Rafael didn't even blink.
He didn't do the whole startled noble routine. He didn't pretend Gabriel had no business knowing. This was the palace. Nothing stayed private for longer than a heartbeat unless someone bled for it.
And Rafael had learned, very quickly, that Gabriel didn't pry for entertainment. He pried because he needed to know which direction the knives were coming from. The fact that he made it look and feel entertaining was a reflection of the new empress' abilities.
"It's going public," Rafael said, calm, almost pleased in a spiteful way. "Marriage and pregnancy. Together."
Arik made a small sound and slapped Gabriel's chest like that was an acceptable decision.
Gabriel's eyes flicked up. "Good."
Rafael's mouth twitched. "You sound relieved."
"I am," Gabriel said simply. "The faster you remove ambiguity, the fewer people get to build stories around you."
Rafael exhaled through his nose. "Tell that to the noble salons. They build stories around empty chairs."
