Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 151 - 146: The new Empress (4)

Chapter 151: Chapter 146: The new Empress (4)

The tailor had come and gone in a blur of floating measuring tapes, magical fabric swatches, and far too many unsolicited opinions about Gabriel’s bone structure. He had endured it with the grace of a man pretending not to dream about locking himself in the nearest wine cellar.

The language tutor arrived shortly after, an elderly mage with no sense of humor and an insatiable obsession with vowel length. Gabriel had gone through the motions, muttering ceremonial phrases with perfect pronunciation and observing Edward’s growing suspicion from the corner of his eye. He knew Old Imperial; he had to learn it, or should I say remember it, for a part of the project when some ether wave lengths had an odd pulse and only an old imperial text could provide the answer. He just didn’t want Edward to know that.

Because knowing Edward, he’d simply assign him more responsibilities, "since you’re clearly so capable."

So Gabriel had kept his enunciation careful, but not overly careful, and when the tutor finally left, he slipped back into Damian’s bedroom and stole a solid fifteen minutes of quiet.

It didn’t last.

"Your family," Edward had announced, his voice echoing through the door like a judgment, "has arrived." The butler was having way too much fun. Gabriel was certain that Edward handled the majority of an Empress’ administrative duties, while Crista Lyon, Damian’s mother, handled the social ones. One appeared overjoyed that it would be transferred to him while he waited to see how Crista would react.

Gabriel sat in the lounge next to Damian’s study, dressed simply in a black linen shirt and trousers with no sigils, embroidery, or absurd collar height. His sleeves were rolled up. He looked, by palace standards, like he might be about to fix a broken chandelier instead of greet nobility.

Which was, of course, exactly why he wore it.

The doors opened.

Alexandra stepped in first, her long black coat fluttering like a shadow at her heels. Her pale green eyes lit up as she saw him, her mouth twitching at the edges with barely concealed amusement.

"Still alive," she said. "I’m impressed."

Gabriel stood just enough to hug her briefly. "Barely. Edward wants to parade me through three generations of imperial ritual before the moon finishes waxing."

She made a sympathetic noise before gracefully lowering herself into the velvet armchair. "And how are you holding up under your silk and steel collar, future Empress?"

Gabriel raised a brow. "You’re enjoying this."

"A little," she admitted. "But I’m also on your side. Especially if you manage to get through this without stabbing anyone in the garden."

"Not making promises."

The second figure entered like a shift in air pressure.

Elowen von Jaunez, Countess and Lieutenant of the North Command, is a mother of four, including the one she was currently frowning at.

She appeared the same as always: tall, composed, and uniform-precise even in civilian clothing. Her dark hair was pinned in a coiled braid, and her pale gray coat was pressed so sharply the fabric might cut someone if they touched it wrong.

"Gabriel," she said.

"Mother," he replied, just as neutral.

She sat across from him and immediately folded her hands in her lap. Her eyes scanned him, starting from the rolled-up sleeves, pausing at the robe still draped over the back of the chair, and then flicking to his face.

"You wore the same style to the Blue Ether Project meeting?"

"Yes."

She didn’t blink. "And you’re wearing it now, to greet your family?"

"I’m not greeting the royal court. I’m greeting you." Gabriel sipped his tea, unbothered. "Should I have worn a sash?"

"I would’ve accepted a collar."

"Then it’s good I stopped caring what you’d accept."

Alexandra made a small choking sound and quickly turned it into a cough behind her glove.

Elowen ignored it. "You’re not just our son anymore. You’re becoming the face of the Empire. Your appearance reflects on House von Jaunez. A polished sword, Gabriel, is more feared than a rusted one, no matter how sharp."

Gabriel set his cup down with a soft click. "And yet, when I was at the meeting, everyone seemed to notice what I said. Not what I wore."

That gave Elowen pause, but only slightly. She adjusted her posture with the precision of a trained officer.

"I had you placed under surveillance for a reason."

Gabriel leaned back, unimpressed. "Of course you did."

"It was necessary. You disappeared after the third day of the ball. No word. No formal debrief. And rumors—"

"Have always existed," Gabriel interrupted. "And I had no obligation to report to the family once the Emperor claimed me as his mate. From what I know Theo and father already had the official meeting with the Emperor."

Elowen’s eyes narrowed. "You’re still a von Jaunez."

Gabriel didn’t flinch. "Then act like I’m one. Not one of your cadets."

Silence stretched between them, tensed but not broken.

Alexandra broke it, her voice as light as silk but with a warning edge. "He’s not your soldier anymore, Mother."

Elowen looked at her daughter, then back at Gabriel. "I see you’re prepared to rise to your station."

Gabriel tilted his head. "And you’re still prepared to command mine."

Their eyes locked, two steel wills bound by blood and a hundred subtle arguments never fully resolved.

Finally, Elowen exhaled. "We will support the match. Publicly."

Gabriel inclined his head. "I never doubt it."

"But I expect you to wear the House colors at the announcement ceremony."

Gabriel considered it, then gave a slow nod. "Fine. But I choose the cut."

Elowen didn’t smile, but something about her posture eased. Barely.

"And the surveillance?" Gabriel asked.

"Withdrawn," she said. "For now."

Alexandra raised a brow. "How gracious of you."

Elowen stood, smoothing her purple dress. "We’ll speak again before the ceremony."

"Looking forward to it," Gabriel said dryly.

When the door closed behind her, Gabriel let out a breath.

Alexandra leaned forward and plucked a sugar cube from the tea tray. "You know," she said, popping it into her mouth, "I think she respects you more when you argue back."

"Is that why you always fought with her?"

"No," she said sweetly. "I just enjoyed it."

Gabriel smiled for the first time in hours.