CHAPTER 172: HEAR THE TRUTH DIRECTLY

"I’m working on something special for Monday," Amelie said, stepping away and making her way back to the bed.

"A proposal?" Gabriel asked.

"You’ll find out soon enough," she replied with a teasing smile. "In the meantime, you should go see Brother Casaio. Just keep a calm mind when you talk to him."

She settled onto the bed, picking up her laptop and opening it across her lap.

"Alright," Gabriel nodded, watching her for a moment. "By the way, don’t forget, we’re going out this evening."

"I haven’t forgotten," Amelie said with a soft smile, eyes flickering up to meet his before returning to the screen in front of her.

Gabriel went downstairs as his gaze fell upon Albus. ’Did Albus tell Mom about Zilia? I need to set a trap to find out who the real spy is in my mansion. Making guesses won’t do anything good,’ he thought, and reached the bottom of the stairs.

He made his way toward Casaio’s room and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Casaio said.

Gabriel pushed the door open and stepped inside. Casaio stood with his back to him, quietly packing a suitcase.

"You came to apologize?" Casaio asked without turning around.

Gabriel let out a dry chuckle and pulled out a chair, settling into it with a relaxed posture. "Why would I apologize?"

"Then why are you here?" Casaio replied, finally glancing over his shoulder to study Gabriel’s expression.

Gabriel’s gaze shifted to a magazine on the table. "Why did you lie?"

Casaio paused, then calmly zipped up the suitcase. "Didn’t you already decide I did it to protect our mother?" he said. He sat down on the edge of the mattress. "Amelie told you to come with a calm mind, didn’t she? She’s the only one you ever listen to."

Gabriel’s jaw tensed. "I ended up shouting at her... because of Mom. You know what she did, don’t you? She called Amelie and invited her to some ridiculous party at the palace. I hated it. It pissed me off."

Casaio leaned forward slightly, his voice steady. "So now you’re fighting with your mate too."

"I’ve already apologized to her," Gabriel muttered. "Yeah, she asked me to talk to you... to hear the truth directly. She believes you have a soft spot for your younger brother," he added with a hint of sarcasm.

"Amelie’s more mature than you," Casaio remarked.

"You should’ve just told me the truth," Gabriel said, his tone quiet but firm.

"And you would’ve stormed into the palace to pick a fight with Mom," Casaio countered, meeting his gaze. "I was trying to keep that bridge from burning completely. I thought it was the best choice at the time. You were on your honeymoon, and I didn’t want to ruin it. But who told you the truth? Your beta?" he asked.

"Karmen chose to stay quiet," Gabriel said, scoffing.

"Denzel?"

"Dominick," Gabriel replied.

Casaio rubbed his lips with fingers. "I never thought you’d ask him," he muttered. He lowered his hand and continued, "I talked to Mom this time and told her not to do such things. But what I feel is that her every action is related to whatever the late high priestess told her."

Gabriel didn’t respond immediately as if he was contemplating to himself.

"Her actions made it clear how much she trusts someone else than her own son. And talking to her is of no use. She does what she feels is right. Just because she gave birth to me, she thinks she’s control over me," Gabriel said with a sneer.

"Make her speak the truth then," Casaio said. "You should consider coming to the palace for a few days with Amelie," he suggested.

"As far as I understand our mother, she will create troubles for Amelie, so that she leaves me. Amelie is the only one, who loves me without any doubts. It hurts me when she gets hurt," Gabriel stated, showing the soft side of him to Casaio.

"Hmm. If that’s how you feel, I won’t insist on you coming to the palace," Casaio said with a calm nod, his voice steady and without a trace of disappointment.

"When are you leaving?" Gabriel asked, trying to sound casual, though his gaze lingered a moment too long.

Casaio raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Why? Planning to see me off?"

Gabriel looked away, brushing the question aside. "Never mind," he muttered as he rose from his seat.

"In about an hour," Casaio replied, standing as well. "I’ll call you once I reach the palace."

"Hmm."

"If you ever need help with anything, you can ask without hesitation," Casaio offered. "Do you want me to find out why Mom always speaks so negatively about you?"

Gabriel didn’t respond right away. ’I wonder if I should trust him or not,’ he thought silently.

"I know I’m not exactly the most trustworthy brother in your eyes," Casaio continued, watching him closely. "But we should work together. Who knows, maybe we’ll get answers sooner than we think."

Gabriel looked at him. "Mom always says I’ll bring chaos one day. I want you to find out who this High Priestess was, what her witch lineage was. And if there’s anyone from her family still alive."

It was the first time Gabriel allowed a thread of trust to reach his brother.

"I will," Casaio replied firmly. "I’ll contact you as soon as I have the information."

"I’ll wait," Gabriel said. "Thank you."

Casaio offered a small smile, choosing not to tease him for the rare expression of gratitude.

Gabriel turned and made his way to the door. He paused for a brief moment, casting a quick glance over his shoulder at Casaio, then walked out without another word.

As he entered the living room, his mind returned to the unresolved issue of the spy. Only one name came to mind, Albus.

’If he turns out to be one of Mother’s loyal followers...’ Gabriel clenched his jaw. ’That’s really going to piss me off.’