CHAPTER 229: DON’T MAKE A RASH DECISION

Amelie enjoyed seeing the pictures of Gabriel’s childhood. She saw the warmth that the Queen carried for him, but the only setback was how she never openly expressed it.

Before she could speak, Gabriel’s voice came from outside as he knocked on the door. "Would you please open the door?" he asked.

Mabel shut the album close and placed it on the table before heading to the door. As she opened it, she saw how worried he looked.

"Amelie, what are you doing here?" Gabriel walked past his father.

She already had stood up when he held her hand. "Let’s go to our room." His eyes fell upon the photo album, but he didn’t make any comment.

"Gabriel, I wanted to talk to her. You don’t need to look so panic," Mabel stated.

"Really?" Gabriel chuckled. "You are earning her sympathy, aren’t you? I know you better than anyone."

"Gabriel, don’t say that," Amelie told him.

He gave her a side glance before dragging her out with him.

As they walked through the corridor, Amelie said, "That’s not what you’re thinking. Your mother simply wanted to talk to me and ask me about your health. Then, she showed me the album from your childhood as I was also curious about it."

"I don’t want to hear about her. It is already infuriating enough that she’s suddenly talking so sweet with you," Gabriel muttered, his steps slowing down.

"What’s charged you up so suddenly? I think you misunderstand your mother, Gabriel. She’s not like what you think," Amelie said, yanking her away from him, thus halting at her place.

Gabriel turned to gaze at her. "You think you know my mother just because she told you some secrets she refuse to share with me. Don’t forget that she never wanted you and me to marry in the first place. She isn’t what you think. In thirty years of my life, I myself couldn’t find what’s goes inside her mind. So, please don’t fool yourself in thinking that you will bridge the gap between me and her."

"I get it," Amelie said.

"Are you upset with me?" Gabriel questioned.

"No," Amelie replied.

"You look like you’re upset because I raised my voice. I’m like that. It angers me when someone’s try to praise my mother in front of me. It just makes me lose my mind," Gabriel stated, "and I don’t wish you to be brainwashed by her."

Amelie simply stared into his eyes, not uttering a word.

"She may use your feelings against me when the time comes. So, don’t get close to her," Gabriel almost requested her. He walked to her, holding her hands gently.

"I was scared when you weren’t in the room," he murmured. "Then, I sensed that you were with her. My mother isn’t as easy as to understand as others’. I know you want everything to turn between me and Mom to turn right, but it’s just can’t happen. The wounds inflicted upon me can never be healed, Ame."

She hummed, "Sure."

~~~~~

Casaio raked his mind for every possible option to save Estelle. But no matter what he considered, each path was lined with danger and impossible odds. Every plan carried a high risk, some too great to take without losing more than he could afford.

He closed his eyes and tried to connect with Estelle through the mindlink, but the distance between them was too vast. There was nothing but silence.

With growing frustration, he returned to Zilia’s room. He approached the bed and reached out his hand to wake her, but paused. Her face was peaceful while her breathing was calm. She needed rest. She had suffered too much already.

He let his hand fall and turned to leave, sparing one last glance at her sleeping form.

Outside the apartment, the guards stood at attention. "Don’t let her step out," he ordered firmly. They bowed in unison as he disappeared into thin air.

Casaio reappeared in the palace and made his way straight to the royal study, where Raidan was poring over important files.

Raiden lifted his head as the sound of fast-approaching footsteps echoed through the hall. His eyes narrowed when he saw his son.

"Dad, I have to leave for Blood Dominion," Casaio said without preamble.

"What?" Raidan’s expression shifted in alarm. He closed the file and placed the pen down. "Why so suddenly? Explain. What’s going on?"

"My beta, Estelle, was kidnapped on her way home. I received a call from her phone, but the voice I heard belonged to Luke Hunter, the Alpha of Blood Dominion."

Raiden’s expression darkened. "You found out who the Alpha is? Then, why didn’t you tell me. Why are you working on this all by yourself?"

"No," Casaio replied. "He demanded I hand over Zilia and Idris in exchange for Estelle’s life."

Raiden leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. "Then you must do it."

"No," Casaio refused. "I won’t send them back to a place where they were tortured. He’ll kill them, Dad. I don’t want that to happen."

"And you want me to allow you to send you to a territory as a bait?" Raidan frowned. "Zilia is a spy. Don’t forget that. Her suffering has nothing to do with us."

"I want to protect them. I can’t lose Zilia," Casaio said. "I’m sorry, Dad, but I’ve only three hours to save Estelle," he muttered. "Also, please don’t tell Gabriel or Nick about this. Their lives may come in danger too."

"Wait! He gave only three hours time. Let me the call the council," Raidan said. "We need to make a plan."

"We don’t have any time for a meeting. The plan is simple, Dad. I’ve to go there. I think Luke has something against me. That’s why he targetted me from the beginning. I will return with Estelle. Just support me in my decision," Casaio said.

Raidan rose to his feet. "You can’t leave alone. Don’t make a rash decision. I’m the Alpha King and I’ll decide what we should do. Trust your father."