Amelie was stunned to see the family necklace. She hadn’t even expected that the Queen would bestow something like this to her.
The assistant grabbed the velvety box while Mabel lifted the necklace and made Amelie wear it. Her heart fluttered with joy with this sweet gesture of the Queen.
"I would like us to give some space," Mabel said, looking at Amelie, whose eyes were down.
Samyra looked at Flora, who pushed out the wheelchair on which David was seated, and the three of them left, followed by the assistants.
As the doors shut, Mabel took a step back and spoke, "Are you nervous?"
Amelie looked at him and nodded her head.
"I thought you would step back from this marriage on your own, but it appears to me that you care only about yourself and the pup inside your womb." Mabel’s words were harsh and direct like all the time, but a hidden agenda seemed to be present in her statements.
"That’s not true, Your Majesty," Amelie replied. "I don’t know how to convince you, but it was never my intention," she asserted.
"The High Priestess mentioned to me a woman would come into the life of my son at an unexpected time. The woman would change the future of my son as she did it in her past life. You know why never give Gabriel as equal love as my other children. Because he was supposed to live like that. You’ve ruined everything, Amelie. From here onward, whatever happens to my son, then you’ll bear the responsibility of it. I hope Gabriel lives well and you should pray the same," Mabel stated and turned around to walk out.
"Your Majesty, what do you mean by the past?" Amelie stopped Mabel, feeling confused. "And what consequences do I have to bear?" She inquired.
"You’ll find out once you marry Gabriel. If you want him stay alive, then don’t come to the aisle," Mabel stated. She looked at Amelie from over her shoulder. There was a feeling of disgust in her gaze, which made Amelie upset. Before she could ask for more clarification from the Queen, Mabel walked out.
Amelie curled her fingers around the bouquet and sat on the white sofa in shock. ’What will happen to Gabriel if he marries me?’ she wondered, her heart began pounding in fear of losing Gabriel.
’No, I can’t let it happen. If there’s someone I want to see more happy than anyone, then it’s Gabriel,’ she thought, her eyes flickering in worry.
"Amelie, what did Her Majesty the Queen say? Why do you look pale suddenly?" Samyra’s voice reached Amelie’s ears, and she lifted her gaze to look at her mother.
"N-nothing, Mom," Amelie lied. "I want to be alone for sometime," she urged.
"What? Why?" Samyra exclaimed in bewilderment.
"Mom, just give me some alone time," Amelie whispered. Samyra didn’t press her and simply walked out of the room. She knew the Queen must have said something to Amelie, which caused her hurt.
As Samyra walked out, Amelie fell into the deep state of contemplation. ’If I don’t go to the aisle, Gabriel will not get in future because of me. But what about the present moment? What about the promise I made to myself, and to him?’
Amelie shook her head as an unknown fear gripped her heart.
~~~~
The guests had started to fill the hall. Gabriel stood at the altar, waiting for the moment to end quickly. Now, he was so close to Amelie, that he could feel her faint scent reaching his nostrils even from this distance.
Raidan came to him and patted his shoulder. "You are nervous, Gabriel. It’s all on your face," he said.
"Yes," Gabriel admitted, again taking a deep breath. "Where’s Mom?" he asked, not seeing her around. ’Did she go to Amelie? I hope Amelie doesn’t come into her words. I feel Mom may try to stop this marriage,’ he thought.
The priest stepped forward, bowing respectfully before the Alpha King.
"Your Majesty," the priest began, "the time for the ceremony is upon us. In just five minutes, the bride will make her entrance."
"Understood," Gabriel responded with a nod, though his mind remained elsewhere. He turned his gaze toward Raidan, who had already begun to make the necessary preparations.
Raidan, glanced at Casaio, his eldest son, who was already moving toward the altar with practiced ease.
"Send someone to inform Amelie that she needs to be here within the next five minutes," Raidan instructed.
"Of course, Dad," Casaio replied, already making his way toward the exit with a swift stride.
Meanwhile, Dominick, standing at the front of the hall, took hold of the microphone. The guests, who had taken their seats in anticipation, turned their attention toward him.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Dominick said, "please settle in as we prepare for the arrival of our bride. We ask for your patience and attention as we move closer to the start of this beautiful occasion of my brother’s wedding."
Raidan moved down the aisle when Mabel arrived.
"Where were you?" Raidan asked.
"I was with Amelie, giving her our family necklace," Mabel stated.
"Oh. Look at our son! I’m so happy you are here too," he stated, taking the seat with Mabel.
"I couldn’t miss this occasion," Mabel said, her voice soft but firm. "I may act indifferently toward Gabriel, but he is my son." Her eyes lingered on Gabriel, who was smiling brightly at Dominick, his presence radiating confidence and calm.
’Sorry, Gabriel,’ Mabel thought. ’Amelie won’t come to the altar today. I’ve made sure of that. It was necessary to keep you safe.’
Just then, Katelyn, rose from her seat. "Mom, I’m going to check on Amelie," she said.
Mabel’s gaze sharpened, her voice taking on a more commanding edge. "No, stay here," she instructed. "Amelie will be here in a few minutes."
Katelyn hesitated, but seeing the seriousness in her mother’s eyes, she reluctantly sat back down. She glanced at her father, who subtly gestured for her not to be upset.