Albus returned, and this time, Zilia silently followed him to the guest room. Casaio, however, lingered behind, his eyes still fixed on Gabriel. He clearly had something on his mind.
"Why are you letting a mage stay here?" Casaio asked, his voice laced with concern. "We don't usually involve ourselves with witches or anyone tied to them."
Gabriel didn't even look at him. "I don't owe you an explanation."
Casaio folded his arms, unbothered by the cold response. "Come on, don't shut me out. If something's going on, at least let me help."
Gabriel bluntly replied, "Your own life is a mess. Maybe focus on that first."
"Why are you speaking to Brother Casaio like that?" Amelie's voice snapped through the room as she entered, her eyes narrowing at Casaio. "You should answer him when he asks you a question."
She crossed the room and sat beside Gabriel on the couch, her tone softening as she addressed him directly.
