Gabriel saw out his family before returning to his office. He sighed and allowed himself to fall into the chair. Things started to spiral out of his control. He did not want his family to get involved in his fights, but he knew better and needed their help. He turned to his window and contemplated the small city basking in the soft twilight. The day was almost over, and he had a lot of things to organize.
He stalled, not calling Callahan or Claymore, but he felt as if the day's events had sapped all of his energy. He was not going to tell them anything, but he changed his mind, which was unusual for him.
Gabriel exhaled deeply, sinking into his chair in his office for a brief moment, only for a sharp knock to bring him back to reality. "Yes?" He didn't think that someone would still be in the building aside from the running personal.
The door opened to reveal Anabelle, stepping in gracefully, her cream-colored dress catching the faint glow of the office's lamps. Her hair, still neatly tied up in an elegant bun, framed her serene but attentive expression. "Good evening, Gabriel." She approached his desk, making soft sounds of heels on the carpet. "Director Callahan is waiting for you in his office. Duke Claymore's call is already set up." Her voice was crystal clear, and her eyes were checking to see how he was.
Gabriel groaned lightly, standing up and brushing off the tension clinging to his shoulders. "Of course he is."
Anabelle's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Shall I walk with you?"
Gabriel arched a brow at her. "Afraid I might run away?"
"Perhaps," she replied lightly, but the concern in her eyes betrayed her calm tone.
He chuckled quietly, gesturing for her to lead the way. "Well then, far be it from me to deny you the honor of escorting me."
As they walked down the quiet hallway, the muted sound of their steps filled the space. Gabriel glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, noting the calm demeanor she always carried.
"You've been awfully quiet today," he said, breaking the silence. "I'm almost suspicious."
"I didn't want to overwhelm you," Anabelle replied simply. "You had enough to deal with after your family arrived. But… I wanted to ask if you're all right."
Gabriel tilted his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "That obvious, huh?"
She stopped for a moment, turning to face him. "You've always managed to keep your wit intact, no matter the situation. But today, it feels like you're carrying more than usual."
His smile faltered slightly as he looked away, then shrugged. "Let's just say my family has a knack for complicating things. And now I've got Claymore and Callahan breathing down my neck about the mark and this whole Maximilian situation."
Anabelle studied him for a moment, her brown eyes steady. "If you need someone to talk to..."
"Don't worry," he cut in, though his tone was less dismissive than usual. "I'll survive. I always do."
She nodded, though her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before they continued toward Callahan's office.
By the time they reached the door, Gabriel straightened his shirt and took a deep breath. "Well, here we go."
Anabelle opened the door for him, stepping aside as he entered. Gabriel walked into Callahan's office, noting the faint hum of the magical projector already running. Callahan sat at his desk, his usual composed expression tinged with impatience.
"Good evening," Gabriel said, his tone casual as he sank into the chair across from Callahan. "I see we're already set up for another riveting conversation with His Grace."
Callahan adjusted his glasses, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Claymore asked for this meeting specifically. He has concerns about today's events, and I imagine you can guess why."
"Let me guess, he's worried my family is about to derail everything." Gabriel smirked, leaning back.
Callahan didn't answer as the projector flickered to life, and Duke George Claymore's holographic form solidified before them. His green eyes, as vibrant and piercing as always, immediately fixed on Gabriel.
"Gabriel," Claymore said, his voice steady and commanding. "You've had quite the day, I hear."
"Word travels fast," Gabriel replied, feigning a lightness he didn't entirely feel. "But I'll save you the guesswork. Yes, my family showed up. Yes, they're sticking their noses where they don't belong. And no, I didn't tell them everything."
Claymore's expression remained unreadable. "What exactly do they know?"
Gabriel sighed. "Enough to be dangerous, but not enough to cause chaos. They're aware of Olivier's lingering influence, the magical interference, and the fact that the mark is still a problem. I didn't go into the specifics of the alliances or the depth of the threats we're facing."
