Chapter 376
“What is it?” Idris asked curiously, his eyes widening as Gabriel handed him a small box.
“You’ll have to see for yourself,” Gabriel replied.
Idris carefully untied the knot and lifted the lid. Inside, nestled against the dark fabric, was a silver ring crowned with a polished emerald stone. His lips parted in awe.
Amelie leaned closer, her eyes catching the gleam of the gem. “Wait… isn’t that the emblem of the three Sinclair brothers?” she asked in surprise.
Gabriel nodded. “It is,” he confirmed. His voice carried both pride and sincerity. “Idris may not be a Sinclair by blood, but to us, he is one of us now. I wanted him to have this, not as a token of duty, but as a sign of belonging p>
Idris’s small hands trembled slightly as he picked up the ring. With a beaming smile, he slipped it onto the pointer finger of his left hand. The emerald caught the light, glimmering like a promise.
His eyes shone with unguarded joy as he looked up at Gabriel. For the first time, Idris didn’t feel like just a younger outsider boy among princes, he felt like their brother.
“This means so much to me, Prince Gabriel! Thank you!” Idris exclaimed, his eyes gleaming as he admired the emerald ring on his finger. “It fits perfectly. But… how did you even know the size of my finger?” he asked, looking up in surprise.
Gabriel’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Let’s just say I’m a good observer,” he replied. Then, with a touch of seriousness, he added, “Keep it on always. It’s not just a gift, it’s a bond p>
“Of course! I’ll never take it off. Thank you!” Idris beamed, his joy almost too big for his young frame to contain.
Their moment of warmth was cut short when a knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Gabriel commanded.
A palace maid entered, bowing respectfully. “Your Highness, someone has come to see Her Ladyship p>
“Is it Zander?” Amelie asked quickly, sitting upright.
“Yes, Your Highness,” the maid confirmed.
Idris rose to his feet, clutching his hand with the ring as if it were treasure. “Then I’ll take my leave now,” he said with a polite bow.
“Of course,” Amelie said warmly. “And Idris, your gifts meant the world to us. Thank you p>
A shy grin tugged at his lips as he walked out.
“Tell Zander we’ll be there shortly. Also, make him sit in the main hall of Northern Palace,” Gabriel instructed the maid. She bowed again and departed.
Amelie sighed softly, glancing at the boxes. “Idris is so thoughtful for his age,” she murmured with fondness.
Gabriel moved closer, gathering the boxes neatly. “He is. That’s why I wanted him to feel he belongs.” Then he knelt, helping her slip on her ballet flats with gentle hands.
“I can do it myself, you know,” Amelie said softly as she stood up, brushing down her dress.
“I know,” Gabriel replied with a faint smile. “But I love doing these things for you p>
Leaving her momentarily, he went into the washroom to wash his hands. Meanwhile, Amelie set the half-empty bowl of berries on the bedside table and carefully covered it with a tray before stepping forward.
When Gabriel returned to her side, his hand instinctively reached for hers. Together, they left the chamber.
Zander thanked the maid who had brought him a glass of water. He took a few slow sips when he sensed the presence of someone strong. He could only belong to one person, Gabriel Sinclair. Lowering the glass, he turned toward the doorway and saw both Amelie and Gabriel entering together.
He immediately rose to his feet, bowing in greeting before lifting his head again. A warm smile curved his lips as his eyes softened at Amelie.
“Amelie, your baby bump has grown so much,” he said with gentle amusement. “I imagine the birth is not far now p>
“Yes, most likely by next month,” Amelie replied warmly. She gestured to the seat he had just vacated. “Please, sit p>
“I must apologize for disturbing you both,” Zander said, “especially when everyone here must be so busy with preparations p>
“It’s no disturbance,” Gabriel answered with a calm smile. “We weren’t occupied with anything important. But tell us, what brings you here? Would you like some coffee first p>
Zander shook his head lightly. “No, thank you, Your Highness. I had my coffee earlier at the hotel, and I’m still quite full p>
A brief silence lingered before Zander finally spoke again.
“I wanted to speak with Amelie… about Flora,” he admitted, his voice quieter now. “Amelie, I wish to pursue her. But she is so adamant, so determined to keep me at a distance. She has shut her heart entirely. The space between us feels so wide now that I can hardly reach her, let alone speak to her openly p>
Amelie’s brows pinched with sympathy. “Flora isn’t ready for any commitment, Zander. You know what the Red River Pack did to her, what she endured, and the mistakes she made. Those scars weigh heavily on her. I tried to talk to her, told her she should give herself another chance… but she refused. She told me that you deserve someone better than her p>
Zander let out a long, heavy sigh, his head bowing as if the words pressed on his shoulders. “Yes. She told me the same. But I don’t believe that. I think Flora could be a remarkable Luna. Around her, I’ve always felt a comfort I can’t explain. As for what people think—” his gaze lifted, “they forget. Scandals, whispers… all of it fades with time. That’s how society works p>
Amelie shook her head softly. “They don’t forget, Zander. Not truly. And if you stand beside her, their gossip won’t just be about her past, it will be about you as well p>
“I agree with Amelie,” Gabriel said. “You were Alex’s best friend, his beta. Maybe people are with you today, but you don’t know about tomorrow. Your union with Flora could bring chaos. However, there’s no fun if you don’t pursue your love even in the chaos,” he smirked, encouraging Zander.