Chapter 510
The Past 4:
In the early evening, Amelie ushered Gabriel towards her family home. As they both stepped out of the carriage, their hands naturally separated, but Gabriel swiftly captured hers again.
“Hey, we have to—” Amelie began, glancing at their joined hands.
“Don’t be shy,” Gabriel interrupted smoothly, tucking her hand firmly into the crook of his elbow. “Your parents won’t scold you for bringing your mate home p>
Amelie playfully hit his shoulder before leading him inside the residence. As they walked through the main door, Amelie’s voice rang out excitedly, “Mother, Father, look who I have come with p>
Her smile faltered instantly. Sitting in the living room were two unknown women whom Amelie couldn’t recognize. One lady appeared to be of a similar age to her mother, while the other was a young woman, roughly Amelie’s peer.
’Witches?’ Gabriel thought, his enhanced senses instantly picking up on a faint, unfamiliar energy emanating from both the women.
“Amelie!” The woman closer to her mother’s age stood up from the sofa, moving toward them with an outstretched hand. “Your mother and father have gone to the kitchen. I am Ophelia, and this is my daughter, Anaya. I’m your maternal aunt.” She introduced herself, offering a polite smile.
“Hi, Amelie. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you!” Anaya said cheerfully. Her gaze quickly swept past Amelie and fixed intently on the man beside her. She instantly recognized him. “Ar—are you the famous prince with the violet eyes, Prince Gabriel?” Anaya asked, a flutter of awe in her voice.
“I’ll see you later, Amelie,” Gabriel murmured close to her ear, completely ignoring Anaya’s question and the women’s presence. He was cut short just as Amelie’s parents emerged from the kitchen.
“Your Highness!” Amelie’s father, Norris, greeted, immediately bowing his head in deep reverence. Following his lead, Amelie’s mother, Irene, also executed a flustered bow.
“Wh-what are you doing here, Your Highness? Did my daughter again trouble you at the office?” Norris asked nervously, raising his head, his face etched with worry about royal displeasure. Irene, however, glanced at Amelie and noticed that her daughter looked more cheerful, radiant, and intensely happy.
“No, Norris,” Gabriel pronounced clearly, his violet eyes holding Amelie’s own. “Your daughter has done quite the opposite. She has stolen my heart p>
Amelie blushed intensely by such a bold, public statement. Her parents, however, were completely startled and could only stare in wide-eyed silence.
“Pardon me, Your Highness?” Norris stammered as he looked wildly from Gabriel to his daughter.
“Amelie is my mate, Norris,” Gabriel stated firmly, leaving no room for misunderstanding. “I am sorry for not coming here sooner. We have actually been seeing each other for more than eight months.” He glanced at Amelie affectionately, confirming the timeline to her astonished parents.
Norris and Irene were utterly speechless, the shock of learning their daughter was secretly involved with, and mated to, the future Alpha King evident on their faces. Ophelia, standing nearby, remained impassive, though her daughter looked rather unhappy.
“I decided to tell you both personally this evening, but it turns out you have some guests,” Gabriel stated, indicating the presence of Ophelia and Anaya. “So, I will take my leave for now.” He offered a charming smile.
He then acted decisively, kissing Amelie deeply on the cheek right in front of everyone. “I’ll see you tomorrow, mate,” he whispered, a possessive promise in his voice, before walking out the door.
Amelie turned instantly, watching the carriage depart, a dreamy smile plastered on her face.
“Is this true? You two… are truly mates?” Irene asked again, needing verbal confirmation of the reality-shattering news.
“Yes, Mother. We are mates!” Amelie confirmed excitedly. “I couldn’t tell you both before because of some reasons. He even proposed to marry me!” She joyously flaunted the engagement ring on her finger for them to see.
Norris let out a hearty, booming laugh, the tension melting away in a joyous relief. “I was so worried, thinking my daughter didn’t have a mate!” he exclaimed, then gazed at his wife, Irene, who was beaming with immense happiness and pride.
Anaya, feeling entirely overlooked amidst the drama, cleared her throat pointedly. “I think you all have forgotten us,” she reminded them, her tone slightly petulant.
“No, no! Of course not!” Irene shook her head quickly, flustered. “Amelie, these are my sister, my cousin, Ophelia, and her lovely daughter, Anaya,” she introduced, correcting the relationship slightly.
“Yes, they introduced themselves,” Amelie acknowledged, offering a bright smile to Ophelia. “Good evening, Aunt Ophelia.” She paused, her mind catching up to the magical scent Gabriel had detected. “But… are you two witches? How come Her question trailed off as visible confusion and surprise etched across her face.
“Umm… Ophelia’s father married a witch, so Irene began to explain the lineage, glancing somewhat uncertainly at her cousin.
“Yes. My mother was a witch, and then I also turned out to be a witch,” Ophelia confirmed smoothly. She stepped closer to Amelie, her hand resting warmly on Anaya’s shoulder. “Amelie, we are going to live with you from now onwards. I hope you won’t mind me and my daughter moving in p>
“Why would I mind?” Amelie chuckled, instantly shedding her confusion. “I always wanted a sibling! Come, Anaya, I’ll show you my room!” Amelie grabbed Anaya’s hand, clearly delighted, and pulled her upstairs, leaving the elders alone in the living room.
Ophelia turned back to the remaining couple, adopting a look of polite humility. “Irene, Mr. Norris, I hope I am not troubling you. I will join a work soon to p>
Her words didn’t finish, as Irene quickly stopped her. “Don’t say that, Ophelia. You’ve had a very tough period after your husband’s passing. You can simply help me with the household chores instead. For now, please, just rest. The journey must have been too long for you both,” Irene stated with genuine sympathy and a kind smile.
“Yes, listen to Irene and live well here with your daughter,” Norris agreed heartily. He then turned to his wife. “I will go and see Prince Gabriel right away p>
Irene nodded and said, “I’ll bring a coat for you p>