"Good," Claymore said firmly. "The fewer people who know the full extent of the situation, the better. Did you talk about you and Maximilian?"
Gabriel's smirk returned, albeit with a hint of fatigue. "Oh, I did. They are unsure about overwriting the mark, but they support the alliance. They want a meeting of the families before we take any action."
Claymore's green eyes narrowed, and for a moment, there was silence. Then he spoke, his tone measured. "Gabriel, the alliance with Maximilian isn't just a contractual marriage. It's a strategic move that could strengthen our position against the old blood power. But there's another reason we've been pushing for it."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow; his curiosity piqued. "Oh? Do tell."
Callahan leaned forward, his hands folded on the desk. "We're planning to create a balance between the nobles and the Emperor."
"And here I thought that you wanted to be an ally of the Emperor." Gabriel's head began to throb; he had not slept well for a long time. And he could see that Claymore masked his interest in helping the Emperor. Gabriel wondered if Claymore coveted the Emperor's throne because his nephew, Maximilian, had royal blood in his veins.
"We do, but there is more to that; Damian is a good ruler, but not a good man. We have to be sure that we also have him in check."
Gabriel rubbed his temple, leaning back into the chair. "So let me get this straight. You are pushing for this alliance not only to prevent old blood feuds, but also to keep the Emperor under control? Bold of you to admit that outright."
Claymore's holographic form was perfectly composed, but something flickered in his sharp green eyes. "I'm not admitting to anything you didn't already suspect. The Emperor is powerful, but unchecked power poses a threat to everyone, including himself. The Claymore legacy requires us to plan for all possible outcomes."
"Do you mean putting Maximilian in a situation where his proximity to me is used as leverage?" Gabriel's tone was light, but his words were heavy.
Callahan leaned forward, his gaze firm. "Gabriel, this isn't just about politics. It's about survival. Damian may be a capable ruler, but he has flaws that make us vulnerable. If we can strengthen our network, balancing the scales of power becomes easier. Maximilian's royal blood and your influence could ensure stability where there would otherwise be chaos."
Gabriel stared at the two men, his smirk faltering for the briefest moment. "So, what you're really asking is for me to become a pawn in this little balancing act of yours."
"Not a pawn," Claymore corrected, his tone sharp. "A partner. There's a difference."
Gabriel chuckled dryly while shaking his head. "Sure, let's call it partnership. But I am not making any promises regarding Maximilian. I do not know him, and I do not go into things blindly, especially something as serious as overwriting the mark.
"You will get to know him soon enough," Callahan said calmly but with a sense of urgency. "Maximilian will arrive in the city tomorrow. Preparations have already been made."
Gabriel arched a brow, folding his arms. "Tomorrow? You're not wasting any time, are you?"
Claymore's holographic form stayed motionless, his piercing green eyes narrowing. "Timing is critical. Soon after his arrival, the Claymore family will make an official announcement about his adoption. The nobles must see him as more than just a distant name; they must see him as an integral part of this legacy."
Gabriel leaned back, drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair. "Well, I hope he's ready for the circus. The nobles here are a special breed of insufferable."
"Maximilian is no stranger to challenging situations," Claymore said, his tone unwavering.
Gabriel smirked faintly. "I'll reserve judgment until I actually meet him."
Callahan glanced at Claymore's projection before speaking. "Gabriel, this is an opportunity to solidify alliances and ensure our plans have a foundation. Maximilian's arrival is the next step, but the real work begins with how we proceed from there."
"Understood," Gabriel said, his tone hinting of exhaustion. "But I will say it again: I am not making any promises until I have had time to evaluate this for myself."
Claymore responded with a curt nod. "That's all we ask. Maximilian will arrive tomorrow afternoon. I expect you to meet him and begin discussing the path forward."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow and leaned forward slightly to focus on Claymore's holographic form. "Before we wrap this up, I have to ask: What are your plans for Elliot's inevitable outburst?"