Chapter 449
“No, Idris,” Dominick insisted gently, stepping closer. “As an elder brother and a Prince, I should have protected you from that chaos. That’s why I am apologizing. If anyone is going to be the most unfairly hurt by any of this mess, it’s you. Please, just know this: I promise if you ever need me, for anything, I will be there. Just call me p>
“Of course, I will,” Idris replied, giving Dominick a small, genuine smile. His worry then returned to his face. “Your Highness, are you alright? You weren’t in the palace last night. Everyone was terribly worried and scared for you p>
“I wasn’t quite myself yesterday,” Dominick admitted. He quickly changed the subject, hoping to shift the mood. “Listen, do you want to go out with me today? I plan to buy a gift for Noah. Tomorrow is his welcoming ceremony, and I haven’t gotten anything yet p>
Idris’s face instantly lit up, the worry replaced by youthful excitement. “Oh, yes! I’d love to accompany you! Even I’ve not bought anything,” he asserted.
“Then, let’s see each other at noon,” Dominick said.
“Sure, Your Highness.” Idris beamed.
Dominick reached out and placed his hand on Idris’s head, gently patting it once before taking a step back. He turned to leave, but as he did, his eyes dropped to Amelie, who had just entered the room.
“Brother Nick!” Amelie greeted him with a warm smile.
Idris’s eyes lit up even more brightly upon seeing her.
“I didn’t expect you to be here,” Amelie said, her hand holding a tiny, closed box.
“I came to see Idris,” Dominick answered simply. “And… thank you for rescuing me yesterday p>
Amelie shook her head instantly, her smile softening with seriousness. “I didn’t do anything, Brother. If anyone, then Brother Casaio should be given all the credit for saving you. Gabriel originally wanted to enter that cursed forest, knowing your bond with him is not that special. However, Brother Casaio refused and rushed in himself to help you. He is the one paying the price for it now.” She looked pointedly at Dominick. “I hope you manage to revive that deep brotherhood and love between you both soon p>
“Hmm.” Dominick managed a faint, strained smile, unsure how to even begin mending the rift with his own brother, Casaio. “I will leave you both alone then.” He paused before asking, “Where’s Gabriel p>
“He’s in the chamber with Noah,” Amelie answered, nodding toward the direction of the royal nursery.
“Then, I’ll go and see him,” Dominick said, offering them a quick nod before turning and walking away, leaving the room with Idris and Amelie behind him.
“Where did you learn to say ’Pa’?” Gabriel asked with a laugh, his focus entirely on his son as he carefully maneuvered Noah’s tiny arms into the soft sleeves of his baby dress.
“Pa! Pa! Pa!” Noah happily repeated, gurgling with pure delight. Gabriel was quick to grab a tissue to wipe the moisture from the boy’s mouth, placing it on the nearby table.
“Did you enjoy the massage? It must have been fun, right?” Gabriel then lifted Noah high, bringing his own nose down to gently brush against the tiny nose of his son.
“Papa!” Noah finally managed, forming a clear, distinct word that instantly flooded Gabriel with pure, unadulterated joy.
“Did you call me Papa? Oh my god!” Gabriel laughed, pulling Noah tight against his chest. His son’s growth was incredibly rapid compared to the other pups around them, which constantly wondered him.
“You’re special to me. Always keep this in mind, boy,” he murmured, before gently bringing Noah back into his arms and patting his belly softly. “Time for a good nap now,” he whispered.
As Noah’s eyelids began to turn heavy, Ashna walked quietly into the chamber.
“Your Highness, pardon p>
“Shhh. Noah is sleeping,” Gabriel whispered, keeping his eyes on his son. Ashna pursed her lips together, immediately falling silent and standing patiently by the door. It didn’t take long for Noah to drift off completely.
“What is it?” Gabriel then asked, rising slowly to his full height.
“Prince Dominick wants to see you,” Ashna informed him in a low voice.
“Send him in,” Gabriel said. He walked carefully to the cradle, gently laid Noah inside, and gave the crib a soft, rhythmic push. He watched Noah for a moment before stepping out to the drawing room.
“Stay with Noah,” Gabriel instructed Ashna. She bowed respectfully and headed into the bedroom to watch over the sleeping pup.
“You were busy with fatherly duties, weren’t you?” Dominick asked, offering a slight smile as he walked further into the room.
“Yes. Take a seat,” Gabriel offered. Both brothers settled down. “How are you feeling? No one in their sane minds would ever enter such a place, Dominick. Do you know how worried everyone was?” Gabriel’s voice carried a distinct tone of reprimand.
Dominick felt a brief pang of guilt at the thought of the worry he’d caused. “I am good,” he replied, shifting the conversation. “But Cas is giving me a cold shoulder. I heard it’s because of the consequences of entering that cursed forest p>
“The flame that protected you both extinguished before you could step out,” Gabriel confirmed. “To see the path, Casaio whispered his most special memory related to you into the flame. That’s how the path toward you reformed and pulled you out. But it was too late. A void has formed already p>
Dominick lowered his head, turning silent suddenly.
“I stand with your decision for rejecting June,” Gabriel said. “Others may say you should have taken your time, but I will say that this was your best decision so far. As for the pain, you’ll have live with it for a while p>
“Yeah. Gabriel, my bond with you might not be special, but it’s no less. Whatever differences we had in the past, they do not exist anymore,” Dominick asserted, meeting his gaze.
“But it wouldn’t have hurt you much if I forgot any good memories between us. I am good at giving cold shoulders to people around me,” Gabriel remarked.
Dominick laughed slightly to hear him. “You’re right. But I missed my younger brother with selfless attitude toward his brothers p>
“Selfless?” Gabriel chuckled. “I have always been selfish. June dared to speak ill about Noah, so I have been wanting to throw her out of the palace. Well, it somehow happened, Brother p>
Dominick smiled, seeing the side of Gabriel, which was exclusively his.