CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER 179: UNTIL DINNER (1)

The midday light filtered through tall, enchanted windows, softened by a subtle ether haze that kept the study cool despite the cold sun outside. The room smelled like ink, polished wood, and something faintly metallic, ether residue from the fresh stack of reports spread across the Emperor’s desk.

Now his desk, too.

Edward had tried, in all his loyal enthusiasm, to set up the Empress’s study across the hall. It was grand, full of natural light and tasteful in that very Edward way, with walls lined with records, a new schedule chart hung like a gallery piece, and a fresh tea set waiting on the corner.

Gabriel had taken one look, saw the tea set, muttered something unkind about being institutionalized, and walked right back into Damian’s office.

That had been three hours ago.

Now, there was a second chair pulled up to the Emperor’s desk. A new pen tray that didn’t match the rest of the set. An extra coffee cup was left beside the report pile. A folded blanket in the corner because someone refused to admit how often he fell asleep here.

Gabriel still used the other desk, but he ignored it today because Damian’s lighting was better.

Edward had stopped objecting. Which meant, Gabriel noted with private satisfaction, that he’d won.

And honestly?

This desk was closer to the fireplace.

More importantly, it was closer to Damian.

So yes.

Now his desk, too.

Gabriel wore a dark shirt with the collar unfastened, revealing his collarbone and a few faint Damian markings. His hair was still damp from a quick wash, curls tousled, and he’d claimed the entire left side of the desk like a cat laying siege to a windowsill. He didn’t bother to make himself presentable; he was free until evening, which in his terms, meant that he had to deal with his own problems, not the Empire’s.

A half-full coffee cup steamed beside his elbow. Two more sat empty.

He skimmed the latest update from the engineers at the ether station outside Ashmont, eyes narrowing.

"...Volatility after the tenth hour... secondary burst cycles... brilliant, just brilliant—who thought it was a good idea to route that much channeling through unreinforced has to be mad..."

The door clicked open.

Gabriel didn’t look up. "Unless you brought more coffee or a severed minister’s head, I’m not interested."

"Neither," Edward said smoothly. "Though your caffeine dependence is beginning to concern the physician."

Gabriel finally glanced up, arching a brow.

Edward, as usual, stood like a man carved from protocol and long-suffering patience. Behind him, a young woman hovered near the threshold, blonde and wide-eyed, her hands folded neatly at her waist.

"She arrived earlier this morning," Edward continued, his voice that perfect pitch of helpful but not apologetic. "Lady Irina Blake. Astana’s younger sister. His Majesty approved her to be considered as one of your personal ladies-in-waiting."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "Damian said she was scheduled in the evening."

Edward, standing with a perfectly neutral posture that somehow still conveyed regret, folded his hands behind his back.

"I was informed to free your day; Lady Irina being the only one scheduled for the day, she arrived earlier. Therefore, His Majesty instructed that the interview be completed before dinner." A slight pause. Then, with impeccable timing, Edward added, "I, naturally, had no say in this decision."

Gabriel tilted his head. "That so?"

Edward nodded solemnly, as though bearing tragic news from the front lines.

"I was merely the messenger," he said with the gravitas of a man washing his hands of the whole ordeal. "His Majesty expressed a strong preference for an uninterrupted evening with you. He stated, and I quote, "Make sure he finishes entertaining the girl before I return, or I will consider moving the interview to our chambers instead."

Gabriel stared at him, deadpan. "He didn’t say that."

"No, but he thought it very loudly," Edward replied, tone mild. "And I’ve served him long enough to recognize the warning signs of a delayed dinner and a volatile mood. So, for your and my safety, may I suggest we proceed?" He said, slowly pushing the girl in front of Gabriel like an offering.

"Huh, how bad was the inspection? There are at least four hours until dinner." Asked Gabriel, leaning on his chair while playing with a pen.

Edward, ever the image of unbothered elegance, adjusted the cuff of his sleeve with a flourish so precise it had to be deliberate.

"I wouldn’t presume to speak for His Majesty’s temperament," he said in the exact tone of someone absolutely about to speak for it. "But I might suggest that you not mention the officers, the training schedule, the state of the southern barracks, or the word ’efficiency’ for at least the next twelve hours."

Then, without missing a beat, he gently pushed Irina forward, as if he were presenting a delicately iced cake to a man on the verge of losing all patience.

"Lady Irina Blake," Edward intoned, "as requested."

Irina straightened, clearly having practiced this exact moment in her head. She gave a graceful, carefully measured curtsy that somehow managed to combine reverence and excitement.

"It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace," she said sweetly, with just enough breathiness to make Gabriel’s eyebrow twitch.

He didn’t rise.

Didn’t even reach for the reports.

He tapped the pen once against the desk, then tilted his head in subtle assessment. Pretty. Composed. Sheltered. And judging by the way she kept sneaking glances at the crown insignia on his coffee cup like it might bless her with eternal favor... deeply infatuated with the idea of court life.

Or worse. Damian.

Gabriel exhaled slowly. "We’ll see if the honor holds after the interview."

Irina blinked once, startled, and then smiled, as if she thought he was charmingly aloof.

Edward, sensing danger, gave Gabriel a meaningful look over her head that clearly said, Please, for the love of any God, behave.

Gabriel ignored it.

Instead, he gestured lazily to the seat across from him. "Sit. Let’s see what fantasies you’ve brought with you today, Lady Blake."