabriel said.
"Alie is a sweet person. She told I could call her any ti I want to talk to soone," Casaio said.
"She sees you as her elder brother, that’s why," Gabriel stated.
"I know. Even my own sister doesn’t care for . None of my siblings do," Casaio murmured. "But I don’t want to trouble any of you with my problems," he muttered.
Then, standing straight, he reached out to grab the alcohol bottle from Gabriel, but he didn’t allow him to take it.
"Because we all are busy in our own ssed up problems," Gabriel stated. He gave a wry chuckle. "You really do get emotional after a few glasses. Co on."
Without waiting for resistance, Gabriel caught Casaio’s wrist and began walking him toward his room.
"Mom ca earlier before midnight. She said she’s worried for . I’m giving everyone a headache," Casaio mumbled, following Gabriel’s steps.
"It’s alright. When pure mate bonds are severed, it’s tough to cope with it. Don’t think you’re weak. Anyone at your place would’ve been felt the sa," Gabriel said, trying to show his empathy.
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