"Your family will be here anyti soon," Gabriel inford her as he settled onto the edge of the bed, carefully adjusting Noah in his arms. The infant was finally quiet.
"You called them!?" Alie arched her eyebrows.
"Yes. They are safe with those rings, but it would be best if they stay in the palace. I sent Denzel to their house, so he will be the one bringing them here," Gabriel explained while looking at her. "I won’t leave any flank unguarded while I’m away."
"You and Karn talked for long with Louis. Did you all find out any solution?" Alie inquired, sitting beside him.
"Yes. Louis didn’t have any knowledge regarding it, but Karn suggested the Bloodsmiths. Louis confird that smiths could have knowledge of such a tal, and Carlos rembered hearing that only Bloodsmiths can forge it," Gabriel answered.
"I’m hearing about the Bloodsmiths for the first ti," Alie stated, her brow furrowing. "How are you going to find them?"
"They are in Zedrion, according to Karn. He and I visited that country a few years ago, and that’s where he first heard of them. Louis and Karn have already left for Zedrion to begin the search," Gabriel explained.
"I hope they find them," Alie prayed. "By the way, did you see Kate?" she asked, her voice soft with concern for her sister-in-law.
"Not yet. With what face am I even going to see her? I feel pathetic, Alie. I have never felt this way before," Gabriel admitted with guilt in his eyes and voice. To him, every scar on Katelyn was a mark of his own failure.
Noah, sensing the shift in the air, tilted his head back. He began to bring his tiny thumb toward his mouth, but Gabriel caught it right away, gently pulling the small hand back and shaking his head.
"You should go and see her. I am sure she must be wanting to see you eagerly," Alie said with a small, encouraging smile. She then looked at their son. "Noah, why aren’t you sleeping today?"
"Is he in distress too? I saw his face looked as if he was worried," Gabriel muttered, his large hand almost covering the baby’s entire head as he stroked it.
"He’s truly distressed seeing you worried," Alie stated. "I had to go out earlier because he refused to sleep and even began crying for you. He knows, Gabriel. He feels everything you do."
A genuine, weary smile finally broke across Gabriel’s face. He shifted his grip and lifted Noah high into the air, making the baby’s eyes go wide. "Daddy is all fine, Noah. You shouldn’t be worried. You’re just a baby, so just focus on sleeping and having your milk," he cooed.
"Gabriel, don’t carry everything alone," Alie said, her voice laced with a deep warmth. "You think it’s your responsibility to finish Ophelia. It’s mine too. So, don’t feel too burdened. Okay?"
She reached out, her hand finding his and squeezing it gently. "Tell , why do you have to do it alone? I thought we would end her together."
Gabriel looked at her, the intensity of his gaze softening as he realized she wasn’t just his wife, but his partner in the coming war. He sighed, leaning his forehead against hers for a brief mont of shared strength while Noah looked at both of them with a curious gaze.
"For now, I’m only searching for the best and only option to kill Ophelia, the weapon from the Bloodsmiths," Gabriel stated. "But on the moon event, we both have to go together. Grandma said to that the witch should be killed by both of us."
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze back. "I am not leaving you behind for the battle, Alie. I am only clearing the path so that when we face her, we actually have the power to win."
~~~~~
After a long, restorative nap, Mona stretched her arms wide, feeling the lingering fatigue finally lift. She took a mont to call her mother, offering a few reassuring words before freshening up to face the evening.
Stepping out into the hallway, she was t by an eerie silence and a sudden, biting chill that seeped through the palace walls. Shivering, she crossed her arms tightly over her chest and turned left, wandering through the corridors until she spotted two imposing figures standing ahead.
"Excuse ," Mona began, her voice humble and soft. "Could you tell where Alie’s quarters are?"
The two n turned in unison. The air in the corridor instantly thickened with hostility as their eyes flared, shifting colors as they sensed the magical aura of a witch standing before them.
"Who are you? And how did you breach these walls?" Casaio demanded, his protective instincts surging to the surface. Beside him, Dominick didn’t hesitate, his hand already signaling for the nearby security detail.
"I am Mona, Carlos’s cousin," she replied quickly, her heart began racing instantly. "I an no harm. Both Alie and Gabriel are aware of my presence. I arrived earlier today and was simply resting in the guest wing."
"Mona! What on earth are you doing out here?" Carlos’s authoritative voice cut through the tension as he hurried down the hall toward them. Reaching the group, he offered a deep, apologetic bow to the n. "Forgive my cousin for wandering. She is unfamiliar with the palace protocols."
"It’s alright, Carlos," Casaio said as he gestured for the security team to stand down. "We weren’t inford of her arrival, so we reacted accordingly."
Carlos turned to Mona, his expression stern but protective. "Mona, show respect. This is the Eldest Alpha Prince, Casaio Sinclair. And this is Dominick Sinclair, the Second Alpha Prince. Offer your greetings."
Mona’s eyes widened in realization. She dropped into a deep, respectful bow. "I... I had no idea. Please, forgive my lack of decorum and my tone," she stamred, her face flushing with embarrassnt.
Both princes softened, offering her a brief nod of dismissal to put her at ease. "I will escort her to Alie now; she ca specifically to check on her," Carlos stated, firmly but gently taking Mona’s hand. He bowed once more to the royals before leading her away toward the family wing.
Left alone in the hallway, Casaio patted his brother’s shoulder. "Go on, Nick. Get so rest," he said, before turning to head in the opposite direction to resu his duties.
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