The next morning, Casaio awoke later than usual. He sat up in bed, resting his head against the headboard as a dull ache throbbed behind his eyes.
Flashes of the previous night replayed in his mind, his drunken rambling in front of Gabriel, and a wry laugh slipped from his lips.
"I really do act like a fool at night," he muttered under his breath.
A knock sounded at the door, drawing his attention. He straightened slightly as the door opened and Lester stepped in, bowing respectfully.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Lester greeted. "Your mother has sent a special tea for you." He signaled to the servant behind him, who quietly entered and set a tray on the bedside table.
As the servant discreetly stepped out, Lester’s eyes scanned the room with his usual thoroughness. He saw only a single bottle of alcohol stood on the table near the sofa. It was a small improvent, but Lester noted it all the sa.
Casaio took the cup in hand and brought it to his lips. The tea was bitter, leaving a faintly herbal aftertaste, but still tolerable.
"I didn’t drink more than a bottle last night," Casaio said casually, his eyes flickering to Lester. It was both a confession and a preemptive defense because Lester’s scrutinizing gaze was traveling all around the room. "I know Mom has put you into this work. But you don’t need to report her everything."
"Your Highness, keeping an eye on your well-being is a part of my duty," Lester affird.
"Your Highness, keeping an eye on your well-being is part of my duty," Lester said calmly.
"No, it’s not," Casaio countered, rising from the bed. He finished the rest of the tea and placed the cup back on the tray. "You’ve been reporting to my mother and making her worry even more. I hope that ends now, Lester."
Lester gave a respectful nod. "I understood, Your Highness." He turned to the servant and gestured for her to take the tray. The two bowed silently before exiting the room.
Casaio reached for the silk robe draped over the chair beside his bed and slipped it on. As he made his way toward the balcony, he grabbed his phone from the table.
Scrolling through his contacts, he paused at Zilia’s number and called her.
To his surprise, she answered on the first ring.
"Casaio," she said, "I was waiting for your call. I have sothing important to tell you. Last night, I got a call from soone in the Blood Dominion. He was asking about Berik."
Casaio’s brows furrowed. "Why didn’t you tell sooner?"
"It was well past midnight," Zilia replied. "I didn’t want to disturb your sleep. Besides, you’ve made it clear I’m not to call you. You said you’d reach out when needed."
"Estelle will et you," Casaio said curtly. "Tell her everything. And you’d better not lie."
Without waiting for a response, he ended the call.
Rubbing his forehead with the edge of his phone, he sneered and lowered his hand a mont later. Looking at the green view from his balcony, he felt a little calm.
~~~~~
Gabriel absently ran his fingers along the edge of his ring, his thoughts far removed from the conversation. His mother’s voice reached his ears, but her words barely registered.
"Gabriel, are you even listening to ?" Mabel asked.
He blinked, lifting his gaze to her face. "No... Sorry, what did you say, Mom?" he replied, clearly not interested in the conversation.
Mabel sighed, shaking her head. "I said, you should seriously consider supporting Casaio. He needs soone dependable by his side, even in matters of work. I know you’re eager to leave for San Ravendale, but that place isn’t your ho, Gabriel."
She paused, watching his expression carefully before continuing. "Dominick isn’t capable of handling Casaio the way you can. And I’ve decided, I won’t force any marriage proposal on your brother anymore. And if you stay here, even Alie can get a better care in her pregnancy state."
"Casaio doesn’t want support," Gabriel said. "You’re worrying too much about him. And as for this place, it was never ho to . And that’s because of you."
Mabel’s eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at her son, unmoved by his pointed tone.
"Let Casaio fight his own battles," Gabriel continued, rising to his feet. "I helped him when he needed it. But you worry excessively sotis, and then at other tis, you don’t care at all."
He paused before leaving, glancing at her one last ti. "I don’t know why you told Alie about the mark. But if this is part of so plan against us, I’m asking you to stop."
