Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 108 - 103: Relationship (1)

Chapter 108: Chapter 103: Relationship (1)

Gabriel sat in the Emperor’s study, his gaze fixed on the glowing interface of the desktop computer powered by ether. He skimmed through the reports, the translucent runes flickering faintly across the surface. The numbers and connections should all be in sync. Everything in front of him should make sense. But it didn’t.

He exhaled sharply, his fingers tightening around the stylus as he tapped it on the surface in thought. His previous weeks’ findings had all pointed to a single thread, but there was something off, something missing. The supply routes, resource distribution, and chain of command—one critical link eluded him, preventing him from solidifying his conclusions. Something was really wrong with the ether exploitation site, but he couldn’t figure out what.

Gabriel knew better than to dismiss that feeling. The Ministry of Magic had gaps in its records, and it wasn’t mere incompetence. It was intentional.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, forcing himself to concentrate. The conversation with Damian from last night lingered in his mind, unwanted but persistent. The way the Emperor had answered without hesitation, without pretension. ’I would have chosen me.’ Nothing much happened after that; Damian returned to his chambers and Gabriel tried to sleep. He failed. His thoughts about his family’s decisions and Damian’s plans kept him awake.

A quiet chime from the study’s entrance pulled Gabriel from his thoughts. He turned just as the doors swung open.

Damian entered first, his presence commanding the room without effort. He was still dressed in his military attire, the high-collared dark uniform lined with gold embroidery, the imperial crest prominent on his chest. The crimson cape draped over one shoulder was dusty, as if he had returned from the training grounds or an inspection without pausing. His gloves were off, tucked into his belt, and his movements were stiff, indicating exhaustion, though his expression remained unreadable.

Gabriel studied him not only as Emperor but also as the man beneath the crown. Few people would notice Damian’s fatigue in his posture—an unseen weight carried by someone who could never afford to falter. He had thought of Damian as nothing more than a ruler who wielded power with ease, but now he wondered just how much that control was a necessity rather than a choice. How often had he fought battles no one saw? How many had tried to bend or break him?

And yet, despite the exhaustion, Damian’s presence never wavered. That unshakeable certainty, the way he occupied a room as if surrender were a foreign concept to him, was infuriating. And maybe just a little impressive.

Astana trailed behind him, equally composed but with a sharp glint in his eyes that indicated irritation. He held a stack of reports in his gloved hands and flipped through them with practiced efficiency.

"Leave it on the desk," Damian instructed, his voice low and edged with fatigue.

Astana obeyed without argument, setting the stack down before straightening. He cast Gabriel a brief glance but said nothing. Instead, he turned back to Damian. "Your Majesty, I will see to the royal envoy."

Gabriel’s fingers stilled. ’The envoy?’

Damian let out a quiet, humorless huff. "Let me guess. Princess Anya is stirring trouble again."

Astana nodded. "She is demanding an audience ahead of schedule. It seems she is still fuming over the incident at the ball. She believes her treatment was unjust."

Gabriel frowned, recalling the night with stark clarity. Anya wanted to slap him for being alive, despite the fact that her dreams of becoming Empress, the wife of the deceased Olivier, the former crown prince, had crumbled to dust. She had blamed him and despised him for being there when the future she had envisioned was taken away from her. And it was Damian who had stopped her. He didn’t even have time to think about it and all of that happened barely days ago.

"She should be grateful I didn’t have her thrown out that night," Damian muttered darkly, rubbing his temple. "She is entitled to nothing."

Astana inclined his head. "Shall I stall her again?"

"Let her wait," Damian said dismissively. "She’s not entitled to preferential treatment." Then, after a pause, he added, "Is there anything else planned for tonight beyond the rest of the coming-of-age greetings?"

Astana shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. Nothing beyond the usual proceedings."

Gabriel glanced between them before speaking. "Do I still need to present my greetings on the last night as planned?"

Damian barely hesitated. "Yes. Everything remains the same. We have to stick to the schedule."

Gabriel exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. He wasn’t pleased, but he knew arguing wouldn’t change anything.

Astana nodded once before pivoting toward the doors, leaving Gabriel and Damian alone in the study.

The silence that followed was weighted but not uncomfortable. Damian exhaled and leaned against the edge of his desk, pressing his fingers into his temples. Now that Astana was gone, the Emperor allowed a fraction of his weariness to show.

Gabriel watched him for a moment, then turned back to his own work. The numbers still didn’t add up. He wasn’t sure if that was more frustrating than the fact that he wasn’t surprised to find Damian in this state.

"You look like hell," Gabriel remarked dryly, not looking up from his display.

Damian let out a quiet chuckle. "You should see the other guy."

Gabriel arched a brow, finally meeting his gaze. "Who? The paperwork?"

Damian smirked faintly but didn’t answer. Instead, he reached for the reports Astana had left behind, skimming through them with an absent-minded flick of his fingers. "What are you working on?"

Gabriel tapped the display, shifting the data around. "A logistical inconsistency."

Damian hummed. "How bad?"

Gabriel exhaled. "Enough that I don’t like it."

Damian set the reports aside and approached Gabriel’s desk, standing just behind him to get a better look at the display. Gabriel resisted the urge to tense under his presence. Damian’s scrutiny was sharp, almost unsettling in its precision.

"You’re right," Damian said after a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This isn’t a mistake. It’s deliberate."

Gabriel’s jaw tightened. "That’s what I thought."

Damian leaned in slightly, his golden gaze darkening. "Then let’s find out who’s responsible."