Chapter 664
Gabriel and Amelie stood by the terminal entrance as Carlos prepared to depart. Noah, perched in from the stroller, watched the bustling airport crowd with wide, curious eyes. Some travelers glanced at the young Alpha Prince with interest, while others whispered as they recognized the royal presence, but the family remained focused on their friend.
Carlos hugged Gabriel firmly. When he turned to Amelie, he held her a little tighter, a unspoken promise that he would remain a guardian from afar.
He stepped back and lowered himself onto his knees to be level with Noah. The little pup’s eyes grew wide before he clapped his hands, once, then twice, delighted by the sudden attention.
“Noah,” Carlos called softly. The boy’s gaze locked onto his. “My blessings are with you p>
As Carlos placed a gentle hand over Noah’s head, the pup suddenly reached out, grasping Carlos’s wrist with his tiny, surprisingly strong hands. It was as if the child sensed the weight of the moment. Carlos gently disengaged his hand and stood up, a bittersweet smile touching his lips.
“Ah! Ah!” Noah cried out, his little face scrunching in protest, though no tears came. He simply wasn’t ready to let go.
“See you later, Gabriel. Amelie,” Carlos said, offering one final wave before pushing his trolley bag toward the security gates.
The three of them stood there, a small island of stillness in the busy terminal, waving until Carlos’s figure finally disappeared into the crowd.
Then, Amelie and Gabriel entered the car. Gabriel held Noah close in his arms, the bodyguard put the stroller in the backseat after folding it.
“Dada!” Noah chirped happily.
“Yes, boy?” Gabriel lowered his eyes to look at his son, who was simply smiling. “Your smile makes me recharged.” He gazed at Amelie, who was smiling at their exchange.
Noah continued to blabber nonsense, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to pry a silver button off Gabriel’s coat. Amelie leaned in as she gently wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth with a soft cloth.
“Your Highness,” the bodyguard in the front seat spoke up, glancing back from the window. “There’s a report of a major snowstorm hitting in a few hours. The rain is already turning heavy, and the visibility is dropping. We must return to the palace immediately p>
Gabriel looked to Amelie, silently gauging her mood.
“It’s better we go back,” she agreed, offering him a small, regretful smile. “The roads are dangerous enough as it is. We can save our date for another day when the weather is clearer p>
“You look worried,” Gabriel murmured, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “Carlos is resourceful. He’ll find the answers he’s looking for p>
“It felt like he was hiding something deeper this time, Gabriel. I’ve never seen him so troubled, not even when Grandma passed away,” Amelie replied, her voice trailing off as she watched the rain lash against the car window.
Sensing the shift in his mother’s tone, Noah stopped fiddling with the buttons. He tilted his head, his wide eyes darting between his parents. He began to wriggle his legs in Gabriel’s lap, pushing against his father’s firm grip with a tiny grunt of effort, reaching his small hands toward Amelie’s arm in a silent demand for comfort.
Gabriel let out a soft chuckle despite the tension, easing his hold so the boy could lean into his mother. “He’s a little protector, isn’t he? He won’t let you be sad for long p>
Amelie smiled and finally held Noah in her arms, hugging him warmly.
Samyra let out a worried sigh, her breath fogging the glass as the wind began to howl against the palace stone. “The rain has gotten so much heavier. Why haven’t they returned yet? Even Noah is with them; he must be so restless in that car,” she fretted, her eyes fixed on the darkening driveway.
David remained focused on the task at hand, his knife rhythmically slicing through a pear for Flora. “I called Amelie just a few minutes ago. They’re perfectly fine, Samyra. They’re just stuck in a heavy traffic jam due to the weather,” he stated calmly, sliding a piece of fruit toward his daughter.
“Exactly,” Flora added, leaning back against her pillows. She looked at her mother with a soft, knowing expression. “Prince Gabriel can teleport. If anything truly terrible happened, or if the storm became too much, he would have them back inside these palace walls in a second. Now, please, come away from the window. It’s freezing, and you’ll catch a cold p>
Samyra finally stepped back. “I suppose you’re right. I just don’t like the look of those clouds p>
“They’ll be home soon,” David assured her, though he glanced at the clock on the wall, noting the time. “Here, eat these.” He forwarded the plate to Flora with sliced pear and glanced at Samyra.
“I’ve been thinking if we should celebrate this Christmas with Amelie,” David stated, setting the plate of fruit down. “Flora can go to the Red River Pack to celebrate with Zander. Since it’s Noah’s first Christmas, I think we should be here as his grandparents p>
Samyra nodded, her worry for the storm replaced by warmth. “I’ve thought the same. He needs his family around him for his first holiday p>
“Even I want to celebrate with Noah,” Flora said, her brow furrowing. “But I promised Zander I’d be there. I’m torn p>
“You can video call us anytime,” a voice said, pulling their attention to the doorway. Amelie entered the chamber, her hair looking slightly damp from the rain but radiant. She held a tiny flower bouquet and a small gift bag. “I bought these for you, Flora p>
She walked over to the bed and handed them to her sister.
“Thank you,” Flora replied, her face lighting up. “Maybe I can convince Zander to come here instead and celebrate with all of us p>
“He is the Alpha of his pack, Flora. You should be by his side there. Don’t forget your promise to him,” Amelie asserted gently but firmly. “I’ll put these in water.” She took the bouquet and began arranging the blooms in a crystal vase.
Meanwhile, Flora opened the gift bag. She pulled out a stunning black mini-coat, adorned with delicate white embroidered flowers. “This is so beautiful! Did you buy this just now? In this weather?” She glanced at Amelie in disbelief.
“Yes. Since we were already out, I told Gabriel we must stop by the boutique. It’s lined with wool and very warm. Wear it tomorrow during your train ride to the Red River Pack,” Amelie suggested, her eyes sparkling.
Flora and David gazed at Amelie with immense pride. Watching her move about the palace room, they couldn’t help but notice how beautifully she had grown into her role, stitching the family together with such thoughtful care.
“Thanks, sis. I truly like it,” Flora said with a broad smile.
Amelie smiled back. “I’ll go back to my chamber then,” she said when David stopped her. He rose to his feet and walked to his eldest daughter. “Amelie, this family is together because of you. Thank you. If not for you, we wouldn’t have been together like this p>
She hummed and glanced at her mother, whose eyes also carry the same gratitude.
“I’ll go back now. Noah must be asking for me,” Amelie said, and turned to her feel before walking away.
“She seems to be upset with us,” David murmured. Flora gazed at her both parents, wondering if Amelie was hurt because they never showed such deep attention for her when she needed them. A guilt crept in her heart as she felt even she was responsible for it.