Juniper regained her composure, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief before turning her gaze toward Gabriel.
"Gabriel, I apologize to you as well. I know you still see as a villain, but I truly don’t carry any hatred for Noah, you, or Alie. I’ve learned my lesson. And please... don’t punish Denzel because of . That is the last request I wanted to make."
The room fell silent as every eye turned toward Gabriel, waiting for the Alpha Prince’s verdict.
"Denzel made a mistake, but he is clearly remorseful," Alie added. "I trust that in the future, he won’t bypass your authority on any matter."
Gabriel didn’t look at Alie. Instead, his sharp gaze remained fixed on Denzel. "You had too much confidence that I would save you even if things went wrong, didn’t you?"
Denzel hesitated, his palms sweating under the weight of Gabriel’s scrutiny. After a long mont, he gave a brief, stiff nod. "Yes," he admitted.
Alie glanced at Denzel, prompting him to continue.
"I was too arrogant about my own judgnt," Denzel spoke up, his voice quivering slightly. "I really believed that not informing Prince Gabriel wouldn’t be an issue and that Prince Dominick would simply listen to . Even Juniper told not to interfere, but I did anyway. I overstepped."
Gabriel leaned back, still contemplating.
"Fine, I forgive you, Denzel," Gabriel said, his voice dropping to an authoritative tone. "But this is the last ti. I didn’t give so much freedom to my Beta and Gamma for them to act without thinking of the consequences."
Denzel bowed low, listening quietly to the Alpha Prince’s warning.
"Don’t involve yourself in the matters of others again," Gabriel stated.
Denzel nodded, keeping his hands clasped firmly in front of him. "I understand, Your Highness."
Gabriel then turned his attention to Juniper. "Since Alie has chosen to forgive you, I will do the sa. I truly hope you live a life without any more regrets from now on," he asserted, the edge in his voice finally softening.
Juniper smiled, a genuine look of relief crossing her tired features. "Thank you. I shall take my leave now."
"June, at least stay for refreshnts," Alie offered, gesturing toward the tea service the maids were bringing in.
"Not today. Thank you for allowing to see you both," Juniper pronounced, standing up from the couch. She looked around the living room one last ti, as if finally closing a Chapter of her life that had been left open for far too long.
Rising to her feet, Juniper began walking toward the door, her shoulders finally losing their rigid tension.
Alie stood up and followed her. As they descended the staircase, Alie called out, stopping Juniper in the center of the foyer.
Juniper turned around, her gaze bewildered and soft. Alie quickly approached her, slightly breathless.
"June, life is tough for everyone," Alie said. "It is all about how you choose to handle it. I truly wish you happiness and a life of fulfillnt. I know you will find them."
Without waiting for a response, Alie pulled Juniper into a warm hug, offering a gentle, sisterly pat on her back.
Juniper froze for a split second before lting into the embrace. She didn’t pull away; instead, she placed her own hands on Alie’s back, closing her eyes as the last of the bitterness from their shared past finally evaporated.
"Thank you, Alie," Juniper whispered. "For everything."
When they finally stepped apart, Juniper gave a warm pat on Alie’s cheek before turning and leaving her sight.
~~~~
Casaio flipped the last page of the file before he finally scrawled his signature at the bottom. The external logistics had already been handled by Dominick, leaving the internal affairs of the palace in Casaio’s hands.
Despite the progress, a concern for Zilia tugged at his mind.
As he rose from his desk, stretching his stiff shoulders, a sudden urge struck him, one he hadn’t expected.
He felt the need to call Juniper.
Ever since the public explosion between Dominick and Gabriel, Casaio realized he was initial the reason of fallout between Juniper and Dominick.
He never truly finding the mont to speak to her directly or offer the apology he felt she was owed for how the family had handled her departure.
Casaio reached for his phone, his thumb hovering over Denzel’s contact na. Since Denzel had been the one looking after her, he was the only person likely to have Juniper’s current number.
He dialed the number and waited. After a few rings, Denzel answered with his usual formal greeting, though the heavy blare of car horns echoed in the background.
"Are you driving, Denzel? I can call back later," Casaio said, leaning against the edge of his mahogany desk.
"No, Your Highness. I’ve already pulled over to the side. Why did you call?" Denzel inquired, the background noise muffling slightly as he rolled up his window.
"Umm... do you happen to have Juniper’s number?" Casaio asked.
"Yes, I do," Denzel replied, a note of surprise in his tone.
"Please send her contact information to ," Casaio stated.
"Of course, Your Highness. I’ll send it over imdiately."
A mont later, Casaio’s phone vibrated with a text. "Thanks, Denzel," Casaio said before ending the call. He didn’t give himself ti to overthink it, imdiately dialing the number Denzel had sent.
The phone rang several tis, the rhythmic tone filling the quiet of his office. Just as he thought it might go to voicemail, the line clicked open.
"Hello?"
"Hey, June! It’s , Casaio."
Juniper felt a jolt of surprise at the sound of his voice. She looked around the public park, her heart rate spiking slightly as she lowered herself onto a nearby wooden bench. "Why did Prince Casaio call?" she asked, her voice guarded but curious.
"Can we et?" Casaio asked, pacing the length of his desk. "You can send your location. I’ll co to you if you’re comfortable seeing . I won’t take much of your ti."
"Why does Prince Casaio want to see ?" Juniper asked, her gaze drifting to a young couple nearby playing with their toddler on the grass. The sight of a happy family usually stung, and it now hurt more.
"I just think we have so things to discuss that shouldn’t be said over a phone," Casaio replied gently.
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