Chapter 372: A mysterious parcel
"Idris, there’s no need to be afraid of us," Mabel said gently, a soft smile gracing her lips. "We’ve accepted your sister wholeheartedly. The last time I saw you, you weren’t nearly this tall. It’s wonderful to see how quickly you’re growing."
"How is school going for you?" Raidan asked. "I imagine you’ve already made plenty of friends."
"It’s been fun, Your Majesty," Idris replied, his nerves easing slightly. "And yes, I’ve made many friends." Still, he couldn’t help but notice the Queen’s warmth toward him, so different from what he had once imagined, and it left him quietly bewildered.
"Your Majesty, the sweets have arrived," Lester announced, stepping forward with a tray.
Gabriel set his coffee mug down, took a piece of sweet, and stood. Walking over to his mother, he knelt gracefully before her and held the treat to her lips.
Mabel accepted the offering with a tender smile, taking a bite before feeding him the same sweet in return. The simple gesture drew warm smiles from everyone present, though Idris watched in quiet confusion, unsure of the custom.
Mabel then placed her hand atop Gabriel’s head, caressing it with motherly affection.
"Have you forgotten your father?" Raidan teased, narrowing his eyes playfully.
"Of course not, Dad." Gabriel rose, offered the sweet to his father, and smiled as Raidan accepted it. "I love you both," he said earnestly, before embracing them. Both parents patted his back with pride before he finally returned to his seat.
Turning to Idris, Gabriel picked up another sweet. "Here, Idris, try this one. It’s made of walnuts and other dry fruits."
Idris accepted it shyly, taking a small bite. The rich sweetness filled his mouth, and though he remained quiet, he felt too good eating it.
"It’s delicious, isn’t it?" Mabel asked warmly, her eyes softening as she looked at Idris. "Have some more."
At her gesture, a maid quickly arranged several pieces of the sweet onto a small plate and offered it to Idris.
"Thank you," he said politely, accepting it with both hands.
Gabriel watched the exchange with a faint smile before finishing the last sip of his coffee. "I should take my leave. Amelie must be awake by now," he said, rising to his feet.
"Of course," Raidan replied with a nod.
"Idris, I’ll see you later," Gabriel added kindly before turning and making his way out.
When he reached the chamber, a maid stepped forward and bowed. "Her Ladyship is bathing, Your Highness," she informed him respectfully.
"You may leave," Gabriel said with a small nod.
The maid bowed again before quietly withdrawing, leaving Gabriel alone in the chamber. He walked to the washroom and knocked on the door.
"Amelie, do you need help?" Gabriel asked as he gently pushed the door open and stepped inside.
She was in the bathtub, warm water glistening against her skin as she scrubbed her arm. Startled, she looked up. "Gabriel!"
"I thought you might need me," he said, rolling up his sleeves already.
"But you’ve already bathed," Amelie reminded him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "If your clothes get damp, you’ll have to bathe all over again. Just wait for me outside, I’m almost done. Instead, pick out a dress for me. Oh, and if you have Zander’s number, call him. He said he wants to see me."
Gabriel frowned slightly. "Why?"
"I don’t know," Amelie answered honestly. "He messaged me last night saying he’d like to visit. If you don’t have his number, check my phone."
"Alright," Gabriel said at last, nodding. He turned and left the bathing chamber.
At the bedside table, he picked up his own phone and scrolled through his contacts, but Zander’s name was nowhere to be found. Reaching for Amelie’s phone, he quickly located the number and placed the call.
After a few rings, the line clicked.
"Yes, Amelie?" came Zander’s voice.
"It’s Gabriel," he replied evenly. "She’s occupied at the moment. You mentioned wanting to see her, if you’re in the capital, I’ll send someone to the airport to pick you up."
"No need, Your Highness," Zander said. "I’m staying at a hotel nearby. I’ll come to the palace by eleven."
"Sure. Is it something important?" Gabriel asked, his tone measured.
"Uh... it’s related to her sister," Zander replied after a brief pause. "Don’t worry, it isn’t anything bad. But I do need to speak with Amelie about Flora."
"I see. Then I’ll end the call here," Gabriel said.
"Sure," Zander answered before the line went dead.
Gabriel set the phone back onto the table and walked to the closet. Selecting a dress for Amelie, he laid it neatly across the bed. Just then, a firm knock sounded at the door.
He turned toward it and opened it to find Lester standing there. "Yes, Lester?"
"Your Highness, the King requests your presence in the main hall," Lester said with a solemn expression.
Gabriel’s brows drew together. He stepped out, closing the door quietly behind him. "Did something happen?"
"A parcel has arrived in your name," Lester explained. "The King and Queen fear it may be from Ophelia."
"What does it contain?" Gabriel asked, his frown deepening.
"We haven’t opened it yet," Lester replied gravely.
Without further delay, they quickened their pace toward the main hall. When Gabriel arrived, he noticed his sister was already present, though his elder brothers were nowhere to be seen.
"Gabriel," Mabel said as he approached, worry flickering in her eyes. "The parcel bears your name. Do you wish for someone else to open it?"
"No, Mother," Gabriel answered firmly. "I’ll do it myself."
Stepping forward, he took the box into his hands. With a swift motion, he drew a cutter across the seal, breaking it open.
He found a letter inside along with a old, worn out ledger. He opened the letter as Lester grabbed the box from him.
"It’s for a help," Gabriel stated.
"A help? From whom?" asked Rainard.
"It says the person who sent this to me lives in Aurevalis," Gabriel answered.