"I don’t like her," Karn muttered. "It was just... A crush from a long ti ago."
"Don’t lie," Gabriel chuckled, tapping a finger against his friend’s chest. "You wouldn’t have gone this far if you didn’t feel at least sothing for her."
Karn shook his head. "I just felt bad for her."
Gabriel arched a brow. "Hmm. And how many won do you usually ’feel bad’ for?" He smirked before letting his tone turn more serious. "So, how exactly did you decide to help her?"
"For a month at most," Karn replied. "She still can’t let go of Joshua, and forcing her into marriage would be cruel. Her parents think tying her down will heal her, but when I talked to her... I could see she wasn’t ready. She asked for my help, and I agreed."
Gabriel studied him for a mont, then leaned closer. "Be careful, Karn. Don’t give her more than you an to. If your heart gets involved, you won’t be able to walk away."
A faint laugh escaped Karn as he shook his head. "You think I’d fall in love? I’m not you."
"What do you an? I should be an example for you," Gabriel said with a warm smile. "Look at , I’m content with Alie by my side. And now, with Noah in my life, I have even more to hold onto. I don’t give up easily. But you, my friend... You care so much about Aisha’s happiness that you’ll forget your own."
"Don’t worry about ," Karn replied firmly. "In a month, nothing is going to change."
Gabriel didn’t argue. He simply smiled, brushing past him toward the corridor.
Karn followed, frowning. "What? You actually think I’ll fall for Aisha in a month? That’s ridiculous. Love doesn’t happen in a month." His voice carried more conviction than confidence, as if he were trying to convince himself as much as Gabriel.
"Well, for , it happened quite early," Gabriel said with a soft smile.
"That’s why I told you that I’m not you," Karn remarked. "By the way, I brought a gift for Alie and Noah. Can I see them?"
"Of course," Gabriel replied, tilting his head in welco.
They walked side by side, Gabriel draping an arm casually over Karn’s shoulders.
"Let’s put off our plan about Aurevalis," Gabriel said. "We won’t be visiting that place."
Karn frowned. "What? Why?"
"I don’t trust it," Gabriel admitted. "It could be a trap. Right now, I can’t afford to take unnecessary risks."
Karn’s gaze hardened. "Maybe you can’t, but I can. I’ll keep digging. I want to know who sent you that parcel."
Gabriel gave a nonchalant shrug. "As you wish." He didn’t press further.
When they finally entered the chamber, they found Alie was sitting comfortably on the sofa, Noah resting peacefully in a cradle beside her. Ashna stood nearby, mid-laughter with Alie.
At the sight of them, Alie brightened. "Gabriel! Karn!" she exclaid, her voice carrying both surprise and joy.
Ashna imdiately straightened, her laughter cut short. She bowed her head politely, lips pressed together as if sealing away whatever she had been about to say.
"Karn wanted to see you and Noah," Gabriel said as they stepped further inside. His gaze drifted toward the cradle. "Ah, he’s asleep."
Alie rose gracefully, her smile soft as Karn extended a bag toward her. "It took a long ti to choose these," he admitted. "I hope you’ll like them."
Alie’s eyes ward as she accepted the gift.
Gabriel, however, let out a mock sigh. "It is unbelievable. He never buys anything. How many years have we been friends, Karn? And not even a single gift?"
Karn’s lips curved in a faint smile. "Well, forgive . I figured you already have everything."
He moved closer to the cradle, leaning slightly to peer at Noah’s sleeping face.
"Noah doesn’t cry as much as other babies," Gabriel whispered, brushing his fingers gently over his son’s head with unmistakable tenderness.
"You’ll wake him," Alie murmured, stepping closer. Gabriel quickly pulled his hand back, a sheepish smile flickering on his face.
"I should take my leave," Karn said softly, straightening.
"Wait," Alie interjected, her eyes glinting. "I have sothing to give you too." She turned her head toward Ashna, who imdiately hurried out of the chamber.
Gabriel arched a brow. "And what exactly do you want to give him?"
"Sothing I’ve wanted to pass on to Karn for a long ti," Alie replied.
Monts later, Ashna reappeared, carrying a small bag. She handed it to Alie, who offered it to Karn with both hands.
Karn accepted it, inclining his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Alie."
He glanced at Gabriel and said, "I’ll take my leave then. See you tomorrow." With a respectful nod, he stepped out of the chamber.
Ashna quietly followed, leaving Gabriel and Alie in peace.
Gabriel wrapped his arms gently around Alie, leaning in so their foreheads touched. "Where’s my gift?" he murmured with a teasing smile.
"My gift?" she asked softly, tilting her head.
"Hmm," he replied, brushing his thumb along her cheek.
Alie smiled warmly, her voice playful but tender. "Well... I’m your gift."
Gabriel chuckled, pulling her closer, and pressed his lips to hers in a slow, intimate kiss.
Then, withdrawing slightly, Gabriel wrapped Alie in a tender embrace, inhaling her scent as if committing it to mory.
"The Royal Mother and Father have decided the date for Noah’s welcoming ceremony with the priest’s blessing," Alie said softly. "It will be next Friday, just a week away."
"Really? That’s wonderful," Gabriel replied, his lips brushing gently against her neck. "Noah will receive the blessings of all the elders."
"Yes," Alie murmured, her gaze softening as she looked down at Noah’s sleeping face. "I’m so happy."
A mont later, Gabriel pulled away. "You deserve happiness. We have yet to click pictures with our baby for its official inclusion in the family book. I’ve decided for the the too," he asserted.
"I’m so excited for that." Alie’s bright smile reached her eyes while in her mind she thought, ’I pray everything goes well for us.’
Reviews
All reviews (0)