Rejected and Pregnant Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince novel Chapter 717

Chapter 717: Don’t want her to be lonely

Gabriel pushed open the door to the nursery to check on Noah. He found David and Samyra seated on the floor amidst a sea of colorful wooden blocks and plush toys, their attention entirely captured by the small boy in their midst.

"Your Highness!" David and Samyra exclaimed in unison. They scrambled to their feet, smoothing their clothes as they offered deep, respectful bows.

"Papa! Papa!" Noah squealed. His little face lit up with a grin, and he began to squirm, kicking his legs as he fought to escape Samyra’s gentle hold.

Gabriel stepped forward, a smile carving on his lips. He reached down and scooped the toddler into his arms. Noah immediately settled against his father’s chest, his tiny hands becoming busy as he gripped the lapel of Gabriel’s shirt, clutching and unclutching the expensive fabric.

"When did you two arrive?" Gabriel asked as he adjusted the boy’s weight.

"Nearly four hours ago, Your Highness," David answered. "We were at the airport to welcome you all home, but the crowds were immense. Even with our credentials, we couldn’t break through the security perimeter. We thought it best to come straight to the mansion to meet Amelie and all of you."

"Amelie is exhausted and still sleeping," Gabriel said. "Have you two had lunch yet?"

"Yes, Albus was quite insistent," David replied with a small nod. "He wouldn’t take no for an answer, and we certainly couldn’t refuse such hospitality."

Gabriel shifted Noah, who was starting to get heavy in his arms. "That’s good to hear. And this one?" he asked, gesturing to the toddler. "I hope Noah didn’t give you too much trouble while I was away."

"Oh, not at all," Samyra said, her eyes softening as she watched the boy. "He’s been a perfect little gentleman."

"Pa!" Noah chirped suddenly, his high-pitched voice ringing through the room. Gabriel looked down, meeting his son’s bright eyes.

"Yes?" Gabriel prompted softly.

In a sudden burst of shyness, Noah didn’t answer. Instead, he let out a tiny giggle and buried his face into Gabriel’s chest, bunching the fabric of his father’s shirt in his fists as he hid away. Gabriel couldn’t help but chuckle, his hand resting protectively over the boy’s back.

"Noah hardly troubles us. He is such a cheerful boy," Samyra said, a nostalgic smile touching her lips. "Amelie was exactly the same as a child, we remember it so clearly."

Gabriel’s expression hardened.

"You two are still biased toward Amelie, since your actions have told a different story from the moment Flora was injured," Gabriel said. "Amelie cannot be easily healed from the choices you made. No matter how many efforts you make now, I don’t believe the void you created can ever truly be filled. She needed her parents the most when she found herself pregnant and alone, and you were nowhere to be found."

The silence that followed was heavy. David bowed his head, unable to meet his son-in-law’s eyes, while Samyra’s hand trembled slightly at her side.

Noah continued to babble, his eyes bright with energy.

Gabriel made his son’s limbs move, stretching them a bit which caused Noah’s face to contort. But after a few moments, he began enjoying it when Gabriel moved his tiny arms.

The sharp, rhythmic knock on the door made Gabriel pause his movements. "Come in," he called out.

Albus stepped into the nursery, his head bowed in a show of ingrained deference. "Your Highness, good evening. I have seen to it that Princess Amelie’s parents are settled comfortably in the east wing guest suite. They have everything they require," the butler informed him. "Would you like me to have a meal sent up for you here?"

"I’m not hungry, Albus," Gabriel replied, his attention already drifting back to the small figure on the bed.

Noah, seemingly energized by his "exercise," began rocking himself against the cushions. With a determined huff, he managed to roll over, tucking his knees under his belly and burying his face into the soft mattress as he practiced his crawling stance.

Albus watched the young prince for a fleeting moment, a rare glint of pride in his eyes. "Very well, Your Highness. I shall be just outside if you require anything for the little one."

Gabriel nodded, his hand resting on Noah’s back to steady him. "Don’t trouble yourself by waiting outside. You can go downstairs and look into dinner preparation."