CHAPTER 477: MORE AFFECTIONATE TO OUR SISTER

"Kate, are you inside?" Zilia’s voice called out from just beyond the bedroom door.

After a moment, Katelyn pulled the door open. "I was getting ready," she explained, her focus immediately shifting to the large, ornate box in Zilia’s hands. "What’s this? Come inside," she invited, stepping aside to let Zilia enter.

"Mother selected some jewelry earlier for you and Amelie," Zilia replied, walking over and carefully lowering the heavy box onto a nearby table. "I thought I’d bring it for you since Mother went to give the other box to Amelie."

"Mom keeps buying so much jewelry," Katelyn murmured, a hint of exasperation in her tone.

"Well, we are in the palace, so it’s common," Zilia remarked with a shrug. "By the way, where are you going? I was also going out to buy a few things for my brother, so if we both go together, it will be great," she added hopefully.

"That’s a wonderful idea, but I’m going back to San Ravendale, Zilia," Katelyn replied.

"Oh." Zilia’s surprise was evident. "I thought you would be going back tomorrow," she said, her eyebrows raised.

"I wanted to," Katelyn replied, her shoulders slumping slightly, "but Sage is upset with me."

"Why?" Zilia frowned, her expression shifting to concern. "I thought everything was going well between you both. I’m sorry for not being aware of this."

"It’s alright. You had your own troubles, Lia," Katelyn muttered dismissively, referring to Zilia’s recent stresses.

"If I can help you in any way, do tell me," Zilia asserted, stepping closer.

"No. I have to help myself," Katelyn insisted, shaking her head.

Zilia smiled gently, offering a piece of comforting advice. "Ups and downs are common in any relationship, Kate. It actually helps the love to grow. Keep that in mind."

"Hmm," Katelyn murmured, contemplating Zilia’s words about the nature of love and conflict.

Zilia, sensing Katelyn was still troubled, offered a kind invitation. "You can share with me if you want," she said softly. "I’m free right now, of course, if you have the time too."

Katelyn looked at Zilia, her eyes reflecting a deep question about Zilia’s own complex history with Casaio. "You and Brother Cas have gone through so many troubles. So many moments where things seemed impossible. But your trust for each other never vanished fully. How did you manage that?"

Zilia met her gaze, a faint, knowing smile touching her lips, reflecting on the path she and Casaio had walked. "Because deep down, beneath all the arguments, all the external conflicts, we carried an unwavering faith for each other," she replied.

"And I must say, Cas made the efforts towards me," Zilia continued, a profound seriousness in her eyes. "I mean, he simply wasn’t willing to give up on us, even when it seemed impossible." She paused, her thoughts drifting back to her past. "You know my history. I never felt like I truly belonged anywhere, let alone that I deserved to become Casaio’s wife. And I honestly believed he deserved someone far better than me. But he wasn’t willing to let me go, and in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to let him go either."

Katelyn listened, letting out a soft hum of agreement. "You two certainly suffered a lot to get where you are," she acknowledged. She then added quietly, "Now, Brother Nick is on that path. His mate did bad to him."

"Yeah. I didn’t either expect this from June," Zilia said, the mention of Nick’s trouble bringing a shadow to her face. She then looked closely at Katelyn. "But Kate, don’t tell me you’re comparing your life to ours, are you?"

Katelyn simply turned silent, unable to meet Zilia’s gaze, which confirmed Zilia’s suspicion.

"You are!" Zilia’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. She gently took Katelyn’s hands and led her to sit down on the edge of the bed. "Not every couple’s story is the same, Kate. What happened with Nick was truly unfortunate and unpredictable. That doesn’t mean the same fate will automatically happen to you. You know that overthinking can truly ruin things for us, right?"

"I understand," Katelyn replied, sighing. "I want to put faith in Sage. Also, it’s not entirely like that," she added quickly, implying her fears weren’t solely based on Nick’s situation, but perhaps on Sage’s past behavior as well.

"Okay. Do what your heart says," Zilia affirmed warmly, squeezing Katelyn’s hands gently. "In the matter of love, one must listen to their heart rather than their mind. Sometimes, logic only breeds fear, but faith comes from the heart."

"Yes. Thanks, Zilia," Katelyn said, a hint of resolve entering her voice. She raised her wrist and quickly checked the time on her watch. "My flight is in two hours," she stated, standing up.

"Yeah. I’ll drag your trolley out," Zilia offered, moving toward Katelyn’s luggage.

"No, it’s fine," Katelyn replied, shaking her head. She then pulled Zilia into a warm, heartfelt hug. "I hope next time we will go together for shopping." She pulled away, grabbed the handle of her trolley, ready to depart.

"I’ll see you out," Zilia announced, walking with Katelyn toward the chamber door.

As they reached the foyer, Katelyn froze. The entire family seemed to be gathered: her parents, Raidan and Mabel, along with her brothers, Casaio and Dominick, and sister-in-law Amelie.

’Did everyone find out I was leaving?’ she thought, a rush of self-consciousness washing over her.

"Kate, Dad and Mom told us about you and Sage," Casaio said, stepping forward, his protective brotherly instinct immediately rising. "You really should have discussed it with us."

Raidan addressed his daughter. "You’ve a day to give me an answer, Katelyn. You can either refuse him or accept him." His tone softened slightly. "However, Katelyn, whatever decision you take, we are with you." He added, almost to himself, "Though I wanted to end this arrangement, your mother said you didn’t desire that just yet."

Katelyn simply nodded at her father.

"Kate, I can go with you if you want," Dominick offered kindly.

"No. I’ll go by myself," she muttered, glancing over at her eldest brother. "Brother Gabriel keeps scolding me for making wrong decisions and involving others in my matters."

Everyone’s eyes immediately shifted in Gabriel’s direction. Amelie, standing near him, ended up smiling faintly, perhaps amused by Katelyn’s accurate summary of her husband’s stern advice. Meanwhile, Gabriel simply rolled his eyes in reaction to their scrutiny.

"Gabriel, why can’t you be more affectionate to our sister?" Casaio reprimanded him with a frown.

Casaio then turned back to Katelyn. "Just inform me or Nick if you get into any trouble. You don’t have to carry any burden alone."

Katelyn hummed softly and thanked them for being her solid support.

Mabel came forward, her motherly concern clear in her expression. She embraced Katelyn tightly before pressing a soft kiss onto her forehead. "Have a safe journey ahead," Mabel whispered. "And never forget this: You are the princess of the Sinclair Family."