Chapter 561
“Your Highness, what is your initial impression of this locality?” Ian asked, standing in the front yard. His hands were clasped formally behind his back as he surveyed the small garden plants.
“I have not yet had the opportunity to explore it,” Casaio replied simply.
“Then you should. And take Lady Zilia with you,” Ian advised. “Just ensure you take the royal bodyguards as well p>
“And you won’t be accompanying us? I was under the impression you intended to be my constant shadow,” Casaio remarked, a hint of mockery in his tone.
“I have a rather urgent council meeting at the palace to attend, Your Highness,” Ian said, giving a slight, respectful bow of his head. “Did I mention that I have also secured a temporary residence in this vicinity for the duration of your stay p>
“No, you did not,” Casaio replied.
“I am informing the Prince now. This ensures that should you require me at any moment, I will be close at hand,” Ian pronounced with a small, confident smile. He bowed deeply once more and departed.
Casaio shook his head as Zilia emerged and stood right behind him.
“He wishes for us to become acquainted with the people,” he began.
Zilia settled beside him. “And build their trust in you. It is a sound strategy. I believe it would be best if we didn’t reveal our faces immediately. What are your thoughts p>
“I agree,” Casaio stated. “That approach will allow us to truly observe what our people are enduring.” He then asked, “Did you speak to Idris p>
“Yes. He is heading to his early morning training. After you intervened with Jake, he has ceased bullying Idris,” Zilia confirmed. Casaio took her hand, and the two walked back inside, heading toward their room.
Casaio, having put on a casual jacket, searched for his black baseball cap.
“You should wear these,” Zilia stated, offering him a pair of thin-framed glasses. Casaio put them on and turned to face her.
“It works,” Zilia confirmed. She then scanned her options for a hoodie, finally selecting a black one. She pulled it on and adjusted a pair of oversized, dark-rimmed glasses. While Casaio tied the laces of his sneakers, Zilia pulled on her high black boots, which paired well with her skinny blue jeans.
Zilia added a crossbody bag to her outfit, tucking in her phone and other essentials. “Let’s go,” she said, a note of genuine excitement in her voice.
“Wait!” Casaio stopped her, pulling out a thick, dark muffler. He wrapped it carefully around Zilia’s neck. “I don’t want you catching a chill p>
“Wolves don’t get sick,” Zilia countered lightly, adjusting the fabric.
“True, but that’s not a rule, merely a boast,” Casaio replied, smoothing the muffler down. “We must be cautious.” He peered into her eyes. “Don’t you have to put on makeup p>
“I already did,” Zilia replied. “My lipstick is of nude shade p>
“I see p>
She hooked her arm around his, ready to leave.
Gabriel stepped out of the chopper as it landed near the ruins of the Kingdom of Aurevalis. He took a deep breath; the air felt intensely cold and carried a strange quality that immediately made his brow furrow with an instinctive sense of unease.
Karmen watched him carefully, wondering if the sight of the ruined kingdom had triggered any memories in him.
“Since this place is completely ruined, we must be back here by evening,” Karmen advised. “The tent housing will be set up nearby p>
“You are not accompanying me,” Gabriel stated firmly. “Stay here with Denzel p>
Both Karmen and Denzel exchanged a look, their expressions instantly hardening with worry and concern.
“It could be dangerous ahead, Alpha Prince,” Denzel said with worry.
“No one lives here now, remember,” Gabriel stated calmly. “I will return by the evening. Trust my judgment,” he added, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Denzel fell silent, while Karmen chose to comply with Gabriel’s command, albeit reluctantly.
“Just use the mindlink immediately if you encounter anything amiss,” Karmen instructed him.
“Yes, I will,” Gabriel answered. “I’ll return before night falls.” With that, he set off. He concentrated, and using his power, he teleported directly to the place where he vividly remembered meeting Amelie, the image of that precise location still sharp in his mind. He set his feet down on the ground, and his view was instantly filled with a ruined cottage and the dry pond situated ahead of it.
Standing on the familiar, ruined ground, Gabriel closed his eyes, allowing every single moment he had spent there with Amelie to flood back. This was the one place where he could simply be himself, entirely free, with her. She would rush to him, full of excitement, sometimes in her human guise, and other times in her wolf form, just to surprise him.
Opening his eyes, he walked toward the dilapidated cottage. As his fingers brushed the splintered wood of the door, a sudden, vivid glimpse flashed into his mind: his father bringing him to this very spot. His father had been the one to gift him this retreat, ensuring he had a place for peace and solitude.
Gabriel’s brow furrowed sharply. He realized how terribly he had failed his father, who had died heartbroken over his son’s condition. Gabriel knew he could have fought Ophelia, but his will to resist had simply vanished after losing Amelie. A tight, unbearable knot formed in his chest, pulling at him with a sharp, inexplicable pain.
Stepping back out of the ruined cottage, Gabriel instantly vanished, reappearing moments later on the land where the grand palace had once stood. At the present moment, all he could see were the massive, broken pillars of the palace, nothing more. Ruin stretched out wherever his gaze fell.
“Who could have sent the message from here?” Gabriel murmured, the question echoing in the desolate space. “Someone from that time must be alive. A witch, probably p>
“Gabriel p>
He heard a clear, feminine voice call his name and instantly whirled around. Standing a short distance away was a young girl, perhaps no older than ten, gazing directly at him.
“Follow me!” the girl commanded, turning swiftly on her heels and moving away through the rubble.