Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)

"Gabriel, I think you should stall the marriage until then." 

"Well, we didn't agree to anything yet. Not marriage at least. I promised that I would meet with him." Gabriel began to help himself with the snack on the table; hunger was getting to him.

"Plus, I don't think I want to involve another party in all this. I didn't want to drag you too, but you wouldn't stop butting in." Gabriel said, popping a strawberry into his mouth.

"I can't believe that your first choice was to trust Claymore, not us." Teo was sad about his younger brother's choice, but he couldn't do much about it. Gabriel was an adult, and they were gone far longer than he wanted to admit.

"Peter got away with it, while you were scattered across the Empire. Claymore knew about Olivier because of Maximilian and Damian, the current Emperor." Gabriel shrugged. Claymore's army entered the palace and found him unconscious. There was a lot of information that the magical contract was hiding from him. He was relieved that they had discovered that he could recognize good and bad information, but he could not recall the actual events. Not yet. 

"Where is Peter now?" Lucius asked, his tone carefully controlled.

The room went still. Gabriel's smirk faded, and his eyes sharpened as he regarded Theo. "Yeah, good question. What happened to Peter?"

Theo straightened, his expression calm but firm. "He's no longer a threat."

Gabriel's lips twitched into a sardonic smile. "That's a diplomatic way of putting it. Care to elaborate?"

"I killed him," Theo said bluntly, his voice steady.

Gabriel stared for a moment, then let out a low whistle. "I didn't think you had it in you, Theo. I'm almost impressed." Theo was the one who would solve anything by being a good diplomat. He rarely retorted to force to obtain what was needed. 

"It was easier than you think." Theo replied.

"Well," Gabriel said, leaning back on his chair, "I won't lose any sleep over it. He was a bastard through and through. Good riddance."

Lucius leaned forward, his voice steady but commanding. "Peter may be gone, but his influence—and Olivier's—remains. The magical interference we've encountered, the lies and enchantments—they're all remnants of the old dynasty. If we're going to break this contract and untangle the mess they left behind, we need you, Gabriel."

Gabriel arched an eyebrow, a faint smirk forming. "Oh, I see where this is going. You want me to come back to the capital, don't you? That's bold, Father."

Lucius met his gaze evenly. "Yes. Your insight, your understanding of the old dynasty's methods, and your connections with Claymore would be useful. If we're going to make progress, you have to be part of it."

Gabriel let out a low laugh, shaking his head. "And here I thought you'd ask nicely. But sure, let's pretend I'm your last hope. Let me be clear about one thing: if I do this, it's on my terms. No strings, no orders, and no illusions about using me in your political game."

"Understood," Lucius said, his tone unwavering. "You've always made your own rules, Gabriel. This time will be no different."

Gabriel pushed off the empty plate of snacks, stretching lazily. "All right, then. But I'm afraid that there are some things to be solved before I come back. It will take a few weeks."

"That's good; I have time to spread the news of your return to the capital." Said Alexandra, tapping her long fingers onto the armrest. 

Gabriel leaned back in the armchair, resting his ankle on one knee with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "So, Alexandra, are you going to send me out to pasture at the next garden party, or will I be spared the awkward social mingling?"

Alexandra arched her brow and smiled knowingly. "You've never been formally introduced into society, Gabriel. In our circles, people don't just show up—there's a protocol. And given the Empire's traditions, your absence from the capital all these years would raise... questions."

Gabriel groaned theatrically, reaching for another strawberry. "Great. Questions. Just what I need. I suppose you have a plan for that, don't you?"

"Of course I do," she said, smoothing an invisible wrinkle in her dark green dress. "If there will be a coming-of-age ball, then we will have the perfect opportunity. I'll introduce you as someone recovering from the effects of being marked during the rebellion. You have the mark to prove it. However, we can use some fashion choices to highlight it. It's a believable story, given the chaos back then, and it conveniently keeps your absence shrouded in mystery."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes playfully. "So, your grand scheme is to parade me in front of the aristocracy and hope they'll be too enamored by my charm to ask difficult questions?"

