Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 69 - 64: Family Business (1)

Chapter 69: Chapter 64: Family Business (1)

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the halls of the von Jaunez manor, mingling with the crisp morning air that filtered through the tall windows. Sunlight filtered through the delicate lace curtains, creating intricate patterns on the polished wooden floors. At first glance, it appeared to be peaceful.

Gabriel knew better.

His family was waiting.

Seated at the breakfast table, he let the warmth of his coffee seep into his hands, delaying the inevitable. He could already feel the weight of their stares, the unspoken questions pressing against him. He did not need to look up to know that Theo was keeping a close eye on him, or that Alexandra had probably already devised half a dozen theories about his encounter with the Emperor.

It was only a matter of time before someone broke the silence.

"Well?" Charles finally asked, setting down his cup with a deliberate clink. His sharp blue eyes locked onto Gabriel’s face. "Are you going to tell us, or should we start making our own assumptions?"

Gabriel took a slow sip of his coffee, enjoying the moment, before responding. "You have already made assumptions, Charles. Why ruin your fun?"

Across the table, Alexandra exhaled in exasperation. "Gabriel." His parents seemed unaware of Anya’s attempt to slap him, so his siblings let him say it.

He leaned back slightly, exhaling through his nose. "The Princess of Paisian attempted to slap me."

Lucius let out a low whistle. "And I am guessing the Emperor stepped in?"

Gabriel gave a slow nod.

Elowen frowned. "Why? What was she so angry about?"

Gabriel hesitated for the briefest moment. "She brought up the past."

That was all he needed to say.

Alexandra’s expression flickered, but she did not ask for more information. Instead, she narrowed her eyes. "After stopping her, Damian took you away."

Gabriel’s fingers curled slightly against the edge of the table. "Yes."

Theo scoffed. "Took is the right word. He held you like—" he stopped himself, running a hand through his hair. "Gabriel, do you know what people are saying?"

Gabriel’s jaw tightened. Of course he did. He had heard the whispers in the hall before they even left, and he could feel the lingering gazes as Damian led him out.

It hadn’t just been an intervention.

It had been a claim.

He set his cup down with a quiet clink and met Theo’s gaze, unwavering. "It doesn’t matter what people say."

"Doesn’t it?" Charles asked, voice even but sharp. "You know what the court is like. If the Emperor makes a move, people listen. If he just suggests something, it becomes a reality. And last night—" he leaned forward slightly, "—he did more than just suggest."

Gabriel remained silent.

Because Charles was right.

Damian had done more than simply stop Anya. He had steered the narrative and leaving no room for interpretation. He had put his hand around Gabriel’s waist, held him close, and made it abundantly clear to the nobility that Gabriel was his.

And the worst part?

It wasn’t something Gabriel could stop.

It wasn’t a matter of letting Damian do anything.

He was the Emperor.

If Damian wanted to declare something, he could. If he wanted to shift power in his favor, no one could oppose him.

And now he had turned his attention to Gabriel.

Alexandra was still watching him closely. "Gabriel," she said, quieter now, "what did he say to you?"

Gabriel hesitated.

He inhaled deeply, fingers tightening slightly against the porcelain of his cup. "Nothing that concerns you."

Lucius let out a humorous chuckle. "Oh, that’s rich. Because it sure as hell concerns the entire Empire." His father never sweared; he was worried and mad at Damian’s actions.

Gabriel sighed, setting his coffee cup down with a soft clink against the saucer. "Fine," he relented, his gaze sweeping across the expectant faces of his siblings. "Damian said he can break the magical contract."

Silence fell over the room.

Elowen’s breath caught, her black eyes widening in astonishment. "Break it?" she echoed. "You mean completely?"

Gabriel shrugged. "It seems like it. More specifically, he told me that royal blood can break it, but I don’t know what it means. He gave me time to decide if I wanted his help or if things would remain the same." He was tired of hiding things from his family and fighting alone, and now that his trusted ally, George Claymore, was ignoring him, he needed to return to his family.

He did not like it; they should be safe from all of his problems, but now that Damian had his sights set on him, things became much more complicated.

Charles leaned back in his chair, the intensity of the conversation settling in. His piercing black eyes never left Gabriel as he pondered the implications of what was being said. "So, he wants to... what? Free you from the contract?"

Gabriel nodded slowly, feeling the weight of those words in the air. He understood what this meant and how much it could disrupt the delicate balance on the court. "If I choose his offer, yes. But there’s more to it."

Alexandra’s eyes shifted to the table, her hands folded neatly in front of her. "And what price would this come with?" Her tone was cautious, but there was an edge to it, as if she knew the answer already.

Gabriel hesitated. "He... wants me as his mate. He was kind enough to give me time to think about it." Gabriel commented sarcastically.

"His mate?" Theo’s voice was low, disbelieving. "Damian actually said that?"

Gabriel nodded, his expression betraying nothing. "He did. And I don’t think he’s joking." His voice was sarcastic, but his eyes revealed the depth of his conflict.

"Of course it does," Theo muttered under his breath, his eyes filled with rage. "Nothing with Damian is ever simple. He noticed Damian staring at Gabriel all night at the ball, like an alpha watching his mate. He knew it, but he hoped Damian would not act on it. He was wrong.