Amelie applied a light touch of makeup, enhancing her natural beauty before slipping into a white floral dress adorned with soft sky-blue patterns.
The full-sleeved fabric draped elegantly over her form, making her feel radiant. As she gently rested a hand on her stomach, memories of the previous night surfaced, bringing a small, contented smile to her lips.
A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Miss Amelie, the car is ready. Prince Gabriel is waiting for you."
Snapping out of her reverie, she quickly picked up her purse, tucking her phone inside before slipping into her white peep-toe heels. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and hurried downstairs.
Seated inside the black car, Gabriel gazed absentmindedly out the window. But the moment his eyes caught sight of Amelie descending the staircase, his breath caught in his throat.
She looked a divine beauty.
Was it his imagination, or was she glowing more each day?
’Nah! I think she’s glowing because she has found us,’ Volko, his wolf, mused in his mind.
Gabriel smirked, shaking his head slightly. Maybe his wolf was right.
As Amelie slid into the seat beside him, she let out a soft breath. "Sorry for making you wait."
She placed her purse on her lap, her eyes searching his face, silently hoping for a compliment.
Gabriel didn’t respond immediately. His gaze drifted from her flushed cheeks to her perfectly painted red lips, gleaming subtly. His eyes then traced the delicate chain resting against her collarbone, the pendant nestled against her skin, which he had made her wear a few days ago.
The driver maneuvered the car out of the mansion grounds.
Amelie turned to face the road ahead, her fingers lightly fidgeting with the hem of her dress. ’Did I overdress?’ she wondered. ’Maybe I shouldn’t have applied makeup.’
Stealing a glance at Gabriel, she found his intense gaze still fixed on her. Her heart skipped a beat.
Now that she had a proper look at him, she realized he was dressed in an attire that exuded pure regality. The way the fabric hugged his broad shoulders, the intricate embroidery along the cuffs, everything about him radiated elegance.
’He’s too handsome for his own good. And with those violet eyes he looks even better,’ she thought.
"Did you put on red lipstick because you wanted me to kiss you?" Gabriel finally spoke, but in a teasing tone.
The driver, though focused on the road, couldn’t help but smirk at the prince’s flirtatious remark.
Amelie’s eyes widened slightly before she quickly denied it. "No. I just liked the shade, that’s all," she explained, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Gabriel arched a brow, clearly unconvinced. "Don’t lie," he murmured.
"I’m not lying," she countered, her voice softer now, wary of the driver overhearing their conversation.
Gabriel leaned in, closing the small distance between them. His breath fanned against her skin as he whispered, "The blush on your cheeks, the way your eyes flutter, how your fingers curl—these are all signs that you’re anticipating the kiss."
Amelie swallowed hard, her grip on the fabric of her dress tightening. She refused to look at him, fearing that if she did, she’d fall right into his trap. Instead, she turned her gaze to the passing scenery outside the window. But her resolve shattered the moment she felt the soft press of Gabriel’s lips against the crane of her neck.
"Gabriel," she whispered breathlessly, her body going rigid as she turned to face him.
He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his violet eyes dark with unspoken emotions. "It’s hard to resist you," he admitted, his voice lower now, sending a shiver down her spine. "But I have to."
Before she could react, he shifted closer, resting his head against her shoulder as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Amelie exhaled slowly, feeling the warmth of his presence beside her. She wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or disappointed.
’I can’t believe myself. I actually wanted him to kiss me,’ she thought.
~~~~~
In the evening, they finally arrived at the palace. The car rolled to a slow stop in front of the grand foyer, where an enormous fountain stood.
Amelie’s heart pounded against her chest as an apprehension settling over her. The sheer grandeur of the palace was enough to make anyone feel small, but that wasn’t what unnerved her the most. She knew Gabriel’s family might not welcome her presence, perhaps they would even resent it.
The chain of her thoughts broke when Gabriel’s warm hand covered hers.
"Before me, no one will dare to even utter a word against you," Gabriel assured her.
Amelie nodded, drawing a deep breath before opening the car door on her side, while Gabriel stepped out from his. She quickly walked around to meet him, but before she could hesitate, he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers effortlessly.
"Is it alright to..." she began with uncertainty.
"Why not?" Gabriel cut her off before she could finish, his grip tightening slightly as if silently reassuring her that she had nothing to fear.
Together, they stepped into the palace, where the royal family had already gathered in the grand living hall. King Raidan and Queen Mabel sat regally on the main couch. Alpha Prince Casaio and Dominick occupied the sofa chairs nearby. The princess, however, was notably absent.
Gabriel greeted his father with a slight nod, deliberately ignoring his mother and brothers. Beside him, Amelie hesitated before gently pulling her hand from his grasp.
She lowered her gaze, offering a polite greeting.
"You brought an omega here," Mabel spoke sternly in a disapproving tone.
Amelie swallowed hard, her fingers curling at her sides. She had expected resistance, but the sheer coldness in the Queen’s gaze sent a shiver down her spine.
Mabel turned to Casaio. "Why didn’t you tell me your brother was entangled in an affair with an omega?" she demanded.
"Mother, I had no idea what Gabriel was up to," Casaio lied smoothly, his tone feigning innocence.
Mabel’s attention snapped back to Gabriel as she slowly rose to her feet. Her eyes bore into his, filled with disdain.
"You return after so long, yet you forget to show respect to your mother. It would have been better if you hadn’t come at all."