"The mark... it didn’t appear," Amelie whispered. "I think..." Her words faded as Gabriel gently pressed a finger against her lips, silencing her.
He slowly lowered his hand, sitting up to meet her gaze. "Don’t think anything meaningless," he said. "Sometimes the mark just... isn’t visible."
It was a gentle lie, or maybe a hope wrapped in kindness. He couldn’t bear to see the sadness in her eyes.
"But I’ve never heard that," Amelie replied, her brows drawing together.
"That’s because most don’t know everything," Gabriel said. "I can already feel the magic between us, Amelie. That’s what matters."
Her expression softened, though her confusion lingered. "How?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Gabriel’s lips curved into a faint smile. "It’s hard to explain. But it’s I can feel different. The bond between us is deeper than any mark or sign. It’s in the way my heart races when you’re near, the way your voice stays in my head when you’re not."
Amelie looked into his eyes, searching them for even a shred of doubt, but all she saw was love full of warmth. She nodded, a small, trusting smile tugging at her lips.
"I trust you," she murmured, hugging him.
~~~~~
Karmen still couldn’t locate Louis. It was as if he had vanished completely, slipping off the radar. But Karmen knew better, Louis wouldn’t stop here. He had likely already planted a spy to keep track of his movements, waiting for the right moment to strike.
On his way back to the mansion, Karmen made a brief stop and picked up a box of sweet muffins. He thought of Katelyn, how the heat cycle might be taking a toll on her, and hoped the small gesture would bring her some comfort.
Upon arriving, he spotted a maid walking through the corridor and approached her.
"Please give this to Princess Katelyn," he said, holding out the bag with the box inside.
The maid took it with a polite nod. "Of course, my Lord."
"Thank you," Karmen replied with a faint smile, watching her walk away.
As she disappeared down the hall, Karmen’s thoughts drifted to Prince Casaio. ’Was he alright?’
Karmen pivoted on his heel the moment he sensed Estelle’s presence behind him.
"Did you get anything out of Zilia?" he asked calmly, though his eyes studied Estelle’s expression carefully.
Estelle folded her arms across her chest. "Not yet. She’s tight-lipped. She has refused to speak."
Karmen exhaled softly. "We usually don’t resort to torturing women."
A cold smile touched Estelle’s lips. "Then let’s hope she talks soon. Because if she doesn’t, I might stop caring about traditions. Also, a spy is a spy. We don’t see genders in them."
"You’re right," Karmen agreed. "But try a different angle. Don’t push her. There’s always a reason someone keeps their lips sealed. Find it. There must be something... someone... that’s her weakness."
Estelle’s brows furrowed slightly, irritation simmering beneath her calm exterior. "I’ve thought of that too," she admitted. "Tried to reach her with reason, even offered her protection. But she just stared at me blankly. As if my words didn’t matter."
"Then dig deeper," he opined.
"I will," Estelle assured him.
"She didn’t open her mouth!?" Casaio asked as he appeared from behind the large pillar.
Both Estelle and Karmen bowed to him in respect.
"No, she didn’t," Estelle confirmed.
"Your Highness mentioned he saw some photographs of the person who was with Zilia. What if the person is her family member?" Karmen suggested. "Maybe to save them, Zilia has chosen to keep her mouth shut," he asserted.
Casaio didn’t answer right away as he contemplated for a moment.
"You two are dismissed," Casaio said. "Wait till morning for my next order," he instructed his beta before walking out.
"He’s not moved on from Zilia," Estelle murmured.
"It’s not easy to move on when you’ve loved someone for more than ten years," Karmen replied.
"I agree. I hope the Prince copes with this betrayal soon," she murmured.
~~~~
Casaio entered the prison and his heart ached seeing Zilia covered in blood. She was still hanging from the ceiling and her wrists were bruised from the shackles.
"If you are here to know the answer, then you are mistaken," Zilia spoke in her faint voice.
"I loved you even though I had many doubts circling in my head whenever you asked me not to think of marriage with you. Do you think it’s easy for me to see you like this? Why can’t you tell me the truth, Zilia? Ten years... I gave you fucking ten years. Why aren’t you choosing me? You know that I’ll protect you if you say the truth about your mission, about everything," Casaio stated. His heart was bleeding seeing her in this state.
Zilia smiled, but her eyes remained close. "Prince Casaio, I am more loyal to my master. You cannot bring the truth out of my mouth. I’m waiting for the moment to die," she stated, her tone has turned formal. She no longer was calling him by his name.
Casaio wasn’t surprised by her words. She was speaking the words a spy should. "Who was the man in those photographs? Your brother? Your cousin? Who? Is he in danger? If yes, then tell me. I’ll rescue him," he said in a desperate tone.
"Prince Casaio thinks it’s easy to enter the Blood Dominion. If it was simple, then why you could never find out a pack, stronger than your kingdom is emerging right out of your territory? I’m afraid, but you won’t get a single answer from me. It’s better for you to kill me," Zilia said.
Casaio clenched his fists. Disappointment occupied his face and he walked away, leaving Zilia hanging.
But as he walked to a certain distance, he halted.
Looking at the guard in front of him, Casaio said, "Bring a doctor to treat Zilia’s wounds. Also, give her food and water."
The guard was quite surprised, but he simply complied with the orders.
"You can’t die without answering my questions, Zilia," he mumbled.