"Well, yes. They really love a tragic story and you have the perfect one.," Alexandra replied with a light laugh. "You're not as hopeless as you pretend to be."

"I don't know," Theo chimed in from his spot by the window, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Gabriel charming thousands of nobles sounds more like a disaster waiting to happen. But don't worry, I will be there to watch it."

"Hey," Gabriel shot back, pointing a finger at his brother. "I'll have you know I'm an absolute delight when I want to be."

Lucius cleared his throat, his stern gaze cutting through the levity. "This isn't just about appearances, Gabriel. Your reentry into capital is critical. We can't afford for anyone to undermine our efforts—especially not with Claymore and the Emperor involved."

Gabriel tilted his head, his playful expression giving way to curiosity. "Speaking of which, what's the latest on them? Last I checked, Claymore was still doing his best to intimidate half the Empire while von Jaunez practically ran the Emperor's court. "Neither of you are particularly subtle."

"Fortunately, we're on Damian's side ," Lucius said firmly. "Both families have made it clear that we want stability for the Empire, but we are yet to publicly claim a side. In addition to his current allies, the Emperor will require Claymore's military power and von Jaunez's strategic position at court." He rose from his seat and rearranged his black blazer and white shirt sleeves.

"Teo inherited Peter's title of Viscount of Blackwater, Alexandra has the Lancaster family on our side, and Charles is the capitan of the capital's guards." 

Gabriel's brow arched. "Interesting. So the two most dangerous families in the Empire are suddenly champions of peace and order? Color me skeptical."

"We're pragmatic, not idealistic," Theo added, finally turning away from the window. "They know the old bloods are a threat to everyone, including themselves. Olivier's legacy has poisoned the Empire, and we will not tolerate anything that threatens Damian's rule. For all their differences, they share a common goal with us."

"You already trust them, more than us." Charles was still bitter that his family had kept information from him, and Gabriel did not trust him.

"They are stronger than you; they could keep everyone involved in safety. Our family can't guarantee me the same security. I'm sorry, Charles." Gabriel was sincere. 

Lucius responded with a nod. "And that's exactly why this meeting is so important. If we can combine our efforts with theirs, we will be able to finally eliminate the remnants of the old dynasty. George Claymore most certainly knew that we will not give you up and took their shot. "

Gabriel let out a low whistle. "No pressure, then. So, in essence, we are forming an alliance with Claymore and the Emperor, both of whom have the ability to crush us if they change their minds. What could possibly go wrong?"

Alexandra leaned forward, her voice calm but firm. "This is bigger than personal rivalries or family politics, Gabriel."

"Well," Gabriel said, stretching lazily, "if this is what it takes to keep the Empire from falling apart, I suppose I'll play nice. But let's be clear—I'm not the one who's going to grovel or make promises we can't keep."

"Nobody's asking you to grovel," Lucius said, his tone sharp. "But they need to know you're reliable and that you're not just playing games."

Gabriel smirked, his gaze flicking to Theo. "Don't worry, Father. I'll be on my best behavior. I wouldn't dream of embarrassing the family name. Again."

Theo rolled his eyes but didn't comment, while Alexandra let out a soft chuckle. "I'll handle the social aspect," she said. "With the right introduction, your presence at the ball will make waves—and send a message to the rest of the nobility that the von Jaunez family is fully back in the game."

Gabriel stood, brushing imaginary dust off his jacket. "All right, then. Alexandra, I'll trust you to polish me into a respectable noble. Father, Charles, I will finish my work here as soon as possible. And Theo, you can... I am not sure, glower in the background or something."

Theo snorted. "I'll handle inquiries into Peter's disappearance. Someone has to make sure that part of the story doesn't unravel."

"Perfect," Gabriel said with a mock clap of his hands. "We've got ourselves a plan. Now, let's just hope the old blood plots don't ruin it before we even start."

Lucius's expression darkened, but his voice was resolute. "We won't let them."

Gabriel gave a half-smile, the weight of the task ahead settling in his chest. For all his wit and sarcasm, he knew the stakes were high. This was about more than family or politics; it was about the Empire's future. And, whether he liked it or not, he was in the middle of everything.