Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 90 - 85: The only one (1)

Chapter 90: Chapter 85: The only one (1)

Damian’s voice was a low growl, echoing the raw power that was now holding Charles in place. "You think you can touch me? You misunderstand, Charles. I don’t have to lay a finger on you to control this situation."

Charles struggled against the invisible force, his body stiff in defiance. His heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to let the fear show. "This isn’t over, Damian. I won’t let you tear Gabriel apart just to keep him under your control." His words were strained, but he held his ground, even in the face of Damian’s overwhelming presence.

Damian’s lips curled into a thin smile with no warmth. "You won’t stop me. No one will. The only thing you can do now is accept the inevitable." He waved his hand dismissively, and Charles was free of the invisible grip, slumping against the wall as he tried to catch his breath.

"Gabriel is mine, Charles," Damian said quietly, his golden eyes burning with finality. "No matter what you do, how many guards you send, or the threats you make, nothing will change that. He’s chosen, and so have I."

Charles pushed himself off the wall, fists still clenched, and met Damian’s gaze, his voice quieter and tinged with resignation. "I hope you remember that when everything crashes down, Damian. You can’t control everything, no matter how hard you try."

Damian didn’t respond immediately. He simply stared at Charles for a moment, as if weighing the significance of his words. Then he slowly nodded, as if agreeing with some unspoken truth.

"I’ll keep that in mind," Damian replied, his tone smooth but carrying an underlying promise of authority. "But as for Gabriel, we will see how things turn out. You’re free to try, Charles. But remember, Gabriel is no longer your responsibility. "Not in the way you want him to be."

Charles stood there for a moment longer, his mind racing with frustration and concern, before turning and walking away, his eyes still simmering with unspoken anger. He knew the battle was far from over, but in that moment, it felt like he had lost more than just the argument.

Damian watched Charles leave the chamber, but before he could fully retreat, a wicked smirk formed on his lips. He let the silence between them last for a beat, watching Charles stiffen as the door nearly closed. Damian spoke with a slow drawl, his voice smooth and sharp.

"Someone should check on those guards," he said casually, his golden eyes gleaming with a predatory light. "They won’t just get up and walk off on their own, Charles. The palace doesn’t clean up its own messes. I am sure you are used to that by now."

Charles froze in his tracks, slowly turning back, his jaw clenching as he processed Damian’s subtle threat. He was no fool. "The guards are fine," he said firmly, his eyes narrowing in defiance. "They’re already back on their feet."

Damian’s expression changed, his lips curling with dark amusement. He stood and moved closer to Charles, the space between them charged with tension. "How strange," he murmured. "I thought you were the one who caused them to fall, Charles. A shame, isn’t it? You should know better than to cause a scene, especially with such serious consequences."

Charles’ heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively stepped back, realizing the gravity of the situation. Damian wielded power over everything, including everyone who passed through the palace’s halls. And now he had a hold on Charles, whether he liked it or not.

"Do you really want to take that route, Damian?" Charles’ tone was cold, but the uncertainty beneath it was palpable. He did not want to admit it, but he was terrified of what Damian would say next.

Damian’s eyes gleamed dangerously, and a soft chuckle escaped his mouth. "I’m surprised you’re still so oblivious. I would have thought a man of your... stature... would understand the consequences of intruding too deeply into my domain." His gaze sharpened, and malice ran through his words. "If you truly want to protect Gabriel, you must stop wasting time with meaningless gestures. After all, I could have someone remind him of the truth... about his brother. The truth about his loyalty. I am sure he does not want you executed for treason. I wonder, though, would that change his feelings?"

Charles’ fists clenched again, but his mind raced. The sheer gravity of the situation pressed down on him, and he knew Damian wasn’t bluffing. The man was ruthless and calculated, willing to go to any length to break him. He didn’t want to admit it, but the threat hung like a weight around his neck.

"I am not going to let you blackmail me," Charles said through gritted teeth, aware of the hollow sound of his words. He was not in control here, and had not been for a while.

Damian tilted his head slightly, enjoying the moment. "Oh, I’m not blackmailing you, Charles. I’m giving you a choice. Protect your brother, continue playing the noble knight, or fall into the trap I have carefully laid. You are not as powerful as you think. You never were."

Charles didn’t respond immediately. His chest rose and fell with deep breaths, the weight of Damian’s words crashing against him. Everything was clear now. Damian had let him into the palace not to have a conversation or to solve anything, but to break him, to wear him down. And now he is using his own brother as leverage.

With a final look at the guards, who were already on their feet, Charles took a deep breath, his eyes burning with frustration and helplessness. "You’re playing a dangerous game, Damian. But I won’t let you destroy my family."

Damian’s smirk widened. "You don’t have the power to stop me, Charles. "What will you do when you realize that?"

The tension in the room lingered for a moment, but Damian returned to his seat without saying anything, casually resuming his drink as if the entire confrontation had been a minor incident. He knew Charles would not fold just yet, but he would soon. Damian always got what he wanted.