The guards exchanged glances, staring at Kai before explaining that Sylas was not at the royal family’s residence that night. The young king was in the ballroom because they were holding a coronation party for Sylas.
Kai bowed his head. He didn’t know. So, it was pointless for him to come there. He realized that Sylas must be very busy at the moment. Kai bowed his head again, thanked them, and turned to leave.
Dionar Barn walked out with Visen. He was bringing several horses as a gift for Sylas. As Lady Miranda’s younger brother, he was allowed to enter the royal family’s residence.
As the head of security in the capital, his eyes were trained to notice even the smallest details. Kai’s unusual appearance caught his attention.
"Who is he in the palace of the royal family?" asked Dionar.
Visen seemed reluctant to answer. He knew Dionar, a venomous snake who had a thousand ways to bring down people he didn’t like.
"Just a servant," he replied. He was only escorting Dionar on Adrien’s orders; otherwise, he didn’t want to linger with the man. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel~fire~net
"A servant?" Dionar walked faster with a sly smile on his lips. "I didn’t know you had disabled servants."
Dionar knew one thing, that Sylas had a romantic relationship with a disabled servant or slave, according to Virouse’s story. A slave who made the man very angry.
And that slave had just entered the royal family’s palace. He was increasingly convinced that this figure was related to Sylas.
When they arrived at the terrace, Dionar ordered the guards to call Kai back.
Visen was immediately on alert. "We have to go back right away. His Majesty is waiting for you," he said, trying to keep the man away from Kai. He didn’t care about the servant, but he was sure Dionar was planning something bad every chance he got. He didn’t want to cause trouble for Sylas or the king.
"Wait, I want to see his face. You know, he’s a very cute servant," said Dionar.
Kai was surprised when the guard called him. He turned and the guard asked him to come back.
Confused, Kai walked back to the palace terrace. He looked up and saw a white-haired man in a black uniform and black robe with many emblems staring at him. His gaze was sharp and frightening, his smile sly.
Then he looked at Visen standing next to the man. His eyes widened in panic.
What should he do? Why were they calling him? Sylas wasn’t there. What if they did something bad to him?
Kai stood still. He wanted to run away from there, but he knew it was best to obey for now.
He was nervous, clasping his hands in front of his body.
"What is your name?" asked Dionar, his voice booming, making Kai swallow hard.
"K-Kai..." replied Kai a little louder.
Dionar grinned, confirming that this young man was indeed the servant who had upset Virouse.
"Are you looking for someone?" asked Dionar.
Kai quickly shook his head. "N-no, I will go back to the dormitory..." He bowed respectfully before turning away.
Dionar stepped down from the terrace. "You’re looking for King Sylas, aren’t you?"
Kai stopped. He looked down. He couldn’t lie, but he also didn’t want to get involved in trouble. He just wanted to go back right now.
Dionar stared at the figure in front of him. Thin clothes covered a thin body. His hands were rough but pale white. His bowed face was very handsome and cute, even adorable.
Visen held his breath when he saw Dionar touch Kai’s chin, forcing the young man to look up in surprise and fear. He felt uneasy. Something bad might happen if Dionar became interested in something. Especially if that something was connected to the royal family.
"Lord Dionar, we must leave now," said Visen, impatiently.
Kai frowned. He pressed his lips together, feeling Dionar’s grip tighten, hurting his jaw. The man stared at him intensely and sharply. He was familiar with that gaze, the gaze of masters assessing a slave they wanted to buy. But right now, he wasn’t at a slave market.
"Do you want to meet King Sylas?" asked Dionar.
Kai swallowed hard. He shook his head. He was too scared now, his heart pounding. He just wanted to go back to the dormitory.
Dionar smirked slightly. "He must have forgotten you. I’ll take you there. Come with me."
Visen immediately intervened. "We can’t take him. His Majesty is with important guests and nobles. If His Majesty wants to meet this servant, I will take him myself," he said.
Dionar looked at Visen. "You are still very young. How do you think you can control me?"
Visen was surprised, the man’s tone sharp and cold. He then looked down. "I’m sorry."
Dionar looked at Kai again and put on a smile, making Kai uncomfortable. "So the rumors are true. King Sylas has a handsome servant lover," he said.
Visen looked down, knowing that Dionar was really looking for trouble. If the whole kingdom found out about Sylas and Kai’s relationship, Sylas’ reputation would be ruined.
Dionar pulled Kai’s arm and took him to the carriage. Kai just gave in, not knowing what to do.
During the trip, inside the carriage, Kai felt Dionar’s sharp gaze piercing him. He just sat there, looking down, uncomfortable.
