"Who was the High Priestess who told you such a thing? Can you na her?" Carlos asked. Though he had glimpsed fragnts from the past, the face of the High Priestess had remained shrouded, just beyond reach.
"Her na was Ophelia Labrinth," Mabel answered.
At the ntion of that na, a knowing smirk curled on Carlos’ lips. He slipped a hand into his coat pocket and retrieved his phone. With a few taps, he pulled up an image and turned the screen toward her.
"Did she look like this?" he asked, holding the phone out.
Mabel leaned forward, her breath hitching at the sight. "Yes," she confird instantly. "That’s her. She was... known for her knowledge, her foresight. Though not many in the capital knew her na back then, she was revered in the witches’ circles. I suppose she was even more famous among your kind."
Carlos slowly returned the phone to his coat pocket and t her gaze.
"Yes, Your Majesty. She was well known," he said. "But not for the reasons you think."
Mabel’s brows furrowed, sensing a shift in the air.
Carlos leaned slightly forward. "Ophelia Labrinth is the one who cursed Gabriel and Alie in their past lives. The tale she told you, about a child, a witch’s revenge, and a curse, wasn’t a warning. It was her vengeance. You were misled, Your Majesty. You were deceived by a dark witch... and unknowingly, you helped seal your son’s fate."
"What?" Mabel gasped, her voice trembling. "Th-that can’t be true."
"It is," Carlos said calmly. "My grandmother sent that picture while she was researching the markings we found on both Alie and Gabriel. Those symbols... they weren’t just remnants of ancient magic. They were the unmistakable work of a dark curse, one that only a few dare to use."
He leaned in slightly, his voice gaining weight. "Not everyone is capable of casting curses, and certainly not allowed. But those who do, those who walk that path, embrace the darkest kind of power. Ophelia was one of them. She manipulated life and death, switching bodies to extend her existence. But her original face, the one you recognized, remained unchanged, no matter the vessel."
Mabel stared at him, speechless, her hands unconsciously curling into her lap.
Carlos softened his voice, his eyes never leaving hers. "Your Majesty, she fooled you into thinking detachnt would save Gabriel. But love... love is the very thing that could’ve protected him. It’s not a weakness. It’s the strongest weapon against a curse ant to strip soone of it."
Raidan turned to his wife, his gaze steady but not unkind. "Now, do you see? You were deceived all along. What will happen if Gabriel learns the truth? What will you do then?"
Mabel’s lips parted, but no words ca. Her expression crumbled under the weight of sha and grief.
Carlos gently interjected, his tone asured. "For now, let’s not reveal it to him. Besides... Gabriel has long stopped expecting anything from his mother. What he has now is soone whose love is enough, Alie. And because of that love, he’s willing to face anything to protect her and their pup."
He looked at Mabel. "What the Queen can do now is offer her silent support. The past can’t be undone... but the present can still be nded."
Mabel’s breath hitched. She was barely holding back her tears. "I... I would like to be alone," she whispered, her voice quivering.
Carlos exchanged a glance with Karn before speaking gently, "Then we’ll take our leave."
With a respectful bow, the two n turned and quietly exited the room, leaving Mabel to her silent reckoning.
Raidan followed the two n out of the room. "Carlos," he called, making them halt in the hallway. "What will Ophelia do to Gabriel and Alie? Are you certain they’re safe in San Ravendale?"
Carlos and Karn turned to face him. There was a brief pause before Carlos spoke.
"Your Majesty, undoing the curses is our first priority. My grandmother is already studying the marks and tracing the origin of Ophelia’s spellwork. And as for San Ravendale... yes, I believe it’s the safest place for them right now."
His eyes held confidence. "I give you my word, Gabriel, Alie, and the pup will be safe."
Raidan took a breath, visibly relieved. "Thank you," he said. "What you’re doing for them... for all of us... It’s more than I can ever repay."
Carlos gave a respectful nod. "You don’t need to repay anything, Your Majesty. Protecting them is part of what I stand for."
