Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince

After breakfast, Amelie knocked gently on Zilia's door.

"Zilia? You didn't come down for breakfast. Is everything alright?" Her voice carried a soft concern.

After a brief pause, the door opened. Zilia stood there, looking fine but faintly tired.

"I went to see Idris early this morning, before his classes started. I told Albus. Didn't he tell you?"

Amelie shook her head slightly.

"No. I didn't actually ask anyone. I just assumed you were still asleep. And… no one mentioned you at the breakfast table."

"Maybe because no one really wants me around," Zilia said with a faint chuckle that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Don't say that," Amelie countered gently. "Perhaps the others already knew where you'd gone, but I didn't. That's all." She offered a reassuring smile. "You should eat something now. I'll have a maid bring breakfast to your room."

"Thank you, Amelie." Zilia's voice softened. "You're always so kind… even to someone like me."

"Well, you are part of this family," Amelie reminded her. "And you're Brother Casaio's mate. I remember when we first met, you carried yourself with such confidence. I admired that about you. I hope I'll see Zilia again soon."

"I think that Zilia disappeared after everything she's been through," Amelie said softly.

"Amelie, what are you doing here? I was looking for you in our room," Gabriel's voice called from the hallway as he approached. "The new room is ready for us. Now you won't have to climb so many stairs."

"That's good," Amelie replied with a faint smile. "It's getting harder for me to go up and down lately."

"I need to head out with Karmen and Denzel," Gabriel said. "Come on, I'll walk you to our room first."

"Umm… I'll stay with Zilia for a while. There's something I want to talk to her about. You can go ahead." She paused. "By the way, won't Brother Nick be going with you?"

"Nick will be joining us. So, the three ladies will have the house to themselves," Gabriel replied.

"I should take my leave. You must stay indoors. Carlos and Casaio will be back at any hour today. By then, we'll probably have returned as well," Gabriel said.

"Hm. Go," Amelie replied.

Gabriel gave her a brief nod before walking away.

Just then, Juniper entered carrying a tray. "Zilia, I brought breakfast for you," she announced.

Zilia quickly stepped toward her, reaching for the tray, but Juniper shifted it away with a small shake of her head. "It's not heavy," she murmured, walking past her.

Zilia linked her arm through Amelie's and walked inside with her.

As Zilia quietly ate her breakfast, Juniper turned her attention to Amelie.

"Hopefully, by today, things will get better. I was so excited about my wedding," Juniper said with a faint sigh.

" I-I'm sorry," Amelie replied. "I didn't mean to halt your preparations like this."

"It began with me," Zilia said, glancing at Juniper. "I caused the delay in your and Dominick's wedding. But I believe the palace must have already started the preparations."

"Yes, they've begun," Juniper confirmed. "And I'm not blaming anyone, so please, don't take it to heart."

Zilia returned to her meal, falling silent as the conversation between the other two women continued.

"I spoke to the Queen earlier," Juniper shared with Amelie. "She sounded… low. Did Gabriel and she fight again?"

"I don't know," Amelie replied.

"The Queen never seemed so fragile before, not even over calls. I think Gabriel must have been harsher this time. Sometimes, we can't understand our own parents."

Amelie's tone cooled. "I think the Queen destroyed their relationship fully aware of the consequences."

Juniper's gaze lingered on her, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

"I heard your relationship with your parents wasn't good either," Juniper said. "Maybe that's why your views differ from mine."

"I once believed the Queen was truly concerned for Gabriel," Amelie replied. "I even tried to mend their relationship. But in the end, she chose to eliminate me from the picture. Gabriel's anger toward her isn't the result of just one incident, it's been building from many."

"That's also true. I hope that by the wedding day, everything turns out well. Such a big celebration will not be enjoyed if bitterness persists," Juniper murmured.

Amelie didn't reply since she herself wasn't sure how Gabriel would end the differences with his mother.

~~~~

"Are you certain this den could be Ophelia's hideout?" Dominick asked, his gaze fixed on the tablet screen where a single red dot pulsed steadily.

"Yes," Gabriel replied without hesitation. "Karmen's intel has never failed me."

From the driver's seat, Karmen allowed himself a small, confident smile. "Prince Dominick, it took me two nights to verify this location. It lies deep in the most treacherous hills of the kingdom, where even seasoned travelers can lose their way. They say the place disorients your very senses. Ophelia didn't choose it by chance, she planned this hideout with careful planning."

"Then how did she get to Flora?" Dominick asked, his eyes narrowing on Gabriel.

"Given how ancient she is, she may have the ability to teleport," Gabriel replied.

Dominick frowned. "If that forest truly robs people of their senses, how are we supposed to capture Ophelia? She could easily use its unique properties against us."

"You're forgetting," Gabriel said with a faint smirk, "we've come prepared." He shifted his gaze to the seat beside Karmen. "Denzel, did you bring the pills?"

"Yes." Denzel took out the small bottle with pills. He turned and handed it to Gabriel.

"Each of us will take a pill before entering that forest. We only have to confirm with our eyes that Ophelia is there. We won't attack now," Gabriel stated.

"And what if she attacks us?" Dominick inquired.

"We will disappear," Gabriel replied.

"She's after your life... And Amelie's too. We were supposed to not let her know," Denzel argued.

"Yes. But after she met Flora, insisted on her to wear the locket, I contemplated. She already knows we are after her," Gabriel pronounced. "And to end her game, I've to invite her on the same field on which I'm standing."