Raidan adjusted the collar of his official King’s robe as Mabel helped him fasten the buttons.
"Be careful," she murmured, fingers moving with practiced ease. "It’s been a long ti since you last visited the borders."
Raidan gave a soft hum in response. "I’ll be back within a few hours, so don’t worry. Once the pact is signed, peace will finally return to the Southern Border."
Mabel paused, her expression tightening. "The conditions were harsh... You have to behead five of your own officials."
"It’s necessary," Raidan said firmly, though a flicker of regret crossed his eyes. "They acted without conducting a proper investigation. Their recklessness cost us dearly. The entire kingdom suffered for their mistake. But more than that..." He sighed. "Casaio suffered the most. It broke him."
Mabel’s gaze lowered. "He’s decided to be with Zilia again. If I oppose him now, he’ll see as the villain. I’ve decided to let him choose his own path."
"That’s good to hear." Raidan gave her a small nod, but then hesitated. "Did you hear anything from Gabriel? I tried calling him, but he didn’t answer. What exactly happened to make him so angry?"
"For now, focus on your mission," Mabel replied with a stern tone. "Gabriel is always like this. He buries his thoughts too deep to understand."
Raidan studied her for a mont, as if wanting to say more, but instead gave a nod and turned to leave.
~~~~
anwhile, in his study, Gabriel stood over the desk, flipping through the report Karn had prepared.
"These eyewitnesses..." he began, eyes scanning the details. "I want their recorded statents. They must be personally delivered to ."
"We’d have to bring them here for that. I’m not sure it’s even feasible," Karn said cautiously.
Gabriel didn’t look up from the report. "Not every case had eyewitnesses, true. But for the ones that did, it’s absolutely feasible. You can make the arrangents. I trust you’re capable."
Karn hesitated for a mont before speaking again. "Prince Dominick called early this morning. He expressed interest in taking over the investigation, especially the interrogations of the eyewitnesses."
Gabriel finally raised his eyes to et hers.
"He’s in the capital," Karn continued. "It would be more efficient if you let your brother handle it. The logistics would be simpler, and... he seed determined to help."
"Fine. Let Nick handle it," Gabriel said, placing the file down on the desk with a soft thud. "I should focus on other matters anyway. I’ve been neglecting work ever since I returned to the palace."
Karn picked up the file, hesitating before speaking. "About Carlos... don’t you think there’s sothing strange about him?"
Gabriel leaned back into his leather chair, brows knitting together. "What do you an?"
"It’s just... he’s a bit off," Karn replied, unsure of how to put it into words.
Gabriel gave a faint scoff. "He’s a witch’s son. What do you expect from soone like that?" He paused, then looked at her more intently. "But that’s not all, is it? You’re holding sothing back. Say it. You know there are no secrets between us."
"When he shook hands with ," Karn began, "he told I’ve hurt soone recently. Then he said I should stay true to my nature, about what I feel."
Gabriel’s expression didn’t shift imdiately, but a knowing smile slowly began to form on his lips.
"Then maybe you should listen to his advice," he said calmly. "Carlos gets... visions."
Karn looked at him, surprised by how casually he said it.
Gabriel didn’t add more, didn’t tell Karn what Carlos had revealed to him in private. That Alie would give birth to a boy. So things, he believed, were ant to stay quiet... at least for now.
"But why he said that to ?" Karn murmured.
"Who knows what Carlos saw in you? You can ask him for the clarification in the evening when he returns," Gabriel replied.
"Hmm. What did he tell about marks? Any lead you got?"
"A lot of things he shared. But he hasn’t given us the best explanation yet. He said that he needed to research first before delivering us the truth. But the strange part is that these marks weren’t ant to be on the wolves. These are curses for so reason," Gabriel explained to him.
"Hmm. I hope he uncovers the truth soon," Karn said thoughtfully.
"By the way, don’t you have to go to Alie?"
"Yes, I’m heading there now. I need to take her to the hospital," Gabriel replied as he stood up.
"Go ahead then. Don’t worry about the workload, I’ve got it covered," Karn assured him with a small nod. "Also... Denzel handled quite a lot while you were away. More than you might expect."
"That’s nice," Gabriel said with a small smile before walking out.
As he headed toward the room, he paused upon seeing Albus on a call.
"Your Majesty, I will ask the prince to call you after he finishes his work," Albus spoke into the landline before gently placing the receiver down. When he turned around, his gaze t Gabriel’s.
Albus bowed respectfully, then approached him. "The Queen called. Your father would like to speak with you this evening," he inford.
"Then tell the Queen to explain to the King why I left the palace in the first place," Gabriel said, a faint taunt in his voice. "Maybe then I’ll consider calling him."
Albus confusedly gazed at Gabriel, not understanding what to say.
"Get the car ready. Alie and I have to go to the hospital," Gabriel ordered before heading upstairs. Reaching the room’s door, he held the doorknob and opened it.
He found Alie was on the laptop, doing sothing.
"Get ready, A. We need to go to the hospital," Gabriel said softly, sitting behind her on the bed’s edge. He saw her making a report and asked, "What’s this?"
"The pending work. I told you I would resu the work once we will be back from the palace," Alie answered.
Gabriel rested his forehead on her shoulder. "Just don’t stress out yourself. If work gives you peace of mind, then you should definitely do it," he murmured.
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