"Sister Amelie! Noah!" Idris called out, his voice echoing through the corridor as he hurried to catch up with them.
Amelie halted, and Ashna followed suit, both turning to see the young boy running toward them. Idris arrived slightly out of breath, offering a quick, respectful greeting to Amelie and a nod to Ashna. His eyes immediately went to Noah in Amelie’s arms whose eyes reflected a striking, deep blue.
"How are you, little one? Do you remember me? I’m Idris!" He could barely contain his excitement.
However, Noah wasn’t in the mood for play. His face remained contorted with distress, and instead of responding to Idris’s enthusiastic greeting, he simply looked away, burying his face into Amelie’s chest and gripping her chain tighter.
"Oh. What happened to Noah? Is he upset?" Idris asked, his smile faltering as he looked up at Amelie for an explanation.
"Yes, he is, because his father isn’t around," Amelie replied softly, her hand stroking Noah’s back to soothe him. "He’s been restless for a while. He can sense the tension in the palace, and he won’t settle until he sees Gabriel."
"Oh. The prince is in the common hall. Sister Zilia told me. I was heading there too," Idris stated, his eyes brightening at the prospect of a full gathering.
"What are you three doing here?" Gabriel’s voice suddenly echoed through the corridor. The three of them turned to see Gabriel standing a few paces away. The intensity he had shown during his argument with Dominick and Casaio had vanished the moment he laid eyes on his family.
Amelie felt relieved, while Noah reacted instantly. His little head snapped in his father’s direction, his hand letting go of Amelie’s chain to reach out.
Gabriel stepped forward and took the boy from Amelie. His large hand secured Noah in a protective embrace, and the child’s cheek rested comfortably against his father’s chest. The muffled cries stopped at once; Noah finally felt the grounding presence he had been searching for.
"Sorry, I was caught up with work," Gabriel said softly, his eyes searching Amelie’s for forgiveness. He then glanced at Idris, his tone becoming protective. "Stay in the palace all the time. Don’t go wandering past the inner gates."
Idris nodded quickly.
"We are heading back to our chamber. You should go to yours as well," Gabriel suggested.
"I wanted to see Prince Casaio," Idris said, glancing toward the hall.
"He’s in the common hall," Gabriel answered shortly. "We leave first, then." He reached out and took Amelie’s hand, and began leading them back toward the private wing while Ashna followed closely behind.
~~~~~
"What’s this?" Sage asked, holding up the intricate, beaded bracelet and examining it under the light.


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