Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince-Chapter 206: That ends now, Lester

The next morning, Casaio awoke later than usual. He sat up in bed, resting his head against the headboard as a dull ache throbbed behind his eyes.

Flashes of the previous night replayed in his mind, his drunken rambling in front of Gabriel, and a wry laugh slipped from his lips.

"I really do act like a fool at night," he muttered under his breath.

A knock sounded at the door, drawing his attention. He straightened slightly as the door opened and Lester stepped in, bowing respectfully.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Lester greeted. "Your mother has sent a special tea for you." He signaled to the servant behind him, who quietly entered and set a tray on the bedside table.

As the servant discreetly stepped out, Lester’s eyes scanned the room with his usual thoroughness. He saw only a single bottle of alcohol stood on the table near the sofa. It was a small improvement, but Lester noted it all the same.

Casaio took the cup in hand and brought it to his lips. The tea was bitter, leaving a faintly herbal aftertaste, but still tolerable.

"I didn’t drink more than a bottle last night," Casaio said casually, his eyes flickering to Lester. It was both a confession and a preemptive defense because Lester’s scrutinizing gaze was traveling all around the room. "I know Mom has put you into this work. But you don’t need to report her everything."

"Your Highness, keeping an eye on your well-being is a part of my duty," Lester affirmed.

"Your Highness, keeping an eye on your well-being is part of my duty," Lester said calmly.

"No, it’s not," Casaio countered, rising from the bed. He finished the rest of the tea and placed the cup back on the tray. "You’ve been reporting to my mother and making her worry even more. I hope that ends now, Lester."

Lester gave a respectful nod. "I understood, Your Highness." He turned to the servant and gestured for her to take the tray. The two bowed silently before exiting the room.

Casaio reached for the silk robe draped over the chair beside his bed and slipped it on. As he made his way toward the balcony, he grabbed his phone from the table.

Scrolling through his contacts, he paused at Zilia’s number and called her.

To his surprise, she answered on the first ring.

"Casaio," she said, "I was waiting for your call. I have something important to tell you. Last night, I got a call from someone in the Blood Dominion. He was asking about Berik."

Casaio’s brows furrowed. "Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

"It was well past midnight," Zilia replied. "I didn’t want to disturb your sleep. Besides, you’ve made it clear I’m not to call you. You said you’d reach out when needed."

"Estelle will meet you," Casaio said curtly. "Tell her everything. And you’d better not lie."

Without waiting for a response, he ended the call.

