Chapter 594
“Your wounds are almost healed, but the one on your cheek is still taking a bit time,” Harriet said gently. She moved with precision, carefully smoothing the medical tape over a small patch of cotton to secure the dressing.
Katelyn peered into the hand mirror. “It won’t leave a scar behind, right?” she asked.
“No, it won’t,” Harriet reassured her, offering a comforting smile. “The skin is regenerating well. However, I would recommend you visit the hospital once, just to have a specialist look at the deeper tissue p>
Mabel, who had been watching from the armchair with a protective gaze, shook her head slightly. “At the moment, we aren’t stepping out of the palace. It’s too dangerous,” she explained. “I will have a dermatologist brought here to consult regarding the mark. We won’t take any risks p>
“That is a wonderful idea, Your Majesty,” Harriet agreed, knowing better than to argue with a Queen’s instinct for safety. She began packing her instruments into her bag. After bowing deeply to both women, she made her exit.
“Come here, darling. I’ll dry your hair for you,” Mabel said, already reaching for a plush towel and guiding Katelyn up from the bed.
“Mom, I can do that myself. You don’t have to trouble yourself,” Katelyn insisted, reaching for the towel.
“It’s no trouble at all,” Mabel whispered. She guided Katelyn to the vanity and eased her into the velvet-cushioned chair.
Standing behind her, she gathered the damp, dark locks and pressed them gently between the folds of the fabric, absorbing the moisture.
“Mom… Brother Gabriel came to see me yesterday,” Katelyn began, her gaze fixed on her own reflection. “He apologized to me. For everything. For the way he’s treated me in the past p>
Mabel’s hands stilled for a fraction of a second, her eyes meeting Katelyn’s in the mirror. “Did he?” she asked softly, worry crossing her face.
“He did,” Katelyn replied. “But it wasn’t just a quick apology. He looked… Devastated, Mom. He looked so upset, like he was carrying the entire blame for what happened to me on his own back. I’ve never seen him look that broken before p>
Mabel resumed her task, but her movements were slower now. “He’s not telling things either to me about what he’s thinking. I met him earlier, but he seemed to dodge me as if he doesn’t want to share anything with me p>
Katelyn looked into the eyes of her mother. “Perhaps, you should ask Amelie p>
“She’s also keeping a quiet about it,” Mabel answered.
“Maybe because she doesn’t either want to take stress. I’m sure they both have found the solution. Maybe Brother Gabriel is acting like this so that we won’t take any kind of stress,” Katelyn stated with a hopeful gaze.
“Hmm.” Mabel gave out a reluctant agreement, but deep down she knew Gabriel was keeping the plans from them intentionally.
Gabriel meticulously fastened the last tiny button on Noah’s suit before layering a soft, cable-knit sweater over his small frame. He worked with gentleness, pulling the thick socks over the toddler’s feet.
’The Moon Goddess was right,’ he thought. ’There is no weapon in this realm capable of ending Ophelia without demanding a piece of my soul and a sacrifice in return p>
He had summoned the Bloodsmiths, yet the doubt was beginning to gnaw at him. ’Is it even worth the attempt? I can’t take chances with Ophelia, not when her survival means the death of everyone I love. But if I wield that blade, the Moon Goddess will cease to exist. The balance will shatter. I don’t want her to disappear… I don’t want a stranger taking her place in the heavens because of my choice p>
“Pa p>
The small, bright syllable cut through Gabriel’s spiraling thoughts like a ray of light. He looked down to see Noah staring up at him with wide, trusting eyes, his little hands reaching for Gabriel’s face.
“Yes, boy?” Gabriel whispered. He forced a small, shaky smile. “Oh, I almost forgot your moisturizer p>
He leaned toward the bedside table as he retrieved the baby kit from the drawer. He set it on the bed, applying the cream to Noah’s chubby cheeks. For those few moments, he wasn’t an Alpha Prince; he was just a father caring for his son. Once finished, he tucked the kit back into its place.
“Just use that weapon, Gabriel,” Cynthia’s voice reverberated through the bedroom.
Gabriel spun around, his heart hammering against his ribs. Noah who was still lying on the bed smiled seeing the divine woman. His big, curious eyes wanted to grab the pearl necklace that Cynthia had put on.
Gabriel scrambled off the bed. He bowed low, but panic quickly followed the reverence. “What are you doing here? You’re not meant to be seen,,” he whispered urgently. He rushed to the bedroom door and locked it from inside.
“I am here because you are wandering onto a wrong and hollow path,” Cynthia stated. She didn’t move, yet she seemed to fill every corner of the room. “Do not call the Bloodsmiths, Gabriel. Think of the cost. Whose life are you truly prepared to lay upon that altar? Whose sacrifice are you going to give p>
Gabriel opened his mouth to argue, to mention the “only himself” plan, but Cynthia cut him off with a sharp wave of her hand.
“There is only one way to finish Ophelia without shattering your soul and the balance of the moon,” she declared. “I was the one who gave the weapon to your father for a reason. It was forged in my own light, meant for this very darkness. Stop looking for blood and iron. Pick up the blade I provided and end Ophelia with the power that was always meant to be yours. Gabriel, don’t think and do it p>
Cynthia walked to her son and brought her hands to his arms. “The Moon Goddess shall balance the nature. I’m doing that only p>
“I-I don’t want to lose you. Even if you’re far from me, at least, you are there. You mentioned that your punishment is your cease in existence. So, wielding that weapon also takes a sacrifice,” Gabriel argued.