Help! I'm in Another World and the Dragon Man Want Me To Get Pregnant!
Chapter 108: Side Story: Gabriel’s Predicament (Part 2)

Chapter 108: Side Story: Gabriel’s Predicament (Part 2)

But Gabriel had no intention of listening to him.

He loved his husband.

He would never betray him.

Yet his father was relentless.

Whenever he brought up the topic, Lysander would force a fragile smile, despite the pain in his eyes, and say, "Well... I suppose that makes sense."

...

"Morin, what brings you here today?"

"What do you mean, Uncle? It’s our matchmaking meeting, isn’t it?"

"...What?"

Morin’s dark eyes widened in surprise as he peered at Gabriel’s face.

Gabriel, meanwhile, was utterly baffled.

He had heard nothing of the sort.

He had to have misheard.

"A matchmaking meeting for whom?"

"For us, of course! You and me, Uncle."

"I never agreed to that! Who arranged this?"

"Mr. Vladir, of course."

Gabriel had never felt such fury upon hearing his father’s name.

He shot to his feet and stormed toward the inner chambers of the castle.

Deep within the royal residence, in the secluded inner sanctum, his father resided after stepping down from the throne.

Gabriel didn’t hesitate—he flung the doors open and glared daggers at the old man, seething with barely contained rage.

"Father! What is the meaning of this?!"

His voice was nearly a roar.

His aging father flinched, clearly intimidated.

He no longer had the power to restrain Gabriel.

The throne had been passed down, and Gabriel now held all the authority.

"What are you talking about?"

"Morin! The matchmaking! Enough of this nonsense!"

Memories of the past surged through Gabriel’s mind—the days before he had a wife and child.

Days when he had been forced into unwanted unions, drugged, and coerced into coupling with partners he never desired.

That had stopped the moment he had Lysander and Gavrius.

His father had been satisfied then, knowing he had secured an heir.

Yet here he was, attempting to manipulate things once again.

The old man feigned ignorance, but Gabriel wasn’t fooled.

He couldn’t forgive this.

Not only had his father insulted Lysander—he had now tried to ensnare a boy who had barely stepped into adulthood.

Gabriel stepped forward menacingly.

His father, sensing danger, attempted to rise from his seat and flee—but Gabriel wasn’t about to let that happen.

With a flick of his hand, he cast a barrier, trapping the old man within.

"Explain yourself."

"W-What? I did nothing—"

"Don’t lie to me!"

When Gabriel roared in fury, his father shrank back.

Yet, despite trembling, the old man still had the audacity to lash out in anger.

"You’re still young! And yet that wife of yours has only given you one child! Taking a younger bride and securing more heirs is your duty to the royal bloodline!"

"How many times must I tell you? I despise the idea of producing heirs solely for the sake of lineage! Why can’t you understand that?"

"What’s wrong with it?! Every one of Ignatius’ children possesses special skill! And that boy is in love with you! You won’t find a better match than this!"

"Have you considered my feelings? My wife’s? My son’s? This is an insult to all of us—do not push your disgraceful ideals onto me!"

"That useless wife of yours—"

Gabriel didn’t let him finish.

With a flick of his will, his father’s mouth snapped shut, silencing him instantly.

He watched as the old man’s eyes widened in terror.

Cold fury settled in Gabriel’s chest, and that chill spread outward, freezing the very ground beneath his father’s feet.

"What did you just say?"

"A-Ah, no, I—"

"Say it again."

"I said nothing—"

His father averted his gaze, desperately trying to flee.

Gabriel released him but immediately summoned the guards.

"Your Majesty, what is your command?"

"Take him to the outer manor. Place guards at all times—he is not to step before me ever again."

The soldiers hesitated, confused.

But Gabriel’s longtime aide simply sighed before nodding and efficiently carrying out his orders.

It was as if he had expected this day to come.

One obstacle was removed.

But the real problem was Morin.

The boy was stubborn, and since it had been Gabriel’s father who had arranged this, Morin bore no guilt in the matter.

His feelings were likely genuine, which made Gabriel all the more unwilling to hurt him.

Lost in thought, Gabriel nearly missed the figure standing in the hallway.

"Lysander," he called. "What’s wrong?"

"Ah... Gabriel. I, uh..."

Lysander was hesitating.

He clearly had something on his mind, yet he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Gabriel hated that expression.

He wanted Lysander to know—he loved him deeply, completely.

He never wanted to see such uncertainty on his face.

Yet no matter how much he wished for it, Lysander never let that fear fully fade.

"What is it?" Gabriel asked again.

"...The one here for an audience—is it Morin? What did he come for?"

His tone was casual, but his eyes held quiet suspicion.

Of course.

Lysander was a close friend of Shen Xinghui, Morin’s mother.

They often had tea together.

He had known Morin since birth and had undoubtedly heard the boy’s many declarations of love toward Gabriel over the years.

"He just came to visit," Gabriel said.

"...Right! Of course!"

Lysander’s voice was bright, but the forced cheer didn’t fool Gabriel.

He wasn’t convinced, yet he was trying to bury his doubts.

Gabriel reached for him, pulling him into his arms.

"I want to talk," he murmured.

"...Sorry, Gabriel. I’m a little tired. Maybe another time."

With a practiced ease, Lysander slipped from his grasp.

Gabriel was stronger—he could have held him there.

But he never did.

Each time, he let him go.

And every time, a gnawing fear whispered in the back of his mind—one day, Lysander might slip through his fingers entirely.

...

When Gabriel returned to the audience chamber, he found Morin looking uncertain, shifting his weight anxiously.

But the moment their eyes met, the boy’s face lit up with relief.

"Uncle Gabriel!"

Gabriel sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Morin, I just spoke with my father. There was a misunderstanding."

"...A misunderstanding?"