Side Story: Gabriel's Predicament (Part 3)

"Yes. I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask you to return home for today. I'll make it up to you properly later."

Gabriel pleaded gently, his voice calm.

But the boy's youthful face twisted with sorrow and pain, and the hand he had hesitantly reached out faltered, curling back against his chest as he stood frozen in place.

"Morin?"

"Am I… not enough?"

"What?"

The tears began to spill from Morin's large eyes, falling one after another onto the floor.

Gabriel who is shocked by this scene stepped forward, only for the boy's arms to suddenly wrap around him in a tight embrace.

"I'll be useful to you, Uncle Gabriel. I'll get along with Uncle Lysander. I like him too, so it's fine."

"Morin—"

"I won't get in the way of your relationship with him. I won't try to be first. I'll bear many children. So please—"

"Morin!"

Gabriel pulled away, gripping the boy by the shoulders to look at him properly.