Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 119 - 114: The Ticking Bomb (4)

Chapter 119: Chapter 114: The Ticking Bomb (4)

The shift from formality to indulgent mingling was abrupt, as if the weight of the ceremony had never settled upon the shoulders of those in attendance. Nobles wasted no time in resuming their conversations, now turning their attention toward more trivial affairs: alliances, rumors, and, most importantly, Gabriel.

Gabriel had hoped for a reprieve after the ceremony, but his newfound prominence made that impossible. He pushed himself from his chair with practiced ease, ignoring the way his limbs protested, and he only took two steps before being stopped.

"Lord von Jaunez," said a silk-clad woman, her smile refined yet piercing, like the edge of a blade. "What an exceptional display of composure tonight. "To stand beside His Majesty in such a manner speaks volumes about your resilience."

Gabriel politely inclined his head, but his exhaustion made it difficult to summon the patience required for such interactions. "You flatter me, Lady Everlyn. The ceremony was a necessity, nothing more."

"Modesty is an admirable trait, but in these halls, it can be misinterpreted as evasion. A man stood just behind Lady Everlyn and added his voice to the conversation. His eyes were evaluating, his smirk knowing, and his demeanor was that of someone who had grown up in court. "The Emperor’s choice in you is no simple matter. Everyone is dying to know more about you."

Gabriel forced himself to maintain a neutral expression, despite the nobles’ thinly veiled curiosity. There was nothing subtle about their intentions. They wanted to measure, dissect, and determine whether he was truly worthy of standing by the Emperor’s side.

"If they are dying for it, then perhaps they should wait until their next lives to satisfy their curiosity," he replied smoothly.

A few of them chuckled at his response, some amused, others taking it as further proof of his sharp tongue. Lady Everlyn arched a delicate brow. "Sharp wit is a dangerous weapon, Lord von Jaunez."

"So I’ve been told," he said. "But I prefer not to dull my edges."

He felt the moment stretch, the weight of eyes upon him growing heavier. Before anyone could press further, a new presence stepped into the conversation.

"Forgive my intrusion, but I believe Lord von Jaunez is in need of some air."

Max’s voice was casual, but the glint in his eyes spoke of mischief. He rested a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder in a gesture that was both possessive and shielding.

Gabriel did not resist the intervention, though he knew Max had other motivations beyond simple concern.

"You’re ever the considerate one, Lord Claymore," Lady Everlyn mused, though there was no real irritation in her tone, only mild amusement. "Perhaps we will have the chance to speak later, Lord von Jaunez."

Gabriel nodded courteously, without any further words of encouragement, and let Max lead him away from the obstinate group of nobles. Only when they reached the outer edges of the ballroom did Gabriel exhale softly.

"You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?" he murmured.

Max smirked. "A little. But I also know you’re about two exchanges away from telling one of them to choke on their own titles."

Gabriel huffed a quiet laugh. "Tempting."

"Come on, you need something other than noble flattery to keep you awake. I think I saw one of the servers sneaking in some stronger drinks."

Gabriel allowed himself to be led away, but not before casting one last glance toward the grand exit, where Damian had long since disappeared. His absence left a noticeable void, one that the nobles were too careful to acknowledge aloud.

The Emperor had left, but his influence remained. And in his place, the court had turned its attention to Gabriel.

The ticking bomb had not yet exploded. But the pressure was rising, and Gabriel knew better than anyone that he was standing at its center.

The cool night air was a welcome relief as Gabriel and Max stepped onto one of the palace’s public balconies. The space was not entirely private, several other guests lingered along the stone railing, engaged in quiet conversations or simply enjoying the view of the sprawling city beyond. The distant hum of carriages and lantern-lit streets provided a soft backdrop to the opulence of the palace grounds.

Max leaned against the balcony with an exaggerated sigh, stretching his arms out and casting a lazy look at Gabriel. "Well, now that we’re free from the vultures, I suppose I should do my duty and pass along some information."

Gabriel arched a brow, unimpressed by Max’s theatrics. "You have news?"

"Not just any news," Max said, his smirk fading into something more serious. He lowered his voice slightly. "Damian’s people have already started investigating what happened with that omega."

Gabriel’s expression didn’t shift, but his fingers curled slightly against the railing. "And?"

Max tilted his head, watching Gabriel carefully. "There was no way she came like that into the palace, not without help. But here’s the part that’s really concerning. There was nothing in the palace using so much ether for her to absorb."

Gabriel inhaled slowly. "Which means?"

Max met his gaze with uncharacteristic sharpness. "Someone sent her to kill either you or Damian. And if they went to the trouble of choosing someone who could absorb ether like that, they knew exactly what they were doing."

Gabriel’s jaw tightened slightly, but he remained outwardly composed. "That’s quite the conclusion."

"It’s the only one that makes sense," Max muttered. "And you know it."

A tense silence stretched between them as the sounds of distant music from the ballroom drifted onto the balcony. Gabriel glanced toward the cityscape, his mind turning over the implications.

If someone had sent the Omega to kill them, then this wasn’t a simple matter of a rogue accident. It was deliberate. Worse, it meant their enemy understood ether manipulation well enough to create an assassin who used it as a weapon.

Damian was already under strain from the night’s events. Would he listen if Gabriel brought this to him now? Or was it better to wait?

Max let out a slow breath and rolled his shoulders. "Whatever you’re thinking, don’t try to deal with this alone. Damian needs to hear it, sooner rather than later."

Gabriel didn’t answer immediately. His gaze remained on the horizon, his mind weighing the risks.

The ticking bomb was no longer just a metaphor.

It was real. And it had already started counting down.