Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 98 - 93: The butler’s favorite (1)

Chapter 98: Chapter 93: The butler’s favorite (1)

Gabriel exhaled sharply and placed his hands on the smooth surface of the ether-powered terminal. The faint glow of runic circuits pulsed beneath his fingertips, and the screen before him was filled with documents and data streams that required his attention. However, his thoughts were elsewhere, entangled in the web of circumstances that had brought him here, in Damian’s grasp far sooner than he could have imagined.

The study was grand, with bookshelves lining the walls, but it also had the latest in ether technology, floating data spheres, an automated transcription unit humming quietly in the corner, and a large console built seamlessly into the desktop. The faint hum of the ether-core generator echoed throughout the room but did little to ground him. His fingers hovered over the illuminated keyboard before he gave up and sat back in his chair, frustrated.

Damian had left him here alone, expecting him to work and concentrate, but his mind refused to cooperate. He was not a fool; he was aware of how his family perceived the situation. They had expected him to be more patient and negotiate his position more carefully. Now, the reality was unavoidable: he had been dragged into the Emperor’s orbit faster than anyone had predicted.

He sighed and stood, rolling his shoulders before heading to the door. He didn’t have the patience to sit idle, waiting for his thoughts to calm down when they clearly refused to. He opened the heavy wooden door, meeting Charles’ familiar gaze from outside.

Charles straightened slightly at the sight of him. "My lord?"

"Come in," Gabriel said simply, stepping aside to allow his brother in before closing the door behind him.

Charles paused only briefly before complying, his movements precise and measured, as they had always been. His sharp blue eyes swept across the study and the idle terminal before returning to Gabriel. "You called?"

Gabriel crossed his arms, leaning against the desk. "How did the family react?" he asked, he had to know before meeting them. Charles was the easiest to deal with. "I doubt they took the news of my being in Damian’s grasp with grace."

Charles let out a breath, his expression unreadable. "As you’d expect," he said. "Lucius is satisfied. Mother is quiet, but you know her; her silence is never a good thing. Alexandra..." He paused, considering his words. "She was displeased, but she is keeping her feelings to herself for now. Theo was absent, so I have no idea."

Gabriel let out a dry chuckle. "I’m sure she is."

Charles’s gaze sharpened, but instead of his usual reprimand, he sighed. "Still... they said you finally took the right decision."

Gabriel blinked, surprised. He narrowed his eyes. "Did they, now?"

"They did," Charles confirmed. He exhaled deeply, running his hand through his hair. "Gabriel... I need to be honest with you." His voice lowered. "You had every reason to doubt them in Ashmont. You are right not to trust me either."

Gabriel’s expression darkened slightly, but then his lips quirked into something that resembled a smirk. "And here I thought you’d tell me something shocking. Next, you will say that fire is hot or that Damian enjoys watching me squirm."

Charles didn’t laugh. "Gabriel—"

"Relax, Charles," Gabriel interrupted, his tone light, almost playful. "I knew what everyone wanted from me, but I did not expect you to fall into Damian’s trap so quickly." He made a dramatic gesture, placing his hand on his heart. "I’m devastated. Truly."

Charles’s jaw tensed. "Gabriel."

Gabriel sighed and returned to the desk, tracing a finger along its surface. "I get it," he murmured. "You have your orders. I have mine."

He leaned against the desk, tilting his head with a sharp, knowing smile. "But let’s be honest, brother. You wouldn’t have warned me if you truly meant to be a puppet, now, would you?"

Charles exhaled, rubbing his temples. "You are irritating."

"I try," Gabriel said softly, but his mind was racing beneath his words.

The weight of Charles’ warning lingered, despite his attempts to dismiss it with wit and sarcasm. Nobody was to be trusted, not his family, the court, or even Damian. But for the time being, he has decided to trust the former.

Silence stretched between them, but it was not uncomfortable. Just the calm before the next storm.

A knock at the door broke the silence. Gabriel turned his head slightly, keeping his expression composed even as his fingers tightened against the desk’s edge.

Edward stepped inside with his usual air of quiet efficiency, but there was something else about him, measured, almost cautious. His sharp brown eyes immediately found Gabriel, his expression was softer than usual, but not enough to be noticeable to anyone other than those who knew him well.

Gabriel arched a brow. "Edward," he greeted lazily, pushing himself off the desk. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Edward inclined his head slightly. "His Majesty expects you to prepare for the ball. Your bath is ready, and I have brought your attire."

Gabriel smirked, tilting his head. "My, how efficient. Do you escort all imperial captives to their baths, or am I just lucky?"

Charles, who had been lingering in the room, took a quiet breath but said nothing.

Edward responded with a light, unforced chuckle rather than his usual dry one. "You are hardly a captive, my lord."

Gabriel’s grin widened, but before he could add another teasing remark, Charles interrupted with an unreadable expression. "That’s interesting," he muttered.

Gabriel turned to him, brows lifting. "What is?"

Charles didn’t immediately answer. His gaze lingered on Edward, keen, assessing, before returning to Gabriel. "Do you realize this is preferential treatment?"

Gabriel blinked. "Is it?" His tone was light, dismissive, but the question was genuine.

Charles let out a quiet scoff. "You’ve been in the capital too long to be this blind."

Edward, to his credit, showed no reaction. Instead, he gave Charles a look that was neither confirming nor denying, but rather waiting.

Gabriel exhaled through his nose, amusedly shaking his head. "I’m afraid you’ll have to enlighten me, dear brother."

Charles folded his arms. "Edward doesn’t bother with anyone outside of Damian and Max. He does his job well, but he doesn’t linger. He certainly doesn’t engage in casual conversation." His sharp eyes shifted to Edward, waiting for a reaction. "Yet here he is, humoring you."

Gabriel’s lips twitched. "And here I thought I was simply charming."