Karn nodded in agreent, and after a respectful bow, they continued on their way.
As they returned to the main hall, Katelyn rose from the couch with a determined look in her eyes. She was clearly waiting for them.
"Brother Gabriel won’t tell anything, no matter how much I ask," she said, turning to Karn. "So why don’t you tell , Karn?"
Carlos glanced between the two, sensing an unspoken tension he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
"Pardon , Princess," Karn replied politely, "but I’m not in a position to reveal Prince Gabriel’s matters. Forgive ."
Without waiting for a response, he turned to Carlos. "Let’s go."
"Have a safe journey back," Katelyn said her voice light, but her gaze lingering on Karn.
"What was that?" Carlos murmured under his breath as he turned to smile at her briefly.
"Keep walking. Don’t respond to her," Karn said quickly.
"What? Why?" Carlos grinned. "She’s a sweet lady."
Still facing forward, Carlos added with a teasing smirk, "You like her, don’t you? And she likes you too."
"Hey, that’s not true," Karn snapped, shooting him a glare and walking a little faster. "Why would I like a princess?"
Carlos kept pace, clearly amused. "Then why are you running away from her?"
"Kate gets annoying sotis, that’s all," Karn muttered.
Carlos chuckled. "Uh-huh. And yet here you are, flustered like a boy with a crush."
"I’m not flustered."
"Right. Sure you’re not." Carlos teased, his grin kept widening.
~~~~
"Why!? Why can’t I get through to them?" Ophelia hissed, her voice echoing off the damp, jagged walls of the cave. Her eyes flew open, still glowing faintly from the ritual she had just perford. She clenched her fists in frustration.
"A shield..." she muttered, rising to her feet, her long cloak brushing the floor as she began to pace. "They’re protected by a shield. But how?"
Her voice quivered with disbelief. The cavern flickered dimly under the soft blue light of arcane runes etched into the walls. It should have amplified her spell, not failed it.
"There’s no spell in existence that can completely nullify a curse... not mine," she growled under her breath. Her footsteps grew louder and more erratic.
"I have to trigger Gabriel’s curse." She stopped, eyes narrowed in suspicion and rage. "And then... the destruction is supposed to follow. But sothing is interfering. It’s a protection charm."
"How did they find out they were cursed?" Ophelia hissed under her breath, her brows furrowing as unease gripped her. "Did Mabel... tell them? No. That’s not possible. She kept her silence all these years. Why now?"
She spun around, her fingers twitching with the residual energy of the failed spell.
"Then why... why can I feel the resistance of protective charms?" she muttered. "They were never there before. Who tampered with the balance?"
Her chest rose and fell rapidly as realization began to dawn, soone powerful had intervened.
"This shouldn’t be happening. Not after everything I’ve set in motion," she whispered, her hands once again curling into fists.
A mont passed before she straightened her back, the confusion in her expression replaced by cold determination. "I need to see for myself what exactly is going on."
~~~~~
Mabel had been crying silently for hours, her heart sinking under the weight of her own cruelty. Her swollen eyes were red and sore, but the real pain lay deeper, in the sha she could no longer escape. She sat motionless in her chamber, staring blankly at the wall, consud by the mories of the son she had wronged.
The soft creak of the door didn’t stir her, but the gentle voice that followed did.
"Dear," Raidan said.
She didn’t turn, didn’t even blink. But his hands found her shoulders, grounding her. Without a word, he helped her up and guided her gently to sit on the edge of the bed.
Then, finally, she broke.
"Just punish , Raidan," she whispered. "I don’t deserve to live anymore."
Her eyes t his.
"I beg you," she choked, her voice cracking. "Punish for the heinous cri I’ve committed... for being so heartless to our son."
Raidan looked at her with only love. "You thought it would protect her, Mabel. Don’t speak in such a tone. If Gabriel hears you, he may say his strong mother is not in her right mind. Now, what’s been done is done. You shall look forward to a better future for your son. Apologize to him for what you did. Win his heart. You’re a mother, so he will definitely lt soday."
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