Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 80 - 75: Help (2)

Chapter 80: Chapter 75: Help (2)

Gabriel stood in front of the full-length mirror, the weight of the day ahead pressing down on him like a too-tight suit. He stared at his reflection, the familiar coldness in his eyes revealing the turmoil that raged beneath the surface. The grand ball would mark the third day of celebrations, and with each passing moment, the oppressive weight of expectations grew heavier on him.

He was all too familiar with masks, both the ones he wore on his face and the ones he created around his heart. Today, though, felt different. The anticipation of the ball had already begun to gnaw at him, as had the endless smiles and polite conversation, the cold glances that would come his way, and the whispers that followed every movement.

Gabriel adjusted the cuffs of his robe with practiced ease, concealing a tremor that threatened to reveal the storm raging inside him. His reflection in the polished surface of the hall’s mirror revealed nothing but poise—his sharp features, the dark robes of his family, and that signature smirk that made him appear every bit the composed nobleman. No one would see past the mask today.

"Another day, another ball," he muttered to himself as he walked down the hallways, towards the car. He would arrive at the palace alone today, while the others were making final preparations for his return ball, which was due in a week.

When he arrived at the ballroom, he immediately spotted Anabelle, the one person who always seemed to find her way to his side without fail. She was standing near one of the grand columns, looking like any socialite she had been in her youth, but Gabriel could not help but notice how her gaze seemed to follow him from afar. She was good at reading people—perhaps too good. She traveled to the capital from Ashmont for her daughter’s ceremony; she, a commoner, was going to present her greetings to the Emperor today.

Anabelle was dressed in a blue gown, her hair pinned with shiny jewel pins, a stark contrast to her office attire.

She smiled faintly when she caught his eye, a knowing smile that didn’t reach the depths of her eyes, where a flicker of concern lingered. Gabriel approached her, the noise of the ballroom swelling around him, but the space between them felt strangely quiet, like a bubble where only they existed.

"Gabriel," Anabelle said softly as he stopped beside her, her voice a calm contrast to the frenetic energy of the event. "I almost thought you weren’t going to make it today."

"Unfortunately, the palace attendants were kind enough to remind me that, as a coming-of-age invitee, I must participate in all of the festivities." Gabriel shrugged; the attendants had never expected a young noble like him to miss a day of ball. Being a von Jaunez helped him skip the other day’s party.

"It is like the Emperor does not want me to prepare for the Blue Ether Project meeting." Gabriel said, gazing at the Emperor’s empty balcony, that he has yet to appear.

Anabelle’s gaze followed his, landing on the Emperor’s empty balcony as well. Her expression softened as she read between Gabriel’s words. She knew better than to ask too many direct questions; Gabriel was not one to show his vulnerability. But she could feel his unease in the stiffness in his shoulders and the subtle tension in his jaw.

"Perhaps the Emperor expects you to be well-prepared already," she said with a knowing smile, but her voice was light, almost teasing. She wanted to ease the tension she could feel in him, but Gabriel wasn’t an easy man to soothe. She knew he would appreciate the distraction, even if he did not express it.

Gabriel’s lips quirked up slightly, but there was no humor in it. He shook his head lightly. "If only it were that simple." He scanned the crowd around them, a sea of faces he did not want to acknowledge. His thoughts had been elsewhere all day, on the Blue Ether Project, Callahan’s absence, and the looming presence of Damian and his control over every move.

"Did you find any information about Callahan?" Gabriel asked, trying to concentrate on the matter at hand. He would eventually talk with Damian. He would accept his offer, but that could wait a few more days.

As Lucius stated, he had to reconsider working for von Jaunez; the Empire was now stable, and if he continued to manage the project, people would accuse him of conflict of interest. If he was Damian’s mate and Empress, things would become even more complicated.

Anabelle’s smile faded slightly, and she shifted her weight as if to settle into the quiet space between them. She wasn’t entirely surprised by Gabriel’s question. The tension in his voice had given it away earlier, and now, standing in the vast, glittering ballroom, it seemed that the weight of everything was slowly catching up to him.

"I have not heard anything, Gabriel," she stated quietly but firmly. "Callahan’s message has not been returned, and no one knows where he is." Her eyes darkened with concern, but she took care not to let it show. She knew Gabriel hated showing weakness, especially in this situation, but that did not stop her from feeling the unease that had been building between them.

She returned her gaze to the Emperor’s empty balcony, where Gabriel had been staring only moments before. The Emperor’s absence was unusual; everyone knew Damian was never late, especially for a grand ball. The Emperor’s delayed arrival appeared to reflect the uncertainty in the air.

"You do not need to worry about it yet," Anabelle said, her tone soft but insistent, attempting to maintain his attention. "You have your hands full with the Blue Ether Project, and I am sure Callahan will show up when he is available. Perhaps he is just caught up in something unexpected. Her voice had a reassuring undertone, but it was clear that she was not fully convinced by her own words.

Gabriel nodded, his thoughts still focused on Callahan’s absence. He wanted to dismiss it, to tell himself that everything would work out as it always did, but something about this situation felt different. The missing pieces were about more than just the project; they were about power, politics, and the fine line he was constantly walking.

He sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he adjusted his stance. He forced himself to meet Anabelle’s gaze, despite the flicker of hesitation in his eyes—something unspoken that she had picked up on previously.

"You are right, of course," Gabriel replied, his voice still restless. "But this doesn’t feel like something we can simply wait out. With Callahan missing and everything going on at the palace, I can not shake the feeling that something is brewing beneath the surface."

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