Chapter 589
Amelie gently lowered Noah into his crib, waiting a moment to ensure he remained settled before stepping quietly out of the bedroom. As she entered the lounge, she saw Mona and Carlos already there, engaged in a low-toned conversation with Gabriel.
“Hi, Amelie!” Mona’s face lit up instantly. she hopped up from her seat and pulled Amelie into a warm, tight embrace. “I kept pestering Brother Carlos to give me your number, but he was being so stubborn and refused. So, I just decided to come here and find you myself,” she added with a playful roll of her eyes toward her cousin.
“I’m so happy you came,” Amelie said, smiling as she pulled back. “Please, take a seat. I’m sorry I couldn’t come to see you earlier; things have been… a bit chaotic.” She gestured for Mona to sit back down before lowering herself onto the sofa beside Gabriel, who naturally shifted to make room for her.
“I only just told her a few minutes ago that you had arrived,” Gabriel noted, his arm resting protectively on the back of the sofa behind Amelie.
“It’s no trouble at all,” Mona insisted, brushing it off with a casual wave of her hand. “I was busy catching up on my sleep earlier anyway, so the timing is perfect p>
As the conversation settled into a comfortable rhythm, Ashna entered the drawing room, carrying a large, ornate tray. She placed several plates of snacks on the low table after serving them hot green tea, but one particular treat caught Mona’s eye.
“This is something new,” Mona said, leaning forward to inspect a delicate, star-shaped cookie that seemed to shimmer slightly under the chandelier light.
“These are called star sweets,” Amelie asserted with a warm, proud smile. “They’re made of caramel and chocolate chips. They’re a local favorite, but the palace chefs add a little something special to the recipe p>
Mona took another bite, a small sound of delight escaping her as the rich caramel dissolved instantly. “Mmm… it’s perfect. It literally melts the moment it touches your tongue,” she murmured, happily reaching for a few more.
“How is Aunt doing?” Carlos asked, his voice softening with genuine familial concern.
“Mom is doing well, but she’s been worried sick about you,” Mona replied, casting a pointed, protective look at her brother. “I promised her I’d keep a close watch on you, make sure you don’t overextend yourself p>
Amelie watched them with a faint smile, touched by the easy warmth between the cousins. However, her gaze soon drifted toward Gabriel. He remained uncharacteristically silent, his eyes fixed on some distant point, clearly consumed by the heavy thoughts.
Eventually, Carlos stood up, signaling to Mona that it was time to retire for the night. They offered their respectful goodnights and stepped out.
“Mona is truly worried about Carlos,” Amelie noted softly, breaking the quiet. “That’s the real reason she’s come here, isn’t it p>
“Yes, she is,” Gabriel admitted.
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of light footsteps. Ashna entered the room, her head bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, the Conley family has just arrived at the palace. Sir Lester has overseen their arrival and settled them into their suites in the guest wing p>
Relief flickered across Amelie’s face at the news that her family was finally within the palace’s protective walls.
“You should go and see them,” Gabriel suggested, his expression softening as he turned to her. “It will do you good to be with your family. I think I’ll head to see Kate p>
He rose to his feet and extended his hand toward her. Amelie grasped it, feeling the steady strength in his grip as he pulled her up to stand beside him.
“Tell Katelyn that you’re proud of her,” Amelie said softly, her eyes searching his for a moment. She knew Gabriel blamed himself, but Katelyn needed to hear that her sacrifice hadn’t been in vain. With a final, encouraging squeeze, she let go of his hand and walked out toward the guest wing to find her family.
Gabriel watched her go before turning his attention to Ashna. “Noah is sleeping in the room. Stay with him,” he instructed. He waited for her nod of understanding before leaving for Katelyn’s chamber.
When he arrived, he found Sage was with the Katelyn.
“Tell the princess I would like to see her,” Gabriel directed the attendant stationed at the door.
The woman bowed low and disappeared into the inner bedroom. The silence in the hallway seemed to stretch for an eternity until she finally returned. “You can go in, Your Highness p>
Gabriel took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Gabriel’s eyes first fell upon Sage, who stood at the left of the bed. Katelyn was propped up in a half-lying position,
“Brother Gabriel, you finally came to see me!” Katelyn chirped.
“Sensing the tone, it seems you’ve turned better,” Gabriel remarked. He lowered his large frame into the chair beside the bed. He watched her closely, searching for any sign of hidden pain behind her smile.
“I can’t stay down forever,” Katelyn replied, though a small wince escaped her as she tried to shift her weight.
“Sage, you should sit too,” Gabriel offered.
“Umm… I’ll leave the two of you alone,” Sage replied softly and left quietly.
“So, you’ve awakened the power of teleportation,” Gabriel began. “And you even managed to deceive the witch. That was something none of us could ever do, Kate p>
A small, triumphant spark flickered in Katelyn’s eyes despite her pallor. “That means I’m the strongest among you all, doesn’t it?” she remarked.
“I can’t deny that anymore,” Gabriel agreed, a rare, honest smile tugging at his lips. But as he looked down, his heart constricted. His gaze landed on her wrists. The bandages were marred by tiny, fresh stains of blood. Even with her Alpha blood and the palace’s best medicine, the wounds refused to close fully.
The sight broke something inside him.
“Kate, I’m sorry,” he said. “For everything I’ve done to you all this time. Right from the days you were a little baby to the woman you’ve become. My coldness, the pressure I put on you… I am so sorry.” He looked at her, his eyes filled with a sincerity she had never seen before. “I failed to protect you, and yet you were the one who saved us p>