"Nobody bullies in the school anymore, right?" Casaio began has he handed the hot chocolate mug to Idris.
"Not a word since that incident," Idris replied, wrapping his hands around the warmth of the mug. "The atmosphere changed completely. In fact, most of them go out of their way to be kind to now."
"I’m glad to hear it. But rember," Casaio said, leaning in slightly to catch the teenager’s eyes, "if you ever find yourself in trouble again, no matter how small it seems, you co to or Gabriel imdiately. Don’t try to shoulder it alone."
Idris gave a firm nod and took a long, comforting sip of the cocoa. As he lowered the mug, he said, "I have my final exams right after the Christmas break, and then we have a full month off. A lot of my classmates were talking about going on vacations with their families. Do you think we could go sowhere? Just three of us?"
"I don’t see why not," Casaio asserted with a smile. "Though with the new baby, we shouldn’t venture too far from the capital. There’s a breathtaking estate on the outskirts, it’s famous for its crystal-clear lakes and a valley that stays lush with winter flora. It’s peaceful there." He patted Idris’s shoulder. "I’ll start planning the logistics so we can head out once your exams are over."
A bright, genuine smile broke across Idris’s face. "That sounds perfect," he murmured, before eagerly returning to his drink.
"What about your responsibilities, Cas?" Zilia intervened, her brow furrowing with concern. "The palace schedule is grueling this ti of year, and your workload is already doubled with the holiday festivities."
"It’s manageable," Casaio replied smoothly, though the slight tightness around his eyes suggested otherwise. "I can delegate the administrative tasks to the council for a few days."
Idris watched the subtle exchange between the two, his excitent wavering as he realized the weight of his request. "It isn’t necessary," he said, looking down at his mug. "I was rely suggesting it. I know how much the Crown Prince has to oversee, and I don’t want to be a burden on the state’s affairs."
"That is not true, Idris," Casaio insisted, his voice softening as he turned his full attention back to Zilia’s brother. "We are making this happen. We can certainly carve out one week solely for ourselves. Since the transition, we haven’t had a single mont of genuine peace as a family."
Zilia saw the determination in Casaio’s gaze and reached out to pat Idris’s hand. "If Casaio says he can manage it, he will. Just focus on those exams for now."
~~~~~
Gabriel didn’t listen to the pleas of Eryx and asked the palace guards to take him to the prison to take out his wolf. And as promised, he threw the file into the bin right in front of Lazarus telling him his reputation wouldn’t be compromised at all.
Once the room cleared, Karn glanced at Aisha, who nodded silently and stepped out to wait in the corridor, leaving the two n alone in the high-ceilinged office chamber.
"Gabriel, are you certain this won’t backfire?" Karn asked with genuine concern for his friend. "The political fallout of such a punishnt..."
"The real trouble would have been letting him walk free. Alphas like that should get a punishnt like this only," Gabriel stated firmly. He leaned back against the edge of the mahogany desk, crossing his arms.
A smirk tugged at his lips after a mont. "Though, I must say, I’m quite amused. You went against every one of your own rigid rules to defend Aisha. I suppose you finally understand what it ans to be in love, don’t you?"
Karn offered a small, contemplative smile and a slow nod. "Perhaps. But Aisha hasn’t fully accepted yet. We’ve agreed to date for a month as a trial. I told her my only priority was her protection... I think that’s the only reason she gave a chance."
"You really have no clue what she told the hotel staff, do you?" Gabriel chuckled.
Karn knitted his brows in confusion. "What do you an?"
"’Save my boyfriend,’" Gabriel quoted, his eyes glinting with amusent. "That is exactly how she addressed you, Karn. You’ve already moved her heart closer than you realize.
"And now," Gabriel continued, "you need to make every effort to win her heart completely. Just try to stay out of trouble while doing it. I’ve prepared a little sothing for the both of you."
Gabriel moved to the front of the desk, pulled open a drawer, and retrieved a cream-colored envelope. He walked back to Karn and pressed it firmly into his palm.
"What’s this?" Karn asked, glancing down at the weight of the paper.
"Tickets for a winter cruise," Gabriel asserted. "Three nights and four days. Take Aisha there and celebrate Christmas away from the prying eyes of the capital. I had originally intended to go with Alie, but the timing isn’t right. Noah is still too sensitive to loud noises and crowds, so I’m postponing our trip until next year."
Karn’s eyes widened as he realized the value of what he was holding. "Gabriel, this really wasn’t necessary. This is far too much."
"Stay quiet and take them," Gabriel affird, cutting off his protest with a sharp look. "I want to see you married by this ti next year. As your friend, I’m going to make sure that happens and that Aisha falls for you as quickly as possible. I’m done watching you make sacrifices for everyone else, Karn. It’s ti you took sothing for yourself."
Karn’s smile was genuine, a rare expression of unburdened relief. "Thanks a lot, Gabriel."
"Go ahead then," Gabriel replied, a small wave of his hand dismissing the formality. "Don’t keep her waiting." Karn humd in agreent, his eyes shimring with gratitude as he turned and walked toward the doors.
Once the room was silent again, Gabriel let out a long, weary sigh and looked out the window at the falling snow.
"I feel surprisingly good," Gabriel muttered to the empty office. "I wonder how Cynthia is faring. I’ll have to check in person to see if she’s living in the house I arranged for her."
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