Note: This Chapter’s only sweet moment between Kai and Sylas~~~
The black-robed guard with a black hood moved down gently. He was cautious when he saw Kai retreat with a frightened look, sensing the tension in the young man’s body.
"Don’t be afraid. I am Prince Sylas’ guard. I have come to take you to him," the guard said. He stopped a good distance away from Kai but made sure his voice was clear, firm, and reassuring.
Hearing the name Sylas, Kai immediately froze. He stood up straight, staring at the guard with wide eyes, full of curiosity and a little confusion.
"Come with me," the guard said softly, understanding Kai’s anxiety as if he could read his every heartbeat.
Kai looked around. He had his own trauma with men in guard uniforms. Several times, he had unpleasant experiences, which made him wary whenever he saw dark uniforms and decisive movements.
But he wouldn’t know if the man was honest unless he followed him. Besides, hadn’t Garry brought him here? The big man didn’t seem evil, he thought.
Kai took the risk and approached the guard.
The guard handed him a similar black hooded cloak. When Kai put it on, the cloak covered his entire body because it was so big, and the hood kept falling forward, blocking his view. Kai felt the fabric wrap around him, giving him a small sense of safety even though he was still anxious.
Kai held the reins tightly as the horse galloped. The guard instinctively held his waist with one hand, making sure he didn’t fall, considering the condition of Kai’s leg and remembering how protective the Prince was of his "servant."
The guard led Kai to the prince’s room. Several guards glanced at them but immediately returned to their duties when they saw the prince’s guard, as if they knew this was a special matter.
Once inside, Kai limped to the center of the room. The room felt familiar, giving him inner peace despite the dim lighting.
Sylas stood at the edge of the bed, talking to Sean. Kai stared silently, his heart pounding. The figure who had seemed so bright and untouchable in his eyes was now surrounded by knights and chosen attendants.
He looked down. Though happy to see his master, Kai felt inferior. Added to that was his dissatisfaction with his work, which made him sad. He was sure Sylas would be disappointed to have a slave like him. He just hoped he wouldn’t be called over and sent away.
Kai clenched his hands, feeling restless and cold against the floor beneath his feet.
Sylas noticed Kai next to the guard. He immediately smiled broadly and then looked back at Sean.
"This is enough for me. No need to overdo it. Just prepare clothes for Kai," he said. He wore a plain white shirt without a royal emblem. He looked like an ordinary rich man, but his demeanor clearly showed he was royalty.
His clothes were simple, made of the finest material that fit him perfectly. The lamp’s light touched his shoulders, giving off a warm aura that made Kai momentarily forget his anxiety.
Sylas walked toward Kai, who was still standing stiffly and looking down. He lifted the slave’s hood to see his face.
Kai looked lethargic and gloomy.
Sylas smiled, understanding the slave’s feelings from what Garry had reported.
Clearing his throat, Sylas said, "No wonder today is so gloomy."
Kai was confused. He stared at Sylas.
Sylas grinned slightly and gently caressed Kai’s cheek. "You made the moon hide because of your gloomy face."
Kai’s eyes widened, not understanding the expression. His brain spun.
Sylas chuckled softly at Kai’s reaction, then took off Kai’s cloak and handed it to Sean. "Let’s see how we can make you smile today."
Kai panicked. He realized Sylas was referring to his gloominess. He shouldn’t face his master with a downturned, unattractive face.
He bowed repeatedly. "I-I’m sorry..." He felt useless and increasingly incompetent at serving well.
Sylas took a breath. "Not again, Kai." He pulled Kai closer, straightening his posture.
He stared intently at the slave, a small smile playing on his lips. "How am I supposed to seduce you without scaring you away?"
Kai blinked, confused. He stared at Sylas and then looked down.
"Forget it... Now go change your clothes. Sean will help you."
Kai followed Sean. Meanwhile, Sylas spoke to Alvaro.
"You’ve taken care of Kai’s permission to leave, right?" asked Sylas.
Alvaro nodded and handed him a special royal stamp. The stamp was important if Kai had to return to the palace alone. Sylas made sure the protocol was followed properly, even though he had to take Kai quietly to avoid rumors.
