Carlos and Casaio touched down in Ashenworld, the fabled land of witches. The mont they stepped out of the jet, a black car was already waiting for them.
Without delay, they slipped inside, and the driver began the smooth ride toward the heart of the city center.
"So this entire place... It’s only ho to witches and mages?" Casaio asked, his eyes wandering curiously over the streets.
"Mostly," Carlos replied. "But you’ll also find hybrids here, offspring born with the blood of both witches and wolves."
Then, turning his head to Casaio, he continued, "Did you tell your father not to allow your mother to step out of the palace?"
"Yes. Before we ca here, I called my Dad. But I wonder why you said that," Casaio murmured, getting confused a little.
"Your mother will try to find Ophelia on her own. The Queen, I read, is not soone who stays quiet. That’s why a close eye should be kept on her," Carlos affird. Then, leaning his head against the window, he continued, "It still surprises to what extent a mother can go just to save her child."
"She tried to harm Alie too and refused to keep her as a part of our family," Casaio murmured. "Her actions weren’t justified. What Gabriel suffered shouldn’t be faced by any child. Definitely, a mother sacrifices a lot, but at what cost does it co?"
"Hmm. But your mother is a tough lady. I must say she hid a lot behind that stoic face," Carlos murmured in a low enough voice that even Casaio couldn’t hear him.
~~~~~
"Careful," Gabriel murmured, his hand steadying Alie as he guided her into a chair at the dining table. Only when he was certain she was comfortable did he take the seat beside her.
Samyra began placing generous portions on Gabriel’s plate, urging him to eat well.
"You should serve your daughter first, Mrs. Conley," Gabriel said politely in a firm tone.
"Let my mother pamper her son-in-law today," Alie interjected with a faint smile, urging her mother not to listen to him.
"I’ll serve Alie after I’m done serving you," Samyra replied warmly. Once Gabriel’s plate was full, she moved to Alie’s side and began filling her bowls. "Eat to your heart’s content. I even made your favorite fish curry," she added with pride.
Alie smiled and gently urged her, "Serve Flora too, she’s been waiting patiently for her turn."
Gabriel took his first bite, and his brows lifted slightly. The flavors were rich, a taste unlike anything he had experienced before. It lingered pleasantly on his tongue, drawing him in for another bite.
He had always longed for the warmth of a al cooked by his mother’s hands. Yet, as Queen, she had always kept herself distant from such tasks, her duties and status placing her far from the kitchen.
Still, one mory stood out vividly, during a sumr break when his brothers were ho from the academy, she had cooked for them, personally preparing dishes with a rare tenderness.
But when his own break ca, things had been different. There had been no special al waiting for him, no gesture of the sa care.
The absence had lingered with him, leaving a quiet ache that even now, years later, stirred beneath the taste of Samyra’s ho-cooked food.
’I can’t let myself feel upset. I buried that hurt a long ti ago. I’m not a child anymore, there’s no point in dwelling on it,’ Gabriel reminded himself, pushing the old ache back where it belonged.
His thoughts broke when he felt a familiar, gentle touch on his thigh. Turning his head, he found Alie looking at him with concern.
"Why aren’t you eating?" she asked softly.
Samyra, catching the pause, glanced at Gabriel with a hint of worry. "Is the food not to your liking, Your Highness?" she inquired, her voice tinged with the fear of having displeased him.
"No. The food is delicious," Gabriel replied. He resud eating while Alie’s attention remained on him for a mont.
~~~~
Denzel spent the morning ticulously combing through every second of security footage from the city’s periter and the nearby café where Flora had gone. His persistence paid off as he finally caught a clear glimpse of the mysterious woman who had approached Flora.
After isolating the relevant fras, Denzel enhanced the images for clarity, compiled them into a file, and printed a hard copy for records. Then, he forwarded the digital images directly to Gabriel.
Pulling out his phone, he dialed the Alpha Prince’s number and waited as the line connected.
Gabriel, having just finished lunch, had retreated to the guest room with Alie for a brief rest. The soft chi of his phone drew his attention, and he answered promptly.
"Yes, Denzel?"
"I’ve sent the images to you," Denzel reported. His voice was steady but carried an undertone of urgency. "Flora’s claims check out. She did et a woman early this morning, just as she said, and in the footage, she’s clearly holding what appears to be a locket."
"Wait, let check," Gabriel said, lowering his phone to open the incoming ssages. His eyes scanned the attached images, and the mont he saw the woman’s face, his brows drew together in a sharp frown.
Alie leaned in, her arm brushing lightly against his as she tried to get a glimpse of the photo herself.
Bringing the phone back to his ear, Gabriel ordered, "Denzel, find out who this woman is."
"Yes, I’m already on it," Denzel replied. "I’ll have Karn join for the search."
"Good. If you need any backup, call without any hesitation. I’ll be there imdiately," Gabriel said.
"Sure, Your Highness."
The call ended and Gabriel lowered his arm to his side.
"What if we ask your mother about this face? We need to be sure that the woman in the picture is Ophelia," Alie suggested.
"That’s a good idea. I’ll talk to Dad first," Gabriel said, dialing his father’s number this ti.
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