Chapter 515
The Past 9:
The Alpha King, Leonard, took the central seat on the large couch. Gabriel, however, remained standing, his entire attention focused solely on Amelie, who appeared so beautiful that he was unable to tear away his gaze from her.
“Your Highness, please take a seat,” Norris, Amelie’s father, said humbly, gesturing toward the surrounding chairs.
“After Amelie,” Gabriel replied instantly, his gaze never leaving her face.
Alpha King Leonard let out a hearty, amused laugh at his son’s single-minded response. He turned his attention to Amelie, who was peering at Gabriel inquisitively. “Miss Amelie,” the King announced with a warm smile, “take a seat, please, and bring the Prince with you, else he is likely going to keep standing until the sun sets p>
Everyone smiled at the Alpha King’s remark.
“Dear, sit beside Prince Gabriel,” said Irene in her soft tone.
Amelie walked forward and brushed past Gabriel, moving toward the couch. As she passed, Gabriel inhaled her unique scent that momentarily made him lose his rigid control. He swallowed hard before lowering himself onto the couch next to Amelie and immediately captured her hand in his. She tried to pull her hand back discreetly, fearing the Alpha King would judge their inappropriate display of affection during the formal meeting.
“You look exquisite in this dress,” Gabriel said, his voice deep and just loud enough that everyone in the parlor clearly heard the compliment.
“Please, Norris and Madam Irene, take your seats too,” Leonard commanded warmly. “The children are already eager to be with each other. I truly don’t think we should make any delays in their union,” he pronounced, smiling knowingly at the intertwined hands of Amelie and Gabriel.
Norris agreed with a respectful nod, taking a seat directly across from the Alpha King, while Irene gracefully moved to offer refreshments and pleasantries to the guests.
“We have brought the high priest with us,” Leonard announced, turning his head slightly toward the door. A middle-aged man, possessing a glowing aura and dressed in ceremonial robes, stepped forward.
“Please, sir, have a seat,” Irene offered kindly. He offered the lady a humble thank you and settled down in an available chair.
High Priest Andrew spoke, “I have already prepared the charts for both Miss Amelie and Prince Gabriel. I must say, the stars are decisively with them. I have never read such a powerful conjunction before; they are truly meant to be together in every lifetime.” He then fixed his intense gaze on Gabriel.
However, despite the overwhelmingly favorable celestial signs, there was one singular combination that stood ominously against their fate. Andrew had mentioned this to Gabriel that very morning, voicing his concern that their union might not be completed in this life.
“Why, Your Highness? It is a crucial detail in your prepared chart. If I hide it—” Andrew had protested.
“I don’t believe in it,” Gabriel had answered, casually adjusting the cuff button on his sleeve before turning his full. “For the sake of my father, I agreed even to provide Amelie’s birth details. So, you will not utter a single word about this, Andrew.” The Prince’s tone was a non-negotiable command that Andrew, despite his spiritual authority, could not ignore.
“Understood, Your Highness. I pray that what I’ve seen is not true,” Andrew had whispered in a troubled tone.
Now, sitting in the parlor, delivering only the celebratory news in front of the Alpha King and Amelie’s parents, High Priest Andrew felt a heavy burden, as if he had already betrayed his royal duty.
Amelie, completely oblivious to the hidden warning, was absolutely overjoyed to hear the high priest’s encouraging words, and happiness spread among the others in the room.
“What about the day of their marriage?” Irene inquired eagerly, leaning forward.
“Yes, tell us the date,” the Alpha King stated, equally keen.
“After one month, there is an incredibly auspicious day falling,” Andrew replied. “The legends say it is the very day the Moon Goddess herself visits the earth p>
Leonard’s expression tightened subtly at the mention of the Moon Goddess, a complex history flickering across his face, but he quickly suppressed the reaction.
“Then, let’s make them marry after one month,” Leonard declared decisively. “Congratulations, Norris, we are going to be in-laws,” he pronounced with a wide smile, extending his hand. “Where are the celebratory sweets?” Leonard asked, clearly ready for the celebration to begin.
Meanwhile, Gabriel intentionally shifted, causing the cup of tea resting on the side table to topple onto his chest. “Ah!” he exclaimed, making a show of being scalded.
Amelie and the others quickly focused their attention on him, all worry forgotten.
“Are you alright?” Amelie asked immediately, her hand instinctively reaching toward his arm.
“Take His Highness upstairs immediately. That tea must be terribly hot,” Irene stated, her motherly concern overriding protocol. “I’ll send a clean shirt up with a servant right away,” she added.
Amelie nodded, rising quickly to her feet. She held Gabriel’s hand and offered a quick bow of apology to the Alpha King before pulling him out of the parlor and dragging him upstairs to the privacy of her room.
As soon as they entered, Amelie urged him to take off his outer coat. She shut the door behind her and turned to find that Gabriel was already scanning every corner of her personal space.
“So, this is my mate’s room,” Gabriel said, his voice laced with intrigue as he took in the details.
“Yes, but it’s not the time to explore it,” Amelie replied, moving to stand directly in front of him. She reached up and began quickly opening the buttons of his damp shirt. Her eyes widened immediately as she saw the redness spreading across his chest. “Oh my p>
She carefully touched the scorched skin and instinctively blew gentle, cooling air over the burn.
“Amelie,” Gabriel called her name in a whisper.
“Huh? Do you feel strange pain?” she asked, her tone heavy with worry. “Wait, I’ll apply cold water to it.” She turned on her heels to head toward the bathroom when Gabriel’s strong hand shot out and caught her wrist, stopping her mid-step.
The next second, he captured her mouth, finally claiming the kiss he had been hungry for ever since he saw her descending the stairs.