"Why are you apologizing to , Your Highness? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?" Idris asked quietly, his fingers nervously twisting together in his lap.
Casaio sighed with the guilt in his eyes. He took a step closer. "Idris, I made a promise to you that I’d never let harm co your way," he said. "But what happened today..." His jaw tightened. "It brought so much undeserved hatred and pain upon you. None of this should have happened. I should’ve seen it coming."
Idris kept his gaze down, saying nothing.
"You were crying in the hall, and yet no one noticed," he continued, the words catching slightly in his throat. "No one paid attention to those tears. That’s what I regret the most."
"Not everyone can be good, Your Highness," Idris whispered, his voice trembling but steady enough to carry conviction. "What’s done can’t be changed," he added softly. "And I’ve always feared what would happen if the truth ever ca out. Now I finally see how people truly see ... maybe that’s sothing I needed to learn. Maybe it was important for to grow. So, I don’t bla you, or anyone else."
Casaio’s eyes softened. "Idris, you’re speaking like a man far beyond your years," he praised the boy for carrying such thoughts.
A faint smile curved Idris’s lips. "That’s because I’m going to be a big man soon," he replied with a hint of shy confidence.
"Co here," Casaio said gently, bending down and opening his arms. Idris didn’t hesitate, and he rushed forward and wrapped his arms around him, holding on tightly.
"Thank you for standing up for us," Idris murmured, his voice muffled against Casaio’s chest. "It must have been hard for you."
Casaio smiled faintly, resting his hand on Idris’s head and ruffling his hair with quiet affection. "You’ll be loved, Idris," he said. "Maybe not by everyone, but by those who matter. People will see your heart, and they’ll know you’ve done no wrong."
Idris closed his eyes, feeling much better than before.
~~~~~~
"Noah, you look absolutely adorable in this outfit," Gabriel said with a grin as he lifted the little boy into his arms and carried him toward the mirror. Noah giggled, waving his tiny hands with excitent, his eyes sparkling.
"I think you like it, don’t you?" Gabriel teased softly, adjusting his hold so Noah could see their reflection. His hands fit easily around the child’s small fra with protectiveness.
"Well," Gabriel murmured with playful mischief, slipping his phone from his pocket and switching on the cara, "it’s ti for a little photo session."
He raised the phone, smiling widely. "Say cheese, baby," he encouraged gently. "Show that big, sparkling smile of yours."
Noah laughed, tilting his head as if he understood. It was pure joy captured in that simple mont.
Gabriel snapped a few more pictures before letting Noah rest his head on his shoulder, gently patting his back. "How about we take so on the balcony?" he suggested with a smile.
Just then, Alie appeared in the doorway. Gabriel’s face lit up. "A, co join us! Let’s take so pictures with our son," he called, holding Noah closer as they headed outside.
"Sure," Alie said, smiling, and followed them out to the balcony. She settled on the swing, and Gabriel handed her the phone.
"Take a few pictures of with Noah," he said, helping Noah stand on his thighs so he could face the cara.
Alie nodded and began snapping a few candid shots, capturing their laughter and little interactions.
Once done, Gabriel stood up carefully, cradling Noah in his arms. "Now, you should sit over there with Noah," he suggested with a grin.
"Co to Mommy," Alie cooed, taking Noah into her arms and settling back onto the swing.
Noah squealed with delight, bouncing slightly and laughing. He gave Gabriel the brightest and most perfect smile.
"Noah looks too happy today," he whispered, walking to them on the swing. He angled the phone for a selfie, his arm wrapping around Alie’s shoulder, who held Noah closely.
"Finally, done," Gabriel said, lowering the phone as Alie placed Noah gently on her lap. She leaned in to look at the pictures, her eyes lighting up.
"They ca out beautifully," she murmured.
"You two look incredible here," Gabriel said, stopping at a shot that captured both Alie’s and Noah’s smiles perfectly.
Alie gazed at him with a fond smile and suddenly pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
Gabriel leaned closer, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Alie... kiss properly, on the lips, if you want."
Before she could respond, a voice interrupted them. "Pardon , Your Highnesses, for intruding," Ashna called from the doorway of the balcony.
Both turned to look at her. "What is it?" Alie asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"The King wants to see Prince Gabriel," Ashna replied politely.
"Go," Alie said softly.
Gabriel humd in acknowledgnt, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on Noah’s forehead. With a final glance at the swing, he stood and left the balcony, tucking the phone securely into the pocket of his trousers.
By the ti he reached the main hall, he noticed Dominick’s beta waiting there, tension evident in his posture.
"What happened, Dad?" Gabriel asked with concern. "Evan, I have not seen you in such a long ti."
"Your Highness, I rarely co to the palace; that’s why," Evan replied, shifting slightly under Gabriel’s gaze.
Raidan’s brow furrowed with concern. "Nick is nowhere to be found. I’ve been trying to contact him for a while. I think you should search for him; it’s already late afternoon."
Gabriel’s expression remained calm, though his mind churned quietly. "Nick will return by nightfall, I’m sure. There’s no need to worry."
Raidan shook his head, unease lingering in his eyes. "It’s not just that... Nick has rejected Juniper. That’s what worries . He’s always been soft-hearted, Gabriel. He’s hardly faced a situation this stressful before."
Gabriel furrowed his brows together and turned his head to look at Evan.
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