Chapter 438
Mabel stepped into the chamber, her gaze immediately falling on the maid who was dragging a trolley bag out of the bedroom. Behind her, Juniper appeared, clutching a small handbag to her chest. Her head was bowed, shoulders trembling faintly under the weight of shame.
“Everyone, leave us,” Mabel commanded sharply. The maids hurried out, closing the door softly behind them in a suffocating silence.
Mabel studied Juniper for a long moment. The young woman’s face was pale, her eyes rimmed with red. It might have stirred pity once, but Mabel felt only disappointment now.
“Why did you hide the envelope you received from Ophelia?” she asked.
Juniper’s voice quivered. “I… I didn’t know it was from Ophelia, Your Majesty p>
“You weren’t supposed to hide it,” Mabel cut in sharply. “That alone tells me you knew. If Dominick wasn’t available, you could have informed anyone, anyone, Juniper! Were you truly willing to endanger Gabriel and Amelie, two people who have never wronged you, just to serve your own selfish desires p>
Juniper’s lips trembled, but no words came.
“Did it never once occur to you,” Mabel continued, her voice tightening with fury, “how much they’ve already suffered? You chose to trust a witch, Juniper! A witch, after everything you’ve seen, after everything they’ve endured p>
The chamber seemed to tremble under her words. Mabel’s chest heaved, her anger and disappointment boiling over after days of restraint.
“I’ve already been punished, Your Majesty,” Juniper murmured. “Being rejected was enough. I won’t cause any more trouble for anyone.” She kept her head bowed, her hands trembling slightly as though she had finally surrendered to her guilt.
Mabel’s gaze hardened. “Your arrogance has always been the reason of your current condition,” she said coldly. “You never learned to see the good around you, only the flaws in the others. That bitterness is what destroyed you p>
She took a deep breath, steadying her voice though her anger still burned beneath it. “I have always protected those I love, Juniper. And though you were once dear to me, that bond ends today. The only mercy I’ll grant you is this, you will leave the palace quietly. There will be no public punishment, and no banishment of your family. But mark my words, if you ever set foot near my son or anyone under my protection again, the consequences will be severe p>
Juniper flinched, tears glistening in her eyes.
“I will not have your father come here pleading for forgiveness. What you did is beyond pardon. You destroyed Dominick’s life, the man who loved you more than you ever deserved p>
With that, Mabel turned sharply and strode out of the chamber.
Outside, she found the maids waiting with Juniper’s luggage. “Load it into the car,” she ordered curtly. Then, turning to Juniper’s personal attendant, she added, “Once the driver drops her at her home, tell him to report to me immediately p>
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the attendant replied with a bow.
Mabel handed her a sealed scroll. “Give this to Mr. Vittileo personally,” she said.
“Understood, Your Majesty p>
With that, Mabel left to her chamber.
Casaio finally returned to his chamber and found Zilia pacing anxiously across the room. The moment she saw him, she stopped and ran straight into his arms. They held each other tightly, drawing a strength from the embrace.
“Where’s Idris?” Casaio asked softly as he pulled back, his hands still resting on her shoulders.
“In the bedroom,” Zilia replied quickly. “I told him to wait there until you came p>
Casaio nodded, his expression darkening with thought. “I need to talk to him,” he murmured. “Estelle is already working to remove the malicious comments about you and Idris. It’ll take a few hours, but things should calm down soon.” His jaw tightened. “Still, those who already know might try to hurt him p>
Zilia’s eyes glistened with worry. “Why can’t they just accept my brother? He hasn’t done anything wrong p>
“Not everyone will see the truth, Zilia,” Casaio said gently, reaching for her hand. “But not everyone will turn against him either. Idris has to face this fight in his own way. What matters is, we’ll stand by him. We’ll keep him safe from anyone who dares to harm him p>
Zilia nodded slowly, her voice trembling. “June shouldn’t have done that to my brother. Idris is just a child… He only started living like everyone else a few months ago,” she murmured, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Casaio reached out and gently brushed his thumb across her cheek, wiping away the tears that escaped.
“Idris has us,” he said softly. “This storm will pass soon, Zilia. It’s only a test, one we have to face together p>
She gave a faint, shaky smile. “You’ve been dragged into this because of us too. That’s why I never wanted to come back p>
“Don’t say that,” Casaio interrupted gently. “I’m your mate, your family. If not me, then who else should stand by you p>
Before she could respond, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, a promise of comfort, of loyalty, of love unshaken by the chaos around them.
When they finally pulled apart, Zilia whispered, “I still need to thank Gabriel. How did he even manage to bring Luke here? I thought it was the end for us p>
A small, knowing smile tugged at Casaio’s lips. “Gabriel has his ways,” he said. “He’s always been good at turning impossible situations in his favor. He spoke to me earlier this morning and said if things went wrong, bringing Luke Hunter here would be our best chance p>
Then, taking a brief pause, he said, “Let’s go in. Idris must be waiting for me p>
Zilia hummed and held his hand. They both walked inside the bedroom and found Idris was sitting on the chair near the window with the phone in his hands.
“Idris!” Casaio called out, and he lifted his head.
“Your Highness!” He was quick to stand up and bowed to him in respect.
“I’m sorry for what happened earlier,” Casaio began.