Chapter 393
After dinner, Sage escorted Katelyn back to the palace before returning to his hotel.
As Katelyn crossed the main hall, she noticed Gabriel and Karmen locked in a serious conversation despite the late hour. The moment they saw her, both men fell silent. Karmen offered her a respectful bow before excusing himself.
“Are Amelie and Noah asleep?” Katelyn asked.
“Yes,” Gabriel replied. He turned to leave, but she stopped him.
“Brother, can we talk p>
Gabriel paused, frowning slightly as he faced her again. “What is it? If this is about Karmen, then p>
“No, it’s not,” Katelyn interrupted quickly. “I want to talk to you about Sage p>
Gabriel studied her for a moment, then gestured toward the couch. Once they were seated, he waited patiently for her to continue.
“Can you tell me honestly if Sage is a good man for me?” she asked softly. “I’m asking because you’re close to him. And… Mother said if I refuse Sage, I’ll still be expected to meet someone else. If only I had found my mate, none of this would be so complicated p>
Gabriel leaned back, folding his arms. “What qualities do you look for in a husband p>
“Um… Caring, respectful toward me, someone who understands me even when I don’t say a word,” Katelyn replied thoughtfully. After a pause, she smiled faintly. “Someone like Father p>
Gabriel gave a small nod. “Sage is a good man, with flaws, of course. You probably already know about his past. He’s had many relationships, but they were all casual, without commitment. Still, he’s not the man people make him out to be p>
“His family situation is messy, isn’t it?” Katelyn asked quietly. “He hasn’t told me much, only that his life is ’all thrones p>
“Everyone has battles to fight, Kate,” Gabriel said gently. “And you should know, Father won’t force you if you decide not to marry Sage. Sage himself is only here because of his own father’s pressure. If you refuse him, nothing in your life will change… Except you’ll have to meet someone else. Maybe someone better p>
“So, you think I should refuse him?” she pressed. “I wanted to say no again, but… Today I saw a side of him I’ve never seen before. It left me confused p>
Gabriel smiled. “Your decision isn’t mine to make. But I’ll give you this information. Sage is different from most. He won’t use your title against you. Other Alphas might remind you at every step that you’re a princess, expecting favors. Sage would never do that p>
“But his father can,” Katelyn countered.
“Well, Sage won’t let him do anything wrong. But Kate,” Gabriel said gently, “this is something only you can decide. Sage could be a wonderful husband. There’s no doubt about it. But if you don’t feel he’s right for you, then you shouldn’t listen to me or anyone else. Follow your intuition. Your heart will always matter most in a decision like this p>
Katelyn nodded slowly. “Thank you, Brother. Also… could you tell me how Sage’s mother died? I made a mistake not long ago, and I’d like to make up for it p>
’So Sage hasn’t told her the truth,’ Gabriel thought grimly.
“Kate, I can’t,” he said after a pause. “It’s not my place to share his personal affairs. You should ask him yourself.” He stood. “Now, go to your room, it’s late, and I’m exhausted too p>
Katelyn hummed in acknowledgment before leaving for her chambers, leaving Gabriel alone in the hall.
Just as he was about to retire, he heard Lester’s voice behind him.
“Your Highness, may I have a word p>
“What is it?” Gabriel asked.
“I saw your second brother sitting alone in the garden,” Lester reported with a worried tone. “He seemed… Troubled. Perhaps you should check on him p>
“Alright. Thank you for telling me p>
Lester bowed respectfully and withdrew.
Gabriel made his way through the dimly lit corridors and across the quiet grounds. After nearly ten minutes, he finally spotted his brother.
“What are you doing out here, Nick? Weren’t you supposed to leave with Casaio tonight p>
Dominick was sprawled across a white wooden bench, an empty bottle resting against his chest. At the sound of Gabriel’s voice, he startled awake, quickly sitting upright and clutching the bottle.
Gabriel’s expression hardened. “What’s wrong with you? You reek of alcohol p>
“I made a mistake,” Dominick muttered, his voice heavy with regret.
Gabriel frowned. “What do you mean p>
“I can’t say it yet.” Dominick dragged a hand down his face. “I just… I can’t stay near June for now. Maybe if I step away, she’ll come to her senses. I don’t want her turning into someone I never imagined she could be p>
Gabriel’s chest tightened at the defeated look on his brother’s face. He sat beside him. “Nick, come on. Let’s get you to your room. You need rest. We’ll talk about this tomorrow p>
But Dominick shook his head stubbornly. “No. If we talk, we’ll only argue again. I keep thinking… maybe I shouldn’t have pressed Casaio to marry Zilia yesterday of all days. Maybe then June wouldn’t have grown so upset, so dark in her thoughts. But the fact she had them at all His voice dropped to a whisper. “It means she already held those dark thoughts inside. Thoughts I never wanted to believe she had p>
Gabriel stared at him, unsettled. His brother’s words were disjointed, but the pain behind them was real, and it worried him deeply.
’What exactly did June tell him that he’s come to this condition?’ he thought before pulling up Dominick, ready to take to the room.
He knocked on the door when after some time, Juniper opened it.
She widened her eyes in shock seeing Gabriel holding Dominick.
“He was lying on a bench in the garden,” Gabriel said.
“Do you really love me, June?” Dominick questioned, straightening up. His hands moved to her shoulders as he pressed on them. “I never thought you would act like this. Why do you have to feel so low about everything? Why do you have to say those words p>
Juniper glanced at Gabriel, who simply walked away, giving both of them a space.