Meanwhile, Sylas just stared at Kai for a long time. He was trying to figure out what was going on in the slave’s mind. Several times, he was startled and surprised by his behavior.
Sylas looked at Kai’s clenched hands. Just a few minutes ago, the slave had been whimpering and groaning in pain—now he was suddenly kneeling, his body tense.
"Kai, open your eyes," Sylas said.
Kai felt his heart pounding hard. He opened his eyes but didn’t dare meet Sylas’s gaze.
"In Omino, what did they teach you?" Sylas asked.
Kai swallowed hard. He immediately felt guilty. He had broken so many rules. It made him even more afraid that Sylas would abandon him.
"A slave must always be ready whenever the master needs them. A slave must wake up before the master and sleep after the master. A slave eats and rests only when ordered. No complaining, no shouting, no making a sound unless spoken to. A slave must obey and do whatever their master commands. A slave must protect their master—"
"Okay, stop." Sylas cut Kai off. The slave had clearly memorized it all.
Kai flinched when Sylas’s hand brushed his cheek, closing his eyes as if expecting a slap.
But Sylas’s hand gently stroked his cheek, leaving him confused.
"I know you’re not stupid. You understand what I’m saying. How many times have I told you—you’re no longer a slave?" Sylas asked, his voice soft but firm.
Sylas lifted his chin, forcing Kai to look at him.
"You are not a slave anymore. No one in this world can order you around without your permission," Sylas said.
"You don’t need to be afraid of me. You just need to respect me—as I respect you. Understand?" Sylas continued.
Kai blinked. He didn’t understand.
Sylas knew it would be hard for Kai to see himself as an ordinary person, not a slave. But he wouldn’t stop reminding him.
"Now, go back to sleep," Sylas said. He had only turned away for a second when Kai slid off the bed.
"Kai, where are you going? Sleep here," Sylas ordered. He was starting to get used to Kai. He realized he had to give clear instructions. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveIＦire.net
Kai said nothing, climbed back onto the bed, and hesitated before lying down. Sylas didn’t chase him away. And the bed was very comfortable.
Kai tensed up when Sylas pulled a thin blanket over him. He swallowed hard.
"You have to get well soon, so go to sleep now," Sylas said.
He couldn’t say a word when he saw Kai close his eyes right away. Kai couldn’t hear a command without obeying it immediately.
Sylas had to leave Kai in the room and locked him in the bathroom. He didn’t want anyone to take the slave while he was away.
He needed to make sure the slave healed before sending him to the servant quarters.
But he made sure there was enough food in the bathroom.
Sylas smiled a little as he saw Kai obediently sitting on the floor, quietly watching him place the food down without making a sound until he left.
The slave was so adorable.
When he got to the study, James was already waiting outside. The old man bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, Your Royal Highness," James greeted him.
"Good morning, Sir James. I actually wanted to speak to you." Sylas invited James in.
James stood in front of the desk, watching Sylas sit in his chair.
"Do you know the bathroom servant I sent to be dismissed?" Sylas asked.
James nodded. "That’s actually why I came, Your Highness."
Sylas narrowed his eyes. "Do you have any objections?"
"No objections, Your Highness. But Marcus has been working in the palace since he was a child. He’s usually the bathroom attendant for Lord Elias. Your usual attendant wasn’t available last night, so I sent Marcus instead."
Sylas nodded. "Whoever he is, he shouldn’t have treated someone else so badly. I won’t change my decision."
"Please reconsider, Your Highness. He’s a loyal and skilled servant. This was his first mistake."
"Well, Sir James. I’m sure you won’t like it, but I’m giving him an extra punishment. He didn’t just insult my guest—he hurt him. So, before you leave, please have him whipped ten times," Sylas said.
James was about to speak but stopped himself. He just bowed respectfully and left.
Sylas turned to Amos. "Have you seen Alvaro today?" he asked.
Sylas was worried about Alvaro since he hadn’t visited him after the flogging. Every time he tried, more duties got in the way.
And today, he had to meet Elias to thank him. It felt a little awkward, but he had to do it.
It was probably the first time in years he had been alone with Elias. The man sat calmly in his chair.
"Breakfast will be ready soon. You should go," Elias said, noticing Sylas had been silent.
Sylas nodded. "Yes, I just came to say thank you. Once again—thank you," he said sincerely.
Elias smiled slightly. "I was once in the position of a servant, so I just wanted to save him. But you know... you can’t keep him with you. Not until you have more power than His Majesty."
Sylas nodded. "I understand."
Then, suddenly, he was curious. He looked at Elias seriously.
"You said you were once in Kai’s position. What did you mean? Didn’t my father always protect you?" Sylas asked. After all, his own father had even forgotten his mother to spare Elias’s feelings.
Elias was quiet for a long time. "All I can say is that his position at the time wasn’t good. Much worse than yours now. He had many enemies, even within the palace. His own brothers tried to kill him several times. He would never have been able to take the throne if he admitted he loved a male servant. And he knew he couldn’t protect himself without power. So... he had to sacrifice a lot," Elias said. His voice was calm, but Sylas could see the pain in his eyes.
Sylas fell silent. He had always seen Elias as his mother’s enemy—the one who ruined her happiness, even caused her to die of a broken heart. But for the first time, he saw just a human being. A gaze filled with old wounds—the same kind his mother had.
Sylas nodded. "I just hope I won’t hurt anyone for the throne. Especially not by marrying a woman I know I can’t love."
Elias smiled faintly. "There are many things to consider when you become king, Your Highness. But I pray for your happiness."
Sylas stood up. Before leaving, he turned briefly. "I hope for your happiness too, Lord Elias."
He left right after. That day, he asked the court tailor to make clothes for Kai. He also ordered a few other things.
At lunchtime, Sylas asked Amos to check on Kai.
After leaving Sylas with several knights in the dining room, Amos rushed to Sylas’s room. He opened the bathroom door right away.
He froze when he looked inside.
Kai had already dropped to his knees with his head to the floor as soon as he heard the door.
Amos swallowed hard. He noticed the untouched food on the small table.
Kai looked up and stared at Amos. Then he saw the knight pointing at the food.
Kai moved behind the table quickly, his stomach growling. He looked at Amos with wide, sparkling eyes.
"Thank you, Master..."
Amos stood there, stunned. He usually didn’t like to talk, but this time he was even more speechless. He just watched Kai eat with full enthusiasm until his cheeks bulged.
Amos said nothing as he watched Kai grabbing the food with his hands, completely ignoring the fork and other utensils. His hands were now dirty.
Amos jumped a bit when Kai started choking. He just stood there for a second, then finally stepped forward and handed him a glass of water.
"I—I’m sorry..." Kai said as he took the glass and drank, his expression full of guilt.
Amos was confused. Instead of getting a thank you, he got an apology.
He kept watching as Kai, though clearly full, still forced himself to eat the rest. The meal was meant to last from morning to noon, so of course it was a lot. It seemed Kai had skipped breakfast too.
Kai’s face turned red, but little by little, he managed to finish it all without leaving a single bite.
Amos picked up the utensils and quickly left. He had never met a human as strange as Kai.