Kai stood frozen beside Dionar, his body trembling slightly. He didn’t understand why the old man seemed to be pushing him into the abyss of darkness. Why was he being cornered? Wasn’t it Dionar who had forced him to come here?
He looked around but didn’t dare glance at Sylas. It was clear the young king was angry. Kai wanted to disappear. The stares of the people were sharp, as if they were waiting for him to be humiliated.
Dionar’s grip on his arm was still strong, while a smug smile stayed on his face, as if he had successfully trapped a wild animal to parade in front of everyone.
The ballroom was silent, all eyes now fixed on Sylas as he stepped forward. The young king’s clothes sparkled under the chandeliers, his face calm but difficult to read. The music had stopped, and the silence felt heavy and tense.
Everyone wondered what was really happening.
"Your Majesty," Dionar said with feigned respect, his voice loud enough for the guests to hear as he repeated his statement. "This servant dared to spread the most vile rumors. He claims to have shared your bed many times. I brought him here so that you may allow me to judge his insolence."
With the room silent, Dionar’s voice echoed clearly. The nobles looked at one another before focusing on the thin figure in plain clothes standing in the middle of the room.
Of all Dionar’s words, the statement about the servant sleeping with Sylas drew the most attention. Was it true that the limping servant was the secret lover of the young king they respected?
Sylas stopped right in front of Dionar and Kai. He looked around, smiled, and then turned back to Dionar.
"Lord Dionar," Sylas said softly, but his voice was clear enough to reach every corner of the room. "Your vigilance is truly admirable, but as head of security, is it appropriate for you to parade a servant into my coronation and spread rumors on a night meant to honor the crown?"
Sylas looked around. "Who benefits from such a distraction?"
Dionar stayed silent for a moment, then shook his head and tried to look serious. "I only want to defend your honor, Your Majesty."
"Defend my honor?" Sylas’s smile was faint but sharp. "You saw this poor servant at the royal family’s residence, which means he belongs to the royal family. Is that correct?"
Dionar nodded. "Yes, I understand, Your Majesty. But this servant is insolent, spreading baseless rumors. Is it true that he slept with you?"
Sylas smiled. He knew Dionar was deliberately stirring trouble, and he had chosen this important day to bring him down. At a moment , anything Sylas said could sound like a defense that would be twisted by others.
"Lord Dionar, you, as head of the capital’s security, have no authority to interrogate a palace servant. This servant belongs to the royal palace. Whoever dares to question him questions me."
Dionar was silent. He knew his limits. Of course, he couldn’t touch the servant. But his words were enough to harm the young king’s image.
Sylas turned to Kai, his expression softening. Slowly, deliberately, Sylas placed his hand on Kai’s shoulder. That small gesture caused whispers to rise again. Kai’s trembling eased a little from the warmth of his touch.
"This servant has passed trials you could never endure," Sylas continued in a warm but commanding voice. "He stood by my side when swords were drawn, when storms threatened, when shadows closed in. If there are rumors about him, let them mention only one thing: that he has remained loyal to me. To the royal family."
He continued, "Now, I want to know what Lord Dionar really wants."
Sylas looked at Kai, his gaze steady and calming. "Is it true that you said you slept with me?"
Kai looked at Sylas, then at Dionar, who was staring at him sharply and slyly. The old man was using his words to push him. He didn’t want to end up being interrogated. Looking around, it seemed everyone was waiting for his answer.
Kai lowered his head, then shook it. "N-no..."
Dionar glared at Kai. So the slave was cunning after all. Virouse had been right, the boy was truly an annoying obstacle.
"How dare you twist the truth now, servant?!" snapped Dionar.
The hall fell silent again. The nobles held their breath.
Then whispers spread through the room. Some turned to Dionar with scornful looks. Everyone knew the Barn family wanted to bring down the royal family. Some nobles even seemed amused, treating it as entertainment.
