Chapter 331
“Why are you working in the kitchen?” Mabel’s voice rang. Amelie lifted her head in surprise. The maids immediately bowed to the Queen, and one of them rushed forward to take the ladle from Amelie’s hands.
“You’re in the final stage of your pregnancy,” Mabel said firmly. “You must be careful. Come with me. I need to speak with you p>
Amelie simply nodded, setting aside her task, and followed the Queen out of the kitchen.
As they crossed the grand hallway, Gabriel appeared from the opposite direction. The moment his eyes landed on them, he was at Amelie’s side, his hand closing protectively around hers.
“Where are you taking my mate p>
Mabel halted, turning to face him.
“If you want an apology from my wife, if you wish to humiliate her yet again, then stop here,” Gabriel said. “I won’t allow it anymore. Please… don’t hurt Amelie again.” It was not just a request anymore, but a pleading.
“Gabriel, calm down,” Amelie whispered, squeezing his hand gently. “Your mother only wishes to speak with me. Don’t turn this into a quarrel p>
Mabel studied her son in silence before exhaling softly. “Very well. Then I will say it here p>
Her gaze shifted to Amelie. “No apology can erase the truth that I once hired an enemy to harm you, all to test the shielding power of this pendant,” she confessed. “What I did was unforgivable. But everything I did back then… it was for Gabriel p>
Her voice faltered, and for a brief moment, the mask of the Queen slipped, revealing a grieving mother. “When I held my son for the first time, the High Priestess appeared before me. She said things that shook me to my core. She warned that if I ever showed him love, I would lose him. That fear poisoned my heart. I made choices that scarred him, choices I will regret until my last breath p>
Her eyes softened, though sorrow lingered in their depths. “And yet… You never judged him. You never turned away from him. You embraced him as your true mate, as he deserved. For that, Amelie, I am thankful, more than I can ever say p>
Amelie glanced at Gabriel. His eyes no longer sought his mother.
“I forgive you,” Amelie said gently. “I can understand your fears as a mother. Your choices came from a place of wanting to protect your child. And I believe… if this pendant hadn’t revealed its power that day, you would still have saved me p>
For a fleeting moment, Mabel’s stern composure softened. A small, wistful smile touched her lips before she turned away. “I’ll take my leave then.” With quiet steps, she disappeared down the hall.
Amelie exhaled, releasing the weight in her chest, before turning to Gabriel.
“Don’t defend her,” Gabriel muttered, still unwilling to meet her eyes.
“I’m not defending her,” Amelie replied softly. “But don’t shut her out completely. Can’t you see? She’s wasting away here. She doesn’t even eat properly. It must have been unbearable for her to realize how Ophelia deceived her. She carries so much inside, Gabriel, things she cannot even voice. Talk to your mother, just once. End this battle. I know she hurt you the most, that you’ve endured pain beyond what words can hold. But you’re hurting still, and I feel it every day p>
Gabriel’s lips tightened. “I’m not suffering,” he said curtly. “You’re mistaken p>
Without waiting for her reply, he tugged her hand lightly. “Let’s go to our room.” His tone left no room for argument, and though Amelie’s heart ached, she followed him silently.
Gabriel suddenly stopped in the hallway. Before Amelie could question him, he turned, bent down, and scooped her effortlessly into his arms.
“Hey, put me down,” she protested, her cheeks warming.
He didn’t answer as he carried her straight into their room. Without a word, he set her gently on the mattress, his hands lingering at her side for a moment as if reluctant to let go.
His gaze dropped to her feet, and his brows furrowed. “They’re swollen,” he murmured. “Amelie… aren’t you walking too much p>
“I don’t know,” she admitted softly. “I don’t feel any discomfort. If I had, I would’ve told you p>
Gabriel sat beside her, his tone brooking no argument. “I’ll massage your feet and legs.” He adjusted her carefully, tucking two pillows behind her back so she sat comfortably, then guided her legs onto the mattress.
“You don’t have to,” Amelie whispered, though her heart softened at his tenderness.
His dark eyes lifted to hers, steady and intense. “Why do you always say that? I do have to. I need to take care of you, especially now. Your body is changing, preparing for the birth. Even if you don’t admit it, I can feel it that you’re uncomfortable. Carrying a child isn’t easy.” His fingers brushed against her ankle as he spoke, then began to knead her foot with careful pressure.
“Are you upset that I followed your mother?” Amelie asked, her eyes searching his face.
“Why?” Gabriel’s gaze flicked to hers, sharp but softening almost immediately. “Would you stop listening to her if I asked you to p>
Amelie pressed her lips together, unsure how to answer.
He let out a low sigh. “Let this matter remain between me and her. Maybe… one day my heart will soften, and I’ll forgive her. But right now, I can’t. I still feel cold toward her.” His voice dropped to a murmur. It was a confession more than an explanation.
Then, as if pulling himself away from that heaviness, something crossed his mind. He suddenly remembered the small surprise he had been keeping.
“I’ve got something for you,” Gabriel said, rising from the bed. He walked to the cupboard, opened a drawer, and carefully took out a velvety box. Returning to her side, he sat down and placed it in her hands.
Amelie’s eyes widened as she opened it. “Anklets?” Her voice lit up with delight, her gaze shimmering with childlike joy.
Gabriel’s lips curved faintly. “I thought they would look beautiful on you. That’s why I bought them p>
He took them gently from the box and, with careful hands, fastened one around each of her feet. “They look so pretty on you,” he said softly, his eyes warm with affection.