Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 82 - 77: Help (4)

Chapter 82: Chapter 77: Help (4)

Damian walked through the ballroom at a deliberate, leisurely pace. He was flanked by Maximilian, his younger half-brother, who was always composed and at ease; Astana, the stoic figure, casting a calm but intimidating shadow; and Christian, whose youthful enthusiasm was tempered by the grandeur of the evening, adding a touch of life to the otherwise calculated group.

Behind them, the attendants and guards moved with military precision, keeping an eye out. The Emperor was the focal point of the gathering, his mere presence commanding everyone’s respect without a word spoken. His attire was a magnificent deep red robe with intricate black and gold details. His piercing gaze swept across the room, assessing each noble’s reaction.

And then he noticed Gabriel.

Gabriel stood at the edge of the crowd, his dark brown eyes sweeping the room with detached ease. However, Damian’s attention was drawn to something—someone—who stood nearby.

A young woman in a rich crimson gown, her hair flowing down in soft waves, stood far too close to Gabriel. She was laughing at something he said, leaning in with a comfortable familiarity. It was a scene that was both casual and out of character for Gabriel. He was not one for idle conversation with strangers.

Damian’s chest tightened. There did not seem to be a day that went by without him worrying about Gabriel and his entourage. He kept walking until he reached the throne, which stood majestically over the hall.

An attendant stepped forward, clearing his throat before announcing, "Your Excellency, Emperor Damian, we humbly request your presence as the young adults of the realm come forward to give their greetings."

The crowd fell into a reverent hush, all eyes on Damian as he moved into position. The attendants and guards spread out behind him, forming an unyielding wall of authority. Damian’s expression remained unreadable, but his thoughts lingered elsewhere.

The attendant unrolled a scroll and continued, "Lord Alistair Duvall, son of the House of Duvall, will come forward to offer his greetings to His Imperial Majesty."

Alistair stepped forward, his navy and silver attire a striking contrast against the opulent hall. He bowed deeply, offering respectful words before stepping aside.

"Lady Helena Marceau, daughter of the House of Marceau, will come forward to offer her greetings to His Imperial Majesty."

Helena, adorned in emerald green, curtsied with practiced grace, her voice steady as she addressed Damian.

"Lord George Everhart, son of the House of Everhart, will come forward to offer his greetings to His Imperial Majesty."

Julian approached, his demeanor controlled, though his gaze held a flicker of something unreadable as he paid his respects.

The attendant then cleared his throat and continued, "Aylin Sinclair, daughter of the House of Sinclair, will come forward to offer her greetings to His Imperial Majesty."

Murmurs rippled through the hall as Aylin stepped forward, her crimson gown flowing gracefully as she moved. Her posture was perfect, her movements were measured. Damian watched her, his sharp gaze noticing the subtle flicker of her eyes toward Gabriel before she turned her attention to him. It was fleeting, yet undeniable.

She curtsied deeply, her voice smooth and refined as she spoke. "Your Excellency, it is an honor to stand before you."

Damian inclined his head slightly. "Lady Sinclair."

Her smile was poised, yet Damian could sense the underlying ambition beneath her words. It was not her that concerned him, though. His gaze flickered once more toward Gabriel. The casual closeness between him and Aylin had not gone unnoticed. Damian knew she was not a threat to his rule or his plans, yet the feeling gnawed at him. A sensation he refused to name.

The ceremony continued, young nobles stepping forward one by one to offer their greetings, but for Damian, his mind remained ensnared by the image of Gabriel and Aylin standing too close for his liking.

Without shifting his gaze, Damian made a subtle motion with his hand, signaling an attendant to approach. The man stepped forward swiftly, bowing his head as he leaned in to listen. Damian murmured a few words under his breath, his tone unreadable yet firm.

The attendant gave a slight nod before stepping back into place, ensuring that the ceremony proceeded uninterrupted. The young nobles continued their procession, yet Damian’s thoughts remained elsewhere, lingering on an irritation he could not easily dismiss.

—

Gabriel barely reacted when an attendant approached him, stepping just close enough to murmur, "Your presence is requested, my lord. His Majesty wishes to see you on his private balcony."

Gabriel’s gaze shifted to the Emperor, who had not given him a glance since the ceremony began. A private balcony. He was well aware of what this meant. A space designed for intimacy, where prying eyes could see only what Damian allowed them to see. The Emperor was not as patient as he claimed to be two nights ago. Gabriel hoped that they could talk after the Blue Ether Project meeting.

His fingers tensed slightly on the crystal glass filled with amber liquid, but he showed no visible reaction. With a short nod, he turned away from the crowd and slipped through the side of the ballroom as directed. The attendant led him through a discreet corridor, up a flight of steps, and finally to a set of grand doors that opened into the private balcony.

Gabriel stepped onto the balcony, the night air infused with the faint shimmer of ether, a rare and luxurious presence in the capital. It danced in the air, unseen but deeply felt, a luxury only the most powerful could afford. And Damian was powerful.

For a brief moment, as Gabriel inhaled deeply and allowed the ether to settle in his lungs, the weight of the mark on his nape faded. The sensation of invisible chains loosened, and he felt almost liberated. Almost. He leaned against the railing; the ceremony was still going.

Gabriel sighed quietly and sat down in one of the elegantly crafted chairs near the balcony’s edge. The distant hum of the ceremony echoed below, with a rhythmic murmur of voices and applause filtering through the thick air.

The ether in the air was comforting, wrapping around him like a gentle lull. His body, still carrying the exhaustion from the previous days, gradually gave in to it. His eyelids became heavy, and the tension in his shoulders dissipated as he sank deeper into the plush seat.

He eventually drifted off, leaving the world in a quiet haze of warmth and magic.

A light, deliberate touch against his cheek jolted him out of his sleep. The warmth of fingers lingered, contrasting with the cool night air. Gabriel fluttered his lashes, and when his dark eyes opened, they met Damian’s piercing gaze.