Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 112 - 107: Gabriel’s Revenge (1)

Chapter 112: Chapter 107: Gabriel’s Revenge (1)

Gabriel navigated through the grand hall, weaving through the waves of silk and tailored suits until he reached the Emperor. Damian stood near the elevated dais, a glass of untouched wine in his hand as he surveyed the room. His expression was composed, but his golden eyes flickered with something sharper, something watchful.

"You called, Your Majesty?" Gabriel received his greeting with an arched brow and a dry tone.

Damian’s lips curved slightly. "I did. You’re done entertaining court gossip for tonight. I’d rather you keep me company now that the formalities are over."

Gabriel exhaled through his nose, catching a whiff of amusement in Damian’s words. "How fortunate for me," he murmured as he moved closer.

As he sat down beside Damian, his gaze swept across the hall and landed on Christian. The prince stood among the nobility, his usual calm demeanor intact, but Gabriel noticed that his smile did not quite reach his eyes. Christian was mad. Damian knew it too, judging by the slight deepening of his smirk.

Gabriel turned slightly, his dark eyes filled with curiosity. "Did you have the same eyes as Christian before you were Emperor?"

Damian’s smirk faltered for a split second before he responded with a more measured tone. "Yes. It’s a mark of the Lyon lineage. All direct heirs are born with gray eyes."

Gabriel tilted his head slightly as he studied him. "So what changed?"

Damian exhaled, swirling the wine in his glass absentmindedly. "The ceremony changed many things." His golden gaze flickered, as if he were recalling something distant, something heavy. "Not just my eyes. But I doubt you would find the details interesting."

Gabriel’s fingers tapped lightly against his own glass. "That depends. How dramatic are we talking?" He paused for a moment before shifting gears, his gaze moving to Christian. "Speaking of drama, you enjoy seeing him like that, don’t you?"

Damian chuckled. "He is always entertaining when he acts like this. I assume Anya was the cause."

Gabriel nodded. "She brought up Rosaline and the rumors."

Damian’s smirk vanished, replaced by a flicker of irritation. He turned to Gabriel, his golden eyes narrowing. "And you heard this from her?"

Gabriel shrugged. "She seemed eager to share. I assumed you already knew."

Damian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course, it was Anya." He exhaled slowly and returned his attention to Gabriel. "The palace has a strict policy regarding my ruts. It’s necessary. There is an omega contracted for a maximum of three months, nothing more."

Gabriel remained silent, waiting.

Damian continued, his tone tinged with disdain. "Rosaline was by my side only once. She thought she could get more than what was agreed upon by claiming a pregnancy. It was a pitiful attempt to get something more than what she was promised."

Gabriel cocked his head slightly. "And yet, you allowed her to stay."

Damian’s gaze turned cold. "Only to prove that her claims are false. If I had disposed of her outright, the rumors would have never died. Now she has nothing to stand on."

Gabriel hummed thoughtfully while observing Damian’s expression. The Emperor was clearly annoyed, but there was no hesitation in his words.

’He is telling the truth and is annoyed that the rumors have reached my ears.’

"So, you never intended to keep her," Gabriel mused.

Damian scoffed. "She was a contract, nothing more. Unlike some, I do not entertain delusions."

Gabriel smirked, shaking his head slightly. Then, an idea took root, a slow and wicked thought forming in his mind. This was too perfect. Damian had enjoyed making him squirm for the past few days; perhaps it was time to reciprocate.

"So," Gabriel started, his tone deceptively casual. "Do you have a system in place to deal with ruts? A strict procedure? How very organized of you, Your Majesty. I imagine there must be a variety of rules. Regulations. Perhaps there is a ledger somewhere?"

Damian’s gaze snapped to him, golden eyes narrowing. "Don’t start."

’Oh, no, no, I am not backing down. ’This is too funny.

Gabriel simply tilted his head, pretending innocence. "I’m just curious. After all, I’m your mate now, am I not? Should I start studying palace protocols to see where I fit in? Or should I be concerned about a sudden contract renewal?"

Damian exhaled through his nose, clearly unamused. "You find this funny. Usually, Edward handles the selection process. I only ever chose one person myself." He looked at Gabriel, his golden eyes filled with something unreadable.

"Oh, I find it fascinating." Gabriel’s smirk widened, seamlessly carrying the teasing tone from before. "First, you tell me there’s a strict process, then that Edward handles the selection. And now you’re telling me you only ever made one choice yourself? My, my, what a complicated system." He pretended to be curious, tilting his head and deliberately ignoring Damian’s words meaning. He wasn’t about to let Damian have that victory. No, he wanted to have as much fun as possible.

"So tell me, Your Majesty, do they send out invitations? ’Congratulations, you have been chosen for the Emperor’s quarterly rut schedule; please sign below.’ Or is there an audition process?"

Damian’s jaw tightened. "Gabriel."

Gabriel hummed, enjoying himself far too much to stop now. "Or perhaps you prefer a more discreet selection process? A private interview, perhaps?" He cast an admiring glance over Damian, his grin widening. "I imagine there must be quite the demand."

Damian tightened his grip on his glass, and for the first time tonight, Gabriel noticed a faint hint of color rise to his ears.

Success.

"If you are finished," Damian said bluntly, "I can always reassign you to the Ministry’s archives. I’m sure you’d find plenty of entertainment there."

Gabriel laughed under his breath, leaning in slightly as if he had just uncovered something priceless. "Ah, so you do make choices after all. And here I thought you had left everything to your beloved Edward. I wonder, should I feel honored? Or should I start worrying about the selection criteria?"

Damian sighed, but there was a flicker of reluctant amusement in his gaze. "Enjoy it while you can, Gabriel. I won’t forget this."

Gabriel’s smirk didn’t waver. "I’m counting on it."

Damian let out a short laugh. "A wise choice."