Chapter 232: Not an omega
"I won’t let anything happen to either of them," Zilia said firmly, standing before the Queen with unwavering resolve.
"You shouldn’t," Queen Mabel replied coldly. "That’s the least you can do to redeem yourself, for what you’ve done to this family."
A few steps away, Amelie and Karmen had just arrived. They stopped at a distance, observing the tense exchange.
"Do you think she would truly abandon her son," Amelie whispered, "if he chose to protect Zilia and Idris too?"
Karmen’s gaze remained on the Queen. "Who knows. She turned her back on Gabriel after that old prophecy, without a second thought. If Prince Casaio stands in her way, she’ll cast him aside just as easily. That’s how she operates."
Amelie glanced at him and squinted her eyes. The words that Gabriel told her before made her realize that she might’ve made a mistake in judging the Queen.
"Amelie, don’t be fooled by Her Majesty," Karmen said quietly, his voice firm. "I’ve seen how she treated Gabriel how she’s kept him at a distance since we were children. We’ve been friends for a long time. The Queen... she controls everything, and everyone, in her own way."
Amelie lowered her gaze, Karmen’s words echoing in her mind. ’I trusted the Queen with so many things,’ she thought, feeling uneasy suddenly.
Just then, Casaio stepped forward, placing himself between Zilia and the Queen.
"Mom," he said, "you’re not the one to decide matters that involve battle. I respect your authority here in the palace, and I always will, but this isn’t your place."
His eyes flicked briefly toward Idris, who stood quietly behind Zilia.
"There’s a child involved," he continued. "So please... don’t be harsh. Go back inside. I know what I have to do. This has been my fight from the beginning."