Rubbing his forehead with the edge of his phone, he sneered and lowered his hand a moment later. Looking at the green view from his balcony, he felt a little calm.

~~~~~

Gabriel absently ran his fingers along the edge of his ring, his thoughts far removed from the conversation. His mother’s voice reached his ears, but her words barely registered.

"Gabriel, are you even listening to me?" Mabel asked.

He blinked, lifting his gaze to her face. "No... Sorry, what did you say, Mom?" he replied, clearly not interested in the conversation.

Mabel sighed, shaking her head. "I said, you should seriously consider supporting Casaio. He needs someone dependable by his side, even in matters of work. I know you’re eager to leave for San Ravendale, but that place isn’t your home, Gabriel."

She paused, watching his expression carefully before continuing. "Dominick isn’t capable of handling Casaio the way you can. And I’ve decided, I won’t force any marriage proposal on your brother anymore. And if you stay here, even Amelie can get a better care in her pregnancy state."

"Casaio doesn’t want support," Gabriel said. "You’re worrying too much about him. And as for this place, it was never home to me. And that’s because of you."

Mabel’s eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at her son, unmoved by his pointed tone.

"Let Casaio fight his own battles," Gabriel continued, rising to his feet. "I helped him when he needed it. But you worry excessively sometimes, and then at other times, you don’t care at all."

He paused before leaving, glancing at her one last time. "I don’t know why you told Amelie about the mark. But if this is part of some plan against us, I’m asking you to stop."

"She deserved to know what she’s walking into," Mabel said without flinching. "Hasn’t she told you about the dream she’s been having?"

"She told me everything," Gabriel replied smoothly, though it wasn’t the full truth. Amelie had never mentioned talking about the dream with his mother, but he wasn’t about to let Mabel wedge herself between them.

With that, Gabriel simply walked away.

Just then, Raidan entered the room. He offered a quick bow to his mother but didn’t pause.

"Why does he look upset? Did you two argue again?"

"We didn’t argue," Mabel replied, rising to her feet. "Gabriel is just hot-headed, as always." She brushed her hands along her skirt before adding, "His Majesty reviewed all the preparations himself. Was he satisfied?" freewebnoveℓ.com

"Yes," Raidan replied with a slight nod. "I also met Zilia’s brother, Idris."

"And?" Mabel asked, her brows arching with mild interest.

"The boy seems innocent to me," Raidan said, finally taking a seat.

Mabel poured a glass of water and handed it to him. "Idris is the brother of a spy," she said, settling into her own chair. "He’s twelve, a perfectly capable age for a young wolf to understand the world and his surroundings."

"You’re right," Raidan admitted. "But the boy was practically a captive in his own home. No freedom, no exposure to the outside world. And Idris startles easily. I’ve been watching him closely."

"The Alpha King is too soft-hearted," Mabel murmured under her breath.

"When it comes to children, I tend to be," Raidan said with a small sigh. "Zilia did everything she could to protect her brother. After speaking with Idris... I could feel how difficult their lives have been."

Mabel gave a slow nod, then asked, "So, what’s on His Majesty’s mind?"

"Nothing," Raidan replied simply. "I was just sharing what I observed about Idris." But noticing the troubled look on Mabel’s face, he added, "Why do you look so down?"

"I’m worried about Casaio," Mabel confessed. "Did you not notice how quiet he was at breakfast? He left the breakfast in the middle."

"I did notice," Raidan agreed softly. "But that’s his way to fight those remaining feelings in his heart," he murmured, placing his hand over hers, caressing it.

~~~~

"Kate, this dress will look better on you," Amelie said, pointing to the second option, a maroon lace gown.

"Our choices really are alike!" Katelyn replied with a bright smile.

Just then, a servant entered the room and bowed politely. "Princess Katelyn, pardon my interruption, but someone is here to see you."

"Who is it?" Katelyn asked, her brows drawing together in curiosity.

"The person said his name is Karmen," the servant replied.

Katelyn’s expression changed as she exchanged a worried glance with Amelie.

"Why did he have to come here?" she murmured, anxiety creeping into her voice.

’Why would Karmen come to the palace, knowing it could cause trouble for Katelyn?’ Amelie wondered, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Send him in," Katelyn instructed.

The servant bowed and quietly exited the room.

"What do I do now? I thought Karmen would meet me at the reception. If Mom finds out—" Her words caught in her throat as a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Greetings to Princess Katelyn," Karmen said as he entered. His eyes briefly shifted to Amelie, and he offered her a polite smile and a respectful bow.

"You two should talk in private," Amelie offered, sensing the tension.

"No, stay here," Katelyn replied quickly.

"But I want to talk to the princess in private," Karmen stated.

Amelie gazed at Katelyn and gave them space before walking out. As the doors shut behind her, Katelyn turned more nervous.

"Her Highness wants to pursue me, but she doesn’t have enough guts to see me in her own room in the palace," Karmen straightforwardly came to the matter.

"That’s not true. You know that–"

"Your Highness, I don’t want to ruin my life because of you," Karmen reply came as a blunt one. "I’m sorry for giving you signals that I’m actually interested in you. However, even if you’ll be the last woman for me, I would rather walk away than choose you," he affirmed.

Katelyn stopped blinking in a shocked expression. She never had imagined Karmen would be so harsh on her.

"Why? What’s wrong with me that you don’t like?" Katelyn asked.

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