"She deserved to know what she’s walking into," Mabel said without flinching. "Hasn’t she told you about the dream she’s been having?"
"She told everything," Gabriel replied smoothly, though it wasn’t the full truth. Alie had never ntioned talking about the dream with his mother, but he wasn’t about to let Mabel wedge herself between them.
With that, Gabriel simply walked away.
Just then, Raidan entered the room. He offered a quick bow to his mother but didn’t pause.
"Why does he look upset? Did you two argue again?"
"We didn’t argue," Mabel replied, rising to her feet. "Gabriel is just hot-headed, as always." She brushed her hands along her skirt before adding, "His Majesty reviewed all the preparations himself. Was he satisfied?"
"Yes," Raidan replied with a slight nod. "I also t Zilia’s brother, Idris."
"And?" Mabel asked, her brows arching with mild interest.
"The boy seems innocent to ," Raidan said, finally taking a seat.
Mabel poured a glass of water and handed it to him. "Idris is the brother of a spy," she said, settling into her own chair. "He’s twelve, a perfectly capable age for a young wolf to understand the world and his surroundings."
"You’re right," Raidan admitted. "But the boy was practically a captive in his own ho. No freedom, no exposure to the outside world. And Idris startles easily. I’ve been watching him closely."
"The Alpha King is too soft-hearted," Mabel murmured under her breath.
"When it cos to children, I tend to be," Raidan said with a small sigh. "Zilia did everything she could to protect her brother. After speaking with Idris... I could feel how difficult their lives have been."
Mabel gave a slow nod, then asked, "So, what’s on His Majesty’s mind?"
"Nothing," Raidan replied simply. "I was just sharing what I observed about Idris." But noticing the troubled look on Mabel’s face, he added, "Why do you look so down?"
"I’m worried about Casaio," Mabel confessed. "Did you not notice how quiet he was at breakfast? He left the breakfast in the middle."
"I did notice," Raidan agreed softly. "But that’s his way to fight those remaining feelings in his heart," he murmured, placing his hand over hers, caressing it.
~~~~
"Kate, this dress will look better on you," Alie said, pointing to the second option, a maroon lace gown.
"Our choices really are alike!" Katelyn replied with a bright smile.
Just then, a servant entered the room and bowed politely. "Princess Katelyn, pardon my interruption, but soone is here to see you."
"Who is it?" Katelyn asked, her brows drawing together in curiosity.
"The person said his na is Karn," the servant replied.
Katelyn’s expression changed as she exchanged a worried glance with Alie.
"Why did he have to co here?" she murmured, anxiety creeping into her voice.
’Why would Karn co to the palace, knowing it could cause trouble for Katelyn?’ Alie wondered, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Send him in," Katelyn instructed.
The servant bowed and quietly exited the room.
"What do I do now? I thought Karn would et at the reception. If Mom finds out—" Her words caught in her throat as a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Greetings to Princess Katelyn," Karn said as he entered. His eyes briefly shifted to Alie, and he offered her a polite smile and a respectful bow.
"You two should talk in private," Alie offered, sensing the tension.
"No, stay here," Katelyn replied quickly.
"But I want to talk to the princess in private," Karn stated.
Alie gazed at Katelyn and gave them space before walking out. As the doors shut behind her, Katelyn turned more nervous.
"Her Highness wants to pursue , but she doesn’t have enough guts to see in her own room in the palace," Karn straightforwardly ca to the matter.
"That’s not true. You know that–"
"Your Highness, I don’t want to ruin my life because of you," Karn reply ca as a blunt one. "I’m sorry for giving you signals that I’m actually interested in you. However, even if you’ll be the last woman for , I would rather walk away than choose you," he affird.
Katelyn stopped blinking in a shocked expression. She never had imagined Karn would be so harsh on her.
"Why? What’s wrong with that you don’t like?" Katelyn asked.
Reviews
All reviews (0)