Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 101 - 96: The butler’s favorite (4)

Chapter 101: Chapter 96: The butler’s favorite (4)

As Gabriel settled into the seat, the chamber filled with a hush that was almost deafening. A second of silence stretched out before the unavoidable ripple of reaction began. A wave of murmurs swept through the assembled nobility, some scandalized, others intrigued, and many already changing their masks to match the shifting tides of power.

The Empress’s seat.

The implications were undeniable. Regardless of the official decree or the ongoing political game, the palace had made its decision. Gabriel von Jaunez was more than just a favorite courtier or a consort by name. He was a candidate for the throne beside Damian Lyon.

Whispers slithered behind delicate fans, veiled glances flitted from noble to noble. Some of them leaned in closer to their companions, the most interested in Damian’s reaction. After all, they had all witnessed the Emperor’s swift, merciless response to dissent.

Yet Gabriel did not tremble.

Instead, he exhaled through his nose, casting a cool gaze over the assembled elites. Let them talk. Let them speculate. They underestimated him if they expected him to fight back with a grand display. He would fight, yes, but on his own terms, and in far more brutal ways than a single act of defiance.

And tonight, it meant ignoring Damian.

Not the Emperor—he would treat him with all the respect he deserved. But the man? The one who had seized control of his fate without so much as a word of warning? That man did not exist tonight.

A flicker of something dark crossed Damian’s golden eyes, but Gabriel turned away before it could settle.

Instead, he turned his attention to Edward.

"Tell me, Edward," Gabriel said, his voice smooth and deliberate, "how is it that Gloria was the one who made my clothes for the evening?"

Edward, who had been watching the exchange in measured silence, arched an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the question. But after a beat, amusement replaced his initial hesitation. "Ah. So you noticed."

Gabriel allowed a small, knowing smile. "It would be an insult to her craftsmanship if I hadn’t."

Edward chuckled, shaking his head. "That woman has too many tricks up her sleeve. She likes challenges, and when I mentioned you, she couldn’t resist. It’s rare to see her so taken with someone’s presence alone."

Gabriel hummed in response, ignoring the way he could feel Damian’s eyes on him. "I guess I should be flattered."

"Oh, you should," Edward replied with a grin. "She was positively giddy about it. "You have become quite the topic of discussion, you know."

Gabriel feigned mild surprise. "Have I?"

Edward laughed again, richer this time, shaking his head. "Don’t play coy, young lord. It doesn’t suit you."

Gabriel leaned slightly toward Edward, his lips curving in mild amusement. "And here I thought you were one of the Emperor’s most devoted servants. Yet here you are, praising another man under his very nose."

Edward chuckled, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, I am devoted, my lord. But let us be honest: His Majesty is rarely this amusing to tease."

Max, who had been swirling the wine in his glass lazily, suddenly straightened, feigning deep betrayal. "Edward," he gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "After all these years, after everything we’ve been through, you cast me aside for Gabriel? Unbelievable."

Edward smirked, taking a slow sip of his own drink. "You say that as if you were ever my favorite."

"I was your favorite," Max shot back. "You practically raised me. I thought we had something special."

Gabriel arched a brow. "Should I be concerned?"

Edward sighed, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "I fear I may have coddled him too much. Look at him, acting as if he’s been wronged when he spent years dodging responsibility at every turn."

Max scoffed, setting down his glass. "I turned out just fine."

Gabriel tilted his head. "You run a company, not an empire."

Max narrowed his eyes. "And you were supposed to be the polite one."

Gabriel merely smiled. "Was I?"

Laughter rippled between them, a warm, effortless sound that sat comfortably in the gap between their words. Gabriel allowed himself to unwind just enough to enjoy it: light conversation, witty banter, an exchange free of the heavy chains of expectation that hung over the rest of the night.

And all the while, Damian was forced to endure it in silence.

The Emperor was seated beside Gabriel, but protocol demanded his attention elsewhere. A steady stream of coming-of-age nobles had gathered near the dais, eager to introduce themselves, their families, and their ambitions. Young men and women, their eyes full of hope and calculated intent, approached with measured bows and well-rehearsed pleasantries, each vying for even a moment of his attention.

It was tedious. Unbearably so.

Damian could not turn away or ignore them without insulting them. He had to listen to their hollow words, their carefully constructed flattery, while Gabriel laughed just beside him.

Not a forced, polite chuckle. Not the cool, detached civility he had wielded all evening. No. A genuine laugh, rich and unguarded, sparked by something Edward had said.

Damian’s grip on his glass tightened slightly.

It was petty. Infuriatingly petty.

And it was working.

His golden eyes flickered toward them more often than he cared to admit, but he maintained a perfectly composed expression. Gabriel never once acknowledged him.

Instead, he leaned into the conversation with Edward, who had always been one of the few people in the palace, unafraid to speak his mind. The old butler was a sharp man, too sharp sometimes, but his admiration for Gabriel was clear. And that irritated Damian more than it should have.

It wasn’t just Edward, either.

Max had effortlessly inserted himself into the conversation, playing up his alleged betrayal for dramatic effect, his smirk equal parts amusement and challenge.

It was casual. Familiar. As if they had all known each other for far longer than a few evenings.

As if Gabriel belonged there.

Damian had spent years making certain that no one got too close, that Gabriel remained separate from court games, and that he was untouchable in the eyes of those who wanted to use him.

And yet, tonight, Damian was the one left out.

He could do nothing as Gabriel continued his deliberate disregard.

Could do nothing as Edward, his own butler, declared Gabriel his new favorite.

Could do nothing as Max, his own brother, grinned at Gabriel like they were longtime friends rather than recent allies.

Could do nothing as the night dragged on, leaving him drowning in meaningless pleasantries while Gabriel basked in effortless, infuriating amusement.

Damian swirled the amber drink in his glass, slow and deliberate, as yet another young noble droned on about their family’s legacy.

Gabriel had won this round.

But the night was far from over.