Chapter 197
Gavriel leveled a stare that immediately shut Uriel up.
“Babysitting?” the Alpha King repeated, voice low. “You call guiding the Queen Mother’s temporary successor babysitting p>
Uriel straightened so fast his spine cracked. “I… didn’t mean it like that p>
“Then choose better words,” Gavriel said coolly. “Beatrice is inexperienced, but she’s capable. What she lacks is stability, something you can provide. And Simon will handle the logistics. All you must do is keep order until I return p>
Uriel sighed in defeat. “Understood p>
Gavriel didn’t soften, but his tone held a faint note of trust. “I leave the palace in your hands. Don’t fail me p>
Uriel pressed a palm to his chest. “I won’t p>
“Good.” Gavriel stepped back toward the portal, then paused. “And make sure Ava is watched closely. No one enters her cell. No one speaks to her. No one opens their mouth near her. She still has that snake’s tongue. She’ll twist anyone she can p>
Uriel nodded. “I’ll handle it p>
“And Nilda?” Gavriel asked.
“Already isolated,” Uriel replied. “The mages who collaborated with them have been taken to the lower cells. Gustav is interrogating the rest before their execution p>
Gavriel exhaled sharply, the only sign of how deeply this betrayal had cut.
“Good. Keep it that way.” He glanced toward the Queen Mother and Marius waiting at the portal’s edge. “I won’t be gone long p>
Uriel hesitated again before stepping forward. “Gavriel… are you sure you don’t want me to come? Zander’s lands are not exactly p>
“I said stay,” Gavriel cut in. “If Cain’s spies try to act again, you’re the only one who can handle them without hesitation. I need someone here who won’t be fooled by lies p>
Uriel’s eyes dropped. “It’s not that I don’t trust myself. I just He glanced at the portal where the Queen Mother waited. “I’d feel better if I was there p>
Gavriel’s voice softened just slightly. “I know. But we can’t lose the palace a second time while dealing with this chaos. And Mother needs Riela more than another mage hovering around her p>
Uriel swallowed hard, then nodded.
“I’ll manage things here. Just… bring them back safely p>
Gavriel clasped Uriel’s shoulder once — firm, grounding, king to archmage. “I will.” Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on.net
Uriel straightened his robe and stepped back, officially taking his position.
“Portal is still stable,” he reported, voice clear. “Zander is waiting on the other side p>
Gavriel gave a final nod, turned toward the spiraling light, and guided his mother forward.
As he entered the portal, Uriel watched the glow swallow the Alpha King and the royal party… then fade. The courtyard fell silent. And the young archmage exhaled a long breath before turning to Simon.
“Well,” he muttered, “I guess I’m king for the day p>
Simon clapped him on the back. “Don’t screw it up p>
Uriel groaned. “Fantastic. Babysitting and ruling the palace. Exactly what I wanted today p>
But then he wasted no time once the portal sealed behind the royal party.
“Simon,” he said, straightening the sleeves of his robe like a man preparing for battle, “give me a report on every wing of the palace. And I want the dungeon guards replaced every two hours. No exceptions p>
“Already done. Gustav just sent word — Ava is chained, gagged, and sealed with three layers of binding magic. Nilda is still screaming for mercy p>
“Good. Let her scream.” Uriel’s tone was sharp, but the shadows under his eyes showed how heavy the day had been. “Also, anyone even suspicious of contact with Cain’s forces should be detained and questioned. No hesitation p>
Simon nodded. “I’ll tighten patrol routes and lock down the west wing p>
Uriel paused. “Make it the entire palace p>
Simon blinked. “The entire—? You want a full lockdown p>
“Last time we underestimated Ava and her little pets,” Uriel said flatly, “the Queen Mother nearly lost her mind. And Princess Riela almost died. I’m not letting anything slip p>
Simon grunted. “Right. Total lockdown. You really are in a mood today p>
“I was just handed the entire palace and a novice to train while the Alpha King heads straight into Zander’s territory,” Uriel snapped. “Forgive me if I’m not skipping through the halls p>
Simon opened his mouth — then closed it with a shrug.
A messenger suddenly rushed toward them, breathless. “M-Master Uriel! Lady Beatrice has arrived. She’s waiting in the reception hall p>
Uriel froze.
Simon’s eyebrows rose. “Oh. Right. Babysitting p>
Uriel glared. “If you don’t shut up, I’ll turn you into a cactus p>
Simon beamed. “That’d be an improvement p>
Uriel brushed past him with a growl and headed toward the reception hall.
At the reception hall, the doors swung open, and Uriel immediately regretted everything.
Lady Beatrice stood in the center of the room wearing a soft ivory dress, hands folded demurely in front of her. She was all sweet smiles and fluttering lashes, the image of innocence.
But Uriel had seen what she was like during training sessions. The woman was a menace wrapped in silk.
“Lord Uriel,” she said with a graceful bow. “I came as soon as I heard Her Majesty needed support. I hope I’m not intruding p>
“You’re not,” Uriel replied, clasping his hands behind his back like a man bracing for a storm.
“But this isn’t a social visit. The palace is under lockdown. You will follow instructions at all times p>
Beatrice touched her lips, pretending to gasp. “Lockdown? How frightening. Then I’ll stay close to you for protection p>
Uriel blinked. “That won’t be necessary p>
“Oh, but I insist.” She stepped closer, too close, forcing him to take a step back. “You’re the most powerful archmage in the palace right now. Who else would I rely on p>
“You have Simon p>
Simon, standing behind Uriel, choked. “H-hey, don’t drag me into p>
Beatrice didn’t even glance at him. “Simon is very reliable in… basic matters. But if something dangerous appears, I want someone who can shield me p>
Uriel pinched the bridge of his nose. “Lady Beatrice, this is not the time for games p>
“Who’s playing?” she asked sweetly.
Simon snorted.
Uriel elbowed him.
Beatrice continued, “The Queen Mother entrusted me with a sacred duty. I intend to carry it out well. You’ll be leading the palace while His Majesty is gone, so naturally, I must coordinate closely with you p>
“Fine,” Uriel said stiffly. “But I expect discipline. You are not to wander. You will stay in the west wing office and review the Queen Mother’s pending tasks p>
“Of course.” She stepped closer again. “As long as you’re there to guide me p>
Uriel inhaled sharply. “I— I have other responsibilities p>
“And I’m one of them.” She smiled, tilting her head. “Don’t worry. I’ll behave p>
Simon leaned in and whispered loudly, “She’s lying p>
Uriel’s eye twitched. “Lady Beatrice, please proceed to the west wing. Simon will escort p>
“No thank you.” She looped her arm around Uriel’s.
Uriel froze like someone had just cast a petrification spell on him. “What are you doing p>
“Walking with my assigned superior,” she said lightly. “Unless you’re objecting p>
“I am p>
She smiled wider. “Wonderful. Let’s go p>
Uriel shot Simon a look that promised murder.
Simon grinned back, enjoying every second of this.
And so, with all dignity stripped from him, the palace’s acting leader was dragged away by the most troublesome woman in the kingdom while Simon happily trailed behind, whistling.
Uriel muttered under his breath, “Gavriel owes me for this p>
Beatrice squeezed his arm, her tone bright and airy. “Did you say something, Lord Uriel p>