Chapter 419: Noah isn’t a Sinclair
"By the way, let’s rest for a while in the gazebo. We’ve walked enough," Gabriel suggested, his fingers intertwining with Amelie’s once more.
They strolled to the white gazebo overlooking the pond and took a seat on the wooden bench. The gentle rustle of leaves mixed with Noah’s soft coos as he blinked curiously at the light filtering through the trellis.
"Look at his eyes," Gabriel murmured, brushing his thumb along Noah’s cheek. "They’re like the vast universe which is endless and beautiful."
Amelie smiled faintly, but her expression shifted. "They’re... Not like Alex’s," she said.
Gabriel turned to her, brows furrowing. "Why bring him up now?"
"Because..." she hesitated, glancing down at Noah. "I overheard people talking. They were gossiping about Noah’s eyes."
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. "What? Where? Who dared to associate that name with our son?" His voice dropped, restraining the anger.
"I saw it while scrolling through social media," Amelie said softly. "There were already posts about our son’s birth."
Gabriel’s brows drew together, the warmth in his eyes fading into concern.
"I knew my past couldn’t stay hidden forever," she continued, her gaze fixed on Noah’s tiny fingers curling around hers. "But I don’t care what they say. When he grows up, when he’s old enough to understand, I’ll tell Noah the truth. I’ll tell him who I had him with."
Gabriel’s jaw tightened as his hand instinctively went to Noah’s back whom he always wanted to shield. The thought of their son ever being hurt by rumors, or by Amelie’s past, stirred something protective and fierce inside him.
"What are you thinking?" Amelie asked softly.
"That I won’t be able to shield Noah from the truth forever," Gabriel admitted.
Amelie smiled gently, her fingers brushing over Noah’s tiny hand. "It’s fine. I’m sure Noah will understand me one day. And the most important thing is that you’re his father."
Gabriel’s gaze softened as he looked at her. "I don’t want people to hurt him. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I do," Amelie replied gently. "I don’t regret bringing Noah into this world. Alex never even acknowledged him. From the moment he found out, all he wanted was to harm my baby. But you... you became his savior. You’ve been a father to him, even though he doesn’t carry your blood. Noah loves you already and I can totally feel it."
Gabriel smiled softly and nodded in agreement. "Of course, Noah loves me." He lowered his gaze to meet his son’s. "Say, Mommy... Daddy!" he encouraged gently, as if teaching him something precious.
Amelie joined in with a smile. "Say, Daddy!"
Noah simply returned a bright, innocent smile, his eyes sparkling with joy.
Gabriel chuckled softly, his heart fluttering.
"Say Mommy... say Daddy," Gabriel urged again, his voice gentle.
"It may take some time for him," Amelie replied softly. "I think we should go in. It’s time for Noah’s milk," she added, glancing toward the nursery.
"Oh, yes," Gabriel said with a nod.
"Let me carry him. It’s no trouble," Amelie offered, gently lifting Noah into her arms.
"Ma!"
Noah’s voice rang out unexpectedly.
Amelie froze, her eyes widening in surprise. "Did you just call me ’Ma’?"
"Yes, he did!" Gabriel’s face lit up with excitement. "Noah, say it again. Say Daddy too! Say it!"
"Da!" Noah spoke, his small voice carrying clearly in the quiet garden.
Gabriel and Amelie burst into joyous laughter, their faces lighting up. Tears of happiness welled in their eyes. In that moment, the time seemed to stop for them and it wrapped them in the warmth of their shared love for their son.
~~~~~~
"Your Majesties, Prince Gabriel has taken Princess Amelie and the little prince for a stroll in the garden," Lester informed Raidan and Mabel.
"That’s good. They should get some fresh air," Raidan remarked.
"I thought Amelie should rest in her chambers for a few days," Mabel countered gently.
"Perhaps she grew restless, and Gabriel decided to take them out," Raidan replied with a knowing smile.
Their conversation paused as their eyes shifted toward the servants entering the hall, carrying luggage inside.
"Whose luggage is this?" Raidan asked, his gaze fixed on the servants.
"We have returned, Father," Dominick’s voice echoed through the hall. He entered alongside Juniper, both bowing respectfully to the King and Queen.
"You two were supposed to return after three days," Raidan said, surprise evident in his voice.
"Indeed. But we came back early," Dominick replied softly.
Mabel sensed a tension between them, which she couldn’t ignore. She decided to talk to Juniper.
"You both should rest," she pronounced gently, though her gaze lingered on Juniper.
Before anyone could respond, Gabriel rushed into the hall, a broad smile lighting up his face. "Dad, Mom! Noah called us ’Da’ and ’Ma’!"
"What?" Raidan and Mabel exclaimed almost in unison, rising to their feet in astonishment.
Amelie appeared in the main hall, cradling Noah in her arms. Her own smile was warm.
"Noah already started speaking! That’s such marvelous growth," Raidan said, chuckling softly. "After all, he’s a Sinclair!"
Juniper’s voice cut through the cheer. "Noah isn’t a Sinclair."
"What did you say?" Dominick’s brow furrowed, his voice low but tense.
"It’s true. Noah is not a Sinclair," Juniper replied calmly. "He carries the blood of another Alpha. Alex Morgan, wasn’t that his name?"
Dominick’s eyes widened. "What’s your problem, June? How could you—"
"You are the problem, not me!" Juniper snapped, her voice trembling with anger. She turned sharply and dashed away.
"I... I am sorry, Amelie. Truly sorry," Dominick apologized. "I’ll explain later." He began to step away, but Gabriel’s voice rang out like thunder.
"This is unacceptable. Juniper has said something beyond forgiveness." His violet eyes blazed with fury, locking onto Dominick.
Then, Noah’s cheerful voice cut through the tension. "Da! Da!"
Gabriel froze, the anger in his gaze melting away as he looked down at his son. Noah’s delightful smile took away his anger, bringing a calm expression on his face.
"Nick, go to your wife and tell her I would like to talk to her," Mabel instructed her son.