Sylas stared at Kai, who was fast asleep beside him. The slave’s body lay on top of the bushes.
"Such a beauty," Sylas thought, unaware he had been staring for too long. The slave’s face looked healthier and fresher now, unlike when they first met. His skin wasn’t like a typical slave’s—clean and soft, though scars were visible on his neck.
Sylas noticed a circular mark on Kai’s neck and some bite marks that had turned dark. He leaned in closer to see them better. The marks were clearly imprinted on his skin.
Had the slave been bitten by something? Maybe he had wandered into the forest and encountered wild animals. Sylas couldn’t imagine living in the forest for so long.
He felt sorry for him—and guilty. Kai, asleep, looked innocent. How could someone so weak and gentle live as a slave?
Many humans had suffered the same fate. It was something Sylas had never imagined existed in this world. When he saw the servants, he thought they were humans who deserved special treatment.
But after seeing Kai, the servants didn’t seem so unfortunate. They worked and received compensation for it. Did slaves have the same rights?
Seeing how they treated Kai in Omino, he doubted they even saw him as human. How could they sell people like property? In his own kingdom?
Sylas felt a heavy weight in his chest. He was nearly twenty-three, the only heir to the king, the future ruler. But now he realized how weak and foolish he truly was.
What did the people expect from a future king like him? He couldn’t even return to the palace or control his own guards. He didn’t even know the state of his kingdom.
That there were people like Kai, living like livestock.
Sylas looked at Kai again, gently stroking his head. Could he take the slave with him? He wanted to care for him. But the situation made it impossible.
He looked around. The air was cold. His ears caught the sound of footsteps.
He became alert, his eyes scanning sharply for the source of the sound.
Sylas’s eyes widened. Alvaro’s voice was clear. He quickly stood up, staring as Alvaro appeared, walking along the lake’s edge.
"Alvaro, where have you been?" Sylas asked, relieved to see him return. Alvaro looked fine, though tired and worn out.
"I don’t know what happened. I felt like I’d been walking in the same place for hours. I couldn’t find a way out," Alvaro complained, walking toward Sylas and collapsing beside him, breathing heavily.
"Did you get lost?" Sylas asked.
Alvaro didn’t answer. Instead, his eyes focused on Kai’s sleeping figure. "How did he end up here?"
"I saw him earlier. It seems he’s been lost in the forest all this time."
Alvaro shook his head quickly. "No. He was with someone. They found us in the carriage. I drove him away because we couldn’t take him. He had to go."
Sylas froze. "What do you mean?"
"It seems he found a master or someone who helped us survive. Without them, we might’ve died, tied up in those bushes."
Sylas was shocked. Kai saved both of them? But why didn’t he leave? Why was he following them?
"Where are the others?"
Sylas glared. "How could you just send him away? We should at least thank him."
"In this situation? Come on, Sylas."
Sylas was about to respond when Alvaro handed him a handful of berries. "Eat this."
Sylas took the berries and ate them. "What should we do now? Rest and try to find another way tomorrow?" Google seaʀᴄh novel·fiɾe·net
Alvaro shook his head. "I found a path. It’ll take us to the capital. It’s better if the palace guards catch us. We have to get inside the palace, no matter what."
Sylas agreed. He couldn’t wait anymore. What had happened to his father? He couldn’t rest until he knew.
For the first time, the palace felt so far away, out of reach. He had lived there all his life. Why was it so hard to return now?
Sylas tried to wake Kai, but Alvaro stopped him.
"We can’t take him with us."
"But we can’t leave him in the forest."
"He’ll find his own way. We have to go."
Sylas looked at Alvaro, disliking the idea. "I’ll take him. At least until we reach the village."
Alvaro shook his head. "No. He’ll only slow us down!"
Kai woke up when Sylas gently stroked his cheek. He panicked, sat up, and knelt down. Still half-conscious, he looked at Alvaro, who seemed annoyed, then at Sylas.
"We have to leave," Sylas said, pulling Kai’s hand and helping him stand.
"You, go back to your master. We can’t take you!" Alvaro snapped. How could they bring along a crippled slave while they were in danger?
"Alvaro," Sylas warned, seeing the fear in Kai’s eyes.
Alvaro sighed and glared at Sylas. "Your Highness, please, listen to me. We can’t take that slave. He’ll die!"
Sylas looked at Alvaro, clearly frustrated. "I know, Alvaro. But we can’t just leave him here. At least let us take him to the village."
Kai realized he would be abandoned again once they reached the village. He dropped to his knees and looked up at Sylas.
"P-please take me with you, Master... I will be a good slave," Kai pleaded softly.
Sylas looked at his anxious, frightened face and gave a small smile.
"I’ll make sure you’re safe until we reach the village. But we can’t take you with us beyond that. You see, I have nothing. We’re in danger. If you come with us, you might die," Sylas said.
But Kai didn’t care. He grabbed Sylas’s pants and looked up at him, begging.
"Leave him, or I’ll kill him right here," Alvaro threatened.
Kai trembled, but he didn’t want to lose Sylas again. No matter what, he wanted to follow him—even into hell.
Sylas gently pulled Kai’s hand away from his pants. "I’ll take him to the village," he said firmly, helping Kai to his feet.
Alvaro exhaled sharply, then walked ahead, pushing through the bushes with a large branch.
Sylas walked beside Kai, who was limping. He didn’t know how far they had to go, but he couldn’t rush the slave, knowing Kai was already doing his best.
Finally, Sylas crouched in front of him. "Get on my back," he said.
Kai was surprised, hesitant, and afraid. He stood frozen, confused—especially when he saw Alvaro stop and glare at him.
Sylas gasped when Alvaro grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet. "What are you—"
Before he could finish, he saw Alvaro had already picked Kai up onto his back.
"You know, you’re really a hassle!" Alvaro snapped, starting to walk.
Kai clutched his hands in front of Alvaro’s chest, looking down sadly. "I-I’m sorry..."
Sylas followed behind, worried Alvaro might throw Kai into the middle of the lake. He wouldn’t be surprised if he actually did it.
They had walked quite a distance when a strong wind suddenly blew around them. Sylas was startled, and Alvaro nearly dropped Kai from his back.
When the wind died down, the three of them froze at the sight of a man standing in their path, wearing a smirk.
Kai stiffened, staring at the figure. Fear swept over him.