Chapter 441
Katelyn set her mug down on the table with a sharp clink, then turned toward Sage.
“You should’ve told me all of this earlier, especially about your mother,” she said. “Now I feel even worse for throwing away her amulet. But you started it. You told me to either keep it or get rid of it. So… I’m not entirely at fault p>
Sage exhaled softly, a faint, rueful smile curving his lips. “I know. I was a jerk that day,” he admitted.
Katelyn leaned back slightly, studying him. “Your stepmother’s a bitch, isn’t she?” she muttered, shaking her head. “I used to think you were the crazy one in that family. But I was so wrong p>
Sage couldn’t help but smile at her bluntness. “Let’s not talk about them anymore,” he whispered, shifting closer, thus changing the air between them instantly. His hand reached for hers, fingers brushing gently before lacing together.
“It feels… different,” he murmured, his thumb tracing light circles over her skin. “To touch you like this p>
Katelyn gazed at him when his eyes moved to hers. She licked her bottom lip, trying to pull back her hand. Sage let it go, studying her face for a while.
“I feel hungry suddenly. Do we order here? I don’t think we have anything to cook here,” Katelyn said, standing up.
Sage grasped her wrist, pulling her down suddenly.
“Sage!” she gasped.
“Why are you running again?” he asked.
“I’m not. I told you I am hungry,” she replied. She slapped at the back of his hand, but he didn’t withdraw. “Let go of my hand p>
“You are spreading your pheromones unknowingly around me,” Sage said with a serious gaze.
“What?” Her eyes widened for a second. She blinked her eyes rapidly. “You are lying. I am not doing that,” she proclaimed.
“I am not.” Sage finally let go of her hand and stood up. “I’ll go outside for some time,” he said and walked out.
Katelyn knitted her brows, tilting her head, watching him stepping out of the door.
“Did you search everywhere?” Gabriel asked Evan as they stepped out of the palace.
On the foyer, he caught sight of servants loading bags into the trunk of a black car. Standing beside it was Juniper, her eyes darting nervously between the workers and the palace doors.
“Wait for me in the car,” Gabriel ordered. Evan gave a curt nod and left.
Gabriel’s boots clicked against the marble as he approached her. “How does it feel,” he began coldly, “to be thrown out of the place you once dreamed of ruling p>
Juniper flinched at his tone. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she whispered, “I’m sorry p>
Gabriel’s expression didn’t soften. “No, you’re not,” he said. “You’ve always been good at one thing, charming people with your pretty face and fake crocodile tears. Nick also fell for them. How many times were you forgiven? What you did was beyond forgiveness. If I were the King, I would have beheaded you by now p>
Juniper didn’t say anything as she was too engrossed in her own sorrow of rejection.
Gabriel withdrew and went back to the waiting car.
Amelie gently rocked the cradle until it stilled, making sure Noah was sound asleep.
“Noah looks so small,” Idris whispered softly, his gaze fixed on the baby’s peaceful face.
Amelie smiled faintly. “Yeah… he does.” She brushed a stray lock of hair from Noah’s forehead and turned to Idris. “Come on, let’s go. Your sister’s waiting for us in the drawing room p>
Amelie rested her hand on Idris’s shoulder as they stepped into the drawing room.
“Amelie, I’ve cut some fruits for you. Have them. Did Noah fall asleep? I’m sorry. I didn’t even help with the baby,” Zilia said, guilt flickering in her tone.
“Don’t be,” Amelie replied gently. “You’ve had your own troubles to deal with.” She turned to Idris. “Take a seat, sweetheart p>
As Idris obeyed, Amelie sat beside Zilia and picked up a slice of apple from the plate.
“We actually came to thank Gabriel,” Zilia began, “but he’s not here p>
“He’s gone out to find Brother Nick,” Amelie explained, her voice softening. “Is Prince Casaio doing well now? It must have been a tough fight for him too. I heard the council wasn’t easy to deal with p>
As Amelie chewed on the apple, she gestured for Idris to eat as well.
“Well, he’s also gone to find Nick,” Zilia replied after a pause. “I just didn’t expect June to end up like this. It feels as if everything started because of me. Maybe things wouldn’t have gone this far if p>
“Zilia,” Amelie cut in softly but firmly, “you didn’t know any of this would happen. And besides, Juniper did far worse things afterward p>
Idris quietly ate his slice of apple, his small hands resting on his lap as he listened to the women talk.
“But rejection is too painful to bear,” Zilia murmured, lowering her gaze. “Juniper was always so kind. What went wrong? I still can’t understand it p>
“Sometimes, it’s not easy to understand people,” Amelie said softly, her gaze distant for a moment as she recalled how harshly Juniper had spoken about Noah. Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to Idris. “Betrayal from those you love… it can come in the most unexpected ways p>
“Your school friends must have found out too. Did they say anything?” she asked gently.
“Not yet,” Idris replied, shaking his head. “No one’s messaged me p>
“Promise me,” Amelie said, “if anything goes wrong, you’ll tell us. Don’t try to handle it alone p>
“Of course!” Idris nodded eagerly, reassured by her words.
Amelie’s lips curved into a bright, encouraging smile. “You’re a strong boy, Idris. Always remember that p>
“Hmm p>
“How’s Flora doing? Last time, she was too upset,” Zilia suddenly asked.
“She is much better now,” Amelie answered. “She will be here tomorrow. It’s strange how my relationship with my sister changed. There was a time things were very wrong. But Flora used her second chance so well,” she asserted, smiling.