Chapter 534
“Idris has fallen asleep. I’m going to sleep in his room tonight,” Zilia informed Casaio.
“Of course.” He stepped closer, taking her hands firmly in his. “The parents of those children are being summoned. I won’t let them walk away unpunished,” he vowed.
Zilia’s eyes searched his face. “Idris keeps saying he doesn’t want his classmates punished. Do you know why?” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “Because he believes this will just keep happening. People need to see we are harmless. But will they ever understand?” Her gaze was clouded with suspicion and pain.
Casaio found himself staring at the floor, unable to meet her eyes or offer an easy answer.
“I warned you the day you found us,” Zilia continued in a heavy voice. “The world would turn against our union if they knew my truth. Because of me, my brother was bullied like this. And you… you’ve lost your claim to the throne. I know you never wanted it, but I can’t be so selfish. I can’t let my presence continually damage your future p>
The depth of her sacrifice, and the pain of Idris’s recent trauma, hung heavy between them.
“I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight,” Zilia said simply, releasing his hands and walking away.
Casaio was left alone in the chamber. He watched her go, feeling hurt. He wouldn’t give up on either of them. “I have to find a way to make this right,” he muttered, turning to face the window. “The people don’t want Zilia by my side. She’s already blaming herself for the downfall of my political career. She already has p>
Looking outside, he was thinking how to stop this damage control, but he was unable to find a way. His wolf rumbled beneath his chest. “They have to believe in my choice, then only they will accept Zilia and Idris. But how p>
Amelie and Carlos sat together in his room, the soft lamplight falling across an old photo album spread open between them. He carefully flipped through the pages, which chronicled his life from childhood to adulthood. The overwhelming majority of the pictures featured him beside the same smiling woman, his grandmother.
“Your relatives… they aren’t in these photos either,” Amelie observed, her interest piquing as she gently touched a corner of a glossy image. “I remember they were all at the burial ceremony p>
“I’m not close to them,” Carlos stated flatly. “The main reason is that they constantly pressured me in the past to carry forward a ’legacy’ my parents supposedly left behind. Besides, they aren’t nearly as genuine as they pretend to be.” He paused, his gaze fixed on an empty space on the page.
“None of them bothered to visit Grandma for the last year. Only when she became critical did they suddenly decide to show up. That’s why I banned their visit. Their concern, then and now, was purely about the inheritance,” he murmured, his voice laced with resentment.
“Oh. That must be hurtful for both of you,” Amelie said.
“My grandmother was hurt. Her daughters became corrupted seeing the money. While her only son died along ago, who could be the only caring child for her. If my aunts truly cared for my grandma, they would have stayed outside the house even though I banned their entries. But they never did,” Carlos stated, his jaw tightening with fury.
“But, Amelie, thank you for coming,” Carlos said, his voice softening considerably. He gently closed the album. “I know it was difficult for you, especially having just had Noah. Grandma truly cherished her last moments with you, Gabriel, and Karmen nearby.” He offered a weak smile. “When she held Noah, I know she was silently imagining me having children like that someday p>
He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I never refused to marry someone of our kind, but I never found anyone I could genuinely connect with. Now, looking back, I think perhaps I should have tried harder to see someone, if only to make my grandmother happy p>
“If you had only pursued someone just for her happiness, she would have sensed it immediately,” Amelie countered gently. She reached up to quickly wipe the moisture from the corner of her eye. “I only wish I could have come sooner, spent more time with her p>
Carlos gently patted the back of her hand, offering comfort. “Please don’t cry, Amelie. Noah will sense it the moment you hold him. Young babies are intensely connected to their mothers, you know p>
“You shouldn’t cry either,” Amelie replied softly. “I used to be a skeptic, but after everything I’ve seen in my past, I actually believe in supernatural things now. Maybe Grandma is sitting right here, listening to us and watching us grieve her. That must be hurting her more than anything.” She turned her head slightly to her right, as if searching the empty space beside them.
“Hmm,” Carlos murmured, acknowledging her point with a thoughtful nod.
“You’re coming back with me, Carlos,” Amelie stated firmly, her eyes searching his for confirmation. “So, pack your bags soon, and we’ll leave together, okay p>
“Are you sure about that?” Carlos teased, a soft smile finally gracing his lips. “I’m going to be a bother. And then Gabriel will get jealous that I’m spending too much time with his wife.” He quickly held up his hands. “I’m joking p>
“If it’s you, I don’t mind p>
The deep, familiar voice reached their ears from the doorway. Gabriel stood there, holding a very small, fussing Noah, whose eyes were noticeably damp. Beside him, Karmen stood silently.
“Noah needs his mother. He cried quite a bit, so I decided it was time to intervene,” Gabriel explained, stepping into the room.
Amelie was instantly on her feet. She took Noah from him, pulling the pup close. “I’m so sorry, baby.” She let Noah’s head rest against her chest, gently stroking his soft, slightly reddened cheeks.
“How long has Noah been crying?” Carlos asked with a panicked gaze.
“I guess, ten minutes,” Gabriel replied. “Are you feeling better? I know I shouldn’t be saying this, but let’s have dinner. Amelie can’t stay hungry for long p>
“I’m sorry for completely ignoring it,” Carlos stated. “I won’t be eating tonight. But I’ll ask the cooking staff to cook for you all p>
“Just eat a little food with us,” said Amelie. “Please, Carlos p>
“I would love to, but please understand. I-I am unable to,” Carlos stated.
“Okay. I won’t force you then,” Amelie said, understanding his situation.