In the cold, damp interrogation room that smelled of blood, Kai sat leaning against the wall. His body was stiff and hard to move. He couldn’t sit in the chair for long. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on noᴠelfire.net
His hands trembled as he placed the empty bowl on the floor. He didn’t want to eat; his stomach was churning. But he remembered Sylas’ words. His master wanted him to eat a lot. So he forced himself to finish the porridge with a few pieces of chicken.
Now his stomach twisted in pain. He hoped he wouldn’t throw up. Several times, he rubbed the stitches on his body—they were uncomfortable and painful.
His eyes never left the iron door. Every time it opened, they widened with hope. Hoping Sylas would come. But he was always disappointed when it was just the guard bringing food or a blanket.
He leaned his head against the wall, his eyes heavy. Cold sweat drenched his temples despite the freezing air in the cell. His face was pale. His body felt hot, like it was burning from the inside. He knew he had a fever.
He cursed his weak body again and again. It felt useless. This time, he didn’t try to be strong or push himself. Because tomorrow, he would be executed.
He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm his mind. Though he was prepared, his heart still raced with fear.
Then Sylas’ words echoed again.
That the man would come.
"Will he really come?" he asked himself. But he didn’t doubt it. He had to trust his master. Sylas would definitely come.
Kai lowered his head, feeling his heart warm. Sylas was thinking about him. Would the man himself escort him to the execution site? If that happened, he would have no regrets. The best death was to die beside his master. That was what his trainer had always said.
Maybe he would get that chance.
But when would the man arrive?
Kai flinched when he heard the door slowly open. His eyes widened.
A man in a black robe appeared.
It wasn’t Sylas. Kai slumped again in disappointment.
But his eyes watched the figure fearfully. The man looked different from the guards who had brought him food earlier.
Many shiny objects decorated his clothing, and he wore a black robe.
Voices could be heard outside. Then two guards Kai had seen before appeared. One of them was the guard who had tortured him yesterday.
Seeing him, Kai immediately backed away. His heart pounded loudly. Was he going to be tortured again?
The man in the robe gestured with his chin.
Kai was cornered in the room, unable to retreat any farther. His body was tense.
"P-please, no..." Kai whispered in fear. His body was still in pain. He just wanted to be killed without being tortured again.
The two guards moved quickly, dragging Kai’s legs away from the wall.
"Ah!" Kai cried out in surprise, struggling and kicking with his right foot.
But one of them moved swiftly, turned him around, and tied a cloth over his mouth. He pulled both of Kai’s hands behind him and tied them tightly with a rough rope. The other guard tied his legs.
Kai struggled, fighting with all his strength, but it was useless. The ropes were too tight, and he couldn’t move.
"MMMMH!!" His voice was muffled behind the gag. His breath came in fast gasps. Panic overwhelmed him as they covered his head with a black cloth bag.
Kai struggled, the rough rope cutting into his skin until it turned red.
"Nngghh!!" His body tensed as he was lifted. His stomach landed on what he guessed was someone’s shoulder. He was carried like a sack.
His hearing sharpened. Heavy footsteps echoed. Then he felt them climbing stairs.
He didn’t know where they were taking him. Was this it? Was it time for his execution?
But he hadn’t seen Sylas yet.
His body felt weak, from the fever or the fear—he didn’t know which. His stomach was tight and tense. He didn’t want to die before seeing Sylas.
Kai squirmed slightly. The man carrying him hit his butt to make him stop.
Sylas stood by the edge of the royal garden pond. Several guards stood around him. The moonlight reflected off the water rippling in the wind.
Sylas was lost in thought. The palace had made an official announcement to the public: the king had awakened and would appear for the first time since his illness, tomorrow after the execution.
So the execution was still going to happen.
If he hadn’t heard the announcement himself, he might have panicked and gotten angry. But his father had made a separate announcement within the palace, saying that Kai would be released because they knew who the real culprit was.
Sylas didn’t know what his father was really planning. The execution was still scheduled, even though Kai had been declared innocent. That worried him.
A few moments later, Amos appeared. The knight moved silently toward him. Even the guards were surprised to see him suddenly appear.
Sylas looked at Amos, demanding an explanation.
Amos shook his head. "He’s not in the dungeon," he said softly.
Sylas fell silent. Terrible thoughts filled his mind.
Either his father had lied, and Kai would still be executed, or Kai had already been disposed of.
Sylas clenched his jaw. But the thought of Kai being exiled was still more comforting than the idea of him being dead. At least the boy would be alive.
His heart beat fast with worry. He swore he’d curse his father if he had lied.
Sylas walked around the royal residence. His heart and mind were restless.
Amos and the guards were used to his habits when he was upset. They didn’t know how many times he would walk around the huge building.
"Your Royal Highness, please get some rest," one of the guards said as they reached the terrace for the second time.
Sylas took a deep breath. Sweat was beading on his forehead. But he was still uneasy.
’What will happen tomorrow?’