CHAPTER 324: DON’T TRUST MY SISTER

"What was it you wanted to talk about last night?" Gabriel asked, lifting the mug to his lips and taking a long, thoughtful sip.

"I went to pick up Flora from her workplace," Karmen began, his tone cautious. "To my surprise, I found Princess Katelyn working there as well. Tell me, she’s with Sage now, isn’t she?"

Gabriel raised a brow, intrigued. He slowly set his mug down. "Why do you ask?"

"I’m concerned," Karmen admitted. "Your sister might be falling for the wrong man. Sage changes partners like he changes bedsheets. You should have warned Katelyn about him."

Gabriel’s expression hardened slightly. "Our parents want the two of them mated. I don’t really have a say in the matter. Besides, Sage ended his last relationship before he started pursuing Kate. I want her to navigate this on her own, and frankly, I already warned Sage."

"Still, as her brother, you could’ve spoken to your parents," Karmen pressed.

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "Why this sudden concern for Kate? Do you like her?"

"Don’t misunderstand me," Karmen replied quickly.

"I’m not misunderstanding. I’m asking," Gabriel said, his tone probing. "Back when Amelie and I weren’t around, you took Kate out to dinner. You made her believe you had feelings for her."

"Gabriel, I don’t feel anything for your sister," Karmen said firmly. "She asked me to take her out, so I did. I didn’t think much of it. I had no idea she’d see it as a date. But let me make it clear, I will never have feelings for her. Not in this life. She’s simply not my type."

Gabriel let out a chuckle, finishing the last sip of his coffee.

"I swear I’m telling the truth," Karmen added. "If I ever had feelings for her, you’d be the first to know. You’re my friend and I don’t hide things from you."

Gabriel smirked faintly. "Then what is your type?"

Karmen shot him a look. "Why?"

"Maybe I’ll set you up with someone."

"Don’t even think about it," Karmen muttered. "I’m not in the mood to date anyone." His tone shifted, more serious now. "By the way, I searched the forest again with the warriors. Still no trace of Ophelia. Do you really think she’ll stay hidden for two months? Can’t Carlos and his grandmother find a cure any sooner?"

Gabriel’s expression grew somber. "Not until Amelie and I recover our memories of the past, which will happen after two months on a certain moon phase. According to Carlos’ grandmother, a witch’s vengeance doesn’t fade so easily, so we have to learn our pasts."

Karmen leaned forward, studying him. "Hmm. And you left the house suddenly last night. What happened between you and the Queen?"

Gabriel’s jaw tightened. "I discovered why she ordered Riley to attack Amelie. It wasn’t random. It was a test. She wanted to see if the pendant’s power would shield her. The truth is, its power won’t last forever, and the Queen seized her chance to measure its limits. Just talking about it is giving me a headache." A deep frown shadowed his face.

Karmen exhaled slowly. "Your mother’s ways are... strange. But everything she does is for you, Gabriel."

Gabriel’s gaze snapped to him, sharp. "Don’t defend her."

"I’m not defending," Karmen remarked. "I’m only pointing out the truth. From the day you were born, she’s lived in fear of losing you. Do you have any idea how agonizing it must be for a mother to pretend she hates her own child? Calm yourself, Gabriel. Think it through thoroughly."

Gabriel didn’t say anything regarding it. "Let’s go inside," he said. The two of them enter the living room, where Ravenna has just announced,

"Your Majesty, I have something important to announce."

Raidan and Mabel exchanged a glance, then gestured for Ravenna to take her seat.

Katelyn, however, frowned in confusion. Her gaze lingered on the unfamiliar old woman in the room. Something was unsettling about the aura radiating from her, something that prickled at her instincts.

"What’s going on?" Katelyn asked, her voice edged with unease.

"Kate, you should head back to your workplace," Mabel said gently but firmly.

"But Mom, what is all this?" Katelyn pressed, her curiosity spiking.

"Enough," Gabriel interjected, his tone decisive. "Karmen, take her to the company."

Karmen’s brow twitched, and he tilted his head slightly. ’Why me?’

’Because it’s urgent. I don’t trust my sister with sensitive matters. She blurts things without thinking,’ Gabriel mindlinked to respond.

Karmen suppressed a sigh and stepped forward, his tone respectful. "Princess Katelyn, allow me to escort you to the company."

Katelyn’s expression brightened at once. She rose quickly, bowing to her parents before waving at her brothers.

"I’ll return this evening," she said cheerfully, before heading out with Karmen.

As she settled inside the car, butterflies danced in her stomach. She was looking for an opportunity to talk to him and finally got one. Karmen started the engine, noticing she had sat comfortably.

As Karmen drove them out of the estate gates, Katelyn was the first to break the silence.

"How have you been?"

"Great. And you?" His voice was less formal now.

"I’m good too."

The conversation trailed off until Katelyn spoke again.

"I started working as a secretary not long ago," she said, her eyes brightening with enthusiasm. "It’s exhausting sometimes, but there’s excitement in it too. Dad said he’s proud of me for managing such big responsibilities."

"That’s wonderful to hear," Karmen replied sincerely, then after a pause, added, "I also heard you were to be mated with Sage."

Katelyn’s head snapped toward him. "What? No! That’s not true!" she said firmly. "It might have been considered at first, but I told my parents clearly, I don’t want Sage. He’s not the kind of man I desire." Her voice softened into a mutter at the end, her expression hardening with resolve.

Karmen glanced at her briefly before turning his eyes back to the road. ’So, she does know. I thought she was naive...’ he mused silently.

"I saw you with Flora last night," Katelyn suddenly said. "Why were you picking her up?"

"For just some personal matters," Karmen replied. He didn’t wish her to know what exactly was going on as Gabriel didn’t want it.

"Ahh, personal matters," Katelyn murmured, frown appearing on her forehead. ’Flora, I didn’t expect you to forget everything so soon and start lingering around Karmen,’ she thought internally, feeling bitter.