Chapter 286
Albus returned, and this time, Zilia silently followed him to the guest room. Casaio, however, lingered behind, his eyes still fixed on Gabriel. He clearly had something on his mind.
“Why are you letting a mage stay here?” Casaio asked, his voice laced with concern. “We don’t usually involve ourselves with witches or anyone tied to them p>
Gabriel didn’t even look at him. “I don’t owe you an explanation p>
Casaio folded his arms, unbothered by the cold response. “Come on, don’t shut me out. If something’s going on, at least let me help p>
Gabriel bluntly replied, “Your own life is a mess. Maybe focus on that first p>
“Why are you speaking to Brother Casaio like that?” Amelie’s voice snapped through the room as she entered, her eyes narrowing at Casaio. “You should answer him when he asks you a question p>
She crossed the room and sat beside Gabriel on the couch, her tone softening as she addressed him directly.
“Brother, it became necessary. Both of us have carried curses from our pasts that can’t be ignored anymore. That’s why the mage is here. To help us p>
Casaio furrowed his brows. “It’s not easy to find mages. How did you manage to get one p>
Amelie gave a small smile. “Well, there’s a long story behind that. But to put it simply, Brother Casaio, you can say Carlos is… a friend of mine. That’s why he agreed to help p>
“That’s intriguing,” Casaio said. He gazed at Gabriel, who still looked troubled. Hardly had Gabriel worn such a kind of expression. “If you two want any help, then ask me without hesitation p>
“Of course, Brother,” Amelie replied, nodding her head.
“I’ll retire to my room then,” Casaio pronounced.
Amelie stood up from her place as she watched him leave. She glanced at Gabriel, who leaned his head back.
“You can be soft while speaking to them. They are genuinely concerned for you and me. And I think they came here after learning what the Queen did,” Amelie said.
“I know. They are here to give me their support. But I don’t want them to get involved,” Gabriel said, tilting his head to look at her.
“That’s so thoughtful of you,” Amelie said. “Are you still tired? You didn’t even eat well in the morning. Is it because of what happened to me?” Her brows knitted close. “I am fine. You need not stay worried all the time p>
Gabriel sat straight and embraced her. His chin rested on his shoulder as he inhaled her scent. “I know, Amelie.” His large palm rested on the back of her head, caressing it tenderly.
Carlos stepped into the living room, clearing his throat to announce his presence.
Amelie quickly turned her head, her cheeks tinged pink, and she stepped back from Gabriel. He chuckled softly before rising to his feet.
“Well, I seem to have interrupted a rather sweet moment,” Carlos teased with a grin.
“Not at all!” Amelie shook her head quickly, waving her hands in denial.
Carlos’s smile widened. “Your ears are red, Mimi p>
Flustered, Amelie reached up and touched them. Gabriel raised an eyebrow and glanced between them.
“You’ve given my mate a nickname?” he asked, half amused, half mock-offended.
Carlos shrugged, clearly entertained. “It’s an old habit. Surprised you’re noticing it only now p>
Gabriel nodded with a small smirk. “Apparently, yes p>
Carlos lifted a hand in mock surrender. “Alright, I won’t call her that anymore p>
Gabriel chuckled. “That’s not what I meant. I was just… surprised p>
Amelie looked between the two men with amusement and embarrassment on her face.
“So, did you find out anything more?” Gabriel asked with anticipation.
Carlos’s grin faded, replaced by a serious expression. “Not yet. Tracing Ophelia’s energy isn’t easy. She’s hiding herself well p>
He folded his arms and leaned slightly against the side table. “If I’d pinpointed the source, the place she’s operating from, then believe me, she’d already be standing in front of you by now p>
Gabriel exhaled slowly. “She won’t stay hidden forever p>
Carlos nodded. “No. She won’t. But she must have been aware that her magic isn’t working on you or Amelie. So, she must be finding out who cut her spell p>
“So… you won’t be in danger, right?” Amelie asked quickly.
Carlos let out a soft chuckle. “Not at all. Ophelia may be an old witch, but she’s been leaping from body to body for too long. That kind of magic drains strength. Compared to her, I’m far more powerful p>
Amelie exhaled in relief. “That’s good to hear. You should get some rest, though. There’s still a while before lunch. I’ll call you when it’s ready p>
“Sounds perfect,” Carlos said with a nod. “My body could definitely use a bit of rest p>
He rose from the armchair, stretching his arms briefly, then turned and made his way down the left corridor toward the guest room.
“Carlos didn’t tell me the whole truth about his conversation with my mother,” Gabriel said suddenly.
Amelie blinked in surprise. “What? But… he has no reason to hide anything from you p>
Gabriel’s brows drew together. “Exactly. Which is why I think whatever he’s keeping must be too harsh and too painful in his eyes. Carlos didn’t lie… but I believe he twisted the truth to protect me from whatever she really said p>
Amelie hesitated, then asked gently, “Do you want me to talk to him? Maybe he’ll open up if I p>
“No,” Gabriel cut in, shaking his head. “I want him to tell me on his own. I don’t expect anything from my mother… but I still trust Carlos. At least, I want to. It won’t harm me to know the truth. Carlos might be thinking I will get hurt p>
Amelie hummed while thinking, ’Why can the Queen speak the truth to Carlos, but not you? Are you really okay with your mother’s treatment toward you or are you pretending to be strong p>
Silently, she placed her hand over his, giving it a gentle caress, telling him she was there for him no matter what.