Sylas’s expression remained calm, but his voice hardened as he looked back at the white-haired man. "It seems you may have a slight hearing problem, Lord Dionar. That is normal, considering your age. So forgive this servant and let him continue his work."
Dionar’s smile faltered. His lips tightened, and he fell silent. The hall’s silence weighed heavily on him. His face flushed with anger.
Sylas straightened and asked Alvaro to take Kai away. He raised his glass as if the matter wasn’t worth another word. "Don’t let nonsense stain this celebration. Tonight we celebrate loyalty—of nobles, soldiers, and servants alike. Without loyalty, we are nothing."
The hall erupted in applause. The nobles raised their glasses. Music returned, and the tension slowly melted into the revelry.
Dionar’s face hardened, his victory stolen. He could not argue without embarrassing himself, exposed before everyone as a man who twisted words to spread scandal.
Everyone’s gaze lingered on Sylas, but he had already returned to mingling with the guests, chatting with nobles and surrounded by beautiful women, as if the rumors had never existed.
"You must be upset, Your Majesty. Some people will do anything to bring another down," said Apollo Vemming, one of the nobles close to Sylas since childhood because they had studied together. The man was rumored to replace Earl Adam Vemming.
Several nobles agreed, exchanging thoughts and laughter.
"The accusation is cruel and ridiculous."
"Who would want to sleep with a disabled servant? Especially young King Sylas. Even if I liked men, I would think a thousand times," Apollo said with a small laugh. The most update n0vels are published on novel⸺fire.net
Sylas smiled. "There is nothing wrong with him. His disability should never be treated as shameful. What is shameful is spreading malicious rumors. Whether he is disabled or not, that is not something an educated man should do."
Apollo frowned but nodded. Then he pointed to a handsome young man at the end of the room. "Can you introduce us, Your Majesty? I’m interested in him."
His words drew playful shouts from another young nobles around them.
Sylas glanced at the man Apollo meant, then smiled when he saw Amos standing guard at the south door of the ballroom.
"I’m afraid I can’t, Apollo. He is too young, and he is a royal knight," Sylas said.
"Yes, I know he’s a knight. That’s exactly why I want him."
"Oh, but he belongs to the kingdom. And before he’s old enough, I won’t let him be tainted," Sylas replied jokingly, knowing how Apollo liked to have many partners.
Apollo pretended to look disappointed.
That night, the party went smoothly, but Sylas couldn’t wait to return to his room. He hoped Alvaro understood his message to bring Kai to his room.
By midnight, Sylas returned with Alvaro and Amos. He asked them to rest after he changed clothes.
They found Kai asleep on the sofa, just as Sylas had ordered him to wait. The young man didn’t wake up until Alvaro and Amos left the room, leaving him alone with Sylas.
Sylas sat carefully beside him, staring deeply. He knew Kai must be scared and confused. Guilt tugged at him for not protecting him better. But he had done his best.
He glanced at Kai’s clothes. The air was turning colder, autumn was coming soon. But Kai was still wearing thin summer clothes. Sylas thought he needed to make new ones for him.
He gently pulled Kai’s hand, wanting to move him to the bed. But Kai stirred awake and opened his eyes in surprise.
"Oh, sorry. I was going to move you to the bed," Sylas said, calming him as Kai quickly sat up.
Kai lowered his gaze shyly. He waited for Sylas to come. Even though he had come here intending to act more aggressif as Alora told him, problems always seemed to follow.
"You must be scared," Sylas said, extending his hand.
Kai stared at the outstretched hand.
"Come, hug me, Kai," Sylas said.
Kai blushed. He moved closer and hugged Sylas tightly, breathing in the warmth of the young king’s body and his comforting scent.
"I’m sorry. I haven’t been able to introduce you to the properly," Sylas whispered.
"I haven’t been able to introduce you as my lover."
Kai’s heart pounded at those words. He pressed his face against Sylas’s chest, unable to answer. The thought of being acknowledged openly both terrified and thrilled him. For the first time that day, the fear loosened its grip, replaced by a fragile, hopeful warmth.