"You can take it off first," Sean said impatiently.
Sylas turned his head. "What is it?"
Kai looked down, holding his wrist. Sean explained, "I’m asking him to remove the cloth on his hand. It’s dirty, Your Highness."
Sylas walked closer. Kai wore a thin white summer shirt with buttons on the wrists. The cloth bracelet he had been given looked dirty.
"You can take it off first, Kai." Sylas saw that the shirt covered his wrists well, so the bracelet wasn’t necessary.
But the slave shook his head.
Sylas smiled slightly. "You like it that much?"
He finally asked Sean to let Kai keep it.
Alvaro reminded Sylas to bring his sword. "I’ll protect you, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared."
Sylas looked at the sword in Alvaro’s hand. "I’m disguised as a commoner. How can I carry a sword?"
"But we don’t know what will happen," Alvaro said.
"I don’t want to stand out," Sylas insisted.
Alvaro sighed. Even without a sword, Sylas’ ordinary appearance was still noticeable. But in the end, he gave in.
Sylas looked at Kai in his white shirt. The collar covered his neck well, and the long sleeves hid all the scars on his body. He looked like a nobleman’s son, especially since Sean had neatly styled his hair.
Sylas gasped. Kai looked very different, handsome and sweet.
"You’re just unlucky to have been born in Omino. If you were a prince, who knows how many girls would die of broken hearts," Sylas said, complimenting him. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel~fire~net
Kai looked down, his cheeks reddening. He didn’t recognize his reflection from earlier. Hearing Sylas’ praise made it even more surprising.
Sylas walked closer. "I can’t take you to the festival during the day. But I hope you enjoy it tonight," he said, gently stroking Kai’s cheek.
Kai blinked. So they were going to the festival? His eyes widened with excitement.
Sylas noticed the sadness in Kai’s eyes for the first time.
"Have you been crying a lot?" Sylas asked.
Kai looked down, clenching his fingers. He remembered the weight he had carried for the past two days. Whatever he did seemed to end badly.
Sylas’ gentle, caring question made him want to tell everything he was feeling. But he was afraid.
When Sylas pressed, Kai could only cry. He quickly wiped his tears with his shirt, immediately regretting dirtying it.
"I-I’m sorry..." Kai murmured, fiddling with his wet sleeve.
Sylas grabbed Kai’s hand and gently pulled him into his embrace. "Do you know you have a prince by your side? Don’t you know what I can do for you?"
Kai was surprised for a moment, then felt an incredible calmness. He wanted to cry but didn’t want to stain the prince’s clothes.
"You don’t have to care about anyone else. If they scold you, just listen. If they hit you, report it to me. You are here to learn and earn for yourself. As long as you are doing your best, don’t worry about others," Sylas said.
"I know you are determined and never give up. No matter what anyone says, in my eyes, you are extraordinary. That’s enough. So, don’t cry again because of them, or anyone else," he added.
Kai heard everything. His master knew everything, and still accepted his shortcomings. Not only that, Sylas even said he was great.
Kai swallowed hard. When Sylas released him, he stared intently at the man.
Sylas lifted Kai’s chin, making him look at him. "Don’t belittle yourself for anyone. You have to realize that in my eyes, you are very great. I just want you to remember that."
Kai pressed his lips together, overwhelmed by Sylas’ words. Mixed emotions left him confused, and his tears came first.
"Why are you crying?"
Kai sobbed, his voice choked. "You... don’t hate me, Master?"
Sylas furrowed his brow. "Of course not. Who could hate a handsome and sweet young man like you?"
Kai felt his cheeks flush.
Behind Sylas, Alvaro’s voice could be heard. "Please, Your Highness, stop flirting. We have to go now."
Alvaro and the guards had been holding back, watching the two carefully. Inside, they were dying of secondhand embarrassment, fighting the urge to roll their eyes or gag, but of course, none of them dared show it in front of the prince.
Sylas chuckled softly. He looked back at Kai, who stared at him with red, teary eyes. "Let’s go. You should enjoy tonight. Be happy..."