Chapter 599
“That’s risky, Amelie,” Mabel intervened. “She won’t hesitate to harm you. We still have two days to plan it well. So, think with a calm mind p>
“Your Majesty, I don’t think it will be risky,” Carlos stated.
“No, Carlos,” Gabriel shook his head. “It’s indeed risky p>
“I’ll explain it to you later,” Carlos answered.
“Well, as the Queen said, let’s take time to make the perfect plan. Since both princes had come from a long journey, they should rest now. We will also return to our respective chambers,” Raidan suggested, rising to his feet. He gave his hand to Mabel, who grasped it and walked away.
“Let’s see each other later,” Casaio told both his brothers before leaving with Zilia. Amelie’s parents and Flora headed to the guest wing, too. Shortly, one by one left the main hall, leaving behind only Gabriel, Amelie, Noah, and Ashna.
“You can’t put yourself in danger under any circumstances,” Gabriel insisted, his voice dropping to a protective murmur as he reached Amelie and took her hand firmly in his. He glanced over at the stroller, his brow furrowing. “Why is Noah being brought here? This isn’t the place for him with everyone on edge p>
“I was strolling with him through the corridors when I heard you had arrived. I couldn’t wait to see you, so I brought him along,” Amelie explained gently.
“I see. Let’s head to our chambers then,” Gabriel said, guiding her away from the tension of the main hall. He didn’t want to discuss battle plans with his son in the room. Ashna followed a few paces behind, the wheels of the stroller clicking softly on the polished floor. “Nothing happened while I was away, right? No signs of Ophelia p>
“Umm… Nothing serious happened,” Amelie began, though her hesitation caught his attention. “However, Flora received a call from Alex’s mother p>
Gabriel stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening in disbelief. “What? How is that even possible? They’re supposed to be under strict surveillance at the borders p>
“Denzel is looking into it. He said it shouldn’t have been possible either. He’ll be here any moment with a full report,” she informed him. She then tried to shift the heavy mood. “By the way, did Karmen and Louis return with you p>
“They’ve returned to the capital, but they went straight home since I was away for so long. They needed the rest,” Gabriel answered, though his mind was clearly racing with the news of the phone call.
As they reached their chamber, Gabriel waited for Ashna to wheel Noah inside before asking her to leave.
“I made sure Alex’s parents would never see the light of day again. How could they even get a hold of a phone, let alone Flora’s number?” Gabriel muttered, his jaw tightening. “There is definitely foul play involved. You did the right thing by calling Denzel. He’ll get to the bottom of this p>
Amelie leaned over the stroller, gently scooping a drowsy Noah into her arms. She moved to the crib and settled him against the soft sheets. Across the room, Gabriel walked to a large cupboard. He placed the sword inside a wide, secure locking space. He stood there for a moment, his hand lingering on the door. I hope everything goes according to plan this time, he thought. I can’t lose them again.
Amelie watched him, sensing the weight of the memories he had brought back with that blade. “How did it feel?” she asked softly, switching on the mobile at the top of the crib. The small toy began to rotate slowly, casting gentle shadows over Noah’s face. She sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes never leaving him. “Taking the weapon from the grave p>
Gabriel turned fully to her.
“I recalled how I buried him in that soil,” Gabriel murmured. “I was devastated, Amelie. In that life, I had to bury you first… and then him. I hated it. Every moment after you were gone felt like a punishment. And it was a punishment.” Gabriel recalled the words of the Moon Goddess. Heaven chose to punish him through a twisted, dark fate just because he was the son of the Moon Goddess.
He walked over to her and sank to his knees, placing his head gently on her lap. “I am so thankful that we met again,” Gabriel whispered, before lifting his head to peer into her eyes with only love.
“Because we promised each other we would,” Amelie said softly, leaning down to press a tender kiss against his forehead.
Gabriel rose fully to his feet, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned over her, capturing her lips in a kiss that tasted of longing and relief. It felt like an eternity since they had last been this intimate.
Amelie’s arms wound tightly around his neck, pulling him closer as she felt his body weight begin to press against her. Sensing her vulnerability, Gabriel decisively shifted his weight onto his right elbow, bracing himself against the mattress so as not to overwhelm her, all while deepening the kiss with a desperate, hungry passion.
Gabriel let out a startled laugh when Amelie suddenly flipped him onto the mattress, moving with a speed and strength that caught him off guard. She quickly straddled him. His hands instinctively gripped her thighs as he sat up slightly, impressed.
“I keep forgetting you have a wolf in you now,” Gabriel muttered with a smirk. He leaned forward, burying his face in the crook of her neck and planting a lingering kiss that made her shiver. His hands moved to the hem of her pullover, pulling it over her head in one fluid motion. Amelie didn’t stay idle; she shoved the heavy, long coat off his broad shoulders before her fingers began fumbling with the buttons of his dark blue shirt, desperate to feel his skin.
Suddenly, Gabriel paused, his hands resting on her waist. “I have to bathe yet,” he said. “I spent the day digging through the grave… The dirt of that grave is all over me.” He looked at her, his eyes tracing the line of her flushed cheeks down to her swollen lips.
“Oh.” Amelie bit her bottom lip, the reality of the situation sinking in, but her disappointment was cut short when Gabriel pulled her back in for a sudden, deep kiss.
“We can resume this the moment I’m clean,” he suggested against her lips.
Amelie hummed a soft agreement, a smile playing on her face as she slid off him and lowered herself next to him, watching him with a gaze that told him he’d better not be long.