"Did King Sylas ever try to sleep with you?" Dionar asked suddenly.
Kai was surprised by the sudden question. Sleep? He often slept with Sylas. Was that important?
"Answer my question," Dionar pressed, his voice cold and impatient.
Kai was shocked and frightened by this. He simply nodded in response. He was even more surprised when Dionar suddenly chuckled with a deep, frightening voice.
"I never expected that out of thousands of beautiful women, he would choose a disabled slave who can’t even speak properly," he said, still chuckling.
Kai looked down, clenching his hands on his thighs. Why did those words sound so painful? His chest pounded uncomfortably. And those words made him a little sad.
The carriage stopped. The coachman opened the carriage door.
Kai got out carefully, staring at the palace in front of him, which was very bright. Many guards stood watch at every corner. He turned his head as the carriage left them there.
Dionar led him into the palace, drawing the attention of all the guards. He just walked with his head bowed, uncomfortable with their stares.
They entered a spacious room, passing through a corridor. Several men passed them, dressed in beautiful clothes. The sound of music grew louder. With every step, Kai’s heart beat faster.
He stumbled along behind Dionar, who walked steadily but quickly. Until finally, they were in front of a room filled with the noise of a party.
Kai looked inside. There were many people, all dressed beautifully. Women in floor-length dresses were chatting and standing in various spots. The men were the same. Some were sitting at tables decorated with beautiful candles.
Kai didn’t know how many, but they were scattered throughout the vast room. He stopped at the doorway, nervous.
From the end of the corridor, Alvaro was visible, dressed unusually in a beautiful black robe, walking quickly toward him.
"Kai!" he exclaimed, grabbing the young man’s hand.
Kai looked up, slightly relieved to see the man.
"Why are you here?" asked Alvaro. He then looked at Dionar, who was standing there, smiling.
"I brought him to meet King Sylas," said Dionar.
Alvaro’s eyes widened. He looked at Kai’s clothes, which were slightly see-through, very inappropriate for attending a party.
James saw the three of them and sensed that there was a problem. He immediately walked over, avoiding the commotion. He bowed respectfully to Dionar.
"Lord Dionar, what is going on?" he asked. Instead of going inside, the man stood at the doorway.
At that moment, the host’s elegant and calm voice was heard, asking everyone who was dancing to stop. The couples dancing in the middle of the room, and the music immediately stopped.
Kai was no longer focused on Dionar and James’ conversation. His eyes were fixed on Sylas. He was wearing beautiful red royal attire that fit his body perfectly. His handsome face and neatly combed hair stood out. His eyes sparkled warmly.
He didn’t hear what the host said, or rather, he wasn’t focused on listening. His gaze was fixed on Sylas, who was surrounded by beautiful girls. The man seemed to be chatting and smiling occasionally. Around him, the men seemed to be chatting too.
Kai noticed that some of the girls were standing very close, even clearly trying to lean their bodies against the young king. Kai didn’t know how he felt at that moment, but it made him uncomfortable. His heart was pounding. Why didn’t he like that sight?
Kai saw James leave. Alvaro looked tense. Dionar walked into the crowd, leaving him behind.
"Why are you here!" Alvaro snapped, his gaze sharp.
Kai looked down. He should just leave. Alvaro had already pulled him away when he heard Dionar calling.
Dionar walked toward him again. This time, Kai looked at Sylas, who was standing in the middle of the room, staring at him in horror. It was a look he didn’t want to see at all, one that made him want to leave immediately.
Dionar pulled Kai, leading him in front of the young king.
"Your Majesty, I saw him wandering in front of the royal family’s residence. He was looking for you," Dionar said calmly.
Sylas didn’t look anywhere, not even at the guests who were watching them. Not at the host who was trying to get the guess attention.
His gaze was only on Kai.
On Kai’s frightened and confused face. He just wanted to embrace him.
"You see, Your Majesty. He dared to say that he slept with you. This servant, he dared to spread such a frightening rumor," said Dionar. His voice was drowned out by the music, but it could still be heard around him. And that made people curious.
"So I will take him away, interrogate him, Your Majesty. No one is allowed to humiliate or insult the dignity of the royal family," exclaimed Dionar.
Kai looked around, nervous and afraid, especially with the judgmental stares he was receiving at that moment.
Dionar’s words made him even more afraid, trembling. Interrogation?
Sylas knew that Dionar just wanted to cause trouble. The man wanted everyone to know that he had slept with a male servant, making him look bad. If he intervened now, it would be even more obvious that he was protecting the servant.
Sylas signaled for the music to stop again. Everyone was now looking at him.